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What is [الوسطية] [Al-Wasatiyyah (The Middle Path)?

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saalim Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

It is widely known with some of the people, that Al [ٱلۡوُسۡطَ] is only that which occupies the middle position between two things, and they do not call to attention the other meaning of this word, as mentioned in the Magnificent Qur’aan and the Prophetic Sunnah. [ٱلۡوُسۡطَ ]  in the Islamic legislation is that which is ‘Superior.’ [Allaah (The Most High)] said: said:

 

حَـٰفِظُواْ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَوَٲتِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱلۡوُسۡطَىٰ

”Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawaat (the prayers) especially the Salatul Wustaa (the Asr prayer)” [2:238]

[ٱلۡوُسۡطَىٰ]; meaning: the best, more excellent etc.

And [Allaah (The Most High)] said:

مِنۡ أَوۡسَطِ مَا تُطۡعِمُونَ أَهۡلِيكُمۡ

[مِنۡ أَوۡسَطِ ] [On the scale] of the average of that which you feed your own families” [5:89]

That is: The best and most just.

And [Allaah (The Most High)] said:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ جَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَسَطً۬ا

”Thus We have made you [أُمَّةً۬ وَسَطً۬ا] [2:143]

That is: the best and most upright.

 

The intent behind all this is to understand that [الوسطية] in the context of the Religion is that which is ‘best’ and the ‘Justice of the Religion’—(and it is) to follow that which Allaah (The Mighty and Magestic) has commanded and keep away and refrain from that which He has forbidden.  As for the explanation of [الوسطية] in the religious context with a meaning other than this meaning; then it is (something founded upon a foundation) ready to crumble down. It is a mirage which the thirsty one considers water (i.e. an illusion). [Source: Al Haqeeqatus Shar-iyyah Fee Tafseeril Qur’aanil Adheem Was-Sunnatin Nabawiyyati page: 186]

 

Rebellion against the Rulers–O Muslims! Ponder Upon This Statement of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) stated:

He [i.e. the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi-wasallam)] legislated for his Ummah the obligation of disapproving evil, in order that by disapproving it, the good beloved to Allaah and His Messenger is reached. And if disapproving evil will necessitate what is eviler and more hateful to Allaah and His Messenger, then it is not permitted to disapprove of it, even if Allaah hates it and loathes those who carry out (such evil). And this is similar to the disapproval towards the kings and those in charge of the affairs—by rebelling against them; for indeed it is the foundation of every evil and trial till the end of time.

And indeed the Sahaabah sought the permission of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) to kill those rulers who delay the prayer from its prescribed time, and they said: ‘’Should we not kill them?’’”So he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “’’No; as long as they establish the prayer.’’”He (sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam) said: “Whoever sees something from his ruler which he hates, then let him exercise patience and not remove the hand of obedience to the ruler.’’”

And whoever ponders upon the greatest and smallest trials that have taken its toll on Islaam, he/she will observe that (such trials occur) as a result of neglecting this principle and (due to) the absence of exercising patience in [the face of] evil.  So he (i.e. the person) seeks to stop it and what is of greater evil emanates from it.

And indeed, Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu-alayhi- wasallam) saw the gravest evils in Makkah and he was unable to stop them; rather when Allaah (enabled the Muslims to) conquer Makkah and it became an Islamic Land,  he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was determined to alter the Ka’bah and rebuild it based on the foundations it was built upon by Ibraaheem (alayhis-salaam).  However, he refrained from (it) even though he had the ability to do so, fearing that that which is greater (disadvantage) will ensue due to the Quraish not been able to bear it; because they were new  converts to Islaam and had abandoned disbelief not so long. And because of this (reason), he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) did not permit disapproval towards the rulers by way of using one’s hand (i.e. through fighting) due to what may result from it—affairs of greater (evil) that may come about thereafter.

[Source: I’laam Muwaqqi-een 3/15-16]’

The khawaarij of old and the contemporary khawaarij–Every people have inheritors and every land has a cultivator

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Refutations, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

The khawaarij used to oppose Ali, and they used to oppose the sahaabah, (claiming) that they were the ones in compliance (with the teachings) of Islaam; and that the Sahaabah were misguided and had become disbelievers.  It is the same at present– as the saying goes, history repeats itself; at present–according to the these khawaarij– the scholars of the Sunnah are misguided, worshipers of the rulers, spies, employees, people of feasts and ambiguity…and ….and… other distorted (or defamatory statements of these khawaarij) by way of which they hinder the youth of the Ummah from the truth and from the path of Allaah (تبارك وتعالى).

[Source: الذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة للإمام المحدث أبي بكر محمد بن الحسين الآجري   page: 98. Vol 1]

 

Imaam Al-Aa’jurree said about the Khawaarij……..

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Refutations, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhalee (may Allaah preserve him) said:

“By Allaah the ummah will not exit from its problems,  the humiliation and degradation they are living in; except by way of returning to the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallaam) and the understanding of the Salafus Saalih in (dealing with) the affairs of the khawaarij and others. Imaam Al-Aajurree (rahimahullaah) said: “The scholars do not differ–past and present–that the khawaarij are an evil people, disobedient to Allaah and His Messenger, even if they (perform) the prayer, fast and strive in (carrying out) acts of worship.”

[Source: الذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة للإمام المحدث أبي بكر محمد بن الحسين الآجري   page: 97-98. Vol 1]

Pious Soft Leaders and Pious Tough Leaders

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

Amr Ibnul Aas (radiyallaahu-anhu) was one of those given authority and so was Abu Ubaydah Bin Jarraah (radiyallaahu-anhu).  And Khaalid Bin Waleed (radiyallaahu-anhu) was given preference over them due to his bravery and usefulness in Jihaad.  When Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu-anhu) passed away, Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu-anhu) gave Abu Ubaydah authority over all of them; for Umar Ibnul khattaab used to be tough for the sake of Allaah, so he appointed Abu Ubaydah for he was soft.  And Abu Bakr was soft and Khaalid was tough against the disbelievers; so the soft one gave authority to the tough one and the tough one gave authority to the soft one in order to balance the affairs.  These two (Abu Bakr and Umar) acted in a manner most beloved to Allaah with regards to fulfilling His Rights.
It has been established in the Saheeh (i.e. Bukhaari and Muslim) that when the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) consulted his companions regarding the affair of the prisoners of war during the battle of Badr, Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu-anhu) suggested that they should be set free after taking ransom on their behalf and Umar (radiyallaahu-anahu) suggested that they should be executed; so the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said:
‘Indeed Allaah softens the hearts of men until they become softer than cloth (of linen or cotton), and He toughens the hearts of men until they become tougher than a rock.  And your likeness O Abu Bakr is that of Ibraaheem (alayhis-salaam) when he said:

[فَمَن تَبِعَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ مِنِّى‌ۖ وَمَنۡ عَصَانِى فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ ] ‘But whoever follows me, he verily is of me. And whoever disobeys me, – still You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’’ [14:36];

And like Esaa (alayhis-salaam) when he said:  [إِن تُعَذِّبۡہُمۡ فَإِنَّہُمۡ عِبَادُكَ‌ۖ وَإِن تَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ] ‘’If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You are the All Mighty, the All Wise.’’ [5:118]
And your likeness O Umar is that of Nuh (alayhis-salaam) when he said:

[وَقَالَ نُوحٌ۬ رَّبِّ لَا تَذَرۡ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ دَيَّارًا ]’And Nuh (Noah) said: ‘My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the earth!'[71:26];

And like Musaa (alayhis-salaam) when he said: [وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ ءَاتَيۡتَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَأَهُ ۥ زِينَةً۬ وَأَمۡوَٲلاً۬ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِكَ‌ۖ رَبَّنَا ٱطۡمِسۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَمۡوَٲلِهِمۡ وَٱشۡدُدۡ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ فَلَا يُؤۡمِنُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ٱلۡأَلِيمَ] ‘’Our Lord! You have indeed bestowed on Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs splendour and wealth in the life of this world, our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your Path. Our Lord! Destroy their wealth, and harden their hearts, so that they will not believe until they see the painful torment.’’ 10:88

And they (Abu Bakr and Umar) were as the Messenger described them during his lifetime, and they were (also) his vicegerents to the people of the earth.

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

[Abridged–Source: Ad-Waa Min Fataawaa Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) by Sheikh Saaleh al Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)– Vol: 2.. page 568-569]

Neither speak until he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) speaks nor act until he commands you!

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

 

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطِيعُكُمْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْأِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ فَضْلاً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

”And know that, among you there is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you (i.e. follow your opinions and desires) in much of the matter, you would surely be in trouble, but Allah has endeared the Faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger) hateful to you. These! They are the rightly guided ones,  (This is) a Grace from Allah and His Favour. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Soorah Hujuraat: Ayah 7-8]

 

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said:

Your love for Imaan, desire for it and its beautification in your hearts is not from yourselves; rather it is Allaah who placed it in your hearts.  He is the one who made it preferable and pleasing to you; therefore do not put yourself before Allaah’s Messenger–neither speak until he speaks nor act until he commands you.  The One (i.e. Allaah) who made you love Imaan is the most knowledgeable concerning what is of benefit for His slaves than yourselves.  And had it not been the Tawfeeq of Allaah upon you, your souls would not have yielded to Imaan. Imaan would not have been (acquired) through your consultation and bestowed from yourselves, nor would you have given it precedence; because your souls are unable and weak to (do that), and cannot reach it…. [For further details, See ‘Madaarij As-Saalikeen 1/414—415]

We ask Allaah for truthfulness, firmness and a good end.  Aameen

[1] Intro: The difference between legislated and innovated acts of worship

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Articles, Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

 بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

Indeed, there has been much confusion in this subject matter just as it is the case in the subject matter of halaal and haraam.  Indeed a group of people make permissible some of the things which Allaah has declared impermissible and others declare impermissible some of those things which Allaah has made permissible.  Likewise some people innovate acts of worship that have not been legislated by Allaah; rather He (The Most High) prohibited them.

The foundation of the religion of Islaam is that the permissible affairs are those that Allaah and His Messenger have made permissible, and the impermissible affairs are those that Allaah and His Messenger have made impermissible.  It is not allowed (or befitting) for anyone to leave the straight path which Allaah sent His Messenger with.  Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

”And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become pious’”[6:153]

Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) drew a line for us and said: ”This is Allaah’s Straight Path.” Then he drew lines to its right and left and then said: ”These are other paths. Upon every one of them there is a devil calling towards it.” Then he recited: “وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌  ”Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it. And do not follow other paths; they will separate you from His Path.” [Hadeeth reported by Imaam Ahmad  in Al-Musnad 4437]

Indeed Allaah has mentioned in Soorah Al-An’aam, Soorah Al-A’raaf and other them regarding the deeds the idol worshipers were rebuked for, when they made impermissible the things that Allaah (The Most High) have not declared impermissible, such as the Baahirah (i.e. a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it) and the Saa’ibah (a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods, e.g. idols, etc., and nothing was allowed to be carried on it).   They (also) made permissible those (deeds) which Allaah made impermissible, such as the killing of their children, and they instituted a religion which Allaah did not allow.   Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَمۡ لَهُمۡ شُرَڪَـٰٓؤُاْ شَرَعُواْ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡذَنۢ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ

”Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed.” [42:21]

And there were impermissible affairs which they established as acts of worship, such as shirk, and lewd behaviour, such as Tawaaf around the Kabah, whilst being naked.

To be continued In-Shaa-Allaah

 

[Source: Al-Ibaadaat Ash-Shar-iyyah Wal-Farq Baynahaa Wa Baynal Bid’ah (page 7-8). Abridged and partly paraphrased]