Sharhu Sunnah : Lesson 13 : Point 10
Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|English]
The author Imam Barbahaaree rahimahullaah said,
Al-kalaam (theological rhetoric), arguing, debating and disputing are newly introduced affairs. They cast doubt into the heart, even if the person happens to attain the Truth and the Sunnah.
The Explanation (Transcription of above Audio):
These matters, al-kalaam (theological rhetoric), debating and disputing which occurred between all of the sects, these are newly introduced matters. And the reason for them is the following of desires. And whoever is such that his desires follow that which the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam came with, then he will not have doubt.; and he will not be a person of disputing nor arguing nor quarrelling, because he is one who submits and complies. He, the Most High, said:
So if Guidance comes to you from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance, then there will be no fear upon them and they will not grieve. (Sooratul-Baqarah (2), aayah 38)
So whoever follows My Guidance, then he will not go astray and he will not be wretched. (Soorah Taa Haa (20), aayah 123)
So the matter is a question of following, ittibaa`, and complying, inqiyaad, and submitting, tasleem, to the command of Allaah and His Messenger without debating and without argumentation. And the people of misguidance did not fall into argumentation and debates except on account of the fact that they did not submit to Allaah and to His Messenger in the way that the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah submitted. And therefore you will find the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah, and all Praise is for Allaah, united with no difference between them in the matter of `aqeedah, creed and belief; rather disagreement is found with the misguided sects. He, the Most High, said:
So if they turn away then they are the ones who will have split away and opposed. So Allaah will suffice you against them. And He is the all Hearing the all Knowing. (Sooratul-Baqarah (2), aayah 137)
And the confirmation of this occurs in another aayah:
And do not follow the other paths for they will cause you to split away and separate from His path. This He has commanded you with so that you may be dutiful to Him. (Sooratul-An `aam (6), aayah 153)
His saying, “(Theological rhetoric, arguing, debating, disputing are all newly introduced affairs. They cast doubt into the heart) even if the person involved in them happens to attain the Truth and the Sunnah.” Meaning, he will still be in error, because he has attained these two (the Truth and Sunnah) through other than the correct path.
Because the correct path is submission and not delving and debating and arguing which just causes the hearts to become bitter and produces grudges. And it also brings about something worse than that which is at-takfeer, people declaring others to be disbelievers, because the misguided sects they declare each other to be disbelievers and they declare each other to be misguided.
Every sect rejoicing at what they themselves are upon. (Sooratur-Room (30), aayah 32)
Everyone thinking that what he is upon is what is correct. As for the Ahlus-Sunnah walJamaa`ah, the people of Sunnah and the United Body upon the Truth, who submitted to the command and complied, then disagreements did not occur between them, and all Praise is for Allaah. And they do not declare each other to be disbelievers, and they do not declare each other to be misguided; rather they praise each other. And some of them follow others, because they are upon a correct path. Indeed hatred and grudges and declarations of others being disbelievers and being misguided only comes about on account of contradicting the Truth and taking hold of opinions and ideas.
And there is no doubt that everyone wants to defend his own opinion. So he will not accept that it will be said to him, “You are wrong,” for this will mean that you are accusing his intellect of being deficient and he will not be pleased with this. However, if you say to a person of Truth when he has made a mistake, “You have erred with regard to the evidence in this matter, you have missed out on the Sunnah,” then he will accept it, because his intent is the Truth and his intent is not just to support his own opinion. So if you say, “O so and so, you have missed out on the Sunnah, you have missed out on the correct evidence,” then he will accept and return. But if you say to a person who is a follower of desires, “You are in error,” then he will become angry and become worse. And this is the sign of the people of desires, that everyone just wants to aid and support that which he desires. But as for the person of the Truth, then what he wants is that the Truth should be aided, and he seeks after the Truth. And the wise word is the lost property of the believer; wherever he finds it, he takes hold of it. [01]
Footnotes:
[01] Translator’s side point: (Refer to pages 58-59 of Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee’s Explanation of SharhusSunnah [Irshaadus-Saaree fee Sharhis-Sunnati lil-Barbahaaree])
Transcribed by Fawad Abu Zaid Al Afghaani. Download PDF of Lesson 13
Ithaaful-Qaaree bit-Ta`leeqaat `alaa Sharhis-Sunnah
by Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan hafizahullaah
Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood Burbank, rahimahullaah
Posted with kind permission from Dawud Burbank rahimahullaah
Listen to the full Audio Series of Sharhu Sunnah
Sharh-us-Sunnah – Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan – Dawood Burbank [Audio|En]
Visit : Book Study of Sharhu Sunnah of Imaam Barbahaaree
Related Links
- ilm-ul-Kalam (knowledge of theological rhetoric or Philosophical rhetoric) – Ibn Baz
- Do not indulge in Scholastic Theology (Ilm-ul-Kalam or Theological Rhetoric) – Dr Saleh As Saleh [Audio|En]
AbdurRahman.Org 