February 2018 – Page 3 – AbdurRahman.Org

Jahmiyyah and Ruwaybidah (The Lowly, Despicable Folk) – Sharh as-Sunnah | Dawud Burbank [Audio|En]

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 5, 2018February 6, 2018

Sharh as-Sunnah : Lesson 56: Point 98 (Start of Volume 2)
Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|English]

Imaam Barbahaaree rahimahullaah said:

And know that the scholars did not cease refuting the saying of the Jahmiyyah until in the Khilaafah of Banul `Abbaas, the lowly and despicable folk (Ruwaybidah) spoke concerning public affairs. And they spoke against the narrations from Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam. And they adopted analogy and opinion and they declared those who disagreed with them to be disbelievers.

[Souncloud Audio Link]

Shaykh Fawzan’s Explanation:

His saying, “And you should know that the People of Knowledge did not cease refuting the saying of the Jahmiyyah,” the Jahmiyyah; a definition of them has preceded already that they are the followers of Al-Jahm ibn Safwaan who propagated the foul saying that the Qur’aan is a created thing and who openly proclaimed negation of the names of Allaah and His attributes and he had the saying of Al-Irjaa` (taking actions out of eemaan) and he had a foul madhhab (path).

So his followers are called the Jahmiyyah as an ascription to al-Jahm. And from the worst, most ugly of their sayings is the saying that the Qur’aan is a created thing and denying the names and attributes of Allaah, the Perfect and Most High, and distorting the speech of Allaah and the speech of His Messenger with falsehood; explaining it and distorting it with falsehood. So they (Jahmiyyah) are the most dangerous of the sects and the most ugly of the sects.

And therefore, the People of the Sunnah and the People of Knowledge did not leave them alone, rather, they rebutted their doubts and refuted their sayings and demolished them. And this is present in the books of the People of Knowledge. From them is the refutation of Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullaah upon the Jahmiyyah and this is present and is printed. And from them is the refutation of `Uthmaan ibn Sa`eed ad-Daarimee upon Bishr al-Mareesee al-`Aneed and it is printed also. And from them is Bayaanu Talbeesil-Jahmiyyah of Shaykh ul-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah and from them is Ijtimaa`ul Juyoosh Islaamiyyah `alaa Ghazwal Mu`attillah w’al Jahmiyyah of Ibnul Qayyim.

His saying, “until in the Khilaafaa (caliphate) of Banul `Abbaas (`Abbaasids),” in the Khilaafah of Al-Ma`moon who was from the Banul `Abbaas, evil occurred. And those who are not suitable to speak, spoke. They spoke with regard to knowledge and with regard to the fundamentals; those who are not suitable to speak. And if a person speaks about something other than his own speciality, then the affairs will be corrupted. So it is essential that no-one speaks about the affairs of the religion and of knowledge except the people who are specialised in it and the People of Knowledge.

So the affairs will not be rectified by chaos; by everyone speaking and claiming to have knowledge as is present now from those muta`aalimeen (pretenders to knowledge); those who ruminate (think deeply) upon questions of `aqeedah and speak about eemaan and what is the reality of eemaan. And they speak about things which they have no right to speak about at all. They have no knowledge and they do not learn with the scholars. Rather, they just learned by themselves and they rely upon their own understandings and they start laying down principles from themselves and from their own understandings. So, the affair is very dangerous.

His saying, “so then in the Khilaafah of Banul `Abbaas, the Ruwaybidah (the lowly, despicable folk) started speaking about amaril `aammah (affairs of the masses and the people).” This occurs in a narration; meaning this will be from the signs of the Last Hour that public affairs are spoken about by those who are not known for `ilm (knowledge).[1] This is the Ruwaybidah (the lowly, despicable folk) and their speaking is one of the signs of the Hour. So it is not right that such a person should speak about the public affairs and about the general matters, which affect everybody. No-one should speak about that except for the People of Knowledge; those who are firmly grounded in knowledge. And this should not be entered into by everyone just as He, the Most High, said:

وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ

And if some matters relating to public safety or fear come to them, they broadcast it, and if only they had referred it back to the Messenger and to those in charge with authority amongst them, then the reality of the matter would be known to those who are able to verify and deduce. (Sooratun-Nisaa·(4), aayah 83)

So public affairs affecting the nation (ummah) are not to be spoken about except by the people who are specifically qualified to do so.

His saying, “And they spoke against the narrations of Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam.” They interfered even in the Ahaadeeth, they make attacks upon them and they write works and declare things authentic and declare things weak. And they are not known for knowledge and they did not learn knowledge and they are not from the narrators of hadeeth nor from the Imaams of hadeeth. So they are therefore, Ruwaybidah; these lowly despicable folk. They stand up and they start speaking about the most dangerous thing, which is the science of hadeeth and the knowledge of narration.

His saying, “And they adopted analogy and opinion and they declared anyone who disagreed with them to be disbelievers.” What is meant by qiyaas (analogy) here is al-qiyaas ul-baatil (false analogy). As for al-qiyaas us–saheeh (correct analogy) then that is from the underlying fundamental evidences with the People of Knowledge.

However, false analogy such as drawing analogy between the Creator and the creation or making analogy between a matter and another matter, which has no connection to it and does not have a common underlying factor. The like of that is false analogy. Because al-qiyaas (analogy) is joining a matter (far·`a) which we do not find a text for, joining it to a matter which there is a text for (asl) and so applying a ruling to it on account of there being an underlying factor (`illah), common to both of them. So if there is no `illah (common underlying factor) common to both things then it will be a false and futile analogy.[2]

[Point Number 98 continued]

So the ignorant, the inattentive and the ones having no knowledge entered into their saying. So therefore they entered into disbelief without knowing. And the ummah was ruined in a number of ways, committed disbelief in a number of ways, committed heresy in a number of ways and went astray in a number of ways and it split and innovated in a number of ways.

Except for those who remained firm upon the sayings of Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and upon what he was upon and what his companions were upon who did not go beyond what they had been upon and did not overstep their affair. Whatever sufficed them sufficed him and he did not wish to turn away from their way and their position. He knew that they were upon the correct Islaam and the correct true faith (eemaan). So he followed them in his religion and found peace. And he knew that the religion lies in following; taqleed and that those who are meant to be followed are the companions of Muhammad sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam.

Shaykh Fawzan’s Explanation:

His saying, “So the ignorant people, the inattentive ones and the one having no knowledge entered into their saying.” Meaning, the door was opened for everyone. They began speaking about the affairs of knowledge right until now as you know on account of these satellite channels and this speech and this chaos with regard to knowledge has reached the extent that the common masses of people speak about the matters of knowledge and they raise doubts about the matters of knowledge. They raise doubts about the Islamic rulings. They raise doubts about the verdicts of the Imaams.

And as has preceded, they declare those who disagree with them to be disbelievers to the extent that they declare the earlier Imaams to be disbelievers and to being ignorant people and to the extent that some of them say, “I am a person and Ahmad ibn Hanbal was a person. We are men and they were men. Maalik was a man and I am a man!” This is the level that the situation has reached with them that there is no special distinction for the saying of the Imaams.

His saying, “To the extent that they committed disbelief in a way which they did not know.” They committed disbelief in a way that they did not know. So a person may say a saying of kufr (disbelief) and he does not know that it is a saying of disbelief on account of his being ignorant. So he says that which is disbelief and he promotes disbelief and he doesn’t even know that it is disbelief (kufr) on account of his having entered into something which he is not proficient in. So the danger is very great for him and for the nation (ummah). If the danger were just restricted to him; the one who is speaking, it would be easier but the problem is that this spreads throughout the ummah (nation).

His saying, “So the ummah (nation) became ruined through a number of different ways and committed disbelief in a number of different ways,” meaning, they confused and deceived the ummah (nation) and they entered weaknesses into it until there came to be from them those people who adopt sayings of disbelief and they say, “these are sayings of scholars” just as they say about the saying of Al-Jahm and the Mu`tazilah to the extent that they write in the newspapers, then they say about the true scholars (`ulemaa), “you people, you restrict the truth to just yourselves and you throw away the sayings of the Imaams such as Ibn Seenaa and Ibn `Arabee and Al-Jahm Ibn Safwaan. And those people are scholars who have their value.”

His saying, “and they committed heresy in different ways and went astray in different ways and they split and they innovated in different ways.” All of these calamities were on account of the ignorant people entering into the matters of knowledge and on account of having little fear of Allaah, the Perfect and Most High. So when they had very little fear of Allaah, they entered into these matters. And therefore one of the Salaf said: “Their wara`(piety) was very slight so that is why they spoke.” As for a person who fears Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, then he doesn’t enter into anything if he is not proficient in it and not from its people, in particular the affairs of the religion.

His saying, “Except for those who remained firm upon the sayings of Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and upon what he was upon and upon what his companions were upon and do not step beyond any of them.” They were not secure from these calamities, from disbelief and deviation and misguidance and diverting from the correct way and from mutual enmity and from cutting off ties with each other. No-one was safe from these calamities except those who adhered to that which Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and his companions were upon just as he sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“And my nation will split into 73 sects, all of them will be in the Fire except for one. They said, “Who is it, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “Those who are upon that which I and my companions are upon.”[3]

His saying, “And who found sufficiency in whatever sufficed them,” and it is the Book and the Sunnah and that which the Salaf-us-Saalih (the righteous predecessors) were upon, from the companions and the taabi`een and the most excellent generations and the Imaams. However, the problem lies in those people who say, “They were men and we are men. And their speech has no distinction over our speech.”

His saying, “And he knows that they were upon the correct Islaam and upon the correct eemaan (true faith).” Just as He, the Most High, said:

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ

And the first and foremost ones from the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar and those who followed them upon goodness. (Sooratut-Towbah (9), aayah 100)

He `alayhissalaatu wassalaam said:

“Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided orthodox Khulafaa after me.”[4]

So whoever wants salvation then this is the path to it. And the one who does not want salvation will have whatever he chooses for himself but the harm is not restricted to him; rather, he will also carry the sins of the people along with his own sin. He, the Most High, said:

لِيَحْمِلُوا أَوْزَارَهُمْ كَامِلَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۙ وَمِنْ أَوْزَارِ الَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۗ أَلَا سَاءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ

So they will carry their burdens of sin completely on the Day of Resurrection and they will carry from the sins of those whom they misled also without knowledge. Indeed what an evil burden they will bear! (Sooratun-Nahl (16), aayah 25)

There is no doubt that the companions and the most excellent generations are the ones who were upon correct Islaam and the correct religion. So how can you abandon them and go instead for those for whom there is no guarantee that he is upon the correct religion and that he is upon the truth?

His saying, “So this person followed them in his religion and was at peace.” Qalladahum; meaning he followed them, ittaba-’ahum.

وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ

… and those who followed them upon good. (Sooratut-Towbah (9), aayah 100)

So what is meant by taqleed here is ittibaa`; following.

His saying, “And this person knows that the religion is just in following and that the ones to be followed are the companions of Muhammad sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam.” As we have mentioned, what is meant by taqleed here is correct taqleed; following, which is ittibaa` just as Yusuf `alayhissalaam said:

إِنِّي تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَهُم بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُون

وَاتَّبَعْتُ مِلَّةَ آبَائِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ

I have left the religion of a people who do not truly believe in and worship Allaah alone and who deny the Hereafter. And I have followed the religious way of my forefathers; Ibraaheem and Ishaaq and Ya`qoob. (Soorah-Yusuf (12), aayah 37 and 38)

So ittibaa` (following) of the righteous predecessors (Salaf-us-Saalih), this is the truth and there is no blame at all for following them. Indeed blameworthiness is only for those who follow the people who are not deserving of being followed and who take as an example those who are not befitting to be taken as examples.[5]

Footnotes:

[1] Reported by Imaam Ahmad in the Musnad and by al-Bazzaar in his Musnad and by at-Tahaawiyy in Sharh Mushkil ul-Aathaar from a hadeeth of Anas that he said: Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“Before the Last Hour, there will be years of deception in which a liar will be believed and a truthful person will be taken to be a liar and in which a treacherous person will be trusted and in which a trustworthy person will be taken to be treacherous. And in it the Ruwaybidah will speak. So it was said, “Who are the Ruwaybidah?” So he said, “The little evil one who speaks about the public affairs.”

Al-Haafidh ibn Katheer said in an-Nihaayah fil-Fitan w`al-Milaahim; its chain of narration is good.

Translator’s side point: As for one of the verifiers of the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad; Shuayb al-Arna`ut, he said in his checking of the Musnad of Ahmad, the hadeeth is hasan, this particular chain is weak as it contains Muhammad bin Ishaaq who is hasan in hadeeth but he was a mudallis and he reports it here, he just says, “from”, he doesn’t say that he directly heard it from his Shaykh, he said, “from him”.

As an addition to what occurs here, this hadeeth also occurs as a hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah radiyAllaahu `anhu, reported by Ibn Maajah (4,042) and by Al-Haakim and by Imaam Ahmad also and declared hasan by Shaykh Al-Albaaniyy in As–Saheehah (1,887) because it has a number of chains which support it. He also authenticates a hadeeth of Aws ibn Maalik radiyAllaahu `anhu with a similar wording, reported by al-Bazzaar and at–Tabaraaniyy and he brings that in As–Saheehah (2,253).

[2] Translator’s side point: As for the explanation of Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee rahimahullaah then he said, literally the beginning here that, “the people of knowledge continue rebutting the saying of the Jahmiyyah until it was the Khilaafah of Banul `Abbaas,” he was here narrating the condition that was present and the Khilaafah of Banul Abbaas, the beginning of it was upon good but then the affairs changed after the year 200 when the Khaleefah Al-Ma`moon accepted the call of the Mu`tazilah and became convinced that the Qur’aan is something created and he called the People of Knowledge to accept this innovation and to accept this saying, which is kufr (disbelief).

So, therefore fitnah; tremendous trial occurred, which continued from the year 200 onwards and for 12 years of the Khilaafah of Al-Ma`moon and Al-Mu`tasim and Al-Waathiq until the Khilaafah was taken on by Al-Mutawakkil `ala-Allaah and then the People of the Sunnah and the Jamaa`ah and the carriers of hadeeth had some respite then and it was the People of Falsehood who were then curbed of doubt.

However, after Al-Mutawakkil passed away, after that time then the Khaleefas began to lose their authority and the Khilaafah became just a name without any reality. They became an outer form without a true reality behind it and that was because the Turks gained ascendancy and they took hold of the reality of authority and came to actually control the Khulafaa·. They could bring whoever they wanted and appoint him and they could kill this one as they wished and then after that authority passed away from the Turkish people and passed to Banu Booyaa. [Translator’s side point: Banu Booyaa ruled roughly from the year 325 AH till about the year 450 AH.]. Then to Al-Jaraakisaa (the Circassians) until the Khilaafah was ended in the year 656.

And then the saying of `Umar radiyAllaahu `anhu was realised that he said,

“We are a people who used to be the most humiliated people but then Allaah gave us strength and honour through Islaam so whenever we seek to attain honour by other than that which Allaah gave us honour through, then Allaah will humiliate us.”

[Reported by Al-Haakim in his Mustadrak and he declared it authentic from `Umar and likewise Ath-Thahabee agreed.]

Then Shaykh Ahmad finished by saying, “Except for the fact that the Ahlus-Sunnah W`al-Jamaa`ah and the people of hadeeth and the people of true `aqeedah have not ceased to be established upon their `aqeedah, not being harmed by whoever opposes them. And therefore, he (meaning the author; al-Barbahaaree rahimahullaah) therefore made an exception by saying, “Except for those who remained firm upon the saying of Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and his command what he was upon and his prohibition…” to the end of the saying.

[3] Checking has preceded and the hadeeth as we had before was reported by at-Tirmithee and al-Haakim and others and declared hasan by Shaykh Al-Albaaniyy.

[4] Hadeeth being part of the famous hadeeth of `Irbaad ibn Saariyah radiyAllaahu `anhu, reported by Ahmad and Aboo Daawood and Ibn Maajah and being declared saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albaaniyy.

[5] Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee rahimahullaah makes a point here, he said the point of slight objection to a wording, he said, the author’s saying here, “and you should know that the religion is just taqleed,” the point of objection is to be raised against here for the wording because taqleed means to follow without a proof. So if he had said the deen is ittibaa`; used this word, the religion is to follow the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and the Sunnah of His Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam upon the understanding of the Salaf of this ummah from the companions and taabi`een and those who followed them upon good from the bearers of hadeeth and narrations. This wording would’ve been what is correct because it conforms to what Allaah has commanded with in His Book when He said:

وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

And this is My straight way so therefore follow it and do not follow the divergent paths, which will take you away from His path. He has enjoined you with that so that you are a people who are dutiful to Him. (Sooratul-An`aam (6), aayah 153)

And He says:

اتَّبِعُوا مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۗ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ

Follow what is being sent down to you from your Lord and do not follow any others besides Him in disobedience to Allaah. Little it is that you take admonition. (Sooratul-A`raaf (7), aayah 3)

So ittibaa`; following for the Salaf, those who were before us; upon the narration, upon proof, upon the Book and the Sunnah, this is the truth and Allaah is the one who grants success.

Ithaaful-Qaaree bit-Ta`leeqaat `alaa Sharhis-Sunnah
(A Gift To The Reader In Annotation Of Sharh As-Sunnah)
by Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan hafizahullaah
Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood Burbank, rahimahullaah

Transcribed by Saima Zaher.

Posted with kind permission from Dawud Burbank rahimahullaah

Listen to the full Audio Series of Sharhus Sunnah
Sharh-us-Sunnah – Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan – Dawood Burbank [Audio|En]

Visit : Book Study of Sharh as-Sunnah of Imaam Barbahaaree

Acknowledge the Virtue of the Ansaar – Sharh as-Sunnah | Dawud Burbank [Audio|En]

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 4, 2018

Sharh as-Sunnah : Lesson 55: Point 98
Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|English]

Imaam Barbahaaree rahimahullaah said:

And acknowledge the rights of the Ansaar and the advice given by Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam concerning them and the family of the Messenger. Do not abuse them, acknowledge their virtue and their deeds of excellence. And acknowledge the virtue of his neighbours from the people of Al-Madinah.

[Souncloud Audio Link]

Shaykh Fawzan’s Explanation:

His saying, “And acknowledge the virtue of the Ansaar,” from the tribes of the Aws and the Khazraj and the companions of Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam, the most excellent of the generations. They are the most excellent of the generations because of his saying:

“The best of you is my generation.”[1]

And because Allaah chose them to be companions of his Prophet Muhammad sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and because they gave the Bay`ah (pledge) to the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and they fought Jihaad along with him and they carried the knowledge from him and conveyed it to mankind. So the sahaabah (companions) are the most excellent of the generations and no-one can catch them with respect to their virtue. He sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“Do not abuse my companions for by the One in whose Hand is my soul, if one of you were to spend in charity the like of Mount Uhud in gold, it would not reach the handsful of one of them nor even a half of it.”[2]

Meaning; if a person were to spend in charity with the like of the mountain of Uhud, it would not equal a handsful of barley, which was given by a companion. So this shows the virtue of the companions radiyAllaahu `anhum. So this is tremendous virtue, which must be acknowledged for them radiyAllaahu `anhum.

And Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, said:

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ

And the first and foremost ones from the Muhaajireen and from the Ansaar and those who followed them upon good. Allaah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him and He has prepared for them gardens in Paradise beneath which rivers flow. (Sooratut-Towbah (9), aayah 100)

And He, the Majestic and Most High, said:

لَّقَدْ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ السَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَابَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيبًا

Allaah was pleased with the believers when they gave you the pledge beneath the tree. So, He knew what was in their hearts and He sent down tranquility upon them and He rewarded them with a victory close at hand. (Sooratul-Fath (48), aayah 18)

And He, the Most High, said:

مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا ۖ سِيمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah and those who are with him are stern against the disbelievers, merciful amongst themselves. You will see them bowing and prostrating seeking bounty from Allaah and His pleasure. Their sign is upon their faces from the traces of prostration. That is their description in the Towraah. (Sooratul-Fath (48), aayah 29)

Meaning, their description in the Towraat.

وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنجِيلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَىٰ عَلَىٰ سُوقِهِ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ

And their description in the Injeel is that of a plant which sends out side-shoots, which support it so that it becomes firm and strong, upright upon its stalk; it pleases those who have planted it so that the disbelievers may become enraged at them. (Sooratul-Fath (48), aayah 29)

These aayahs are with regard to the companions radiyAllaahu `anhum, which shows their virtue and their status with Allaah and with His Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and they have different levels of excellence amongst themselves.

So the four Khulafaa` (Caliphs); they are the most excellent ones from the companions, then the rest of the ten who are promised Paradise then, the Muhaajiroon because Allaah mentioned them first ahead of the Ansaar and because they (the Muhaajireen) left their homes and their wealth and their homelands for the sake of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic and they migrated in Allaah’s cause. So they have excellence over the Ansaar. Then the Ansaar radiyAllaahu `anhum because they sheltered the Messenger and they gave shelter to the Muslims and supported them and they assisted them with their wealth and they lived in harmony along with them and they loved them.

And those who were present at Badr also, they have virtue and specific excellence and those who were present at the pledge of Ridwaan; Bay`atur-ridwaan. He, the Most High, said:

لَّقَدْ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ

Allaah was pleased with the believers when they gave you (Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) the pledge beneath the tree. (Sooratul-Fath (48), aayah 18)

Then those who accepted Islaam before the Conquest are more excellent than those who accepted Islaam after the Conquest of Makkah. So they have different degrees of virtue amongst them. However, overall they are more excellent than others besides them from all generations until the Hour is established. No-one can match them.

His saying, “and the council given by Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam with regard to them,” meaning: the strong advice given by the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam with regard to the Ansaar. He sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“No-one will love the Ansaar except for a believer and
no-one will hate them except for a hypocrite (munaafiq).”[3]

And his saying, “And his neighbours from the people of Al-Madinah; acknowledge their virtue.” Meaning, the person who lives in Al-Madinah and has patience with it, hoping for reward and he has patience upon its hardships, hoping for reward and is constant upon prayer in the mosque of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam, he will have reward for that. There is no doubt about it but as for the person who lives therein and he commits evil and he commits shirk along with Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, and he propagates innovations then his punishment will be multiplied for he sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever commits innovations in it or who gives shelter to an innovator then upon him will be the curse of Allaah and the angels and all of mankind.”[4]

Footnotes:

[1] Reported by Al-Bukhaariyy (3,650) and Muslim (2,535) from a hadeeth of `Imraan ibn al-Husayn radiyAllaahu `anhu.

[2] Reported by Al-Bukhaariyy (3,673) and Muslim in his Saheeh (2,541) from Aboo Sa`eed al-Khudriyy radiyAllaahu `anhu.

[3] Reported by Al-Bukhaariyy (3,783) and Muslim (75) from a hadeeth of Al-Baraa` radiyAllaahu `anhu.

[4] Reported by Al-Bukhaariyy (7,300) and Muslim (1,370) from a hadeeth of `Aliyy radiyAllaahu `anhu.

Translator’s side point: Briefly with regard to the explanation of Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee rahimahullaah, then he said with regard to the point; “And his neighbours from the people of Al-Madinah; acknowledge their virtue.” What is meant by the neighbours here are those people who are not from the Ansaar (Aws and the Khazraj) nor were they from Quraysh but they were Muslims so they have the right of Islaam and they have virtue for their having patience upon the difficulties in Al-Madinah. So it is obligatory to acknowledge the virtue of the people of virtue and Allaah is the one who grants success.

That’s the end of the first of the 2 volumes.

Transcribed by Saima Zaher.

Posted with kind permission from Dawud Burbank rahimahullaah

Listen to the full Audio Series of Sharhus Sunnah
Sharh-us-Sunnah – Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan – Dawood Burbank [Audio|En]

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Excellence of the Banu Haashim and the Quraysh – Sharh as-Sunnah | Dawud Burbank [Audio|En]

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 4, 2018

Sharh as-Sunnah : Lesson 55: Point 97
Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|English]

Imaam Barbahaaree rahimahullaah said:

And acknowledge the excellence of the Banu Haashim due to their kinship to Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and acknowledge the excellence of the Quraysh and of the Arabs and of the branches of the tribes. Acknowledge their station and their rights in Islaam. And the freed slave who belonged to a people is one of them. And acknowledge the rights of the rest of the people in Islaam.

[Souncloud Audio Link]

Shaykh Fawzan’s Explanation:

His saying, “acknowledge the excellence of the Banu Haashim (clan of Haashim),” the Banu Haashim; clan of Haashim ibn `Abd Manaaf (the son of `Abd Manaaf) because `Abd Manaaf had a number of sons and they were:

(1)Haashim who is the grandfather of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and (2)`Abdu-Shams who is the grandfather of `Uthmaan ibn Affaan radiyAllaahu `anhu and (3) Nawfal ibn `Abd Manaaf who is the grandfather of Hakeem ibn Hizaam radiyAllaahu `anhu and (4) al-Muttalib ibn `Abd Manaaf who is the grandfather of Banu Muttalib.

They are all the sons of `Abd Manaaf. And the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam was raised amongst the Banu Haashim (clan of Haashim), the son of `Abd Manaaf; so he was a Haashimee Qurayshee (larger tribe of Quraysh from the clan of Haashim; children of Haashim). And he sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“Allaah chose Kinaanah from the descendants of Ismaa’eel and he chose from Kinaanah, the Quraysh and he chose from the Quraysh, Banu Haashim and he chose me from the Banu Haashim.”[1]

So they are the qaraabah (kinfolk) of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam; the believers from Banu Haashim. They are the qaraabah (kinfolk) who have the right upon the Muslims. It is forbidden for them to accept charity (sadaqah) but it is permissible for them to accept a gift (hadiyyah).

As for other than the believers then they have no worth even if they are from Banu Haashim. Rather, it is only when qaraabah (close kinship) comes along with eemaan (true faith) then in that case, there is no doubt that they have distinction over other people and they have the right that they be shown honour and respect and they have the right to be respected and given precedence since this is a part of the respect of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam. However, if they are not believers (mu’mineen) then all that is the case is that they are from Banu Haashim and they are disbelievers so there is no honour for them. And the same goes to everyone who ascribes themselves to the Banu Haashim who is not upon the way of the Ahlus-Sunnah W`al Jamaa`ah and not upright then he has no worth. So, it is not just being merely closely related on its own that brings about the right. Rather, it is kinship along with having eemaan (true faith). He, the Most High, said:

قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ

Say, I do not ask you for any reward for conveying the truth to you but I enjoin you to show love towards me by respecting my close relatives (qurbaa). (Sooratush-Shoorah (42), aayah 23)

Meaning, the close relatives of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam in one saying. And Allaah appointed for them a share of the khumus (fifth part of booty). He, the Most High, said:

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ

And you should know that whatever you take as booty then one fifth of it is assigned for Allaah, the Messenger and the close relatives of the Messenger. (Sooratul-Anfaal (8), aayah 41)

Thil-Qurbaa-The close relatives of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam.

His saying, “and acknowledge the excellence of the Quraysh and of the Arabs,” after the Banu Haashim (clan of Haashim) is the virtue of the Muslims from the Quraysh. They have excellence over the rest of the Arabs; then the Arabs have excellence over the `ajam (non-Arabs). Why? Because Allaah sent down the Qur’aan in their language and He sent the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam from them and He chose them to convey His message and therefore, He, the Majestic and Most High, said in the Qur’aan:

فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِالَّذِي أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ

(In an address to the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam)

So hold fast to this Qur’aan that has been sent down to you. Indeed you are upon a straight and true path and it will be an honour for you. (Sooratuz-Zukhruf (43), aayah 43-44)

Meaning, the Qur·aan will be an honour for you and for your people; meaning the Arabs and you shall soon be questioned concerning it. You people will soon be questioned about the implementation of this Qur·aan and about the call to it and about having conveyed it, because Allaah gave them the duty of bearing it and conveying it to the rest of the world. So this is the aspect for which the Arabs have superiority. They were not given excellence just because they were Arabs alone; rather, they were given superiority on account of what they are specified with by Allaah with regard to the Qur·aan and the Sunnah and the sending of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and because they carry out the duty of conveying this religion. He, the Most High, said:

كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ

You are the best nation that has been brought out for mankind, you command the good and you forbid the evil and you truly believe in Allaah. (Soorah Aali `Imraan (3), aayah 110)

And He said:

وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

And let there be from amongst you a group who call the people to the good and they command the good and they forbid the evil and they are the ones who will be successful. (Soorah Aali `Imraan (3), aayah 104)

So this is the aspect in which the Arabs have specific excellence. When they adhere to this religion and they convey it, then they have virtue over others. As for those who do not adhere to this religion then he has no excellence because Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ

O mankind! We have created you all from a single male and female and we made from you nations and tribes so that you should become acquainted with each other. Indeed the most honourable of you with Allaah are those who have the most taqwaa (the most dutiful to Allaah). (Sooratul-Hujuraat (49), aayah 13)

And the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“There is no excellence for an Arab over a non-Arab nor for a white person over a black person except on account of taqwaa (dutifulness to Allaah). All of you are from Aadam and Aadam was from earth.” [2]

So this is the angle from which the Arabs have superiority. If they establish the duty that Allaah has given to them to propagate this religion and to call to it and to explain it to mankind then they will be more excellent than others.

His saying, “and likewise all the branches of the tribes,” Al-Afkhaath means a subsection of the tribes. So first there is the tribe meaning the large unit of the tribe then there are the Afkhaath; branches of the tribe so it is a part of the tribe.

His saying, “So acknowledge their station and their rights in Islaam.” Each one in accordance with his own virtue and right.

His saying, “And the freed slave who belonged to a people is from them”. This is a hadeeth from the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam.[3] Meaning al-`ateeq; meaning a slave who has been set free. So a person who has been set free by the Haashimiyyeen (clan of Haashim), he will have the ruling of being from the clan of Haashim; or somebody who was a slave who had been set free by anybody else, he will have the same ruling as them.

Footnotes:

[1] Reported by Muslim (2,276) from a hadeeth of Waathilah ibn al-Asqa` radiyAllaahu `anhu.

[2] Translator’s side point: With regard to this narration, they don’t mention any reference here in the footnotes but Shaykh al-Albaaniyy mentioned this narration occurs in the explanation of At-Tahaawiyyah and Shaykh al-Albaaniyy mentioned in his notes, note no. 461 that this narration is saheeh and that it occurs in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad especially the first part of the narration and the latter part you can find it also in the Mu`jam al-Awsat of At–Tabaraaniyy and in the Musnad of Al-Bazdaar.

[3] Reported by Al-Bukhaariyy (6761) from Anas ibn Maalik radiyAllaahu `anhu from the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam that he said:

“The slave set free by a people is from them themselves.”

Translator’s side point: As for the explanation of Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee rahimahullaah then he said starting off with the point with regard to Banu Haashim he said, “I say Banu Haashim (the clan of Haashim), they have virtue on account of their being close relatives of Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and Allaah, the Perfect and Most High, said to His Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam:

قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ

Say, I do not ask you for any reward for conveying the truth to you but I enjoin you to show love towards me by respecting the rights of my kinsfolk. (Sooratush-Shoorah (42), aayah 23)

So his saying, “I enjoin you to show love towards me by respecting the rights of my close relatives.” Meaning that that is not counted as taking reward but rather that the Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam sought from the nation that they should recognise the rights of his kinsfolk and respect them from their respect for him and that they should show honour to them as a part of their showing honour to him for indeed a Muslim has rights upon the Muslim.

So then a Muslim who is from the Banu Haashim who clings to his religion will have the right of Islaam and he will have the right that is due to a close relative of the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and likewise the rest of the branches of the Quraysh except that Allaah has not put the duty upon us to love those who are not upon the correct `aqeedah and who are not upright upon Islaam. And indeed the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam freed himself from those who are contrary to his way. So he salawaatullaahi wa salaamuhu `alayh said:

“Indeed the people of the father; meaning so and so, they are not my awliyaa (friends and allies). Rather my guardian Lord is Allaah and my allies are the righteous believers.”

[Reported by Muslim and Al-Bukhaariyy.]

His saying, “and the rest of the branches,” meaning, the rest of the branches of the Quraysh and the tribes of the Arabs. Their rights in Islaam should be recognised and Allaah grants success.

Transcribed by Saima Zaher.

Posted with kind permission from Dawud Burbank rahimahullaah

Listen to the full Audio Series of Sharhus Sunnah
Sharh-us-Sunnah – Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan – Dawood Burbank [Audio|En]

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Temporary Marriage of Convenience (al-Mut’ah) is forbidden till the Day of Resurrection – Sharh as-Sunnah | Dawud Burbank [Audio|En]

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 3, 2018February 8, 2018

Sharh as-Sunnah : Lesson 54: Point 96
Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|English]

Imaam Barbahaaree rahimahullaah said:

And know that temporary marriage of convenience (al-Mut`ah) and marrying a woman merely to make her lawful for her previous husband (al-Istihlaal) are forbidden till the Day of Resurrection.

[Souncloud Audio Link]

Shaykh Fawzan’s Explanation:

This is a matter of fiqh (jurisprudence). However, he brought it here because it has a connection to `aqeedah (creed and belief). Because al-Mut`ah (temporary marriage of convenience) is to declare as lawful something which Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, has made forbidden. And what this term al-Mut`ah (temporary marriage of convenience) means; to marry a woman for a certain set period whether it be long or short and after it, then the marriage ends automatically and does not require divorce.

Mut`ah; this temporary marriage, it used to be permissible at the beginning of Islaam and then the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam forbade it at the Battle of Khaybar.[1] Then he permitted it on the day of the Conquest of Makkah. Then he forbade it forever.[2]

So to begin with, it was lawful then it was made forbidden. Then it was permitted then it was forbidden forever. And the Muslims are united in consensus (Ijmaa`) that it is forbidden and that it is nikaahun baatil (baseless marriage). And there is consensus of this nation that it is forbidden, no-one disagrees with regard to that except for the Raafidah Ja`firee Shee`ah. They are the ones who contradict with regard to it. And their differing is not counted and has no value. So there is consensus (Ijmaa`) and text to show that temporary marriage of convenience (al-Mut`ah) is forbidden. It is a futile marriage and it has the ruling of zinaa (fornication).

His saying, “al-Mut`ah tan-nisaa,” Why did Imaam al-Barbahaaree say Mut`ah, meaning Mut’ah of the women, excluding by that Mut`ah of Hajj, which is that a person does Tamattu`, performing `Umrah and then performing Hajj. This is not what is meant here, for Hajj Tamattu` is what was supported by the majority of the People of Knowledge and no-one disagrees with regard to it except a small number but as for Mut`ah of the women meaning temporary marriage, then it’s forbidden by consensus, no-one disagrees about it from those whom disagreement is counted. Whereas, Mut’ah in Hajj is a matter of fiqh but as for Mut’ah, which is temporary marriage, then it is a matter, which has a connection to aqeedah (creed and belief) because it is making permissible that which Allaah, the Perfect and Most High, has made forbidden.

Footnotes:

[1] The Battle of Khaybar, the well-known battle against the Jews of Khaybar in the 7^th year of Hijrah.

Al-Bukhaariyy reported in his saheeh (4,261) and also reported by Muslim in his saheeh (1,407) from Aliyy radiyAllaahu `anhu who said Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam forbade temporary marriage to the women on the day of Khaybar and he forbade eating the meat of domestic donkeys.

[2] Hadeeth for that reported by Muslim in his saheeh (1,406) from Sabrah al-Juhanee that, He was with Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and he said:

“O people, I have permitted you to take pleasure from the women and Allaah has forbidden that now until the Day of Resurrection. So, whoever has something from them then let that go on its way and do not take from anything that you have given to them.”

And in one wording:

“Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam commanded us with al-Mut`ah (temporary marriage) in the year of the conquest when we entered Makkah then we did not depart from it until he had forbidden us from it.”

—

Transcribed by Saima Zaher.

Posted with kind permission from Dawud Burbank rahimahullaah

Listen to the full Audio Series of Sharhus Sunnah
Sharh-us-Sunnah – Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan – Dawood Burbank [Audio|En]

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They called to Sectarianism (Furqah) & Sunnah became a Stranger – Sharh as-Sunnah | Dawud Burbank [Audio|En]

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 3, 2018February 3, 2018

Sharh as-Sunnah : Lesson 54: Point 90D & 90E
Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|English]

Imaam Barbahaaree rahimahullaah said:(90D)

And they called to sectarianism (furqah) and Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, forbade sectarianism. Some of them declared others to be disbelievers. And everyone called to his own opinion and to calling those who disagreed with him disbelievers. So the ignorant people, the rabble and those having no knowledge went astray. They caused the people to become greedy for the things of this life and to fear worldly punishment. So the people followed them upon fear regarding their religion and out of hope for what they possessed from this world.[1]

[Souncloud Audio Link]

Transcribed Audio:

His saying, “And they called to sectarianism and Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, has forbidden sectarianism.” Allaah has forbidden sectarianism, splitting; al-furqah. So He said:

وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا وَاخْتَلَفُوا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ

And do not be like those who split up and differed after the clear signs had come to them. (Soorah Aali `Imraan (3), aayah 105)

وَمَا تَفَرَّقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَةُ

And those who were given the scripture did not differ except after the clear truth had come to them.(Sooratul-Bayyinah (98), aayah 4)

So they differed and split not upon ignorance but rather upon knowledge; `ilm.

His saying, “And some of them declared others to be disbelievers,” The firaq (sects) started declaring each other to be disbelievers. And this is a sign which is manifest upon them. And this is a proof that they are all upon falsehood. As for the people of the truth and the people of the Sunnah then they do not declare each other to be disbelievers. Rather, they are friends and allies to each other, they love each other and they support each other and they advise each other. And likewise, they do not declare the other sects to be disbelievers except for what the Book and the Sunnah proves to be disbelief. Otherwise, it is the case that they (the people of sunnah) are justly balanced with regard to the matter of Takfeer. They do not declare anyone a disbeliever except for those whom the proof is established that he is a disbeliever and they are not hasty with regard to this matter.

His saying, “and each one called to his own opinion and to declaring those who disagreed with him to be disbelievers.” This is a sign of the people of misguidance. He, the Most High, said:

فَتَقَطَّعُوا أَمْرَهُم بَيْنَهُمْ زُبُرًا ۖ كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ

So they split into parties and sects, each one following a separate book, every group rejoicing in what it was upon.(Sooratul-Mu·minoon (23), aayah 53)

Zuburan; meaning books. They authored books and this occurs. They author books to support their own position and their own party and they rejoice in what they are upon. And if they had just been upon ignorance then it could be hoped that they would return. However, they rejoice in what they are upon from falsehood and they believe it to be the truth. And this is a punishment from Allaah for them.

His saying, “So the ignorant people and the ra`aa` (the common rabble) and those who had no knowledge went astray.” They led the ignorant people astray and the rubble and those who had no knowledge. But as for the people of the truth and the people of knowledge then they are not affected by these sects and these misguidances because they know that it is falsehood.

His saying, “And they caused the people to become greedy for things of this world and they cause them to fear the punishment of this world.” That is from the means which they utilise in their trial that they give their followers some of the things, which they crave after.

His saying, “So the creation followed them therefore, upon fear with regard to their religion and upon hope with regard to what they had of this world.” Many of the people have love of this world so therefore, they will follow anyone who will give them anything from wealth even if he is upon falsehood as a result of their craving for wealth.

Point Continues

Imaam Barbahaaree rahimahullaah said:(90E)

So the Sunnah and the people of the Sunnah were suppressed and innovations appeared and became widespread. The people committed disbelief in many ways, which they were not aware of. They applied analogy and considered the ability of the Lord, His signs, His rulings, His commands and His prohibitions according to their own intellects and opinions. So whatever accorded with their intellects, they accepted it and whatever ran contrary to their intellects, they rejected it. So Islaam became a stranger and the Sunnah became a stranger and the people of the Sunnah became strangers within their own homes.

The Explanation:

His saying, “So the Sunnah and the people of the Sunnah became suppressed and innovations appeared and became widespread.” After the people of the Sunnah had been apparent in the quroon al-mufaddalah (most excellent generations) and the people of evil had been subdued, then the affair became turned around and the people of the Sunnah became suppressed and the people of falsehood became apparent. However, this will not persist. Even if the people of falsehood become apparent at one time then they will decline in the future and they will collapse in the future. And the final outcome will always be for the people of Taqwa; those who are dutiful to their Lord. And Imaam Ibn ul-Qayyim rahimahullaah said:[2]

“And the truth is aided and tested so do not be surprised for this is the way of the Most Merciful.”

His saying, “And they applied analogy,” Analogy (Qiyaas), meaning in `aqeedah (creed and belief) because `aqeedah (creed and belief) has no analogy in it because it is tawqeefeeyah (reliant upon direct text). Action with regard to it is not upon except a proof. And no analogy is made in matters of creed and belief. Analogy can only be in fiqh.

His saying, “and they considered the ability of the Lord and His signs and His rulings and His commands and His prohibitions in accordance with their intellects and their own opinions.” This is al qiyaasul baatil (the false and futile analogy) making analogy with regard to Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, the One Who cannot be imagined by their minds and their opinions. So they rebut based upon the analogy of their intellects, the speech of Allaah and the speech of His Messenger.[3]

His saying, “So whatever conformed with their intellects, they accepted it and whatever was contrary to their intellects, they rejected it.” So they make their intellects and their opinions the judge, so whatever conflicts with it, they reject it, either by ta·weel (interpreting it away) or by rafd (directly rejecting it) and not accepting it.

His saying, “So therefore, Islaam became a stranger and the Sunnah became a stranger and the people of the Sunnah became strangers within their own homes.” Just as he sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

Islaam began as a stranger and it will return to being a stranger just the same as it began. So give glad tidings of a tree in Paradise to the strangers.”[4] So then they said, “Who are the strangers O Messenger of Allaah?” So he said, “Those who are upon correctness when the people become corrupted.”

And in one narration:

“Those who correct whatever the people corrupt.”

They correct themselves are upon correctness and they correct whatever the people have corrupted. They are the ghurabaa (strangers). Why are they called strangers (ghurabaa)? Because those who contradict them are many and those who criticise them are many, so they are strangers amongst the people of their own lands and the people of their own time.[5]

Footnotes:

[1] Translator’s side point: Some of the versions have at the end , “So the people followed them upon fear regarding their worldly life and out of hope for what they possessed from this world.” W`Allaahu A`lam.

[2] Translator’s side point: Quote being from his famous poem Al-Kaffiyaat ash-Shaafiyah along with the explanation of it, they give a reference there.

[3] Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee rahimahullaah mentioned in his explanation, “This seems to be referring to the like of the Jahmiyyah and the Mu`tazilah. They brought this matter of analogy and their intellect into the religion and used it to reject the texts; texts with regard to the attributes of Allaah, the Most High and other than them.”

[4] Shaykh Aal Ash Shaykh continues with the wordings of the hadeeth but this part of the hadeeth is reported by Muslim (145) of a hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah radiyAllaahu `anhu without what follows in the main text here.

It is also reported by Muslim (146) from Ibn `Umar radiyAllaahu `anhuma from the Prophet that he said:

“Islaam began as a stranger and it will return to being a stranger just as it began and it will retreat between the two mosques just as a snake returns to its hole.”

[5] As for the wording, when the companions asked,

“Who are the strangers, O Messenger of Allaah? Then he replied, “They are those who are upon correctness when the people become corrupted.”

This wording is reported by At–Tabaraaniyy in Al-Mu`jam al-Kabeer and Al-Mu`jam al-Awsat, Al-Mu`jam as-Sageer from Sahl ibn Sa`d as-Saai`dee. Al-Haythamee said in Majma` az-Zawaa`id, its narrators are those of the Saheeh except for Bakr ibn Sulaym and he was reliable as well.

As a side point, Shaykh Al-Albaaniyy declared this narration authentic in As-Saheehah under hadeeth no. 1273,

“The strangers are those who are upon correctness themselves when the people become corrupted.”

As for the last wording that’s mentioned, “They are those who correct whatever the people corrupt,” that is reported by At-Tirmidhiyy and At–Tabaraaniyy in al-Kabeer from a narration of `Amr ibn `Awf that Allaah’s Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“The religion began as a stranger and it will return to being a stranger. So give glad tidings to the strangers, those who rectify what the people have corrupted after me from my Sunnah.”

And as at–Tirmidhiyy said, “This hadeeth is hasan, saheeh (good, authentic).”

As for Shaykh al-Albaaniyy in his checking of Tirmidhiyy declared this particular report here as da`eef jiddan (very weak, not authentic).

In the footnote also, they mention a further wording reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah and Imaam Ahmad and ad-Daarimee and Ibn Maajah and others from a hadeeth of Ibn Mas`ood that contains the wording, it was said,

“Who are the strangers? And that he said, “An-nuzzaa` minal qabaa-il (they are the scattered ones from amongst the tribes).”

They mention here that Imaam al-Bukhaariyy declared that narration to be hasan, as was reported from him by his student, at–Tirmidhiyy. And Al-Baghawee said in Sharhus Sunnah, the hadeeth is saheeh gareeb with a singular chain. And again this particular report here was declared da`eef by Shaykh Al-Albaaniyy in the checking of Sunan Ibn Maajah, W`Allaahu A`lam.

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Transcribed by Saima Zaher.

Posted with kind permission from Dawud Burbank rahimahullaah

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