| 1. Beware of being extreme It is correct to name this awakening, which
pleases and excites every believer, an Islamic movement, an Islamic revival and an Islamic
movement. It is necessary to encourage and guide this awakening towards adhering and
clinging to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as well as warning
leaders and individuals within this awakening from exceeding the limits, exaggerating and
being extreme in their actions. In accordance with what Allah says in the Qur'aan, "O people of the scripture, do not exceed the
limits in your religion." [An-Nisaa 171]. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have said: "O you people,
beware of being extreme and exceeding the limits in the religion, for that which destroyed
the people before you was none other than extremism in the religion." He (pbuh) also
said: "The extremists are destroyed, the extremists are destroyed, the extremists are
destroyed."
2. Speaking about Allah without
knowledge
Beware of speaking about Allah, the Most
High, without knowledge. It is not permissible for one who believes in Allah, the Most
High, and the Last Day to say: 'This is halaal and this is haraam' or 'This is permissible
and this is prohibited', except with a proof and completely depending upon that. It should
be sufficient for him to do what the people of knowledge did before him, and that is to
restrain oneself from rushing into saying that which he does not know but rather to say:
"Allah knows best" or "I do not know".
"How excellent is the speech of the
angels when they said to their Lord, Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except that
which You taught us." [Al-Baqarah 32]
When the Companions of the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) were asked about something that they did not know, they would say:
"Allah and His Messenger know best." This is only because of the completeness of
their knowledge and their faith and their glorification of Allah, and being far removed
from embarking on matters beyond them.
3. Beware of accusing someone of
disbelief or being sinful without proof
Indeed it is a most dangerous matter for
one to dare to accuse some one of disbelief or of being sinful without proof and
authorization from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). There is no
doubt that this is insolence towards Allah and His religion and it is also speaking about
Him without knowledge. This is also in contradiction to the behavior of the people of
knowledge and faith from among the pious predecessors. May Allah make us from amongst
their followers in righteousness.
It has been authentically reported that
the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Whoever says to his brother, 'O kaafir!' It
returns to one of them." He also said: "Anyone who called his brother 'O
kaafir!' Or 'O enemy of Allah!' And it was not correct, it would return back to him."
[Saheeh al-Bukhaari] i.e., whatever he said falls back on him. This is a strong threat,
warning the people of accusing others of disbelieving and being sinful, except when they
have sure knowledge and understanding. This and other evidences are also a warning that
one should be careful to guard his tongue, and only say that which is good.
4. Beware of being hasty.
How many calamities, difficulties and
problems have afflicted those who are hasty! The days and nights are going and leaving
behind the traces and consequences of hastiness! How much corruption and destruction and
un-praiseworthy consequences have occurred because of partisanship and the following of
desires? We ask Allah to keep us safe from that.
5. Beware of partisanship to a group.
It is not permissible for one to blindly
follow this person or that person, or the opinion of such and such a person. Nor should he
follow blindly the methodology, or group of any individual.
Differing, It's Effects and Cure: There
is no doubt that differing is one of the greatest trials and calamities to befall the
Muslim Ummah. It is one of the reasons why efforts are being wasted and truth is lost.
Differing among Islamic groups and Islamic centers, harms the Islamic da'wah. The only way
that they can succeed is to have a unification of goals and is that they all exert their
efforts and work together towards the goal which will secure the power and glory of Islam
and the safety of the Muslims. It is necessary for every group, institution and community
who want success in the Hereafter to help each other enjoin al-Birr (righteousness) and
taqwa (piety). They should be sincere in their actions towards Allah and their primary
concern should be the victory of Allah's deen, so that everyone can join together upon the
truth and work upon what Allah has said in His Book,
"Help you one another in al-Birr and
at-Taqwa." [Al-Maaidah 2]
My advice for the daa'ees is that they
should make sure that the actions should be done sincerely and purely for the sake of
Allah, the Most High, alone. They should help one another in al-Birr and Taqwa and agree
to rule by the Qur'aan and Sunnah whenever a disagreement breaks out amongst them, in
accordance to what Allah says in the Qur'aan,
"And if you differ in anything
amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you believe in Allah and in the
Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination." [An-Nisaa 59]
By this the goal will be one and the same
and the efforts to search for success and warn away from following desires will be
unified. Allah, the Most High, says,
"But if they answer you not, they
know that they only follow their own lusts, and who is more astray than one who follows
his own lusts, without guidance from Allah?" [Al-Qasas 50]
Allah says in the Qur'aan addressing His
Prophet and His Messenger Daawood, (pbuh),
"O Dawood! Verily We have placed you
as a successor on earth, so judge you between men in truth and follow not your desire, for
it will mislead you from the Path of Allah." [ Saad 26]
Beware of Blind Support or Opposition
Because Their Opinion Agrees or Conflicts With Yours: The deen of Allah must be the
authority that judges everything. Beware of following your brother just because he agrees
with you over an opinion and oppose another because he disagrees with you over an opinion
or an issue. This is not being just or fair. We know that the sahaabah differed in issues,
but this did not effect the good faith, support and love between them. So the believer
acts by Allah's laws and he accepts and submits to the truth and he makes it precede
everything else.
The believer should not oppress his
brother, or act unjustly towards him if he differs with him over an opinion from the
issues of Ijtihaad, in which the proofs may not be clear or issues in which there may be
differing interpretations of the text. He may have an excuse, so you must advise him and
love the khair (goodness) for him and do not allow the differing to induce and prompt
aggression and discord between you. Do not enable the enemy to take advantage of you and
your brother. And there is no movement or power except with Allah the Most High. |