written by: Sheila Quinn
There is no God but The God. This is the first half of The Shahadatain-one of the five pillars of The Islamic Faith.
I have profiles on several social networks on the internet. There is this one social network that I was very active on at first. The experiences that I had in it were very interesting. There was this one group about Christianity which I participated in by sharing some information about Islam. Most of what I said was not responded to by Christians but by some atheists who were arrogantly assuming that they were being logical.
“Deaf, dumb and blind, and they perceive not” are words from The Qur’an which accurately describes many atheists.
One post in the Christianity group had a response from an agnostic who didn’t like Christianity-but was very much aware of the wonders of creation (“nature”). He seemed to like some religions like Buddhism and others. I suggested that he might want to learn about Islam. His response to my suggestion was both surprising and disappointing. His attitude was that there might be a God, but that if there is a God he did not have any interest in learning about Him. I was stunned by his response and had no idea as to what to say. I had opened up to him and he verbally slapped me in the face. Months later I thought up how I should have responded to him. His attitude was nonsensical. It was like he was appreciating many different paintings from the same painter, but had absolutely no interest in the painter himself.
It is interesting that most of the comments I made in the Christianity group were responded to by atheists who just wanted to bully others. (They not only bullied me, they also bullied the Christians in the group. I responded to their bullying by writing a post about ethno-centrism and about how my mother taught her children to not be ethnocentric.). Most of the time I just ignored their comments.
In general Christians think of themselves as monotheists. The fact is that most of them are not monotheists but polytheists. Those Christians who think that Jesus is God Himself-or the son of God- are giving partners to The One God. They are blaspheming their Creator. Unless they change their beliefs -in an acceptable way- before they die they will find themselves in The Hellfire. I am not the one who is saying this. The Creator Himself says this in the Qur’an in a number of places. An example is:
“They say, ‘Allah hath begotten a son!’ –Glory be to Him! He is Self Sufficient! His is all things in the heavens and the earth! No warrant have you for this! Say ye about Allah what ye know not?” (Qur’an; Sura “Yunus” (“Jonah” #10) Ayah # 68)
Many Muslims are like many Christians. Just as many Christians are giving partners to The One God, many Muslims are also giving partners to The One God. How is this? Those Muslims who are involved in Taqlid (Taqleed) are giving partners to The One God. Such Muslims are Mushrikeen (Polytheists). Any Muslim who follows anyone other than Prophet Muhammad is involved in Taqlid. They are making shirk with Allah; they are mushrikeen (polytheists).
"Turn ye in repentance to Him, and fear Him: establish regular prayers, and be not ye among those who join gods with Allah- those who split up their religion and become sects-each party rejoicing in that which is with itself." Qur’an; Sura “Rum” (“The Romans”) #30; aya’in #31-32
“Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet…So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,-it is they who will prosper” (Sura: “Al A’raf” (“The Heights” # 7) Ayah #157)
Some References:
Qur’an: Sura “Yunus” (“Jonah” #10) Ayah # 68); Sura “Rum” (“The Romans”) #30; aya’in# 31-32); (Sura: “Al A’raf” (“The Heights” # 7) Ayah #157)
Blog Articles: “A Disease Called Taqleed” written by Sheila Quinn; “Is the Islamic Nation Sinking?” written by Sheila Quinn
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Emir Dokku Abu Usman calls on Russia's Muslims to join Jihad
22 May 2012
Emir of the Caucasus Emirate, Dokku Abu Usman, appealed to Russia's Muslims to go for the Jihad. The KC offers an English transcript of the video speech by CE Emir translated by the Kavkaz-Jihad Blog.
***
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah.
Dear brothers and sisters, Muslims of the Islamic Ummah.
Dear brothers and sisters, Muslims of Russia and the Caucasus, we, the Caucasus Mujahideen, address to you today with the Islamic greeting.
We address to you from the unconquered mountains of the Caucasus.
We sincerely want you to know that we love you for the sake of Allah, that we are staging the Jihad in the Caucasus, only to elevate the word of Allah on this earth.
Dear brothers and sisters in Russia, we address you in particular. Today, by the grace of Allah, we've got to know the joy of the Jihad. Allah granted us the Jihad.
We also know that the Jihad is the best medicine for all diseases and ailments of our Ummah.
And so, as we got to know this mercy, we call on to you to join the Jihad.
Do not be insensitive and indifferent to the events that occur today in the Caucasus.
Here, in the Caucasus, your brothers and sisters in religion are being killed. Look, every week, peaceful Muslim civilians are killed in the Caucasus. On the Judgment Day, each of us will stand before Allah, and everyone will be asked about his actions, everyone will have to answer for what he has done to help these unfortunate people.
***
Therefore, dear Muslim brothers and sisters in Russia, we call on you to join the Jihad. By Allah, the Jihad today is a mercy from Allah.
I swear by Allah that what we are doing today is for Allah's sake, we will see [the reward for] it on the Judgment Day.
I also want to address to the oppressors, who unleashed this war in the Caucasus, to Putin and his gang of oppressors who kill our brothers and sisters.
The father of this young Mujahid (who is standing behind Amir Dokku Abu Usman in the video - KC) started [this] Jihad with me 18 years ago. Today, he replaced his father, tomorrow he will be replaced by his son, Insha'Allah.
You will not take the Mujahideen away from the world, from the Muslims of the Caucasus. You (oppressors) will not deprive us of our will for victory and our independence.
Therefore, all you are doing today is meaningless and will bring no results for you, Insha'Allah.
And victory will be ours, and we will, Insha'Allah, establish the Sharia in the Caucasus.
To conclude my message, I want to address a prayer to Allah:
Oh Allah, grant victory to the Muslims who seek Victory for Thy religion.
Oh Allah, grant us steadfastness and patience, and strengthen our feet.
Oh Allah, show this Ummah the right path, on which the obedient to Thee Will will be exalted, and the disobedient to Thee will be humiliated.
Oh Allah, make us enjoin the approved and blame the disapproved.
Finally, praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)!
Allahu Akbar!
***
Kavkaz Center
Source: Kavkaz Center.
Link: http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2012/05/22/16242.shtml.
Emir of the Caucasus Emirate, Dokku Abu Usman, appealed to Russia's Muslims to go for the Jihad. The KC offers an English transcript of the video speech by CE Emir translated by the Kavkaz-Jihad Blog.
***
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah.
Dear brothers and sisters, Muslims of the Islamic Ummah.
Dear brothers and sisters, Muslims of Russia and the Caucasus, we, the Caucasus Mujahideen, address to you today with the Islamic greeting.
We address to you from the unconquered mountains of the Caucasus.
We sincerely want you to know that we love you for the sake of Allah, that we are staging the Jihad in the Caucasus, only to elevate the word of Allah on this earth.
Dear brothers and sisters in Russia, we address you in particular. Today, by the grace of Allah, we've got to know the joy of the Jihad. Allah granted us the Jihad.
We also know that the Jihad is the best medicine for all diseases and ailments of our Ummah.
And so, as we got to know this mercy, we call on to you to join the Jihad.
Do not be insensitive and indifferent to the events that occur today in the Caucasus.
Here, in the Caucasus, your brothers and sisters in religion are being killed. Look, every week, peaceful Muslim civilians are killed in the Caucasus. On the Judgment Day, each of us will stand before Allah, and everyone will be asked about his actions, everyone will have to answer for what he has done to help these unfortunate people.
***
Therefore, dear Muslim brothers and sisters in Russia, we call on you to join the Jihad. By Allah, the Jihad today is a mercy from Allah.
I swear by Allah that what we are doing today is for Allah's sake, we will see [the reward for] it on the Judgment Day.
I also want to address to the oppressors, who unleashed this war in the Caucasus, to Putin and his gang of oppressors who kill our brothers and sisters.
The father of this young Mujahid (who is standing behind Amir Dokku Abu Usman in the video - KC) started [this] Jihad with me 18 years ago. Today, he replaced his father, tomorrow he will be replaced by his son, Insha'Allah.
You will not take the Mujahideen away from the world, from the Muslims of the Caucasus. You (oppressors) will not deprive us of our will for victory and our independence.
Therefore, all you are doing today is meaningless and will bring no results for you, Insha'Allah.
And victory will be ours, and we will, Insha'Allah, establish the Sharia in the Caucasus.
To conclude my message, I want to address a prayer to Allah:
Oh Allah, grant victory to the Muslims who seek Victory for Thy religion.
Oh Allah, grant us steadfastness and patience, and strengthen our feet.
Oh Allah, show this Ummah the right path, on which the obedient to Thee Will will be exalted, and the disobedient to Thee will be humiliated.
Oh Allah, make us enjoin the approved and blame the disapproved.
Finally, praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)!
Allahu Akbar!
***
Kavkaz Center
Source: Kavkaz Center.
Link: http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2012/05/22/16242.shtml.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Is The Islamic Nation Sinking?
Written by: Sheila Quinn
April 2012
Qur’an:
“But say not-for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,-‘This is lawful, and this is forbidden,’ so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to Allah will never prosper.’
“In such falsehood is but paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous Chastisement.” (Sura: “Al Nahl” (“The Bee” #16) ayat #116-
117)
“Say: ‘See ye what things Allah hath sent down to you for sustenance? Yet ye hold forbidden some things thereof and (some things) lawful,’ Say: ‘Hath Allah indeed permitted you, or do ye forge (things) to attribute to Allah?’
“And what think those who forge lies against Allah, on the Day of Judgment? Verily Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful.” (Sura “Yunus” (“Jonah” #10) Aya’in #59-60)
“Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet…So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,-it is they who will prosper” (Sura: “Al A’raf” (“The Heights” # 7) Ayah #157)
“…but the People of the Book, after the Signs came to them, did not differ amongst themselves, except through selfish contumacy…” (Sura “Al Baqara” (The Cow) #2; ayah #213)
“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura “Al Ma’ida” (“The Table Spread) #5; ayah # 3)
“O ye who believe! Obey Allah ad his Messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak)” (Sura “Al-Anfal” (“Spoils of War”) #8; ayah #20)
“And Allah will not mislead a people after He hath guided them until he makes clear to them as to what they should avoid, for Allah hath knowledge of all things.” (Sura “Al Tawba” (“Repentance”) #9; Ayah #115)
Sira: “ ‘And if you were asked about me, what wanted you to say?’ They replied: ‘We bear witness that you have conveyed the message and discharged your ministry.’ He then raised his forefinger skywards and then moved it down towards people saying: ‘O Allah, Bear witness.’ He said that phrase thrice. The one who repeated the Prophet’s statements loudly at ‘Arafat was Rabi’a bin Omaiyah bin Khalaf. As soon as the Prophet had accomplished delivering the speech, the following Qur’anic verse was revealed to him:
‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.’ (5:3)
“Upon hearing this verse ‘Umar cried. ‘What makes you cry?’ He was asked. His answer was: ‘Nothing succeeds perfection but imperfection.’” (From the English translation of: “Ar-Raheeq Al Makhtum” (“The Sealed Nectar”) written by: Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri; Islamic University, Al- Madina Al-Munawwara; chapter “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)
“Allah’s care was so bounteous as to let the Prophet see the fruits of his Call for the sake of which he suffered various sorts of trouble for over twenty years. Those twenty years had elapsed actively. He used to spend his last days meeting, at the outskirts of Makkah, members of tribes and their representatives who used to consult him and learn the laws and legislation of Islam from him, and in return he used to exact heir testimony that he had delivered trust and communicated the Message and counseled the people.” (From the English translation of: “Ar-Raheeq Al Makhtum” (“The Sealed Nectar”) written by: Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri; Islamic University, Al- Madina Al-Munawwara; chapter “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)
Is The Islamic Nation sinking? Yes it is sinking. It is sinking because of Taqlid, Mathahab, Fatwa and Ijtihad. The Islamic Nation is a ship that has holes in the bottom. What are the holes in this ship that is causing it to be sinking? They are Taqlid, Mathahab, Fatwa and Ijtihad.
Taqlid, Mathahab (Madthabs), Fatwa, and Ijtihad are outside of Islam. They are contrary to The Qur’an and Sunneh. Why do I say this? Because Islam was completed before the death of Prophet Muhammad-absolutely nothing else is needed.
“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura “Al Ma’ida” (“The Table Spread) #5; ayah # 3)
They are not only outside of Islam, they are also misguidance. It is because of them that The Islamic Nation is sinking.
This is something that I have learned through the Sira (The biography of Prophet Muhammad) and The Qur’an within the last few years. (I am a Muslim woman from a European American family. I embraced Islam more than twenty five years ago. Until a few years ago I thought, as most Muslims think, that Fatwa and Ijtihad are part of The Islamic Faith.)
Sira: “ ‘And if you were asked about me, what wanted you to say?’ They replied: ‘We bear witness that you have conveyed the message and discharged your ministry.’ He then raised his forefinger skywards and then moved it down towards people saying: ‘O Allah, Bear witness.’ He said that phrase thrice. The one who repeated the Prophet’s statements loudly at ‘Arafat was Rabi’a bin Omaiyah bin Khalaf. As soon as the Prophet had accomplished delivering the speech, the following Qur’anic verse was revealed to him:
‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.’ (5:3)
“Upon hearing this verse ‘Umar cried. ‘What makes you cry?’ He was asked. His answer was: ‘Nothing succeeds perfection but imperfection.’” ( From the English translation of:“Ar-Raheeq Al Makhtum” (“The Sealed Nectar”) written by: Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri; Islamic University, Al- Madina Al-Munawwara; chapter “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)
I initially came to my understanding that all four of them are misguidance through my reading of The Sira. Then afterwards I started finding evidence in The Qur’an that not only are these four misguidance -but that Allah is very angry with those who are involved in misguidance.
“And Allah will not mislead a people after He hath guided them until he makes clear to them as to what they should avoid, for Allah hath knowledge of all things.” (Sura “Al Tawba” (“Repentance”) #9; Ayah #115)
Through the reading of Sira and Qur’an I learned something totally new that I didn’t know before. I learned that it is The Sunneh (Way) of Allah to allow misguidance to come after His Guidance is completed. I was a Muslim for more than twenty years before I learned this. I didn’t learn it through any human being. I learned this by the mercy of The Creator through the means of The Sira and The Qur’an.
What is haram (unlawful)? Everything that Allah made haram in The Qur’an and Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad is haram- absolutely everything else is halal (lawful).
“Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet…So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,-it is they who will prosper” (Sura: “Al A’raf” (“The Heights” # 7) Ayah #157)
I repeat Taqlid, Mathahab (Madthabs), Fatwa, and Ijtihad are outside of Islam; and they are misguidance. Allah is very angry with those who are involved in misguidance.
“But say not-for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,-‘This is lawful, and this is forbidden,’ so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to Allah will never prosper.’
“In such falsehood is but paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous Chastisement.” (Sura: “Al Nahl” (“The Bee” #16) ayat #116-117)
“Say: ‘See ye what things Allah hath sent down to you for sustenance? Yet ye hold forbidden some things thereof and (some things) lawful,’ Say: ‘Hath Allah indeed permitted you, or do ye forge (things) to attribute to Allah?’
“And what think those who forge lies against Allah, on the Day of Judgment? Verily Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful.” (Sura “Yunus” (“Jonah” #10) Aya’in #59-60)
Allah is the One and Only source of both provision and security. He tells us in The Qur’an that those who do not mix iman (faith) with wrong will be in security. What is He saying in this? When thinking about it one would logically come to the conclusion that Allah is saying that anyone who does mix iman with wrong will not be in security! He does not mention any specific wrong, so most likely wrong in this context means wrong in general-any wrong. (Allah knows best) Anyone who pollutes faith with any wrong will not be secure. (This could include: making things unlawful what Allah has made lawful and secularism).
In both Fatwa and Ijtihad scholars (Islamic “experts”) are making things unlawful what Allah has made lawful. And perhaps in some circumstances making things lawful what Allah has made unlawful (for example: making some forms of riba (usury) lawful). Those who are involved in such activity are making themselves partners with Allah. It is Allah- and only Allah- who makes things lawful and unlawful. He did so in The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. It is perfect. It is Divine Law- and unlike human law- there is no need of improvements/additions.
“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura “Al Ma’ida” (“The Table Spread) #5; ayah # 3)
One example of “scholars” making things unlawful what Allah has made lawful is the issue of music. It is obvious that music in general is lawful. It is only the sound from the flute which is unlawful. Music is like meat. Pig meat is unlawful. But just because meat from the pig is unlawful does that make all meat unlawful? No it does not! The same thing with music; just because sound from the flute is unlawful that doesn’t make music itself unlawful.
Also with the issue of music there is a clear hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad which makes it clear that music in general is lawful. In this hadeeth Umar Bin Al Khatab comes to the home of Prophet Muhammad on the Day of Eid. He finds Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad, listening to music. He scolds her and then goes into the adjoining room where Prophet Muhammad is laying down relaxing. Prophet Muhammad gently scolds his dear friend by reminding him that it is The Eid. A Prophet of The Creator would not tolerate anything that is unlawful-much less allow it to be in his home. Yet, from this hadeeth we know that not only did Prophet Muhammad allow there to be music- but that he was relaxing at the time. This hadeeth is clear evidence that music in general is lawful.
Some scholars can be so weird-so strange- sometimes. I have read some things that some scholars have written. Sometimes, some scholars would be like a defense attorney who gives evidence that proves that his client is guilty. Afterwards he would make a statement that his client is innocent. The hadeeth that I just mentioned was quoted in a paper that was written by a scholar; a paper which said that music is unlawful.
Do Scholars have any role in Islam? If so, what is that role? Scholars are teachers-not prophets. Teachers are fallible human beings who sometimes do make mistakes. Scholars should publicly acknowledge their own humanity- their own fallibility as human beings. Also Muslims, in general, should not accept anything and everything that a scholar says just because he is a scholar. Muslims, in general, should listen to everything that is said and evaluate it according to what is in The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Scholars are our teachers.
Prophet Muhammad is: our teacher, our leader, and our role model. Those that love him, follows him!
“Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet…So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,-it is they who will prosper” (Sura: “Al A’raf” (“The Heights” # 7) Ayah #157)
April 2012
Qur’an:
“But say not-for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,-‘This is lawful, and this is forbidden,’ so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to Allah will never prosper.’
“In such falsehood is but paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous Chastisement.” (Sura: “Al Nahl” (“The Bee” #16) ayat #116-
117)
“Say: ‘See ye what things Allah hath sent down to you for sustenance? Yet ye hold forbidden some things thereof and (some things) lawful,’ Say: ‘Hath Allah indeed permitted you, or do ye forge (things) to attribute to Allah?’
“And what think those who forge lies against Allah, on the Day of Judgment? Verily Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful.” (Sura “Yunus” (“Jonah” #10) Aya’in #59-60)
“Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet…So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,-it is they who will prosper” (Sura: “Al A’raf” (“The Heights” # 7) Ayah #157)
“…but the People of the Book, after the Signs came to them, did not differ amongst themselves, except through selfish contumacy…” (Sura “Al Baqara” (The Cow) #2; ayah #213)
“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura “Al Ma’ida” (“The Table Spread) #5; ayah # 3)
“O ye who believe! Obey Allah ad his Messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak)” (Sura “Al-Anfal” (“Spoils of War”) #8; ayah #20)
“And Allah will not mislead a people after He hath guided them until he makes clear to them as to what they should avoid, for Allah hath knowledge of all things.” (Sura “Al Tawba” (“Repentance”) #9; Ayah #115)
Sira: “ ‘And if you were asked about me, what wanted you to say?’ They replied: ‘We bear witness that you have conveyed the message and discharged your ministry.’ He then raised his forefinger skywards and then moved it down towards people saying: ‘O Allah, Bear witness.’ He said that phrase thrice. The one who repeated the Prophet’s statements loudly at ‘Arafat was Rabi’a bin Omaiyah bin Khalaf. As soon as the Prophet had accomplished delivering the speech, the following Qur’anic verse was revealed to him:
‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.’ (5:3)
“Upon hearing this verse ‘Umar cried. ‘What makes you cry?’ He was asked. His answer was: ‘Nothing succeeds perfection but imperfection.’” (From the English translation of: “Ar-Raheeq Al Makhtum” (“The Sealed Nectar”) written by: Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri; Islamic University, Al- Madina Al-Munawwara; chapter “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)
“Allah’s care was so bounteous as to let the Prophet see the fruits of his Call for the sake of which he suffered various sorts of trouble for over twenty years. Those twenty years had elapsed actively. He used to spend his last days meeting, at the outskirts of Makkah, members of tribes and their representatives who used to consult him and learn the laws and legislation of Islam from him, and in return he used to exact heir testimony that he had delivered trust and communicated the Message and counseled the people.” (From the English translation of: “Ar-Raheeq Al Makhtum” (“The Sealed Nectar”) written by: Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri; Islamic University, Al- Madina Al-Munawwara; chapter “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)
Is The Islamic Nation sinking? Yes it is sinking. It is sinking because of Taqlid, Mathahab, Fatwa and Ijtihad. The Islamic Nation is a ship that has holes in the bottom. What are the holes in this ship that is causing it to be sinking? They are Taqlid, Mathahab, Fatwa and Ijtihad.
Taqlid, Mathahab (Madthabs), Fatwa, and Ijtihad are outside of Islam. They are contrary to The Qur’an and Sunneh. Why do I say this? Because Islam was completed before the death of Prophet Muhammad-absolutely nothing else is needed.
“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura “Al Ma’ida” (“The Table Spread) #5; ayah # 3)
They are not only outside of Islam, they are also misguidance. It is because of them that The Islamic Nation is sinking.
This is something that I have learned through the Sira (The biography of Prophet Muhammad) and The Qur’an within the last few years. (I am a Muslim woman from a European American family. I embraced Islam more than twenty five years ago. Until a few years ago I thought, as most Muslims think, that Fatwa and Ijtihad are part of The Islamic Faith.)
Sira: “ ‘And if you were asked about me, what wanted you to say?’ They replied: ‘We bear witness that you have conveyed the message and discharged your ministry.’ He then raised his forefinger skywards and then moved it down towards people saying: ‘O Allah, Bear witness.’ He said that phrase thrice. The one who repeated the Prophet’s statements loudly at ‘Arafat was Rabi’a bin Omaiyah bin Khalaf. As soon as the Prophet had accomplished delivering the speech, the following Qur’anic verse was revealed to him:
‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.’ (5:3)
“Upon hearing this verse ‘Umar cried. ‘What makes you cry?’ He was asked. His answer was: ‘Nothing succeeds perfection but imperfection.’” ( From the English translation of:“Ar-Raheeq Al Makhtum” (“The Sealed Nectar”) written by: Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri; Islamic University, Al- Madina Al-Munawwara; chapter “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)
I initially came to my understanding that all four of them are misguidance through my reading of The Sira. Then afterwards I started finding evidence in The Qur’an that not only are these four misguidance -but that Allah is very angry with those who are involved in misguidance.
“And Allah will not mislead a people after He hath guided them until he makes clear to them as to what they should avoid, for Allah hath knowledge of all things.” (Sura “Al Tawba” (“Repentance”) #9; Ayah #115)
Through the reading of Sira and Qur’an I learned something totally new that I didn’t know before. I learned that it is The Sunneh (Way) of Allah to allow misguidance to come after His Guidance is completed. I was a Muslim for more than twenty years before I learned this. I didn’t learn it through any human being. I learned this by the mercy of The Creator through the means of The Sira and The Qur’an.
What is haram (unlawful)? Everything that Allah made haram in The Qur’an and Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad is haram- absolutely everything else is halal (lawful).
“Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet…So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,-it is they who will prosper” (Sura: “Al A’raf” (“The Heights” # 7) Ayah #157)
I repeat Taqlid, Mathahab (Madthabs), Fatwa, and Ijtihad are outside of Islam; and they are misguidance. Allah is very angry with those who are involved in misguidance.
“But say not-for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,-‘This is lawful, and this is forbidden,’ so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to Allah will never prosper.’
“In such falsehood is but paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous Chastisement.” (Sura: “Al Nahl” (“The Bee” #16) ayat #116-117)
“Say: ‘See ye what things Allah hath sent down to you for sustenance? Yet ye hold forbidden some things thereof and (some things) lawful,’ Say: ‘Hath Allah indeed permitted you, or do ye forge (things) to attribute to Allah?’
“And what think those who forge lies against Allah, on the Day of Judgment? Verily Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful.” (Sura “Yunus” (“Jonah” #10) Aya’in #59-60)
Allah is the One and Only source of both provision and security. He tells us in The Qur’an that those who do not mix iman (faith) with wrong will be in security. What is He saying in this? When thinking about it one would logically come to the conclusion that Allah is saying that anyone who does mix iman with wrong will not be in security! He does not mention any specific wrong, so most likely wrong in this context means wrong in general-any wrong. (Allah knows best) Anyone who pollutes faith with any wrong will not be secure. (This could include: making things unlawful what Allah has made lawful and secularism).
In both Fatwa and Ijtihad scholars (Islamic “experts”) are making things unlawful what Allah has made lawful. And perhaps in some circumstances making things lawful what Allah has made unlawful (for example: making some forms of riba (usury) lawful). Those who are involved in such activity are making themselves partners with Allah. It is Allah- and only Allah- who makes things lawful and unlawful. He did so in The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. It is perfect. It is Divine Law- and unlike human law- there is no need of improvements/additions.
“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura “Al Ma’ida” (“The Table Spread) #5; ayah # 3)
One example of “scholars” making things unlawful what Allah has made lawful is the issue of music. It is obvious that music in general is lawful. It is only the sound from the flute which is unlawful. Music is like meat. Pig meat is unlawful. But just because meat from the pig is unlawful does that make all meat unlawful? No it does not! The same thing with music; just because sound from the flute is unlawful that doesn’t make music itself unlawful.
Also with the issue of music there is a clear hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad which makes it clear that music in general is lawful. In this hadeeth Umar Bin Al Khatab comes to the home of Prophet Muhammad on the Day of Eid. He finds Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad, listening to music. He scolds her and then goes into the adjoining room where Prophet Muhammad is laying down relaxing. Prophet Muhammad gently scolds his dear friend by reminding him that it is The Eid. A Prophet of The Creator would not tolerate anything that is unlawful-much less allow it to be in his home. Yet, from this hadeeth we know that not only did Prophet Muhammad allow there to be music- but that he was relaxing at the time. This hadeeth is clear evidence that music in general is lawful.
Some scholars can be so weird-so strange- sometimes. I have read some things that some scholars have written. Sometimes, some scholars would be like a defense attorney who gives evidence that proves that his client is guilty. Afterwards he would make a statement that his client is innocent. The hadeeth that I just mentioned was quoted in a paper that was written by a scholar; a paper which said that music is unlawful.
Do Scholars have any role in Islam? If so, what is that role? Scholars are teachers-not prophets. Teachers are fallible human beings who sometimes do make mistakes. Scholars should publicly acknowledge their own humanity- their own fallibility as human beings. Also Muslims, in general, should not accept anything and everything that a scholar says just because he is a scholar. Muslims, in general, should listen to everything that is said and evaluate it according to what is in The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Scholars are our teachers.
Prophet Muhammad is: our teacher, our leader, and our role model. Those that love him, follows him!
“Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet…So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,-it is they who will prosper” (Sura: “Al A’raf” (“The Heights” # 7) Ayah #157)
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