Sunnism and Shiism is Misguidance

written by: Sheila Quinn
October 25, 2015

There is Sunnism, there is Shiism, and then there is Islam. Neither Sunnism nor Shiism is Islam. Islam is Islam. Both of these two sects are misguidance. Many years ago, before my sons' father divorced me I thought of myself as a "Sunni". Al humdu lillah...I identify myself now as a Muslim-I am no longer a "Sunni".

There are many things wrong with Shiism, including: making innovations in the religion-such as "celebrating" Ashura by whipping themselves, and other things which has nothing to do with The Islamic Faith.

There is also many things wrong with Sunnism, including: taqleed and fatwa.

Both groups have misguidance. We need to stick to The Qur'an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad.

The guidance of Allah was completed at the time when Prophet Muhammad made Hajj. At this time Allah clearly stated in The Qur'an that the Islamic Faith was completed. Prophet Muhammad had completed his mission as the messenger of Allah. When Prophet Muhammad was dying he wanted to have something written down. Umar ibn Al Khattab-one of Prophet Muhammad's closest companions- gently objected to this by saying that The Qur'an and The Sunneh are enough for us. Apparently Prophet Muhammad understood what was meant by this and changed his mind. Allah knows best. Anything after this is not part of Islam.

There are some things that Prophet Muhammad did that was only for him to do because he was the messenger of Allah-and therefore such things should not be followed. Such things include: fasting continuously day and night -for several days- without breaking the fast; marrying more than four women; and instructing a companion of his-when he sent him as an envoy to another country.

Homosexuality and Islam

written by: Sheila Quinn

Qur’an:

   “Therefore stand firm (in the straight path) as thou art commanded,-thou and those who with thee turn (unto Allah); and transgress not (from the path); for He seeth well all that ye do. And incline not to those who do wrong, or the fire will touch you, and ye have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.” (Sura: “Huud” #11; aya’an #112-113)

  “O Abraham! Seek not this. The decree of thy Lord hath gone forth; for them there cometh a chastisement that cannot be turned back! When our messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: ‘This is a distressful day.’ And his people came rushing towards him, and they had been long in the habit of practicing abominations. He said; ‘O my people! Here are my daughters: they are purer for you (if you marry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with disgrace about my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?’ They said: ‘well dost thou know we have no need of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest quite well what we want!’…” (The messengers) said; “O Lut! We are messengers from thy lord! By no means shall they reach thee! Now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): to her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed: is not the morning nigh?”(Sura: “Huud” #11; ayat #76-81)

These ayat are just some of the ayat which deal with the issue of homosexuality.

Some might say that the issue of homosexuality is a sensitive issue. At first I agreed with this, but as I read more and more about the aggressive behavior of some who are pro “gay” I became incensed about the campaign to make everyone accept homosexuality as “okay”. This campaign is not only in The U.S. and Europe-it is also in Muslim countries as well. There have been “gay pride parades” in both Turkey and Jordan.  (Turkey’s LGBT community draws hope from Harvey Milk: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/12/turkey-lgbt-discrimination-legal-protection-public-awareness.html#ixzz3hGxWgT57)

 Homosexuality is not okay. If a female relative of mine came to me and told me that she was “married” to another woman, how would I respond? I do not know how I would respond. Perhaps I would just stare at her for a few minutes and then walk away, or I might verbally blast her, than again I just might sit with her and give her a quiet but stern lecture about how homosexual behavior is unacceptable.

 Allah has made it clear, in The Qur’an, that homosexual activity is an abomination to Him. No Muslim has the right to be okay with homosexual activity. “ … Now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): to her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed: is not the morning nigh?”( Sura: “Huud” #11; ayat #76-81)

“…And incline not to those who do wrong, or the fire will touch you, and ye have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.” (Sura: “Huud” #11; aya’an #112-113)

  From what is written in The Qur’an it is clear that The Creator and The Sustainer of The Heavens and The Earth considers such behavior to be absolutely unacceptable. It is unthinkable that any Muslim would accept homosexual activity to be okay. It is not only sinful to be involved in homosexual activity, but it is also sinful to be sympathetic towards those who are involved in homosexual behavior. It is clear- from the ayat that I quoted above- that anyone who is sympathetic towards homosexuals are sinful and will be dealt with to the same degree as those who are active homosexuals.

 Should Muslims please Allah-or should we prostrate to His creatures? Of course, we should please Allah. The Dunya, this life, is a life of tests. It seems that some Muslims are failing in the tests that are being given in regard to homosexuality.

There is absolutely no God, but The God. Muhammad is the messenger of the God. Everything and everyone belongs to God. We do not belong to ourselves. Everything that we have is a trust from God-including: our bodies, our minds and our hearts. All of us do have choices, but each and every one of us will face the consequences of our choices-good or bad. Although our bodies will decay in our graves, we-ourselves- will continue to exist throughout eternity. But, what kind of existence will it be?

Some References:

 Reza Aslan And Hasan Minhaj Explain Why Muslims Can't Afford To Be Intolerant Of Gay Marriage: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/09/reza-aslan-hasan-minhaj-gay-marriage_n_7757400.html?ir=Religion&ncid=newsltushpmg00000003 

For Churches That Won’t Perform Same-Sex Weddings, Insurance Begins to Look Iffy Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/420928/churches-gay-marriage-insurance?tsrvqUZ2WLkiLuwx.01

Turkey’s LGBT community draws hope from Harvey Milk
: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/12/turkey-lgbt-discrimination-legal-protection-public-awareness.html#ixzz3hGxWgT57

A Masjid is a Community Center for Muslims

June 12,2015
written by:Sheila Quinn

Hadeeth: “Narrated Samura bin Jundab: Whenever the Prophet finished the (morning) prayer, he would face us and ask, ‘Who amongst you had a dream last night?’ So if anyone had seen a dream he would narrate it. The Prophet would say: ‘Ma sha’a-l-lah’ (An Arabic maxim meaning literally ‘What Allah wished,’ and it indicates a good omen.)…” (From the collection of hadeeth: “Sahih Al-Bukhari”; Volume#2; Book “Funerals”#23; chapter #91; hadeeth #468)

There are other hadeeth.

 One is a hadeeth which is narrated by Ayesha (mother of believers/ a wife of Prophet Muhammad). In that hadeeth she talks about an incident in which she watched a sports event in the masjid. She was sitting behind Prophet Muhammad.

Another hadeeth is narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (a companion of Prophet Muhammad and a son of another companion of Prophet Muhammad). In this hadeeth Abdullah ibn Umar mentioned that one time Prophet Muhammad pointed to one of the doors of the masjid. And he (Prophet Muhammad) said if only we would leave that door for the women. He said that he wish that door would be just for the women and that door (pointing to the other door) would be for the men. Prophet Muhammad wanted there to be separate entrances-one for the women and one for the men. Apparently there were two doors to the masjid in which both men and women used.

Qur’an:

      “Allah alone can show the right path but there are ways that turn aside; if Allah had so willed, He could have guided all of you.”  (Sura: “An-Nahl” (The Bee) #16; ayah #9)

 “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), in the Taurat and the Gospel:-for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure);: he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him, - it is they who will prosper.”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah #157)

“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura: “Maida” (The Table Spread) #5; ayah #3)

Hadeeth

“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray.” (Sahih Muslim) 
(Source: “Ar- Raheeq Al – Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar; chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)

The masjid is a community center for Muslims-not just a place of prayer. The masjid is a place of many different community activities for Muslims. It is a place of: prayer, classes, sports, social activities, community meetings, etc. It is a place that all Muslims, both men and women can go.

The Islamic Faith consists of: The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Anything that came after the death of Prophet Muhammad is misguidance. An English translation of what Allah says in The Qur’an is: “…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…”  (Sura: “Maida” (The Table Spread) #5; ayah #3)

One of the things that is misguidance is Fatwa, itself. Fatwa has displaced The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims are following fatwa instead of The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. It is time to return to The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad; it is time to start building-and using- masjids as community centers for all Muslims.

                                                                                                                          

An Open Letter to Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh of the Saudi Regime

October 29,2014
written by Sheila Quinn

To The God do we belong and to Him we will return.

Qur’an: “And blessed is He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all between them; with Him is the knowledge of the Hour (of judgment); and to Him shall ye be brought back. (Sura: Zukhruf (Gold Ornaments) # 43; ayah #85)

As a Muslim to a Muslim I am giving you advice. As Muslims it is our duty to give advice to other Muslims. Oh, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh of the Saudi regime fear Allah. Oh, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh of the Saudi regime Allah knows what you say and what you do. Oh, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh of the Saudi regime do not slander believers. Oh, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh of the Saudi regime whoever supports an evil cause will share in its burden.

  Oh, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh of the Saudi regime do not be arrogant-all creatures of Allah are fallible. Allah is the only one who is infallible. Oh, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh of the Saudi regime it is Allah, Himself, who decides who is guided and who is not. It is Allah, Himself, who is the source of all knowledge and wisdom.

 Do not be arrogant and ignore the advice of a Muslim sister just because she does not have a piece of paper from a university. Allah guides whom He wills; Allah gives knowledge and wisdom to whomever He wills.

There is tyranny within many Muslim countries. The Hijaz is one of those countries. The Saudi regime is a regime which is guilty of tyranny. Allah hates tyranny. There is no barrier between Allah and the supplications of those who are oppressed. Fear Allah and do not support those who are oppressive.

As Muslims it is our duty to be just. We should look at each case separately and evaluate it separately. We should look at each group separately and evaluate it separately. It is foolish of you to put the groups of: ISIS, Al Nusra Front, and The Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt together. They are three separate groups with different: leadership, agenda and actions. Each group should only be evaluated within its own context. To do anything else is unacceptable. 

Egypt is another Muslim country in which there is tyranny. Mubarak was a tyrant and Al-Sisi is a tyrant. Anyone who supports Al-Sisi shares the burden of the evil that he has done-and is doing. Anyone who supports Al-Sisi is accountable in front of Allah for the massacre of large numbers of Muslim civilians who were slaughtered by Al-Sisi and his regime.

Oh, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh of the Saudi regime do not think that you have a high status with Allah just because some humans have given you the title of “Grand Mufti”.

(In response to: 

"Saudi Grand Mufti: ISIS, Al-Nusra and Muslim Brotherhood have no connection to Islam" :www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/14926-saudi-grand-mufti-isis-al-nusra-and-muslim-brotherhood-have-no-connection-to-islam.)

Link: http://truthseeker-anewera.blogspot.com/2014/10/an-open-letter-to-abdul-aziz-al-sheikh.html.

Telling Lies About Allah

Monday,September,17,2012
written by: Sheila Quinn
Source: Lessons from The Qur'an and Sunneh

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 a paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous chastisement" (Sura "Al Nahl" ("The Bee") #16; aya'an (verses) # 116-117


The Guidance of Allah was completed during the "Farewell Pilgrimage" (The Last Pilgrimage), before the death of Prophet Muhammad. Therefore anything that came after his death is misguidance. What came after his death? Taqlid, mathahab, fatwa, and ijtihad came after his death. All of them are misguidance. Taqlid is shirk. Any Muslim who is involved in taqlid is involved in shirk, and therefore is a mushrik- a polytheist. Mathahab comes from taqlid, and therefore because taqlid is shirk mathahab is also shirk. Fatwa and ijtihad are misguidance. They came after the guidance was completed. That in itself, makes them misguidance. But, there is something else which also makes them 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..." This is additional evidence from The Qur'an, Itself, that fatwa and ijtihad are not only outside of Islam- but are totally unacceptable to Allah.

Some Thoughts About : Taqlid, Shirk and The Islamic Nation

August 9, 2012
Ramadan 22,1433- after ten thirty at night.
written by: Sheila Quinn
Source: A New Era

Bismillah, Ir Rahman, Ir Raheem.(In the name of The God, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful)

This blog is my online column. I usually write about political things on this blog. But today, I feel I need to make an exception. Although, what I am writing about isn't political- it is very much current events.
Well... These are some thoughts about: The Islamic Nation, The Islamic Faith and Muslims. We have just started the last third of the month of Ramadan. I am very mentally active. During this month of Ramadan I have spent some time on the internet... sharing information about Islam with others and acting as an advocate of my Muslim brothers and sisters. At one point I came across a clip in which a Muslim brother claimed that taqlid is an essential part of The Islamic Faith. I listened to everything he said- and found many things that he said to be nonsensical. One of the things that he said was that every Muslim was involved in taqlid. I told him that this is wrong. I am a Muslim, but I am not involved in taqlid. I also said that Allah says in some of the ayat(verses)in The Qur'an that anyone who was involved in taqlid was involved in shirk (a.k.a. blasphemy/giving partners to the One God.)

Today I got a response from him. I mentioned in my comment that there are ayat(verses) in the Qur'an that says that taqlid is shirk. Did this individual ask me for reference as to what ayat I was talking about? No, he didn't. What he did do was to be confrontational and argumentative with me. He basically said that taqlid wasn't shirk because every Muslim, including the Sahaba (Companions of Prophet Muhammad) were involved in it. Is he a "scholar"? perhaps... I wouldn't be surprised if many so called "Muslim scholars" who have a university degree in Islamic Shariah did agree with him.

Now, why am I being outspoken on an issue that many "scholars" would find to be unacceptable? There are two reasons. The first reason is that I am a seeker of truth. I came to The Islamic Faith as a seeker of truth and I understand The Islamic Faith as a seeker of truth. What is the truth? The Qur'an is the truth! As a Muslim I take everything that Allah says in The Qur'an with tremendous respect and acceptance. If the Qur'an says one thing and the scholars say another thing who should I believe? As Allah's slave I should believe The Qur'an - not the scholars! As a seeker of truth I am very skeptical about things that I read and are told to me. I perceive all human beings to be fallible creatures who are limited in both knowledge and wisdom. Although scholars are supposed to be experts who have more knowledge in a subject than most people do-that doesn't mean that they are infallible beings who don't make mistakes. I am outspoken about this issue because I must speak the truth...no ands, ifs or buts about it.

The second reason is that I am a slave of Allah's (of The Creator's). As His slave I am obligated to obey Him and His Messenger- Prophet Muhammad. In order to obey my creator I must speak out against that which I know -without a doubt- to be wrong. There are a couple of hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad where he orders us to speak out about what is wrong. Also in The Qur'an Allah orders us to speak the truth. One place is in Sura (chapter) "Asr" ("Time Through the Ages")# 103. An english translation of what is said in Asr is: "By the time, verily man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and in the mutual enjoining of truth, and of patience and of constancy."

Taqlid is not only wrong- but it is shirk. Allah says so in The Qur'an. What is some of the evidence of this? Well...part of the evidence is in Sura (chapter) "Ar-Rum" (The Romans). In Ayain (verses) 31-32 there is evidence. An english translation is; "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 the religion and become sects. Each party rejoicing in that which is with itself!" These ayain is just part of the evidence that taqlid is shirk. Any Muslim who is involved in taqlid is not following Prophet Muhammad; and anyone who is following Prophet Muhammad is not involved in taqlid!

Those who are involved in taqlid remind me of Christians who believe in the trinity. Christians who believe in the trinity insist that they are monotheists when - in fact- they are polytheists. Same thing with those who are involved in taqlid. They insist they are following Prophet Muhammad -when in fact, they are ignoring his words and the words of the one who sent him.

What does this have to do with The Islamic Nation? The Islamic Nation is a ship that is sinking. What is causing it to sink? What is causing it to sink is: taqlid, mathahab (madthabs), fatwa and ijtihad.

There Is No God but The God

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

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)

Introduction To This Blog (Muslims For The Shariah)

Written by: Sheila Quinn
Source:Muslims For The Shariah

There is much misinformation about The Shariah through out the world. Both Non-Muslims and Muslims have tremendous ignorance about The Shariah.
Where should The Shariah be implemented? The Shariah should only be implemented in Muslim countries. The Shariah is a part of The Islamic Faith. Any leader of any Muslim country who does not implement the Shariah completely is accountable in front of Allah. In Islam,leadership is a trust from Allah-not a right!
What about Non-Muslim countries? It is clear-in The Qur'an,itself, that Shariah should only be implemented in Muslim countries. Shariah is a part of Islam. Therefore to impose Shariah in a Non-Muslim country would be, in fact, imposing The Islamic Faith on Non-Muslims. Such a thing would be making the Islamic Faith compulsory for Non-Muslims. Allah says in The Qur'an, "La ikraaha fee deen" (There is no compulsion in religion).
There is much disagreement amongst Muslims about The Shariah. What is lawful and what is forbidden? What is obligatory, and what is not obligatory? Until there is a common criterion in which to answer these questions there will continue to be divisions amongst Muslims.
The purpose of this blog is to promote The Shariah. Such a purpose includes-through necessity- promoting a common criterion for deciding these questions. This criterion is not from me, but from Allah and His Messenger through ayat in The Qur'an and hadeeth from Prophet Muhammad

The Relationship Between: Taqleed, Mathahab (Madthabs), and Fatwa

written by: Sheila Quinn

Qur’an:
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), in the Taurat and the Gospel:-for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure);: he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper.”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah #157).

“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as you religion.” (5:3)

“Say who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure (which He hath provided) for sustenance?...”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah # 32.

“Oh ye who believe! Make not unlawful the good things which Allah hath made lawful for you,…”
(Sura: Maida (The Table Spread); ayah # 87.

Hadeeth
“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray.” (Sahih Muslim)
(Source: “Ar- Raheeq Al – Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar; chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)


What is the relationship between these three? All three are contrary to The Qur’an and the Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad, and all three are misguidance. What is haram or forbidden in Islam? What is haram is that which The Creator, Himself, has forbidden in The Qur’an or in the Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Everything else is halal. Islam is the guidance of The Creator. It was completed during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad.

What is Taqleed? What is Mathahab? What is Fatwa?

Taqleed is a Muslim form of personality cults. Anyone who is involved in taqleed perceive and treat a scholar/or a group of scholars as if he/they were a Prophet(s) of God. And therefore they follow that scholar or group of scholars. Anyone who is involved in taqleed is following a certain scholar/or scholars, and therefore is not following Prophet Muhammad.

Mathahab is plural for Madthab. Madthab is a certain "school" of Islamic Jurisprudence. There are four well known and accepted "schools of jurisprudence". Their function is to say if something is lawful or forbidden. Yet, it is Allah, Himself, who makes things lawful or unlawful. He made things clear in The Qur'an and in The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad what is unlawful. He also made it clear in The Qur'an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad that everything that He didn't make unlawful is in fact lawful. There is no need for the Mathahab. Allah knows everything. He knows what is in the future, as well as, what issues would come up in the future. Mathahab is a product of Taqleed-and therefore like Taqleed-it is a form of Shirk (giving partners to the One God).

Fatwa is the personal opinion of an Islamic Scholar as to the lawfulness of an item or behavior. Allah, Himself, is The One who makes things lawful and unlawful. He made it clear in both The Qur'an and The Sunneh what is unlawful(forbidden). Only Allah makes things unlawful. It is totally unacceptable for anyone else to say that something is unlawful when Allah did not make it unlawful.

Why are these three contrary to The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad? The Islamic Faith consists only of The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Anything else is not part of the Islamic Faith. Neither the personal opinions of this Sahabee or that Sahabee, nor the opinions of the Ulema (Scholars), are part of The Islamic Faith.

All three of them are misguidance. Every time that Allah sends guidance to humanity, He allows misguidance to follow. The misguidance that He allowed to follow after the death of Prophet Muhammad includes: Taqleed, Mathahab, and Fatwa.

Such statements are contrary to what is taught to Muslims by many scholars. But, why am I making such statements? Because, they are the truth! As slaves of Allah, we are obligated to speak the truth no matter what others might think or say. Such statements are based on The Qur’an and the Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad.

“ ‘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 while saying: ‘O Allah, bear witness.’ He said that phrase thrice….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 Favour 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.’ “ (Source: “Ar-Raheeq Al Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar) chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)

Guidance is perfection, whereas misguidance is imperfection. ‘Umar obviously was aware that after guidance from Allah was completed that misguidance would be allowed to come. Taqleed, Mathahab, and Fatwa is amongst the misguidance that came. The guidance of Allah was completed before the death of Prophet Muhammad- and misguidance was allowed to come after his death.

The following is some of the evidence from The Qur’an and the Sunneh:

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), in the Taurat and the Gospel:-for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure);: he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper.”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah #157).

“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as you religion.” (5:3)


“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray.” (Sahih Muslim)
(Source: “Ar- Raheeq Al – Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar); chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)

An Open Letter to The T.N.C. of Libya and My Muslim Brothers and Sisters of Libya

written by: Sheila Quinn

"And call in remembrance the favour of Allah unto you, and His Covenant, which He ratified with you, when ye said: 'We hear and we obey': and fear Allah, for Allah knoweth well the secrets of your hearts" (Qur'an: Sura Al Maida (chapter #5;ayah #7)
"O ye believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just; that is next to Piety; and fear Allah. For Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye do." (Qur'an: Sura Al Maida (chapter #5;ayah #8)


My dear Muslim brothers and sisters of Libya,
As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatulahee wa barakatuhu. Ramadan Mubarak.
May Allah guide you and protect you.
Your continual struggle to fight against the tyranny of Qaddafi is being observed by many through out the world-including myself. His tyranny and your struggle against his tyranny is a test from Allah. It is a test in: iman (faith), tawakkil (trust in Allah) and saber (patience). May Allah help you in this test.
In this test you need to focus on a number of things, including: patience, shura (consulting with each other on how to proceed in your common struggle), and justice (in everything that you do be just, do not victimize innocent third parties in your struggle to free yourselves from Qaddafi's tyranny). Please remember that every human being has an appointment with death. You, your loved ones, as well as, Qaddafi have an appointment with death. Such an appointment can not be delayed, nor can it be advanced. Qaddafi will die when it is his time to die, not before and not after. In sha' Allah, with Allah's help you will have victory- but when Allah decides and how He decides. So be patient, my beloved brothers and sisters... be patient. Allah loves those who are patient.
Put your trust in Allah and seek help from Him. Seek His patronage. He is the only One who is able to bring you victory- no one else. In sha' Allah, He will bring victory to you at the best time. Again, I say...be patient in the tests that Allah is giving you.
As for the future, after your victory... you will continue to have tests. With governance there are very difficult tests. Governance is a very, very heavy trust from Allah. Please, know that and understand that. You will need to make Shura with other Muslims -from other Muslim countries- who fear Allah and who seek the pleasure of Allah. My suggestion is for you to make Shura with the leaders of The Muslim Brotherhood of Jordan, as well as, the leaders of The Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt. The leaders of both organizations are Mumineen (Believers) and Mootaqeen (those who are God fearing),in sha' Allah. All Muslim countries should apply Islamic Law in its entirety. But, because of the tremendous ignorance of Islam amongst Muslims and the Fitna (division)that exists amongst Muslims the process of application should be gradual- according to the degree of Islamic knowledge and Iman(Faith)that is within the population of the country. At the same time it should be understood by all Muslims -in all Muslim countries- that the implementation of Islamic Law in its entirety is obligatory. It is as obligatory on a Muslim community/society to implement Islamic Law -as it is obligatory for the individual Muslim to make Salat. Both are essential elements of The Islamic Faith.

My thoughts and my prayers are with you...

A Disease Called Taqleed

Written by: Sheila Quinn

Introduction

Quran: "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." Sura Rum (The Romans); ayat 31-32

“This day I have perfected your religion for you completed My Favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion".
Qur'an: (5:3)

“No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright); for Allah knows all things.”
Sura Tagaabun (Mutual Loss or Gain) # 64, ayah #11

“Such is Allah, your true Lord: apart from the Truth what (remains) but error? How then are ye turned away? (10: 32)

“…If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is best, and most suitable for final determination” (4:59)

“Verily, this is My Way leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His Path: thus doth He command you, that ye may be righteous.”(6:153)

“…for verily Allah is the Guide of those who believe, to the Straight Way (Surah Al – Hajj (The Pilgrimage) # 22, ayah#54

“So whencesoever thou startest forth, turn thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque...and ye may (consent to) be guided.” (Surah Baqara #2, ayah # 150)

“Be sure We shall test you, with… but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,-
“Who say, when afflicted with calamity:’ To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return:-
“They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, And they are the ones that receive guidance.” (Surah Baqara #2, ayat# 155-157)

Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur’an as a guide to mankind… (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Surah Baqara #2, ayah # 185)








Hadeeth:
“Verily, I have left you the Book of Allah and the Sunneh (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast you shall never go astray”


“Hazrat Ayesha (R.A.A.) relates that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: ‘“ If somebody tries to introduce into this faith of ours (Islam) something which is not a part of it, it is to be rejected… (Bukhari and Muslim)

“Hazrat Ibn Abbas (R.A.A.) relates: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) once stood up to sermonise us and said: ‘O’ people! You will be resurrected and gathered before Allah barefooted, naked and uncircumcised’
Allah the Almighty says:
‘As We began the first creation, so shall We resurrect them, We have charged ourselves with it, and so shall We do’. (21: 104)
Beware! First of all, it will be Prophet Abraham (A.S.) who will be dressed. And that some persons from amongst my followers will be brought who will be held on the left side near the Hell. I shall say, ‘O’ Lord, these are my companions’. Then I will be told: ‘You do not know what innovations they perpetrated after you.’ Then I will repeat what a pious servant Prophet Christ submitted to Allah:
I was a witness of them while I dwelt among them, and when thou tookest me thou was the Watcher over them. Thou art witness over all things. If Thou punish them, Lo, they are Thy slaves, and if Thou forgive them (Lo! They are Thy slaves.) Lo! Thou, only Thu art the Mighty, the Wise. (5:117-118)
I shall further be told that after I left them (my demise) they continued to turn renegades’ (Agreed upon) (from “Riyadh Us-Saliheen” chapter 16 “ Injunctions for Regular Observation of The Holy Prophet’s (S.A.W.) Practice and it Conditions”



Taqleed is contrary to The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is Shirk. The Creator, Himself, says that it is Shirk in Sura “Rum” (The Romans). aya in 31-32 :
"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."



In these two ayain The Creator clearly and precisely describes Taqleed and calls it Shirk. He commands in this Sura that anyone who makes Taqleed should ask for forgiveness from Him.
Taqleed is a disease of the heart which is an epidemic in The Islamic Nation. It is a major cause of disunity amongst Muslims. A major symptom of this disease is arrogance. It is following anyone in the Deen other than Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
To follow anyone other than Prophet Muhammad is ignoring Allah’s words in The Qur’an in Sura Maida (#5); ayah #3 in which an English translation is: “This day I have perfected your religion for you completed My Favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion"

To follow anyone other than Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is ignoring the words of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in which an English translation is: “Verily, I have left you the Book of Allah and the Sunneh (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast you shall never go astray”

Those scholars who advocated Taqleed in the past were concerned about the possibility that Non-Arabic Muslims would include their own cultural values into their understanding of Islam. But an English translation of Sura Maida, ayah # 3 says:
“This day I have perfected your religion for you completed My Favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”.

Allah has knowledge of all things in the present and in the future. He has knowledge of the needs of The Islamic Nation, both in the present and in the future. In this ayah He says that He has completed The Deen. What does completed mean? It means that nothing more is needed. Yet some scholars say that Taqleed is needed. Their saying is obviously ignoring the words of Allah.

It is one thing to seek advice about something that you do not know about from individuals that you trust; it is a totally different thing to follow someone. One seeks advice from: doctors, plumbers, teachers, etc. But, does one follow a doctor, a plumber or a teacher. Of course not! To get advice is one thing; to follow someone is a completely different thing.

Of course, there is ignorance amongst Muslims- including Non-Arab Muslims. But the only remedy is knowledge; the only remedy is education in the religion- not Taqleed! (I seek refuge in The God from the accused shaitan).




Some Harmful Results of Taqleed



*Arrogance

*Fitna- divisiveness amongst Muslims

*Confusion amongst Muslims as to what is lawful and what is forbidden.

*The abuse and overuse of fatwa

*The use of criteria- for making decisions in Fiqh – which are totally irrelevant/ invalid to The Sharia and to The Islamic Faith.

*The making of fatwa when there is clear evidence from The Qur’an and/or Sunneh concerning the issue.

*Encouraging and promoting the disunity of The Islamic Nation.

*Causing significant damage to the unity of The Islamic Nation.

* Destruction of The Islamic Nation from within.

* Taqleed is spreading throughout The Islamic Nation as a cancer.

*Encouraging personality cults (the adoration and worshipping of individual human beings).

These are some of the results of Taqleed. Taqleed is not just an act of shirk which is between an individual human and his creator. It is a cancer which is spreading throughout The Islamic Nation. It is in the process of destroying The Islamic Nation. Therefore, it is not just an individual matter between The God and His slave- but a serious concern for all Muslims.

Just as a doctor knows that a person has cancer by seeing cancer cells under a microscope that have come from a human body; I know that Taqleed is a cancer that is spreading through out The Islamic Nation through interacting with some “cancer cells” through The Internet. I would like to share a few of the experiences that I have had on The Internet. I am involved in a number of different forums and social networks through out The Internet.
On one forum a Muslim brother asked about the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. I told him that it wasn’t a part of The Islamic Faith, and therefore it wasn’t acceptable to celebrate it. His response was to reject what I said. Why did he reject it.?.. because of Taqleed. He said that what I said was wrong because he assumed that I was a Wahabi, and of course everyone knows that Wahabis support the state terrorism of The U.S. Therefore, he rejected what I said, because it was in agreement with those who supported the foreign policy of The U.S. Because of Taqleed, he had assumed that I was Wahabi and therefore a supporter of The U.S. Because of Taqleed, he rejected what I said not on the basis of The Qur’an and The Sunneh, but on the basis of politics… pure and simple. He is, indeed, one of the cancer cells of Taqleed in the Islamic Nation.
On another forum another Muslim brother was making excellent statements about Islam. Then he started talking about numerology, and that numerology is part of The Islamic Faith. I gently asked him for some evidence from The Qur’an and Sunneh about this. His response was to give me a link to a website. He is, indeed, one of the cancer cells of Taqleed in The Islamic Nation.
On a social network I discussed the issue of Taqleed with a number of friends that I got through that network. One friend sent me a post about Taqleed to my profile; I read it and then ignored it. Another friend posted an article from a scholar about Taqleed in her notes; I read it and starting commenting on it. I disagreed with the post by saying that Taqleed wasn’t part of Islam. I asked for evidence from The Qur’an or Sunneh which supports Taqleed. The only response that I got was that I was going after my own nafs. I continued to ask for evidence from The Qur’an or Sunneh, but my request was totally ignored. I continued to interact with friends on this social network. Some of them were Sufi and some of them were Salafee. They disagreed with each other on many things but apparently all of them agreed about Taqleed. They would, and did, verbally attack each other… They are, indeed, some of the cancer cells of Taqleed in The Islamic Nation.
I have seen papers on The Internet that were written by some scholars. Some of them concerned the issues of hijab and music. In these papers fatwas was made. On the issue of hijab a scholar said that it was obligatory for women to completely cover ourselves in public (including the face and hands). In Sharia fatwa is made only when there is no evidence from either The Qur’an or Sunneh, yet there is clear evidence from The Sunneh about hijab. Therefore, a fatwa on this issue is totally unacceptable. In this particular case the scholar was misusing/abusing his status as a scholar to promote his own opinion. (What is the evidence? There is a Sahih (sound) hadeeth in which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that everything should be covered except this and this and he pointed to the hands and face.) In another paper a scholar was taking the position that music is haram (forbidden). I read this paper and studied it as to what it was saying and why it was saying what it was saying. In this paper the scholar was basing his fatwa on the opinion of one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad as to the meaning of a particular ayah in The Qur’an. What is the criterion for what is lawful and forbidden? There is a Hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad which says:
“Verily, I have left you the Book of Allah and the Sunneh (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast you shall never go astray”
In this hadeeth what is the criterion? “…I have left you the Book of Allah and the Sunneh…if you hold fast you shall never go astray” According to this hadeeth the criterion for what is lawful and forbidden is The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Yet, in this paper the scholar uses the opinion of a companion. In this hadeeth does Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mention his companions? Of course he doesn’t! The criterion for what is lawful and forbidden is clear. The criteria that the scholar uses for saying that music is forbidden has absolutely no validity whatsoever in The Sharia. It is through Taqleed that he is encouraged to use whatever criterion he wishes.
It is through Taqleed that Muslims are encouraged to take whatever the scholars say as the truth-no matter what is said! If someone is a scholar than he shouldn’t be questioned; he is a scholar and therefore beyond any criticism. Such is the teaching of Taqleed. Such a teaching encourages blind adherence to whatever a scholar says. Such a teaching encourages the adoration and worship of individual human beings. Such a teaching promotes disunity amongst Muslims. Such a teaching encourages and promotes confusion amongst Muslims as to what is lawful and what is forbidden.
Arrogance is a major symptom of Taqleed. Taqleed, by its nature encourages arrogance and therefore encourages disunity amongst Muslims.







Allah is my Lord, and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is my one and only leader. The scholars are teachers, only! Teachers are fallible human beings who sometimes make mistakes. Therefore, the scholars sometimes make mistakes because they are fallible human beings. Therefore, please…please! Do not speak to me about the opinion of such and such scholar and such and such a scholar. Their opinions are of no use to me. I am a slave of Allah and a follower of His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Speak to me about the words of my Lord and the words of His Messenger.

“…If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is best, and most suitable for final determination” (4:59)






Qur’an and Salat: Guidance Comes From The God



“No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright); for Allah knows all things.”
Qur’an, Sura Tagaabun (Mutual Loss or Gain) # 64, ayah #11

“…for verily Allah is the Guide of those who believe, to the Straight Way (Surah Al – Hajj (The Pilgrimage)# 22, ayah#54


“So whencesoever thou startest forth, turn thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque...and ye may (consent to) be guided.” (Surah Baqara #2, ayah # 150)

“Be sure We shall test you, with… but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,-
“Who say, when afflicted with calamity:’ To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return:-
“They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, And they are the ones that receive guidance.” (Surah Baqara #2, ayat# 155-157)

Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur’an as a guide to mankind… (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Surah Baqara #2, ayah # 185)


Guidance comes from The God both outside of Islam and within Islam. The Christians make others Christian. But, it is The God, Himself, who guides individuals to Islam. We, Muslims, do not make others Muslim. We only share knowledge about Islam with others. It is The God, Himself, who make individuals Muslims.
Just as The God guides individuals to Islam. It is He who gives guidance to individuals within Islam. Just as we do not guide others to Islam, but only give them knowledge about Islam; the same thing occurs for the scholars- they give knowledge about Islam to others, but it is The God, Himself, who gives guidance.
It is through The Qur’an and Salat (prayer) that The God gives guidance to those who are in Islam.

“So whencesoever thou startest forth, turn thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque...and ye may (consent to) be guided.” (Surah Baqara #2, ayah # 150)

In this ayah Salat is being mentioned “…, turn thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque” Then it says, “and ye may (consent to) be guided.” This ayah combines Salat with guidance.


Be sure We shall test you, with… but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,-
“Who say, when afflicted with calamity:’ To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return:-
“They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, And the ones that receive guidance.” (Surah Baqara #2, ayat# 155-157)

These three ayah are mentioning those: “who patiently persevere,-
Who say, when afflicted with calamity:’ To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return:-
It says that those who behave in this way are: “They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, And the ones that receive guidance.

These three ayat are some of the proof in The Qur’an that guidance is from Allah. Another ayah in the Qur’an that proves that guidance is from Allah is: “Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind… (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.”

Ramadan is what? It is: “the month in which was sent down the Qur’an,” Why was the Qur’an sent down? “as a guide to mankind.”


Allah says in the Qur’an:
“…If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is best, and most suitable for final determination” (4:59)

Well, I differ with some Muslims about Taqleed… and in this article I have referred it to Allah and His Messenger.



“[Dr. Sawi comments : It is not apparent to me on what basis the two dignified shaykhs - Albani and `Abbasi - regard the study of fiqh according to the madhhabi method for students of knowledge, in the starting stages, and without fanaticism, as one of those things which are permissible as an exception, by way of necessity!

[In fact], has acquisition of initial knowledge, throughout history, ever been in any manner other than this? In fact, are most students of hadith today not confined to the choices of our Shaykh Albani - may Allah preserve him and bring benefit by his knowledge - and his scholarly preferences, to the extent that they almost have a fifth madhhab? However, they are not to be censured for that, as long as they [merely] follow, without being fanatical.]

Shaykh Dahlawi says, "The ummah - or [at least] those who are worthy of reckoning [among them] has unanimously accepted, upto this day, the permissibility of making taqleed to these four established madhahib. This [taqleed] contains benefits which are not hidden, especially in these days, wherein energies have dwindled severely, souls have been drenched in caprice, and each revels in his own opinion." [Ibid., vol. II, p. 112.]

…

[Also among the constants is:] that mention of the evidences to the lay person does not remove him from the sphere of taqleed from the jurisprudential point of view . . . . We have already mentioned the words of Shatibi, "The fatwas of the mujtahids are to the laymen what the Shar`i evidences are to the mujtahids." . . . .

As for that which has appeared from amongst the sayings of the Imams regarding prohibition of making taqleed of them . . . it is true, but it must be put in its proper place [which is as follows].
- It prohibits people from following them in those things to which the evidence is established to the contrary.
-It prohibits [the Imams`] counterparts, mujtahids, from making taqleed of them, for [mujtahids] must take from [the sources] from which [the Imams] took. “

. .

This is taken from the super wall of a profile of mine on a social network on the Internet. A friend of mine who is a British Muslim sister put this on my wall. Obviously she is pro-taqleed.
In this post it says, and I quote:

“[Also among the constants is:] that mention of the evidences to the lay person does not remove him from the sphere of taqleed from the jurisprudential point of view . . . . We have already mentioned the words of Shatibi, "The fatwas of the mujtahids are to the laymen what the Shar`i evidences are to the mujtahids." . . .”

The words of Shabti are ‘ The fatwas of the mujtahids are to the laymen what the Shar’i evidence are to the mujtihads.”

Don’t get me wrong ,but isn’t this priesthood? In priesthood there is an intercessor between The Creator and His creatures. Yet, a vital part of the enormous beauty of The Islamic Faith is the direct- I repeat- direct relationship that The Creator has with His creatures through the means of The Qur’an and Salat. It is through Salat that we have direct connection to The Creator. It is through reading The Qur’an from the beginning to the end time after time that we get lessons in Islam from The Creator, Himself. It is a well known fact amongst Muslims that if a Muslim has a problem he can randomly open up The Qur’an and read what is in front of him that he will find the answer to his problem. I, personally, have done this a number of times and I did find the answer to my problem.

“No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah:
and if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright); for Allah knows all things.” Qur’an, Sura Tagaabun (Mutual Loss or Gain) # 64, ayah #11

One example of Salat, is Istikhara. This is where a Muslim needs to make a personal decision that is important. He goes to The Creator and asks that whatever is best for him should happen- if something (such as marriage) is good to allow it to be easy, and if it isn’t to keep it from occuring.

In a preface to a English Translation of The Qur’an , the translator Abdullah Yusuf Ali says: “It is the duty of every Muslim, man, woman, or child, to read the Qur’an and to understand it according to his own capacity…..
….
“How much greater is the joy and sense of wonder and miracle when the Qur’an opens our spiritual eyes! The meaning which we thought we had grasped expands. New words are opened out. As we progress, still newer, and again newer worlds ‘swim into our ken’. The miracle deepens and deepens, and almost completely absorbs us. And yet we know that the ‘face of God’- our final goal- has not yet been reached. We are in the mulk of Sulaiman (Q.ii. 102), which the evil ones denied, belied, and even turned into blasphemy. But we can ignore blasphemy, ridicule and contempt, for we are in the threshold of Realities and a little perfume from the garden of the Holy One has already gladdened our nostrils …

“One final word to my readers. Read, study and digest the Holy Book. Read slowly, and let it sink into your heart and soul. Such study will, like virtue, be its own reward. “


“…and if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright); for Allah knows all things.” Qur’an, Sura Tagaabun (Mutual Loss or Gain) # 64, ayah #11

It is Allah, Himself, who gives guidance- not the scholars.

The words of Shabti are ‘ The fatwas of the mujtahids are to the laymen what the Shar’i evidence are to the mujtihads.”

By comparing the words of Shabti to the words of Allah it is clear that not only are some of the scholars ignoring the words of Allah- they are in fact in opposition to those very words. Some scholars are saying that guidance comes from them, where as, in The Qur’an Allah says that guidance comes from Him. Indeed, in this some of the scholars are making themselves partners with the one God.


‘The fatwas of the mujtahids …what the Shar’i evidence…” What is this? This is obviously… what?…it is obviously personality cult. What is personality cult ? It is the adoration and worship of an individual human being. In Islam, adoration and worship belong only to the one God. Yet, some scholars are encouraging Muslims to adore and worship human beings…

Guidance comes from The God – not from the scholars! In insisting that it comes from them, some scholars are encouraging others to adore and worship them… in doing this they are making themselves partners with the one God.

Do I respect the scholars? Well, I do not respect any Muslim who ignores the words of Allah… and some scholars are ignoring the words of Allah!

Allah says in the Qur’an:
“…If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is best, and most suitable for final determination” (4:59)

Well, I differ with some Muslims about Taqleed… and in this article I have referred it to Allah and His Messenger.

What is Fard?

By Sheila Quinn

An English translation of what Allah says in the Qur'an is :

"...so fear not mankind, but fear me. And barter not my revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed such are disbelievers." (Maida: 44)
"Nor were the People of the Scripture divided until after the clear proof came unto them. And they were ordered naught else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him, as men by nature upright, and to establish worship and to pay the poor-due. That is true religion." (Bayyinah:4-5)

The Qur'an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)is Islam. Together they make up the Guidance of Allah. It is upon this basis that the Islamic Nation exists.
We do not make things: haram ( forbidden), halal(lawful), or fard (obligatory). It is Allah- and only Allah-who determines such things. It is upon the basis of both the Qur'an and the Sunneh... that we know what Allah has determined.
In Islam, there are things which are black or white... but there is also other colors of the rainbow which is a part of Islam. There are things which are: encouraged, disliked, and neutral ( neither good nor bad).
There is much ignorance of Islam amongst Muslims... even some knowledgeable practitioners of Islam are ignorant of some things. Without being aware of this, some such practitioners confuse: encouraged with fard, and disliked with haram. It is this confusion which is a major source of: division, misunderstanding, and perhaps some hostility between Muslims. For example: we are encouraged to do Taraweah prayers (special extra night prayers during the month of Ramadan): we are encouraged to memorize the Qur'an and to encourage our children to memorize the Qur'an; and it is disliked for us to delay making Salat (prayer) until the last part of the period for Salat.
Yet there are some practitioners who would speak and behave as if these things are obligatory/haram. Such an attitude is not only wrong and divisive... it could easily discourage others from practicing the faith.