Defending the Religion & Uniting the Ranks upon the Truth

Defending the Religion

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (d.21H)- rahimahullaah – said:

“All praise is for Allah who, in every age and intervals between the Prophets, raises up a group from the People of Knowledge, who call the misguided to guidance, patiently bearing ill treatment and harm.

With the Book of Allah they give life to the dead, and by Allah’s Light they give sight to the blind. How many a person killed by Iblees (the Devil) have they revived. How many people astray and wandering have they guided. How beautiful their effect has been upon the people, and how vile people have been towards them.

They expel from the Book of Allah the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant ones – those who uphold die banner of innovation and let loose the trials and discords; who differ about the Book, oppose the Book, and agree upon opposing the Book.

They speak about Allah and His Book without knowledge, argue about what is ambiguous in the Book, and deceive the ignorant masses with such ambiguities. We seek refuge in Allah from the trials of the misguided ones.”

[Ar-Radd ‘alal-Jahmiyyah waz-Zanaadiqah (p.2) of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.]

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) – rahimahullaah – said:

“When some people asked Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal that they felt uneasy about criticizing people, he replied:

“If I were to remain silent, how would the ignorant masses know the truth from falsehood?”

Those who introduce heretical writings which oppose the Quran and the Sunnah and those who innovate in matters of worship, then it is obligatory that they be exposed and that the Muslims be warned against them – by unanimous agreement of the Muslims Scholars.

In fact, when Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal was asked about a person who fasted, prayed and secluded himself in the mosque for worship; if he was dearer to him than a person who spoke out against ahlul-bid’ah (the innovators), he replied: “When he fasts and prays and secludes himself, then he does so for the benefit of his own self. However, when he speaks out against the innovators, he does so for the benefit of the Muslims in general, and this is more virtuous.”

So it is clear that openly opposing the innovators is of general benefit to the Muslims and is considered one of the types of jihaad in the path of Allah. Since purifying the religion of Allah and defending it from their attacks is a collective obligation – as is agreed upon by the Scholars. For Allah did not raise up some people to oppose the innovators, then the religion would suffer harm, corruption and deviation.

Indeed, this type of corruption is even greater then the corruption resulting from the disbelievers conquering the Muslims. Since when the disbelievers conquer the Muslims, they do not corrupt their hearts, nor their religion, except after some time. Whereas the innovators corrupt the hearts from the very beginning.”

[Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (28/231-232).]

Uniting the Ranks upon the Truth

Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz – hafidhahullaah – said:

“There is no doubt that it is obligatory upon the Muslims to unify their ranks and to unite their word upon the truth and to co-operate in goodness and piety against the enemies of Islam – as Allah, the Most Perfect, ordered them with in His saying:

“And hold fast altogether to the rope of Allah and do not become divided.” [Surah Ali’-lmran 3:102]

And likewise, Allah has warned the Muslims against splitting up, as occurs in His – the Most Perfect’s – saying:

“And do not be like those who differed and split-up after the clear evidences came to them.” [Surah Ali’-lmran 3:105]

However, the order to unify the Muslims and unite their word upon the truth and to hold fast to the rope of Allah, does not necessitate that they should not censure wrong beliefs and practices – whether from the Sufis or other than them. Rather, what the order to hold fast to the rope of Allah necessitates is: to order the good, forbid the evil and also to clarify the truth – with the clear Sharee’ah proofs – to whomsoever is misguided or has a mistaken opinion, until they unite upon the truth and turn away from that which opposes it.

All of this is included in His – the Most Perfect’s – saying:

“And help you one another in righteousness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and transgression.” [Surah al-Maa’idah 5:2]

And His – the Most Perfect’s – saying:

“Let there arise from amongst you a group of people calling to all that is good, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, they are the ones who shall be successful.” [Surah Ali’-lmran 3:110]

And when the people of truth withhold from clarifying the mistakes of those who have erred or are mistaken, then they will not have achieved that which Allah ordered them with, as regards calling to goodness, ordering the good and forbidding the evil. So the person in error will remain upon his error, and the one acting in opposition to the truth will remain upon his opposition. And this is contrary to what Allah – the Most Perfect – prescribed, with regards sincere advice, co-operation upon goodness, ordering the good and forbidding the evil – and Allah alone is the One who grants success.

[Tanbeehaat fir-Radd ‘alaa man Ta’awwalis-Sifaat (pp.31-32)]

Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz was asked about the correctness of the saying: “We should unite upon that which we agree, and excuse each other in that which we disagree.” The Shaykh commented:

“Yes! It is obligatory to co-operate in that which we agree, by aiding the truth, calling to it and warning against that which Allah and His Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam have prohibited. Its for excusing each other for that in which we differ – then this is not to be taken in an absolute sense, but rather in a general one.

Thus, if the difference involves a particular issue of ijtihaad wherein the proofs are deep and detailed – then it is obligatory not to reproach or censure one another. However, if it opposes a clear text of the Book and the Sunnah, then it is obligatory to correct the one who has opposed the clear texts, but with wisdom, beautiful admonition and debating in the best possible manner, acting upon Allah -the Most High’s – saying:

“And help you one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression.” [Surah al-Maa’idah 5:2]

And His – the Most Perfect’s – saying:

“The Believers – man and woman – are protectors to each other, they order the good and forbid the evil … “ [Surah at-Towbah 9:71]

And His – the Mighty and Majestic’s – saying:

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful admonition, and argue with them in ways that are better.” [Surah an-Nahl 16:125]

And he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whosoever sees an evil, then let him change it with his hand. If he is unable to do this, then with his tongue, and if he is unable to do this, then with his heart. And that is the weakest of eemaan (faith).” [Related by Muslim (2/21), from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree radiallaahu ‘anhu.]

And he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whosoever directs a person to do good, will have a reward similar to the one who does that good.” [Related by Muslim (13/38), from Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaaree radiallaahu ‘anhu.]

And the aayaat (verses) and ahaadeeth with this meaning are plenty.”

[Tanbeehaat fir-Radd ‘alaa man Ta’awwalis-Sifaat (pp.14-15)]

[Source: Istiqaamah Magazine , Issue No.2 ,1996]