For Instance We take the examples of Sahabas following the way of prophet but I have found some instances where the Khalifa Hazrat Umar did not follow according to the commandment of the prophet(SAW) and quran
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa
Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our
brothers/sisters has asked this question:
As-Salaam-U-Alekum-Wa-Rahmatullahi-Wa-Barkatuhu,
Dear Brother in Islam,
I was introduced to your website by one of my acquaintance. I myself was from a
dawoodi Bohra Community till recently and Alhamdolilha have left all the Bidaa
practices associated with this particular sect of Islam and accepted Main
Stream islam. But I am quite curious and Uneasy on finding certain practices of
main stream Islam(Sunni) which are I feel are not according to the commandments
of our prophet(SAW).
For Instance We take the examples of Sahabas following the way of prophet but I
have found some instances where the Khalifa Hazrat Umar did not follow
according to the commandment of the prophet(SAW) and quran and Muslims have
continued his introduced ways weather it be according to quran and Authentic Hadith
or not.
1) One instance is the pronouncing of the triple tallak in the same go.
The procedure for giving Talaak is mentioned in detail in Quran i.e. one Talaak
then a gap of some days then second, a gap, and then final talaak. There is no
other way of giving Talaak as per the Sharia. I am giving proofs from Quran and
Authentic Hadiths below
Quran Sura Bakqara Ayat No. 226-229
2:226 For those
who take an oath for abstention from their wives, a waiting for four months is ordained;
if then they return, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
2:227 But if
their intention is firm for divorce, God heareth and knoweth all things.
2:228 Divorced
women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods. Nor is it
lawful for them to hide what God Hath created in their wombs, if they have
faith in God and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take
them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have
rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but
men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And God is Exalted in Power, Wise.
2:229 A divorce
is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold Together
on equitable terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, (Men),
to take back any of your gifts (from your wives), except when both parties fear
that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by God. If ye (judges) do
indeed fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by God, there
is no blame on either of them if she give something for her freedom. These are
the limits ordained by God; so do not transgress them if any do transgress the
limits ordained by God, such persons wrong (Themselves as well as others).
Quran Sura TalaaQ Ayat
No. 1 and 2
65:1 O Prophet! When ye do divorce women, divorce them at their
prescribed periods, and count (accurately), their prescribed
periods: And fear God your Lord: and turn them not out of their houses, nor
shall they (themselves) leave, except in case they are guilty of some open
lewdness, those are limits set by God: and any who transgresses the limits of
God, does verily wrong his (own) soul: thou knowest not if perchance God will
bring about thereafter some new situation.
65:2 Thus when
they fulfil their term appointed, either take them back on equitable terms or
part with them on equitable terms; and take for witness two persons from among
you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (as) before God. Such is
the admonition given to him who believes in God and the Last Day. And for those
who fear God, He (ever) prepares a way out,
Sahih Bukhari, Volume
7, Book 63, Number 178:
Narrated Abdullah bin
Umar: that he had divorced his wife while she was menstruating during the
lifetime of Allahs Apostle . Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Allahs Apostle about
that. Allahs Apostle said, "Order him (your son) to take her back and keep
her till she is clean and then to wait till she gets her next period and
becomes clean again, whereupon, if he wishes to keep her, he can do so, and if
he wishes to divorce her he can divorce her before having sexual intercourse
with her; and that is the prescribed period which Allah has fixed for the women
meant to be divorced."
Once a sahabi gave
three tallaks to his wife in one go. When prophet heard of this he reprehended
that man by saying that "you have started distorting the religion when I
am still present amongst you.
In the above Aayahs
and hadith it is clear how divorce is to be given and if any one transgresses these
limits then such a person has done Wrong to himself as well as to others.
Hazrat Umar has done wrong to the whole muslim Umma by going against the limits
set by Allah by giving his own ruling of allowing Talaak in one Go.
2) Second
Instance is hazrat Umar prohibited women from going in mosque while at the time
of the prophet, they were allowed.
3) Third instances where Hazrat Umar distorted islam was introduction of
Tarahweeh where as from hadith we come to know that there was no commandment
given by the prophet for this. Proofs for this are given below.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume
3, Book 32, Number 229:
Narrated Urwa: That he
was informed by Aisha, "Allahs Apostle went out in the middle of the night
and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him. In the morning, the
people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed
behind him (on the second night). In the next morning the people again talked
about it and on the third night the mosque was full with a large number of people.
Allahs Apostle came out and the people prayed behind him. On the fourth night
the Mosque was overwhelmed with people and could not accommodate them, but the
Prophet came out (only) for the morning prayer. When the morning prayer was
finished he recited Tashah-hud and (addressing the people) said, "Amma
badu, your presence was not hidden from me but I was afraid lest the night
prayer (Qiyam) should be enjoined on you and you might not be able to carry it
on." So, Allahs Apostle died and
the situation remained like that (i.e. people prayed individually).
"
Sahih Bukhari, Volume
3, Book 32, Number 227:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allahs Apostle said, "Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan
out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous
sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allahs
Apostle died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered
individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the
Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of Umars Caliphate." Abdur
Rahman bin Abdul Qari said, "I went out in the company of Umar bin
Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in
different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group
behind him. So, Umar said, In my opinion I would better collect these (people)
under the leadership of one Qari (Reciter) (i.e. let them pray in
congregation!). So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Kab.
Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying
behind their reciter. On that, Umar
remarked, What an excellent Bida (i.e. innovation in religion) this is;
but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than
the one they are offering. He meant the prayer in the last part of the night.
(In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night."
Here Hazrat Umar
himself says that he has introduced an Excellent inovation(Bidaa) in religion.
Also note that this Practice of performing tarahweeh in Jamaat was not there at
the time of Hazrat Abu-Bakr, which is proof that it is a innovation introduced
by hazrat Umar.
You have quoted in one
of your answers this Hadith. It is reported on the authority of Jabir (r.a.) that
the Prophet (saws) prayed eight rakat and the witr prayer with the
companions (and this was during Ramadan).
Abu Yala and
at-Tabarani record, from Jabir that Ubayy ibn Kab (r.a.) came to the
Prophet (saws) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have done something last
night," (i.e., during Ramadan). The Prophet said: And what was that,
O Ubayy? He said: The women in my house said, We dont recite Quran
[well or much] so can we pray behind you? I prayed eight rakat and
the witr prayer with them. The Messenger of Allah (saws) was pleased with that
and did not say anything."
Here note that this
instance was for only one particular family and not in general. Some people may
also argue that what is wrong in this as is a good thing in religion. Suppose
if some Maulana or Khalifa says that from now on we will perform all the
Sunnats also in jamaat. Will this ruling be acceptable by the Main stream
Muslims. If not then why is this and many other Innovations introduced by
hazrat Umar being continued and practiced by Main stream Muslims by turning a
blind eye to it inspite of it being readily apparent.
4) Fourth
Inovation introduced by Hazrat Umar was introduction of the words
as-salatu-khairu-minun-naum in fajr namaaz.
Note that before Hazrat Umar, during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu-Bakr, all these
changes were not there, which is a proof enough that these are the changes
introduced by Hazrat Umar. Main stream Muslim are ready to point out
innovations practiced by other sects but what about the innovations being
practiced by themselves.
Also, Imaan is "there is no god but allah and Mohammad(SAW) is the
messenger of Allah". As the Sahabas or the Khalifas were not Massoms and
they can commit mistakes. So, as far as imaan goes believing in those teachings
of the Khalifas and Sahabas which goes against the Quran and Sharia of the
prophet does not come under the fold of Islam.
I would like to quote
a saying of Imam Malik "who ever innovates something in religion thinking
it to be good, says that mohammad(SAW) has betrayed his trust in delivering the
message of Islam"
In Sahih Bukhari narrated by Hazrat Aisha(R.A.): Allahs Messenger (Pbuh) said,
"If somebody innovates something
which is not present in our religion, then that thing will be rejected.
These things have been
going in my mind very long since I came into main stream Islam. And my
inquisitive mind is not willing to accept these innovations in islam.
Waiting for the
answers from you.
Wassalaam
(There may be some grammatical and
spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from
questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in
confidentiality.)
Answer:
Bohra Issues with Umar
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help
and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and
whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness
that there is no one (no idol, no person,
no grave, no prophet, no
imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone,
and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of
His Messengers.
Your Statement: I myself was from
a dawoodi Bohra Community till recently and Alhamdolilha have left all the
Bidaa practices associated with this particular sect of Islam and accepted Main
Stream islam.
Allah-o-Akbar!
Allah-o-Akbar! Allah-o-Akbar! All
Praise is due to none save Allah Who guides to His Path whomsoever He Wills and
Pleases. May Allah Subhanah accept your
reversion, and give you the wisdom, courage and steadfastness to stay firm on
the Path of Truth you have chosen for yourself until your last breath, Ameen.
Your Statement: For Instance We
take the examples of Sahabas following the way of prophet but I have found some
instances where the Khalifa Hazrat Umar did not follow according to the
commandment of the prophet(SAW) and quran and Muslims have continued his
introduced ways weather it be according to quran and Authentic Hadith or not.
Dear and Beloved
brother whom Allah has blessed to leave the falsehood and be guided to the
Truth, before we try to address your specific queries regarding the baseless
accusation made by some quarters against some of the noble companions of the
Messenger of Allah (saws) we would like to clarify what exactly does Allah and
His Messenger (saws) have to say about these noble souls!
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9
Surah Taubah verse 100:
100 The Vanguard (of Islam), ‘the Muhajirs’ (the first of those who
forsook their homes and migrated for Allah and His Messenger (saws)) and the
‘Ansaar’ (those who gave them aid), and (also) those who follow them in (all)
good deeds; well pleased is Allah with them as are they with Him:
for them hath He prepared Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein for
ever: that is the Supreme Felicity.
Allah Subhanah Himself Declares that the ‘Muhajirs’
(those companions who migrated from Makkah to Madinah with the Prophet (saws)),
and the ‘Ansaars’ (those companions who gave aid to the Muhajirs), and all
those who followed them in good deeds….Allah is well Pleased with them and they
are with Him and the Lord Most Gracious has prepared Gardens for them beneath
which rivers flow as their Eternal and Everlasting Abode!
Sahih Muslim Hadith 6167 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah
Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘Do
not revile my Companions! Do not revile
my Companions! By Him in Whose
Hand is my life, if one amongst you would have spent as much gold as Uhud it
would not amount to as much as one ‘mudd’ (a small measurement or handful of
food) on behalf of one of them, or (even) half of it!
Such was the love, compassion, and appreciation of
the faith, worship of Allah, services and sacrifices in the Cause of Allah of
the noble companions in the sight of the Noble Messenger (saws), that he (saws)
absolutely forbade anyone to revile any of his noble companions! He (saws) declared in Truth that if one after
them were to spend even as much gold in weight as the great mount of Uhud in
the Cause of Allah, it would never ever be equivalent to even a ‘mudd’ spent by
one amongst his noble companions in the Sight and Scales of Justice of Allah!
Before one even dreams of belittling or reviling
the efforts or deeds of any companion, leave alone the noble companion Hadrat
Umar al-Khattab (r.a.), one should know that he (r.a.) was amongst the first
‘Muhajirs’ to migrate from Makkah to Madinah, one amongst the ten fortunate
people whom the Messenger of Allah himself informed in their lifetime that they
would go to Paradise, and a friend, brother, and absolute close companion of
the Messenger of Allah (saws) regarding whom the Prophet (saws) is recorded to
have said:
The Messenger of Allah (saws) said,
: “If there were to be a Prophet after
me, it would have been Umar!”
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4632 Narrated by Sa'id ibn Zayd
AbdurRahman ibn al-Akhnas said that
when he was in the mosque, a man mentioned Ali (r.a.). So Sa'id ibn Zayd got up
and said: ‘I bear witness to the Messenger of Allah (saws) that I heard him
say: ‘Ten persons will go to Paradise: The Prophet (saws) will go to
Your Statement: I have found some
instances where the Khalifa Hazrat Umar did not follow according to the
commandment of the prophet(SAW) and quran and Muslims have continued his
introduced ways weather it be according to quran and Authentic Hadith or not.
Allah
says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 36:
It does not behove a believing man and a
believing woman that when Allah and His Messenger have given their decision in
a matter, they should exercise an option
in that matter of theirs. For whoever
disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has
indeed strayed into manifest error.
Dear and Beloved Brother, after contemplating what
Allah and His Messenger (saws) have declared regarding the noble companions of
the Messenger of Allah (saws), it is not even conceivable that any amongst
these noble souls would ever do something against the guidance of Allah and His
Messenger (saws), leave alone dare to innovate something new in the perfect
deen of Islam!
The truth is brother that when one is born in a
false belief whose very base is the reviling and invoking curses on some of the
noblest companions of the Messenger of Allah (saw) like Hadrat Abu Bakr (r.a.),
Hadrat Umar (r.a.), Hadrat Uthman (r.a.), Hadrat Aisha (r.a.), etc.; even when
Allah guides them to His Path and His Mercy, some of the poison which has been
inculcated in them since their childhood is hard to remove.
The self-named high priests who have invented
falsehoods against Allah Himself, and made themselves as deities worthy of
sajdah, invocation, and un-conditional obedience are the same ones who have
invented such lies against the noble companions like Hadrat Umar (r.a.):
- That
Hadrat Umar (r.a.) was a hypocrite and did not love Allah and His
Messenger (saws)!
- That
Hadrat Umar (r.a.) usurped the right of office of Hadrat Ali (r.a.)!
- That
Hadrat Umar (r.a.) killed the unborn child ‘Mohsin’ of Hadrat Ali (r.a.)
and Hadrat Fatimah (r.a.)!
- That
Hadrat Umar (r.a.) slapped Hadrat Fatimah repeatedly!
- That
Hadrat Umar (r.a.) chained and lashed Hadrat Ali (r.a.) during his reign!
Etc. etc.
When one is born in a belief where such absurd and
absolute lies and self-invented stories are repeated to him day and night, it
is only natural that it becomes difficult to remove this hatred, even though it
may be based on absolute lies and falsehood.
But after Allah Subhanah has guided one to His Mercy and His Truth, one
should realize that the ones who filled his childhood with such lies and hatred
are the same ones who have invented lies and falsehood against not only the
noble companions and chaste wives of the Messenger of Allah (saws), but against
Allah and His Messenger (saws) themselves!
The simple decision one has to make is who has a
bigger right to be believed? Allah and
His Messenger (saws) or the falsehoods invented by these self-named high
priests?
Now to answer your specific questions:
Q-1: One instance is the
pronouncing of the triple tallak in the same go. The procedure for giving
Talaak is mentioned in detail in Quran i.e. one Talaak then a gap of some days
then second, a gap, and then final talaak. There is no other way of giving
Talaak as per the Sharia…… In the above Aayahs and hadith it is clear how
divorce is to be given and if any one transgresses these limits then such a
person has done Wrong to himself as well as to others. Hazrat Umar has done
wrong to the whole muslim Umma by going against the limits set by Allah by
giving his own ruling of allowing Talaak in one Go.
Dear and Beloved Brother, the Sunnah or correct way
of declaring divorce is indeed related in detail in the Glorious Quran and the
Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws); and that way is to be followed by all
those who fear Allah and the Last Day.
But in an exceptional case where one were so
overcome by anger and emotion, that in disobedience of the guidance of Allah
and His Messenger (saws) were to pronounce all three divorces upon his wife at
one and the same time, the jurists would have to make a decision regarding its
validity. The companions of the stature
of Hadrat Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) and the companion and scholar of Fiqh or Islamic
Jurisprudence of the stature of Hadrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (r.a.) when asked
regarding the validity of three pronouncements of divorce had this to say:
Al-Muwatta
Hadith 29.1
Yahya
related from Malik that he had heard that a man said to Hadrat Abdullah ibn
Abbas (r.a.) , "I have divorced my wife by saying I divorce you a hundred
times. What do you think my situation is?"
Ibn Abbas (r.a.) said to him, "She was divorced from you by
three pronouncements, and by the (balance) ninety-seven, you have mocked the
Aayah of Allah."
Al-Muwatta Hadith 29.37
Yahya related from Malik from Ibn
Shihab from Muhammad ibn Abd ar-Rahman ibn Thawban that Muhammad ibn Iyas ibn
al-Bukayr said, "A man divorced his wife three times before he had
consummated the marriage, and then it seemed good to him to marry her.
Therefore, he wanted an opinion, and I went with him to ask Abdullah ibn Abbas
and Abu Hurayra on his behalf about it, and they said, 'We do not think
that he should marry her until she has married another husband.'
Al-Muwatta Hadith 29.6
Yahya related from Malik that he had
heard that Ali ibn Abi Talib used to say that if a man said to his wife,
"You are haram for me," it counted as three pronouncements of
divorce (irrevocable).
Having said that, it does not in any way mean that
these noble companions and scholars changed the laws of Allah regarding
divorce, but were merely giving an opinion and a decision when a case was
brought to them whereby one had transgressed the clear law as prescribed by
Allah Subhanah.
The three divorce pronouncements at one time
counting as an irrevocable divorce have absolutely nothing to do with the
decision of Hadrat Umar (r.a.), but rather was the opinion and decision of
scholars and companions of the stature of Hadrat Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) and Hadrat
Abdullah ibn Abbas (r.a.) and even Hadrat Ali (r.a.).
Q-2: Second Instance is hazrat
Umar prohibited women from going in mosque while at the time of the prophet,
they were allowed.
Umm Humaid
as-Sa'diyah came to the Messenger of Allah(saws) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I love
to pray with you." The
Prophet(saws) said: "I am aware of
that, but your salah in your residence is better for you than your salah
in your people's mosque."
Related by
Ahmad and at-Tabarani
Ibn 'Umar
reports that the Prophet (saws) said:
"Do not prevent the women from going to the mosques, although their
houses are better for them."
Related by
Ahmad and Abu Dawud.
Abu Hurairah
reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "Any woman who uses some scent
should not be present with us during the night prayer."
Related by
Muslim, Abu Dawud, and an-Nasa'i.
In light of the above clear guidance of the
Messenger of Allah (saws), it is obvious that although it is permissible for
the believing woman to pray in congregation in the mosques, it was more
desirable and preferable for them to pray in their homes.
Abu Hurairah
relates that the Prophet (saws) said: "Do
not keep the slave girls of Allah (believing women) from going to the mosques
of Allah. And they are to go out
unperfumed."
The Messenger of Allah (saws) commanded the
believers not to prevent or prohibit the believing woman who wishes to offer
her prayers in the mosques, and it is absolutely inconceivable that a companion
of the stature of Hadrat Umar (r.a.) would dare to prohibit what the Messenger
of Allah (saws) had deemed permissible.
If you could kindly provide the exact and authentic
hadith with reference whereby Hadrat Umar (r.a.) prevented the believing woman
from entering the mosques rather than just a statement without evidence, we
would look into the details of the matter and give you our humble opinion
regarding such an incident, if any.
If one were to say that Hadrat Umar (r.a.)
discouraged the believing woman from praying in the mosques, then that
statement would indeed be true....for indeed the Messenger of Allah (saws)
himself discouraged the believing woman from doing so and encouraged them to
offer their prayers in their homes. But
to claim that Hadrat Umar (r.a.) prohibited or declared it unlawful for the
believing woman to pray in the mosques would not be an accurate statement!
Q-3: Third instances where
Hazrat Umar distorted islam was introduction of Tarahweeh where as from hadith
we come to know that there was no commandment given by the prophet for this.
Hadrat Aisha (r.a.) reported that the
Prophet (saws) said: "The Prophet (saws) offered (voluntary)
night prayers in the mosque one night in Ramadan (tarawih) and many people
prayed with him. The next day he (saws) did the same and more people prayed
with him. Then the people gathered on the third night but, the Prophet (saws)
did not come out to them. In the
morning, he (saws) said to them: 'Surely I saw what you did, and nothing
prevented me from coming out to you, save that I feared that [that the tarawih
prayer] would be made obligatory upon you.' And that was during
Ramadan."
Reported Hadrat Zaid bin Thabit that
the Prophet (saws) took a room made of
date palm leaves mats in the mosque. The
Prophet (saws) prayed in it for a few
nights till the people gathered (to pray the night prayer (Tarawih) (behind
him.) Then on the 4th night the people
did not hear his voice and they thought he had slept, so some of them started humming in order that
he might come out. The Prophet (saws)
then said, "You continued doing what I saw you doing till I was
afraid that this (Tarawih prayer) might be enjoined on you, and if it were
enjoined on you, you would not continue performing it. Therefore, O people! Perform your prayers at
your homes, for the best prayer of a person is what is performed at his home
except the compulsory (congregational) prayer.”
Q-3B: Here Hazrat Umar himself
says that he has introduced an Excellent inovation(Bidaa) in religion. Also
note that this Practice of performing tarahweeh in Jamaat was not there at the
time of Hazrat Abu-Bakr, which is proof that it is a innovation introduced by
hazrat Umar.
Dear and Beloved Brother in Islam, the Messenger of
Allah (saws) himself led the Tarawih prayers in Ramadan one year for three days
and thus established the Sunnah, but discontinued the practice of leading the
Tarawih prayers in congregation as he (saws) feared that these prayers would be
made obligatory upon the believers. Thus
the praying of the ‘tarawih’ prayers continued throughout the life-time of
Prophet Mohamed (saws) and during the reign of Hadrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq
(r.a.), but the believers performed it individually. During the reign of the second Khalifah
Hadrat Umar (r.a.), since there was no more fear of the ‘tarawih’ being made
obligatory, Hadrat Umar (r.a.) re-started the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah
(saws) to pray the ‘Tarawih’ prayers behind one imam in congregation.
Thus the praying of the ‘tarawih’ prayers is not an
innovation, but rather a Sunnah which was established by the Messenger of Allah
(saws). The phrase ‘What a good ‘bidah’
this is’ used by Hadrat Umar (r.a.) was no more than an expression of his
satisfaction at seeing the believers pray the ‘tarawih’ behind one imam and the
re-starting of the Sunnah established by the Messenger of Allah (saws). The phrase of Hadrat Umar (r.a.) should not
be taken out of context to mean anything more than an expression of his joy and
satisfaction at seeing the believers perform their prayers in congregation
behind one Imam.
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 168 Narrated by Bilal ibn Harith al-Muzani
Allah's
Messenger (saws) said: ‘He who revived a Sunnah out of my Sunan, which has died
after me, for him is the reward like the reward of those who acted upon it,
without any decrease in that reward.’
Some people or sects who have their own agenda to
revile some noble companions of the Prophet (saws) misrepresent this phrase of
Hadrat Umar (r.a.), and try to propagate that Hadrat Umar (r.a.) started to
bring innovations in the deen of Islam, whereas nothing could be further from
the Truth! After Hadrat Umar (r.a.)
re-established the Sunnah of praying the tarawih in congregation, the practice
continued in the Khalifite of Hadrat Uthman (r.a.), Hadrat Ali (r.a.), etc. and
until this present day.
Beloved brother, if the re-establishing of the
Sunnah of praying tarawih in congregation was an innovation in the deen, it is
absolutely inconceivable that a hundred thousand or more companions, including
companions of the stature of Hadrat Uthman (r.a.), Hadrat Ali (r.a.), Hadrat
Talha (r.a.), Hadrat Zubayr (r.a.), Hadrat Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Awf (r.a.), Hadrat
Ammar bin Yaasir (r.a.), Hadrat Bilaal (r.a.), etc. would have agreed to follow
it!
Not even the rightly guided Khalifahs like Hadrat
Uthman (r.a.) and Hadrat Ali (r.a.) during their respective reigns put a stop
to the believers praying ‘tarawih’ in congregation, for obviously they did not
consider it a ‘bida’ or innovation in the deen but rather as an established
Sunnah of their beloved Messenger (saws).
But just for argument’s sake, if one were to still claim
that it was Hadrat Umar (r.a.) who started this practice of praying ‘tarawih’
in congregation, it would have been incumbent upon the believers to follow this
practice from this command of the Messenger of Allah (saws):
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4590 Narrated by Irbad ibn Sariyah
Al-Irbad said: ‘One day the Messenger
of Allah (saws) led us in prayer, then faced us and gave us a lengthy
exhortation at which the eyes shed tears and the hearts were afraid.’ A man said: O Messenger of Allah (saws)! It
seems as if it were a farewell exhortation, so what injunction do you give us?’ He (saws) then said: ‘I enjoin you to fear
Allah, and to hear and obey even if it (your leader) be an Abyssinian slave,
for those of you who live after me will see great disagreement. You must then follow my Sunnah and that
of the Rightly-Guided Khalifahs.’
Thus the following of a tradition or Sunnah of the
Rightly Guided Khalifahs would still be in obedience of the command of the
Messenger of Allah (saws)!
Q-4: Fourth Inovation
introduced by Hazrat Umar was introduction of the words
as-salatu-khairu-minun-naum in fajr namaaz.
Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.98
It is part of the Shari'ah that the
caller to prayer say, "As-salaatu khairun min an-naum (prayer is better
than sleep) twice in the morning (fajr) adhan. Abu Mahdhurah asked the Prophet (saws) to
teach him the adhan, and he (saws) told him, "If it is the morning (fajr)
adhan, say, (…..As-salaatu khairun min an-naum, as-salaatu khariun min annaum.
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. La illaha illal-lah."
Related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud.
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 646 Narrated by Bilal
Allah's Messenger (saws) said to me: ‘Don't
pronounce these words, `Prayer is better than sleep ' in the call for (other)
prayers, except for the dawn (fajr) prayer only.’
There is enough evidence in the established and
authentic Sunnah that it was the Prophet (saws) himself who commanded and
taught the phrase ‘As-Salaato Khayrum minan Naum’ to be included in the adhan
of the fajr prayer; and that is how the adhan for fajr was proclaimed at the
time of the Noble Prophet (saws), at the time of all the Rightly Guided
Khalifahs, and, if Allah Wills and Permits, the same will be announced by the
true believers until the Last Day, Insha Allah.
Your Statement: Note that before
Hazrat Umar, during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu-Bakr, all these changes were not
there, which is a proof enough that these are the changes introduced by Hazrat
Umar. Main stream Muslim are ready to point out innovations practiced by other
sects but what about the innovations being practiced by themselves.
Dear and beloved
brother, as we have tried to prove by providing references from the authentic
and established Sunnah that the accusations of innovation attributed to Hadrat
Umar (r.a.) are absolutely false and are no more than a form of revile and
false allegations against this noble companion by quarters who have made it their
mission to revile and belittle a particular section of the noble companions of
the Messenger of Allah (saws).
One should realize the value and esteem of these
noble companions in the Sight of Allah and His Messenger (saws) and be careful
in attributing falsehoods to their names.
And even logic and common sense dictates that it is absolutely
inconceivable that a hundred thousand companions, who learnt their deen at the
hands of the Messenger of Allah (saws) himself would leave the deen and follow
the dictates and innovation of one man after his (saws) death!
In our humble opinion, the only reason the other
misguided sects, in spite of solid evidence to the contrary, keep repeating
these so-called innovations and attribute them to a companion of the stature of
Hadrat Umar (r.a.) is so that they would not be questioned by their followers
about the thousands of absolutely illegal innovations that they have themselves
invented in their sects and beliefs!
Your Statement: Also, Imaan is
"there is no god but allah and Mohammad(SAW) is the messenger of
Allah". As the Sahabas or the Khalifas were not Massoms and they can
commit mistakes.
It is indeed true that other than the Noble
Prophets of Allah, none in creation are ‘masoom’ or infallible and are thus prone
to mistakes, errors, and sins; and as revered and respected the noble
companions of the Prophet (saws) are in the sight of the true believers, none
considers them to be ‘masoom’ or infallible or immune from committing errors or
sins….and that should indeed be the belief of all those who sincerely believe
in Allah and the Last Day.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2
Surah Baqarah verse 134:
They were a people who passed away. They
shall receive the reward of what they earned, and you shall have the reward of
what you will earn. And you will not be questioned as to what they did.
Your Statement: So, as far as
imaan goes believing in those teachings of the Khalifas and Sahabas which goes
against the Quran and Sharia of the prophet does not come under the fold of
Islam.
The believers are commanded to follow the Quran and
the Sunnah, and anything that goes against the guidance of the Quran and the
Sunnah should be absolutely rejected by those who sincerely believe in Allah
and the Last Day; thus we are in absolute agreement of your this statement.
Your Statement: These things have
been going in my mind very long since I came into main stream Islam. And my
inquisitive mind is not willing to accept these innovations in islam.
Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah
That the
Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon:
“The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al
Quran; and the best guidance is the
guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws).
The most evil affairs are the innovations, and every innovation is an
error.”
May Allah Subhanah increase your love for his pure
and perfect deen of Al-Islam, increase your quest for seeking more knowledge of
His Truth, and give you and us the wisdom, courage and steadfastness to
recognize and reject every innovation in this beautiful, perfect and approved
deen called ‘Al-Islam’.
My dear and beloved brother, as your brothers and
sincere well-wishers in faith, we humbly beseech you to recognize the evil lies
spread by the ignorant and self-proclaimed sect leaders who have lied against
Allah and his deen, and sincerely try and remove the prejudice and hatred that they
have instilled in your heart regarding some of the noblest companions and wives
of the Noble Messenger of Allah (saws). Know with conviction that their accusations
and allegations against these noble souls are absolutely unfounded, and their
only intention is to make sure that their followers remain unconditionally
obedient and subjugated to them rather than to their Lord Creator.
If one trusts,
obeys, and follows the guidance
and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger
(saws), one can be assured of being led
astray.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due
to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only
Source of Strength.
Your brother and well
wisher in Islam,
Burhan
Wister