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If for instance a fellow muslim says that, they are only willing to abide by the quran and sunnah and `NOT`, the rulings provided by the ullema-e-deen on religious matters or the teachings from their school of thought.

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:

Assalamoalaikum Burhan bhai.


If for instance a fellow muslim says that, they are only willing to abide by the quran and sunnah and `NOT`, the rulings provided by the ullema-e-deen on religious matters or the teachings from their school of thought.


Would they be right in saying that? If not, how does someone go about trying to convince them to change their thought process??


Jazakallah Khair


Best Regards 

 

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Answer:

 

Follow only Quran and Sunnah

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.

 

In light of the clear guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, there are six things which form the articles of faith or ‘emaan’ in Islam; if one does not believe in even one or a part of one amongst these six articles of faith, he would leave the fold of Islam:

  1. Belief in Tawheed or the Absolute Oneness and Uniqueness of Allah Subhanah.
  2. Belief in each and every one of the appointed Messengers of Allah, culminating with belief in the appointment of the Last and Final Messenger, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws).
  3. Belief in each and every one the revealed Books of Allah Subhanah, culminating with the belief in the Last and Final Revelation of Allah, the Al-Quran.
  4. Belief in the Angels of Allah Subhanah.
  5. Belief in the concept of the Hereafter; ie. Paradise and Hell Fire.
  6. Belief in the ‘Qadr’ or Divine Decree of Allah Subhanah.

 

If one does not believe in one, or even a part of one amongst the above listed six articles of faith, he would leave the fold of Islam and be considered a disbeliever in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

 

To profess belief in the rulings of any of the eminent scholars or jurists, or to profess belief in a particular school of thought of any chosen ‘imam’ after the death of the Messenger of Allah (saws), is neither an article of faith in Islam, nor compulsory for one to be regarded as a believer in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

 

The Truth is brother, the eminent and respected jurists or the imams of the major schools of thought did not invent or bring something new to the deen of Islam revealed on Prophet Mohamed (saws), but simply gave their rulings and opinions upon issues of Islamic Jurisprudence and Fiqh in light of the guidance of the Glorious Quran and the authentic traditions of the Messenger of Allah (saws). None of the ‘madhabs’ have any difference of opinion in any of the foundational and fundamental matters in the deen. They are all absolutely unanimous in the subjects like Tawheed, Message, Hereafter, Imaan, etc. The difference of opinion arose between the companions and between the scholars on very small matters of Jurisprudence, and each amongst them gave rulings and opinions on that matter in light of the evidence and guidance from the Quran and the Sunnah.

 

Thus, regardless if one rejects all the rulings of the eminent scholars or jurists, or one accepts and follow the opinion of any one, or the best ruling of one regarding a particular matter amongst these eminent ‘imams’, provided his intention is to follow the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, there is absolutely no harm. The difference between following the rulings of any of the respected and accepted scholars, would be the difference between following something which is very good to something which is excellent! It was never a situation that one imam was right and the other was wrong, for each and every one of these respected ‘imams’ based their opinion on nothing but the Quran and the Sunnah.

 

Thus if one amongst the believers wishes to leave aside all the rulings of all the respected and accepted scholars and jurists in Islam, and wishes to follow and abide only by what is declared in the Glorious Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws), there is absolutely no harm; for we reiterate again that none of the good jurists or scholars that have served the deen so selflessly over the years invented anything new in the deen, but they themselves based each and every one of their opinion in light of the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah. If one amongst our believing brothers is so convinced regarding the scope of his knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah that he desires no help from any jurist or scholar, there is absolutely no harm. As long as the brother is sincere in his effort to follow and abide by the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, his devotion, his striving, and his submission will be acceptable to Allah Subhanah Insha Allah.

 

Your Question: If not, how does someone go about trying to convince them to change their thought process??

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa verse 79-80:

We have sent you (O Mohamed) as a Messenger to mankind, and Allah’s witness suffices for this. Whoever obeys the Messenger, in fact obeys Allah, and whoever turns away from him, he will be accountable for his deeds. Anyhow, we have not sent you (O Mohamed) to be a guardian over them.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verse 31-32:

O Prophet, tell the people, “If you sincerely love Allah, follow me. Then Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for He is All Forgiving, All Merciful.” Also say to them, “Obey Allah and His Messenger.” And if, in spite of this, they do not accept your invitation, warn them that Allah does not love those, who refuse to obey Him and His Messenger.

 

As long as the brother sincerely intends to follow the dictates of Allah and His Messenger (saws) there is absolutely no need to convince him otherwise; for the unconditional obedience of Allah and His Last Messenger (saws) is more than sufficient for one to receive the Mercy of Allah.

 

What the brother could be politely told is that although he is well within his rights to disregard all the opinions of the eminent jurists and scholars of Islam if he wishes to do so, it would be only prudent that when he is unsure of any dictate or commandment on any subject of Fiqh or Jurisprudence in Islam, to at least refer to the opinions of the respected and eminent scholars in Islam on that particular matter….and maybe accept the ruling which he finds has the strongest evidence in the Quran and the Sunnah.

 

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


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