In
the ummah (body of Muslims, Muslim world etc) there are TWO
types of Ikhtilaaf's (Differences). The Messenger of Allah ( صلى
الله عايه وسالم)
has notified the ummah with regard to these differences and he
has also guided the ummah with regard to them.
The FIRST type of difference is with regard to the "Ijtihaadi"
"Masaa'il" (Interpretations of Islamic law points), which occurred
between the Sahaabah (رضئ الله
عنهم) , the Tabieen (those that followed
them) and the Aimmah-e-Mujtahideen (The Qualified Masters of Jurisprudence
i.e. Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafiee, Imam Maalik, Imam Ahmad bin
Hambal & those before them 'Rahimahullah').
A reflection of this is evident in the Hanafi, Saafi, Maaliki
and Hambali Madhabs (Schools, Way etc) which are well known as
an "Ikhtilaaf". This type of difference also occurred, at times
during the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah ( صلى
الله عايه وسالم).
For example, once, Nabi ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
instructed the Sahaabah (رضئ الله
عنهم) on the occasion of arriving at the
tribe of Banu Quraidha (Jewish Tribe outskirts of Madinah):
لا
يصاين احد كم
العصرالا فئ
بنئ قريظة
"None
of you should read his Asr Sallah except at (arrival at) Banu
Quraidha".
It so transpired that the Sahaabah
(رضئ الله عنهم)
were delayed in reaching there and the time of Asr Sallah (prayer)
was about to terminate. The Sahaabah (رضئ الله
عنهم) made "Ashu'raa" (Consultation) amongst
themselves as to what they should do. The consultation resulted
in TWO groups. The one group opined that since Prophet
( صلى الله عايه
وسالم) gave a clear-cut instruction
that Asr Sallah only be read at arrival at Banu Quraidha, how
is it possible for them to perform their Sallah now on the way.
therefore, even though the Sallah may become "Qadha" (expired),
they felt that it was necessary to follow the instructions of
The Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم).
The Second group felt that the import and the intention of the
Prophet ( صلى الله عايه
وسالم) instruction was that they
reach Banu Quraidah before the expiry of Asr prayer, and upon
reaching there they were to perform the Asr sallah. Therefore
they felt that since the time for sunset was drawing close, they
would not reach there before sunset, there was no question about
making the Asr sallah Qadha. They felt that this would worsen
their shortcomings.
Never less, the FIRST group decided to make the Sallah Qadha,
thereby fulfilling the explicit instruction of The Messenger of
Allah ( صلى الله عايه
وسالم), whilst the SECOUND
group alighted from their conveyances and performed the Sallah
opining that they were fulfilling and carrying out the intention
the desire of The Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم).
When the news of this incident reached The Messenger of Allah
( صلى الله عايه
وسالم) he DID NOT rebuke
either of the two groups, in fact he regarded both of them as
being correct, since both of them had completed and carried out
his intention and desire. There are many other such examples besides
this one. In conclusion, we have ascertained that one such difference
is this type, which is called an "Ijtihaadi Ikhtilaaf".
This type of difference is not merely a natural, inevitable or
indispensable difference, in fact, the holy prophet ( صلى
الله عايه وسالم),
had termed such a difference as a "Rahma" (Mercy) from Allah.
And for that person whom Allah Most High, had embed with even
the slightest bit of insight, will immediately discern why such
differences are termed as a "Mercy".
Due to a lack of opportunity, I should have shed much more light
on this topic. In conclusion this type of difference is completely
correct and in order. The ruling for the general masses (regarding
such differences) is that they follow with conviction whichever
"Mujtahid Imam" they have trust and confidence in, whilst keeping
in mind and granting due respect and honour to the other pious
personalities.
All these personalities were of a very high level of intelligence
and experts in Deen (affairs of religion) and they were also spiritually
very elevated. Their was and is not a single person from amongst
those how followed them who could even match their knowledge.
There is also none who came after that can be equal in piety and
"Noor-e-Ma'rifah" (Recognition of Allah Most High).
This is precisely the reason why great, great, personalities and
"Awliyaa" (Close Servants of Allah) the likes history has recorded
such as: Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilaani, Sayyidud Taa'ifah, Imam Junaid
Baghdaadi, Shaykh Muhhyuddin Ibn Arabi, Khwajah Ali Hijoori, Mujaddid
Alf-e-Thaani (just to name a few) were ALL followers of the Aimmah
Mujtahideen.
The SECOUND type of difference is known as "Nazaryaai Ikhtilaaf"
(Theoretical differences). This is the subject matter regarding
our concern. The Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
had also foretold and predicted such differences. This type of
difference is also the basis and differentiation between Haqq
and Baatil (Truth and Falsehood). Hence our prophet ( صلى
الله عايه وسالم)
said:
"The Bani Israel (jews) were separated
into 72 sects and my ummah will be split into 73 sects. All of
them will be in the Fire." it was asked: "O Messenger of Allah!
Which will be this successful group?" Nabiullah replied:
مااناعليه
واصحابي
"Those
that will remain on that path which I and my Sahaabah are on"
[Sunan Abu Dawood, Tirmizi]
It
is reported in another Hadith that 72 sects will go to Jahannum
and One to Jannah - and this is the "Al Jammah" (Ahla sunnah Wal
Jammah) people 'group' of The Sunnah 'way' of the Messenger of
Allah as shown by the Jammah 'group' of Sahabah (Radi'Allahu anhum
Ta'ala Ajmaeen) and this is that group which will be on the Haqq
(Truth).
And some people will abscond from this Jamaat, their desires and
false opinions will lead them astray just as the bite of a rabid
dog makes a person ill, such that not a joint, vein or fibre of
his remains except that this illness penetrates it.
It is reported in another Hadith:"Any person
remains alive after me will see many differences in the ummah.
Therefore he should hold on fast to my way and the way of the
Kulafaa Rashideen. He must hold on to it with his teeth. Take
Heed! stay away from all new innovations (which will spring up),
because all such innovations (which are regarded as being part
of Deen) are a Bid'ah and every Bid'ah is astray."
It is reported in another Hadith that The Messenger of Allah (
صلى الله عايه
وسالم) once drew a line and said
that this is (symbolises) the Road of Allah Ta'ala. He then drew
some some lines on either side of this line and said that these
are those paths upon which one shaitaan sits at each one and tends
to lead man astray by tempting him towards it. (Indicating to
the first line) the messenger of Allah said:"This
is the correct path."saying this, the prophet of Allah
recited the following ayah:"This is My Straight Path, hence tread
upon it."
All these Ahaadith are reported in Mishkaat al Maseebah.
Regarding this subject there are many many other Ahaadith which
mentions these facts, from these statements the following become
clear:
A) Rasullah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
had forewarned the ummah regarding Nazaryaai Ikhtilaafs.
B) He displayed an aversion for this type of differences and with
the exception of one group; he warned all other with the Fire.
C) Such Ikhtilaafs are the basis for leading people on Haqq or
Baatil. The Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
had clearly said that whoever treads the path and follows the
way chalked out by him and follow his Sahaabah (رضئ
الله عنهم) will
be on Haqq. Whoever goes astray of this path is on Baatil. The
path of Haqq and the distinguishing factor is the way of the Messenger
of Allah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
and his Sahaabah (رضئ الله
عنهم). The Qur'an had also in many instances,
stated this as the basis of the Haqq:
"And whoever contradicts and opposes the
Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows
other than the believer’s way. We shall keep him in the path he
has chosen, and burn Him in Hell, what evil destination." [An-Nisa:
115]
In this Ayaat, the "path of the believers" refers to the Sahaabah
(رضئ الله عنهم)
.
"That is because they opposed Allah
and His Messenger ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم).
And whosoever opposes Allah, then verily, Allah is severe in punishment."
[Al-Hasr: 4]
D) Prophet ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
had labelled any innovation which was to come after him, in the
name of the Deen, as "Bid'ah".
E) Rasullaah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
had also outlined the reason and contributory factor of Bid'ah
and deviation, as being incorrect desires. This is such an illness
that destroys one heart and mind. Just as the position in the
bite of a rabid dog seeps into the system of the victim, which
renders a normal person into displaying bestial tendencies. In
that same way a person who is inflicted with the poison of false
and incorrect opinions, his every vain and fibre is seeped with
SELF-OPINIONS. Then, besides his own opinions he disregards
every other view.
F) Rasulullah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
had also guide the ummah in that at such a time when all such
differences rear their ugly heads in the ummah, then they should
hold on fast to his Sunnah and that of his Khulafaa e Raashideen
(Righly guided Amirs i.e Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali رضئ
الله عنهم). There
is absolutely no doubt about this being TRUE guidance. Muslims
must hold on fast to this path, with their teeth. There may come
a multitude of new innovations and differing views and opinions,
but the ummah must hold on fast to this path of guidance and not
leave it.
G) Rasulullah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
has also indicated that this is the path of (to) Allah Most High,
which he had demonstrated and upon which the Sahaabah (رضئ
الله عنهم) had
treaded. This path will remain so until Qiyaamah (Judgement Day).
Besides this "Path of Allah Ta'ala", there are many other "Side-Streets"
upon which Shaitian (mr.devil) is sitting and waiting to lead
man astray by TEMPTATION.
However the ummah must be vigilant and wary. They must know that
the road leading to Allah is (only) the one which The Messenger
of Allah ( صلى الله
عايه وسالم)
has showed.
That is also the road which the Sahaabah (رضئ
الله عنهم) and
the Khulafaa e Rashideen (رضئ الله
عنهم) had treaded, and which all the Salaf-e-Saaliheen
(pious predecessors) and Awliyaa had followed. Beside this ONE
road all the others are the inventions of Shaitaan. Whoever calls
to any of these roads is an agent of shaitaan, in fact, he is
the personification of shaitaan. Whoever, deviates from the Path
of Allah Most High, and ventures into one of the other roads,
must know that he has entered a cave and into the mouth of a large
snake. Or that he has ventured into some dangerous jungle and
has become pray to a wild animal.
If one keeps in mind these principles and guidelines set out by
the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and one understands them well, then
it will not be difficult for one to discern and recognise which
of all group is which and which is on Haqq.
Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Ludhianvi (Rahimahullah)
Differences in the ummah
Azhar Academy Ltd UK / South Africa
Azhar UK ltd
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