saima abdullah
my life iz 4 Allah
Adhering to Sunnah and not defying it
We would like to remind you of the proofs mentioned in the Noble Qur’an itself that establish the necessity of adherence to the Sunnah of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). We will confine our argument at this stage to the words of Allah in the Qur’an because those who discount the hadith of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) claim that they rather adhere only to what Allah states in the Qur’an. Let us see if it is possible for their claim to be true.
Explicit Aayaat (Verses) from the Qur’an
It is not for a believer, man nor woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, He has indeed strayed in plain error. [Surah Al-Ahzaab 36]
Oh you who believe, do not forward (a speech or objection) in the presence of Allah and His Messenger and fear Allah. Verily Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. [Surah Al-Hujuraat 1]
Say (Oh Muhammad): Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers. [Surah Aali ‘Imraan 32]
l We have sent you (Oh Muhammad) as a Messenger to mankind, and Allah is sufficient as a witness. He who obeys the Messenger, has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then We have not sent you (Oh Muhammad) as a watcher over them. [Surah An-Nisaa 79-80]
Oh you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those of you in authority. And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and his Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is better and more suitable for final determination. [Surah An-Nisaa 59]
And obey Allah and His Messenger and so not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient, Surely, Allah is with those who are patient. [Surah Al-Anfaal 46]
l And obey Allah and His Messenger, and beware (of sins) and be afraid of Allah. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger’s duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest way. [Surah Al-Maa’idah 92]
And let those who oppose the Messengers commandment beware lest some fitnah (trial, affliction, shirk) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. [Surah An-Noor 63]
Oh you who believe! Answer Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart. And verily to Him you shall all be gathered. [Surah Al-Anfaal 24]
And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens under which rivers flow, to abide therein, and that will be the great success. And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire to abide therein, and he shall have a disgraceful torment. [Surah An-Nisaa 13-14]
Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgment (in their disputes) to the taaghoot (false judges) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Satan wishes to lead them astray. And when it is said to them: “Come to what Allah has sent down to the Messenger” you (Muhammad) see the hypocrites turn away from you with aversion. [Surah An-Nisaa 60-61]
The saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger to judge between them, is that they say “We hear and we obey.” And such are the successful. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful. [Surah An-Noor 51-52]
And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it, and fear Allah. Verily Allah is severe in punishment. [Surah Al-Hashr 7]
Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. [Surah Al-Ahzaab 21]
By the Star when it goes down. Your companion (Muhammad) has neither gone astray nor erred. Nor does he speak out o his own desire. It is only revelation (wahyun) that is revealed. [Surah An-Najm Aayaat 1 - 4]
And We have also sent down to you the Reminder (Adh-Dhikr) that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought. [ Surah An-Nahl 44]
Based upon the verses cited above, and please be sure to refer to the original Arabic and trusted tafseer (explanation), there can be no doubt as to the authority and necessity of the Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah as a source of reference and law for Muslims. Only lack of understanding or the most far-fetched notions of those who have been absolutely conditioned not to accept the hadith or the Sunnah could cause one to see otherwise.
Simple, Clear, Rational, Logical Conclusions
The question must be asked: Why would Allah the Most High make it a duty to obey and adhere to the orders and statements of His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and then make it impossible to do so? This question is important because it is actually the premise of those who would deny the Sunnah and the hadith. When they claim that we cannot trust the hadith which contain the orders, guidance and example of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) they are in effect claiming that Allah has put a condition upon His slaves (‘ibaad) that they cannot possibly fulfill! They are in effect also denying what is clear from the Qur’anic verses. Namely, that Allah’s Decrees and those of His Messenger are the same. Believers have no choice but to accept them.
To disobey the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is the same as disobeying Allah! Only a blatant absence of understanding would allow anyone to misinterpret the above verses as sanctioning the worship of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), na’oodhu billah (we seek refuge in Allah from any such thing)! Yet, many who are confronted with the fact that the Messenger’s commands are equated with those of Allah, stoop to the false argument that emphasis upon adherence to the Sunnah will lead to Shirk! Subhaanallah! What version of the Qur’an are they reading! It surely cannot be the Arabic Qur’an. It could only be the deviant interpretation of the Qur’anic verses in another language! The truth is that the lack of adherence to the command of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is what will lead to Shirk.
The Qur’an makes it clear that no one has the right to put his personal preference before that of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) just as no one has the right to do so before Allah The Most Wise. It is impermissible to defy the sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). Whoever obeys the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) obeys Allah and to shun the obedience of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is open hypocrisy and disbelief. We are ordered to refer all matters to Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).
This can easily be understood with regard to those who were in his (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) presence so the question is: How can we refer to the Messenger after his death (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)? There is only one logical or reasonable answer. Through the authenticated hadith! Where do those who deny this get their rulings or make their judgments? What verifiable proof can they offer to support their claim that they are able to interpret the Qur’an without the sunnah? Such a claim outright denies and defies the verses previously cited.
Implications and rewards of both obedience and disobedience to Muhammad
Not referring to the Book of Allah and the sunnah of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is a major cause for the failure of Muslims in all areas of life and the cause for their loss of strength and effectiveness. History and current realities attest to this fact. Allah has clearly warned us that the evil of disobedience leads to evil consequences in this life and in the Hereafter. We are told that those who defy the orders of Allah and His Messenger deserve to fall into calamities in this life and face a terrible punishment in the life to come.
Conversely, we are informed that accepting the Message of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and obeying him is cause for the good life and happiness and leads to achieving the ultimate success of entering Al-Jannah (The Garden). Who would choose Hellfire as opposed to the Garden unless bereft of sense?! It is a clear characteristic of the hypocrites who show Islam but hide their disbelief, to refuse the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) as a judge in their affairs. What more equates with this other than the refusal of authentic statements and decisions contained in the hadith?
The position of Believers
Believers on the other hand, take the position of “We hear and obey”. They see the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) as their example and guide and realize that the tremendous Message he was given is directly from Allah and that his actions were guided by Him. The believers realize that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) cannot speak other than the truth and those matters of religion and the unseen which he informed us of can never be misguidance. They need only to know that he (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) stated it and therefore it must be the truth and are then in no need of experimentation or the confirmation from minds that are limited and unable to comprehend the unseen. They are sure in their knowledge that the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) clarifies and explains whatever is revealed in the Qur’an and necessarily so. This is actually also at the root of why those who reject the sunnah do so. Rejection of the sunnah allows them to interpret the Qur’an in any way they see fit.
The Qur’an cannot substitute for the Sunnah. In fact, whoever does so defies the verses we have referred to. On the contrary, the sunnah is equal to the Qur’an in terms of the necessity of adherence and implementation. It is unfortunate that claimants to Islam use the same misguided arguments put forward by orientalists in establishing their claim that the hadith or the sunnah can neither be trusted or followed! Such claims merely confirm a) a vast lack of religious understanding b) ill motivation.Only Allah can change the condition of such people but they must take the first step towards Allah, knowledge, and acceptance of the truth. And Allah Knows Best.
We would like to remind you of the proofs mentioned in the Noble Qur’an itself that establish the necessity of adherence to the Sunnah of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). We will confine our argument at this stage to the words of Allah in the Qur’an because those who discount the hadith of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) claim that they rather adhere only to what Allah states in the Qur’an. Let us see if it is possible for their claim to be true.
Explicit Aayaat (Verses) from the Qur’an
It is not for a believer, man nor woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, He has indeed strayed in plain error. [Surah Al-Ahzaab 36]
Oh you who believe, do not forward (a speech or objection) in the presence of Allah and His Messenger and fear Allah. Verily Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. [Surah Al-Hujuraat 1]
Say (Oh Muhammad): Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers. [Surah Aali ‘Imraan 32]
l We have sent you (Oh Muhammad) as a Messenger to mankind, and Allah is sufficient as a witness. He who obeys the Messenger, has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then We have not sent you (Oh Muhammad) as a watcher over them. [Surah An-Nisaa 79-80]
Oh you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those of you in authority. And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and his Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is better and more suitable for final determination. [Surah An-Nisaa 59]
And obey Allah and His Messenger and so not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient, Surely, Allah is with those who are patient. [Surah Al-Anfaal 46]
l And obey Allah and His Messenger, and beware (of sins) and be afraid of Allah. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger’s duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest way. [Surah Al-Maa’idah 92]
And let those who oppose the Messengers commandment beware lest some fitnah (trial, affliction, shirk) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. [Surah An-Noor 63]
Oh you who believe! Answer Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart. And verily to Him you shall all be gathered. [Surah Al-Anfaal 24]
And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens under which rivers flow, to abide therein, and that will be the great success. And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire to abide therein, and he shall have a disgraceful torment. [Surah An-Nisaa 13-14]
Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgment (in their disputes) to the taaghoot (false judges) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Satan wishes to lead them astray. And when it is said to them: “Come to what Allah has sent down to the Messenger” you (Muhammad) see the hypocrites turn away from you with aversion. [Surah An-Nisaa 60-61]
The saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger to judge between them, is that they say “We hear and we obey.” And such are the successful. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful. [Surah An-Noor 51-52]
And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it, and fear Allah. Verily Allah is severe in punishment. [Surah Al-Hashr 7]
Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. [Surah Al-Ahzaab 21]
By the Star when it goes down. Your companion (Muhammad) has neither gone astray nor erred. Nor does he speak out o his own desire. It is only revelation (wahyun) that is revealed. [Surah An-Najm Aayaat 1 - 4]
And We have also sent down to you the Reminder (Adh-Dhikr) that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought. [ Surah An-Nahl 44]
Based upon the verses cited above, and please be sure to refer to the original Arabic and trusted tafseer (explanation), there can be no doubt as to the authority and necessity of the Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah as a source of reference and law for Muslims. Only lack of understanding or the most far-fetched notions of those who have been absolutely conditioned not to accept the hadith or the Sunnah could cause one to see otherwise.
Simple, Clear, Rational, Logical Conclusions
The question must be asked: Why would Allah the Most High make it a duty to obey and adhere to the orders and statements of His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and then make it impossible to do so? This question is important because it is actually the premise of those who would deny the Sunnah and the hadith. When they claim that we cannot trust the hadith which contain the orders, guidance and example of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) they are in effect claiming that Allah has put a condition upon His slaves (‘ibaad) that they cannot possibly fulfill! They are in effect also denying what is clear from the Qur’anic verses. Namely, that Allah’s Decrees and those of His Messenger are the same. Believers have no choice but to accept them.
To disobey the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is the same as disobeying Allah! Only a blatant absence of understanding would allow anyone to misinterpret the above verses as sanctioning the worship of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), na’oodhu billah (we seek refuge in Allah from any such thing)! Yet, many who are confronted with the fact that the Messenger’s commands are equated with those of Allah, stoop to the false argument that emphasis upon adherence to the Sunnah will lead to Shirk! Subhaanallah! What version of the Qur’an are they reading! It surely cannot be the Arabic Qur’an. It could only be the deviant interpretation of the Qur’anic verses in another language! The truth is that the lack of adherence to the command of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is what will lead to Shirk.
The Qur’an makes it clear that no one has the right to put his personal preference before that of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) just as no one has the right to do so before Allah The Most Wise. It is impermissible to defy the sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). Whoever obeys the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) obeys Allah and to shun the obedience of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is open hypocrisy and disbelief. We are ordered to refer all matters to Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).
This can easily be understood with regard to those who were in his (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) presence so the question is: How can we refer to the Messenger after his death (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)? There is only one logical or reasonable answer. Through the authenticated hadith! Where do those who deny this get their rulings or make their judgments? What verifiable proof can they offer to support their claim that they are able to interpret the Qur’an without the sunnah? Such a claim outright denies and defies the verses previously cited.
Implications and rewards of both obedience and disobedience to Muhammad
Not referring to the Book of Allah and the sunnah of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is a major cause for the failure of Muslims in all areas of life and the cause for their loss of strength and effectiveness. History and current realities attest to this fact. Allah has clearly warned us that the evil of disobedience leads to evil consequences in this life and in the Hereafter. We are told that those who defy the orders of Allah and His Messenger deserve to fall into calamities in this life and face a terrible punishment in the life to come.
Conversely, we are informed that accepting the Message of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and obeying him is cause for the good life and happiness and leads to achieving the ultimate success of entering Al-Jannah (The Garden). Who would choose Hellfire as opposed to the Garden unless bereft of sense?! It is a clear characteristic of the hypocrites who show Islam but hide their disbelief, to refuse the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) as a judge in their affairs. What more equates with this other than the refusal of authentic statements and decisions contained in the hadith?
The position of Believers
Believers on the other hand, take the position of “We hear and obey”. They see the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) as their example and guide and realize that the tremendous Message he was given is directly from Allah and that his actions were guided by Him. The believers realize that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) cannot speak other than the truth and those matters of religion and the unseen which he informed us of can never be misguidance. They need only to know that he (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) stated it and therefore it must be the truth and are then in no need of experimentation or the confirmation from minds that are limited and unable to comprehend the unseen. They are sure in their knowledge that the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) clarifies and explains whatever is revealed in the Qur’an and necessarily so. This is actually also at the root of why those who reject the sunnah do so. Rejection of the sunnah allows them to interpret the Qur’an in any way they see fit.
The Qur’an cannot substitute for the Sunnah. In fact, whoever does so defies the verses we have referred to. On the contrary, the sunnah is equal to the Qur’an in terms of the necessity of adherence and implementation. It is unfortunate that claimants to Islam use the same misguided arguments put forward by orientalists in establishing their claim that the hadith or the sunnah can neither be trusted or followed! Such claims merely confirm a) a vast lack of religious understanding b) ill motivation.Only Allah can change the condition of such people but they must take the first step towards Allah, knowledge, and acceptance of the truth. And Allah Knows Best.
