The men of learning (scholars) are the successors of the prophets. Knowledge is what is indicated by the book of Almighty Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. And in this concern ‘Aa’isha, radhiallah ‘anha said, when she was asked about the character (khuluqahu) of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, that “His character was the Qur’an”. (Akhlaaq sing. khuluq: has several meanings: ethics, morals, inborn quality, manners, natural disposition and shall be used here synonymously.)
This word from ‘Aa’isha, radhiallah ‘anha, tells us that the natural disposition of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was following the teachings of the Qur’an manifested in his following the orders and refraining from the interdictions. It is now worthy of the scholars, preachers, teachers and students to take good care of the Book of Allah, and to search into it and to assimilate the good ethical teachings which Allah loves from it. Almighty Allah says:
“Verily this Qur’an doth guide to that which is most right (or stable)” [Bani Israeel, Aayah 9]
In another verse the Qur’an says:
“Nun. By the Pen, And by the (record) Which (men) write. Thou art not, By the grace of thy Lord, Mad or possessed. Nay verily for thee is a reward unfailing. And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.” [Al-Qalam, Ayaat 1-4]
The one who would like to attain this great standard of character should approach the book of Allah and pay attention to it when reciting and studying it; while referring all the questions and doubts to the learned people for reliable answers and guidance to the correct books and references on the explanations of the Qur’an.
Attention should also be given to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, because it also explains the Qur’an and leads to the understanding of it. Almighty Allah said to His Messenger:
“Say thou: ‘This is my Way; I do invite unto God on evidence clear as seeing with one’s eyes, I and whoever follows me. Glory to Allah! And never will I join gods with Allah.’” [Yusuf, Aayah 108]
The abiding by the Book of Allah is part of the character of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and part of the character of all the scholars and the men of learning who are endowed with knowledge and insight, knowledge and faith, knowledge and piety. However people with knowledge but with no faith or any piety have no share of the high standard of character.
From this we know that who ever calls for something with ignorance is not on the path of the Prophet Muhammad’s standard of character and conduct and not on the path of the people of learning. Rather, he is a criminal with great sin because Almighty Allah considers that whoever says something that Allah did not say is beyond blasphemy and above polytheism. Chaos and disorder would result from this. Allah says:
“Say: The things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: Shameful deeds whether open or secret, sins and trespasses against truth or reason, assigning of partners to Allah for which he hath given no authority, and saying things about God of which he has no knowledge”. [Al-’Araaf, Aayah 33]
Hence, whoever says things about Allah without knowledge and permits what is forbidden and forbids what is permissible, deters from the right thing and calls for the false.
So it is the duty of the scholars and men of learning and their students to be cautious about saying things about Allah without knowledge and pay attention to stating the legitimate proofs according to the Shariah so that they can be knowledgeable about what they presume, call for or deter from and not venture to say false things about Allah without any knowledge. Those who are knowledgeable about Allah are the ones who fear Allah the most and never trespass His limits. Allah says:
“Those truly fear God, Among His servants, Who have knowledge”. [Faatir, Aayah 28]
The knowledgeable people who fear Allah are those people who know His religion, and know the Sunnah of His Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Those people are headed by the Prophets and Messengers of Allah because they are the best example.
It befits the men of learning, although they are found in a latter time like the time we are living in, to follow the foot steps of the pious people in their fear of Allah and make it their task to revere His orders and His prohibitions
The fear of Allah implies stopping at the limits stated by Him and following the path of His Messenger Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Any overdoing it would be unnecessary and impermissible. The knowledgeable person is the one who does not trespass the limits of prohibition and permission, and in the doing (following) and in abstention. And besides all that be very cautious not to say any thing about Allah without knowledge, or do contrary to what he learned.
Almighty Allah mentioned some good characteristics of some of His pious worshippers as a reminder to us. Allah says: “There is, in their stories instruction for men endued with understanding.” [Yusuf, Aayah 111)
In other verses Allah says: “Not all of them are alike: Of the people of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right), they recite the verses of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in Allah and the Last Day. And they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong, and they hasten in emulation in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous.” [Aali ‘Imraan, Aayaat 113-114]
These good characteristics, which were adopted by the best of the People of the Book and by those guided by Allah from among their scholars, include deep faith in and total submission to Him. And that they would not sell the sign of Allah for a cheap price and would not show ingratitude and deny the truth and conceal it as did their men of learning who went astray, when they concealed the story of Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and they concealed a lot of truths for the sake of worldly and immediate gain.
But the people of knowledge and faith, from the ancient and the latter times, would state the truth and declare it as Allah said:
“Is then one who doth know that that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the truth, like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.” [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 19]
And in another verse:
“Say: Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding That receive admonition.” [Az-Zumar, Aayah 19]
By this Allah explained that it is the people with understanding who really think and work their insight and those are the people with healthy minds. Allah described them as:
“Those who fulfil the covenant of God and fail not in their plighted word. Those who join together those things which God hath commanded to be joined hold their Lord in awe, and fear the terrible reckoning.” [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayaat 20-21]
They join together the things which Allah has commanded to be joined and by straightness in following Allah’s orders and showing loyalty to Him and the following of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Hence, their faith is followed by work and practice shown in kindness to one’s parents and communication with relatives. And the fear of Allah is such as to help them in the obedience of Allah and to deter them from committing disobedience.
Then Allah mentioned the two characteristics that are the sixth and the seventh and said:
“Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord, And they establish regular prayers.” [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 22]
They persevere on the obedience of Allah and they persevere in their abstention from the interdictions made by Allah. Allah also mentioned the eighth and the ninth characteristics and said:
“Spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly, and turn off evil with good”. [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 22]
The meaning here is that they spend to get the forgiveness and redemption of Allah. They spend openly as they do in Zakat in secret either seen or not seen by people; seeking the grace of Allah.
“And turn off evil with good”
This indicates total patience, their resilience, their endurance and their subduing of their wrath:
“For such there is the final attainment of the (Eternal) Home”. [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 22]
Allah explained that this “Eternal Home” as: “Gardens of perpetual bliss: They shall enter there as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring”. [Ar-Ra’ad, Aayah 23]
To reward them for their good past deeds, Allah includes them together with their fathers, their offspring and their spouses in His giving. Henceforth, to be straight in carrying out of the orders of Allah and fulfilling the duties; to call for the good and deter from bad; and to stand firm with the right and be resilient on it; and to turn off evil by doing good – all these are ways for the servant of Allah to be useful and good and also for his fathers, his spouses and their offspring and their reunion will be in the home of hospitality and generosity in which the angels are visiting and welcoming them.
One of the great gifts of Allah to his servant is making him to be the reason for the guidance of his father, his mother, his spouse and his offspring, and so forth. Also it is one of the great gifts of Allah is making a woman to be the reason for the guidance of her husband, her father, her mother and her children.
It is learned from this holy verse that the admission into Heaven of fathers, husbands and their offspring together with their relatives is not because of this kinship and relationship but because of their correctness and their endeavour in the obedience of Allah. This verse is also similar to the verse which says:
“It is not your wealth nor your sons that will bring you nearer to us In degree; but only those who believe and work righteousness - these are the ones for whom there is a multiplied reward for their deeds while secure they (reside) in the dwellings on high.” [As-Saba, Aayah 37]
Likewise the people of knowledge, faith and righteousness should follow this way of high conduct and high standard of personality so that they find the happy ending and reward. But it is very essential that the learner of knowledge should know that resilience is very important and that good deeds and abundant good does not happen simply by wishful thinking and hopeless expectations, but there should be work and patience. [By Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Abdullah Ibn Baz - rahimahullah]
Morals in the life and Da‘wah of the prophets
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), was commanded to maintain the same methodology that had been adopted by all the previous prophets and messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example.} [Qur’an 6:90] Allah the Almighty granted the prophets perfection of morals and character so that people would not turn away from them with the excuse that they were repulsive or ill-natured. All prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, only spoke what was revealed to them by Allah the Almighty. Their message was not something that they fabricated or that was due to the surrounding social conditions of their age. Their message was a revelation from Allah the Almighty, as each and every prophet testified: {I only follow what is revealed to me.}[Qur’an 6:50] The prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, did not have the right to change, replace, add, or cancel anything that had been revealed to them. Concerning Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Allah the Almighty Says (what means):
l{Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed.} [Qur’an 53: 3,4]
l{Say, [O Muhammad]: “It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. Indeed, I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.”} [Qur’an 10:15]
In their mission, the prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, did not ask for a reward from their people, as they only sought the reward of Allah the Almighty. Prophet Hud, may Allah exalt his mention, said to his people (what means): {O my people, I do not ask you for it any reward. My reward is only from The One who created me. Then will you not reason?}[Qur’an 11:51] Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, confirmed the same meaning by saying (what means): {Say, [O Muhammad]: “I do not ask you for the Qur’an any payment, and I am not of the pretentious.”} [Qur’an 38:86]
The aim of all the prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, was for people to have sincerity in religion and to turn them towards worshipping the Lord of all creation instead of worshipping His creatures. The prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, also aimed at saving disobedient people from the adversity of life to the comfort of both the worldly life and the Hereafter and from the oppression of distorted and false religions to the justice of Islam. In the Qur’an, Allah the Almighty clarifies the true religion that He commands all people to follow, by Saying (what means): {And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakah. And that is the correct religion.} [Qur’an 98:5]
Every prophet was sent speaking the language of his people in order to communicate clearly with them. The prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, followed their Fitrah (innate disposition) and talked to people in a way that suited their mentality without pretence, declamation or exaggeration. Allah the Almighty Says (what means):
l{And I am not of the pretentious} [Qur’an 38:86]
Allah the Almighty made the method of Da’wah (propagation) clear to His prophets, as He gave an order to His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, by Saying (what means):
l {Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most Knowing of who is [rightly] guided.}[Qur’an 16:125]
The methodology of the prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, and their Da‘wah are clear. The best way to make Da‘wah is the clear and simple way of the Noble Qur’an, with which one does not need any philosophical or scholastic methodology.
All the prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, gave precedence to the eternal life of the Hereafter over the worldly life that would ultimately come to an end. Their predominant characteristic was to renounce the pleasures of this worldly life and seek the reward of the Hereafter, as they were certain that: {what is with Allah is better and more lasting} [Qur’an 28:60] and: {that which is with Allah is best for the righteous.} [Qur’an 3:198]
Allah the Almighty Says to His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, (what means): {And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.} [Qur’an 20:131]
The prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, were the most perfect, most honest and had the noblest lineage of all mankind. Allah the Almighty chose them by his Knowledge over everyone and everything else to bear the greatest trust, which is conveying His message. Therefore, they must be a model for all people. Regarding the merits of the prophets, Allah the Almighty Says (what means):
l{And remember Our servants, Ibraheem, Ishaq and Ya‘qoob - those of strength and [religious] vision. Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter]. And indeed they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding. And remember Isma‘eel, Al-Yas‘ and Dhul-Kifl, and all are among the outstanding.} [Qur’an 38:45-48]
l{[Allah] Said: “O Moosa, I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My words [to you]. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful.”}[Qur’an 7:144]
Throughout their Da‘wah, the prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, not only confirmed the idea of servitude to Allah by telling their people (what means): {Worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him} [Qur’an 7:59] but they also treated the faults that were widespread during their time and urged their people to be virtuous. For instance, Prophet Shu‘ayb, may Allah exalt his mention, tried to reform the faults of his people, the people of Madyan, and advised them not to give less in measure and weight and decrease the rights of others. Also, Prophet Lut, may Allah exalt his mention, said to his people: {“Do you approach males among the worlds. And leave what your Lord has created for you as mates? But you are a people transgressing.”} [Qur’an 26:165-166] He also criticised them for obstructing roads and committing every evil in their meetings. The biography of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, also proves that he continuously tried to treat the faults of his people.
Adhering to Tawheed and Legislation: A Shield for Morality
1- Adhering to Tawheed (monotheism): Tawheed is purity as it is acknowledgement of the truth, while Shirk (polytheism) is an impurity as Allah the Almighty Says (what means): {indeed the polytheists are unclean.}[Qur’an 9:28] This is because Shirk is the denial of truth, and even if the polytheists superficially bathed, adorned and perfumed themselves their inner impurity would still not be removed. Sins and evil deeds are considered impurities, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Whoever commits any of these sins should conceal them and make use of the concealment granted to him by Allah. Whoever openly admits to his sins [to other people] will be punished with what is prescribed in the Qur’an.”
In order to perfect morality and obtain the desired objectives, we should be careful in matters pertaining to Tawheed and legislation and follow the Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, in this regard. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, implanted two crucial principles in his Companions: the first was to worship Allah the Almighty without associating any other deity with Him, while the second principle was to worship Allah the Almighty according to His Legislation and no other.
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, did not allow any of his Companions to break either of these two principles. Once the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, saw ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, holding a piece of paper from the Torah as he had admired what was written on it. Thereupon, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was very angry and said to him: “You do this while I am amongst you? I have conveyed to you the message white and pure. By Allah, if Moosa [Moses] had been alive now, he would have had no choice but to follow me.” [Ahmad, Al-Albani - Hasan] This Hadith shows the universal nature of the Da‘wah of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and that it is impermissible to follow anything except the Qur’an and Sunnah. Therefore, how can people leave these protected principles and seek guidance in things that have been distorted and changed?
Once, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, heard an Imam delivering a Khutbah (sermon) on the pulpit, and saying,“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be rightly guided, while whoever disobeys them, will be misguided.” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “What a bad Imam you are! Say: ‘The one who disobeys Allah and His Messenger will be misguided’.” [Ahmad, Muslim] In the abovementioned Hadeeth, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, criticised the Imam for saying “disobeying them” when referring to Allah and His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallamas the use of this pronoun entails that both Allah the Almighty and His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, are on the same level. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, also saw that it was appropriate to mention and clarify this point in during the Khutbah.
When ‘Uthman ibn Math‘oon, may Allah be pleased with him, died, Umm al-‘Alaa’, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “O Abu As-Saa’ib! I testify that Allah has honoured you.” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said to her: “How do you know that Allah has honoured Him?” She replied, “Who would be honoured if not him?” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said to her: “By Allah, though I am the Messenger of Allah, I do not know what Allah will do with me tomorrow.” Umm al-‘Alaa’, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “By Allah, I will never attest the piety of anybody after this.” [Ahmad and Al-Bukhari]
Deeds depend on how the last of them will be, which Allah the Almighty has concealed from people’s knowledge. This refutes what was said by the Jews and Christians as they said (what means):
l{We are the children of Allah and His beloved} [Qur’an 5:18]
l{None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian.} [Qur’an 2:111]
Allah the Almighty told them (what means): {That is [merely] their wishful thinking, Say: “Produce your proof, if you should be truthful.”} [Qur’an 2:111] This also refutes what some people do, thinking that some of the dead are the allies of Allah The Almighty and consequently, they worship these ‘allies’.
Among the examples that illustrate adherence to Tawheed is when a man came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and said to him, “Allah and you willing.” The Prophet said: “Are you making me an equal to Allah? You should say, ‘What Allah alone, wills.” [Ahmad, Al-Albani - Hasan]
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
