“Today I have perfected your Deen for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your Deen.” (Qur’an 5:3)
Allah clearly explains that our Deen has been perfected, and that it does not require any addition or deletion. That is why Allah sealed the office of Messengership with the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). The fact that He has chosen Islam as our Deen, means that he does not accept other than Islam from anyone:
And Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, It will never be accepted or him, and on the Last Day he will be one of the losers. (Qur’an 3: 85)
Allah, Most Exalted, also says:
The religion accepted by Allah is the Deen of Islam. (Qur’an 3:19)
As A Complete Message From Allah, Islam Deals With
The Rights of Allah on His Bondsmen: To worship Allah alone, and associate none with Him in worship.
The rights of man on His Creator: To permit people to Paradise if they worship Him properly.
The Oneness (Tawheed) of Allah and its influence on creation: The Muslim should know the Names, Attributes, and Actions of Allah so that he can worship Him properly, know that He is the only True God that deserves to be worshipped, associating no partners whatsoever with His worship. Knowing that He, Allah, is the Sustainer, Provider, Bestower of Favours, Gives life and takes it, Merciful, Severe in Torment, Oft-Forgiving, All-Just, All-Wise, etc. He is the True and Only ilaah, meaning that all worship to be devoted to Him alone, and that this constitutes the essence of submission to Him. Nothing is like Allah. All of His Attributes are True and Real. The how of His attributes are known only to Him.
Knowledge: The message calls the Muslim Ummah to acquire knowledge about all aspects of Islam, and Allah has special levels in heaven for the people of knowledge. When we speak about any aspect of Islam we must know about it first.
Admonition: The believer feels and recognises that Allah is All-Aware about him and about his hidden and manifested actions. Nothing escapes Allah’s knowledge He is Most High, and encompasses in His Knowledge everything.
The Wisdom behind Creation
Allah states: “We have not created jinn nor men except to worship”
Allah sends trials and tests to know who will submit to Him and worship Him correctly. The road for success is to worship Allah as though you are seeing Him, and while you see Him not, He truly sees you (and those who achieve this have reached the highest level of faith or Ihsaan).
Righteousness: Deeds are righteous only when they: 1) are purely done seeking Allah and His pleasure, 2) follow the way (authentic Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), and are 3) built on the correct ‘Aqeedah belief) which is the understanding of Islam according to the teachings of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) as related to us by the Prophet’s companions (radiallahu ‘anhum). Deeds are the ceiling and the ‘Aqeedah is the foundation.
Interactions: A) The message deals with the organisation of the society at large. The ruler should deal justly with Muslims and the Muslims obey their leaders as long as the leaders do not command them to do disobedient acts. The Muslim tolerates the unjust ruler and gives the ruler his rights and asks Allah for his own right. Tolerance is recommended in Islam because it minimises the afflictions associated with dissent. The Muslim considers any clear act of denial of any part of Deen as Kufr (disbelief). The Muslim, however, cannot declare that a particular person who is committing Kufr is a Kaafir (disbeliever), unless he establishes evidence (Hujjah) on the doer (in fact declaring anyone a kaafir should be left to the scholars and not easily declared of any individual).
Interactions: B) The Muslims are brothers of each other. They enjoin right and forbid wrong to the best of their abilities. They co-operate on what is right and do not support each other in wrong. They keep away from any Bid’ah (innovation in Deen). On the scale of the mini-society of the family, the believer should do his utmost in leading the family members away from Hellfire. The man is a leader for his Family, and the wife is in charge of her home. Both should deal with firmness and forgiveness. Allah commands justice and likes it. The Muslim dislikes suspicion, deception, mockery, backbiting, spying, wickedness, and all forms of evil interactions.
Incorrect Beliefs and Deviations: The message calls for dissociating from any form of deviation like mystic ways of Sufism. This is not part of Islam. Ways that make certain people Divine are not Islamic no matter what they are called.
Lawful and Unlawful: The Muslim’s earnings must be lawful, spending must be on a medium course. Islam rejects misery and uncontrolled spending. The Muslim must give prescribed amounts of charity when certain conditions are met.
Migration: The Muslim must migrate from the Kaafir land to the Muslim lands. If that is not possible, then they should establish Muslim communities (not parties!) within their places of residence. They are to move to the same neighbourhood if that is possible. They may look at it this way: Let us have Muslim neighbourhoods! Communities may have a reference “president of the community” or such, who works to strengthen the ‘aqeedah of the Muslims around him and who co-ordinates their affairs and work towards their Islamic welfare.
The most important thing they have to work for is establishing the right ‘aqeedah, the ‘aqeedah of Tawheed, and disassociating themselves and their family members from imitating the Kuffaar if they truly want to minimise the impact of the Kaafirs’ beliefs and their un-Islamic behaviour. The Kuffaar want us to be like them! Let us not be deceived. Do we want to be like them? The answer can be better understood if we think of Hell! Even in the land of Muslims, the Muslim should migrate from disobedient environments to the more obedient ones. Within the same neighbourhood, the Muslim should look for the good and practicing Muslims and have them as neighbours.
Jihad: Allah has ordained Jihad (fighting in the cause of Allah) so that Tawheed prevails and that the earth be purified from the affliction of Shirk. Tawheed is the greatest justice on earth. Muslims are not passive when it comes to the truth. They are ordered by Allah to spread the truth by every peaceful means. When falsehood stands opposing the spreading of the Tawheed, Allah says: And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others with Allah) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allah (Alone). But if they cease let there be no transgression except against Ath-Thalimeen (polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.) (Qur’an 2:193)
Abu Ja’far Muhammad Ibn Jareer At-Tabari (b. 224 - d. 310 A.H.) was a great scholar of Tafseer, Aqeedah, history and literature. He was born in Tabaristan in northern Iran. He said in the Tafseer (explanation) of the above Ayah: And fight the Mushrikeen (People of Shirk) until there is no affliction’ i.e.until there is no more Shirk and until the worshipping of idols and false gods has vanished, and until obedience is to Allah alone.
Qatadah Ibn D’aamah Al-Sadoosi known as Abu Al-Khataab Al-Basri (b. 60- d. 117 A.H. or 680-736 CE.) was a scholar of tafseer and hadith who related narrations from some of the Sahaabah and at-Taabi’een (the generation which followed that of the Sahaabah). He said: ‘Until there is no Shirk’. Jihad is not a military, territorial, national, or strategic expansion. It is not done for any worldly cause. Jihad exposes people to the Book of Allah, and gives them the chance to liberate themselves from all types of deviant and oppressive worship.
Advice
The Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was trusted with the message of the Qur’an. He knew and understood what it meant because He was under Allah’s inspiration. All aspects that lead to the understanding of the message were explained by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), including how to call others to adopt this great message of Allah. The principles of Da’wah (calling others to Islam) are laid down in the Qur’an and in the teachings of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). No one can invent a new principle. Yes, one may use the method of a book, tape, lecture, etc. to deliver da’wah, provided that these materials or lectures subscribe to the understanding of Islam as practiced by the righteous predecessors, As-Salafus-Saaleh. Because of their adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah, they were qualified for receiving the help, support, and victory of Allah. Their way continues up to the Day of Judgment as the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) explained:
There shall not cease to remain a single group from my community upon the Truth, victorious, unharmed by those who abandon them or oppose them. They will remain in such a state until the Command of Allah overtakes them while they are still (victorious and on the Truth). [Muslim]
The ‘Command of Allah’ refers to the wind that Allah will order to blow taking with it every believing soul. This takes place when the Final Hour is about to occur.
Characteristics of The Followers of The Saved And Victorious Group
(Al-Firqatun-Naajiyyah wa At-Taaifatul-Mansoorah)
Follow the Qur’an
Adhere to the Sunnah (teachings, recommendations, advice, orders and approvals of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) regarding Islamic principles and judicial matters.
Understand the Qur’an and Sunnah in accordance with the Prophetic teachings as made clear by his companions (radiallahu ‘anhum).
The Da’wah to Allah must not deviate from the path followed by As-Salafus-Saaleh. The Da’wah calls to Allah by:
a) Explaining that He is the True God Who deserves to be worshipped alone. It stresses the Oneness and Uniqueness of Allah and His Attributes and the influence of this on man. People are called to contemplate about Allah’s Attributes and His influence in the Universe.
b) Using the ‘Ayaat of Allah from the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah from its authentic sources without any hesitation and avoiding the blind following of parties, scholars, and personalities
c) Stressing the fact that all false deities are created beings and are thus in need, thereby proving that they are not divine.
d) Relating all questions to the basics. The most important of which is the Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and its meaning. If they question the prayer, Hijaab or any aspect of Islam, then relate this to the Tawheed of Allah. All matters must comply with Allah’s command since He is the Only True God Who is worthy of worship.
e) Linking matters of life and death to the Last Day. Give the glad tidings awaiting those who believe, and the warnings that Allah made clear in the Qur’an and on the tongue of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) for those who reject.
f) Being an example. Even if you err, ask Allah for forgiveness repent, and then keep going. Hold to the Truth even if you are alone. Always ask Allah for guidance, courage, perseverance and patience.
g) Depending upon Allah, and leaving the results to Him. Remember the Messenger Noah (‘alaihi salaam): Nine-hundred and fifty years of Daw’ah and only a few responded to his call!
h) Establishing the evidence when calling others to accept Islam. Do not stand neutral and do not be purely “academic”. Da’wah is vivid and active. It stands between two extremes: mysticism (i.e. Sufism) and ‘Ilmul-Kalaam (Scholastic and Philosophical ways that use purely logical and rationalistic approaches to explain Islam).
i) Understanding the role of the Messengers and Prophets (‘alihimus salaam) from their stories in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
j) Practising a gradual and consistent Minhaj (Path) of Da’wah. Stressing the importance of Aqeedah (faith) and authentic Sunnah first. Educating the people about Allah, the Qur’anic meanings, hadith, morality, etc., and always taking the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and then his companions (radiallahu ‘anhum) as the example to follow.
k) Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong according to one’s own ability, realising that if the enjoining of what is right or the forbiddance of what is wrong will lead to greater wrong and evil, then it is incumbent to be patient, enduring, depending upon Allah’s support and awaiting His Final Word. The Muslim during this process is obedient to Allah and He does not demand what burdens His slaves. This is a great challenge to those who call to Allah. It may be easy to flare the emotions of people, but it is difficult to control the consequences The change of wrong should follow the path taken by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and use the wisdom he used especially when the Muslims are in a weak state.
Important Points
Realising that Da’wah is not a political party. Modern politics is a game of interests, lies, and an invention of the Kuffaar. Many Muslims belong to many political parties that stress politics and do not emphasise Tarbiyyah (Islamic education). Many who belong to such parties know the bare basics about Islam. An advice is offered here for all of our Muslim brothers to reexamine their stand towards their faith, and to know that as the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:
And this Ummah will divide into 73 sects all of which except one will go to Hell and they (the saved group) are those who are upon what land my companions are upon (or those who follow my way and the way of my companions). [At-Tirmidhi]
That is why we see parties or groups often splitting into other groups. The new offshoots accuse the “original’ group of either being “too moderate”, or “too radical”, and vice versa. Parties in our times care mostly for the welfare of the party. There are groups that invent ways in Da’wah that do not emphasise Tawheed and knowledge as being essential to the true propagation of Islam. Within their ranks are mystic leaders and “personalities”, who do not teach the Prophet’s (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) way of worship, and blindly follow their so called elders, who in their own home-towns see all forms of Shirk, hut do not do anything to remove them. The believers, however, are one group, with one reference; Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). In their disputes they should refer to this reference (Allah and His Messenger) and to nothing else. They give allegiance to Allah and the believers, and dissociate themselves from Kufr and AI-Kuffaar. Theirs is the medium course: the way to change wrong is the way of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and not the ways of ‘modern’ political parties or that which will lead to more mischief, blood-shed and more evil. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil to the best of their abilities. They do not respond to injustice by another injustice. They are enthusiastic about establishing Muslim States, but they realise that can only he achieved by following the Prophet’s (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) way of establishing the Muslim society that is strong in its ‘Aqeedah. They are ready to endure the oppression arid wrong until they are strong enough to implement the corrections on every level.
The consequences of rushing the D’awah into early confrontations is disastrous. It divides the society and injures people without establishing concrete results. The D’awah is based upon ‘aqeedah, knowledge, holding to the truth, good advice, and patience. This is the path of As-Salafus-Saaleh. I advise myself to hold to these words and also advise my brothers and sisters in this Deen. May Allah guide the hearts of Muslims to the truth and guide us all to His Straight Path.
The Muslims are all called, especially in our times, to hold strong to the path that does not go wrong, the path of the early generations about whom the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: The best of people is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them (i.e. the first three generations. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The ‘Aqeedah of those generations was correct, their Minhaj was correct, and their characters were honoured with morality. They are the Ummah, and the Jamaa’ah, because they did not unite upon error and were on the truth testifying to the saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): My Ummah does not unite upon error. As-Sakhawi said: “This is a famous text of hadith reported by many transmissions and has various supportive narrations to it. Reported in his book Al-Maqaasid Al-Hassanah (The Good Objectives), P.460. Shaykh Al-Albaani cited the Hadith in his book Adabuz-Zufaf (The Etiquettes of Marriage and Weddings), P.240, second edition 1414/1993.
In our times, the motivation towards Islam can only succeed if it is purely directed towards the path of As-Salaf. Imaam Malik (rahimahullah) said: “The latter (part) of this Ummah will not be on a better guidance than that of its first (part).” The leaders of Muslim groups, the youth, and all Muslim brothers and sisters should support the transformation that unites this Ummah under the banner of As-Salaf. They are called to remember what Abdullah Ibn Mas’oud (radiallahu ‘anhu) said:
“Whoever wants to adopt a way from amongst you, let him adopt the way of those who died (because the living is not safe from Fitnah), they were the companions of the Prophet (radiallah ‘anhum) having the best hearts of this Ummah, most profound in knowledge, least in formalities; Allah chose them to accompany His Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and to establish His Deen. Such transformation pleases Allah and gains His support for the Muslim. So we should respectfully recognise the role of As-Salaf and hold to their guidance because, truly, they are on the Straight Path.”
Allah looked into the hearts of His slaves and found that Muhammad’s (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) heart was the best. Thus, He chose him for Himself and sent him with His Message. Then, He looked into the hearts of his slaves after His look into Muhammad’s (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) heart, and found that those of Muhammad’s companions (radiallahu ‘anhum) were the best hearts. Thus, He chose them as aides to His Prophet; fighting in the cause of His Deen. Whatever the Muslims consider as good, then it is good with Allah, and whatever they consider as bad, then, with Allah, it is also bad; {And all the companions agreed to have Abu Bakr (radiallahu ‘anhu) as the Khaleefah to lead the Muslims after the death of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).
This hadith was reported by Ahmad, Al-Bazzaar, At-Tabaraani, At-Tayalisee and Al-Khateeb. Al-Hakim said it is authentic and Ad-Dhahabi agreed. Many think that this reference is a Prophetic hadith, and it is not. It is authentically related to Abdullah bin Mas’oud. A great benefit is deduced from Ibn Mas’oud’s explanation as to what constitutes ijmaa’. In the last part of his statement, as reported by Al-Hakim, he clearly explains that the agreement between the Sahabah constituted a state of Ijmaa (consensus between Muslims). Therefore, in any generation, the consensus of opinion amongst the learned, pious and righteous scholars who follow the companions path, regarding any matter not directly mentioned in Qur’an or Sunnah, produces a state of Ijmaa’. Blind imitation, and innovations are not part of Ijmaa’.
The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) drew a line with his hand and said: This is the Straight Path of Allah. He then drew several lines to its right and left and said: These are As-Subul (the other ways), on each there is a devil inviting (people) to it. He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) then recited: And verily, this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will scatter you about front His Path. (Qur’an 6:153)
Related by Ahmad, An-Nasaa’ee, Ad-Dharimee, and authenticated by Al-Hakim and others. See Mishkaatul Masaabeeh, hadith # 166, Vol. I, reviewed by Al-Albaani.
(This article is taken from the book The Message of The Messengers)
