Umar b. Abd Al-Aziz on the Way of the Believers

Ibn Shihâb reports:

‘Umar b. ‘Abd Al-’Azîz – Allah have mercy on him, said, “The Messenger of Allâh – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and the authorities (leaders of the Muslims, the Caliphs) after him set certain ways and practices. To follow those ways is to believe in Allâh’s Book and to complete [ones] obedience of Him, and to be strong upon the religion of Allâh. It is not for anyone to alter those ways or change them for something else, and it is not for anyone to consider the views and opinions of those who contradict them. Whoever follows what [the Prophet and his Caliphs] laid down will be guided, whoever seeks enlightenment through it will be enlightened. But whoever contradicts those ways and follows a way other than the way of the Believers, Allâh the Mighty and Majestic will leave him in the path he has chosen and land him in Jahannam (Hell); and what an evil destination that is.’”

Al-Lâlakâ`î, Sharh Usûl I’tiqâd Ahl Al-Sunnah 1:94.

Notes

In this statement, Caliph ‘Umar b. ‘Abd Al-Azîz affirms a number of important points related to the creed and methodology of Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamâ’ah – orthodox Islam:

  1. The path of guidance, the Sunnah, is what was laid down by the Prophet, as understood and implemented by the Rightly Guided Caliphs and Companions.
  2. For a person to truly believe in the Quran, and to be guided, he must adhere to this Sunnah and to it alone.
  3. A Muslim is not allowed to innovate in the religion or exchange any part of it for foreign beliefs and ideologies.
  4. True enlightenment and insight lies in adhering to this way.
  5. A Muslim is not supposed to be interested in and expose himself to the views and opinions of people who go against the Sunnah and way of the Salaf.
  6. Going against this way is to follow ‘a way other than the way of the Believers’ and take a path to Hell; a reference to Al-Quran 4:115 where this principle is evidenced.

This narration is recorded with variant wordings in numerous other sources. In a version recorded on the authority of Muttarrif b. ‘Abdillâh by Al-Qâdî Abû Ya’lâ (d458H) in Ibtâl Al-Ta’wîl 1:52, it is stated that when those who ‘deflected the narrations speaking of the Sifât’ (divine attributes of Allâh) were mentioned in the presence of Imâm Mâlik, he would quote this saying of Caliph ‘Umar b. ‘Abd Al-’Azîz. In yet another report of this statement, the heretics being referred to are described as ‘the deviants in the religion.’

January 29, 2010 - الجمعة 15 صفر 1431 | 'Aqîdah, Bid'ah, Names and Attributes of Allah, Sunnah

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Heresy and Hypocrisy [the company you keep]

It is reported that Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd – Allâh have mercy on him – said:

Verily, Allâh has angels who seek out the circles of remembrance [of Allâh], so be careful who you sit with; make sure it is not with an adherent of bid’ah, for Allâh does not look at them. And the sign of nifâq (hypocrisy in faith) is that a man mingles with an adherent of bid’ah.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ 1:460

December 31, 2009 - الخميس 16 محرم 1431 | 'Aqîdah, Bid'ah, Uncategorized, hypocrisy, remembering Allah

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Love and Hate for the Companions

It is reported that Bishr b. Al-Hârith said:

I heard Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd say, “It has reached me that Allâh has barred repentance from every adherent of bid’ah (religious innovation), and the worst of the people of bid’ah are those who hate the Companions of Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him.” He then turned to me and said, “Make the firmest of your deeds with Allâh your love for the Companions of His Prophet, for [then], were you to come to the standing of judgment (on the Day of Resurrection) with the likes of the Earth in sins, Allâh would forgive you; but if you come [on that Day] with even the smallest amount of hatred for them, no [good] deed will benefit you.”

Abû Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-‘Ilm 5: 412.

December 5, 2009 - السبت 19 ذو الحجة 1430 | 'Aqîdah, Bid'ah, The Companions

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Patience and Acceptance [Realities of Faith]

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrî – Allâh have mercy on him – said when asked ‘what is îmân (faith)?’:

It is perseverance (al-sabr) from the things that are forbidden by Allâh the Mighty and Majestic and acceptance. He was asked, “What is perseverance and acceptance?” He replied, “al-sabr is to persevere in holding back from what Allâh has forbidden, and [acceptance is] acceptance of what Allâh the Mighty and Majestic has commanded.”

Abû Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-‘Ilm 3:535.

October 1, 2009 - الخميس 13 شوال 1430 | 'Aqîdah, iman, patience

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A False testimony of Faith [hypocrisy and the shahadah]

The likeness [of the munâfiq] is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allâh took away their light and left them in darkness. So they could not see. They are deaf, dumb and blind, so they return not [to the Right Path]. (Quran 2:17)

Qatâdah – Allâh’s mercy be upon him – said:

This is the likeness Allâh has given of the Hypocrite (munâfiq); he says lâ ilâha illallâh and with it marries into the Muslims, inherits from the Muslims, fights alongside the Muslims, and protects his blood and wealth. But when death comes, [the testimony of faith] has no basis in his heart, and no reality in his actions, so the munâfiq is stripped of it at death and left in darkness and blindness wondering therein, just as he was blind about the right of Allâh and obedience to Him in his worldly life and deaf to the truth.

Al-Tabarî, Al-Tafsîr.

September 27, 2009 - الأحد 08 شوال 1430 | 'Aqîdah, death, hypocrisy, the heart

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