http://www.wefound.org/ Your website to success through authentic knowledge of Islâm and Da'wah according to the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.
By Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab
At-Tamimi (1703-1792)
You
should know, may Allah have mercy on you, that we should learn four points:
1.
Knowledge: which consists in knowing Allah, knowing His Messenger, and
knowing the religion of Islam by knowing the proofs from the Qur’an and the
Sunnah.
2.
Acting according to this knowledge.
3.
Calling other people to this knowledge.
4.
Persistence in the face of adversity that results from calling the people
to it.
And
the evidence is from the saying of Allah azza wa jall:
“By
the Time. Verily Man is in loss. Except such as have Faith, and do righteous
deeds, and (join together) in the mutual enjoining of Truth, and of Patience and
Constancy.” (103:1-3)
Al-Shafiái
said about these verses: “If no argument besides this verse had been revealed
by Allah to his creatures, it would have been sufficient for them.”
Al-Bukhari,
may Allah have mercy on him, named a chapter in his Sahih:
“Chapter:
Knowledge before Saying and Acting”
The
evidence is the saying of Allah azza wa jall:
“
Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for your
fault.” (47:19)
He,
azza wa jall, began with knowledge first before saying and acting. Know, may
Allah have mercy on you, that every Muslim, male and female, should learn these
three things and act according to them:
1.
That Allah has created us, has given us sustenance, and has not left us
without guidance. He has sent His messenger to us; whosoever obeys Him is
destined to Paradise, and whosoever disobeys is consigned to Hell. The evidence
is in His saying:
“We
have sent to you, (O men!) a Messenger, to be a witness concerning you, even as
We sent a Messenger to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh disobeyed the Messenger; so We
seized him with a heavy Punishment.” (73:15-16)
2.
Allah does not accept that any partner is associated with him in worship,
be he an exalted angel or a messenger prophet. The evidence is in His saying:
“And
the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along with
Allah.”(72:18)
3.
Whosoever bears obedience to the Prophet and worshipped Allah alone
should not take for friend those who deny Allah and His messenger, even if they
were his nearest kin. The evidence is in His saying:
“
You will not find any people who
believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who oppose Allah and His
Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers,
or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and
strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens
beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein (for ever). Allah will be well
pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Truly it is
the Party of Allah that will achieve Success.”(58:22)
Know
you, may Allah guide you to His obedience, that the Hanifiyyah is the creed of
Ibrahim (Abraham), which is to worship Allah alone, with pure religious
devotion. It is this that Allah has ordained on all people; and indeed He
created them for this purpose. The evidence is in His saying:
“I
have only created Jinn and men, that they may serve Me.” (51:56)
To
“serve Me” means to serve and worship Allah azza wa jall alone without
partners. The greatest thing that Allah has ordered is to Tawheed, that is to
worship Allah alone. The greatest of what he forbade is Shirk, which means
calling upon other with Allah. The evidence is in His saying:
“Serve
Allah, and join not any partners with Him.” (4:36)
The Three Fundamentals
If
you were asked “What are the three fundamentals that must be understood by
every Muslim?”, say: “A worshipper should know his Rabb (Cherisher and
Sustainer), his religion, and his Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
The First Fundamental: Knowing Allah
If
you are asked: “Who is your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)?” say: “My Rabb
(Cherisher and Sustainer) is Allah. He has nourished me and all other creatures
with his blessings. He is my Deity, and I have no other Deity but Him.” The
evidence is in His saying:
“Praise
be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;” (1:2)
Every
thing other than Allah is of His Creation; and I am part of that Creation.
If
you were asked: “How did you know your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)?” say:
“Through His signs and His creatures. Among his signs are the Night and Day,
and the Sun and Moon. Among His creatures are the Heavens and the Earth, and all
that is in and between them.” The evidence is in His saying:
“Among
His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Prostrate not to
the Sun and the Moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him you
wish to serve.” (41:37)
And
His saying:
“Your
Guardian Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) is Allah, Who created the heavens and
the earth in six days, then He settled Himself on the Throne: He draws the Night
as a veil o'er the Day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: and the Sun,
the Moon, and the stars, (all) are subservient by His Command. Verily, His are
the Creation and the Command. Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of
the Worlds!” (7:54)
The
“Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)” here is the worshipped Deity. The evidence
to this is in His saying:
“O
you people! Worship your Guardian Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), who created
you and those who came before you, that you may become righteous; Who has made
the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the
heavens; and brought forth therewith Fruits for your sustenance; then set not up
rivals unto Allah when you know (the truth)”(2:21-22)
Ibn
Katheer, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “ It is only the Creator of all
these things Who is worthy to be worshipped.”
Some
of the forms of worship ordained by Allah are Islam (Submission), eman (faith),
ehsan (charity), Duâa (prayer and supplications), khawf (fear), rajaa (hope),
tawakkul (trust), raghbah (aspiration), rahbah (awe), khoshoâ (homage),
khashiah (apprehension), enabah (remorse), estianah (supplication), estiadhah
(appeal for refuge), estighathah (succor), dhabh (sacrifice) and nadhr (vowing).
These
as well as other forms ordained by Allah are all to Him, taala. The evidence is
in His saying:
“And
the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along with
Allah.” (72:18)
Consequently,
if anyone performs one of these rites not exclusively to Allah; he is a
polytheist and an unbeliever. The evidence to this is His saying:
“If
anyone invokes, besides Allah, any other god, he has no authority therefore; and
his reckoning will be only with his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)! And verily
the Unbelievers shall not prosper!.”(23:117)
1.
Prayer:
It
was narrated in the Hadith: “Prayer is the essence of worship” and the
evidence is in His saying:
“And
your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) says: 'Call on Me; I will answer your
(prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely enter Hell
abased!’” (40:60)
2.
Fear:
Evidence
to fearing Allah alone is in His saying:
“Be
you not afraid of them, but fear Me, if you have faith.” (3:175)
3.
Hope:
Evidence
of hope is in His saying:
“Whoever
expects to meet his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), let him work righteousness,
and, in the worship of his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), admit no one as
partner.” (18:110)
4.
Trust:
Evidence
of trust is in His saying:
“But
on Allah put your trust if you have faith.” (5:23)
and
His saying:
“And
if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him.” (65:3)
“Whoever
expects to meet his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), let him work righteousness,
and, in the worship of his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), admit no one as
partner.” (18:110)
5.
Aspiration, Awe, and Humility:
Evidence
of aspiration, awe, and humility is in His saying:
“They
used to call on Us with yearning and awe, and humble themselves before Us.”
(21:90)
6.
Apprehension:
Evidence
of apprehension is in His saying:
“So
fear them not, but fear Me; and that I may complete My favors on you, and you
may (consent to) be guided.” (2:150)
7.
Remorse:
Evidence
of remorse is in His saying:
“Turn
you to your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (in repentance) and submit to Him,
before the chastisement comes on you: after that you shall not be helped.” (39:54)
8.
Supplication:
Evidence
of supplication is in His saying:
“You
Alone do we worship, and Your aid
we seek.” (1:5)
and
from the Hadith:
“If
you need aid, supplication to Allah for aid.”
9.
Appeal for Refuge:
Evidence
of appeal for refuge is in His saying:
“Say:
I seek refuge with the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) and Cherisher of Mankind,
The King of Mankind,” (114:1-2)
10.
Appeal for Succor:
Evidence
of appeal for succor is in His saying:
“Remember
you implored the assistance of your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), and He
answered you: 'I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks on
ranks.’” (8:9)
11.
Sacrifice:
Evidence
of sacrifice is in His saying:
“Say:
'Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all)
for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner hath He: this am I commanded,
and I am the first of those who submit to His will.’”
(6:162)
And
from the Hadîth : “Allah's curse
is upon those who offer sacrifices to other then Him.”
12.
Vows:
Evidence
of vows is in His saying:
“They
perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide.” (76:7)
The Second Fundamental: Knowing the Religion of Islam through evidences.
This
knowledge is the submission to Allah alone, and yielding to Him by obeying His
commandments; and the denial of association with Him and the Mushrikeen or those
who associate partners with Allah.
This knowledge is of three ranks:
1.
Islam (submission)
2.
Eman (faith)
3.
Ehsan (Perfection of Worship)
The first rank : Islam (submission)
Islam
has five pillars:
1.
Testifying that there is no God but Allah, and that Muhammad is His
Messenger.
2.
Performing prayers
3.
Paying the Zakat
4.
Fasting the month of Ramadan.
5.
Pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Mecca).
The
evidence for testifying from the Qur’an is His saying:
“There
is no god but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued
with knowledge. Standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in
Power, the Wise.” (3:18)
This means that it is only Allah that is worthy of being worshipped, and the negation, “... no god but ...”, implies the denial of any other deities worshipped besides Allah. He should have no partner in His worship as He has no partner in His Domain. The following verses illustrate this point:
“Behold!
Abraham said to his father and his people: 'I do indeed clear myself of what you
worship: (I worship) only Him Who originated me, and He will certainly guide
me.' And he left it as a Word to endure among those who came after him, that
they may turn back (to Allah).” (43:26-28)
And
His saying:
“Say:
'O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we
worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect
not, from among ourselves, Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) and patrons other than
Allah.' If then they turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we (at least) are
Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).” (3:64)
The
evidence for testifying that Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is the
Messenger of Allah is in His saying:
“Now
has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that you
should suffer, ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind
and merciful. But if they turn away, Say: '(Allah) suffices me: there is no god
but He: On Him is my trust,- He the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Throne
Supreme!’” (9:128-129)
To
testify that Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allah
signifies that one should obey his ordinances and believe him in what he tells,
avoid what he prohibits and worship Allah according to His precepts. The
evidence for prayers and Zakat, and the meaning of worshipping Allah alone is in
His saying:
“And
they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him
sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to
give Zakat; and that is the Religion Right and Straight.” (98:5)
The
evidence for fasting from the Qur’an is His saying:
“O
you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those
before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.” (2:183)
The
evidence for Pilgrimage is His saying:
“Pilgrimage
thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if
any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.”
(3:97)
The second rank : Eman (Faith)
Eman
comprises of seventy and something branches (narrated by Bukhari), that highest
is to say “La ilaha illa Allah” which is to testify that “there is no god
but Allah”, and the lowest is to remove obstacles from the path of the people.
Modesty and bashfulness is one of the branches of Eman. The pillars of Eman are
six:
Belief
in...
1.
Allah,
2.
His Angles,
3.
His Books,
4.
His Messengers,
5.
The Last Day,
6.
and Destiny, whether good or bad.
Evidence
from the Qur’an for the six pillars of Eman is:
“It
is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West; but it is
righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the
Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for
your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and
for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and give Zakat; to fulfill
the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or
suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the
people of truth, the God fearing.” (2:177)
Evidence
for Destiny from the Qur’an is:
“Verily,
all things have We created in proportion and measure.” (54:49)
The third rank : Ehsan (Perfection of worship)
Ehsan
has only one pillar and that is you have to worship Allah as if you see Him; for
though you do not see Him, He sees you.
Evidence
is in His saying
“For
Allah is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.” (16:128)
and
in His saying:
“In
whatever business you may be, and
whatever portion you may be
reciting from the Qur’an,- and whatever deed you (mankind) may be doing,- We
are Witnesses thereof when you are deeply engrossed therein.”
(10:61)
Evidence
from the Hadîth is the well known Hadîth of Jibreel (Gabriel).
According
to Omar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:
“One
day while we were sitting with the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam,
there came upon us a man with very white clothes and very dark hair; no traces
of any traveling on him, and non of us knew him. He sat before the Prophet,
sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with his knees touching the Prophet's knees, and
his hands over the Prophet's thighs. The stranger said:
“O
Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” He (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“It is to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah, to perform prayer, to give Zakat, to fast the month of
Ramadan, and to perform the Pilgrimage to the House, if you can afford it.”.
He (the stranger) said: “You have spoken the truth.” We wondered why he
asked him and then told him that what he had said was true.
The
stranger then said: “Tell me about Eman.” He said: “It is to believe in
Allah, His Angles, His Books, His Messengers, The Last Day, and in Destiny,
whether good or bad.”
He
said: “Tell me about Ehsan.” He said: “To worship Allah as if you are
seeing Him, for though you do not see Him, He sees you.”
He
said: “Tell me about the Final Day.” He said: “The answerer has no better
knowledge than the questioner.”
He
said: “Tell me about its signs.” He said: “When a slave girl gives birth
to her own mistress, and when you see the bare-footed and tattered needy
shepherds vying with each other in erecting high buildings.”
Then
that stranger left, and the Prophet was silent for a while then said: “O Omar,
do you know who was the questioner?” I said:” Allah and His Messenger know
better.” He said: “That was Gabriel. He came to teach you your religion.”
The
Third Fundamental: Knowing your Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam.
He
is Muhammad, son of Abdullah, son of Abdulmuttalib, son of Hashim, of the clan
of Quraysh, one of the Arab clans, the descendants of Ismael, the son Ibrahim
Al-Khalil. He was born in Mecca. He lived for sixty three years, forty before
his mission and twenty three years as a prophet and a messenger.
He
was initiated into prophethood with the revelation of the verses:
“Read!
in the name of your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) and Cherisher, Who created.
Created man, out of a leech-like clot. Read! And your Rabb (Cherisher and
Sustainer) is Most Bountiful,- He Who taught (the use of) the Pen,- Taught man
that which he knew not.” (96:1-5)
Later
Allah sent him as a messenger to warn against associating partners with Allah
and to preach worshipping Allah alone. The evidence is in His saying:
“O
(Muhammad) wrapped up (in the mantle)! Arise and deliver your warning!
And your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) do thou magnify! And your garments keep
free from stain! And all abomination shun! Nor expect, in giving, any increase
(for yourself)! But, for your Rabb's (Cause), be patient and constant!” (74:1-7)
“Arise
and deliver your warning” against associating partners with Allah, and call
the people to worship Allah alone, and “Your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) do
thou magnify” through testifying His unity, and “Your garments keep free
from stain”, means keep your deeds clean from the acts of association, and
“Abomination shun” mean keep away from idols and from idolaters and deny
them.
He
continued to preach worshipping Allah alone for ten years, when he was ascended
to Heaven where the five prayers (salaat) and their times were ordained. Thus,
he performed prayers in Mecca for three years.
The
he was ordered to emigrate to Madinah. This emigration means departing from
among the polytheists to settle with the community of Islam. This type of
immigration is a duty that Muslims should observe up till the Last Day.
The
evidence is in His saying:
“When
angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say:
“In what (plight) were ye?” They reply: “Weak and oppressed were we in the
earth.” They say: “Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to
move yourselves away (from evil)?” Such men will find their abode in Hell,-
What an evil refuge! - Except those who are (really) weak and oppressed - men,
women, and children - who have no means in their power, nor can they find a way
(to escape). For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive: For Allah doth
blot out (sins) and forgive again and again.” (4:97-99)
and
His saying:
“O
My servants who believe! Truly, spacious is My Earth: therefore serve you Me -
(and Me alone)!”(29:56)
Al-Baghawi,
may Allah have mercy on him, said: “This revelation refers to the Muslims who
remained in Mecca and had not emigrated to Madinah. For Allah calls them as
people who have faith.” Evidence from the Hadîth is in the Prophet's saying:
“Emigration
shall never cease (to be the refuge of oppressed Muslims) until repentance
ceases; and repentance shall never cease till the sun rises from the west.”
When
the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) settled in Madinah, the other
ordinances of Islam were prescribed; these include the Zakat, fasting,
Pilgrimage, the Adhan (call to prayers), Jihad (fighting in the cause of Allah),
and the injunction to recommend good and denounce evil.
He
remained in Madinah until he died ten years later, but his religion remains to
guide the Muslim community to all the good and to warn them against all evil.
The good is the creed of worshipping Allah alone and every thing with which
Allah is pleased and satisfied. The evil is associating partners to Allah and
every thing that Allah dislikes and prohibits.
Allah
has sent him to all people and nations, and He has ordained that all mankind and
jinn should follow him in obedience to his message. The evidence is in His
saying:
“Say:
'O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah.’”
(7:158)
And
with him Allah has completed and perfected the religion. The evidence is in His
saying:
“This
day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and
have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (5:3)
The
evidence of the prophet's death is in His saying:
“Truly
thou wilt die, and truly they (too) will die. In the end will you (all) dispute,
on the Day of Judgment, in the presence of your Rabb (Cherisher and
Sustainer).” (39:30-31)
And
when the people die they shall be resurrected. The evidence is in His saying:
“From
the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it
shall We bring you out once again.” (20:55)
And
His saying:
“And
Allah has produced you from the earth growing (gradually), and in the End He
will return you into the (earth), and raise you forth (again at the
Resurrection).” (71:17-18)
After
Resurrection, they shall render account to Allah and they are rewarded or
punished. The evidence is in His saying:
“Yea,
to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: so that He rewards
those who do evil, according to their deeds, and He rewards those who do good,
with what is best.” (53:31)
Any
one who denies Resurrection is an unbeliever. The evidence is in His saying:
“The
Unbelievers think that they will not be raised up (for Judgment). Say: “Yea,
By my Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), you shall surely be raised up: then shall
you be told (the truth) of all that you did. And that is easy for Allah.” (64:7)
Allah
has sent all the messengers to give good news and warnings. The evidence is in
His saying:
“Messengers
who gave good news as well as warning, that mankind, after (the coming) of the
messengers, should have no plea against Allah.” (4:165)
The
first messenger was Noah, and the last was Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam); and he is the Seal (Last) of the prophets. The evidence that the first
messenger is Noah is in His saying:
“We
have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after
him.” (4:163)
And
to every nation, from the time of Noah to Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam), a Messenger was sent to command them to worship Allah alone, and to
interdict the worship of all idols. The evidence is in His saying:
“For
We assuredly sent amongst every People a Messengers, (with the Command), 'Serve
Allah, and eschew Evil.’” (16:36)
Allah
has commanded all mankind to disbelieve in idols and to believe in Him.
Ibn
Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “An idol (Taghut) means any
object for which the believer oversteps his limits, whether this is an object of
worship, or subordination or of obedience.”
The
Idols (Tawagheet) are many, but their heads are five:
1.
Satan, may Allah curse him,
2.
Whosoever is worshipped and acquiesces to that worship,
3.
Whosoever calls people to worship him,
4.
Whosoever claims any knowledge of the Unseen (Ghaib), and
5.
Whosoever judges or rules according to whatever has not been sent down by
Allah.
The
evidence is in His saying:
“Let
there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever
rejects Taghut (evil) and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy
hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” (2:256)
This
is the meaning of “La ilaha illa Allah”
or “There is no God but Allah”
The
evidence in the Hadîth :
“The
head of the Command is Islam, its central Pillar is prayers, and its highest
pinnacle is Jihad (struggle in the Cause of Allah).”
And
Allah knows best.
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