Preserving the Usûl

By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Sâlih al-’Uthaymîn [1]

The Messenger of Allâh sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam explained to the people - completely and clearly - what their Lord had revealed for them; both the detailed matters and the important ones, the apparent matters and the hidden ones, to such an extent that he sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam taught them what they needed to know with respect to matters of eating, drinking, marriage, clothing and housing. So he taught them the ettiquettes of eating, drinking and relieving one’s self; the ettiquettes of marriage; the ettiquettes of clothing and of entering and leaving the house, just as he taught them what they needed to know with regard to the worship of Allâh - the Mighty and Majestic - such as: purification, prayer, zakâh, fasting, pilgrimage and other than this.

He taught them what they needed to know with regard to the social behaviour with the people, such as kindness to parents, keeping ties of kinship, good companionship with friends and neighbours and other than this. He taught them how to conduct themselves in matters of buying and selling, pawning, leaving deposits, leasing, renting, giving and receiving donations, and other such matter, to such an extent that Abû Dharr radiallâhu ’anhu - said: “Indeed the Messenger of Allâh sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam passed away and there is not a bird flapping its wings in the sky, except that he mentioned to us some knowledge about it.” [2]

Foundations of the Dîn

Salmân al-Farsî - radiallâhu ’anhu - narrated that it was said to him: Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to relieve yourselves? So he said to them: “Yes indeed! And he has prohibited us from facing the Qiblah (direction of Prayer) whilst relieving ourselves ... ” [3] Along with this, he also taught them the foundation of all these acts of worship, manners and social interactions.

This foundation being what the worshippers hold as ’aqîdah (belief) concerning Allâh - the deity who is worshipped and who alone deserves to be worshipped - regarding His Dhât (Essence), His Names, His Attributes and His Actions; and what follows from this with regard to His universal Laws and His prescribed Laws, which is based upon His ultimate Wisdom and utmost Mercy. The Companions learnt all this from the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam, clearly and without any ambiguity, and all this was built upon the complete Tawhîd of Allâh (to single out Allâh alone for worship), having as its foundations two great pillars: Affirmation and Negation.

As for Affirmation: It is affirming what is due to Allâh - the Most
High - from the rights of His Lordship, worship and His Names,
Attributes and Actions.

As for Negation: Then it is negating any partners to Allâh - the Most High - in all that is due to Him.

The People of Sunnah

Those who followed in goodness (i.e. in ’aqîdah and manhaj) from those who reached the period of the Companions, or those who came after them from the Imâms of guidance - who deserved the Pleasure of Allâh - remained upon this path, as Allâh - the Most High - said:

“The first to embrace Islâm from the Muhâjirîn (those who migrated from Makkah to al-Madînah) and the Ansâr (those who lived in al-Madînah and aided them after migration) and those who follow them in goodness (correct ’aqîdah and manhaj). Allâh is well-pleased with them, as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. This is the supreme achievement.” [4]

Then they were followed by those who came later, being blind to the truth, or pretending to be blind to the truth. So they went astray and led others astray; either due to inabilities or shortcomings, or due to enmity and oppression. They innovated in the Dîn of Allâh - the Most High - that which did not belong to it, in matters of ’aqîdah (beliefs), ’ibâdah (acts of worship) and sulûk (manners). They did this by either altering the texts of the Book and the Sunnah; and if it was possible, they rejected them entirely!

Brief History of the Innovated Sects

Shaykhul-Islâm Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) said:
“And know that most of the innovations connected to ulûm (sciences) and acts of worship occurred in this Ummah at the end of the period of the Rightly-Guided Khalîfahs; just as the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam informed, when he said: “Those of you who live long after me will see a peat deal of differences. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Khalîfahs after me” ... So when the period of the Rightly-Guided Khalîfahs had passed and the rule of kingship appeared, deficiencies appeared in the leaders, and therefore deficiency spread also to the people of knowledge and Dîn. So during the end of the rule of ’Alî - radiallâhu ’anhu - the innovation of the Khawârij [5] and Râfidah [6] appeared; this being connected to the issue of leadership and khilâfah, and what was connected to this from actions and Sharî’ah rulings.

The kingship of Mu’âwiyah was a kingship of mercy, so when it passed, the rule of Yazîd came and fitnah (trials and discord) took place within it: the killing of al-Husain in ‘Irâq, the fitnah of the people of Hurrah in al-Madînah and the siege of Makkah when ’Abdullâh ibn az-Zubayr made his stand. Then Yazîd passed away and the Ummah split-up. Ibn az-Zubayr in the Hijâz, Banu Hakam in ash-Shâm (Syria, Jordan and Palestine) and the jump to power of Mukhtâr ibn Abî ’Ubayd and others in ‘Irâq. All of this took place at the end of the period of the Companions, when there only remained the likes of ’Abdullâh ibn ’Abbâs, ’Abdullâh ibn ’Umar, Jâbir ibn ’Abdullâh, Abû Sa’îd al-Khudrî and others. The innovation of the Qadariyyah [7] and the Mur‘jiah [8] then occurred and it was refined by those Companions who remained, as they had, along with others, refined the innovations of the Khawârij and the Râfidah.

Indeed, the status of the first three generations is by agreement of the majority - the best and just generations. That which the Qadariyyah mostly spoke about was related to the actions of the servants, as did the Murji‘ah. Their speech was concerned with issues of obedience and disobedience; the Believer and the sinful-one; and other similar related matters such as the names and judgements, and promises and threats. Until then, they had not spoken about their Lord, nor about His Attributes, except in the last period of the lesser Tâbi’ûn, this being the last period of the Umayyah rule, when the third generation - the Atbâ’ut-Tâbi’ûn - began, and by which time most of the Tâbi’ûn had already passed away.

So the majority of the Companions had passed away by the end of the rule of the four Rightly-Guided Khalîfahs - until none remained from the people of Badr, except a few. The majority of the Tâbi’ûn had passed away in the last period of the younger Companions, during the reign of Ibn az-Zubayr and ’Abdul-Malik. The majority of the third generation passed away in the last part of the Umayyah rule, at the beginning of the ’Abbâsî rule.

It then occurred that many of the offices of authority and power started to be occupied by the non-Arabs, whilst at the same time, many of Arabs left the offices of power. Some of the non-Arab books were translated into Arabic: the books of the Persians, the Indians and the Romans. Thus, what the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam said, appeared: “Then lies will become widespread, to such an extent that a person will testify having been asked to do so, and will take an oath without being asked to do so.”

Then three matters occurred: râ‘î (opinion), kalâm (philosophical speech and theology) and tasawwuf (Sûfism). The innovation of the Jahmiyyah [9] also occurred - which is negating and denying the Attributes of Allâh - as well as its opposite: which is tamthîl (resembling Allâh to His creation) . . .

Indeed, having knowledge of the foundations of things and its fundamental principles, and having knowledge of the Dîn and its fundamentals; and the principles which emanate from it, is the greatest and most beneficial knowledge. Since, if a person does not encompass the knowledge of the reality of things - of which he is in need - keeps thorns in his heart.” [10]

A Brief Summary

Ibn al-Qayyim (d.751H) - rahimahullâh said:
“The innovation of the Qadariyyah started at the end of the period of the Companions. So those that remained at that time, such as ’Abdullâh ibn ’Umar, Ibn ’Abbâs, and their like, opposed and refuted it. Then the innovation of the Murji‘ah occurred, after the period of the Companions, so those of the major Tâbi’ûn who faced it, refined it. Then came the innovation of the Jahmiyyah after the passing away of the Tâbi’ûn. Its evil reached alarming proportions and the matter had become dire during the age of the Imâms such as Ahmad (d.241H) and those with him. There appeared after this, the innovation of hulûl (incarnation), this appeared, with, and in the time of al-Hajjâj.

So whenever Shaytân brought about an innovation from these innovations, or from other than them, Allâh established from His Party and Army, those who refuted it and warned the Muslims against it - all for the sake of sincerity and sincere advice for Allâh, His Book, His Messenger and the people of Islâm.” [11]

Compilation of the ’Aqîdah

Al-Hâfidh Ibn Hajr (d.852H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“From that which occurred was: compilation of hadîth, then tafsîr, then the compilation of issues of fiqh (jurisprudence) emanating from pure opinion, and then the compilation of matters related to actions of the heart.

As for the first matter: it was opposed by ’Umar, Abû Mûsâ and a few others whilst the majority allowed it. As for the second: It was opposed by a group from the Tâbi’ûn, such as Imâm ash-Sha’bî (d.104H). As for the third: It was opposed by Imâm Ahmad (d.241H) and a small group. Imâm Ahmad’s opposition of this intensified.

Also from that which occurred was the compilation of the sayings about Usûlud-Dîn (fundamentals of the Dîn). Some embarked to affirm it (i.e. the Attributes of Allâh), whilst others negated it. The former went to the extent of making tasbbîh (resembling Allâh to His creation), whilst the latter went to the extent of making ta’tîl (denying the Attributes of Allâh). The rejection of this from the Salaf - such as Abû Hanîfah (d.l50H), Abû Yûsuf(d.182H) and ash-Shâfi’î (d.204H), and their sayings with regards to censuring the people of Kalâm (philosophical speech and theology) is well known. The reason for such censure was that the people of Kalâm spoke about those matters which both the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam and his Companions remained quiet about. It is established from Mâlik (d.179H) that there did not exist at the time of the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam, nor that of Abû Bakr or ’Umar, anything from these desires - meaning: the innovation of the Khawârij, the Râfidah and the Qadariyyah. Indeed, those who came after the first three excellent generations expanded upon matters which the Imâms of the Tâbi’ûn and those who followed them, rejected.

The people of Kalâm did not content themselves, until they filled the Dîn with issues and the sayings of the philosophers. They made this philosophy the basis and the foundational principle to which everything was referred back to, and all that which opposed it from the narrations (of the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam, his Companions and the Salaf who followed them) then ta‘wîl (false interpretation) was made of them, even if they were averse to the result. Nor did they content themselves with just this. They claimed that what they had compiled was the noblest branch of knowledge and the most deserving to be acquired; and that those who did not use what they had laid down, then they were from the laymen and the ignorant ones. So delight is for the one who clings to what the Salaf were upon, and distances himself from the innovations that the Khalaf (the late-comers who opposed the ’aqîdah and manhaj of the Salaf) introduced. However, if one cannot keep away from it, then let him take only that which he needs and let the way of the Salaf be his intended goal.” [12]

Refuting the Falsehood

It is from the ultimate wisdom of Allâh to make an opposition to the truth, so that by it, the correctness of the truth over falsehood can be made clear. Indeed, the purity of gold does not become apparent except by exposing it to fire. Allâh - the Magnificent and Majestic through His complete power, vast mercy and over-whelming strength has sent those who will disprove the evidences of the ones who oppose the truth, and who will refute and make clear the false doubts.

Imâm Ahmad (d.241H) - rahimahullâh said:
“All praise is for Allâh who, in every age and intervals between the Prophets, raises up a group from the People of Knowledge, who call the misguidance to guidance and patiently bearing ill-treatment and harm. With the Book of Allâh they give life to the dead, and by Allâh’s Light they give sight to the blind. How many a person killed by Iblîs have they revived. How many people astray and wandering have they guided. How beautiful their effect has been upon the people, and how vile people have been towards them. They expel from the Book of Allâh the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant-ones - those who uphold the banner of innovation and let loose the trials and discords, who differ about the Book, oppose the Book, and agree to oppose the Book. Those who speak about Allâh and His Book without knowledge, argue about what is ambiguous in the Book, and deceive the ignorant with such ambiguities. We seek refuge in Allâh from the trials of the misguided-ones.” [13]

References

1. From the Shaykh’s introduction to his book: Tuqrîbut-Tadmuriyyah (pp.7.14) slightly edited.
2. Sahîh: Related by Ahmad (5/153), at-Tiyâlasî (no.479) and at-Tabarânî in al-Kabîr (no.1647). Its isnâd is sahîh.
3. Related by Muslim (l/152) and Abû Dâwûd (no.8).
4. Sûrah at-Tawbah 9:100
5. The Khawârij were the first sect in Islâm to split from the way of the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam and his Companions. They arose in the khilâfah of ’Alî, making khurûj (rebellion) against him, before the arbitration between him and Mu’âwiyah radiallâhu ’anhumâ. From their false ’aqîdah (beliefs) is: allowing rebellion against the legitimate Muslim ruler whether pious or wicked, and declaring a Muslim to be a kâfir (disbeliever) due to commission of a major sin. They were described by the Prophet ’alayhis-salâm as the Dogs of Hell-Fire. Refer to: Maqâlâtul-Islâmiyyîn (l/168) of Abûl-Hasan al-Ash’arî, al-Bidâyah (8/22-44) of Ibn Kathîr and Fathul-Bârî (12/282-302) of Ibn Hajr.
6. The Râfidah (the rejecters) are an extreme sect of the Shî’ah who rejected Zayd ibn ’Alî ibn al-Husayn due to his refusal to condemn Abû Bakr and ’Umar radiallâhu ’anhumâ. They rapidly deteriorated in ’aqîdah, morals and Dîn - until the present day where their beliefs are those represented by the Ithna Ashariyyah Shî’ah of Irân. From their false beliefs are: declaring all but three or five of the Companions to be disbelievers, the belief that their imâms have knowledge of the Unseen past, present and future, considering the imâmah to be one of the main pillars of îmân (faith) and the incompleteness of the Qur‘ân. Refer to: Maqalâtul-Islâmiyyîn (l/65), al-Farq Baynal-Firâq (no.21) of ’Abdul-Qâdir al-Baghdâdî and Talbîs Iblîs (pp.94.100) of Ibnul-Jawzî.
7. The Qadariyyah are the followers of Ma’bad ibn al-Juhannî, and from their false beliefs are: that Allâh has no prior knowledge of anything until it come into existence; that it is people and not Allâh who are the creators of their own actions, denying ’aqîdah in the Punishment of the Grave, and denying that the authentic hadîth is an evidence for the ’aqîdah, unless it is related in mutawâtir form. Refer to al-Milal wan-Nihal (l/72) of ash-Shahrastânî and Sawnul-Mantaqwal-Kalâm (p.160) of as-Suyûtî.
8. The Murji‘ah are those who reject that actions are a part of îmân (faith), and they say that îmân is affirmation of the heart and statement of the tongue only. The extreme from amongst them limit îmân to belief of the heart only. They also deny that îmân increases and decreases. Refer to al-Maqâlât (l/214) and al-Farq Baynal-Fir’âq (p.202).
9. The Jahmiyyah are the followers of Jahm ibn Safwân, who unleashed upon this Ummah the horrific innovation of ta’tîl (denial of Allâh’s Attributes) - either directly, or by twisting the meanings; such as twisting the meaning of Hand of Allâh to mean: His Power and Generosity. They also deny that Allâh is above His creation, above His Throne, as well as holding the belief that Hell-Fire are not ever-lasting. Refer to ar-Radd ’alal-Jahmiyyah by Imâm Ahmad and also ad-Dârimî and al-Ibânah (p.141) of Abûl-Hasan al-Ash’arî.
10. Majmû’ul-Fatâwâ (10/354-368) of Ibn Taymiyyah.
11. Tabdbîb Sunan Abî Dâwûd (7/61) of Ibn al-Qayyim.
12. Fathul-Bârî (13/253) of Ibn Hajar al-’Asqalânî.
13. Ar-Radd ’alal-Jahmiyyah waz-Zanâdiqah (p.2) of Imâm Ahmad.