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The Strangeness of the Sunnah and its Adherents

Abu Muslim — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:34:18 +0000

Ibn Rajabal Hanbali

Concerning the statement of the Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him):

“Islaam began as something strange and will return to being strange, as it began”

Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee (May Allaah be pleased with him) said:

“As for this, then it does not mean that Islaam will go away, but rather it means that the Ahl-us-Sunnah [all the Muslims who strictly follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, learn it, act upon it, enforce it and teach it to others. They consist of the scholars, their students and those that follow in their footsteps] will go away, up to the point that there will not remain in a land, any from them except one person.”

Based on this understanding, there can be found in the statements of the Salaf much praise for the Sunnah and their describing it as being strange, and describing its adherents and followers as being few. Al-Hasan Al-Basree (May Allaah be pleased with him) used to say to his companions:

“Oh Ahl-us-Sunnah! Be gentle with one another and may Allaah have mercy on you. For indeed, you are from amongst the fewest of people.”

Yoonus Ibn ‘Ubaid (May Allaah be pleased with him) said:

“There is not a thing more stranger than the Sunnah. And what is more stranger than it, is the one who knows it.”

Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (May Allaah be pleased with him) said:

“Treat the Ahl-us-Sunnah kindly, for verily, they are strangers.”

The understanding of the term “Sunnah” to these scholars, was the way of the Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) – that which he and his companions were upon – free from Doubts (Ash-Shubuhaat) and Desires (Ash-Shahawaat). Due to this, Al-Fudail Ibn ‘Iyaad (May Allaah be pleased with him) used to say:

“Ahl-us-Sunnah is he who knows what is entering his stomach from the halaal.”

That is because the consumption of halaal is from the greatest aspects of the Sunnah, which the Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions were upon. Then it remained the custom of the majority of the later scholars, from the scholars of hadeeth and other fields, that the Sunnah consisted of what was free from Doubts in regards to Creed. This was especially the case with issues such as the belief in Allaah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and other issues such as Qadar and the merits of the Sahaabah. They compiled literary works concerning this knowledge and named them books of “Sunnah”. This knowledge was only labeled with the name “Sunnah”, because its significance was tremendous and all those who opposed it were on the brink of destruction. And as for the complete Sunnah, then it is the path that is free and safe from Doubts and Desires, as has been stated by Al-Hasan, Yoonus Ibn ‘Ubaid, Sufyaan, Al-Fudail and others besides them. Due to this, its adherents are described as strange because of their small number and rarity in the Last Days. This is why it has been mentioned in some of the previously stated reports that they are:

“A righteous people surrounded by people abounding in much evil. Those who disobey them are greater than those who obey them.”

In this is an indication of the smallness of their amount in number and in the amount of those who answer and accept their call. We also are made aware of the greatness in number of those who oppose them and disobey them. That is why it is reported in numerous ahaadeeth, praise for the one who sticks firmly to his Religion during the Last Days. And that he who does so will be like one who holds tightly onto hot pieces of coal. And that the one who acts upon it, will receive fifty times the reward more than those before him. This is because he will not find any supporters in doing good deeds. These strangers are of two categories: The first of them are those who rectify themselves when the people have become corrupt. The second category contains those who rectify what the people have corrupted of the Sunnah. And this (latter one) is the most highest and virtuous of the two categories.

The strangeness of the believer during the Last Days

At-Tabaraanee and others transmitted with a chain of narration that has some speculation to it from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Verily, for every matter there is a progression and a regression. And verily from the progression of this Religion is what you used to be upon from blindness and ignorance and what Allaah sent me with. And verily from the progression of this Religion is that the clan was taught (Islaam) by its family members, to the point that there was not found amongst them (the tribes) anyone except for one evildoer or two evildoers. So these two were oppressed and degraded. When they want to speak, they are restrained, subdued and persecuted. And verily from the regression of this Religion is that the tribe acts harshly against its family members, to the point that there is not seen amongst them anyone except one faqeeh (one with understanding) or two faqeehs. Thus they will both be oppressed and degraded. If they speak and command the good and forbid the evil, they are restrained, subdued and persecuted. And they will not find any supporters or helpers in that matter.”

Thus, the believer who is knowledgeable of the Sunnah and who possesses understanding of the Religion, is described in this hadeeth as being one who during the Last Days – at the point of its corruption – will be oppressed, debased and not able to find any helpers or supporters. At-Tabaraanee also reported with a weak chain of narration on the authority of Ibn Mas’ood t that the Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“And verily from its signs (i.e. the Hour) is that the believer will be in the sight of his tribe, more lower (in status) than the young sheep.”

And it is recorded in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad that ‘Ubaadah Ibn As-Saamit said to one of his companions:

“It is imminent that should your life be prolonged for you, you will see a man who recites the Qur’aan upon the tongue of Muhammad (May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) repeating it and displaying it, allowing its halaal and forbidding its haraam. He will then be lowered in his status and his position will be neglected amongst you and considered just as the position of a dead donkey.”

And similar to this is the saying of Ibn Mas’ood:

“There will come upon the people a time in which the believer will become lower than the bondmaid.”

Indeed the believer will only be debased in the Last Days due to his strangeness in front of the evildoers from among the people of Doubts and Desires. Every one of them will hate him and abuse him because of his opposing of their way by following his way, and because of the seeking of his goal over their goal, and because of his evidences over what is with them. And when Dawood At-Taa’ee died, Ibn As-Samaak said:

“Indeed Dawood looked with his heart at what was in front of him and the sight of his heart overtook the sight of his eyes. So it was as if he no longer saw what you were looking at, and as if you could not see what he was looking at. And you were amazed at him, and he was amazed at you. It became strange to you that he was alive in the middle of death.”

And from among them was he whose own family and children would hate him due their loathing of his condition. ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abd-il-‘Azeez once heard his wife say: “May Allaah relieve us from you.” So he said: “Ameen.” Our Salaf (predecessors), during their lifetimes, would mainly describe the believer with strangeness as has preceded in their narrations. And from the words of Ahmad Ibn ‘Aasim Al-Andaakee, who was one of the biggest scholars at the time of Sulaimaan Ad-Daaraanee, was:

“Indeed, I have reached from all the times, a time when Islaam has returned to being strange as it began. In it, the description of truth has returned to being strange as it began. If you were to turn to the scholar, you would find him being tested with the love of this worldly life and the love for honor and authority. And if you were to turn to the worshipper, you would find him ignorant in his worship, deceived a face fallen victim to his enemy Iblees. He has mounted to the highest levels of worship while being ignorant of how to perform them so how can he be at that level? And the rest of the people are from among the ignorant followers, simple-minded and quick to follow a way, as if he were a wolf looking to steal a sheep, or a hungry lion, or a fox on the prowl. This is the description of the people of your time from the carriers of knowledge and the Qur’aan and the callers of wisdom.”

This was the description of the people of his time. So how much has the situation increased and the crisis become greater after it. Indeed, it has reached a point that would have never been thought of nor imagined.

Clinging onto the Sunnah during the time of affliction

At-Tabaraanee reported from the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“The one who clings onto my Sunnah at the time of the corruption of my Ummah will receive the reward of a martyr.”

And Abu Ash-Shaikh Al-Asbahaanee reported with a chain connected to Al-Hasan (Al-Basree), that he (May Allaah be pleased with him) said:

“If a man from the first generation of Muslims were sent (to us) today, he would not recognize anything from Islaam except for this prayer!”

Then he (May Allaah be pleased with him) said:

“I swear by Allaah, that if he were to live to the time of these evils, he would see the innovator calling unto his innovation, or the individual involved with the worldly life calling unto his worldly affairs. Then Allaah would protect him and his heart would long for that which the Salaf As-Saalih (pious predecessors) were upon. And so he would follow their footsteps and act according to their ways. For him there will be a great reward.”

Ibn Al-Mubaarak reported from Al-Fudail from Al-Hasan that he once mentioned the rich and extravagant man who has authority and who amasses wealth claiming that he has no end in it. And then he mentioned the misguided innovator who sets out against the Muslims with an unsheathed sword, changing the meaning of what Allaah has revealed concerning the disbelievers in favor of the Muslims. Then he said:

“Your Sunnah, and I swear by the One besides whom there is nothing worthy of worship except Him, is between these two: between the self-sufficient one and the hard-hearted, the extravagant one and the ignorant. So have patience upon it, for indeed, Ahl-us-Sunnah are from amongst the fewest of people, those who do not fall into the category of the extravagant ones in their excessiveness nor do they fall with the innovators in the following of their desires. Rather, they bear with patience upon their Sunnah until they meet their Lord. So be that way, if Allaah wills!”

Then he (May Allaah be pleased with him) said:

“I swear by Allaah, that if a man were to reach these evils, he would hear someone say: ‘Come over to me!’, and someone else say: ‘Come over to me!’ So he would say: ‘No! I do not want anything but the Sunnah of Muhammad (May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him)’, seeking after it and asking questions on it. Indeed this one will be given a great reward. So be that way, if Allaah wills!”

The Characteristics of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)

Abu Muslim — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:56:15 +0000

Author: Imaam al Tirmidhi | Size: 21 MB | Pages: 225 | Format: PDF

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best role model for all humankind. Among his outstanding virtues and characteristics, he was an extraordinary husband, a perfect father, and a unique grandfather. He was also a great statesman, judge, and spiritual leader. His most distinctive quality, however, was the fact that he was a blessing to all in both word and deed. He infused justice, love, and dignity in all those around him. He spread the power of brotherhood to the extent that it became exceptional in human history. Affirming that these grand virtues were bestowed on him by Allah the Almighty and that He prepared His loyal messenger to call for the true religion, is part of one’s belief.

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Sunnah Articles

Abu Muslim — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:32:44 +0000

Allah [subahanahu wa ta3la] says in Surah ale Imraan, ayah 31:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Mohammed): If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Declaration about the Sunnah – Imam Shaf’ii
Love for the messenger of Allah [salAllahu alayhi wa salam] – ibn Rajab al Hanbali

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Al-Adab Al-Mufrad A Code for Everyday Living

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Imam al-Bukhari is world-renowned for his major work, “al Jami’ al Sahih” (“Sahih al Bukhari”), but he has also produced a number of other works, including “al Adab al Mufrad”, here translated into English from Arabic. This book provides a vivid insight into the moral conduct of the early Muslims in a society led by the perfect character of the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him its a compilation of hadeeths from various sources.

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Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar)

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Author: Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarkpuri | Size: 1.6MB | Pages: 256 | Format: PDF

The heart of every Muslim is filled with the love the last Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) and the love of the Messenger of Allah is an asset for any Muslim. This book a biography goes into the details of the lineage of the Prophet (SAWS) his message, his jihad and his social interaction.

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The Medicine of the Prophet

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Author: Imam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyah | Size: 17MB | Pages: 652 | Format: PDF |

Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet is the panacea for those in search of good health. Although it was written by the author, Ibn Al-Qayyim, over six hundred and fifty years ago, it is extremely timely work for our generation in which health and natural health care products have become an important aspect of the lives of so many. The author presents the guidance of the Prophet in dealing with a variety of health issues, including treatment of ailment and preventive remedies to keep the body fit. As the Qur’an and Sunnah are the main sources of Islamic lifestyle, it only stands to reason that they should likewise be referred to in the matters of health and fitness. This is the approach taken by Ibn Al-Qayyim as he presents Verses of the Qur’an and statements of the Prophet as his main reference in these issues of health and medicines. The final chapters the this work include an extremely beneficial glossary of remedies, herbs, foods and other natural substances that aid in the journey towards better health.

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Men Around the Messenger

Abu Muslim — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:14:26 +0000

Author: Khalid Mohammed Khalid | Size: 800kB | Pages: 65 | Format: PDF

While reading this book, we cannot help but be moved by the lives of the Companions herein depicted. How we long to have their awe and reverence for Allah! How we long to spend the same hours in worship as they! How we long to be as brave as they were in the face of danger! How we long to be as patient as they were under torture! This book fulfills the need for the English-speaking Muslim to learn more about that first generation of Muslims. Indeed the Companions — the men who were contemporaries with the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) — inspire and encourage us.

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The Battles of the Prophet

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Author: ibn Kathir | Size: 6.5mb | Pages: 221 | Format: PDF

Ibn Kathir. This Book is extracted from the Book of Imam Ibn Kathir ‘Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah’ one of the most important texts written about the History of the World until the time of the author. As with many Translation of Ibn Kathirs Works this is an Abridged version without impairing the contents of the book. All of the Prophet’s battles occurred after the Hijrah, within a span of ten years. The Prophet sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam had to fight in many of these battles. This book has a description of the Battles of Badr, ‘Uhud, al Ahzab, Banu Quraizah, Al-Muraisi, Khaibar, Mu’tah, Conquest of Makkah, Hunain and Tabuk

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Declaration about the Sunnah

Abu Muslim — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:34:37 +0000

Imam Sha’fi
Shaafi`ee said: [Al-Bayaan] includes all that the Apostle has provided in the sunna concerning which there is no [legislation in the] Book. There is in this book – concerning God’s favoring mankind [with the ability] to understand the Book and Wisdom – a proof that Wisdom is the sunna of the Apostle of God.

Included in what I have stated concerning God’s command to His creatures ordering obedience to the Apostle and specifiying the place it has in religion, is a proof of the precise definition of the duties stated in the Qur’aan, which consists of the following categories

The first category is what the Book has laid down with such clarity that nothing further – in addition to revelation (tanzeel) – was needed.

The second category consists in what is clearly stated in the obligation imposed [by God] ordering obedience to the Prophet. The Apostle is his turn precisely stated on the authority of God what the duties are, upon whom they are binding, and in what circumstances some of them are required or not required, and when they are binding.

The third category consists in what [God] has specified only in the sunna of His Prophet, in the absence of a textual [legislation in the] Book.

Everything [in the sunna of the Prophet] is a clear explanation for the [divine communication in the] Book of God.

So he who accepts the duties to God [laid down] in His Book should accept the sunna of the Apostle by God’s command ordering His creatures to obey the Apostle and to have recourse to his decision. For he who accepts [a duty] on the authority of the Apostle accepts it from God, since God has imposed the obligation to obey [the Prophet].

The acceptance of [all the duties] laid down in both the Book of God and the sunna of the Apostle means the acceptance of each one as imposed by God, despite the differing reasons for the acceptance of what He permitted or prohibited, commanded, or punished in various ways as He pleased, glorified be His praise. For He said, “He will not be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.” [21:23]