PDF Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam
Document Details
Uploaded by HandyPlumTree
Gombe State University
Abdulaziz Addwesh
Tags
Summary
This PDF document provides an explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam by Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhab. It contains notes and commentary on the subject, including a brief biography of the author and discussion points.
Full Transcript
© Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam ﻼ ﹺﻡ ﺳ ﹶ ﺾ ﺍﻹ ﻗ ﹺ ﺍﻧﻮ ﺡ ﺮ ﺷ Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam By Al-I...
© Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam ﻼ ﹺﻡ ﺳ ﹶ ﺾ ﺍﻹ ﻗ ﹺ ﺍﻧﻮ ﺡ ﺮ ﺷ Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam By Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhab Ibn Sulaiman At-Tamimi An-Najdi (1115 – 1206AH / 1703 – 1792CE) ’ Notes Based on the Explanation of Abdulaziz Addwesh Module 1 http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 2 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam Introduction by Abdulaziz Addwesh All praises and thanks are due to Allah (G), who has guided us to Islam, and we could not have found guidance to the Right Path were it not that Allah (G) has guided us. And Peace and Blessings be upon the Last among the Messengers and Prophets who has said: “I have left you on the White (Clear Path), wherein the night is like the day. None will mislead its way (the clear Path) after me except he who is losing”.1 The greatest favour Allah (G) has bestowed on us is the religion of Islam, so the Muslim must praise Allah (G) for it and learn how to guard it. Also, the Muslim must follow in the footsteps of the Companions (V) of the Prophet (N) and learn the actions that may lead him to lose his faith. Hudhaifa Bin Al-Yaman (S) narrated: “The people used to ask Allah’s Messenger (N) about good, but I used to ask him about evil fearing that it might overtake me”.2 My brothers in Islam, here I present to you a brief explanation of Nawaaqid al-Islam (Nullifiers of Islam) written by Imam Muhammad Bin Abdul-Wahhab (W). It has been collected from the words of great scholars in particular, Shaykh Abdullah As-Sa’ad and Shaykh Suliman Al-Olowan, so that you could learn them and avoid falling into kufr (Infidelity) after Allah (G) has saved you from it. 1 Reported by Al-Hakim and Ibn Majah 2 Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree, Volume 4, Book 56, Hadeeth Number 803 and Volume 9, Book 88, Hadeeth Number 206 http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 3 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam A Brief Biography of the Author – (Rahimahu-llah) He is al-Imaam al-Mujaddid (Reformer of his era) - Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab ibn Sulaiman ibn ‘Alee ibn Ahmad ibn Raashid ibn Buraid at-Tamimi an-Najdee (W). He was born in the city of Uyainah, about 70 kilometres north-west of Riyaadh, in the year 1115 AH. He was from a highly respected religious family known for its scholarship. He acquired his primary education from his learned father, and completed the memorization of the Qur’aan at the age of ten. He read books of Tafseer (explanation of the Qur’aan), Hadeeth [narrations of the Prophet (N)] and Fiqh (Jurisprudence), and early on became interested in the books of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (W) and his noble student al-‘Allamah Ibnu-l-Qayyim (W). After reaching the age of puberty, he travelled to Makkah to perform the Hajj, at which time he benefited from the scholars in Makkah. He also travelled to al-Madeenah, Basrah (Iraq) and other lands seeking knowledge of the Deen. Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab (W) authored many book, including Kitaab at-Tawheed, Kitaab al-Kabaa’ir (Major Sins), Usool al-Emaan (Fundamentals of Faith), Fadaa’il al-Qur’aan (Virtues of the Qur’aan), al-Usool ath-Thalaatha (the Three Fundamentals), al-Qawaa’id al-Arbaa’a (The Four Principles), al-Usool as-Sittah (the Six Foundations) and many other books, including this small essay under study (Nawaaqid al-Islam). The Fundamentals of his blessed Da’wah (Call): 1. Calling the people to at-Tawheed, 2. Warning the people against ash-Shirk, 3. Strictly following the Qur’aan and Sunnah, the Righteous Predecessors of this Ummah (Sahaabah, etc.) and that which is relied upon from the sayings of the Four Imaams, 4. Avoiding at-Takfeer (declaring a Muslim to be out of Islam) – except with its proper conditions… 5. Avoiding taking anyone’s life – except in accordance with the Sharee’ah [a life for a life, etc.] The Fruits of his blessed Da’wah (Call): 1. Establishment of an Islamic State, 2. Correction and Purification of the Islamic ‘Aqeedah from shirk, bid’ah, etc, 3. Extending the effect of this blessed Da’wah outside of the Arabian peninsular, to Egypt, Morroco, Yemen, Africa, India, etc, 4. Establishment of a scholarly movement and awareness – free from at-Taqleed al- A’maa (‘blind following’), 5. Activating a movement of authoring and publishing Islamic books. http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 4 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam He died in the year 1206 AH at the age of 91 – May Allah (G) shower him with His Divine Favor, Mercy and Forgiveness! http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 5 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam Guidelines on Takfeer3 Determining whether someone is a kaafir or a faasiq4 is not up to us, rather it is up to Allah, may He be exalted, and His Messenger (N). This is one of the rulings of sharee’ah that is to be referred to the Qur’aan and Sunnah, so we should be very careful and base our judgement on clear proof. No one may be judged to be a kaafir or faasiq except the one whom the Qur’aan and Sunnah indicate is a kaafir or faasiq. The basic principle is that the one who appears outwardly to be a Muslim of good character is regarded as still being a Muslim of good character, until it is proven that this is no longer the case by means of evidence that is acceptable in sharee’ah. It is not permissible to take lightly the matter of judging someone to be a kaafir or faasiq, because that involves two very serious matters: 1. It implies fabricating lies against Allah (G) with regard to this ruling, and fabricating lies against the one who is being judged. 2. Falling into that which one accused one’s brother of, if he is free from that. In Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree (6104) and Saheeh Muslim (60) it is narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (S) that the Prophet (N) said: ﺎﻫﻤ ﺪ ﺣ ﺎ ﹶﺃﺎ َﺀ ﹺﺑﻬﻩ ﹶﻓﻘﹶﺪ ﺑ ﺎﺟ ﹸﻞ ﹶﺃﺧ ﺮ ﺍﻟﺮ ﹺﺇﺫﹶﺍ ﻛﹶﻔﱠ “If a man declares his brother to be a kaafir, it will apply to one of them.” According to another report: ﻪ ﻋﻠﹶﻴ ﺖ ﻌ ﺟ ﺭ ﻭﹺﺇﻻﱠ ، ﺎ ﻗﹶﺎ ﹶﻝﺇﹺﻥ ﻛﹶﺎ ﹶﻥ ﹶﻛﻤ “Either it is as he said, otherwise it will come back to him.” Based on this, before ruling that a Muslim is a kaafir or a faasiq, two things must be examined: 1. The evidence of the Qur’aan or Sunnah that this word or this action implies that a person is a kaafir or a faasiq. 3 Taken from http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/85102/takfeer 4 Faasiq is an Arabic term referring to someone who violates Islamic law. However, it is usually reserved to describe someone guilty of openly and flagrantly violating Islamic law and/or someone whose moral character is corrupt. http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 6 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam 2. Applying this ruling to a specific person who says or does that thing, such that the conditions of judging a person to be a kaafir or faasiq will be met in his case, and there are no impediments. Among the most important of these conditions are the following: 1. That he should be aware of his transgression that renders him a kaafir or faasiq, because Allah (G) says: 4’‾óx« Èe≅ä3Î/ “And Allah will never lead a people astray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them as to what they should avoid. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of everything”6 Hence the scholars said that a person who denies obligatory duties should not be judged to be a kaafir if he is new in Islam, until that has been explained to him. 2. A reason why he cannot be ruled to be a kaafir or faasiq is if he does something that incurs such a judgement involuntarily. This may take several forms such as: For example, he may be forced to do that, so he does that because he is forced to, not because he accepts that. He is not a kaafir in that case, because Allah (G) says: 5 Soorah An-Nisa’ 4:115 6 Soorah At-Tawbah 9:115 http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 7 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam yyuŸ° ¨Β Å3≈s9uρ Ç≈yϑƒM}$$Î/ BÈ⌡yϑôÜãΒ …çµç6ù=s%uρ oνÌò2é& ôtΒ āωÎ) ÿϵÏΖ≈yϑƒÎ) ω÷èt/.ÏΒ «!$$Î/ tx Ÿ2 tΒ ∩⊇⊃∉∪ ÒΟŠÏàtã ëU#x‹tã óΟßγs9uρ «!$# š∅ÏiΒ Ò=ŸÒxî óΟÎγøŠn=yèsù #Y‘ô‰|¹ Ìø ä3ø9$$Î/ “Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith; but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a great torment”7 Another example is when he is not thinking straight, so he does not know what he is saying because of extreme joy or sorrow or fear and so on. The evidence for that is the report narrated in Saheeh Muslim (2744) from Anas ibn Maalik (S) who said: The Messenger of Allah (N) said: ﺎﻴﻬ ﻋ ﹶﻠ ﻭ ﻪ ﻨ ﻣ ﺖ ﺘﻧ ﹶﻔ ﹶﻠﺓ ﹶﻓﺎ ﺽ ﹶﻓﻠﹶﺎ ﺭ ﹺ ﻪ ﹺﺑﹶﺄ ﺘﺣ ﹶﻠ ﺍﻋﻠﹶﻰ ﺭ ﻢ ﻛﹶﺎ ﹶﻥ ﺪ ﹸﻛ ﺣ ﻦ ﹶﺃ ﻣ ﻪ ﻴ ﺏ ﹺﺇﹶﻟ ﻮﻳﺘ ﲔ ﺣ ﻩ ﺪ ﺒ ﻋ ﺔ ﺑﻮ ﺘﺎ ﹺﺑﺮﺣ ﹶﻓﺷﺪ ﻪ ﹶﺃ ﹶﻟﻠﱠ ﻮ ﻫ ﻚ ﹺﺇﺫﹶﺍ ﻟﻮ ﹶﻛ ﹶﺬ ﻫ ﺎﻴﻨ ﺒﻪ ﹶﻓ ﺘﺣ ﹶﻠ ﺍﻦ ﺭ ﻣ ﺲ ﺪ ﹶﺃﹺﻳ ﺎ ﹶﻗﻇﻠﱢﻬ ﻲﻊ ﻓ ﺠ ﺿ ﹶﻄ ﺮ ﹰﺓ ﻓﹶﺎ ﺠ ﺷ ﻰﺎ ﹶﻓﹶﺄﺗﻨﻬ ﻣ ﺲ ﹶﻓﹶﺄﹺﻳﺑﻪﺍﺷﺮ ﻭ ﻪ ﻣ ﺎﹶﻃﻌ ﺓ ﺷﺪ ﻦ ﻣ ﺧ ﹶﻄﹶﺄ ﻚ ﹶﺃ ﺭﺑ ﺎﻭﹶﺃﻧ ﻱﺒﺪ ﻋ ﺖ ﻧ ﹶﺃﻬﻢ ﺡ ﺍﻟﻠﱠ ﺮ ﹺ ﺓ ﺍﹾﻟ ﹶﻔ ﺷﺪ ﻦ ﻣ ﻗﹶﺎ ﹶﻝﺎ ﹸﺛﻢﻣﻬ ﺨﻄﹶﺎ ﺧ ﹶﺬ ﹺﺑ ﻩ ﹶﻓﹶﺄ ﺪ ﻨ ﻤ ﹰﺔ ﻋ ﺋﺎ ﻗﹶﺎﹺﺑﻬ ﺡ ﺮ ﹺ ﺍﹾﻟ ﹶﻔ “Allah (G) rejoices more over the repentance of His slave when he repents to Him than one of you, who was on his mount in the wilderness, then he lost it, and his food and drink are on it, and he despairs of finding it. He goes to a tree and lies down in its shade, having lost hope of finding his mount, and whilst he is like that, there it is standing in front of him, so he takes hold of its reins and says, because of his intense joy, ‘O Allah, You are my slave and I am your lord,’ making this mistake because of his intense joy.” 3. Misinterpretation. He may have some confusion and some misinterpretation that he adheres to, thinking that it forms evidence for his beliefs, or he may not be able to understand and comprehend shar’i evidence and proof in the proper way. Therefore, judging someone to be a kaafir is not valid except in the case of one who deliberately goes against the shar’i evidence and who knows that he is wrong. Allah (G) says: #Y‘θà xî ª!$# tβ%Ÿ2uρ 4 öΝä3ç/θè=è% ôNy‰£ϑyès? $¨Β Å3≈s9uρ ϵÎ/ Οè?ù'sÜ÷zr& !$yϑ‹Ïù Óy$uΖã_ öΝà6ø‹n=tæ }§øŠs9uρ ∩∈∪ $¸ϑŠÏm§‘ 7 Soorah An-Nahl 16:106 http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 8 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam “And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend. And Allah is Ever Oft‑‑Forgiving, 8 Most Merciful” Ibn Taymiyah (W) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (23/349): ﻓﺎﻹﻣﺎﻡ ﺃﲪﺪ ﺭﺿﻲ ﺍﷲ ﺗﻌﺎﱃ ﻋﻨﻪ ﺗﺮﺣﻢ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﻢ ) ﻳﻌﲏ ﺍﳋﻠﻔﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﺬﻳﻦ ﺗﺄﺛﺮﻭﺍ ﲟﻘﺎﻟﺔ ﺍﳉﻬﻤﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﺬﻳﻦ ﺯﻋﻤﻮﺍ ﻭﻻ، ﻢ ﻣﻜﺬﺑﻮﻥ ﻟﻠﺮﺳﻮﻝ ﻟﻌﻠﻤﻪ ﺑﺄﻧﻪ ﱂ ﻳﺘﺒﲔ ﳍﻢ ﺃ، ﻭﻧﺼﺮﻭﻩ ( ﻭﺍﺳﺘﻐﻔﺮ ﳍﻢ، ﺍﻟﻘﻮﻝ ﲞﻠﻖ ﺍﻟﻘﺮﺁﻥ ﻭﻗﻠﺪﻭﺍ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺎﻝ ﺫﻟﻚ ﳍﻢ، ﻭﻟﻜﻦ ﺗﺄﻭﻟﻮﺍ ﻓﺄﺧﻄﺄﻭﺍ، ﺟﺎﺣﺪﻭﻥ ﳌﺎ ﺟﺎﺀ ﺑﻪ “Imam Ahmad (S) prayed for mercy for them (i.e., the caliphs who were influenced by the view of he Jahamis who claimed that the Qur’aan was created, and supported it) and prayed for forgiveness for them, because he knew that it was not clear to them that they were disbelieving the Messenger (N) and denying what he had brought, rather they misinterpreted and erred, and followed those who said that to them.” And he (W) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (12/180): ، ﻭﺃﻣﺎ ﺍﻟﺘﻜﻔﲑ ﻓﺎﻟﺼﻮﺍﺏ ﺃﻥ ﻣﻦ ﺍﺟﺘﻬﺪ ﻣﻦ ﺃﻣﺔ ﳏﻤﺪ ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ ﻭﻗﺼﺪ ﺍﳊﻖ ﻓﺄﺧﻄﺄ ﱂ ﻳﻜﻔﺮ ﻓﺸﺎﻕ ﺍﻟﺮﺳﻮﻝ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﺎ ﺗﺒﲔ ﻟﻪ ﺍﳍﺪﻯ ﻭﺍﺗﺒﻊ، ﻭﻣﻦ ﺗﺒﲔ ﻟﻪ ﻣﺎ ﺟﺎﺀ ﺑﻪ ﺍﻟﺮﺳﻮﻝ، ﺑﻞ ﻳﻐﻔﺮ ﻟﻪ ﺧﻄﺆﻩ ، ﻭﻣﻦ ﺍﺗﺒﻊ ﻫﻮﺍﻩ ﻭﻗﺼﺮ ﰲ ﻃﻠﺐ ﺍﳊﻖ ﻭﺗﻜﻠﻢ ﺑﻼ ﻋﻠﻢ ﻓﻬﻮ ﻋﺎﺹ ﻣﺬﻧﺐ، ﻏﲑ ﺳﺒﻴﻞ ﺍﳌﺆﻣﻨﲔ ﻓﻬﻮ ﻛﺎﻓﺮ ﻭﻗﺪ ﻳﻜﻮﻥ ﻟﻪ ﺣﺴﻨﺎﺕ ﺗﺮﺟﺢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻴﺌﺎﺗﻪ. ﰒ ﻗﺪ ﻳﻜﻮﻥ ﻓﺎﺳﻘﹰﺎ “With regard to takfeer (judging someone to be a kaafir), the correct view is that a member of the ummah of Muhammad (N) who strives to reach the truth concerning a certain issue, but reaches the wrong conclusion, is not to be deemed a kaafir, rather he will be forgiven for his mistake. But the one who understands the message brought by the Messenger (N), but deliberately goes against the way of the Messenger (N) after true guidance has become clear to him, and follows a path other than that of the believers, is a kaafir. The one who follows his whims and desires and fails to seek the truth and speaks without knowledge is a disobedient sinner, and may be a faasiq, but he may have some good deeds that outweigh his bad deeds.” And he (W) said: (3/229): ﻴﹰﺎ ﻋﻦ ﺃﻥ ﻳﻨﺴﺐ ﻣﻌﲔ ﺇﱃ ﺗﻜﻔﲑ ﺃﱐ ﻣﻦ ﺃﻋﻈﻢ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱ، ﻫﺬﺍ ﻣﻊ ﺃﱐ ﺩﺍﺋﻤﹰﺎ ﻭﻣﻦ ﺟﺎﻟﺴﲏ ﻳﻌﻠﻢ ﺫﻟﻚ ﻣﲏ ، ﺇﻻ ﺇﺫﺍ ﻋﻠﻢ ﺃﻧﻪ ﻗﺪ ﻗﺎﻣﺖ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﺍﳊﺠﺔ ﺍﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﱵ ﻣﻦ ﺧﺎﻟﻔﻬﺎ ﻛﺎﻥ ﻛﺎﻓﺮﹰﺍ ﺗﺎﺭﺓ، ﻭﺗﻔﺴﻴﻖ ﻭﻣﻌﺼﻴﺔ 8 Soorah Al-Ahzaab 33:5 http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 9 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam ﻭﺫﻟﻚ ﻳﻌﻢ ﺍﳋﻄﺄ ﰲ، ﻭﺇﱐ ﺃﻗﺮﺭ ﺃﻥ ﺍﷲ ﻗﺪ ﻏﻔﺮ ﳍﺬﻩ ﺍﻷﻣﺔ ﺧﻄﺄﻫﺎ، ﻭﻋﺎﺻﻴﹰﺎ ﺃﺧﺮﻯ، ﻭﻓﺎﺳﻘﹰﺎ ﺃﺧﺮﻯ ﻭﱂ، ﻭﻣﺎ ﺯﺍﻝ ﺍﻟﺴﻠﻒ ﻳﺘﻨﺎﺯﻋﻮﻥ ﰲ ﻛﺜﲑ ﻣﻦ ﻫﺬﻩ ﺍﳌﺴﺎﺋﻞ. ﺍﳌﺴﺎﺋﻞ ﺍﳋﱪﻳﺔ ﺍﻟﻘﻮﻟﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﳌﺴﺎﺋﻞ ﺍﻟﻌﻤﻠﻴﺔ ﻳﺸﻬﺪ ﺃﺣﺪ ﻣﻨﻬﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﺣﺪ ﻻ ﺑﻜﻔﺮ ﻭﻻ ﺑﻔﺴﻖ ﻭﻻ ﲟﻌﺼﻴﺔ However, and those who sit with me know this about me, I am always one of those who most emphatically forbid describing a specific person as a kaafir, faasiq or sinner, unless it is known that shar’i proof has been established against him, and it has been proven whether he is a kaafir, a faasiq or a sinner. I affirm that Allah (G) has forgiven this ummah for its mistakes, which includes mistakes in narrative and practical issues. The salaf continued to debate many of these issues but none of them testified that anyone else was a kaafir or a faasiq or a sinner. He (W) mentioned some examples, then he (W) said: ﻓﻬﻮ ﺃﻳﻀﹰﺎ، " ﻭﻛﻨﺖ ﺃﺑﲔ ﺃﻥ ﻣﺎ ﻧﻘﻞ ﻋﻦ ﺍﻟﺴﻠﻒ ﻭﺍﻷﺋﻤﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺇﻃﻼﻕ ﺍﻟﻘﻮﻝ ﺑﺘﻜﻔﲑ ﻣﻦ ﻳﻘﻮﻝ ﻛﺬﺍ ﻭﻛﺬﺍ. ﻟﻜﻦ ﳚﺐ ﺍﻟﺘﻔﺮﻳﻖ ﺑﲔ ﺍﻹﻃﻼﻕ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻌﻴﲔ، ﺣﻖ “I also state that what has been narrated from the salaf and the imams, stating that the one who says such and such is a kaafir, is also true, but it is essential to differentiate between general rules and specific cases. ﻟﻜﻦ ﻗﺪ، ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻜﻔﲑ ﻫﻮ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﻮﻋﻴﺪ ؛ ﻓﺈﻧﻪ ﻭﺇﻥ ﻛﺎﻥ ﺍﻟﻘﻮﻝ ﺗﻜﺬﻳﺒﹰﺎ ﳌﺎ ﻗﺎﻟﻪ ﺍﻟﺮﺳﻮﻝ ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ ﻭﻣﺜﻞ ﻫﺬﺍ ﻻ ﻳﻜﻔﺮ ﲜﺤﺪ ﻣﺎ ﳚﺤﺪﻩ ﺣﱴ، ﺃﻭ ﻧﺸﺄ ﺑﺒﺎﺩﻳﺔ ﺑﻌﻴﺪﺓ، ﻳﻜﻮﻥ ﺍﻟﺮﺟﻞ ﺣﺪﻳﺚ ﻋﻬﺪ ﺑﺈﺳﻼﻡ ﺃﻭ ﻋﺎﺭﺿﻬﺎ، ﺃﻭ ﲰﻌﻬﺎ ﻭﱂ ﺗﺜﺒﺖ ﻋﻨﺪﻩ، ﻭﻗﺪ ﻳﻜﻮﻥ ﺍﻟﺮﺟﻞ ﱂ ﻳﺴﻤﻊ ﺗﻠﻚ ﺍﻟﻨﺼﻮﺹ، ﺗﻘﻮﻡ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﺍﳊﺠﺔ. ﻋﻨﺪﻩ ﻣﻌﺎﺭﺽ ﺁﺧﺮ ﺃﻭﺟﺐ ﺗﺄﻭﻳﻠﻬﺎ ﻭﺇﻥ ﻛﺎﻥ ﳐﻄﺌﹰﺎ Takfeer is a kind of warning; even though the words may be a rejection of what the Messenger (N) said, the man may be new in Islam, or he may have grown up in a remote region. Such a person cannot be ruled to be a kaafir, no matter what he denies, unless proof has been established against him. The man may not have heard of those texts, or he may have heard them but they were not proven to him , or he may have some ideas that are contrary to what he heard, that med him to misinterpret the text. : ﻭﻛﻨﺖ ﺩﺍﺋﻤﹰﺎ ﺃﺫﻛﺮ ﺍﳊﺪﻳﺚ ﺍﻟﺬﻱ ﰲ ﺍﻟﺼﺤﻴﺤﲔ ﰲ ﺍﻟﺮﺟﻞ ﺍﻟﺬﻱ ﻗﺎﻝ I always remember the hadeeth in al-Saheehayn, which speaks of the man who said: http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 10 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam ﻟﻴﻌﺬﺑﲏ ﻋﺬﺍﺑﹰﺎ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻮﺍﷲ ﻟﺌﻦ ﻗﺪﺭ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻲ، ﰒ ﺫﺭﻭﱐ ﰲ ﺍﻟﻴﻢ، ﰒ ﺍﺳﺤﻘﻮﱐ، ﺇﺫﺍ ﺃﻧﺎ ﻣﺖ ﻓﺄﺣﺮﻗﻮﱐ ﻓﻐﻔﺮ. ﺧﺸﻴﺘﻚ: ﻣﺎ ﲪﻠﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺎ ﻓﻌﻠﺖ ؟ ﻗﺎﻝ: ﻓﻘﺎﻝ ﺍﷲ، ﻓﻔﻌﻠﻮﺍ ﺑﻪ ﺫﻟﻚ. ﻋﺬﺑﻪ ﺃﺣﺪﹰﺍ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﳌﲔ ﻟﻪ ‘When I die, burn me and crush (my bones), then scatter me in the sea, for by Allah (G), if Allah (G) grasps hold of me He will punish me as He has not punished anyone else in the world.’ They did that, and Allah (G) said: ‘What made you do what you did?’ He said: ‘Fear of You.’ And He forgave him.’ ﻭﻫﺬﺍ ﻛﻔﺮ ﺑﺎﺗﻔﺎﻕ ﺍﳌﺴﻠﻤﲔ، ﺑﻞ ﺍﻋﺘﻘﺪ ﺃﻧﻪ ﻻ ﻳﻌﺎﺩ، ﻓﻬﺬﺍ ﺭﺟﻞ ﺷﻚ ﰲ ﻗﺪﺭﺓ ﺍﷲ ﻭﰲ ﺇﻋﺎﺩﺗﻪ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺫﺭﻱ. ﻓﻐﻔﺮ ﻟﻪ ﺑﺬﻟﻚ، ﻭﻛﺎﻥ ﻣﺆﻣﻨﹰﺎ ﳜﺎﻑ ﺍﷲ ﺃﻥ ﻳﻌﺎﻗﺒﻪ، ﻼ ﻻ ﻳﻌﻠﻢ ﺫﻟﻚ ﻟﻜﻦ ﻛﺎﻥ ﺟﺎﻫ ﹰ، This man doubted the power of Allah (G) and doubted that He would restore him if his remains were scattered; rather he believed that he would not be resurrected, which is kufr according to the consensus of the Muslims. But he was ignorant and did not know about that; however, he was a believer who feared that Allah (G) would punish him, so He forgave him because of that. ﻭﺍﳌﺘﺄﻭﻝ ﻣﻦ ﺃﻫﻞ ﺍﻻﺟﺘﻬﺎﺩ ﺍﳊﺮﻳﺺ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺘﺎﺑﻌﺔ ﺍﻟﺮﺳﻮﻝ ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ ﺃﻭﱃ ﺑﺎﳌﻐﻔﺮﺓ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺜﻞ ﻫﺬﺍ One who is qualified to engage in ijtihaad and who bases his incorrect notion on some misinterpretation of some text but is sincere in his keenness to follow the Messenger (N) is even more deserving of forgiveness than such a person. [Based on Khaatimah al-Qawaa’id al-Muthla by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (W)] Because the matter of takfeer is so serious, and mistakes therein are so grave, the seeker of knowledge, especially if he is a beginner, should refrain from indulging in that, and he should focus on acquiring beneficial knowledge that will set his own affairs straight in this world and the Hereafter. http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 11 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan on the Excuse of Ignorance9 Question: What is your opinion in regards to the statement of the one who says: Indeed one who commits shirk and kufr is not declared to be an unbeliever, except after him having knowledge of the affair in its entirety? Answer: If the likes of this person is ignorant, due to him residing in a land which is cut off and nothing has reached him, then he is excused [for his ignorance]. As for the one who lives in the land of the Muslims, hearing the Qur’aan, hearing the Ahadeeth, hearing the speech of the people of knowledge [Scholars], then this one is not excused with ignorance; since the proof has been established upon him.10 9 Taken from http://www.fatwaislam.com/fis/index.cfm?scn=fd&ID=368 10 Silsilatu sharhir-Rasaail, p117. http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 12 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam ﺑﺴﻢ ﺍﷲ ﺍﻟﺮﲪﻦ ﺍﻟﺮﺣﻴﻢ In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful Know that the Nullifiers of Islam are ten. ﺍﻋﻠﻢ ﺃﻥ ﻧﻮﺍﻗﺾ ﺍﻹﺳﻼﻡ ﻋﺸﺮﺓ ﻧﻮﺍﻗﺾ The First Nullifier ﺍﻟﺸﺮﻙ ﰲ ﻋﺒﺎﺩﺓ ﺍﷲ ﺗﻌﺎﱃ Setting Up Partners in the Worship of Allah, the Most High Allah, the Most High, says: #“utIøù$# ωs)sù «!$$Î/ õ8Îô³ç„ tΒuρ 4 â!$t±o„ yϑÏ9 y7Ï9≡sŒ tβρߊ $tΒ ãÏøótƒuρ ϵÎ/ x8uô³ç„ βr& ãÏøótƒ Ÿω ©!$# ¨βÎ) ∩⊆∇∪ $¸ϑŠÏàtã $¸ϑøOÎ) “Verily, Allah does not forgive that partners be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives whatever is less than that, to whomever He wills. And whoever sets up partners with Allah, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.”1 And He, the Most High, says: 9‘$|ÁΡr& ôÏΒ šÏϑÎ=≈©à=Ï9 $tΒuρ ( â‘$¨Ψ9$# çµ1uρù'tΒuρ sπ¨Ψyfø9$# ϵø‹n=tã ª!$# tΠ§ym ô‰s)sù «!$$Î/ õ8Îô³ç„ tΒ …çµ‾ΡÎ) 1 Soorah An-Nisa’ 4:48 And He, the Most High, says: ∩⊇⊇∉∪ #´‰‹Ïèt/ Kξ≈n=|Ê ¨≅|Ê ô‰s)sù «!$$Î/ õ8Îô³ç„ tΒuρ “…And whoever sets up partners with Allah has indeed strayed far away.” [Soorah An-Nisa’ 4:116] http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 3 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam “…Verily, whoever sets up partners with Allah (in worship), then Allah has forbidden paradise to him, and his final abode will be the Fire. And the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers, polytheists) will have no helpers.”2.ﻭﻣﻨﻪ ﺍﻟﺬﺑﺢ ﻟﻐﲑ ﺍﷲ ﻛﻤﻦ ﻳﺬﺑﺢ ﻟﻠﺠﻦ ﻭﺍﻟﻘﱪ From this (shirk) is offering a sacrifice (Dhabh) for other than Allah (G), like the one who sacrifices to the Jinn or to (the one in) the grave. Explanation: Explanation: Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem (In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful) The author (W) starts his book with Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem as it is in the Qur’aan and as the Messenger of Allah (N) used to do when he wrote letters. It is preferred to start with it whenever writing a letter, as found in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree, regarding the letter the Messenger (N) wrote to Heraqil3. Imam An Nawawi (W) said: “In this hadeeth [when the Messenger (N) wrote to Heraqil], there is proof that it is preferred to start the letter with Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem even if the letter's recipient is a non-Muslim.” Know that the Nullifiers of Islam are ten. The author (W) now brings up the verb ‘know’ as an imperative, attracting the attention of the reader so he will understands the importance of learning these nullifiers and avoids falling into them. The Nullifiers of Islam are the actions that ruin one’s faith and lead to a lost of good deeds and a final abode in the Hell-fire. The Nullifiers of Islam could be less or more than ten. Some scholars have counted the Nullifiers of Islam to be ninety and others up to four hundred, but the theme is based on the following ten. The First Nullifier: Setting Up Partners in the Worship of Allah, the Most High. Allah, the Most High, says: “Verily, Allah does not forgive that partners be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives whatever is less than that, to whomever He wills. And whoever sets up partners with Allah, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.” And He, the Most High, says: “…Verily, whoever sets up partners with Allah (in worship), then Allah has forbidden paradise to him, and his final 2 Soorah Al-Ma’idah’ 5:72 3 Saheeh Bukhaaree, Volume 8, Book 74, Hadeeth Number 277. Also see Volume 1, Book 1, Hadeeth Number 6 for details. http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 4 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam abode will be the Fire. And the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers, polytheists) will have no helpers.” From this (shirk) is offering a sacrifice (Dhabh) for other than Allah (G), like the one who sacrifices to the Jinn or to (the one in) the grave. The author (W) starts the nullifiers with shirk (polytheism) for two reasons. Firstly, because many people are falling into this great sin. Allah (G) says: ∩⊇⊃∉∪ tβθä.Îô³ Β Νèδuρ āωÎ) «!$$Î/ ΝèδçsYò2r& ßÏΒ÷σム$tΒuρ “And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him (committing shirk)”4 Secondly, because Allah (G) does not forgive this sin if one dies while practicing it. Allah (G) says: 4 â!$t±o„ yϑÏ9 y7Ï9≡sŒ tβρߊ $tΒ ãÏøótƒuρ ϵÎ/ x8uô³ç„ βr& ãÏøótƒ Ÿω ©!$# ¨βÎ) “Verily, Allah does not forgive that partners be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives whatever is less than that, to whomever He wills.”5 The Messenger of Allah (N) also defined shirk (polytheism) to be the greatest sin made by man. Abdullah Bin Mas’aud (S) narrated: “I asked the Messenger of Allah (N), 'Which sin is the gravest in the eye of Allah (G)?' He (N) replied: ‘that you associate a partner with Allah (G) [despite the fact] that He has created you.' He (the reporter) said, ‘I told him [the Prophet (N)], 'Verily it is indeed grave.' He (the reporter) said, 'I asked him what the next (gravest sin) was.' He [the Prophet (N)] replied, 'That you kill your child out of fear that he shall join you in food.' He (the reporter) said, 'I asked (him) what the next (gravest sin) was.' He [the Prophet (N)] said, 'Then (the next gravest sin) is that you commit adultery with the wife of your neighbour’”.6 Abdur-Rahman Bin Abu Bakra narrated that his father (S) said: “We were in the company of the Messenger of Allah (N) and he (N) said: ‘Should I not inform you about the most grievous of the grave sins?' The Prophet (N) repeated it three times and then said, 'Associating anyone with Allah (G), disobedience to parents, false testimony or false utterance.' The Prophet (N) was 4 Soorah Yusuf 12:106 5 Soorah An-Nisa’ 4:48 6 Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 1, Hadeeth Number 0156 http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 5 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam reclining, then he sat up and he repeated it so many times that we wished that he should become silent”.7 Abu Hurairah (S) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (N) said: “Avoid the seven obnoxious things." It was said (by the hearers), "What are they, Messenger of Allah (N)?" He (the Prophet N) replied; "Associating anything with Allah (G), magic, killing of one whom Allah (G) has declared inviolate without a just cause, consuming the property of an orphan, and consuming of usury, turning back when the army advances, and slandering chaste women who are believers, but unwary”.8 Shirk (polytheism) is defined as “holding false gods as equals with Allah (G) in His Attributes (Characteristics)”. Or one could say shirk (polytheism) is “devoting or awarding any act of worship to others than Allah (G)”. Falling into shirk (polytheism) can be practiced in many ways. Abdullah Bin Mas’aud (S) narrated, the Messenger of Allah (N) said: “Shirk (polytheism) is of seventy-some types”.9 This hadeeth means that falling into shirk (polytheism) could happen in many ways and not only by practicing one violation of Tawheed (monotheism), as many people mistakenly believe. Shirk could be practiced by associating others with Allah (G) in His Ulooheeyah (the duties of the creation to the Creator. i.e. to supplicate Him, praying to Him, etc), Ruboobeeyah (the duties of the Creator to the creation i.e. to create them, give them provision, etc) or Names and Attributes. Associating others with Allah (G) in His Ulooheeyah is by praying to others, supplicating to them, prostrating before them, slaughtering in their name, seeking their help in things which only Allah (G) can do, calling on them in their absence or devoting any type of worship to others than Allah (G). Associating others with Allah (G) in His Ruboobeeyah is by ascribing to any of the creation management or control of the universe to others. For example: believing that someone or something can create or resurrect as only can Allah (G). Or believing that someone or something can bring down the rain. Associating others with Allah (G) in His Names is by calling someone by any of the Names of Allah (G), such as naming someone Allah, Ar-Rahman or Al-Khaliq (The Creator). Associating others with Allah (G) in His Attributes is to equate the creation with The Creator in His Attributes, such as believing that a certain person knows the future. 7 Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 1, Hadeeth Number 0158 8 Saheeh Bukhaaree, Volume 4, Book51, Hadeeth Number 028 and Volume 8, Book 82, Hadeeth Number 840; Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 1, Hadeeth Number 0161 9 Reported by Al-Ba’zar http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 6 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam There are two types of shirk (polytheism). Major shirk (As-shirk Al-Akbar) and Minor shirk (As-shirk Al-Asgar). Some scholars add a third kind, which is the Unseen Shirk (As-shirk Al-Khafy), but it is actually included in within the second type: A: Major shirk Major shirk consists of many types, but all fall under the following four major types: 1. Shirk of Love (Shirk Al-Mahabah): This type means to love a creation as you love Allah (G), or even more so. Allah (G) says in the Qur’aan: ${6ãm ‘‰x©r& (#þθãΖtΒ#u tÉ‹©9$#uρ ( «!$# Éb=ßsx. öΝåκtΞθ™6Ïtä† #YŠ#y‰Ρr& «!$# Èβρߊ ÏΒ ä‹Ï‚−Gtƒ tΒ Ä¨$¨Ζ9$# š∅ÏΒuρ 3 °! “And of mankind are some who take [for worship] others besides Allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe, love Allah more (than anything else)”.10 Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (W) said: “Whosoever loves a creation equal to his love to Allah (G), he is a Mushrik (polytheist); and there must be a difference between loving for the sake of Allah (G) and loving with Allah (G)”. 11 Many people who claim to be Muslim have fallen into this type of shirk (polytheism) by loving their leaders, or awleeya (plural of walee, [a pious Muslim]), as they love Allah (G), or even more so. When you ask one of them to take a false oath by Allah (G) [swearing in Allah (G) while lying] they will. But when you request from them to take a false oath by their walee, they refuse. This is Shirk (polytheism) of Love. Ibn Al-Qayyim said (W): “A part of Shirk (polytheism) of Love; is loving a creation equal to loving Allah (G). This is a part of shirk (polytheism) of which Allah (G) will not forgive (if someone dies on it). It is the type of shirk (polytheism) of which Allah (G) says: 10 Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:165 11 Fatawa Shaykh al-Islam; Volume 15: Page 49 http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 7 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam ${6ãm ‘‰x©r& (#þθãΖtΒ#u tÉ‹©9$#uρ ( «!$# Éb=ßsx. öΝåκtΞθ™6Ïtä† #YŠ#y‰Ρr& «!$# Èβρߊ ÏΒ ä‹Ï‚−Gtƒ tΒ Ä¨$¨Ζ9$# š∅ÏΒuρ 3 °! 'And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else)'.12 Those involved in this shirk (polytheism) will say to their gods when they are in the Hell-fire as stated in the Qur'aan: ∩∇∪ tÏϑn=≈yèø9$# Éb>tÎ/ Νä3ƒÈhθ|¡èΣ øŒÎ) ∩∠∪ AÎ7 Β 9≅≈n=|Ê ’Å∀s9 $¨Ζä. βÎ) «!$$s? 'By Allah, we were truly in a manifest error when we held you (false gods) as equals (in worship) with the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)'.13 It is obvious that they did not equate them to Allah (G) in creation, death, resurrection, kingdom and capability, but they equated them to Allah (G) in love, lordship, obedience and servility”.14 There are four different types of love: Firstly, loving for the sake of Allah (G) and loving what Allah (G) and His Messenger (N) love. This is how a Muslim should be. Ibn Al-Qayyim (W) said about this type of love: “There are four types of love where one must differentiate between them and there were some people who have been misguided because they were unable to differentiate between them. They are: A. Loving Allah (G) only, which is not enough for surviving Allah’s punishment and winning His reward. Indeed, Al-Mushrikeen (polytheists), the worshippers of the cross, the Jews and others love Allah (G). B. Loving what Allah (G) loves. This leads him to enter Islam and depart kufr (infidelity). The most beloved ones by Allah (G) are those with much of this type of love. 12 Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:165 13 Soorah Ash-Shu’ara’ 26:97-98 14 Al-Joab Al -Kafy, page 195 http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 8 © Islamic Online University Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam C. Loving for the sake of Allah (G) and loving for Him. This is a requirement of loving what Allah (G) loves. And loving what Allah (G) loves will not be complete except loving in Him and for Him. D. Loving with Allah (G), which is the Shirk (polytheism) of Love. Everyone who loves something with the love of Allah (G), not for the sake of Allah (G), neither for Him nor in Him, then he has associated a partner with Him. This is the love of Al-Mushrikeen (the polytheists).” Secondly, loving lawful things, such as food, clothes or drinks. This is normal love. Thirdly, sympathetic loving, such as loving your children or wife. This is normal love. Fourthly, loving others equal or more than the love of Allah (G). This is major shirk (polytheism). 2. Shirk of Supplication (Shirk Ad-Du’aa): Allah (G) says in the Qur’aan: tβθä.Îô³ç„ öΝèδ #sŒÎ) Îhy9ø9$# ’n
