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By Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan
An stern advice to those who belittle the learning and teaching of the
creed of Islaam.
Unfortunately, many of the du’aat (callers to Islaam) are
themselves unaware of (basic matters such as) what are the
conditions for Prayer, or unaware of the rules and regulations
concerning wudoo‘ (ablution) and those matters which invalidate
wudoo‘.
[Q]:
There are some people here, who keep away from (attending) lessons on
’aqeedah (creed/beliefs), and they say: ‘We are Muslims, we are
not unbelievers or idol-worshippers such that we have to learn
’aqeedah or attend lectures about it.’ So, O noble Shaykh, what is
your view regarding this!
[A]: Teaching the Muslims (the correct) ’aqeedah does
not mean that we have judged them to be unbelievers. Rather, we teach
the Muslims about ’aqeedah in order for them to know about it
thoroughly, and know what matters nullify it and what matters are
contrary to it. Hudhayfah Ibnul-Yamaan, one of the distinguished
Companions - radiyallaahu ’anhu - said:
“People used to ask the Messenger about the good, but I used to ask him
about the evil, for fear of falling into it.” [2] Likewise ’Umar
Ibnul-Khattaab (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said: “Soon the bonds of
Islaam will be loosened bit by bit, because people will enter into
Islaam but will be unaware of Jaahiliyyah (ignorant practices
that Islaam opposes).” [3] Thus, when we teach ’aqeedah, this
does not imply that we have judged those whom we are teaching to be
non-Muslims. Rather, what it means is that we desire that they should be
thoroughly aware of the correct Islaamic ’aqeedah; so as to
cling to it, and to be aware of what opposes it; so as to keep far away
from it. Allaah - the Most High - said, whilst addressing His Prophet
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam:
“So have knowledge about Laa ilaaha illallaah (i.e,
have knowledge that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah),
and seek forgiveness for your sins, and for the believing men and women.”
[Soorah Muhammad 47:19]
So it is essential that a person learns and that he does not content
himself with merely saying: ‘I am a Muslim.’ Yes indeed, you are a
Muslim - and all praise is for Allaah! However, if one of you were asked
as to what Islaam means, or you were asked to explain what Islaam is,
then many of you would not be able to correctly explain this. If one of
you were to be asked to explain what are those factors which nullify
Islaam, then many of you would not be able to explain this. Thus, if a
person is ignorant (of such fundamentals), it is possible that he may
fall into falsehood without realizing it. If one of you were asked to
explain the pillars of Islaam or eemaan (faith) that the
Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) explained and taught,
we would find that most people would be unable to do so. So how is it
that a person (suffices with) saying: ‘I am a Muslim,’ yet does not know
these (basic) matters!
Unfortunately, many of the du’aat (callers to Islaam) are
themselves unaware of (basic matters such as) what are the conditions
for Prayer, or unaware of the rules and regulations concerning wudoo‘
(ablution) and those matters which invalidate wudoo‘. Some of
them do not even know what matters form the arkaan (pillars) of
the Prayer, or form its waajibaat (obligations), or those
matters which invalidate the Prayer. So what Islaam are they calling to!
Islaam is not merely a call, rather it is a reality to be learnt and
practiced. So it is essential to acquire sound knowledge and
understanding of the Religion. This is because a person who does not
have sound knowledge, may fall into dangers without even realizing it;
just like a person who walks down a path, but is ignorant of the fact
that along this path there is a ditch, or a hole, or even an ambush. Yet
(due to his ignorance) he ends up falling into the hole, or the ambush,
without even realizing it.
Thus it is essential to learn about Tawheed, since it is
Tawheed that is the basic foundation (of both the Religion and the
correct Islaamic ’aqeedah). Indeed, no one abstains from
learning about Tawheed (and those matters it necessitates, as
well as its limits, conditions, fundamentals, clear proofs, fruits and
consequences, and those matters which increase and strengthen it, and
those that decrease and weaken it, etc.) except one of two people: [i]
an ignorant person - and the ignorant person’s [view] is not to be given
any weight; or [ii] a bigoted deviant - one who desires to avert people
from the ’aqeedah of pure Tawheed, and who wishes to
conceal from the people his own false beliefs, and those other deviant
beliefs that are (falsely) ascribed to Islaam. And this is possibly the
Ease of many of those who abstain from learning about Tawheed.
Allaah - the Most High - said:
“And it is not proper for all the Believers to go out together
and fight. From every troop of them only a party of them should go
forth, so that those who remain behind may gain understanding of the
Religion so that they may (instruct and) warn their
people when they return to them, in order that they may beware.”
[Sooratut-Tawbah 9:122]
Also, the Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever Allaah desires to show goodness to, He gives him the
understanding of the Religion.” [4] The meaning of this hadeeth
is that whenever Allaah does not want to show goodness to a person, He
does not give him the understanding of the Religion. So the one who
says: ‘I do not need to learn ’aqeedah.’ It is as if he is
saying: ‘I do not need to gain understanding of the Religion!’ And this
is said by either an ignorant person, or one who is misguided!
Footnotes:
[1] al-Muntaqaa min Fataawaa (1/303-306)
[2] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 3606) and Muslim (no. 1847)
[3] Related by Ibn Taymiyyah in his Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (10/301)
[4] Related by al-Bukhaaree (1/25), from Mu’aawiyah (radiyallaahu
’anhu)
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