WHOSE ISLAM IS IT?

WHOSE ISLAM IS IT?



The current period that the Ummah is passing through is certainly a testing one. With the war of terror against Islam and the Muslims an open agenda, there are many muslim individuals and groups who are speaking as the sole representatives of the deen of Allah Azzawajal, whilst being harshly critical of all other groups. Others adopt the position that everyone and every ideology has good and is welcome. Both paths of extremism are opportune for Iblees to spin his satanic web by fooling Muslims into believing that they are practicing the Islam of Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and the Sahaabah radiyallaahu 'anhum, whilst promoting the contrary.



Therefore anyone who claims what Islam is and is not is obliged to produce proof or face a total rejection of that claim: “Produce your proof if you are truthful” (TMQ Al Baqarah: 111)



So whose Islam is it?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that all the Sahaabah radiyallaahu 'anhum except a few, became kuffaar after the death of Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam despite Allah Azzawajal’s confirmation: "And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and the Ansar and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success" (TMQ At Tawbah:100) ?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that tawheed (Islam) and shirk (all other religions) are all great faiths and are meant to peacefully co-exist next to each other despite Allah Azzawajal confirming: “He it is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it victorious over all religions even though the Mushrikun hate it“ (TMQ As Saff: 9)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that other humans have been chosen as prophets after the death of Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam despite Allah Azzawajal clearly stating: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but He is the Messenger of Allah and the last (seal) of the Prophets” (TMQ Al Ahzab:40)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who say that the Qur'an is sufficient and there is no need for ahadeeth despite Allah Azzawajal saying: “But no, by Your Lord, they can have no faith until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept them with full submission” (TMQ An Nisa: 65)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that man made-systems like democracy, socialism, communism, etc are equal to or better than the Allah Azzawajal’s Shari'ah despite Allah Azzawajal stating: “And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the kaafirun” (TMQ Al Ma'idah:44)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that women and men are created for the same roles despite Allah Azzawajal deciding: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, because they spend (to support them) from their means” (TMQ An Nisa: 34) and Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam advising a man who asked: “O Messenger of Allah, who among people is most deserving of my good company?” He said, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He said, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He said, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He said, “Then your father.” (Sahih Bukhari/Muslim)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that the hijab for women is not compulsory but a personal choice despite Allah Azzawajal commanding: “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies…” (TMQ Al Ahzab: 59) and the statement of A'isha radiyallaahu 'anha: “When the verse (24:31) was revealed, the ladies cut their waistsheets at the edges and covered their heads and faces with those cut pieces of cloth (Sahih Bukhari)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who distort the obligation of the ibadah act (worship) of jihad with claims such as there is no jihad today or that jihad is within the self only or jihad is linguistic for struggle despite Allah Azzawajal commanding: “Jihad is ordained for you though you dislike it and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you…” (TMQ Al Baqarah: 216) and Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam stating: "I have been commanded (by Allah) to fight people until they testify that there is no true god except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and perform salaah and pay zakaah” (Sahih Bukhari/ Muslim)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that Muslims living in the West can take riba (interest) based loans from the banks due to being in a position of weakness despite Allah Azzawajal severely warning: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from riba, if you are believers. And if you do not then take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger” (TMQ Al Baqarah: 278,279)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim to raise the banner of Islam while befriending those who are actively fighting against Islam and Muslims despite Allah Azzawajal clearly stating: “You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred” (TMQ Al Mujadilah: 22)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that the Muslim-jewish problem is a land issue and not religious one despite Allah Azzawajal saying: “Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al-Mushrikoon" (TMQ Al Ma'idah :82) and Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam affirming: “The Jews will fight you and you will prevail over them, then a rock will say, “O Muslim, here is a Jew behind me, (come and) kill him” (Sahih Bukhari)?



Is it the “Islam” of those beggars who keep running to the United Nations for resolutions and assistance in Muslim issues despite Allah Azzawajal’s warning: “O you who believe! If you obey a group of those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians), they would (indeed) render you disbelievers after you have believed” (TMQ Aal Imran: 100)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that there are certain spiritual groups or orders that one must subscribe to in order to get close to Allah Azzawajal despite Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam teaching us: “The closest a person is to His Lord is when he is in prostration so increase supplicate (in it)” (Sahih Muslim) and “If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah” (Tirmidhi)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who call upon dead human beings to seek forgiveness from Allah Azzawajal on their behalf despite Allah Azzawajal warning: “And invoke not, besides Allah, any that will neither profit you, nor hurt you, but if (in case) you did so, you shall certainly be one of the dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)” (TMQ Yunus :106)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who pick and choose which parts of Islam they want to follow despite Allah Azzawajal ordering: “O you who believe! Enter into Islam completely and follow not the footsteps of shaytaan” (TMQ Al Baqarah: 208)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that certain scholars from Arabia or the Indian Sub-Continent must be followed and obeyed without question, (resembling Bani Israeel) despite Allah Azzawajal saying: “They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah” (TMQ At Tawbah:31) A former Christian, Adi ibn Hatim, said, "O Allah's Messenger. They do not worship them." Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam said, "They certainly do. They (i.e. rabbis and monks) made lawful things as unlawful and unlawful things as lawful, and they (i.e. Jews and Christians) followed them, and by doing so, they really worshiped them."(Musnad Ahmad/Tirmidhi)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who wish to re-interpret the clearly established laws from Qur'an and Sunnah despite Allah Azzawajal ordering: “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error” (TMQ Al Ahzab: 36) ?



All these “versions” of Islam are a manifestation of Allah Azzawajal's Words: “Have you seen him who takes his own desires as his ilah (god)?” (TMQ Al Jathiyah: 23)



Islam belongs to Allah Azzawajal and no creation has the authority to claim beliefs, practises or ideologies that are contradictory to His Azzawajal's Perfect Choice: “This day I have perfected your religion for you completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (TMQ Al Ma'idah: 3)



The basis of Islam is pure tawheed (oneness of Allah Azzawajal in worship, lordship, names and attributes and legislation). Allah Azzawajal's way is clear and so is His deen and therefore we shouldn't have any confusion in the matter especially when we have access to the Noble Qur'an: “And verily, this is My Straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al Muttaqun (pious/righteous)” (TMQ Al An'am: 153) and the authentic Sunnah of Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam: "There is nothing that will take you closer to Paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will take you closer to Hell but that I have warned you from it” (Musnad Ahmad)



Which then, is the correct way?



This was told to us by Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam: “And this Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects all of which except one will go to Hell and they (i.e. the Saved Sect) are those who are upon what I and My Companions are upon (i.e. those who follow My Way and the Way of my Companions.)” (Tirmidhi)



So the first characteristic is of a group who are people of Qur’an and Sunnah.



Furthermore, Allah Azzawajal and His Rasul sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam have specified certain key characteristics of a very special ta'ifah (group) that is from within the group of Qur'an and Sunnah.



“O you who believe! If any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him; humble before the believers, stern against the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never fear the blame of the blamers. That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He wills. And Allah encompasses all, and He knows all things” (TMQ Al Ma'idah: 54)



And from Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam: “A group of people from my Ummah will continue to fight in obedience to the Command of Allah, remaining dominant over their enemies. Those who will oppose them shall not do them any harm.” (Sahih Muslim)



The characteristics that are deduced from the above ayah and hadeeth are as follows and should be easy for anyone who sincerely wishes to understand insha Allah: 1) “Allah Azzawajal loves them” 2) “They love Allah Azzawajal”



Although these first two characteristics are unseen to us, we can safely assume that if they are fulfilling the remaining requirements and responsibilities, then they are those who love Allah Azzawajal and those whom Allah Azzawajal loves.



3) “They are humble towards the believers”



They are concerned about what happens to believers around the world. If any Muslim is killed, raped or tortured they feel that it is their responsibility to defend him/her. They put their lives on the line for this and spend from what Allah Azzawajal has blessed them with. This point excludes those Muslims who are extremely critical of other Muslims, stand with the kuffaar, fight against Muslims and get fatawa issued approving their evil actions



4) “They are stern towards the disbelievers”



They are willing to stand up to the tyranny and oppression of the kuffaar despite the difficulties that would entail. Of importance to note is that there are Muslims who are critical of other Muslims but very humble and kind towards the kuffaar – indeed a total contrast to this ayah!



5) “They fight in the path of Allah Azzawajal”



It's not very difficult to find those who are fighting in the path of Allah Azzawajal. Take a look in the media at who is being fought against and slandered in the war of terror. Many groups are eliminated by this characteristic.



6) “They don't fear the blame of the blamers”



Irrespective of whether it is the kuffaar or the munafiqeen (hypocrites) who slander and speak negatively about them in the media and on the mimbars, they don't care as long as what they are doing pleases Allah Azzawajal and is in accordance with the Sunnah.



7) “Those who oppose them wont harm them”



Whoever betrays them be it from among the Muslims (many have done so) or non-Muslim, does no harm to them



8) “They are a group”



They work in a jama’ah as an organised structure, as a group with a common objective



What are we still confused about?