Take Your Creed from The Book (Qurʾān) and the Authenticated Sunnah
Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Jamīl Zaynū
The Muslims will be helped when they return to the implementation of the Book of their Lord, and the Sunnah of their Prophet (ﷺ), and when they take to the propagation of Tawḥīd, and when they warn against shirk in opposition to its manifestations, and when they defend against their enemies with whatever is feasible from strength.
Section 1 – The Right of Allāh Upon His Slaves
Section 2 – Shirk
Section 3 – The Lesser Shirk
Section 4 – Seeking A Means of Nearness to Allāh [tawassul] and Requesting Intercession
Section 5 – Jihād, Allegiance, and Rulership
Section 6 – Acting in Accordance to Qūran and Ḥadīth
Section 7 – Sunnah and Innovation
Section 8 – An Accepted Supplication
Section 1 – The Right of Allāh Upon His Slaves
Q1. Why did Allāh create us?
A1. He created us for his worship, and not to associate anything with Him. And the proof is the Statement of Allāh the Exalted:
He created us for his worship, and not to associate anything with Him. And the proof is the Statement of Allāh the Exalted:
“And I did not create the Jinn or mankind except to worship Me.”
[Al-Dhāriyāt]
And the statement of the Prophet (ﷺ):
“The right of Allāh upon His slaves is that they worship Him, and that they do not associate anything with Him.” [Agreed Upon]
Q2. What is worship?
A2. Worship is the comprehensive name of everything Allāh loves, from sayings and actions such as supplication, prayer, and slaughtering, and other than these. Allāh says:
“Say: verily my prayer, and my sacrifice 1, and my living, and my dying are for Allāh the Lord of all the worlds.”
[Al-Anʿām]
And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Allāh said, ‘And the thing that brings my slave closer to Me with something beloved to me is that which I have obligated upon him.'” [a Ḥadīth Qudsī, related by Bukhārī]
Q3. How do we worship Allāh?
A3. As Allāh and His Messenger (ﷺ) have commanded us. Allāh the Exalted said:
As Allāh and His Messenger (ﷺ) have commanded us. Allāh the Exalted said:
“O you who believe, obey Allāh, and obey the Messenger, and do not invalidate your actions.”
[Muḥammad]
And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever performs an action not in accordance with our command, then it is rejected.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q4. Do we worship Allāh with fear and hope?
A4. Yes, we worship Him like that. Allāh says in praise of the Believers:
“They call on their Lord with fear and hope.”
[Al-Sajdah]
And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“I ask Allāh for Paradise, and I seek refuge with Him from the Fire.” [Abū Dāwūd, authentic]
Q5. What is iḥsān in worship?
A5. Iḥsān is contemplating deeply on Allāh in worship. Allāh the Exalted said:
“The One who sees you when you stand, and who changes you in the two prostrations.”
[Al-Shuʿarāʾ]
And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Iḥsān is that you worship Allāh as though you see Him, so even though you cannot see Him, verily He sees you.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
The Types of Tawḥīd and Their Benefits
Q6. Why did Allāh send messengers?
A6. He sent them to call the people to His worship, and to negate partners from Him.
Allāh says:
“And verily We sent to every nation a messenger so that they worship Allāh, and avoid Tāghūt.”2
And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“…and the prophets are brothers…and their religion is one.” [The ḥadīth is agreed upon.]
Q7. What is Tawḥīd al Rubūbiyyah?
A7. Its Tawḥīd is in regards to actions such as creating and managing [all of creation] and other than these two things. Allāh said:
“All praise is due to Allāh, the Lord of all the worlds.”
[Al-Fātiḥah]
And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“You [Allāh] are the lord of the heavens and the earth.” [Agreed Upon]
Q8. What is Tawḥīd al Ulūhiyyah?
A8. It is singling Allāh out in all acts of worship such as supplication, and sacrifice, and taking oaths. Allāh the Exalted says:
“And you God is one God. There is no true diety except Him. The Most Merciful, [al-Raḥmān] The Bestower of Mercy [al-Raḥīm].”
And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“So let the first thing you call them to be the testification that there is no true deity except Allāh.” [Agreed Upon]
And in the narration of Bukhārī:
“To the assertion of the oneness of Allāh.”
Q9. What is the Tawḥīd of the attributes of Allāh and His Names?
A9. It is to affirm what Allāh describes Himself with in His Book, or what His Messenger (ﷺ) describes for Him in authentic ḥadīths, or their real meanings. Without taʾwīl [figurative interpretation], tafwīḍ [affirming the written word without a meaning], and without tamthīl [resembling Allāh to His creation], and without taʿtīl [denial]. This is for Attributes such as istiwá [ascension], and Allāh’s descension, and the Hand, and other than those for what is befitting His Perfection. Allāh says:
“There is nothing like Him, and He is All-Seeing, All-Hearing.”
[Al-Shūrá]
And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Allāh descends at every night to the lowest part of the Heavens.”[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Allāh descends a descent befitting His Glory, not resembling anything of His creation.
Q10. Where is Allāh?
A10. Allāh is above His Throne, which is above the sky. Allāh the Exalted says:
“The Bestower of Mercy rose above the Throne.”
[Ṭa-Ha]
This means He ascended and rose above. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Verily Allāh wrote a book…so it is with Him above the Throne.” [Agreed Upon]
Q11. Is Allāh with us?
A11. Allāh is with us in His Hearing, and His Seeing, and His Knowledge. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Say: Do not be afraid, verily I am with you both, I hear and I see.”
[Ṭa-Ha]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Verily you are calling upon one who is All-Hearing. near, and He is with you.” (Meaning: in His knowledge.)
Q12. What is the benefit of Tawḥīd?
A12. The benefit of Tawḥīd is having faith in the Hereafter, the punishment and the reward, whilst in this world, and the rejection of sins. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Those who believe and do not mix their faith with Dhulm 6, these are the ones for whom there is faith, and they are rightly guided.”
[Al-Anʿām]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The right of the slaves upon Allāh is that He does not punish the ones who do not associate anything with Him.” [Agreed Upon]
The Conditions For The Acceptance of Actions:
Q13. What are the conditions for the acceptance of actions?
A13. The conditions for the acceptance of actions with Allāh are three:
1. Faith in Allāh and His Oneness.
Allāh says:
“Verily those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them are Gardens of Paradise as a final abode.”
[Al-Kahf]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Say: I believe in Allāh, so I am steadfast.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
2. Al-Ikhlās – and it is performing deeds of worship for Allāh without obstinancy and arrogance.
Allāh the Exalted says:
“So worship Allāh, purifying the religion for Him.”
[Al-Zumar]
3. Stopping at what the Messenger (ﷺ) came with.
Allāh the Exalted says:
“And whatever the Messenger gives you, then take it, and whatever he prohibits for you, then refrain.”
[Al-Ḥashr]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever performs an action not in accordance with our affair, then it is rejected.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Section 2 – Shirk
Q1. What is the worst crime according to Allāh?
A1. The worst crime is to associate partners with Allāh, and the proof is the statement of Allāh the Exalted:
“O my son! Do not associate partners with Allāh. Verily shirk is the worst type of oppression.”
[Al-Luqmān]
When the Messenger (ﷺ) was asked:
‘Which of the sins is the worst?’
He said:
“That you appoint for Allāh an associate while He is your Creator.”[Agreed Upon]
Q2. What is the greater shirk?
A2. The greater shirk is to direct worship to other than Allāh, or to seek help from the dead, or the living who are absent. Allāh the Exalted said:
“And worship Allāh, and do not associate anything with Him.”
[Al-Nisāʾ]
His Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“From the worst of all matters is Shirk with Allāh.” [Bukhārī]
Q3. Is shirk present in this Ummah?
A3. Yes it is present, and the proof is the statement of Allāh the Exalted:
“And most of them do not believe in Allāh, except that they are associators with Allāh.”
[Al-Yūsuf]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The Hour will not come until tribes from my nation (Muslims) overtake the idolators, and until they too worship idols.” [Tirmidthī, authentic]
Q4. What is the Islamic ruling upon supplicating to the dead or absent?
A4. Supplicating to the dead or absent is from greater shirk. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Do not call upon other than Allāh, it is of no avail for you, and do not harm yourself, for verily you will if you are from amongst the oppressors.” (meaning: idolaters)
[Yūnus]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever dies and he is calling upon other than Allāh as an equal, then he enters the Fire.” [Bukhārī]
Q5. Is supplication worship?
A5. Yes supplication is worship.
Allāh the Exalted said:
“And your Lord says: Call upon me, I will accept from you. Verily those who are two proud for my worship, I will enter them into Hell despised.”
[Al-Ghāfir]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Supplication is worship.” [Aḥmad, and Tirmidthī, who said it is a good authentic narration]
Q6. Do the dead hear supplications?
A6. They do not hear. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Verily your dead do not hear.”
[Naml]
“And you are not heard by those in the graves.”
[Al-Fāṭir]
Q7. Are we allowed to seek aid from the dead or absent?
A7. You are not allowed to seek aid from them.
Allāh the Exalted said:
“And those who call upon other than Allāh create nothing, and they are themselves created. Dead, not living, and they do not know when they will be resurrected.”
[Al-Naḥl]
“If you seek aid from your Lord, He will accept your plea.”
[Al-Anfāl]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“O Ever-Living, the Eternal! Aid me with your Mercy.” [Tirmidthī, good]
Q8. Is it permissible to ask for help from other than Allāh?
A8. It is not permissible, and the proof is the Statement of Allāh:
“Only You do we worship, and only You do we ask for help.”
[Al-Fātiḥah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“If you ask, ask of Allāh, and if you seek help, then seek the help of Allāh.” [Tirmidthī, good and authentic]
Q9. Can we seek help with the living?
A9. Yes, but only in that which they have the ability to do. Allāh the Exalted says:
“And cooperate upon piety and righteousness.”
[Al-Māʿidah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Allāh helps the slave in that which the slave helps his brother.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q10. Is it permissible to swear by other than Allāh?
A10. It is not permissible to swear, except by Allāh, for Allāh said:
“By the Lord of my father, my soul is set free.”
[Āli ʿImrān]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever swears that he will obey Allāh, then let him obey Him, and whoever swears that he will disobey Allāh, then let him not disobey Him.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q11. Is it permissible to sacrifice for other than Allāh?
A11. It is not permissible, and the proof is the Statement of Allāh:
“So pray to your Lord, and sacrifice.“8
[Al-Kawthar]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The curse of Allāh is upon whoever sacrifices for other than Him.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q12. Can we circumambulate around other than the ka’abah for the purpose of getting closer to Allāh?
A12. We do not circumambulate, except around the ka’abah. Allāh the Exalted said:
“And let them circumambulate around the Ancient House.”
[Ḥajj]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever circumambulates around the House seven times, and prays two units, it is as if he has freed a neck.” [Ibn Mājah, authentic]
Q13. What is the ruling on magic?
A13. Magic is from disbelief. Allāh the Exalted said:
“But the satans committed disbelief by teaching the people magic.”
[Al-Baqarah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Avoid seven grave offenses: associating partners with Allāh, and magic…” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q14. Can we trust the fortuneteller and the soothsayer regarding the knowledge of the Unseen?
A14. We do not trust them because of the knowledge of Allāh the Exalted:
“Say: no one knows what is in the Heavens and the earth except Allāh.”
[Naml]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever comes to a fortuneteller or a soothsayer, then trusts him in what is said, then verily he disbelieves in what was revealed to Muḥammad.” [Aḥmad, authentic]
Q15. Does anyone know the Unseen?
A15. No one knows the Unseen except those who are shown by Allāh, like the messengers. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Knower of the Unseen, so He does not disclose the Unseen to anyone.”
[Al-Jinn]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“No one knows the Unseen except Allāh.” [Tirmidthī, good]
Q16. Can we wear a thread or a ring for the purpose of intercession?
A16. Do not wear these. Allāh the Exalted said:
“And keep to Allāh in the face of harm, for none can remove it from you except Him.”
[Al-Anʿām]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“As for this, it does not increase you except in weakness. Distance it from yourself, for verily the one who uses it will never succeed.” [Related by al-Ḥākim, authenticated and affirmed by al-Dhahabī.]
Q17. Can one rely upon beads and seashells, and their like (for worship)?
A17. We cannot rely upon them for anything. Allāh the Exalted says:
“And keep to Allāh in the face of harm, for none can remove it from you except Him.”
[Al-Anʿām]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever relies upon an amulet 4, then he has indeed associated partners with Allāh.” [Related by Aḥmad, authentic]
Q18. What is the ruling on working with the authorities who oppose Islām?
A18. Working with the authorities who oppose Islām is disbelief if he permits it, or believes in its correctness. Allāh the Exalted said:
“And whoever does not judge by what Allāh revealed, these are the disbelievers.”
[Al-Maʾidah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“There are no leaders of a people who do not judge by the Book of Allāh, and see it as being better than what Allāh revealed, except that Allāh places an evil between them.” [Good, Related by Ibn Mājah and other than him]
Q19. How do we refute the question of the devil, ‘Who created Allāh’?
A19. If the devil whispers this question to any of you, then seek refuge with Allāh. Allāh the Exalted says:
“And if you are insinuated with the insinuations of Satan, then seek refuge with Allāh. Verily He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
[Al-Fuṣṣilat]
The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) taught us to refute the deceptions of Satan by saying:
‘I believe in Allāh and His messenger. Allāh is One, Allāh is the Ever-Living. He does not beget, nor is He begotten, and no one is a co-equal to Him.’
Then let him spit towards his left three times and seek Allāh’s refuge against Satan. So verily it will leave him. [These are excerpts from authentic ḥadīths mentioned in Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Aḥmad, and Abū Dāwūd]
Q20. What is the harm of greater shirk?
A20. Greater shirk is a reason for abiding in the Fire. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Whoever associates partners with Allāh, indeed Allāh has forbidden Paradise for him. His accommodation will be in the Fire, and the transgressors do not have any helpers.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever meets Allāh while associating anything with Him, he enters the Fire.”
Q21. Do good deeds benefit the one who is committing shirk?
A21. No actions benefit the one who associates partners with Allāh. Allāh the Exalted says:
“If you associate partners with Allāh, nothing you do will be of benefit to you.”
The Prophet said:
“Allāh the Exalted said: ‘I am far above the association of the associators who perform deeds in which (ﷺ) they associate partners along with Me. They are left to their association.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Section 3 – The Lesser Shirk
Q1. What is lesser shirk?
A1. Lesser shirk is showing off [riyā]. Allāh the Exalted says:
“So whoever wishes to meet his Lord, then let him perform righteous deeds, and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord.”
[Al-Kahf]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Verily what I fear for you most is lesser shirk: showing off.” [Related by Abū Dāwūd, authentic]
From lesser shirk is the statement of a man, ‘If it were not for Allāh, and for so and so.’ or ‘What Allāh wishes, and what you wish.’
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Do not say, ‘What Allāh wishes and what so and so wishes.’, rather say: Whatever Allāh wishes, then what so and so wishes.” [Related by Abū Dāwūd, authentic]
Q2. Is it permissible to take an oath by other than Allāh?
A2. It is not permissible to take an oath by other than Allāh. Allāh the Exalted says:
It is not permissible to take an oath by other than Allāh. Allāh the Exalted says:
“Yes, by my Lord you will surely be ressurected.”
[Al-Taghābun]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever takes an oath by other than Allāh, then he has indeed associated partners.” [Related by Aḥmad, authentic]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever wishes to take an oath, then let him take an oath by Allāh, or be disgraced.” [Agreed Upon]
Section 4 – Seeking A Means of Nearness to Allāh [tawassul] and Requesting Intercession
Q1. With what do we seek a means of nearness to Allāh?
A1. Tawassul can be permissible or prohibited:
The permissible and beseechable tawassul is the tawassul by the Names of Allāh and His Attributes, and by righteous actions. Allāh the Exalted said:
“And Allāh has beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them.”
[Al-Aʿarāf]
Allāh the Exalted also says:
“O you who believe, fear Allāh, and seek a means of approach to Him.”
[Al-Māʿidah]
[That is, to draw near to Him by obedience, and to do what pleases Him – mentioned by Ibn Kathīr as a quote from Qatādah.] The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“I ask You by every name You have…”[Related by Aḥmad, authentic]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said to the companion who asked his company in Paradise:
“Pre-occupy yourself with many prostrations.”(That is, prayer since it is from righteous actions.) [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
It is permissible to seek a means of nearness to Allāh with our love. This is the love for Allāh, for His Messenger, and His close allies. Likewise, there is the story of the people of the cave who sought a means of nearness to Allāh by their righteous actions, so Allāh freed them.
Prohibited tawassul – it is calling upon the dead and requesting ones needs from them, as is the reality today. This is greater shirk due to the statement of Allāh:
“And do not call upon other than Allāh those who cannot benefit you. And do not harm yourself, but if you do, then you will be from amongst the oppressors.” [That is, from the polytheists.]
[Yūnus]
As for tawassul by the rank of the Messenger (ﷺ), such as ones statement: ‘O Lord, cure me by the rank of Muḥammad.’, then this is an innovation because the Companions never did it. Rather ʿUmar raḍī Allāhu ʿanhu sought a means of nearness to Allāh by the supplication of Al-ʿAbbās while the latter was alive. One cannot seek a means of nearness by the Messenger (ﷺ) after his death, this is a means which – if utilized – is shirk. If one believes that Allāh is in need of a human intermediary like a leader or a ruler, then he has likened the Creator to His creation.
If one wants an increase in knowledge about this topic – along with details and proofs – then he should refer to the book, ‘Tawassul – Its Rulings and Its Types’ by Shaykh Al-Albānī.
Q2. Is there a need for a human intermediary in supplication?
A2. There is no need for a human intermediary in supplication due to the statement of Allāh:
“And if My slave asks you about Me, then verily I am near.”
[Al-Baqarah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Verily you are calling upon one who is All-Hearing, near, and He is with you.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q3. Is it permissible to request the living for supplication?
A3. It is permissible to request the living for supplication, but not the dead. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Ask forgiveness for your sins, and for those of the believing men and women.”
[Muḥammad]
There occurs in an authentic ḥadīth in Tirmidthī: “Indeed a blind man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘Ask Allāh to cure me…'”
Q4. What was the purpose of the Prophet (ﷺ)?
A4. The purpose of the Messenger (ﷺ) was to convey the message. Allāh the Exalted said:
“O prophet convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord.”
[Al-Māʿidah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“O Allāh bear witness.”
The Companions answered by saying:
“We bear witness that you have indeed conveyed it.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q5. From who do we request the intercession of the Messenger (ﷺ)?
A5. We request the intercession of the Messenger (ﷺ) from Allāh the Exalted:
“Say: for Allāh is all intercession.”
[Al-Zumar]
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught his Companions to say:
‘O Allāh, allow his intercession for me.’ [Tirmidthī, a good authentic ḥadīth]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“My supplication for intercession on the Day of Judgement for whoever dies from this ummah and he is not associating anything with Allāh has been hidden.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q6. Can we request intercession from the living?
A6. We request intercession from the living in worldly matters. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Whoever intercedes a good intercession, there is a portion of it for him. And whoever intercedes a sinful intercession, there is the responsibility of it for him.” [That is, a portion of its burden.]
[Nisāʾ]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Intercede, you will be rewarded.” [Abū Dāwūd, authentic]
Q7. Do we go to excess upon praise of the Messenger (ﷺ)?
A7. We do not go to excess in his praise. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Say: I am only a human being like yourselves, except that it has been revealed to me that your god is one God.”
[Al-Kahf]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Do not praise 5 me as the Christians and the Jews praised Jesus the son of Mary. Verily I am only a slave. So say: the slave of Allāh and His Messenger.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Section 5 – Jihād, Allegiance, and Rulership
Q1. What is the ruling upon jihād in the Path of Allāh?
A1. It is obligatory to perform jihād with ones wealth, and person, and tongue. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Hasten in lightness and in heaviness and struggle [Arabic: jāhidū] with your wealth and your person in the Path of Allāh.”
[Al-Tawbah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Strive against the polytheists with your wealth, and your persons, and your age.” [Abū Dāwūd, authentic]
Q2. What is allegiance?
A2. Allegiance is love and aid. Allāh the Exalted said:
“And the believing men and women are allies of one another.”
[Al-Tawbah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The believers are like a solid structure.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Q3. What is a walī [close ally]?
A3. The walī is the god-conscious believer. Allāh the Exalted says:
“Is it not that the close allies of Allāh do not have fear, nor do they grieve?”
[Yūnus]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Allāh is the protector and caretaker of those who believe.” [Aḥmad, authentic]
Q4. With what should the Muslims rule?
A4. The Muslims should rule with the Qurʾān and the authentic ḥadīths. Allāh the Exalted said:
“And indeed, rule between yourselves with what Allāh revealed.”
[Al-Maʾidah]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Knower of the Unseen and the Witness, you have judged between your slaves.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Section 6 – Acting in Accordance to Qūran and Ḥadīth
Q1. Why did Allāh reveal the Qurʾān?
A1. Allāh revealed theQurʾān to be acted upon. Allāh the Exalted says:
“Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord.”
[Al-Aʿarāf]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Read the Qurʾān, and act upon it, and do not take money for it.” Aḥmad, authentic]
Q2. What is the ruling on acting upon an authentic ḥadīth?
A2. Acting upon an authentic ḥadīth is obligatory due to the statement of Allāh the Exalted:
“And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you from, then refrain.”
[Al-Ḥashr]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Stick to my sunnah and the sunnah or my rightly guided Caliphs. Cling firmly to it.” [Aḥmad, authentic]
Q3. Do we consider the Qurʾān to be sufficient without ḥadīths?
A3. We do not consider the Qurʾān to be sufficient without ḥadīths. Allāh the Exalted said:
“And We revealed to you the Reminder 6 so that you may explain to the people what has been revealed to them.”
[Al-Naḥl]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Indeed I have been given the Qurʾān and its like with it.” [Abū Dāwūd and other than him, authentic]
Q4. Do we put a statement above the statement of Allāh and His Messenger (ﷺ)?
A4. We do not put any statement above the statement of Allāh and His Messenger due to the statement of Allāh the Exalted:
“O you who believe, do not put yourselves before Allāh and His Messenger.”
[Al-Ḥujurāt]
This is also due to the statement of the Messenger (ﷺ):
“There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator.” [Ṭabarānī, authentic]
Ibn ʿAbbās said:
‘I fear that stones will descend upon you from the sky! I say to you: the Messenger of Allāh said, and you say Abū Bakr and ʿUmar said!
Q5. What do we do if we have differences?
A5. We must return our differences to the Book and the authentic sunnah. Allāh the Exalted said:
“So if you disagree in anything, then return it to Allāh and His Messenger if you are believers in Allāh and the Last Day. That is best in result.”
[Nisāʾ]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Stick to my sunnah and the sunnah of my rightly guided Caliphs. Cling firmly to it.” [Aḥmad, authentic]
Q6. How do we love Allāh and His Messenger?
A6. We love them by obeying them and following their command. Allāh the Exalted said:
“Say: if you love Allāh, then follow me. Allāh will love you and forgive you of your sins, and Allāh is the Forgiving and the Merciful.”
[Ali ʿImrān]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“None of you has believed until I am more beloved to than your fathers and your sons and all of mankind.” [Agreed Upon]
Q7. Should we give up work and rely solely upon pre-decree?
A7. We do not give up work and rely solely upon pre-decrees due to the statement of Allāh:
“So as for he who gives and fears Allāh, and believes in the Reward; then We will ease him towards ease.”
[Al-Layl]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Work, then you will easily be successful in what you were created for.” [Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
Section 7 – Sunnah and Innovation
Q1. Is there a good innovation in the Religion?
A1. There is no good innovation in the Religion, and the proof is the statement of Allāh the Exalted:
“Today I have perfected for you your Religion, and have completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen Islām as your religion.”
[Al-Maʾidah]
Q2. What is innovation in the Religion?
A2. Innovation in the Religion is an addition or a decrease in it. Allāh the Exalted said in dispraise of the innovations of the polytheists:
“Or do they have partners in the Religion who have legislated what Allāh has not given permission for?”
[Shūrā]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever innovates in this affair of ours that which is not from it, then it is rejected. [Agreed Upon]
Q3. Is there a good sunnah in Islām?
A3. Yes, in Islām there is a good sunnah. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever takes a good sunnah in Islām, then he has its reward as well as the reward of those who act upon it after him, without anything being decreased from their reward.” [Bukhārī]
Q4. When will the Muslims be helped?
A4. The Muslims will be helped when they return to the implementation of the Book of their Lord, and the Sunnah of their Prophet (ﷺ), and when they take to the propagation of tawḥīd, and when they warn against shirk in opposition to its manifestations, and when they defend against their enemies with whatever is feasible from strength. Allāh the Exalted says:
“O you who believe, if you help Allāh, He will help you and establish your feet.”
[Muḥammad]
And He also says:
“Allāh has promised those who have believed from among you, and done righteous deeds, that He will grant them succession upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them their Religion which He preferred for them, and He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security. They Worship Me not associating anything with Me.”
[Al-Nūr]
Section 8 – An Accepted Supplication
The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said:
“A believer is not affected with anxiety and grief, and he says: ‘O Allāh I am your slave, son of your slave, son of your female-slave. My forelock is in Your Hand, Your command over me is forever executed, and Your Decree over me is just. I ask You with every Name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with or revealed in Your Book, or taught to any of Your creation, or you have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the Qurʾān the life of my heart, and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow, and a release for my anxiety.’ – except that Allāh relieves him of his anxiety and grief, and changes his condition to one of relief.” [Aḥmad, authentic]
Endnotes:
1. ‘My sacrifice’ means: slaughtering animals for Allāh
2. Tāghūt: A satan calling to the worship of anything other than Allāh
3. Dhulm: to associate partners with Allāh.
4. Amulet: beads or seashells relied upon for anything.
5. Praise: it is exaggeration in praise.
6. Dhikr: the Qurʾān and the sunnah
Translated by Maaz Qureshi
