In Defence of the Scholars of the Land of Tauheed [Part Two]

Saturday 10-Nov-2018, 6:16AM / 896



The information we are asked to believe has, ab initio, originated from some people whom can be concluded are not Muslims or at least are free-minded Muslims. The information is such that creates a scene of chaos in the religious institution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; that some scholars are out to pollute the religious sanctity of the country that seems the last hope of the Muslims on the surface of the earth.

The picture is that one Sheik Obeikan and another one, Kalbaani, are the proponents of the new change in the Kingdom. And some other Sheiks such as the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom are frantically making efforts to protect the religious sanctity of the Kingdom. Sheikh Obeikan was reported to have issued a Fatwa in the recent months legitimizing adults women breastfeeding men so as to create consanguinity between them, and that he issued another Fatwa that Dhuhur and Asr Prayers can be combined in work places when there is intense heat. As for Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbaani, the avowed first black Imaam in the Holy Sanctuary of Ka'bah, it was reported that he said he was not aware of any text prohibiting music in Islam.

That is the summary of the information.

But if they ask us where we have got the information from, we will say where? From the Internet, not only that, but from a Yahoo Arab News Company, Maktoob, which in turns was quoting one of the Western newswires known for championing the cause of the West, Agence France Presse (AFP); if you do not know that is the News Agency of France! [The writer was a student of journalism, please take note].

Brothers, unless we allow sentiments to overtake us, we have somehow believed a lie or at least, a half-truth.

Allâh the Mighty said (once again):

"O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done." [49:5]

The purport of the Verse is that when untrustworthy people come with information then we need to confirm it. The question then is 'have we confirmed that information?' Said the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam):

'…and I forbid you from Qeel Wa Qaal (hearsays)…' [Reported by Ibn Hibaan Ash-Shaykh Al-Albâni authenticated it As-Saheehah 685.]

Do you think we have not engaged in a Qeel Wa Qaal here?

And even if the information is later found to be true, which I doubt (out of my Husn Dhann for our scholars), then we are required to show restraint before we publicize it lest we will fall short under this Verse:

"When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people), if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allâh upon you, you would have followed Shaitân (Satan), save a few of you." [4: 83].

Ibn Kathir (may Allâh bestow mercy on him) said with regard to the Verse:

'It is a warning to those who rush to spread matters before they are confirmed such that they report, spread and publicize them and whereby the stories might not be true. Muslim reported in the Muqaddimah of his work:

'…on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allâh be pleased with him) from the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam) who said: 'It is enough to say a man is a liar if he reports all what he hears…' Let us mention the hadith of Umar b. Khataab (may Allâh be pleased with him) here which Al-Bukhâri and Muslim reported; that was when the information got to him that the Messenger of Allâh (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam) had divorced his wives, he came from his house until he entered the mosque and met some people saying that, he did not wait until he sought the permission to enter upon the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam) whom he asked whether he had really divorced his wives. The Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam) replied 'No.' Umar then praised Allâh … then the Verse was revealed … Yastanbitunahu ('they would understand it') means 'they would look for the information from its source…'' End of quote. [Tafsir Ibn kathir, p. 784-785, Daar Al-Aafaaq Al-Arabiyyah].

Thus the result of proper investigation is to ascertain the truth of any information we might be passing across. And it is not always our business to pass information especially the ones that have to do with public safety and welfare as in the case above.

At this juncture, it should not be thought that I am fronting for what can destroy the moral fabric of the society. Thus the issue of adult women breastfeeding men have been looked at here and several positions have been made clear: Some scholars support it (based on some conditions) while other do not support it; and it has been a khilaaf ever since, even from the household of the Messenger of Allâh (I mean between Aisha and other wives of the Messenger of Allâh (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam), and it has been shown that Aisha permitted it based on an evidence from the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam)).

As for the issue of music, the position of that is well-known in Islam; that it is forbidden except in the manner which Islam has allowed it (for women during marriage feasts among themselves, and for young girls during festivals; all these are well-known, I presume.) Allâh the Mighty said in His Noble Book:

"And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allâh without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allâh, the Verses of the Qur'ân) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire)." [31: 6].

Ibn Mas'uud (may Allaah be pleased with him) said with regard to the Verse when he was asked as to its meaning: 'It is music, by Allâh Whom there is none worthy of worship beside Him.' He said that three times. That is also the meaning Ibn Abbas, Jaabir, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Saeed b. Jubayr, Mujaahid, Makhuul, Amr b. Shuayb, Aliyy b. Nudaymah (may Allaah be pleased with all), gave to the Verse. [Thus it is surprising to hear that an Imam in Makkah would say he does not know of any text prohibit music in Islam; we really need to see where he directly made that statement not the one from AFP!]

Said the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam):

'There will come in my Ummah people who will legitimatize adultery, silk, liquor and musical instruments.' [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in As-Saheehah 91].

[Interestingly Al-Imaam Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusee was one of those who are of the opinion that music is permitted in Islam; he brought proofs for his claim, but scholars have adequately answered him. He was not brought to the public glare to be 'flogged' for his opinion neither did that reduce his Imaamah. The summary of that is that a scholar can still make a mistake. Likulli Aalimi Auhaamuhu ('Every scholar has his mistakes') – no exception please except the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam) and the Consensus of the Companions].

The issue of combining between Dhuhur and Asr (and Maghrib and Ishaa), even for the slightest reason, is another area.

It is a very thorny area which as a Taalib I do not like to delve into maybe some other time for I am greatly running out of time. But it should be noted that some scholars are of the view that Dhuhur and Asr Prayers can be combined when there is a slightest reason for it. They do base their argument on this hadith:

On the authority of Ibn Abbaas (may Allâh be pleased with both):

'The Prophet combined between Dhuhur and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha in Madeenah with no reason of fear or rain.'

Ibn Abbaas (may Allâh be pleased with both) was asked why did the Prophet do that, he said: 'So that he will not put his Ummah in a difficulty.' [The hadith is in Sahih Muslim and other books of Sunnah].

Al-Imaam Al-Albâni (may Allâh bestow mercy on him) made a brief comment on the hadith:

'Note that the hadith of Ibn Abbaass indicates that it is permissible to combine between Prayers while not on a journey so as to remove a difficulty; its implication is not absolute however (that is, there must be a reason for combining the Prayers), please take note of that (addendum), it is important.'

As to the application of hadith, it is for the scholars to decide; that is where Talabiyyah (studentship) comes to a halt.

Finally.

Saudi Arabia is a country that can boast of reputable scholars of , Fiqh, hadith, etc. and the influence of the scholars is well felt in the Saudi society for the country is still regarded as being conservatively Islâm. It is a pride for the Muslims.

But the fact that there are thousands of scholars in Saudi Arabia does not mean evil cannot emanate from it. Why will it not when the Best Society so far in history possessed some evil; I mean the Society that was trained by the Noble Prophet of Islam (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam). Despite the fact that the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam) was in Madeenah, there were still pockets of evils here and there; were there not hypocrites (whom the Prophet would not even kill), were there not drunkards whom one of them would be found drunk repeatedly, were there not people found guilty of adultery, even theft, etc? But the righteous people were more than the unrighteous ones, in fact the latter were greater in number that was the why the Society is seen as the best.

Thus if evil still comes from Saudi Arabia that does not make it to cease be the best country where Islam is practised; at least it is better than countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen, Omar, UAE! And of course, 'our dear 9ja.' Thus our prayer should be that good people should continue to reign in the country. Therefore when we hear some disturbing news (after we might have confirmed it however), we should not rush to say 'see Saudi o. see their scholars o!' And we should never love to hear bad news about the country (and other Muslim countries); if we must post anything about the country (and others) let it be what will soothe the Muslims (remember an individual cannot be perfect let alone a country). What do we really stand to achieve when we post negative things about the country? We will correct them. Nay it cannot be! That is not how to correct a wrong.

Yes Saudi Arabia cannot be as better as when Imams like Ibn Baaz, Al-Uthaymeen, etc. were alive just as Islam cannot be as better as when the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam) was alive. Anas b. Maalik reported from the Prophet (Sallalahu alahy wa sallam) that we would praise preceding years over the succeeding ones.

Final note:

All that I collected in the piece above has been done to enjoin brothers on this important aspect of the Deen but not to impugn anybody (Allâh suffices as a Witness) because the Deen is Naseehah; and I hope it will go a long way in solving some of the issues we raise here so that we will concentrate on the ones that will immediately benefit us as Muslim youths.

If I had made any mistake it is from myself and Shaytaan and if perhaps I met the truth then that is by the virtue of Allaah's Tawfeeq.

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