Foreword
Foreword
All praise is due to Allah Lord of the worlds. Salutations and peace be upon the best of creation. May the salutations and peace of my Lord be upon him, his family, and Companions.
I recall the brother ‘Ali al Qadibi stating after writing his book, Dha’i’ al Sayt:
I praised the Companions and I did not neglect the Ahlul Bayt radiya Llahu ‘anhum.
Which he made a theme for his series of books.
This theme has major connotations and in it is a clear distinction between the Ahlus Sunnah and Shia. The topic of this book is of utmost importance as he discusses the hadith of the Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who was gifted with Jawami’ al Kalim[1], the hadith discussing the greater of the two weighty things (i.e. Qur’an) and the lesser of the two weighty things according to the Shia (The family of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He has excelled in his endeavour despite the concise nature of the book.
Dear reader! You are well aware that the Ahlus Sunnah rely on the Noble Qur’an which is the speech of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, and it is Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala who has revealed it as a miracle upon his Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. It is on account of Allah’s subhanahu wa ta ‘ala mercy on this nation that he has preserved the Qur’an wherein there is neither addition nor omission. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.[2]
It is an admonishment and a cure for what is in the hearts, and it is a guidance and mercy for the believers. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.[3]
In this manner, they depend on the Sunnah of the Imam of the Ahlul Bayt and the entire universe in establishing their ‘Aqidah (creed) and Shari’ah (law). Can the Ahlus Sunnah be blamed for restricting themselves to emulating and following the Master of creation, Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who is the ultimate leader and example. This is the basis of this din according to the Ahlus Sunnah wa al Jama’ah.
It is not possible for a Muslim to slander the Qur’an or the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, nor to belittle the rank of the Qur’an or Allah’s Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. It is incumbent to call towards the veneration of the Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and to call towards adherence to his teachings and guidance. These two components are the basis for reformation and propagation. As for the Hadith al Thaqalayn; the author transmitted the explanations of the scholars regarding both its chain of transmission and content—and what is mentioned is sufficient in proving this point.
According to Ahlus Sunnah wa al Jama’ah the meaning of the testimony that “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” is to have unwavering faith in the fact that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala chose Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and sent him as His Messenger to both Man and Jinn. It is obligatory to firmly accept what he has commanded and to refrain from whatever he has prohibited. It is incumbent to have faith in and to firmly accept every report that is authentically transmitted from him, and that it will happen just as he had informed. With regards to obeying him in that which he has commanded, this is a necessity. With regards to avoiding whatever he has prohibited and reprimanded from, it is incumbent to abstain from it, and that we worship Allah as he ought to be worshipped both internally and externally. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُوْلُ فَخُذُوْهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوْا
And whatever the Messenger has given you, take; and what he has forbidden you, refrain from.[4]
Similarly it is obligatory to have undying love for the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, such love that surpasses love for one’s parents, self, and all of mankind. The Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has said:
لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى أكون أحب إليه من ولده ووالده والناس أجمعين
None of you truly believe until I am more beloved to him than his parent, his son, and the entire mankind.[5]
Salutations and peace upon him whenever he is mentioned ,and similarly for his beloved family and close relatives on account of their close relation to him, as well as his beloved Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum on account of their companionship.
I wish to add a few words to this: Verily the Imam’s have passed on into the Mercy of Allah except for Al Muntazar (the Awaited One), so the conflict is not about authority or who is the khalifah, but rather it is a political conflict. The awaited al Mahdi—as acknowledged by those who believe in him—will possess such miracles and cosmic powers with which he will rule the earth and establish his political and ideological authority. He will be aided by Allah and will not be in need of any man. It therefore befits conflict between the Sunnah and Shia be toned down, and for both parties to look into what benefits them both.
May Allah’s salutations and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
Salih ibn ‘Abdullah al Darwish
Judge of the public bench in Qatif.
NEXT⇒ Introduction
[1] The gift of expressing the profoundest of meanings in the most concise and eloquent of expressions.
[2] Surah al Hijr: 9
[3] Surah Yunus: 57
[4] Surah al Hashr: 7
[5] Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim; the wording is from Sahih al Bukhari