> Our Scholars - The Defenders Of Faith

[Qatada]

Our Scholars - The Defenders Of Faith

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our humble and beloved Prophet, and upon his family and companions.

A companion by the name of Sa'd bin 'Ubada once proclaimed: "If I saw a man with my wife, I would strike him with the sharp edge of the sword." The Prophet (s.a.w), in reply, said to his companions: "Are you astonished by Sa'd's sense of honour? (By Allah) I have a greater sense of honour than he has, and Allah has still more greater sense of honour than I have" [Sahih al-Bukhari].

Only a true believer would feel such a deep sense of protection over his religion. This honour was reflected in the sacrifices they bore whenever they sensed that Islam was threatened, no matter the personal consequences.

Many of today's so-called 'Modern Muslims' bear the stench of being grossly apologetic. They portray polygamy as being nearly a grave sin in Islam, modesty as a cultural habit of the first generation of Muslims, and Jihad as a fight not against the enemies of Allah, but our own desires. It reaches a stage whereby we fear revealing our Islamic identity, and watch our religion and its followers disgraced without even raising a squeak.


Yet history is rich in the example set by those who defended Islam with their words, their wealth, and their persons. The believers in Tawheed had a common trait: the fear of Allah, not of men, nor hunger, nor poverty, nor death.

Cowardice is a disease which even the Prophet (s.a.w) himself sought refuge from. 'Aishah (r.a.a) said: "The Prophet of Allah (s.a.w), for as long as I knew him, never slept without first seeking refuge from cowardice and indolence..."

The torch-bearers of faith can never waiver in the sight of opposition; this is as command from Allah: "It is only Satan that suggests to you the fear of his 'Awlia' (supporters), so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are true believers".



The Examples They Have Set

Our enemies and our own people are always monitoring our actions and words. With Muslims, if they note us faltering, then they will also become weak in their practice. As for our enemies, any sign of weakness and they will exploit that opportunity to degrade our religion, and harm us in any way perceivable. This is why we find that our pious predecessors stood firm in their belief, and in defending Islam from any attack.

After the time of the Righteous Caliphs, the laws governing Islamic principles became lax. It became the practice of some future kings to introduce magicians into their royal courts. Since the State stopped applying the law, some of the companions took it upon themselves to enforce it. Caliph al-Waleed ibn 'Abdul-Malik had a man in his court who used to perform feats of magic. Once he severed a man's head and separated it completely from his body. When the shock of his deed electrified the audience, he proceeded to further amaze them by rejoining the head. The man then appeared as if though his head had never been cut off. The people in the audience gasped, "SubhanAllah! He is able to give life to the dead!" A companion by the name of Jundub al- Azdee noticed the commotion in the court and so he came and watched the magician's performance. On the following day, he returned with his sword strapped across his back. When the magician stepped up to begin his show, Jundub burst through the crowd with his sword drawn and chopped off the head of the magician. He then turned to the startled audience and said, "If he is really able to bring life back to the dead, let him bring himself back to life. As a result, he was arrested and thrown in jail.

When Ibn Abbas (r.a.a) heard about the people who were doubting Fate, he remarked: "This verse has been revealed about similar people: "Feel the touch of Hell. Lo! We have created every thing by measure" [S. 54;V 48-49]. These people are the worst individuals of this Ummah. Don't enquire after the health of their sick ones nor say the funeral prayer for them. Should I see any one of them , I would blind both his eyes with these two fingers."

Imam Abu Haneefahwas much sought-after by the calipha of the day for his outstanding qualifications. Although he was offered the high position of Judge of Kufah, he refused, and was consequently physically beaten. He was also imprisoned by the calipha Aby Ja'far al-Mansoor, and remained so until his death, and refused to give in to their demands, because of the many compromises the position demanded.

Imam Malik was another of those who favoured his religion over his ownself, and stood as an example for many generations to follow. He once issued a fatwa that the caliphate belonged rightfully to a man other than the current ruler. The people objected saying that they had sworn fealty to Mansur, the then calipha. Imam Malik said: "Mansur has coerced you into doing this and the Shari'ah does not regard as valid any act done under coercion. There is a hadith that if a man is forced to divorce his wife, the divorce would be invalid". On hearing this, the Governor of Median, Ja'far, ordered Imam Malik not to issue any fatwa declaring that a divorce obtained by force or under coercion is invalid as this would strengthen the case of those who regarded as invalid the oath of fealty obtained by Mansur under coercion. But Imam Malik refused to succumb to the whims of anyone, and continued to give his verdict against divorce under coercion. As a result of his stance, Imam Malik was flogged in public until he bled white, but still he refused to bow to the wishes of the rulers. His arms became severely damaged to such a degree that he became unable to clasp them on his chest in Salat, and so would pray with his hands on his sides.

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal also went through a series of persecutions. He was jailed and beaten for two years for rejecting the philosophical concept that the Qur'an was created.

As a result of his fight against the heretical beliefs of the people of his time, Ibn Taymiyyah was continually challenged for his beliefs. In 1309 AC, Ibn Taymiyyah was exiled to Alexandria after being sentenced for deviating from the 'norm' of what was then being taught.

Ibn Taymiyyah firmly held the opinion that the three sentences of divorce spoken at the same time should be regarded as one revocable divorce. The view of Ibn Taymiyyah happened to be against the official view which naturally brought him in conflict with some of the scholars on one hand and with the government on the other.

Consequently, the theologians tried to prevent him from expressing further legal opinion on such matters. In fact a royal edict was issued from Cairo in 718AH /1318AC forbidding him from giving legal opinions in such cases. Initially Ibn Taymiyyah abided by the edict but later again began giving legal judgements on this issue as he decided that it was improper for him to desist simply for fear of the government. As a result in 720AH /1320AC he was detained in a citadel for just over five months.

This persecution continued until Ibn Taymiyyah finally died in prison in 728 ah/1328 ac at the age of 67.


Our Models

Imagine if companions like Jundub and Ibn 'Abbas remained quiet when they saw obvious corruption occurring. Or if scholars such as Imam Malik, Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Ibn Hanbal and Ibn Taymiyyah bowed to the wills of those in power. The knowledge and understanding we have today of Islam would never have reached such heights.

When a Jew once revealed the private parts of a Muslim woman, a companion stood up and immediately killed him. He knew that next time it would lead to rape.

How disgraceful it is that today's Muslims hide behind a screen when Islam is attacked. We fear to portray our religion in its true glory, we become silent if we think raising a topic might invoke the wrath of people, yet the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Let not any one of you belittle himself". When the companions replied as to how one can belittle himself, he said: "He finds a matter concerning Allah about which he should say something, and he does not say [it], so Allah (Mighty and Sublime be He) says to him on the Day of Resurrection: 'What prevented you from saying something about such-and-such and such-and-such?' He will say: '[It was] out of fear of people'. Then He says: 'Rather it is I whom you should have more properly feared' [related by Ibn Majah with a sound chain of authorities.]

By Br. Ibrahim Abu Khalid

[Assad]

Subhan Allah ! Thanks for sharing!

Today people fear people even just to talk about religion about just minor stuff because they feel that people will mock them and think strange of them. Also many people change their religious ideas just to be liked by people who dislike what the Religion teaches. May Allah guide them and us.

We should look to please Allah , the people around us can never be pleased until we become their puppets!

[salman]

As-Salamu 'Alaykum

Jazak Allah khair for sharking akhi kareem; there's a great lesson for all of us. How many gross interpretations and distortion of correct teachings of Islam we have seen by the modern Muslim defenders and so called 'scholars'.

May Allah Ta'ala bless us with the correct 'aqeedah and make us adhere to and propagate the correct teachings, ameen

[Assad]

I am highly motivated by this to ensure that I will at no longer comprise on my religious identity in any way of life. Our Shaykhs' were just people like us with strong faith and they were the people on guidance and failed same criticisms which people are facing today but they bore it and Allah blessed them.

May Allah make the way easy for us.

[Umm Sufyaan]

:wasalam:
jazakallahu khair.

Originally Posted by Qatada

Our Scholars - The Defenders Of Faith


Many of today's so-called 'Modern Muslims' bear the stench of being grossly apologetic. They portray polygamy as being nearly a grave sin in Islam, modesty as a cultural habit of the first generation of Muslims, and Jihad as a fight not against the enemies of Allah, but our own desires. It reaches a stage whereby we fear revealing our Islamic identity, and watch our religion and its followers disgraced without even raising a squeak.

i cant stand those people! subhanallah they try to change the meanings of the quran, etc because apparently its a 'shame' in front of the kuffar. :rolleyes:

When Ibn Abbas (r.a.a) heard about the people who were doubting Fate, he remarked: "This verse has been revealed about similar people: "Feel the touch of Hell. Lo! We have created every thing by measure" [S. 54;V 48-49]. These people are the worst individuals of this Ummah. Don't enquire after the health of their sick ones nor say the funeral prayer for them. Should I see any one of them , I would blind both his eyes with these two fingers."

and you do that, and youll be accused of being too harsh and extreme :rolleyes: (not that i would care), but what if the person was ignorant? i mean is that how one should react?

[Assad]

and you do that, and youll be accused of being too harsh and extreme :rolleyes: (not that i would care), but what if the person was ignorant? i mean is that how one should react?

That's a good question. What I personally think is that anyone who does not obey Allah and His Messenger is ignorant. And for all such people who disobey Allah and His Messenger , there is a punishment and they are alike. Thats what I think...what do you think?