Sticking to the Sunnah is Salvation

[madeenahsh]

Sticking to the Sunnah is Salvation
By Shaykh Hishaam al-`Aarif
Translated by Ahmed Abu Saad
Prepared & Edited by al-Meezaan.com

It has been narrated from some of our pious predecessors; for
example, Mak-hool as-Shami (radee Allaahu `anhu) said with
a sound chain of narration: "The Qur'aan is more in need of the
Sunnah than the Sunnah is in need of the Qur'aan." So the Sunnah is
very important because without it the Qur'aan would not have been
interpreted and explained. Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) says (what
means): "And We have also sent down unto you, O Muhammad (sall-
Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam), the Dhikr [reminder and advice (meaning
the Qur'aan)], that you may explain clearly to the people what was
sent down to them" (16:44).

And the need of the Muslim nation for scholars is more than their
need for food and water. It has been narrated that Ayoub as-
Sekhtyani (a great tabi-e) said: "If you speak to someone of a
Sunnah, and they say: `Don't worry about this (i.e. the Sunnah), and
only mention to me what has been mentioned in the Qur'aan', then
know that this man is astray."

The reason that many Muslims today are led astray is because of the
corrupt interpretation of the verses of the Qur'aan and because of
the fabrication of the methodology of understanding the Book (the
Qur'aan) and the Sunnah as the companions (radee Allaahu `anhum)
did, which was (and is) led by groups of partisanship, thinking that
one scholar they copied had acquired all of the knowledge.

Al-Bayhaqi (rahimhullaah) reported that Aamer as-Sha'bi
(rahimhullaah) said to some people: "Verily you became lost when you
left the narrations", meaning the authentic hadeeth's.

Many of the people today have left out the narrations of the prophet
(sall-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) and thought that they could do with
their intellect (i.e. use their intellect instead). As a result we
are here with the way of those which destroyed many of the ways of
the pious predecessors, and it changed the way people think. It made
them forget the remembrance of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala), and
whoever prioritizes his intellect over the authentic narrations has
corrupted and has been corrupt.

Al-Bayhaqi (rahimhullaah) also reported that al-Awzaie
(rahimhullaah) said to some of his companions: "If a hadeeth of the
Messenger (sall-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) reaches you, don't dare
say contrary to it. Verily the messenger of Allaah (sall-
Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) was a conveyer of the message of Allaah
(subhaanahu wa ta'aala)."

The Prophet (sall-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) delivered the message
and advised his people, so it is not for anyone to come after him
and add to this religion. Verily, the best of guidance is the
guidance of Muhammad (sall-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam).

Al-Bayhaqi (rahimhullaah) reported that az-Zuhri (rahimhullaah)
said: "From those who have passed (away) from amongst our scholars
have said: `sticking to the Sunnah is salvation'." That's why the
Muslims today should understand what Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala)
made obligatory on them, (which is) to stick to the Sunnah because
it will be their salvation, salvation from being astray, salvation
from the confusion and struggle that they live because of their
deviation from the way of the pious predecessors in understanding
the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. It will be salvation from the punishment
of this life and the hereafter. And whoever prefers the ways of
innovations and misguidance, the ways of the hateful partisans, and
puts these ways ahead of the way of the truth, the way of the saved
sect, will not see light. Indeed he will be in darkness and a
mirage. He will not be on good, but he will be on evil and astray
and will not be bestowed with the grace of Allaah. Rather, he will
indeed be in punishment, and he will leave behind him traces of
shamefulness and frustration and his place is the hell fire.

Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) says (what means): "And if you differ
in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His
Messenger." (4:59). Al-Bayhaqi reported that Mujahid (a great tabi-
e) said regarding this verse: "Referring to Allaah is to his Book
(the Qur'aan), and referring to his Messenger is to the Sunnah." So
would the people of innovations and partisanship understand this?!

Ibn Kathir (rahimhullaah) said in his interpretation of the verse
(that means): "And let those who oppose the Messenger's commandment
beware, lest some Fitnah should befall them or a painful torment be
inflicted on them" (24:63) He (Ibn Kathir) said: "Opposing the
commandment is to oppose the Messenger's way, methodology, Sunnah,
legislations, so our sayings and actions are weighed with his
sayings and actions (sall-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam). Whatever is in
accordance to him (sall-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) is accepted and
whatever is not in accordance to him (sall-Allaahu `alayhi wa
sallam) is rejected, whoever it was. As has been narrated in al-
Bukhaaree, Muslim and others, that the Prophet (sall-Allaahu `alayhi
wa sallam) said: `Whoever performs an action (in the religion) which
we are not on, it is rejected'." Still quoting Ibn Kathir's
interpretation: "The person who opposes the way of the Messenger
(sall-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) internally (meaning in his heart)
or externally (with his actions) should fear and be cautious from
the (Fitnah), in their hearts, from disbelief, hypocrisy,
innovation, `or a painful torment be inflicted on them', meaning in
this life from death or punishment or jail or so."

[Ummu Sufyaan]

sisters and brothers

jazakallahu khair for the above