Virtues and Importance of Following the Qur’an and the Sunnah
1. Success is for the one who follows Allah’s guidance
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al Baqarah 2:38
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوْا مِنْهَا جَمِْيعًا
فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ
فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ
“We said, "Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.”
Allah did not leave it on us to make for ourselves a path and then follow it. Rather he gave us a path which we only need to follow.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Taha 20:123
فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقَى
“And if there should come to you guidance from Me - then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter].”
2. It is compulsory to follow whatever has come from Allah
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al A’raaf 7:3
اتَّبِعُوْا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ
“Follow, [O mankind], what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies.”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al An’aam 6:155
وَهَذَا كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوْهُ وَاتَّقُوْا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُوْنَ
“And this [Qur'an] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy”
3. Following the Book and Sunnah protects from going astray
Prophet Muhammad صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم said,
تَرَكْتُ فِيْكُمْ شَيْئَيْنِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوْا بَعْدَهُمَا:
كِتَابُ اللهِ وَ سُنَّتِيْ
وَ لَنْ يَتَفَرَّقَا حَتَّى يَرِدَا عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ
كِتَابُ اللهِ وَ سُنَّتِيْ
وَ لَنْ يَتَفَرَّقَا حَتَّى يَرِدَا عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ
“I have left behind two things among you. After them you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah and they (i.e these two) will not be separated until they meet me at the ‘Hauz’ (i.e the pool of abundance (kauthar) on the Day of Judgement)”
[NARRATED BY ABU HURAIRAH رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN HAAKIM AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI 2937]
If you want to avoid misguidance then hold on to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. On the contrary, today, when people are invited to follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah[1], some people call this ‘misguidance’!
4. Returning back to the Qur’an and the Sunnah during differences
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nisa 4:59
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا أَطِيْعُواْ اللّهَ وَأَطِْيعُوْا الرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي الأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوْهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَالرَّسُوْلِ
إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيْلاً
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوْهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَالرَّسُوْلِ
إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيْلاً
“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.”
قال ابن كثير :
وقوله (فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوْهُ إَلَى اللهِ وَالرَّسُوْلِ )
وقوله (فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوْهُ إَلَى اللهِ وَالرَّسُوْلِ )
قال مجاهد وغير واحد من السلف أَيْ إِلَى كِتَابِ اللهِ وَسُنَّةِ رَسُوْلِهِ
وَهَذَا أَمْرٌ مِّنَ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِأَنَّ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ تَنَازَعَ النَّاسُ فِيْهِ مِنْ أُصُولِ الدِّيْنِ وَفُرُوْعِهِ أَن يُّرَدَّ التَّنَازُعُ فِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى الْكِتَابِ وَالسُّنَةِ
وَهَذَا أَمْرٌ مِّنَ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِأَنَّ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ تَنَازَعَ النَّاسُ فِيْهِ مِنْ أُصُولِ الدِّيْنِ وَفُرُوْعِهِ أَن يُّرَدَّ التَّنَازُعُ فِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى الْكِتَابِ وَالسُّنَةِ
كما قال تعالى ( وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيْهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللهِ )
فَمَا حَكَمَ بِهِ الْكِتَابُ وَالسُّنَّةُ وَشَهِدَا لَهُ بِالصِّحَّةِ فَهُوَ الْحَقُّ
وَمَاذَا بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ إِلَّا الضَّلَالُ [تفسير ابن كثير]
فَمَا حَكَمَ بِهِ الْكِتَابُ وَالسُّنَّةُ وَشَهِدَا لَهُ بِالصِّحَّةِ فَهُوَ الْحَقُّ
وَمَاذَا بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ إِلَّا الضَّلَالُ [تفسير ابن كثير]
Ibn-Kathir said about the verse… {And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger} :
“Mujahid and several others among the Salaf said that the Ayah means, “(Refer) to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of his Messenger. This is a command from Allah that whatever areas the people dispute about, whether major or minor areas of religion, they are required to refer to the Qur’an and Sunnah for judgment concerning these disputes.
In another Ayah, Allah said “And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah” (Qur’an 42:10). Therefore whatever the Qur’an and the Sunnah decide and testify to be truth, then that is the plain truth. And what is beyond the truth, except falsehood?”
“Mujahid and several others among the Salaf said that the Ayah means, “(Refer) to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of his Messenger. This is a command from Allah that whatever areas the people dispute about, whether major or minor areas of religion, they are required to refer to the Qur’an and Sunnah for judgment concerning these disputes.
In another Ayah, Allah said “And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah” (Qur’an 42:10). Therefore whatever the Qur’an and the Sunnah decide and testify to be truth, then that is the plain truth. And what is beyond the truth, except falsehood?”
[TAFSIR IBN KATHIR ENG TRANSLATION VOL 2, PG 498]
5. Hypocrites are not pleased with the Judgment of Allah and His Messenger صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An Nisa 4:61
وَإِذَا قِيْلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَإِلَى الرَّسُوْلِ
رَأَيْتَ الْمُنَافِقِيْنَ يَصُدُّوْنَ عَنْكَ صُدُوْدًا
رَأَيْتَ الْمُنَافِقِيْنَ يَصُدُّوْنَ عَنْكَ صُدُوْدًا
“And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion.”
After hearing a statement of Allah from the Qur’an or an authentic narration from the Prophet, it is only the Munafiqeen who turn away from it.
6. A Muslim does not have any choice in matters which are proven to be from the Messenger of Allah صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Ahzaab 33:36
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَمْرًا
أَن يَّكُوْنَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ
وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلالًا مُّبِيْنًا
وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلالًا مُّبِيْنًا
“It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any option about their decision: And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.”
This verse says that it is not correct for a believer to have any choice regarding a matter decided by Allah and His Messenger. A Kafir (disbeliever) may do as he wants, but a believer does not have any option. For example, when some people are told about certain Sunnah of the Prophet (s), they agree about them but say, “This is for the Shafis” or “This is for the Hanafis” – “Hence we cannot follow them”. This is not correct.
7. The state of Imaan (belief) of the one who is not pleased with the decision of the Messenger
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An Nisa 4:65
فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لَاَ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ حَتَّىَ يُحَكِّمُوْكَ فِيْمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ
ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُواْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيمًا
“But no, by your Lord, they can have no (true) faith until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.”
The Importance of Obeying the Prophet and following his Sunnah
‘Itaat’ of the Prophet (s) means ‘Obedience to him’. This refers to following the commands of the Prophet (s).
‘Ittiba’ of the Prophet (s) means ‘Following the Prophet (s)’. This refers to following the practical example of the Prophet (s). An example of this is, “If the driver of one car tells another the driver of another car to follow him. Then the car following would have to take every turn that the leading car takes. It cannot take another turn, not can it stop and dispute at every turn.” When we accept the Prophet (s) as the true messenger of Allah then we should accept his practical example completely.
1. Why were messengers sent?
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An Nisa 4:64
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ
“And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by the permission of Allah.”
Messengers were sent to be obeyed by the permission of Allah.
2. The Obedience of Allah and His Messenger صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم is the cause of entering paradise
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al Fath 48:17
وَمَنْ يُّطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ
وَمَن يَّتَوَلَّ يُعَذِّبْهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيْمًا
“And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger - He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoever turns away - He will punish him with a painful punishment.”
‘Turns away’ in the above verse refers to those who turn away from the obedience of the Messenger.
3. Obedience of the Messenger is the cause of guidance
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An Noor 24:54
وَإِنْ تُطِيْعُْوهُ تَهْتَدُوْا
“And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided.”
No-where in the Qur’an do we find “”AteeAnother point which can be noted in the above verse is that
4. The Obedience of the Messenger صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم is in reality the Obedience of Allah
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An Nisa 4:80
مَّنْ يُّطِعِ الرَّسُوْلَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللّهَ
وَمَنْ تَوَلَّى فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيْظًا
وَمَنْ تَوَلَّى فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيْظًا
“He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian.”
5. The sin of the one who turns away from the obedience of Allah and his Messenger صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
Allah says in the Qur’an in SurahAle Imran 3:32
قُلْ أَطِيْعُوْا اللّهَ وَالرَّسُوْلَ
فإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِيْنَ
“Say, "Obey Allah and the Messenger." But if they turn away - then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.”
6. The Consequence of the one who disobeys the Messenger
Being Inflicted with Trials
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An Noor 24:63
فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِيْنَ يُخَالِفُوْنَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ تُصِيْبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيْبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيْمٌ
“So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest fitnah (trials) strikes them or a painful punishment be inflicted on them.”
قال ابن كثير :
فَلْيَحْذَرْ وَلْيَخْشَ مَن يُّخَالِفُ شَرِيْعَةَ الرَّسُوْلِ بَاطِنًا أَوْظَاهِرًا
فَلْيَحْذَرْ وَلْيَخْشَ مَن يُّخَالِفُ شَرِيْعَةَ الرَّسُوْلِ بَاطِنًا أَوْظَاهِرًا
( أَنْ تُصِيْبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ) أَيْ فِيْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ مِنْ كُفْرٍ أَوْ نِفَاقٍ أَوْ بِدْعَةٍ
( أَوْ يُصِيْبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيْمٌ ) أَيْ فِيْ الدُّنْيَا بِقَتْلٍ أَوْ حَدٍّ أَوْ حَبْسٍ
“Let those beware who go against the Shari`ah of the Messenger , in secret and in the open, (“lest some Fitnah should befall them”), i.e., lest some disbelief or hypocrisy or innovation enter their hearts. (“or a painful torment be inflicted on them.”) means in this world afflicting them with capital punishment, or by law of prescribed punishment, or by confinement in prison, or so on.”[TAFSIR IBN KATHIR, ENG EDITION VOL 7, PG 133]
The Punishment in this world
عن سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الْأَكْوَعِ
أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَكَلَ عِنْدَ رَسُوْلِ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم بِشِمَالِهِ
فَقَالَ كُلْ بِيَمِيْنِكَ قَالَ لَا أَسْتَطِيْعُ
قَالَ لَا اسْتَطَعْتَ - مَا مَنَعَهُ إِلَّا الْكِبْرُ – قَالَ فَمَا رَفَعَهَا إِلَى فِيْهِ
أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَكَلَ عِنْدَ رَسُوْلِ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم بِشِمَالِهِ
فَقَالَ كُلْ بِيَمِيْنِكَ قَالَ لَا أَسْتَطِيْعُ
قَالَ لَا اسْتَطَعْتَ - مَا مَنَعَهُ إِلَّا الْكِبْرُ – قَالَ فَمَا رَفَعَهَا إِلَى فِيْهِ
Salama b. Akwa' رضي الله عنه reported on the authority of his father that a person ate in the presence of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) with his left hand, whereupon he said: “Eat with your right hand.”
The man said: “I cannot do that”, whereupon he (the Prophet) said: “You will not be able to do that.”
It was his arrogance which prevented him from doing it, and he could never raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth (after that).
The man said: “I cannot do that”, whereupon he (the Prophet) said: “You will not be able to do that.”
It was his arrogance which prevented him from doing it, and he could never raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth (after that).
[RECORDED IN SAHIH MUSLIM 5011, BOOK OF FOOD AND DRINKS, UNDER THE CHAPTER: MANNERS OF EATING AND DRINKING, ALSO RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED AND DAARIMI]
7. The refusal to enter Jannah
Prophet Muhammad صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم said,
كُلُّ أُمَّتِي يَدْخُلُوْنَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَبَى
قَالُوْا يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ وَمَنْ يَّأْبَى
قَالَ مَنْ أَطَاعَنِيْ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَقَدْ أَبَى
قَالُوْا يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ وَمَنْ يَّأْبَى
قَالَ مَنْ أَطَاعَنِيْ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَقَدْ أَبَى
Allah's Messenger said, "All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse." They said, "O Allah's Messenger! Who will refuse?" He said, "Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it)."
[NARRATED BY ABU HURAIRAH رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN SAHIH BUKHARI 9:384, SAHEEH AL JAAMI 4513]
Hence if a person disobeys the Prophet (s) it is as if he has refused to enter paradise. For example, if an old person sells a medicine to become young. This question is raised – ‘why is he himself not having his own medicine and becoming young’. Then the answer is clear that he himself does not believe that the medicine works.
Similarly when we claim that we believe in the Prophet (s) then we need to give give practical proof by obeying him. If we don’t then this is refusal to enter Jannah. Many times we see youngsters who call others to follow of the the Prophet (s) but not obeying the Prophet (s) themselves. It is like a person stands in hell himself and invites others to paradise. We all need to avoid this refusal to enter into Jannah.
8. Take all that the Messenger gives you
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al Hashr 59:7
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُوْلُ فَخُذُوْهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوْا
“So take what the Messenger gives you, and refrain from that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah; for Allah is severe in Punishment.”
9. Following the Messenger صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم is the indicator and cause of becoming a Friend of Allah (Wali)
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Ale Imran 3:31
قُلْ إِنْ كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّوْنَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُوْنِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ
وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“Say, [O Muhammad], "If you do love Allah- Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Allah has said, if you love Allah then present the practical proof of that love by following the Prophet (s). It is then that Allah will love you. Hence to become a real ‘wali’ (friend) of Allah a person has no choice but to follow the Prophet (s).
10. The best guidance is the guidance of Muhammed صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
Prophet Muhammad صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم said,
أَمَّا بَعْدُ
فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الْحَدِيْثِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ
فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الْحَدِيْثِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ
وَخَيْرَ الْهُدَى هُدَى مُحَمَّدٍ
“After that : The best of the speech is the Book of Allaah,
and the best guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad.”
[REPORTED BY JAABIR BIN ABDULLAH AND RECORDED IN SAHEEH MUSLIM 1885]
11. If Musa would have been alive, he would have himself followed Muhammed صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
Prophet Muhammad صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم said,
لَوْ كَانَ مُوْسَى حَيًّا بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِكُمْ مَا حَلَّ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَّتَّبِعَنِيْ
“If Musa would have been alive among you, it would not have been lawful for him to not follow me”
[RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED AND DAARIMI. ALBANI SAYS ABOUT THIS HADITH “THIS HADITH IS HASAN ACCORDING TO ME SINCE IT HAS BEEN NARRATED THROUGH SEVERAL CHAIN OF NARRATORS FROM LALIQAAEE, HAROOREE AND OTHERS]
This is the case with a Prophet of Allah with whom Allah spoke directly. When it would not be lawful for Musa to follow anyone else, then how can it be lawful for any scholar to follow anyone else or to follow his own opinion. When a scholar has no choice but to follow the prophet (s) then how can any person prefer the saying of a scholar over the saying of Prophet Muhammed (s).
Section III - Reasons which cause a person to stay away from following the Qur’an and the Sunnah
1. Following misguided scholars and leaders
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al Ahzaab 33:64-68
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَعَنَ الْكَافِرِيْنَ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ سَعِيْرًا .
خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا لا يَجِدُوْنَ وَلِيًّا وَّلا نَصِيْرًا .
يَوْمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوْهُهُمْ فِي النَّارِ يَقُوْلُوْنَ يَا لَيْتَنَا
أَطَعْنَا اللَّهَ وَأَطَعْنَا الرَّسُوْلَا.
خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا لا يَجِدُوْنَ وَلِيًّا وَّلا نَصِيْرًا .
يَوْمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوْهُهُمْ فِي النَّارِ يَقُوْلُوْنَ يَا لَيْتَنَا
أَطَعْنَا اللَّهَ وَأَطَعْنَا الرَّسُوْلَا.
وَقَالُوْا رَبَّنَا إِنَّا أَطَعْنَا سَادَتَنَا وَكُبَرَاءَنَا فَأَضَلُّوْنَا السَّبِيْلَا .
رَبَّنَا آتِهِمْ ضِعْفَيْنِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ وَالْعَنْهُمْ لَعْنًا كَبِيْرًا
رَبَّنَا آتِهِمْ ضِعْفَيْنِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ وَالْعَنْهُمْ لَعْنًا كَبِيْرًا
“Indeed, Allah has cursed the disbelievers and prepared for them a Blazing Fire,-
To dwell therein for ever: no protector will they find, nor helper.
The Day their faces will be turned about in the Fire, they will say, "How we wish we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger."
And they will say, "Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones: they led us astray from the [right] way.
"Our Lord! Give them double Penalty and curse them with a very great Curse!"
To dwell therein for ever: no protector will they find, nor helper.
The Day their faces will be turned about in the Fire, they will say, "How we wish we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger."
And they will say, "Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones: they led us astray from the [right] way.
"Our Lord! Give them double Penalty and curse them with a very great Curse!"
قال ابن كثير :
( وَقَالُوْا رَبَّنَا إِنَّا أَطَعْنَا سَادَتَنَا وَكُبَرَاءَنَا فَأَضَلُّوْنَا السَّبِيْلاَ )
وَقَالَ طَاوُسُ (سَادَتَنَا ) يَعْنِيْ اَلْأشْرَافُ (وَكُبَرَاءَنَا) يَعْنِي الْعُلَمَاءُ
رواه ابن أبي حاتم .
رواه ابن أبي حاتم .
أَيْ اِتَّبَعْنَا السَّادَةَ وَهُمْ الْأُمَرَاءُ وَالْكُبَرَاءُ مِنَ الْمَشِيْخَةِ وَخَالَفْنَا الرُّسُلَ
وَاعْتَقَدْنَا أَنَّ عَنْدَهُمْ شَيْئًا وَأَنَّهُمْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ فَإِذَا هُمْ لَيْسُوْا عَلَى شَيْءٍ
Ibn Katheer said, “"Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones: they led us astray from the [right] way”
Ta’oos said, سَادَتَنَا means “noblemen, the elated persons in society” and كُبَرَاءَنَا means “scholars”. [Narrated by Ibn Abi Haatim]
This verse hence means to say, “We followed our chiefs and our great ones and opposed the messengers and we thought (about our chiefs and great ones) that they surely have something great and they are surely on the right path, but now we see that they are not on the right path!”
Ta’oos said, سَادَتَنَا means “noblemen, the elated persons in society” and كُبَرَاءَنَا means “scholars”. [Narrated by Ibn Abi Haatim]
This verse hence means to say, “We followed our chiefs and our great ones and opposed the messengers and we thought (about our chiefs and great ones) that they surely have something great and they are surely on the right path, but now we see that they are not on the right path!”
2. Following the way of fathers and forefathers
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al Maidah 5:104
وَإِذَا قِيْلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى مَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ وَإِلَى الرَّسُوْلِ
قَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا
أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ شَيْئًا وَّلاَ يَهْتَدُوْنَ
قَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا
أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ شَيْئًا وَّلاَ يَهْتَدُوْنَ
“And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger," they say, "Sufficient for us is that upon which we found our fathers." Even though their fathers knew nothing, nor were they guided?”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah az Zukhruf 43:23
وَكَذَلِكَ مَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فِي قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيْرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوْهَا
إِنَّا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا عَلَى أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَى آثَارِهِم مُّقْتَدُوْنَ
إِنَّا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا عَلَى أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَى آثَارِهِم مُّقْتَدُوْنَ
“And similarly, whenever We sent a Warner before you to any city, the wealthy ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps."
3. Following desires
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al Qasas 28:50
فَإِن لَّمْ يَسْتَجِيْبُوْا لَكَ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُوْنَ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ
وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدًى مِّنَ اللَّهِ
“But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al Baqarah 2:216
وَعَسَى أَن تَكْرَهُواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ
وَعَسَى أَن تُحِبُّوْا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ
وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُوْنَ
وَعَسَى أَن تُحِبُّوْا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ
وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُوْنَ
“But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not.”
4. Following the Majority
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al Maidah 5:100
قُلْ لاَّ يَسْتَوِي الْخَبِيْثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيْثِ
فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ يَا أُوْلِي الأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ
فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ يَا أُوْلِي الأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ
“Say, "Not equal are the evil and the good, although the abundance of evil might impress you." So fear Allah , O you of understanding, that you may be successful.”
Suyaan said,
اُسْلُكُوْا سَبِيْلَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا تَسْتَوْحِشُوْا مِنْ قِلَّةِ أَهْلِهِ
“Tread on the path of truth and do not fear treading on it due to the smallness of numbers among the people treading on it”
[RECORDED IN “AL EHTESAAM” PG 26, INTRODUCTION]
5. Giving preference to one’s own intelligence and opinion
عَنْ عُمَرَ t
أَنَّهُ جَاءَ إِلَى الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ فَقَبَّلَهُ
أَنَّهُ جَاءَ إِلَى الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ فَقَبَّلَهُ
فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ حَجَرٌ لَا تَضُرُّ وَلَا تَنْفَعُ
وَلَوْلَا أَنِّي رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُقَبِّلُكَ مَا قَبَّلْتُكَ
'Umar رضي الله عنه came near the Black Stone and kissed it and said "No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Messenger kissing you I would not have kissed you."
[RECORDED IN SAHIH BUKHARI 2:667, ABU DAWOOD, TIRMIDHI, NASAI, IBN MAJAH, AHMED]
Ali رضي الله عنه said,
لَوْ كَانَ الدِّيْنُ بِالرَّأْيِ لَكَانَ أَسْفَلُ الْخُفِّ أَوْلَى بِالْمَسْحِ مِنْ أَعْلَاهُ
وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَمْسَحُ عَلَى ظَاهِرِ خُفَّيْهِ
وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَمْسَحُ عَلَى ظَاهِرِ خُفَّيْهِ
“If the basis of religion was on opinion then it would have been better to wipe the lower portion of the socks. But indeed I saw Rasoolullah صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم wiping the upper portion of the socks.”
[RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED, ABU DAWOOD : IN THE BOOK OF TAHARAH IN THE CHAPTER ON “HOW TO DO MASAH”] AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH ABU DAWOOD 147]
We see that when two intelligent people talk to each other, each has his own ideas and they differ. We do not have any ‘standard Aql (intelligence) by which we can decide what is right and what is wrong.
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