KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING

BEEN THERE….. DONE THAT

“ASK THE PEOPLE OF KNOWLEDGE IF YOU DO NOT KNOW.” (16:43, 21:7). “…OBEY ALLAH, OBEY THE PROPHET AND THOSE CHARGED WITH AUTHORITY…) (4:58) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was reported to have said, “…The learned men are the inheritors of the Prophets…” (Tirmidhi, Abu Daw’ud, Ibn Majah)

“Today everyone is his own teacher, asserting his own views, and rejecting all others as the Prophet predicted, everyone will be fond of his own opinion.”(Tirmidhi) People no longer accept advice and are stubborn in holding to their belief, regardless what they are told.” (The approach of Armageddon—An Islamic perspective by Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani pgs. 116-117) This prophecy brings us to another imaginary ‘fable’ many have adopted: the uneducated can and will understand the text sources (Qur’an and Hadith) unaided by traditional Muslim scholarship. The Hadith master known as Imam Tirmidhi said “one who has no teacher has Shaitan as his teacher.”  As I wrote in the annotation of the khutbah of Dr. Donia titled ‘Pure fasting’, “…as is the case with Al-Qur’an it is the correct interpretation that is as important as the ahadith itself.” For example, when examining the hadith on qualifications for imamate (prayer leader) knowing the most Qur’an is stated first. However, several recently published fiqh books give the fiqh rulings/interpretations on the Prophet’s words; 1) “The most learned in sacred law, even if he has not learned anything of the Qur’an except the fatiha, since the need in prayer for knowledge of its rules are practically unlimited…” the next standard is the one who memorized the most Qur’an. Shafi Math’hab —Reliance of the traveler translated by Noah Hamim Keller pg.181

According to the Hanafis, Malikis and the Hanbalis the above criteria is the same although not as the first priority but stated as the standard criteria for an Imam’s qualifications nonetheless. (See Al-Fiqh ala al-madhabib al -araba Vol. 1 Translated by Nancy Roberts pgs. 563-565) 

The interpretive principle starts with the Sahaba (rah) as one scholar explains, “…No one, therefore can be a better authority on faith or claim to understand the spirit and purpose underlying the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh) more correctly than them. Religion is what they thought it was.” Islamic faith and practice by Mohammad Manzoor Nomani translated from Urdu by Mohammad Asif Kidwai, pg 61

One of the colleagues of the Hadith, Sunnah and Fiqh master Imam Malik Ibn Anas, Ibn Uyayna one of the celebrated ‘seven Jurists of Medina’ touches on what is acknowledged as a fiqh/interpretive standard by stating, “Hadiths are a source of misguidance except for the fuqaha” (i.e., fiqh scholars).  (The Origins of Islamic law—The Qur’an, the Muwatta and Medinan Amal by Yasin Dutton pg. 19) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) subtly alluded to this when he said “…many a one who transmits law is no lawyer [fiqh scholar] himself, and the one whom law is transmitted to may understand it better than the transmitter.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah) The law in the above Prophetic statement is the Qur’an and Hadith. “This hadith shows very clearly that some narrators of hadith (Muhhadith) in spite of being a Hafiz of hadith are men of little understanding in so far as the meanings and subtleties are concerned.” (Taqleed and Ij’tihad, Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa, pg.15) The scholar’s words are proven by several reports in the early Hadith/fiqh works such as Imam Malik’s Muwa’tta where certain Sahaba corrected their brethren who could not make Ij’tihad or whose understanding of a particular fiqh issue or ahadith was deficient. Therefore, regardless of the strength of the isnad (chain of narrators) it is the text (matn) and it’s accepted meaning the early scholars were primarily concerned with.

Ironically, many or most of the early fuqaha were hadith scholars themselves. The most important proof of this is in hadith studies is known as the “golden chain” of isnad in hadith: Ibn U’mar to Nafee to Imam Malik, to Imam Shafi to Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal to Imam Bukhari.  Three of the Ahle-sunnah Mad’hab Imams of fiqh are in this important line while the major source from the Sahabi is Ibn U’mar (rah), one of the first Fuqaha/Mujtahid. His status as Mujtahid means he made Ijtihad which is where many of the legal decisions in Imam Malik’s Muwa’tta came from.

I would like to believe many of my Muslim brethren do not or did not have access to the religious scholars or read books with good intent not knowing the writer’s educational background or religious views, along with many of the facts surrounding a particular religious issue or textual source.  However, another factor that many of us seem to overlook or are not aware of takes us back to basics.  Imam Ghazzali, who was given the honorific title of Hujjat (proof) of Islam has touched on this as a reminder and warning. “Knowledge is not attained except through humility and harkening.  Allah (shwta) said: “Lo, herein is warning for him who hath a heart or harkens with his ear while he himself is an eyewitness.” (50:37).  By “him who hath a heart” is meant the person who is prepared and capable of understanding knowledge but would fail to do so unless he would open his ears and heart and would attentively, humbly, thankfully, gladly and gratefully receive whatever he is told….”  “Whatever the teacher should recommend to the pupil, the latter should follow, putting aside his own opinion…”  “In short, be sure that every pupil who would hold fast to his own opinion and choice in defiance to his teacher is doomed to disappointment and failure.”  (Imam Ghazzali’s Book of Knowledge translated by Nabih Amin Faris, pages 130-131)

       

Suffice it to say, it is ironic how Muslims routinely turn away from Allah’s commands and prohibitions on the correct approach to the text sources (Qur’an and Hadith) as stated in the introductory ayat and hadith replacing it with their self-styled, ignorant, misunderstanding of the sacred texts. Adding fuel to the fire is becoming resistant to the truth when presented on this matter.

           

I will conclude with a hadith on the condition of the people in the last Days…Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger as saying, “before the Hour comes there will be years of deceit in which the trustworthy one will be said to be a traitor and the traitor will be trusted and the insignificant will have a say…” (Musnad Ahmad, Ibn Majah) Will this condition of the Ummah be the result of adopting flawed interpretations of the sacred texts, learning from books and ‘Shaykh Google’ rather than qualified scholars and their students?

FASTING IS FOR ALLAH ONLY

“Oh, ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may learn self-restraint. Fasting for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number should be made up from days later for those who can do it…” (2:183-184) Allah also says, “The month of Ramadan, that in which the Qur’an was revealed a guidance and a distinction [right and wrong]. Therefore, whoever of you is present in the month has to fast therein and whoever is sick, or on a journey, then he has to fast a like number of days. Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you…” (2:185)

“Brothers and sisters, according to the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith all Muslims have to fast during Ramadan and whoever fails to fast without a reasonable excuse is committing a grave offense and a heinous sin.

The excuses are:

1)    To have not reached puberty, (or 18 years of age by some jurists).

2)    To be sick.

3)    To be on a journey.

4)    Having a young baby who could not live without the milk of its mother.

5)    A woman in menses.

6)    Having post-natal blood flow. The people who have these excuses are required to fast a like number of days except the non-pubert youth.

Brothers and sisters, our Prophet (pbuh) said “Allah (awj) says, all deeds of a person is for him but [obligatory] fasting is for me and I give the reward for it.  Fasting is an armor, and when one is fasting let him not utter immodest or foul speech, nor let him act in an ignorant manner. And if someone quarrels with him, let him ay I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Bukhari, Muslim)       

This hadith draws our attention to several important points, one of them is what Allah says, all deeds of a person is for him but [obligatory] fasting is for me”. This means that when you pray, fast and give zakat and so on, Allah puts all the rewards of your good deeds on one side and the rewards of your fasting on the other side. And when people with whom you have dealt badly in this life ask Allah on the Day of Judgment to give them their rights from you,* Allah will take some of your rewards, not from fasting but from the other side of your good deeds and give it to them. And when other people do the same, all of your rewards on this side finish Allah will not give them your reward of fasting. He (shwt) will save this reward for you and pay Himself the rights of these people instead of you. This is the meaning of the saying “all deeds of a person is for him but [obligatory] fasting is for me.”    

The second point is this, the Hadith states that fasting is an armor or protection from doing bad and getting involved in forbidden things. So whoever’s fasting keeps him away from sins and what Allah forbids should know that his fasting is acceptable. And whoever did not achieve this purpose did not respect his fasting and should know that his fasting is merely a formality…”

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*Abu Huraira (rah) reported Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) as saying, “he who done a wrong affecting his brothers honor or anything else must ask for his forgiveness for it now before he will have neither dinar or dirham (i.e., the day of Judgment), if he has done any good deeds, the amount of his wrongdoing will be subtracted from them, but if has no good deeds it will be taken from the evil deeds of the victim and laid upon him.” (Bukhari)

Glossary:

(Shwt)         soob-hana-hu-wat-ta-ala

(Awj)           as-wa-jall

PURE FASTING

“Abu Huraira (rah) reported Allah's Messenger (pbuh) as saying, “If anyone does not abandon falsehood (and actions in accordance with it), Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink during fasting.” (Bukhari) This is because Allah has ordered us to abandon during Ramadan the food and drink which is normally lawful during the year, to strengthen us and our will in order to be able to abandon what is unlawful during other times of the year. But if we are still unable to abandon what is unlawful, what is the use of abandoning our food and drink that is lawful?? So Brothers and Sisters, intend to do what Allah (awj) has ordered you to do. Abandon what is prohibited during the year, not only during Ramadan, but during the whole year, as you abandoned your food and drink during Ramadan.

Ramadan is then a trial or a lesson, so that you will know from it how to lead yourself to the right path. But when you find yourself astray you have to know that your fasting is formal, because you did not abandon falsehood in action in accordance with it (the fast) during Ramadan. 

The Prophet (pbuh) also said, “He who breaks his fast one day without a reason or real excuse, will lose the reward which he will never obtain the equivalent of even if he were to fast his entire age (lifetime).” (Abu Dawud) All Muslims must take care of Ramadan and be keen on fasting everyday in it as long as you have no lawful or valid excuse and you are able to do it. Abu Huraira (rah) reported Allah's Messenger as saying, “The religion of Islam will continue to prevail as long as the Muslims hasten to break the fast when Maghrib comes because the Jews and Christians used to delay in breaking the fast.” (Muslim)

When we know the Islamic directions and follow them we will be pure Muslims. But if we do not know these directions or follow them after knowing about them, we will look like some other people of another religion or people who have no religion at all. In either case we will not be like or look like the people of Islam. This last tradition can be taken as another sign which shows that the nature of fasting of the People of the Book was the same as ours but they changed their religion after some time...”

COMMENTARY

Among the Mustahabs and Adab (etiquette) connected to this worship that add perfection and blessings to it are:

1)                  To break the Fast before saying the evening prayer (Maghrib).

2)                  To break the Fast with a small amount of dates, water or milk.

3)          After the prayer is made, then a full meal is taken. This is done,“because it will take long to eat the food at the table especially in Ramadan, the iftar must be made with a little food and the supper must be had after the evening prayer so that the prayer will be performed early and the meal will be eaten with ease and without haste, thus the fast will be broken early and the prayer will be performed early.”

4)       There is also the practice of waiting until the Adhan has been completed before breaking the fast when in the Masjid. At this point some people may object to this practice by stating the Ahadith in the above Khutbah and others where the Prophet (pbuh) exhorted the Muslims to hasten breaking the fast. Without doubt these Ahadith are sound and well known.  However, as is the case with Al-Qur’an, it is the correct interpretation that is as important as the Ahadith itself reflected in the prohibition of misinterpretation of the sacred texts.

In the above mentioned Ahadith, “it has been made Sunnah to make haste for the iftar (breaking the Fast) and to make sahur late perhaps because it shows that man is incapable and needy. As a matter of fact worships are intended for showing incapability and need.” The practice of waiting until the Adhan has been called before making iftar would not violate this Sunnah as it would take only a few minutes for the Adhan to be completed while the criteria for hastening is to break the fast before the appearance of the stars after sunset. “The fast should be broken immediately after sunset and not deferred to the appearance of the stars as it is the common practice of the Jews and Christians" “To make haste for the iftar make the iftar before the stars are seen.”

For my brothers and sisters who are aware of the subject of Ada and Qada (times for the obligatory prayers) in the works of the fuqaha (fiqh scholars) (naturally based on Qur’an and Sunnah) the time of Esha is when the stars begin to be seen.  

● The quotations can be found in Se'adet-I-Ebediyye, Endless Bliss, Fifth Fascicle, Huseyn Hilmi Isik pgs. 38-39

RAMADAN

Bas-mal-lah    

THE PROPHET’S (PBUH) RAMADAN KHUTBAH

RAMADAN MUBARAK

O people! The month of Ramadhan comes with His mercy, blessing and forgiveness. Allah 

(SWT) has decreed this month the best of all months. Its days are the best among days, its nights best among nights, and its hours best among hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him to fast and pray. Allah (SWT) has honored you in it. Every breath you take this month has the reward of praise of Allah (SWT). Your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted and your invocations answered. Therefore you must invoke your Lord in earnest, with hearts that are free from sin and evil, and pray that Allah (SWT) helps you fast, and recite the Qur’an. Indeed, miserable is the one who is deprived of Allah s forgiveness in this great month. 

While fasting, remember the hunger and thirst on the Day of Judgment. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind toward your relatives and kinsfolk. Guard you tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing, and your ears from sounds that should not be heard.

Be kind to orphans so that if your children become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Repent to Allah (SWT) for your sins and supplicate with raised hands at the time of prayers as these are the best times during which Almighty Allah looks at His servants with mercy. He answers if they supplicate, responds if they call, grants if they ask, and accepts if they entreat.

O people! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires. Make it free by 

invoking Him for forgiveness. Your back is breaking under the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourselves before Him for long intervals and make the load of your sin lighter. 

Understand well that Allah (SWT) has promised in the Name of His Majesty and Honor that He will not take to task such people who perform Salaat and Sajda and that He will guard their bodies against the fire of hell on the Day of Judgment.

O people! If anyone among you arranges iftar for any believer, then Allah (SWT) will reward him and forgive him his previous sins. (A companion of the Prophet (saws) asked: But not everyone among us have the means to do so. The Prophet (saws) replied: Do it even if it be with half a date or some water if you have nothing else.

O people! Anyone who cultivates in this month good manners will walk over the bridge 

leading to paradise on the day when feet will tend to slip. Anyone who does not harm another in it, Allah will keep him safe from His wrath on the Day of Judgment. Anyone who respects and treats his kinsfolk well in it, Allah will bestow His mercy on him on the Day of Judgment while anyone who mistreats his kinsfolk, Allah will keep him away from His mercy.

Whoever offers recommended prayers in it, Allah (SWT) will save him from hell and 

whoever observes such obligations that are observed in other months, his reward will be that of seventy such obligations. Whoever recites blessings on me during this month, Allah (SWT) will keep scales of his good deeds heavy on the Day of Judgment while the scales of others will tend toward lightness. Whoever recites a verse of the Qur’an in this month, his reward will be that of reciting the whole Qur’an in other months.

O people! The gates of paradise remain open in this month: pray to your Lord that they 

may not be closed for you. The gates of hell are closed during this month: pray that they may never be opened for you. Satan has been handcuffed: invoke you Lord not to let him dominate you. 

       

            SOOB-HAN-ALLAH, AL-HAMDU-LIL-LAH, ALLAH- HU-AKBAR

IQRA January 1996

Ramadan 1416 H