Necessity of Sticking to the Jama’aah and the Rulers of the Muslims [Part 2]

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Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]
Former Member of the Committee of Senior Scholars
Main Administrator for Knowledge International University (KIU)
Jaami’ Imaam Turkee bin ‘Abdullah [May Allaah have Mercy on him], Deerah, ar-Riyadh
4/11/1433 – 20/9/2012

The Shar'eeah has also come with the ruling of its followers in listening and obeying those placed in charge of them and prohibiting the members of society in differing from them. As Allaah, the Most High, says:

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” [an-Nisaa 4:59]

Look, if you believe in Allaah and the last day, meaning all your affairs resort you back to Allaah and the hereafter and the intent in obeying is not that you have reform in the Dunya alone. Therefore, we learn from this that we live in the Dunya in order for us to have a high station in the hereafter and the point of having an established government in the Dunya is not to have reforms in and of itself, rather all affairs are primarily connected to the hereafter.

Also from the Saheeh Ahadeeth that have been narrated that talk about this subject is the Hadeeth of hearing and obeying, ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said: “The Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] called us and we gave bay’ah (oath of allegiance) to him. Among the things that we pledged to do was to listen and obey him both when we felt enthusiastic and when we were disinclined to act, both at times of difficulty and times of ease, and at times when others were given preference over us, and that we would not oppose those in authority. He said: ‘unless they made a blatant show of Kufr and you have evidence from Allaah that what they are doing is indeed Kufr.’” [Saheeh Muslim (1709)]

Also in the Saheeh, whoever obeys me has obeyed Allaah and whoever disobey me..

It has become increasing popular in recent years that people are faced with many doubts on this subject, due to the fact that the media has become global and those who wish to put their anti-government views out to the masses, then it has become easy for him to do so. There is no doubt that listening to these types of messages are causes which leading many people to follow the ways of immorality therefore it is incumbent for us all to compare what we hear and think to the bounds of the Shar'eeah and what is right, before we act upon it or accept it in our views and opinions.

From these types of calls that have propped up is the call that the rulers are oppressive and they don’t care about the mass population. So if we take this an example, let’s compare it to what Islam and the texts of Shar’eeah say.

The texts of Kitaab and the Sunnah has prohibited us from taking the wealth of others and there is a great sin for those who do this.

“… By Allaah, no one of you takes something unlawfully but he will meet Allaah carrying it on the Day of Resurrection.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaaree (6578) and Muslim (1832)]

However, despite this, it is not permissible for those living in society to leave the allegiance and obedience of the ruler. This is because, the oppressive ruler is not a cause for us to leave obedience to him and in fact, revolt could have more severe consequences than his oppression. The prophet said

It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Ma’sood that the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “You will see after me, rulers that will do things that you will dislike.” So it was asked, “What should we do, Oh Messenger of Allaah?” He replied, “Give the rulers their rights (i.e. obey them).” [al-Bukhaaree (6644)]

And there are many more evidences which prove that leaving obedience and the allegiance to ruler is not allowed, especially if the objections are connected to worldly affairs.

There are other calls out there which are calling the people to leave the obedience to the rulers and revolt against them but the benchmark for the Muslim should be the Quran and the Sunnah, and we will find many textual proofs proving that doing so is Haraam and that the people of Eeman are ordered to listen and obey, even if the ruler is involved with some sins.

“Whosoever sees something from his leader of sin, then let him hate whatever occurs from sin. And let him not remove his hand from obedience, since whoever removes his hand from disobedience and splits off from the Jamaa’ah (united body), then he dies the death of Jaahiliyyah” Related by al-Bukhaaree (13/5) and Muslim (no. 1849)

Meaning, in the times of Jaahiliyyah, they would disobey the ruler and go behind is back and if they didn’t like him, they would plot against him. This is different to way of the people of Islaam. These are the ones who seek the pleasure of Allaah by listening and obeying the rulers.

If a person says, I don’t like some of the things that the rulers do.

We say to him, it is still not permissible for him to leave the obedience of the ruler.

So be patient,

“Whosoever sees something from his leader of sin, then let him hate whatever occurs from sin. And let him not remove his hand from obedience, since whoever removes his hand from disobedience and splits off from the Jamaa’ah (united body), then he dies the death of Jaahiliyyah” Related by al-Bukhaaree (13/5) and Muslim (1849)

Some people even disagree with the policies of the rulers, whether they are domestic or international politics. We say, this is not your juristiction. You are a member of society and you are obligated to follow the ruler and he is obligated to rule according to the Shar’eeah, therefore you are not going to be questioned for what he does. At times these people need to be advised that following and obeying the ruler is a must upon them and that they are ruling by the Quraan and the Sunnah as an act of worship based on their Ijtihaad.  Furthermore, you may see something as being something bad but they have the broader picture and are aware of the consequences of their actions. If still you are not happy with the affairs of the ruler, then it is upon the Muslim to advise the ruler and therefore you will be free from any blame in front of Allaah.

Added to this, if every person left the allegiance of the ruler based on what they thought was wrong then this would lead to chaos to spread across the land. The opposite is also true, if we obey and stick to the ruler then unity and the truth will spread.

“Time will pass quickly, good deeds will decrease, miserliness will be thrown (in people’s hearts), Fitnah will appear, and there will be much Al-Haraj.” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allaah! What is Al-Haraj?”. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] replied, “Killing! Killing!” [Narrated by Al-Bukhaaree]

This is a prophecy that we have been told will happen, meaning people will act upon their own thoughts, leaving the Quran and the Sunnah and as a result, chaos and murder will spread throughout the lands. Therefore, what is good and wholesome for us all, cannot be found outside the Kitaab and the Sunnah. This Hadeeth shows that knowledge will be lifted and a result people will be ignorant of the texts and will act upon their ignorance. So this a great advice from the prophet, on the final hajj, he said on the planes of 'Arafah.

“Do not return to Kufr after me, beating the necks of each other.” [al-Bukhaaree (1739 and Muslim (66)]

The prophet also warned us against the Fitnah that will occur, a Fitnah were people see something bad as being something good and they think that what is good as being bad. As it is narrated in as-Saheeh,

“There will come a time when Fitnah will spread; the person laying down will be better than the one who is standing, the one standing is better than the one who is walking and the one walking is better than the one who is running…” [al-Bukhaaree (7081) and Muslim (2886)]

Applying this to our country here, we must obey the ruler and not leave his allegiance, despite the call of some of Ahl al-Bid'ah who are trying to sway people away from listening and obeying the ruler here. They are trying to cause disunity, arguments and disarray amongst the people, something that the people of Eeman will never obey them in. this nation is based on one call and as a result their affairs are based upon guidance.

Some people have also began a call labelling the rulers or those in charge as people who sin and that following these people is questionable.

In answer to this, we say we can’t follow the people who make this call for many reasons. From them, that the person who is spreading these rumours about the rulers and those in charge is not someone who is qualified for us to take knowledge from, because these people spreading the faults of others is someone who is a sinner himself, as this is a type of backbiting. Added to this, you don’t know if this person who is spreading this call is someone who is trustworthy for you to take knowledge from,

“O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.” [al-Hujaraat 49:6]

Therefore, the information and the call this person is calling to be rejected and it is upon you not to listen to every piece of information you hear until you are certain that it is correct.

“It is sufficient lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears.” [Narrated by Muslim (5)]

And,

“Whoever narrates a Hadeeth from me knowing that it is false, he is one of the liars.” [Narrated by Muslim in the introduction to his Saheeh (pg.7)]

Furthermore, looking for faults in people is a sin and a form of gheebah, therefore seeking faults in the rulers is a major sin. So following these people spreading gheebah and talking about the faults of others is not allowed;

“Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting) . And fear Allah…” [al-Hujaraat 49:12]

And there are many evidences that can be applied to the rejection of this call, such as the fact that Islam calls for us to stick to the Jama'ah and the prohibition of making people split into groups.

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] has explained clearly that the sins of the ruler doesn’t negate the fact that we obey him and have allegiance to him;

“There will be rulers over you. You will agree with some of what they come with and reject some of it. Whoever rejects what must be rejected will maintain his innocence and whoever hates it will maintain his innocence. However, those who accept (what should be denied) and follow the ruler will be sinners. The Companions said: “O Messenger of Allah, shall we fight these rulers?” He said: “No, as long as they pray.” [Muslim (1854)]

So it is Waajib for us to listen and obey and to leave any call that calls the people to leave allegiance to them and splitting away from the Jama'ah.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best among your Imams (rulers) are those whom you love and they love you, pray (make supplication) for you and you pray for them, and the worst of your rulers are those whom you hate and they hate you and you curse them and they curse you.”

Someone asked: “O Allah Messenger, Shall we confront them with swords?” 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No, as long as they hold prayers among you. If you see from your rulers what you hate, hate the action they do but do not rebel against them.” [Muslim (2853)]

So if you see something you dislike from the rulers, we do not remove our allegiance to him. So listening and obeying the rulers is established for the Muslim except if he orders us to do something haram, in which case you don’t follow him, as obedience to Allaah is before obedience other than Him.

“And they will say: "Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the (Right) Way.” [al-Ahzaab 33:67]

“Obedience is only with regard to that which is right and proper.” [al-Bukhaari (4085) and Muslim (1840)]

Therefore, there is no obedience in what involves disobedience to Allaah, and this is the explanation of the Aayah;

“Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only” [az-Zumar 39:3]

Meaning you don’t obey anybody from the people, no matter who he is, before the obedience of Allaah. This is also the Tafseer of the Aayah

“Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah” [al-Hujaraat 49:1]

The point is, we obey the ruler and don’t leave his allegiance unless he orders us to disobey Allaah, as obedience is done for the sake of Allaah and seeking his reward, and the benefit of it in the Dunya, such as being united and harmony.

So those people who call upon us to leave the obedience and allegiance towards the rulers are only calling for evil, even if they claim they are calling to something good. This is because they say that the reforms they are looking for instil justice and remove oppression and financial difficulty, however disobeying the ruler will lead to further detrimental consequences. The hadith of Hudathyfah who said;

"The people used to ask  the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] about the good, and I used to ask him about the bad, out of fear that it would reach me. So I asked the Messenger of Allaah: "O Messenger of Allaah, we were living in ignorance and bad then Allaah brought this good to us. So will there be any bad after this good?" He replied: "Yes." I then asked: "Will there be any good after this bad?"  He replied: "Yes, but it will be tainted." So I asked: "What will be its taint?" He replied: "A people who guide others to other than my way, you will approve of some of their actions and disapprove of others." I further enquired: "Then is there any bad after this good?" He said: "Yes! Callers at the gates of Hell - whoever responds to their call, they will be thrown into the fire." I then said: " O Messenger of Allaah! Describe them to us." He said: "They will be from our people and speak our language." I asked: "So what do you order me to do if that reaches me?" He said: "Stick to the Jamaa'ah (the united body) of the Muslims and their Imaam (ruler)." I further asked: "What if they have neither Jamaa'ah or an Imaam?" He said: "Then keep away from all those sects, even if you have to bite upon the roots of a tree, until death reaches you whilst you are in that state." [Narrated by al-Bukhaaree (3606) and Muslim (1847)]

Following the ruler and obeying has also great benefits and wisdoms behind it, and these are perhaps why we are obligated to stick to their allegiance. From them include;

-Peace to spread throughout society and repelling of fear

-Organisation of the society, therefore the affairs related to the Dunya and the affairs which lead to them working for the hereafter being organised, such as the establishment of Salaah, Hajj and 'Umrah and seeking of knowledge and other pillars of Islaam etc.

-The infrastructure of society is only established is people obey the laws of the ruler and cooperate with him in this. Without this, the infrastructure of the country and society will be torn and thus disunity will be invited.

-The blood and wealth of people being protected by the ruler and the Hudood that Allaah has set for him to follow in Shar'eeah. Therefore blood is not shed and the lives and wealth of people is preserved. Darooriyah khams

-If there is obedience to the ruler then the lesser forms of obedience’s will also be found in the society, such as the bonds between father and son and husband and wife. Therefore the society will be a place of harmony and relationships between each other will not be tarnished.

-That the Ummah is united and the religion of Islaam can spread. Those who attack Islaam can be defended however without having a ruler that we obey, we are disunited into groups and confused.

-The ruler is also a guide for the evils that may spread in the Ummah to be stopped, such as drugs and alcohol and theft. If you have a ruler then you will obey him and obey Allaah and not partake in illegal activities.

-The ruler places rules and regulations that people use in their daily lives so that the society is organised and working in order. For example, highway codes exits to protect the welfare of people travelling throughout the land and without obedience to this point, the lives of people will be at stake due to the risk of accidents.

-The ruler is also the leader and the one who order for enjoining good and forbidding evil throughout society. Without a figurehead, there would be no structure to this type of policing.

These are some of the wisdoms behind in following and obeying the ruler.

I ask Allah to make the affairs of our Dunya and Aakhira easy and rectified, I ask Allaah to make the word of the Muslims united on the truth and to help the rulers of Islaam to rule by the Quraan and the Sunnah and all the ways to good. Oh Allaah, help all the Muslims from east to west. All the Muslims in all the lands. Oh Allaah, whoever intends against Islaam and the Muslims evil, then make his plotting return back to him and make it surround him, by your power and might, oh Allaah. Oh Allaah, al-Hayy al-Qayyoom, protect our land here and make us of those who uphold the rules of Shar'eeah so that we make get close to you.

And Allaah Knows best

May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger and those who follow him until the Last Day.

Necessity of Sticking to the Jama’aah and the Rulers of the Muslims [Part 1]

Follow @AhleDhikr

Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]
Former Member of the Committee of Senior Scholars
Main Administrator for Knowledge International University (KIU)
Jaami’ Imaam Turkee bin ‘Abdullah [May Allaah have Mercy on him], Deerah, ar-Riyadh
4/11/1433 – 20/9/2012

All Praises be to Allaah Who has Guided us to the religion of Islaam and has given us the ability to follow His Messenger [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him].

I praise Him, the Glorified and the Exalted, for the numerous favours we have. I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allaah Alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and His Messenger, May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him, upon His Family, His Companions and all those who follow him.

To begin:

It is from the favours of Allaah that he has made the Muslims gathered upon the truth and that He has Given us a legislated law that we can use in our daily lives. Based on this, we need to know how to deal with others within this regard in our daily lives. One man alone is not able to uphold the Shar'eeah or the religion by himself, it is a must that he works with others in the matters connected to his daily life. Therefore, now we know that having a society and working together is a must and something necessary. It is needed by everyone within society in order for them to establish their lives and their religion. The society is mixed with people who have different expertise, some are better in religious aspects whilst others are more beneficial in the worldly aspects, therefore the society must be established to uphold all aspects of our lives.

Furthermore, the having a society that cooperates with each other upon goodness, means in reality that they are cooperating for their places in the Hereafter, because the people who are gathered upon goodness and the truth are those people who are establishing the religion and calling to it. Therefore, via these people the religion is established and its symbols are made apparent throughout the society.

The opposite is also true, if people didn’t work together and they established the religion to themselves, then all will be lost. Therefore, this religion has come with texts making it is obligatory for us to gather and congregate on the truth, in order to strengthen our ranks. Likewise, the texts have also come with a prohibition with us from splitting and having differences, as Allaah, the Most High, say:

“Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad) have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with Allah, Who then will tell them what they used to do.” [al-An’aam 6:159]

And, He, the Most High, says:

“And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment.” [Aal-‘Imraan 3:105]

And there are multiple reports from the text to encourage us to be gathered and united on the truth, as Allaah the Most High says:

“Be not as those who divided and differed among themselves” [Aal-‘Imraan 3:105]

And Allaah then says about the favours he placed upon us, as we were misguided and then we were blessed and guided with the guidance of brotherhood,

“…but He joined your hearts together…” [Aal-‘Imraan 3:103]

There are also reports from the Sunnah of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] which also highlight this point. He stated that the brotherhood based on Eeman will be light and sign for us on the Day of judgment, as he said, Ummah like body.

And he [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said:

“The example of the believers in regards to their mutual love is like that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, (feeling) sleeplessness and fever.” [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (5552) and Muslim (4685)]

And many other texts which encourage and obligate the Muslims to love and unite upon the truth and work together. Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.” [al-Maaidah 5:2]

The only way that the Muslims can cooperate upon Birr and Taqwa is via cooperating with each other and working within the society.

Based on this encouragement, the Shar’eeah has also given us practical steps on how we can be united and gathered in the society. For example, the Shar’eeah has encouraged us to have good manners between ourselves which encourages and instils love within one another. As the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said;

“I guarantee a house in the highest level of Jannah for those who have good manners” [Reported by Aboo Dawood (4800) and classed as Hasan by al-Albaanee in Saheeh Aboo Dawood]

And,

“The person with good manners can reach the same level of those who regularly fast and pray.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhee (2003) and classified as Saheeh by Al-Albaanee in Saheeh at-Tirmidhee]

And there many texts that talk about having good manners.

The Shar’eeah has also come with a practical step for us to implement which is for us to be good in speech and for us to choose our wording carefully, only using the best of words and speech.

“And say to My slaves (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism) that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaytan (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, Shaytan (Satan) is to man a plain enemy.” [al-Israa’ 17:53]

Meaning, if someone says something bad then this has serious implications, people hate each other or they revile one another and it may even lead to something more serious, thus deflating any chance of unity within the society.

Also from the aspects of Shar’eeah which incite unity is the command of spreading the greetings of Islaam between ourselves.

 "You will not enter Paradise until you (truly) believe, and you will not (truly) believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread the greeting of salaam amongst yourselves.” [Narrated by Muslim (54)]

The texts of Shar’eeah has also come with emphasis on loving each other for the sake of Allaah, The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon on him] said that Allaah said,

“My love is guaranteed for two who love one another for My sake…”

[Narrated by Ahmad (4/236) and (5/236); al-Tanaasuh by Ibn Hibbaan (3/338); Classed as Saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb (3019)]

And there are many narrations similar to this encouraging us to instil love within our community in order to eradicate hatred and envy from one another and from our hearts

“For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned…” [an-Nisaa 4:32]

Likewise, the Shar’eeah has come to encourage us to love for others what we love for ourselves, in order for us to be compassionate and considerate for those who we live with in our society. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] said;

“None of you truly believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.” [al-Bukhaaree (13)]

If the society gathered in one place, living in one community then there is no doubt that differences, arguments and problems will occur. This is because Shaytan loves it when there is disunity and he will try and encourage disunity and will try his best to make sure that it occurs in the worst of manners. This is especially the case when the people in the society are connected to the Dunya, differences and argumentations will occur. Therefore, in order to combat this, we need to have a bond within ourselves and we need to have people who advise and seek to rectify the matters of differences between people. This is in fact from the orders and commands of Allaah, the Most High, for us to have a bond in order to eradicate all the ways and forms of disunity from our society. Therefore, Islaam places a strong emphasis on having a ruler and a leader and places strict conditions on those living in the society to obey him.

“O Dawud (David)! Verily! We have placed you as a successor on earth, so judge you between men in truth (and justice) and follow not your desire for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah…” [Saad 38:26]

There are also incidents in the time of the prophet where he would consolidate between two people, following the rulings of Islaam;

“Surely, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur'an) in truth that you might judge between men by that which Allah has shown you (i.e. has taught you through Divine Inspiration)…” [an-Nisaa 4:105]

This is something that was then followed in Islaam, after the death of the Prophet there came Caliphs and after them Caliphs, they all upheld the rulings of Islaam and spread peace and harmony between the Muslims. By the presence of the ruler, many doors to corruption and evils were closed as the ruler was a shield for the Muslims from these sources of evil, thus creating betterment for their Dunya and Aakhira. By all of this, the Muslims were strong and Islaam spread and all the possible good that could be found in the community was made present, and all the vices of evils were shunned.

As The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said;

“The Imaam is a shield for those behind him, he protects them from harm reaching them.” [Saheeh Muslim (1841)]

Meaning he was a protection and a shield for them, protecting them from all the evils that may approach them and closing all the ways to disunity.

The ruler in Islaam cannot achieve these goals unless if he upholds the Shar'eeah of Allah and his religion, therefore if we have a leadership and obedience to him based upon the Shar'eeah of Allaah then this will bring the help and assistance of Allaah and it will be a cause of the enemies of the Shar'eeah of Allaah to be repelled.

“Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” [an-Noor 24:55]

There are many textual proofs for us to understand that having the Shar'eeah and ruling by it is an obligation, therefore unity and a better society will not come about unless we follow the ruler who is doing this. Therefore, Islaam places heavy emphasis for the population to follow the rulers of Shar'eeah set out by the ruler as it is part of establishing the religion of Allaah, glorified and honoured.

It is from the favours of Allah that He has given us a ruler who is doing this, that there is a government that is calling to the way of Allaah, following the Kitaab and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf of the Ummah, so that the leadership is blessed and organised upon the Sunnah, so that it flourishes and repels the enemies who hate that such a state exists.

The believer, in all aspects of his life, is one who holds fast to the teachings of the Quraan and the Sunnah. Therefore, if there arises an issue then he returns his affairs and seeks the ruling and advice from these two sources, gaining the pleasure of Allaah and a result, he gains the good of the good of the Dunya and the Aakhira. Verily Allaah has described those who follow the Quraan and the Sunnah, his religion, and judge by it as those being successful on the day of judgement. Likewise, he has also promised them all forms of goodness in the worldly life as long as they stick to following the Quraan and the Sunnah, as He, the Most High, says,

“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).” [an-Nahl 16:97]

And,

“Say (O Muhammad): "Who has forbidden the adoration with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for his slaves, and At-Taiyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) things] of food?"” [al-A’raaf 7:32]

Therefore, the Kitaab and the Sunnah are sources that judge in all our affairs and nothing is hidden from it, especially the point that we are talking about today, the importance of having a Jam'aah and the importance of obeying the ruler.

Therefore it is not permissible for us to turn away from this point and resort to other than the Kitaab and the Sunnah to judge in our affairs. Today, we are seeing many new trends in the world where people are trying to gain reform using other than the Kitaab and the Sunnah, however this is wrong and there is no correctness without the Kitaab and the Sunnah. Furthermore, we will stand in front of Allaah on the day of judgement as we will be asked on if and how we followed the Quraan and the Sunnah and these people will have to answer to the question, did they follow the Quraan and Sunnah in their call when they were demonstrating and protesting, or splitting in groups or other than that.

Based on this, we are not allowed to follow those who don’t have a proof from the Kitaab and the Sunnah, even if they are trying to create a beneficial reform, as we will be questioned on it on that day. In fact, the Quran and the Sunnah deals with issues that these people are trying to reform. Often reforms are sought in order to restore justice for people and remove oppression or to create unity between people or to remove the differences that may occur in the society. From them, is to have a ruler and obey him without revolting against him and removing the hand of allegiance from him. In fact doing this is a major sin based on the various texts that have come from the Kitaab and the Sunnah. Therefore there is no need to follow those people who call to revolt against the ruler based on the text and the evils is can bring. From the textual prohibition, Allaah, the Most High, says:

“But if they were returned (to the world), they would certainly revert to that which they were forbidden. And indeed they are liars” [al-An’aam 6:28]

Here Allaah has told us to resort our affairs and all matters of disunity and disagreement to the rulers and those who have knowledge, those who know the text from the Kitaab and the Sunnah and judging between the people with them. Therefore, this Aayah shows that there is a prohibition from us leaving the obedience of the rulers and the scholars and following those who have no knowledge of the Kitaab and the Sunnah.

Benefits of Fasting after Ramadhaan

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Chapter 43: The Six Fasts of Shawwaal

Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 169-174)

Returning back to fasting after Ramadhaan brings various benefits, from them include the following:

-Fasting these six days increases our reward to the extent that it is like we have fasted a whole lifetime

-Fasting these six and before Ramadhaan in Sha’baan are like optional deeds one does before the obligatory, similar to Salaah, we pray recommended prayers before and after the obligatory one

-It removes any deficiency or shortcomings in the obligatory fasts. Everyone has shortcomings in their worship so we are all in need of trying to make it perfect as we can compensate for these shortcomings in the obligatory acts of worship in recommended ones. For this reason the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Do not say I fasted the whole of Ramadhaan or I stood for all of it.” The Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with him] explained that this is to prevent anyone giving themselves self-praise. 

‘Umar bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez [May Allaah have Mercy on him] used to say, “If someone is not able to give Zakaat al-Fitr then he should fast these days as they will compensate for any shortcomings in his worship and in his Eemaan.”

-Also from the benefits of fasting these six is that it is a sign that one’s acts of worship is accepted is that doing good deeds for this person becomes easy for him to do. Some of the Salaf used to say that the reward for doing good deeds is being able to do more good deeds afterwards. So the one who does good deeds and then continues in doing good deeds has been giving a sign that his deeds are being accepted. Likewise, if one does a good deed and then follows it with a bad then this is a sign that his good deeds haven’t been accepted.

-From the benefits of fasting these is that it shows thanks to Allaah that He has Forgiven them their sins in Ramadhaan and, as we have explained before, they are forgiven their sins on the last day of Ramadhaan and given their rewards at the completion of the month, thus fasting these days is a form of showing thanks to Allaah for these blessings. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] would stand for long hours during the night and when asked why when his sins where forgiven, he replied by saying, “Should I not be a thankful slave?” Likewise, Allaah, the Most High, has ordered us to be thankful for the blessings given to us by remembering Him, “He wants that you must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [(i.e. to say Takbeer or Allaahu-Akbar) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

The Salaf and Fasting Shawwaal

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Chapter 43: The Six Fasts of Shawwaal
Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 169-174):

It is narrated in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Abee Ayyoob al-Ansaaree [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Whoever fasts Ramadhaan and then follows them with six fasts of Shawwaal then it is as if he has fasted a lifetime.”

The scholars differed on acting upon this Hadeeth: said that it is Saheeh, others said it was the opinion of the companion Aboo Ayoob, this was the view Ibn ‘Uyaynah and others like Imaam Ahmad. Others said that the Isnaad is questionable however the majority of the scholars have acted upon this Hadeeth and have stated that it is recommended to fast these six days. 

This is said to be the view of Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him], Taawoos, ash-Sha’bee, Maymoon bin Mahraan, Ibn Mubaarak, ash-Shaafi’ee, a second view of Imaam Ahmad and Ishaaq bin Raahooyah.

Those who rejected this Hadeeth include the likes of Hasan al-Basree, however perhaps he only denied acting on it believing that these six fasts were obligatory, rather they remained recommended.  

Others disliked fasting these six days such as ath-Thawree, Aboo Haneefah, Aboo Yoosuf and they argued that this resembles the people of book, because their habit was to innovate an increased number in what Allaah has asked them to do. However, many of the Hanafee scholars that came after held the opinion that fasting these six days is permissible as there is gap between these six fasts and the fasts of Ramadhaan, which is the day of ‘Eid.

Mahdee disliked fasting these days but didn’t prevent others from doing them.

Maalik was also of the opinion that we shouldn’t fast these six days as he stated in his Muwatta. He stated, “I have not seen any from the people of knowledge doing this (i.e. fasting in Shawwal).”

However it can be said that these scholars disliked it on the basis of them pointing out that these fasts were not obligatory and making it is clear that it is recommended.

Those who recommended fasting these six days are also divided into three opinions:

Those who say that it must be the first six days after ‘Eid 

This was the view of Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee and Ibn Mubaarak. They based on this on the Hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Whoever fats six days after al-Fitr, consecutively, then it is as if he has fasted the whole year.”

This hadeeth was narrated by at-Tabaraanee and others but it is weak. 

Those who say that it can be fasted at any time throughout the month and they don’t have to be consecutively

This is the view of Wakee’ and Imaam Ahmad

Those who say that the days after ‘Eid al-Fitr are the days of ‘Eid and that fasting these must be done around Ayyaam al-Beed

This is the view of Ma’mar and ‘Abdur-Razaaq.

It was also narrated from ‘Ataa that he disliked people fasting these fasts if they owed fasts from Ramadhaan. His opinion was that those who owed fasts must make up those fasts, have a break, and then resume recommended/optional fasts.

This view is odd and opposes the view of the majority of the scholars. The majority say that there doesn’t need to be a gap between fasts that he may owe and fasts that are recommended based on the Hadeeth of ‘Umraan bin Hussayn [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] to a man, “If you did not fast then fast.”

It is also narrated from the Companions and the Tabi’een [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] that they would combine Sha’baan with Ramadhaan and that they didn’t break their fasts except on the days of ‘Eid (where it is not permissible for us to fast).

It is narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “Fasting after Ramadhaan is like an animal running after its prey.”