The Necessity to Refer to the Qur'an and Sunnah
Creator: Abdul Qadir Abdul Aziz
Date: 2007-07-07
Format: text
Identifier: http://www.islamworld.net/docs/refer_q_and_s.html
Language: en
Source: al-Jumu'ah Magazine
Subject: iman
Title: The Necessity to Refer to the Qur'an and Sunnah
Created on: Mon Mar 17 13:09:03 -0400 2008
Updated on: Sat Jul 07 12:46:01 -0400 2007
Version: 1
Abstract: ... less except the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. And so Allah ordered us, when in conflict, to refer to Him and to His Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, and not to refer to anyone else's opinion or saying or laws. Hence it is understood that there can be fault in anyone's sayings except the sayings of Allah and His Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. This also indicates that the claim of some sects that their Imams are faultless is baseless. Asserting this principle, Imam Malik said, "Any one's sayings may be corrected except those of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam." And similar statements were quoted from Abu Hanifa, Ahmed, Shafi'ee and others although their exact words may differ a little. Allah says, " Had it been from other than Allah, much discrepancy would have been found" [4:82] The referral to the Qur'an and the Sunnah has to be done by those who qualify for it, the scholars, Allah says, " If you do not know, ask of those who possess the Message." [16:43] With regards to asking the scholars and referring to them, we caution the Muslims from two types of scholars: 1) Scholars who are deeply buried under their books and have lost contact with the outside world. Ibnul Qayim said, "The Mufti and the Governor cannot govern fairly unless they have two kinds of knowledge. The first is the understanding of the reality, being totally involved in it and being able to derive facts from what happened using evidence, indications and signs, until they are totally informed. The second is the understanding of Allah's rulings depicted in His Book or through the sayings of His Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, and understanding how to apply them to the reality under consideration." Also, Abu Batah al-Akbari said, "Imam Ahmed said, 'It is not acceptable for a man to establish himself as Mufti unless he has five characteristics. First, he must have the intention. If he does not have an intention, there will be no light in him or in his speech. Second, he must have the knowledge, tolerance, dignity and tranquility. Third, he has to be sure of his speech and his knowledge. Fourth, he must be self sufficient (financially). If not he will be used by people. Fifth, he must know the people." Ibnul Qayim commented on this saying,... [Full Article...]
