The Imān (faith) that Allah has ordained on His servants, based on the noble Qur'an and the Prophetic Sunnah.
An encyclopedia that comprises all the fundamentals and key beliefs and creedal issues. It is distinguished by linking creedal issues to the Noble Book and the pure Prophetic Sunnah, along with the keenness to establish the creed in a succinct and comprehensive manner, using simple phrases during the presentation and clarification of the creedal issues. In addition, the encyclopedia is free from scholastic theological and philosophical discussions, and it aims to present the topics of belief in a way that is easy to understand and to comprehend by people of any academic level.
This PDF is generated automatically from the book's text; its layout may differ from the printed edition.
The Encyclopedia of Imān that Allah has ordained on His servants, based on the Noble Qur'an and the Prophetic Sunnah
(An encyclopedia that comprises all the fundamentals and key beliefs and creedal issues. It is distinguished by linking creedal issues to the Noble Book and the pure Prophetic Sunnah, along with the keenness to establish the creed in a succinct and comprehensive manner, using simple phrases during the presentation and clarification of the creedal issues. Plus, the encyclopedia is free from scholastic theological and philosophical discussions.)
Introduction to the Encyclopedia
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise be to Allah, Who revealed the Book to His servant and made in it no crookedness. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone, with no partner; to Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He is Able to do all things; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger and the one entrusted with His revelation.
To proceed; the science of creed is the noblest and most sublime of all sciences, for it speaks about the noblest One - Allah Almighty - and the noblest objective, i.e. belief in Him and His Oneness, and the noblest outcome, which is to see the Almighty Lord in the abode of bliss, follow the noble Prophet, and adhere to the straight path. Hence, we wanted to author a book that comprises the issues of creed and from which we derive guidance from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), away from the newly- introduced theological terms, definitions, pillars, and conditions. We present the book for the benefit of everyone: the knowledgeable and the seekers of knowledge in universities and elsewhere, as well as ordinary Muslims.
The reason behind authoring this book:
Our righteous predecessors made great efforts in clarifying the correct creed, explaining the opposite creed, and responding to opponents. This book aims at making the books of our predecessors clearer and easier to understand for the seekers of knowledge and ordinary Muslims. We have collected creedal issues in one comprehensive book and restricted the content to affirming the sound creed, without engaging in responses to the incorrect ones. We have also been keen to write the book in simple and clear words, and arrange it in a good objective order. By this, we hope to achieve two goals: helping make the writings of the earlier scholars clearer and easier to understand, and fulfilling a key need in the creedal library, namely providing a book easy in wording and comprising all issues related to the creed.
Our approach in authoring the book:
We present the Qur'anic verses and Hadīths related to any of the creedal issues and derive our approach in this book from them.
We review all the topics in the books on creed, including the isnāds (chains of transmission), matns (texts), and the sharhs (commentaries) on matns. This is to make sure that the creed we have derived from the verses and Hadīths comprises the information written down by the authors of the books of creed.
If a creedal issue occurs in the noble Qur’an or the Sunnah in one certain way, we cite only one or two proofs mentioning this issue. Yet, if a creedal issue is mentioned in the Qur’an or the Sunnah in various ways, like the attribute of speech, exaltedness, the hand, the believers seeing their Lord during the tumult of the Day of Judgment and in Paradise, we are committed to cite the proof for every way in which it is mentioned, and we do not have to include all relevant texts.
We may be obliged to include some aspects related to one issue in one chapter and then repeat and complete them in another chapter. For example, we cited the texts on creating the angels in the chapter of creation and then talked about them again in the book of belief in angels. Likewise, we cited in the chapter of belief in the existence of Allah some verses pointing to His existence, and these same verses may appear in the chapter of lordship, given the similarity of the topics. In the chapter of belief in the existence of Allah, the purpose is to present the proofs for the existence of our Lord, which atheists deny. Meanwhile, in the chapter of lordship, the purpose is to establish the lordship that entails Allah's divinity, over which polytheists argue. We may also cite a certain verse or Hadīth in more than one place, depending on the relevant perspective and need.
When needed, we may report the statements of earlier scholars that clarify the intended meaning of a certain verse or Hadīth, only taking what reveals the correct opinion, without mentioning misconceptions or opposing views, lest a learner may be affected by misconceptions or satiated with the opposing views before this knowledge can take hold in his heart and mind. We hope this will protect the reader - by Allah's permission - from lapses in this area, for it is subject to well-known creedal differences, like the issues of Allah's attributes, destiny, etc.
Ibn Abi Zamanīn al-Māliki (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: "I have informed you about the opinions of the Imāms of guidance and the masters of knowledge regarding what you asked about and regarding other issues that people ask about, including the fundamentals of Sunnah in which the people of misleading whims contradict the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger and Prophet (ﷺ). Had it not been that the senior scholars disliked their words to be penned and perpetuated in books, I would have told you about their deviation and misguidance that would increase your desire to run away from them. We seek refuge in Allah from their temptation. May Allah protect us and you from the misleading trials, and may He guide us to the words and deeds that are pleasing to Him, and may He bring us closer and closer to Him." [’Usūl As-Sunnah by Ibn Abi Zamanīn (309-310)]
We deliberately avoided newly-introduced theological definitions and terms for which Allah Almighty has sent down no authority.
We have made the book in the form of books and chapters, like the writings of the earlier authors of Shar‘i books. We did not use contemporary classifications: topics and subjects. We have arranged the book according to the fundamentals of faith. Ibn Abi al-‘Izz al-Hanafi said: "The best way of arranging a book on the fundamentals of religion is the order of the Prophet's response to Jibrīl (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) when he asked him about Imān (faith), as he said: "To believe in Allah, His angels..." So, we should start by addressing Allah's oneness and attributes and the related issues, and then the angels, and so on." [Sharh Al-‘Aqīdah At-Tahāwiyyah (2/689)]
Ahead of every book, we have written a summary listing the topics addressed therein, without proofs.
As for the Hadīths, we have put a brief takhrīj thereof, beginning with the six books of Hadīths in their well-known order and then adopting the order based on the date of death. For our desire to make the book small in size, we have included the takhrīj only, without commentaries on the Hadīths, except in rare cases.
The merits of this book:
It links creedal issues to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Thus, it becomes clear to the seeker of knowledge where these issues are derived from.
It encompasses the main creedal issues related to all chapters of the creed.
It is keen to establish and explain the creed in a brief, comprehensive, simple, and clear way. This makes it easier for readers to understand.
The book is free from theological and philosophical topics, and it employs simple and easy phrases, avoiding the terms used in some of the books of creed, after some writers appeared to be affected by their personal inclinations.
We do not claim that we have fully addressed all creedal issues, but we did our best in this, and we look forward to every enrichment to this book or rectification or amendment thereof, so that we can apply this to its subsequent editions. It is enough that we have gone to the spring of revelation and derived therefrom the topics related to the noblest of all knowledge and presented them to the seekers of this field of knowledge, citing a verse or a Hadīth or both in relation to every topic. We implore Allah Almighty to make this work sincerely done for His sake and compliant with the Sunnah of His Prophet-His close friend, and the one entrusted with His revelation (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and to render it useful for His servants and a witness for us on the Day we will meet Him!
We give all thanks to Allah, Exalted be He, for facilitating this knowledge for us and employing us for serving His religion and presenting and explaining the issues related to the pillars of faith, along with the relevant proofs from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
We also thank all those who have been good to us, most notably our parents. O Allah, forgive them, show mercy upon them, and give them the best reward for their care of us!
We would also like to thank the honorable people who judged the book and provided blessed insights and additions: Prince Dr. Saud bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Saud, Associate Professor of Creed at King Saud University, and Dr. Sahl bin Rifā‘ al-‘Utaybi, Associate Professor of Creed at King Saud University. The list also includes Professor Abdullah bin Salih al-Barrak, the professor of creed at Kind Saud University, and Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Anqari, the associate professor of creed at King Saud University. May Allah give them the best reward, on our behalf and on behalf of knowledge and its people, for their sincere advice and wise input!
Praise be to Allah, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad and all his family members and Companions!
Makkah
Dhul-Hijjah 8
1439 A.H.
Preface
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
We seek help from Allah, and there is no power or strength except through Him.
Praise be to Allah as is due to the majesty of His countenance and the greatness of His dominion. I bear witness that none is worthy of being worshiped but Allah, alone, with no partner; to Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He has power over all things. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger; may Allah's abundant peace and blessings be upon him!
In this book we mention what a Muslim should believe in, as stated in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We may also report some statements by the Companions and the succeeding generation and their followers with regard to explaining a certain verse or Hadīth or clarifying the intended meaning thereof. We have divided it into books and chapters and adopted brevity as much as possible, restricting the content to essential issues and keeping away from discussing such terms that do not occur in the Qur'an or the Sunnah, as the later scholars do. Allah Almighty urges us to follow His religion, hold onto His rope, and adhere to the example of His Messenger; He says: {And hold fast to the rope of Allah all together and do not be divided. Remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies, then He reconciled your hearts, making you brethren by His grace. And you were on the brink of a fiery pit and He delivered you from it. This is how Allah makes His verses clear to you, so that you may be guided.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 103] He also says: {Follow the best of what has been sent down to you all from your Lord, before the punishment comes upon you by surprise while you are unaware.} [Surat az-Zumar: 55]
Here we begin, asking Allah for help and success:
Book: The Start of Creation
Abstract
We believe that Allah is the Creator of everything; that Allah had always existed and nothing else existed along with Him or before Him; that His Throne was above water; and that He created water before creating the heavens and the earth, and then He created the heavens and the earth, and He split them apart after they had been joined together.
We believe that Allah rendered this creation as a witness to His Lordship that entails His divinity. He is the True Creator, and all else is created. Blessed and exalted be He. He is the True God, and all else are only created beings that do not deserve to be worshiped or sought for help or reward.
We believe that the honorable Throne is an immense creation of Allah; rather, it is the greatest among His created beings.
We believe that the angels surround the Throne of the Most Gracious Lord and that Allah Almighty is above His Throne, above His heavens, being distinct and separate from His creation.
We believe that Allah created the Pen that wrote down the destiny of everything, and that there are numerous such pens.
We believe that Allah created the Kursi (Footstool) and that it is the greatest among all creation after the Throne.
We believe that Allah created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six days, of His measure; that He raised the heavens without pillars; that He created all these great things for great purposes that we cannot fully grasp; and that He perfected His creation.
We believe that this universe, with its heavens, earth, mountains, and all that is in it, will be in a different condition on the Day of Judgment.
We believe that Allah created the sun and the moon in truth and subjected them by His command. And we believe that He created the stars and planets for great purposes, and that the stars and planets cannot produce benefit or cause harm and do not affect whatever happens on earth or in the sky. Moreover, whoever believes that they have an impact per se has become a disbeliever or a polytheist.
We believe that Allah created the angels from light, and they have variant forms of creation.
We believe that Allah created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire; that the jinn were created before Adam; and that the chief of the devils is Satan, and it was he who seduced Adam and Eve (peace be upon them) and caused them to be driven out of Paradise.
We believe that Satan disdained to prostrate, and so Allah got angry at him and cursed and expelled him. And we believe that the jinn are accountable and required to follow the religion.
We believe that Allah informed the angels that He would make a vicegerent on earth to populate and fill it with worship. And He clarified that this vicegerent would be Adam and He would create him from dust, which Allah turned into mud and then fashioned it in stages.
We believe that Allah created Adam with His honorable Hand, made the angels prostrate to him, and created for him, from himself, a spouse in whom he would find comfort, namely Eve; and that He let them both dwell in Paradise and then made them go down to earth.
We believe that all mankind are the progeny of Adam, and Adam was created from dust; thus, there is no superiority for anyone over another except in terms of piety.
We believe that Allah created all people upon fitrah (natural disposition).
We believe that the soul is the affair of Allah Almighty and that souls are created by Him. We also believe people do not know much about the soul, except what Allah allowed them to know.
We believe that bodies die, and their death is the departure of the souls from their bodies.
We believe that all creatures on earth are communities like humans.
We know that Allah created every living creature from water and created everything in pairs; and that all these creatures will perish, save what Allah Almighty excluded.
Chapter: Allah is the Creator of Everything
We believe that Allah is the Creator of everything. In the Qur'an, He says: {Such is Allah, your Lord; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Creator of all things. So worship Him, for He is the Maintainer of all things.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 102] He also says: {Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Maintainer of everything.} [Surat az-Zumar: 62] And He says: {It is He Who originates the creation and then repeats it, which is easier for Him.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 27]
We believe that Allah had always existed and nothing else existed along with Him or before Him. He, Exalted be He, says: {He is the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward, and He is All-Knowing of everything.} [Surat al-Hadīd: 3]
And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You are the First and nothing was before You; You are the Last and nothing is after You; You are the Outward and nothing is above You; and You are the Inward and nothing is below You." [Narrated by Muslim (2713), Abu Dāwūd (5051), At-Tirmidhi (3400), and Ibn Mājah (3831)]
‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was with the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), some people from Banu Tamīm came to him. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Banu Tamīm, accept the good news!" They said: "You have given us the good news; now give us (something)." (After a while) some people of Yemen entered, and he said to them: "O the people of Yemen, accept the good news, as Banu Tamīm have refused it." They said: "We accept it! We have come to you to learn the religion. So we ask you about what the beginning of this matter was." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There was Allah and nothing else before Him, and His Throne was above water, and He then created the heavens and the earth and wrote everything in the Book." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7418) and Tirmidhi (3951)] In another version: "There was Allah and nothing else before Him, and His Throne was above water." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3191)]
We believe that all living creatures on earth are communities like us. Allah, the Exalted, says: {There is no moving creature on earth or a bird flying with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have missed nothing in the Record, then to their Lord they will be gathered.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 38] We know that Allah created every living creature from water. In the Qur'an, He says: {Allah created every living creature from water. Some of them move on their bellies, and some walk on two legs and some walk on four. Allah creates what He wills. Allah is Most Capable of all things.} [Surat an-Nūr: 45] And that He created all things in pairs. Allah Almighty says: {And We have created everything in pairs, so that you may take heed.} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 49] Allah Almighty also says: {And that He created the pairs, male and female.} [Surat an-Najm: 45]
We believe that these creatures, diverse and plentiful as they are, are put in due proportion; none of them prevails over the other and no species over another. Our Lord says: {As for the earth, We have spread it out and placed therein firm mountains, and caused to grow therein everything in due proportion.} [Surat al-Hijr: 19]
All these created beings will eventually perish. Allah Almighty says: {Everyone on earth will perish, but there will remain the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honor.} [Surat ar-Rahmān: 26-27] Except those excluded by Allah Almighty from being stunned, as revealed in the verse that says: {The Trumpet will be blown and all those in the heavens and all those on earth will get stunned, except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.} [Surat az-Zumar: 68]
We believe that Allah has made this creation a testimony to His lordship that entails His divinity. Sometimes He cites this creation as a proof of this, like in the verse that says: {This is Allah’s creation. So show Me what others beside Him have created. In fact, the wrongdoers are clearly misguided.} [Surat Luqmān: 11] And at other times He cites the greatest created being, i.e. the Throne, which is a proof of this. He says: {Allah; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.} [Surat an-Naml: 26] And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Glory be to Allah the number of His creation; glory be to Allah as much as pleases Him; glory be to Allah the weight of His Throne; glory be to Allah the number of His words." [Narrated by Muslim (2726), An-Nasā’i (1/1351), At-Tirmidhi (3555), and Ibn Mājah (3808)] So, the Throne has the greatest weight. And some other times Allah Almighty mentions massive created beings as a proof of this, like in the verse that reads: {It is He Who created for you all that is in the earth, then He turned towards the heaven and made them seven heavens, and He is All-Knowing of everything.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 29] And sometimes He mentions one single element of these created beings as a proof of this, like in the verse that reads: {Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky, then We bring forth thereby fruits of various colors? And in the mountains there are various tracts of white and red, of various colors, and raven black.} [Surat Fātir: 27]
Allah also cites the weakest and smallest creature as a proof of this, saying: {Allah is not ashamed to give a similitude of a mosquito or even something less [significant]. As for those who believe, they know that this is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve, they say: "What does Allah mean by this similitude?"} [Surat al-Baqarah: 26] So, He is the Creator and all else is creation - exalted and blessed be He. He is the true God and all else are servants that do not deserve to be worshiped or sought, for the giving of rewards or the fulfillment of needs.
Chapter on the Creation of the Great Throne
We believe that the Throne is a massive creation by Allah Almighty; rather, it is one of the greatest among His created beings. When the Mighty Lord describes it as mighty, this means it is truly mighty. Allah Almighty says: {Allah; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.} [Surat an-Naml: 26] And He describes it as glorious, saying: {The Lord of the Glorious Throne.} [Surat al-Burūj: 15] Ibn Jarīr (may Allah have mercy upon him) said in his Tafsīr: "The reciters differed in reading Al-Majeed (the Glorious). The majority of the reciters of Madīnah, Makkah, and Basra and some in Kūfa recite it in a nominative way, denoting an attribute of Allah Almighty - (the Lord of the Throne); whereas the majority of reciters in Kūfa read it in a gentive way, describing the Throne. The view we consider to be correct in this regard is that both are well-known readings. So, whoever recites any of them is right." [Jāmi‘ Al-Bayān (24/346)] In spite of its massiveness, it is a created being of Allah. Allah Almighty says: {Say: "Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the Mighty Throne?"} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 86] And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "... and He created His Throne on the water." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (3109), Ibn Mājah (182), At-Tayālisi (1189), Ahmad (16188), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (625)] The Throne has pillars. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "People will be struck unconscious on the Day of Resurrection and I will be the first to regain consciousness, and behold! There I will see Mūsa (Moses) holding one of the pillars of the Throne." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3398), Muslim (2374), and Abu Dāwūd (4668)]
The Throne is above the heavens, and Allah is above the Throne. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "His throne is above the heavens like this - indicating with his fingers like a dome over him - and it groans on account of Him as a saddle does because of the rider." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4726), ‘Uthmān ibn Sa‘īd ad-Dārimi in Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah (24), Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (587), and Ibn Khuzaymah in At-Tawhīd (147)] In another version of the Hadīth: "Indeed, Allah is above His Throne, and His Throne is above His heavens." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4726), ‘Uthmān ibn Sa‘īd ad-Dārimi in Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah (24), Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (588), and Ibn Khuzaymah in At-Tawhīd (147)]
We believe that there are divine treasures underneath the Throne that only Allah can measure. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And I was given these verses in the last part of Al-Baqarah from a treasure underneath the Throne, and they were not given to any prophet before me." [Narrated by Muslim (522), without the relevant part in question, At-Tayālsi (418), Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (32306), and Ahmad (23251), and this is his wording, as well as others]
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: My friend (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me to do seven things. Among them, he mentioned: "And he commanded me to often say 'La hawla wala quwwata illa billah' (there is no power or strength except through Allah), for they are from a treasure underneath the Throne." [Narrated by Al-Bazzār (3966), Ibn Abi Shaybah (35491), Hannād in Az-Zuhd (1013), Ahmad in Al-Musnad (21415) and this is his wording, and in Az-Zuhd (401)]
We believe that the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) will prostrate himself underneath the Throne on the Day of Judgment before engaging in the major intercession. In the long Hadīth about intercession, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I will then set off and come below the Throne and fall down prostrate before my Lord, Exalted be He. Then Allah will inspire me with some of His praises and glorifications which He had not inspired anyone before me. He will then say: 'O Muhammad, raise your head; ask and your request will be granted; intercede and your intercession will be accepted.' I will raise my head and say: 'My Ummah, O my Lord; my Ummah, O my Lord." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4712), Muslim (194), At-Tirmidhi (2434), and Ibn Mājah (3307)]
We believe that the spirits of martyrs nestle in lamps of gold hanging in the shade of the Throne. Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When your brothers were smitten at the battle of Uhud, Allah put their spirits in the crops of green birds which go down to the rivers of Paradise, eat its fruit, and nestle in lamps of gold in the shade of the Throne." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (2520), Ibn al-Mubārak in Al-Jihad (62), Ibn Abi Shaybah (19678), and Ahmad (2388)]
Ibn al-Mubārak was asked: "How can we recognize our Lord?" He replied: "He is above the seventh heaven, on the Throne, being distinct from His creation." [Ad-Dārimi in Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah (47), Al-Bayhaqi in Al-Asmā’ Wa As-Sifāt (2/336), Al-Fatwa Al-Hamawiyyah Al-Kubra (333), and Sharh At-Tahāwiyyah (219)]
Imām Ad-Dārimi (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: "Allah Almighty is above His Throne, above His heavens, being distinct from His creation. He who does not know Him by that does not know the God he worships. His knowledge, from above His Throne, is the same about the most distant of His creation and the nearest. Nothing is far from Him. {Not even an atom’s weight is hidden from Him in the heavens or on earth} [Surat Saba’: 3]. Glorified and far exalted be He above what the deniers describe Him with." [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah (47)]
We believe that the Throne is carried by angels. Allah Almighty says: {Those [angels] who bear the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord with His praise and believe in Him, and seek forgiveness for those who believe, [saying]: "Our Lord, Your mercy and knowledge encompass everything, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and protect them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire."} [Surat Ghāfir: 7] He also says: {With the angels on all its sides, and on that Day, eight [mighty angels] will bear the Throne of your Lord above them.} [Surat al-Hāqqah: 17]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) informed us about some of the traits of the angels who bear the Throne. He said: "I have been permitted to tell about one of Allah’s angels who bears the Throne; the distance between the lobe of his ear and his shoulder is a journey of seven hundred years." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4727), At-Tabarāni in Al-Awsat (1709), Abu Ash-Shaykh in Al-‘Azhamah (476), and Ibn Shahīn in Al-Fawā'id (19)]
We believe that the angels surround the Throne of the Most Compassionate Lord, Who says: {You will see the angels surrounding the Throne, glorifying their Lord with His praise, and matters will be settled between them with justice, and it will be said: "All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds."} [Surat az-Zumar: 75]
The Throne is also mentioned along with the book occurring in the Hadīth that reads: "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne: 'My mercy prevails over My anger.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3194), Muslim (2751), At-Tirmidhi (3543), and Ibn Mājah (189, 4295)] Those are the highest among all creation. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "So if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaws, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of the Most Compassionate, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7423)]
We believe that Allah is established on His Throne in a way that befits His majesty. Allah Almighty says: {Your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and earth in six days, and then rose over [istawa] the Throne.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 54] He also says: {It is He Who created the heavens and earth and all that is between them in six Days, then rose over the Throne. He is the Most Compassionate, so ask about Him the One Who is All-Aware.} [Surat al-Furqān: 59]
Rabī‘ah ar-Ra’y was asked regarding the verse that says: {The Most Compassionate rose over the Throne} [Tāha: 5], as to how He rose over the Throne? He said: "The manner of doing so is unknown, and His rising is beyond reason, and I and you must believe in all this." [Al-Asmā’ Wa As-Sifāt for Al-Bayhaqi (2/306) and Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (3/582)]
A man came to Mālik ibn Anas and said: "O Abu ‘Abdullāh! {The Most Compassionate rose over the Throne} How did He rise?" Thereupon, anger came over Mālik, such that no affair had ever overwhelmed him like this, and started sweating. He looked down thinking, and we were waiting what would be his reaction, then he was was relaxed and said: "The manner is beyond reason, His istiwā' (rising) is not unknown, belief in it is obligatory, and asking about it is a religious innovation. And I fear you are misguided." Then he commanded that he be driven out. [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah for Ad-Dārimi (66), Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (3/441), Hiliyat Al-Awliyā' Wa Tabaqāt Al-Asfiyā’ (6/325), Al-I‘tiqād for Al-Bayhaqi (116), Sharh As-Sunnah for Al-Baghawi (1/171), and Al-Asmā’ Wa As-Sifāt for Al-Bayhaqi (2/306)]
Defining istiwā’, Imām Ahmad used to say: "It is ascending and rising high. Allah Almighty had always been high and sublime before creating His Throne. He is above everything and higher than everything. Allah specifically mentioned the Throne due to an aspect therein that differs from all other things. The Throne is the best and most sublime of all things. So, Allah praises Himself by saying that He rose over the Throne. It is related from ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Mahdi from Mālik that Allah Almighty is established over His Glorious Throne as He has told, and that His knowledge exists everywhere." [Al-‘Aqīdah, narrated by Abu Bakr al-Khallāl (108)]
Allah's lordship over the Throne is a proof that He alone deserves worship. He says: {If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder. Glory be to Allah – Lord of the Throne – far above what they ascribe [to Him].} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 22] He also says: {Say: "Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the Mighty Throne?"} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 86] And He says: {Say: "If there were other gods besides Him – as they claim – they would have surely sought a way to the Lord of the Throne."} [Surat al-Isrā’: 42]
Chapter on the Creation of Water
We believe that Allah, Exalted be He, had created water before He created the heavens and earth. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There was Allah and nothing else before Him and His Throne was over the water, and He then created the heavens and the earth." [Narrated by Muslim (2713), Abu Dāwūd (5051), At-Tirmidhi (3400), and Ibn Mājah (3831)] And Allah Almighty created from water every living thing. He says: {We created from water every living thing.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 30] And that He made it one of the signs of His lordship and divinity. He says: {He Who made the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and sends down rain from the sky, and brings forth fruits thereby as a provision for you. So do not set up rivals to Allah while you know.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 22]
Allah Almighty also says: {And on the earth there are neighboring [yet different] tracts of land, and gardens of grapevines, grains and palm trees – some growing in clusters from one root or standing alone. They are all irrigated with the same water, yet We cause some of them to excel others in taste. Indeed, there are signs in this for people of understanding.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 4] And He says: {It is He Who merges the two bodies of water: one fresh and palatable and the other salty and bitter, and He has made between them a barrier and an insurmountable partition. It is He Who created human beings from water, then made between them bonds of kinship and marriage, for your Lord is Most Capable.} [Surat al-Furqān: 53-54] So, He created from water two bodies of water and put a barrier between them preventing each from spilling into the other. And He created from water human beings and placed ties of kinship and marriage among them. Blessed be Allah, the Best of all creators. There are numerous other similar signs.
Allah Almighty also cites water as a proof of the Resurrection. He says: {And among His signs is that you see the land withered, but when We send down rain upon it, it stirs and swells. He Who gives it life will surely give life to the dead, for He is Most Capable of all things.} [Surat Fussilat: 39]
And He made it one of His soldiers, supporting His allies therewith. He says: {[Remember] when He caused drowsiness to overcome you as an assurance from Him, and He sent down rain from the sky to purify you and to remove Satan’s whispers from you, and to strengthen your hearts and to steady your footsteps.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 11] And He disappointed His enemies with it. Allah Almighty says: {So he called upon his Lord: "I am overpowered, so help me!" So We opened the gates of the sky with water pouring down in torrents, and We caused the earth to burst forth with springs, then the waters met for a preordained purpose.} [Surat al-Qamar: 10-12] There are other circumstances and incidents in which Allah Almighty rendered water a reason for supporting His allies or defeating His enemies.
Chapter on the Creation of the Pen
We believe that Allah created the Pen that wrote down destiny. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The first thing Allah created was the Pen. He said to it: 'Write.' It asked: 'What should I write, my Lord?' He said: 'Write what was decreed about everything till the Last Hour comes.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4700), At-Tirmidhi (2155, 3319), At-Tayālesi (578), Ahmad (22705, 22707), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (115)]
We believe that there are numerous pens. In a Hadīth about Al-Isrā’ and Al-Mi‘rāj, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then I was made to ascend until I reached a level where I heard the creaking of the pens." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (349) and Muslim (163)]
And it is mentioned a number of times in the Qur’an and the Sunnah that the angels write down people's deeds. Allah Almighty says: {And there are watchers over you, honorable scribes, who know whatever you do.} [Surat al-Infitār: 10-12]
He also says: {When the two angel scribes, constantly accompanying him, one on the right, and the other on the left. Not a single word he utters but there is with him a vigilant watcher, ready [to record it].} [Surat Qāf: 17-18]
In another verse, He says: {When We give people a taste of mercy after being afflicted with adversity, they start plotting against Our verses. Say: "Allah is swifter in planning [retribution]. Our angel-messengers record whatever you plot."} [Surat Yūnus: 21]
And He says: {Do they think that We do not hear their secret talks and private counsels? Yes indeed, and Our angel-messengers are with them recording everything.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 80]
And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is no one amongst you and no created soul except that his place in Paradise or Hellfire is written down and except that he is written down as miserable or blissful." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4948), Muslim (2647), Abu Dāwūd (4694), At-Tirmidhi (2136, 3344), and Ibn Mājah (78)]
In another Hadīth, he (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If one of you practices Islam properly, every good deed he does will be recorded for him ten to seven hundredfold, and every evil deed he does will be recorded as it is." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (42, 7501), Muslim (128, 129, 130), and At-Tirmidhi (3073)]
Chapter on the Creation of the Kursi (Footstool)
We believe that the Kursi is the greatest creation after the Throne. Highlighting its massive size, Allah Almighty says: {His Kursi extends over the heavens and earth.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255]
The Kursi is in front of the Throne, and it is the place for the two feet. Commenting on this verse, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Kursi is the place for the two feet, and no one can estimate the size of the Throne." [Narrated by Ad-Dāraqutni in As-Sifāt (36), marfū‘ and mawqūf, ‘Uthmān ibn Sa‘īd ad-Dārimi in Ar-Radd ‘Ala Bishr Al-Marīsi (84, 89), ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad in As-Sunnah (586), Ibn Khuzaymah in At-Tawhīd (154), and Abu Ash-Shaykh in Al-‘Azhamah (216, 217)] The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The seven heavens in comparison to the Kursi are only like a ring thrown in a desert, and the size of the Throne in comparison to the Kursi is like that desert compared to that ring." [Narrated by Ibn Hibbān (361), and in Al-Majrūhīn (3/130), At-Tabarāni in Al-Kabīr (1651), and in Al-Makārim (1), Al-Ājurrri in Al-Arba‘īn (40), Abu Ash-Shaykh in Al-‘Azhamah (259), Abu Na‘īm in Al-Hilyah (1/18, 166 -168), Al-Bayhaqi in Al-Asmā’ (510 - 511), and in Ash-Shu‘ab (4325, 7668), and Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr in At-Tamhīd (9/199). It is a long Hadīth, and the Hadīth in question is part of it. The Hadīth has numerous chains of transmission, all of which are weak and inauthentic. Al-‘Aqīli mentioned some of these chains of transmission and referred to their weakness. They were also mentioned by Ibn ‘Adyy, who said: "This Hadīth is munkar from this chain of transmission, related by Ibn Jurayj from ‘Atā’ from ‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr from Abu Dharr. And this Hadīth has no chain of transmission except the narration from Abu Idrīs al-Khawlāni and Al-Qāsim ibn Muhammad from Abu Dharr. The third is the Hadīth by Ibn Jurayj, which is the most munkar of all narrations." This Hadīth, however, is Mashhūr (famous), and there is no other marfū‘ Hadīth on the Kursi. Hence, we have cited it in spite of it being weak and munkar.]
Al-Bayhqai also narrated that Al-‘Abbās ibn Muhammad reported: I heard Abu ‘Ubayd say: "These Hadīths which relate that Allah laughs at the despair of His servants, that Hellfire will not become filled until Allah places His foot therein, and that the Kursi is the place for His two feet - we regard them as true in terms of narration, as they were transmitted and related from some to others. But if we are asked about their interpretation, we do not interpret them, and we do not know about anyone who interpreted them." [Al-Asmā’ Wa As-Sifāt for Al-Bayhaqi (2/198)]
Chapter on the Creation of the Heavens and Earth
We believe that Allah Almighty created the heavens and earth and what is between them in six days by His measure, without undergoing any fatigue or weariness. In the Qur'an, He Almighty says: {Indeed, We created the heavens and earth and all that is between them in six days, and no weariness touched Us.} [Surat Qāf: 38] He also says: {Are the disbelievers not aware that the heavens and earth were joined together and then We split them apart?} {Surat al-Anbiyā’: 30] And He also says: {Say: "Do you disbelieve in the One Who created the earth in two Days and you set up rivals to Him? Such is the Lord of the worlds. He placed on it firm mountains standing high above it, and showered His blessings upon it, and measured its sustenance totaling exactly four Days, for all who ask. Then He turned to the heaven when it was all smoke and said to it and the earth: 'Come into being, willingly or unwillingly.' They both said: 'We come willingly.' He then formed them into seven heavens in two Days and assigned to each heaven its mandate. And We adorned the lowest heaven with lamps [stars] which also serves as a protection. That is the design of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing."} [Surat Fussilat: 9-12]
Allah, Exalted be He, also says: {Are you more difficult to create or the heaven that He built? He raised it high and proportioned it, and darkened its night and brought forth its daylight. And thereafter He spread out the earth, brought forth from it its water and its pasture, and set the mountains firmly, as a provision for you and your grazing livestock.} [Surat an-Nāzi‘āt: 27-33]
We believe that Allah raised the heavens without pillars. He says: {It is Allah Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you can see, then He rose over the Throne. He subjected the sun and the moon, each running its course for an appointed term. He governs all affairs, and explains the signs in detail, so that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 2] In another verse, He says: {He created the heavens without pillars that you can see; and He placed firm mountains on the earth so it does not shake with you; and He spread therein all kinds of creatures. We sent down rain from the sky and caused to grow therein all kinds of fine plants.} [Surat Luqmān: 10]
We believe that Allah Almighty keeps the heavens and the earth from vanishing. He says: {Allah keeps the heavens and earth from vanishing. If they were to vanish, there is none to sustain them other than Him. He is Most Forbearing, All-Forgiving.} [Surat Fātir: 41]
We believe that Allah, the Exalted, holds the heaven from falling down on earth, except by His permission. In the Qur’an, He says: {He holds the sky from falling down on the earth except by His permission.} [Surat al-Hajj: 65]
We believe that Allah Almighty manages the affairs of these created beings and safeguards them, without this making Him tired. Our Lord says: {His Kursī extends over the heavens and earth, and safeguarding of both does not weary Him, for He is the Most High, Most Great.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255]
We believe that Allah created these great created beings for great wise reasons only known to Him and that He perfected their creation. In the Qur’an, He says: {You will see the mountains, thinking them firmly fixed, but they will be moving like clouds – such is the design of Allah, Who has perfected everything. Indeed, He is All-Aware of what you do.} [Surat an-Naml: 88] Allah Almighty also says: {We have not created the heavens and earth and all that is between them for amusement.} [Surat ad-Dukhān: 38] And He says: {As for the earth, We have spread it out and placed therein firm mountains, and caused to grow therein everything in due proportion. And We have made therein for you means of sustenance and for those whom you do not provide. There is nothing except that We have its treasuries, and We do not send it down except in a determined measure.} [Surat al-Hijr: 19-21]
Allah Almighty cites His creation of the heavens and the earth as an argument for His lordship that entails His divinity. He says: {Is He [not better] Who created the heavens and earth, and sent down for you rain from the sky, by which We caused to grow gardens of cheerful beauty? You could never cause their trees to grow. Is there any god besides Allah? No, but they are people who ascribe equals [to Allah].} [Surat an-Naml: 60] He also says: {If you ask them who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and moon, they will surely say: 'Allah.' How are they then deluded?} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 61] And He says: {If you ask them who sends down rain from the sky, then revives therewith the land after its death, they will surely say: 'Allah'. Say: "All praise is for Allah," but most of them do not understand.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 63]
We believe that Allah Almighty has made the earth a place for affliction and test. He says: {It is He Who created the heavens and earth in six Days – and His Throne was upon the water – so that He may test you as to which of you is best in deed.} [Surat Hūd: 7] And He has made it a place for living and residence and a receptacle. Allah Almighty says: {From this [earth] We created you, and to it We will return you, and from it We will raise you once again.} [Surat Tāha: 55] He also says: {Have We not made the earth a receptacle for the living and the dead?} [Surat al-Mursalāt: 25-26]
We believe that this great universe glorifies Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Allah Almighty says: {The seven heavens and the earth, and all those in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not glorify Him with His praise, but you do not understand their glorification. Indeed, He is Most Forbearing, All-Forgiving.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 44] The whole universe submits to His majesty. Allah Almighty says: {Then He turned to the heaven when it was all smoke, and said to it and to the earth: "Come into being, willingly or unwillingly." They both said: "We come willingly."} [Surat Fussilat: 11]
Moreover, this universe is about to be torn apart and it gets apprehensive due to people's inappropriate attitude toward the Almighty Lord. In the Qur'an, Allah, the Exalted, says: {At which the heavens are about to be torn apart, the earth split asunder, and the mountains tumble down. because they have ascribed to the Most Compassionate a son.} [Surat Maryam: 90-91]
Chapter on the Creation of the Sun and the Moon
We believe that Allah created the sun and the moon. He says: {It is He Who created the night and the day, the sun and the moon – each floating in its orbit.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 33]
And we believe that the sun and the moon are running, as revealed by Allah Almighty, Who says: {The sun is running to its determined course. That is the design of the All-Mighty, All-Knowing. As for the moon, We have determined phases for it, until it becomes like an old palm stalk. It is not for the sun to catch up with the moon, nor for the night to outstrip the day. Each is floating in its own orbit.} [Surat Yāsīn: 38-40] Blessed be Allah, the Best of all creators.
Out of Allah's mercy toward His servants, He has subjected the sun and the moon by His command to achieve benefits for people. In the Qur'an, He says: {He has made the sun and the moon for your service, both constant in their courses, and has made for you the night and the day.} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 33] And He says: {He made the sun, the moon, and the stars – all subservient to His command.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 54]
Allah Almighty created the sun and the moon for great wise purposes not fully grasped by us. One of these occurs in the verse that says: {It is He Who cleaves the daybreak, and made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon with a precise measurement; that is the design of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 96] Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: {And the sun and the moon with a precise measurement} [Surat al-An‘ām: 96]: that's the number of days, months, and years. [Tafsīr At-Tabari (11/558)] Highlighting some of the purposes behind the creation of the sun and the moon, Allah Almighty also says: {It is He Who made the sun a radiant light and the moon a reflected light, and precisely determined its phases, so that you may know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah has not created all of this except for a true purpose. He makes the signs clear for people who know.} [Surat Yūnus: 5]
We believe that Allah made them two of His great signs that point to His lordship that entail His divinity. He says: {If you ask them who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and moon, they will surely say: 'Allah.' How are they then deluded?} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 61] He also says: {Among His signs are the night and the day, the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if you truly worship Him.} [Surat Fussilat: 37] And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, the sun and the moon are two of Allah's signs. They do not become eclipsed for the death or birth of anyone. Rather, Allah strikes fear in His servants through them." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1048) and An-Nasā’i (1459)]
We believe that the sun and the moon prostrate themselves to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and so does the rest of all creation. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Do you not see that to Allah prostrate all those who are in the heavens and all those on earth: the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures, and many humans? But there are many on whom the punishment has become due. Whoever Allah disgraces, none can honor him. Allah surely does what He wills.} [Surat al-Hajj: 18]
We believe that the sun prostrates underneath the Throne every day, as informed by the truthful Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to me when the sun had set: "Do you know where it goes?" I said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "It goes till it prostrates itself underneath the Throne, and then it seeks permission and it is given to it. Then, a time will soon come when it prostrates, and this will not be accepted from it, and it seeks permission and it will not be given to it. It will be said: 'Return from where you came.' So, it will rise from the west. This is the meaning of the verse: {The sun is running to its determined course. That is the design of the All-Mighty, All-Knowing.} [Surat Yāsīn: 38] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3199), Muslim (159), Abu Dāwūd (4002), and At-Tirmidhi (2186, 3227)]
Chapter on the Creation of the Stars
We believe that Allah created the stars and planets for wise purposes, one of which is mentioned in the verse that reads: {And landmarks and the stars by which they find their way.} [Surat an-Nahl: 16] Qatādah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: "Allah Almighty created these stars for three purposes: an adornment for the sky, a means whereby people can know their way, and missiles that stone the devils. Whoever deals with the stars for other purposes has deviated from the true way and lost the good fortune and share, and has thus engaged in something he has no knowledge about." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (17/185)]
Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We offered the Maghrib prayer along with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). We then said: "What if we sit and observe the ‘Ishā’ prayer with him." So, we sat down, and he came to us and said: "You are still sitting here." We said: "O Messenger of Allah, we observed the Maghrib prayer with you and then said: 'Let us sit down and observe the ‘Ishā’ prayer along with you.'" Thereupon, he said: "You have done well or you have done right." He then turned his head toward the sky - and he would often turn his head toward the sky - and said: "The stars are a source of security for the sky, and when the stars disappear, there will come to the sky what it has been promised. And I am a source of security for my Companions, and when I go away, there will come to my Companions what they have been promised. And my Companions are a source of security for my Ummah, and when my Companions go away, there will come to my Ummah what they have been promised." [Narrated by Muslim (2531)]
And Allah Almighty says: {We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and have made them as missiles to stone the devils.} [Surat al-Mulk: 5]
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: One of the Prophet's Companions from the Ansār told me that while they were sitting one night along with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), a star was thrown and shone brightly. He asked them: "What would you say in jāhiliyyah (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance) when something of that nature was thrown." They replied: "Allah and His Messenger know best. We used to say that a great man had been born that night, or that a great man had died." Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is not thrown because of anyone’s death or life; but when our Lord, Blessed and Exalted be He, decrees a matter, the bearers of the Throne glorify Him; then the inhabitants of heaven who are next to them glorify Him, till the glorification reaches the inhabitants of this worldly heaven. Then, those who are near the bearers of the Throne ask them: 'What has your Lord said?' They tell them what He has said. Then, the inhabitants of the heavens ask one another till it reaches this worldly heaven. Then, the jinn snatch a hearing and pass it on to their friends and have [flames] thrown at them. What they bring as it is is true, but they mix things with it and make additions." [Narrated by Muslim (2229)]
The devils used to eavesdrop, but when Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was sent with the message, they were denied their positions of eavesdropping. A Qur'anic verse says: {We used to take up positions there for eavesdropping, but now anyone who eavesdrops will find a flaming fire waiting for him.} [Surat al-Jinn: 9] Other verses read: {We have adorned the sky with the beauty of the stars, and for safeguarding it against every rebellious devil, so that they cannot eavesdrop on the highest assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side to repel them; and for them there will be a perpetual punishment, except who stealthily snatches away some words, he will be pursued by a piercing flame.} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 6-10]
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The jinn used to ascend through the heavens, trying to overhear the revelation. When they heard a word, they would add nine words to it. The word they heard would be true, while what they added was false. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was sent, they were denied their positions. They mentioned that to Satan – and the stars were not shot at them before that. Satan said to them: "This is nothing but an event that has occurred on earth." He sent out his armies, and they found the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) standing in prayer between two mountains – I think he said "in Makkah" – and they returned and met him and informed him about that. Thereupon, he said: "This is the event that has happened on earth." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (3324), Ahmad (2482), An-Nasā’i in Al-Kubra (11562), and Abu Ya‘la (2502)]
We believe that the stars and planets do not render benefit or cause harm or have any impact on terrestrial or celestial events. Whoever thinks that they have impact per se has thus become a disbeliever or a polytheist. Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: People had a rainfall during the Prophet's lifetime. Thereupon, he said: "This morning some people are grateful and others are ungrateful." They said: "This is the mercy of Allah. And some of them said: "The rise of such and such a star has been true." So, this verse was revealed: {I do swear by the positions of the stars... And instead [of thanking Allah] for the provision you are given, you show ingratitude?} [Surat al-Wāqi‘ah: 75-82] [Narrated by Muslim (73)]
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The thing I fear most for my Ummah in their latter time is belief in the stars, denial of destiny, and injustice of the ruler." [Narrated by Ar-Rawyāni (1245) and At-Tabarāni in Al-Kabīr (8113)]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade astrology. In a Hadīth, he said: "Whoever acquires any knowledge of astrology does acquire a branch of magic, of which he gets more as long as he continues to do so." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3905), Ibn Mājah (3726), Ibn Abi Shaybah (26159), Ahmad (2000), and ‘Abd ibn Humayd (714)]
So, it is not permissible to acquire knowledge of the stars except within the limits needed for guidance in the land and sea. This is because studying them leads to divination. Sa‘īd ibn Jubayr reported: A man came to ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās and said: "O Abu ‘Abbās, advise me." He said: "I advise you to fear Allah. Beware of speaking badly about the Prophet's Companions, for you do not know how they excelled in merit. Beware of the work of the stars (astrology), except to the extent needed for guidance in the land or sea, for it leads to Kahānah (divination). And beware of sitting with those who deny destiny. Whoever likes that his supplication be answered and his deeds be purified and accepted from him should be truthful in speech, fulfill his trust, and have good feelings toward Muslims." [Narrated by Ibn Battah in Al-Ibānah (1987)]
Chapter on the Creation of the Angels
We believe that Allah created the angels from light. ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from what has been described to you." [Narrated by Muslim (2996)]
The angels have variant forms of creation. Allah Almighty says: {All praise be to Allah, the Originator of the heavens and earth, Who made the angels messengers with two, three, or four wings. He increases in creation whatever He wills. Indeed, Allah is Most Capable of all things.} [Surat Fātir: 1]
And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) stated that he saw Jibrīl and that he has six hundred wings and is massive in size. Abu Is-hāq ash-Shaybāni reported: I asked Zirr ibn Hubaysh about the verses {Until he was only two bow-lengths away or even closer. Then he revealed to His slave what he had to reveal} [Surat an-Najm: 9-10], and he said: Ibn Mas‘ūd related to us: "He saw Jibrīl, having six hundred wings." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3232), Muslim (174), and At-Tirmidhi (3277)] ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "Whoever claims that Muhammad saw his Lord has committed a great fault. He only saw Jibrīl in his genuine form, covering the whole horizon." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3234), Muslim (177), and At-Tirmidhi (3068)]
We will talk extensively about the angels in the the Book of Belief in the Angels, Allah Willing. Our talk here is limited to their creation only.
Chapter on the Creation of the Jinn and Devils
We believe that Allah created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire. In the Qur’an, He says: {And the jinn We created before that, from smokeless fire.} [Surat al-Hijr: 27] He also says: {And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire.} [Surat ar-Rahmān: 15] And the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from what has been described to you." [Narrated by Muslim (2996)]
We believe that Allah, the Exalted, created the jinn and humankind to worship Him. He says: {I have not created the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 56] The jinn may include warners among themselves, but not messengers. Allah Almighty says: {And [remember] when We sent to you a group of jinn to listen to the Qur’an. When they heard it, they said [to one another]: "Listen attentively." Then when it was over, they returned to their people as warners.} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 29] Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The messengers are from humankind, and the jinn have warners." [Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr (3/340)]
As for the verse that says: {O assembly of jinn and humans, did there not come to you messengers from among you, reciting to you My verses and warning you of meeting this Day of yours?} [Surat al-An‘ām: 130] This means: from you as a whole, not from each party of you. This is similar to the verse that says: {And He has placed the moon therein as a light.} And the verse that reads: {Yet they rejected him and hamstrung her}, even though it is only one of them who did so.
We believe that the jinn had been created before Adam. Hence, Allah Almighty says: {And the jinn We created before that, from smokeless fire.} [Surat al-Hijr: 27] The chief of the devils is Satan - may Allah protect us from him. Allah created him from fire, like the other jinn and devils. Speaking about Satan, Allah, Exalted be He, says: {He said: "I am better than him; You created me from fire and created him from clay."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 12] And that Satan had been one of the jinn. Allah Almighty says: {And [remember] when We said to the angels: "Prostrate before Adam," so they all prostrated except Satan, who was one of the jinn, but he disobeyed the command of his Lord.} [Surat al-Kahf: 50]
It was Satan who tempted Adam and Eve and caused them to be driven out of Paradise. He whispered to them and swore that he was giving them sincere advice. He deluded them with deception. They complied, and ate from the tree. Allah Almighty says: {O Adam, dwell in Paradise, you and your wife, and eat from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, or else you will both be among the wrongdoers. Then Satan whispered to them in order to expose what was hidden from them of their private parts. He said: "Your Lord has only forbidden to you this tree to prevent you from becoming angels or immortals." And he swore to them: "I am indeed your sincere adviser." So he deluded them both with deception. When they tasted the tree, their private parts became visible to them, so they began to put together leaves of the Garden to cover themselves. Their Lord called them: "Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is your sworn enemy?" They said: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves; if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 19-23]
We believe that Satan arrogantly disdained to prostrate, and so Allah got angry at him, cursed him, and expelled him from the Paradise of eternity; that he asked Allah to give him respite till the Day of Judgment, which Allah granted him; and that he swore by the might of Allah that he would tempt all the children of Adam, except the chosen servants of Allah. Informing us about Satan's plotting, Allah Almighty says: {[Remember] when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a human being from clay. When I completed his creation and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down in prostration to him." Then the angels fell down in prostration all together, except Satan, who was arrogant and became one of the disbelievers. He said: "O Satan, what prevented you from prostrating to whom I created with My two Hands? Did you just become proud or have you always been arrogant?" He said: "I am better than him: You created me from fire and created him from clay." He said: "Then get out of here, for you are accursed, and My curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment." He said: "My Lord, then give me respite until the Day of their resurrection." Allah said: "You are given respite, until the Day of the appointed time." He said: "By Your Might, I will surely mislead them all, except Your chosen slaves among them."} [Surat Sād: 71-83] In other verses, Allah Almighty says: {He [Satan] said: "Since You have led me astray, I will certainly lie in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come against them from their front and from their back, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 16-17]
The jinn are accountable and required to follow the religion, and they have the ability to hear and understand the revelation from the messengers and warners. Hence, when they heard the Qur’an, they said the following: {And [remember] when We sent to you a group of jinn to listen to the Qur’an. When they heard it, they said [to one another]: "Listen attentively." Then when it was over, they returned to their people as warners. They said: "O our people, we have heard a scripture that has been sent down after Moses, confirming what came before it; it guides to the truth and to a straight path."} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 29-30]
We know that there are righteous jinn and those who are otherwise. Those who believe among them will enter Paradise, and those who disbelieve will go to Hellfire. Allah Almighty says: {Among us are some who are righteous and some who are otherwise, for we follow divergent ways.} [Surat al-Jinn: 11] Then, He says: {"Among us are some who are Muslims and some who are deviant. Those who accepted Islam have sought the true guidance, but those who are deviant, they will be fuel for Hell."} [Surat al-Jinn: 14-15]
Telling about how the angels will blame the wicked among humans and jinn on the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty says: {"O assembly of jinn and humans, did there not come to you messengers from among you, reciting to you My verses and warning you of the Meeting this Day of yours?"} [Surat al-An‘ām: 130] He also says: {He will say: "Enter the Fire along with nations of jinn and humans who have passed on before you."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 38]
Allah, the Exalted, points out that the reason for their entry into Hellfire is that they did not listen to guidance with the intent to accept it. He says: {We have surely created for Hell many jinn and humans. They have hearts with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 179] This verse indicates that the jinn have hearts, ears, and eyes. The devils also have voices with which they entice people. Allah Almighty says: {Entice with your voice whoever of them you can; mobilize against them your cavalry and infantry.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 64]
Allah, Exalted be He, warns people not to be seduced by Satan as he seduced their father. In the Qur'an, He says: {O children of Adam, do not let Satan seduce you as he caused your parents to be expelled from the Garden, stripping them of their garments and making their private parts visible to them. He and his offspring see you from where you cannot see them. We have made the devils allies to those who disbelieve.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 27]
We believe that although the devil knows that he cannot seduce the chosen servants of Allah, he still tries to seduce them, along with his soldiers, and spoil their worship. Our Lord says: {Similarly did We make for every prophet enemies, devils from among men and jinn, whispering to one another alluring words of delusion. If Allah had willed, they would not have done so. So leave them to their fabrications.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 112] And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "An ifrit of the jinn escaped yesterday to interrupt my prayer, but Allah gave me power over him; so I seized him and intended to tie him to one of the pillars of the mosque in order that you might all look at him; but I remembered the supplication of my brother Sulaymān (Solomon) 'My Lord, give me such a kingdom as will not be fitting for anyone after me'; so I made him clear out.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (461) and Muslim (541)] Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is none of you except that his partner from among the angels is put in charge of him." They said: "Does this also apply to you, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "It applies to me, but Allah has helped me against him and he has accepted Islam; so he commands me to do only what is good." [Narrated by Muslim (2814)]
Sabrah ibn Abi Fākih (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: "The devil sits in the paths of the son of Adam. He sits waiting for him on the path to Islam, and he says: 'Will you accept Islam, and leave your religion, and the religion of your forefathers?' But he disobeys him and accepts Islam. Then, he sits waiting for him on the path to emigration, and he says: 'Will you emigrate and leave behind your land and sky? The one who emigrates is like a horse tethered to a peg.' But he disobeys him and emigrates. Then, he sits, waiting for him on the path to Jihad, and he says: 'Will you fight in Jihad when it will cost you your life and your wealth? You will fight and be killed, and your wife will remarry, and your wealth will be divided.' But he disobeys him and fights in Jihad.' Whoever does that has a right upon Allah Almighty that He admits him to Paradise. Whoever is killed has a right upon Allah Almighty that He admits him to Paradise. And if he drowns, he has a right upon Allah that He admits him to Paradise, or if he is thrown by his mount and his neck is broken, he has a right upon Allah that He admits him to Paradise." [Narrated by An-Nasā’i (3134), and in Al-Kubra (4327), Ibn Abi Shaybah (19675), Ahmad (15958), and Ibn Hibbān (4593)]
If the devil does not lose hope for gaining power over the prophets (peace be upon them), he must be more determined with other people. Abu al-‘Alā’ related that ‘Uthmān ibn Abi al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, Satan intervenes between me and my prayer and my recitation of the Qur’an and he confounds me." Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "That is the devil known as Khinzab. When you perceive his effect, seek refuge with Allah from him and spit three times to your left." He said: "I did that and Allah dispelled him from me." [Narrated by Muslim (2203)]
In another Hadīth, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, the devil flows in a man like his blood." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2038, 7171)] Ibn Battah (may Allah have mercy upon him) set a chapter about this meaning in his book Al-Ibānah; it reads: "Chapter on the belief that the devil is a created being who has been given power against the children of Adam and flows in them like blood, except those protected by Allah from him. Those who deny that are among the ruined sects." [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra, by Ibn Battah (4/61)]
We know that the children of Adam receive thoughts from the angels and others from the devils. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrated to us how to evade the thoughts from the devils. ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The devil draws near to man, and so does the angel. The devil’s approach consists of promise of what is evil and denial of what is true; whereas the angel’s approach consists of promise of what is good and confirmation of what is true. When anyone experiences the latter, let him know that it comes from Allah and let him praise Allah; but if he experiences the other, let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil." Then, he recited {Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit shameful acts.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 268] [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2988), Ibn al-Mubārak in Az-Zuhd (1435), Ahmad in Az-Zuhd (854), and Abu Dāwūd in Az-Zuhd (164)]
We believe that Allah protects His believing servants from the plots of the devil, as long as they ask for His forgiveness. A Hadīth in the Musnad Collection reads: "The devil said: 'By Your might, my Lord, I will continue to lead Your servants astray as long as their souls are in their bodies.' The Lord said: 'By My might and Majesty, I will continue to pardon them as long as they ask for My forgiveness.'" [Narrated by Ahmad (11237), ‘Abd ibn Humayd (932), Abu Ya‘la (1273, 1399), At-Tabarāni in Al-Awsat (8788) and in Ad-Du‘ā’ (1779)]
We know that the devil can appear in a human form or in any other form as permitted by Allah Almighty. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) put me in charge of the Zakah of Ramadan. Someone came to me and started scooping some of the foodstuff with both hands. I caught him and told him that I will take him to the Messenger of Allah. Then, Abu Hurayrah told the whole narration and added: He (i.e. the thief) said: "Whenever you go to your bed, recite the Verse of the Kursi, for then a guardian from Allah will be guarding you, and Satan will not approach you till dawn." Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He told you the truth, though he is a frequent liar; that was a devil." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri as mu‘allaq (3275, 5010) from his shaykh ‘Uthman ibn al-Haytham in both places]
People in jāhiliyyah, due to their extreme ignorance, would turn to the leaders of jinn for help, which would only increase their fear and burden. Allah Almighty tells us about that, saying: {And there were some men who used to seek refuge with some jinn, but they only increased them in burden.} [Surat al-Jinn: 6]
We believe that idol worshipers do actually worship the jinn. In the Qur'an, Allah Almighty says: {On the Day when He gathers them all together, then He will say to the angels: "Was it you that they used to worship?" They will say: “Glory be to You! You are our Protector, not they. Rather they used to worship the jinn; most of them believed in them."} [Surat Saba’: 40-41]
We know that the devil allures man into disbelief and then forsakes him. Allah Almighty says: {They are like Satan when he says to man, 'Disbelieve,' then when he disbelieves, he says: "I have nothing to do with you. I surely fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds."} [Surat al-Hashr: 16] Also, he allures him into magic and teaches him to practice it. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {But the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 102]
And we know that Satan will forsake his allies in the Hereafter and blame them for following him. Allah Almighty informs that Satan will stand and speak to people in Hellfire. He says: {Satan will say when the matter is finally decided: "Allah gave you a true promise; I also gave you promise, but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you, except that I called you and you responded to me. So do not blame me, but blame yourselves. I cannot rescue you, nor can you rescue me. I deny your previous association of me with Allah. Indeed, for the wrongdoers there will be a painful punishment."} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 22]
Chapter on the Creation of Man
We believe that Allah informed His angels that He will put a vicegerent on earth to populate it and fill it with worship. He says: {And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to appoint a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Will You appoint on it someone who will spread corruption therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?" He said: "I know that which you do not know."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 30] And He informs that He created Adam from dust, saying: [The similitude of Jesus before Allah is like that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him, 'Be,' and he was.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 59] And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah Almighty created Adam from a handful that He took from all of the earth. So, the children of Adam come in accordance with the earth: some of them come red, white, or black, and between that; and some come bad or good, and thin or thick, and between that." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4693), At-Tirmidhi (2955), ‘Abdur-Razzāq in At-Tafsīr (41), Ahmad (19582), and Al-Bazzār (3025, 3026)] Then, Allah Almighty turned this dust into mud and created him in stages. Our Lord says: {We have created man from sounding clay, made of aging mud. And the jinn We created before that, from smokeless fire. And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a human being from sounding clay, made of aging mud. When I have shaped him and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down before him in prostration." Thereupon, all of the angels fell down in prostration.} [Surat al-Hijr: 26-30] He also says: {We created man from an extract of clay.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 12] In another verse, He says: {So ask them: "Are they more difficult to create or other things We created?" We created them from sticky clay.} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 11]
After citing the verses that mention the creation of Adam (peace be upon him), Imām Ahmad (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: "We say: This is the start of the creation of Adam. Allah first created him from dust, then from mud, red, black, and white; and from good and salty mud; that's why his children include the good, bad, black, red, and white. Then, He wetted this dust, and it turned into mud; hence His words {from clay}. Then, the mud became sticky. Then He says {from an extract of clay.} This is like mud when it comes out from between the fingers and then it decays and becomes aging mud. So, he was created from aging mud, and when it went dry, it became clay like pottery. It has a sound similar to that of pottery. Thus, the creation of Adam has been explained. As for His statement {from the extract of a worthless fluid.} [Surat as-Sajdah: 8], this is the beginning of the creation of his progeny; from {the extract}, which is the sperm, as it comes out of a man; that is the fluid, the worthless and weak fluid." [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah Wa Az-Zanādiqah (179-180); edition of Daghash al-‘Ajmi]
We believe that Allah created Adam with His Noble Hand and made the angels prostrate to him. In the Qur’an, He says: {When I have shaped him and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down before him in prostration. Thereupon, all of the angels fell down in prostration.} [Surat al-Hijr: 29-30] And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The believers will gather on the Day of Resurrection and say: 'Let us look for someone to intercede for us with our Lord.' They will go to Adam and say: 'You are the father of mankind, and Allah created you with His own Hand and made the angels prostrate to you." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4476), Muslim (193), and Ibn Mājah (4312)]
We believe that Allah Almighty created Adam (peace be upon him) in His own image. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah created Adam in His image; he is sixty cubits in height." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6227) and Muslim (2841)] He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If one of you fights his brother, let him avoid the face, for indeed Allah created Adam in His image." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2559) and Muslim (2612); this is the wording by Muslim] In another Hadīth reported by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If one of you beats another, let him avoid the face, and he should not say 'may Allah make your face ugly, and any face that resembles yours', for indeed Allah Almighty created Adam in His image." [Narrated by ‘Abdur-Razzāq (17952), Al-Humaydi (1153), Ahmad (7420), Al-Bukhāri in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (173), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (531)]
We believe that Allah created for Adam a spouse from himself, in whom he would find comfort: that was Eve. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {It is He Who created you from a single soul, and from it He made its spouse, so that he may find comfort in her.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 189] He also says: {O mankind, fear your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and created from it its mate, and from both of them created countless men and women.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 1]
We believe that Allah created Adam and Eve and made them dwell in Paradise. He says: {We said: "O Adam, dwell in Paradise, you and your wife; and eat pleasantly from wherever you wish."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 35] He forbade them both to eat from the tree, but Satan whispered to them - out of envy - and they ate therefrom. So, Allah drove them out of Paradise and made them get down to earth. In the Qur’an, He says: {O Adam, dwell in Paradise, you and your wife, and eat from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, or else you will both be among the wrongdoers. Then Satan whispered to them in order to expose what was hidden from them of their private parts. He said: "Your Lord has only forbidden to you this tree to prevent you from becoming angels or immortals." And he swore to them: "I am indeed your sincere adviser." So he deluded them both with deception. When they tasted the tree, their private parts became visible to them, so they began to put together leaves of the Garden to cover themselves. Their Lord called them: "Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is your sworn enemy?" They said: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves; if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers." Allah said: "Get down as enemies to one another. You will find a dwelling place on earth and provision for an appointed time." He said: "There you will live, and there you will die, and from there you will be raised again."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 19-25]
We believe that Allah made Adam a vicegerent on earth. He says: {And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to appoint a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Will You appoint on it someone who will spread corruption therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?" He said: "I know that which you do not know."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 30]
Allah Almighty tested him, but he forgot and sinned. Then Allah chose him and guided him. He says: {We had already given a command to Adam before, but he forgot, and We found him lacking a firm resolve.} [Surat Tāha: 115] Adam received some words from his Lord because of which He pardoned him and accepted his repentance. Allah Almighty says: {Then Adam received some words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. He is the Accepter of repentance, Most Merciful. We said: "Go down all of you from here! Then when My guidance comes to you; whoever follows My guidance, they will have no fear, nor will they grieve."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 37-38]
We believe that Allah Almighty had predestined all this for Adam 40 years before creating him. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Adam and Mūsa debated. Mūsa said to him: 'O Adam, you are our father but have deprived us and caused us to be expelled from Paradise because of your sin.' Adam said to him: 'O Mūsa, Allah chose you for His speech, and he wrote the Torah for you with His own Hand. Are you blaming me for something which Allah decreed for me forty years before He created me?' Thus, Adam won the argument with Mūsa; thus Adam won the argument with Mūsa; thus Adam won the argument with Mūsa." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6614), Muslim (2652), Abu Dāwūd (4701), At-Tirmidhi (2134), and Ibn Mājah (80)]
We believe that the creation of the children of Adam began as Allah Almighty informs, as He says: {O mankind, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then We surely created you from dust, then from a drop of sperm, then from a clot, then from a lump of flesh – formed or unformed – so that We may make it clear to you [Our power]. We settle in the wombs whatever We will for an appointed term. Then We bring you out as infants, then [We nurture you] so that you may reach your maturity. Then some of you die, while others are left to reach the decrepit old age so that they may know nothing after having knowledge.} [Surat al-Hajj: 5] And He Almighty says: {We created man from an extract of clay, then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a safe place, then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, then We made the clinging clot into a lump, then We made the lump into bones, and We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We developed it into another creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 12-14] ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), the truthful and truly inspired one, related to us: "The creation of everyone of you starts with the process of collecting the material for his body within forty days in the womb of his mother. Then, he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period and then he becomes like a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then, Allah sends an angel, who is ordered to write four things: his deeds, his sustenance, his life span, and whether he will be wretched or blissful. Then, the soul is breathed into him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3208), Muslim (2643), Abu Dāwūd (4708), At-Tirmidhi (2137), and Ibn Mājah (76)]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out why a baby sometimes resembles his father and sometimes his mother. ‘Abdullāh ibn Salām said to him: "I am going to ask you about three things which only a prophet can answer: What is the first sign of the Hour? What is the first food the people of Paradise will eat? Why does a child resemble his father or his mother?" The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "Jibrīl has just informed me about that." Ibn Salām said: "He is the enemy of the Jews amongst the angels." The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "As for the first sign of the Hour, it is a fire that will collect the people from the east to the west. As for the first meal the people of Paradise will eat, it is the caudate lobe of the fish liver. As for the child, if the man's discharge precedes the woman's discharge, the child resembles the man; and if the woman's discharge precedes the man's, the child resembles the woman." Thereupon, ‘Abdullāh ibn Salām said: "I testify that none is worthy of being worshiped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3938)]
We believe that all people are children of Adam, and Adam was created from dust. So, there is no superiority for anyone over another except in terms of piety. Allah Almighty says: {O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Indeed, the most noble of you before Allah is the most righteous among you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.} [Surat al-Hujurāt: 13] Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah has removed from you the pride of jāhiliyyah (ignorance) and its boasting in ancestors. One is only a pious believer or a wretched sinner. You are the children of Adam, and Adam came from dust." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (5116), At-Tirmidhi (3956), Al-Mu‘āfa ibn ‘Imrān in Az-Zuhd (147), Ibn Wahb in Al-Jāmi‘ (30), and Ahmad (8736)]
We believe that Allah created Adam from dust and created for him a spouse from himself, namely Eve; and He created all other people from a worthless fluid, except ‘Īsa (Jesus) (peace be upon him), for Allah created him from a mother and without a father. He informs about this in the Qur'an, saying: {[Remember] when the angels said: "O Mary, Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honorable in this world and in the Hereafter, and one of those near [to Allah]. He will speak to people in the cradle and in maturity, and he will be one of the righteous." She said: "My Lord, how can I have a child when no man has ever touched me?" He said: "Thus Allah creates what He wills. When He decrees something, He only says to it ‘Be’, and it is."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 45-47]
We believe that ‘Īsa (peace be upon him) - though created in an exceptional way - is a servant and Messenger of Allah. Allah, the Exalted, says about him: {He was only a slave whom We favored and made him an example for the Children of Israel.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 59] He was a human, who ate food, and was not a god. Allah Almighty says: {The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger. There were messengers who passed away before him, and His mother was a woman of truth; they both ate food. See how We make Our signs clear to them, yet see how they are deluded!} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 75]
We find in the Qur'an that Allah Almighty responds to those who claim that the Messiah is a god, with many proofs. For example, He says: {Allah has never begotten a son, nor is there any god besides Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he had created, and each would have tried to gain supremacy over the other. Glory be to Allah far above what they ascribe to Him!} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 91] He also says: {Those who say, "Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary," have certainly disbelieved. Say: "Who has the power to prevent Allah, if He chose to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, his mother, and all those who are on earth?" To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth and everything between them. He creates what He wills, and Allah is Most Capable of all things.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 17]
We believe that Allah created people upon the natural disposition. He says: {Adhere sincerely to the true religion in all uprightness. This is the natural disposition with which Allah has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the straight religion, but most people do not know.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 30] Ibn Zayd, Mujāhid, and ‘Ikrimah said: The natural disposition is Islam. [Tafsīr At-Tabari (20/98)]
Commenting on {There is no change in Allah’s creation}, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him), Ibrāhīm an-Nakha‘i, Sa‘īd ibn Jubayr, Mujāhid, ‘Ikrimah, Qatādah, Ad-Dahhāq, and Ibn Zayd said: "That's: in Allah's religion." Also, Al-Bukhāri set a chapter in his Sahīh titled: {There is no change in Allah’s creation} in Allah's religion. {The custom of the former people}: the religion of the former people. The natural disposition: Islam".
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every child is born upon the natural disposition, and then his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity, or Magianism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) added: {This is the natural disposition with which Allah has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the straight religion.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 30] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4775), Muslim (2658), Abu Dāwūd (4714), and At-Tirmidhi (2138)]
‘Iyād ibn Himār al-Mujāshi‘i (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), while delivering a sermon one day, said: "Behold, my Lord commanded me that I should teach you that which you do not know and that which He taught me today: The property I have conferred upon a servant is lawful for him. I have created My servants with a natural inclination to the worship of Allah, but it is the devils who turn them away from the right religion and make unlawful for them what I have declared lawful, and they commanded them to associate partners with Me, without Me sending down any authority about that." [Narrated by Muslim (2865)]
We believe that Allah is in dispute with the deniers of the Resurrection and He reminds them that they were first created from dust. He says: {And he produced arguments against Us while forgetting his own creation. He says: "Who can give life to the bones after they have crumbled to dust?" Say: "The One Who created them in the first place will give life to them, for He has full knowledge of every created being."} [Surat Yāsīn: 78-79]
And He reminds them that He created them from a worthless fluid; so how could they be arrogant toward their Lord and deem it unlikely that they will be resurrected? Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Who perfected everything He created, and initiated the creation of man from clay. Then He made his progeny from the extract of a worthless fluid. Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His spirit. He granted you hearing, sight and intellect; yet little it is that you give thanks. They say: "What! Is it that when we are disintegrated into the earth, will we then be created anew?" Rather, they deny the meeting with their Lord. Say: "The angel of death, who is in charge of you, will take your souls, then to your Lord you will be brought back."} [Surat as-Sajdah: 7-11]
We believe that Allah's creation of people is a proof that He alone deserves to be worshiped. He says in the Qur’an: {O mankind, worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 21]
He informs us in other verses that Nūh (Noah) (peace be upon him) reminded his people that Allah created them in stages; so how could they not fear His majesty? Allah Almighty says: {What is the matter with you that you do not fear the Majesty of Allah, when He has created you in stages?} [Surat Nūh: 13-14]
People go through different conditions in the barzakh (the period between worldly life and the Hereafter) and the Hereafter, which we will present in detail, Allah Willing, in the Book of the Belief in the Last Day.
Chapter on the Creation of the Soul
We know that the soul is something known to Allah Almighty alone, and people know nothing about it except what Allah has informed them. In the Qur’an, He says: {They ask you [O Prophet] about the soul. Say: "The soul is only known to my Lord, and you have not been given knowledge except a little." [Surat al-Isrā’: 85] ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was in the company of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on a farm and he was reclining on a palm leaf stalk, some Jews passed by. Some of them said to the others. "Ask him about the soul." Some of them said: "What urges you to ask him about it?" Others said: "(Don't) lest he should give you a reply which you dislike." But they said: "Ask him." So, they asked him about the soul. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) kept quiet and did not give them any answer. I knew that he was being divinely inspired; so I stayed at my place. When the divine revelation came down, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: {"They ask you [O Prophet] about the soul. Say: 'The soul is only known to my Lord, and you have not been given knowledge except a little."} [Surat al-Isrā’: 85] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4721), Muslim (2794), and At-Tirmidhi (3141)]
We believe that the souls are created. Allah Almighty says: {Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Maintainer of everything.} [Surat az-Zumar: 62] When Allah Almighty completed the creation of Adam (peace be upon him), He breathed into him from His soul. In the Qur'an, He says: {When I have shaped him and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down before him in prostration.} [Surat al-Hijr: 29] When the fetus reaches four months in the womb of his mother, Allah, Exalted be He, sends an angel that breathes the soul into him. ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), the truthful and truly inspired one, related to us: "The creation of everyone of you starts with the process of collecting the material for his body within forty days in the womb of his mother. Then, he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period and then he becomes like a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then, Allah sends an angel, who is ordered to write four things: his deeds, his sustenance, his life span, and whether he will be wretched or blissful. Then, the soul is breathed into him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3208), Muslim (2643), Abu Dāwūd (4708), At-Tirmidhi (2137), and Ibn Mājah (76)] An exception is the Messiah (peace be upon him), whose mother's pregnancy with him began with breathing from the angel. Allah Almighty says: {And [remember Mary] who guarded her chastity; We breathed in her through Our spirit [Gabriel], and made her and her son a sign for all people.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 91] Allah Almighty also says: {The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His Word that He bestowed upon Mary, and a spirit from Him.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 171]
We believe that souls are taken away during sleep and then returned to the bodies. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Allah takes away the souls at the time of their death and of those who do not die during their sleep. He withholds the souls of those on whom He has decreed death, and releases others until an appointed term.} [Surat az-Zumar: 42]
‘Abdullāh ibn Abi Qatādah related from his father: One night we were traveling with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and some people said: 'We wish that the Messenger of Allah would take a rest along with us during the last hours of the night." He said: "I am afraid that you will sleep and miss the prayer.' Bilāl said: "I will wake you up." So, all slept and Bilāl rested his back against his riding camel and he too was overwhelmed (by sleep) and slept. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got up when the edge of the sun had risen and said: "O Bilāl, what about your statement?" He replied: "I have never had such a sleep." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah seized your souls when He wished, and turned them back when He wished." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (595), Abu Dāwūd (439, 440), and An-Nasā’i (846)]
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When anyone of you goes to bed, he should dust his bedding with the inner extremity of his lower garment, for he does not know what has come on to it since he left it. He should then say: 'In Your name, my Lord, I lay down my side and through You I raise it up. If You keep my soul, have mercy on it, and if You let it go, guard it with that with which You guard Your upright servants." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6320), Muslim (2714), Abu Dāwūd (5050), At-Tirmidhi (3401), and Ibn Mājah (3874)]
We believe that the soul departs the body upon death. Allah Almighty says: {Every soul will taste death, then to Us you will all be returned.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 57] It completely departs the body by death, and the sight follows it. Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) visited Abu Salamah as his eyes were wide open (after death). He closed them and said: "When the soul is taken away, the sight follows it." [Narrated by Muslim (920), Abu Dāwūd (3118), and Ibn Mājah (1454)] It does not die like the body. Rather, its death is to leave the body.
We believe that the angels take the souls out of the bodies at the time of death, and they experience bliss or punishment. Allah Almighty says: {If only you could see the wrongdoers in the throes of death while the angels are stretching out their hands [saying]: "Give up your souls! Today you will be recompensed with a disgracing punishment, because you used to tell lies against Allah and you arrogantly rejected His verses."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 93]
The angel takes out the soul, and then it suffers punishment or enjoys bliss, as the body does. Al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We went out with the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to the funeral of a man of the Ansār and came to the grave. It had not yet been dug; so the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) sat down and we sat down around him quietly. He had in his hand a stick with which he was making marks on the ground. Then, he raised his head and said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave," saying it twice or thrice. He then said: “When a believer is about to leave the world and go forward to the next world, angels with faces white as the sun come down to him from heaven with one of the shrouds of Paradise and some of the perfume of Paradise. They sit away from him as far as the eye can see. Then, the angel of death comes and sits at his head and says: 'O good soul, come out to forgiveness and acceptance from Allah.' It then comes out as a drop flows from a water-skin, and he seizes it; and when he does so, they do not leave it in his hand for an instant, but take it and place it in that shroud and that perfume, and from it there comes forth a fragrance like that of the sweetest musk found on the face of the earth. They then take it up and do not bring it past a company of angels without them asking: 'Who is this good soul?' To which they reply: ‘So and so, the son of so and so,’ using the best of his names by which people used to call him on earth. They then bring him to the lowest heaven and ask that the gate be opened for him. This is done, and from every heaven its archangels escort him to the next heaven till he is brought to the seventh heaven, and Allah Almighty says: 'Record the book of my servant in the most exalted place and take him back to earth, for I created mankind from it, I will return them into it, and from it I will bring them forth another time.' His soul is then restored to his body." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3212), An-Nasā’i (2001), Ibn Mājah (1548), Abu Dāwūd at-Tayālsi (789), ‘Abdur-Razzāq (6324, 6737), and Ahmad (18534); this is the wording by Ahmad]. So, in this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) informs us that the soul comes out, is seized, shrouded, taken up to the heaven, and then returned. This is all what happens to created beings.
We believe that after the souls depart the bodies, they settle in bliss or punishment till the Day of Judgment. Ka‘b ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The believer’s soul is a bird that flies among the trees of Paradise until it is returned to his body on the Day of Resurrection." [Narrated by An-Nasā’i (2073), At-Tirmidhi (1641), Ibn Mājah (4271), ‘Abdur-Razzāq in At-Tafsīr (484, 2681), Al-Humaydi (897), and Ahmad (15776, 15777)]
Masrūq related: We asked ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd about this verse: {Never think of those who are killed in Allah’s way as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 169] And he said: "Indeed, we asked about this, and he said: 'Their spirits are in the crops of green birds which have lamps suspended from the Throne, and they go wherever they wish in Paradise and then return to those lamps.'" [Narrated by Muslim (1887), At-Tirmidhi (3011), and Ibn Mājah (2801)]
Book: The Religion
Abstract
We believe that Allah chose Islam as His religion, and it is the religion of all prophets and messengers (peace be upon them), and it is the natural disposition upon which Allah created people; and it is the covenant Allah Almighty took from Adam and his children.
And we believe that this Islam is the advice Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) gave to his children, and the advice Ya‘qūb (Jacob) (peace be upon him) also gave to his children; that it is the best, most complete, and most perfect among all religions; and that Allah accepts no other religion but it.
And we believe that this religion is the religion Jibrīl brought down to Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and it has three degrees: Islam, Imān (faith), and ihsān (excellence). Each of these has its own pillars.
And that this religion comprises all goodness and includes all acts of the heart and the body.
We know that Imān consists of words, deeds, and belief, and its people excel one another by their deeds, and we believe that faith increases and decreases; it increases with good deeds and decreases with sins.
We affirm that the people of faith are the winners in this life and in the Hereafter, and that the followers of this true religion will end up in Paradise, though with different degrees and ranks.
We know that many verses and Hadīths urge us to adhere to the Sunnah and warn us against opposing it; and they also forbid us from disunity and conflict.
Chapter: The Religion in the Sight of Allah is Islam
We believe that Allah chose Islam as the true religion. He says in the Qur'an: {And I have chosen Islam as your religion.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 3] He also says: {The true religion with Allah is Islam.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 19] And it is the religion of all prophets and messengers (peace be upon them). Nūh (peace be upon him) is quoted in the Qur'an as saying: {And I have been commanded to be among those who submit to Allah [as Muslims].} [Surat Yūnus: 72] About Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him), Allah Almighty says: {When his Lord said to him, 'Submit,' he said: "I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 131]
We believe that our Lord perfected this religion for us; so, it does not have any aspect of deficiency. Allah Almighty says: {Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 3] It is the best, most complete, and most perfect among all religions; it is the religion of true devotion to Allah, the religion of Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him). Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Who is better in religion than one who submits himself entirely to Allah, does good, and follows the religion of Abraham, exclusively devoted to Allah? For Allah did take Abraham as a close friend.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 125] He also says: {Who would forsake the religion of Abraham except a fool! We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 130] About Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him), Allah, the Exalted, says: {Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a monotheist Muslim, and he was not one of the polytheists.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 67]
It is the natural disposition with which Allah created mankind. In the Qur’an, He says: {Adhere sincerely to the true religion in all uprightness. This is the natural disposition with which Allah has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the straight religion, but most people do not know.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 30]
And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every child is born upon the natural disposition, and then his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity, or Magianism. As an animal delivers a perfect baby animal, do you find it mutilated?" Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) added: {This is the natural disposition with which Allah has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the straight religion.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 30] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1385), Muslim (2658), Abu Dāwūd (4714), and At-Tirmidhi (2138)] And it is the covenant Allah Almighty took from Adam and his children. Our Almighty Lord says: {And [remember] when your Lord brought forth from the loins of the children of Adam their offspring and made them testify about themselves [asking]: "Am I not your Lord?" They said: "Yes indeed; We testify." [We did so] lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: “We were unaware of this.”} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 172]
We believe that Allah does not accept any other religion. He, Exalted be He, says: {Anyone who seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 85]
Chapter on Islam
We believe that this religion is the religion Jibrīl brought down to Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and it has three degrees: Islam, Imān, and ihsān. Each of these has its own pillars. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day, we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and had very black hair. No traces of travel were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He came in and sat down opposite the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), rested his knees against his, and placed the palms of his hands on his (the Prophet's) thighs. He said: "O Muhammad, tell me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to pay Zakah, to fast Ramadan, and to perform Hajj to the House if you are able to find a way thereto." He said: "You have spoken the truth." We wondered how he asked him and affirmed his truthfulness. Then, he said: "Tell me about Imān (faith)." He said: "It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and believe in the divine decree, the pleasant and unpleasant aspects thereof." Then, he said: "You have spoken the truth." Then, he said: "Tell me about ihsān." He said: "It is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He sees you." He said: "Tell me about the Hour." He said: "The one questioned about it knows no more than the questioner." He said: "Then, tell me about its signs." He said: "The slave girl will give birth to her mistress, and you will see the barefoot, naked, and destitute herdsmen competing in constructing lofty buildings." Then, he departed. I stayed for a while, and then he said to me: "O 'Umar, do you know who the questioner was?" I said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "He was Jibrīl (Gabriel). He came to teach you your religion." [Narrated by Muslim (8), Abu Dāwūd (4695), At-Tirmidhi (2610), An-Nasā’i (4990), and Ibn Mājah (63)]
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also outlined the pillars of Islam in other Hadīths. He said: "Islam was built on five pillars: testifying that none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving Zakah, performing Hajj, and fasting Ramadan.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (8), Muslim (16), At-Tirmidhi (2609), and An-Nasā’i (5001)] Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man from among the people of Najd with disheveled hair came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The humming sound of his voice could be heard but what he was saying could not be understood. He came closer and it was then known that he was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Five prayers each day and night." He asked: "Do I have to observe anything else?" He said: "No, unless you do it voluntarily." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And fasting Ramadan." He asked: "Do I have to observe anything else?" He said: "No, unless you do it voluntarily." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned Zakah to him, and he asked: "Do I have to pay anything else?" He said: "No, unless you do it voluntarily." The man then turned away saying: "I swear by Allah, I will not add anything to this or fall short of it." Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He will be successful if he speaks the truth." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (46), Muslim (11), Abu Dāwūd (391), and An-Nasā’i (458)]
And Allah Almighty says: {And they were commanded not, but they should worship Allah with sincere devotion to Him, being inclined to true faith, and to establish prayer and give Zakah; that is the true religion.} [Surat al-Bayyinah: 5] He also says: {But if they repent, establish prayers and give Zakah, then set them free, for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 5] And He, Exalted be He, says {Yet if they repent, establish prayer and give Zakah, then they are your brothers in faith.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 11] And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have been ordered to fight the people until they testify that none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish prayer, and give Zakah. If they do so, then their wealth and blood are protected from me except through the right of Islam, and their reckoning is with Allah." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (25) and Muslim (22)]
Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: They said: "O Messenger of Allah, which of Islam is best?" He said: "He from whose tongue and hands Muslims are safe." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (11), Muslim (42), At-Tirmidhi (2504), and An-Nasā’i (4999)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If a person embraces Islam sincerely, Allah forgives all his past sins, after which starts the settlement of accounts: The reward of a good deed will be ten times to seven hundred times as much, and a sin will be recorded as it is, unless Allah forgives it." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri as mu‘allaq (41) and An-Nasā’i (4998)]
Chapter on Imān (Faith)
We believe that the second among the degrees of the religion is faith. This is included in the Prophet's answer to Jibrīl (peace be upon him) when he asked him about faith: "Tell me about faith." He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is to believe in Allah, His angels, books, messengers, the Last Day, and destiny, the pleasant and unpleasant aspects thereof." He said: "You have spoken the truth... Then, he left, and I remained for a short while. Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "O ‘Umar, do you know who that questioner was?" I said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "That was Jibrīl, who came to teach you your religion." [Narrated by Muslim (8), Abu Dāwūd (4695), At-Tirmidhi (2610), An-Nasā’i (4990), and Ibn Mājah (63)]
Although the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) specifically defined faith, in the Hadīth of Jibrīl, as belief "in Allah, His angels, books, messengers, the Last Day, and destiny, the pleasant and unpleasant aspects thereof", faith also refers to a more comprehensive meaning that combines all goodness, and includes all acts of the heart and the body. Allah Almighty says: {The true believers are those whose hearts are filled with awe when Allah is mentioned, and their faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and they put their trust only in their Lord; those who establish prayer and spend out of what We have provided for them. Such are the true believers; they will have high ranks with their Lord, and forgiveness and an honorable provision.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 2-4]
Also, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) defined faith to the delegation of ‘Abdul-Qays as the performance of outward rites. Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the delegate of ‘Abdul-Qays came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), he said: "Who are the delegation?" They said: "The delegation are from the tribe of Rabī‘ah." The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Welcome, O people - or the delegation - You will not have any disgrace or regret." They said: "O Messenger of Allah, between you and us there are the infidels of the tribe of Mudar; so please order us with something clear, so we inform those who are behind us about it, and by which we may enter Paradise." They also asked about drinks. He ordered them to do four things and forbade them from four things. He ordered them to believe in Allah alone, and asked them: "Do you know what is meant by belief in Allah alone?" They said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: ''To testify that none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to pay Zakah, to fast Ramadan, and to give one fifth of the war booty." Then he forbade four (drinking utensils): ad-dubā’ (pumpkin), al-hantam (dyed utensil with grease), and an-naqīr (pierced date palm), al-muzaffat, or probably al-muqayyar (tar-coated utensils)." And then the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Remember all these things by heart and convey them to those you have left behind." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (53), Muslim (17), Abu Dāwūd (3692), At-Tirmidhi (2611), and An-Nasā’i (5031)]
Al-Bukhāri (may Allah have mercy upon him) set a chapter about this meaning in his Sahīh; it reads: Chapter on the Matters of Faith and the Verse that Says: {It is not righteousness to turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Scriptures, and the prophets; and to give charity out of one’s cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, beggars, and to free slaves; to establish prayer and give Zakah; to fulfill the ratified pledges; to be patient at times of hardship, adversity, and during the battle. Such are the true believers, and such are the righteous.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 177]
We believe that faith consists of words, deeds, and belief. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Faith has over seventy branches - or over sixty branches - the uppermost of which is the declaration 'No one is worthy of being worshiped except Allah', and the least of which is the removal of a harmful object from the road; and modesty is a branch of faith." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (9), Muslim (35), and this is his version, Abu Dāwūd (4676), At-Tirmidhi (2614), An-Nasā’i (5005), and Ibn Mājah (57)]
We believe that the believers excel one another in terms of good deeds. Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the people of Paradise enter Paradise and the people of Hellfire go to Hellfire, Allah will order those who have had faith in their hearts equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed to be taken out from Hellfire. So, they will be taken out, but they will be blackened. Then, they will be put in the river of Haya or Hayāt - the narrator is in doubt - and they will revive like a grain that grows near the bank of a flood channel. Do you not see that it comes out yellow and twisted?" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (22) and Muslim (184)]
Abu Umāmah ibn Sahl ibn Hanīf related that he heard Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) report that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "While I was sleeping, I saw the people being shown to me, and they were wearing shirts. Some reached the breast and some reached lower than that. And ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb was shown to me, and he was wearing a shirt that he was dragging." They said: "How do you interpret that, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "The religion." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (23), Muslim (2390), At-Tirmidhi (2285), and An-Nasā’i (5011)]
We believe that faith increases and decreases; it increases with good deeds and decreases with sins. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {We relate to you their story in truth. They were youths who believed in their Lord, and We gave them more guidance.} [Surat al-Kahf: 13] He also says: {And the believers may increase in faith.} [Surat al-Muddaththir: 31]
And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever says 'none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah' and has in his heart good equal to the weight of a barley grain will be taken out of Hellfire. And whoever says 'none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah' and has in his heart good equal to the weight of a wheat grain will be taken out of Hellfire. And whoever says 'none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah' and has in his heart good equal to the weight of an atom will be taken out of Hellfire." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (44), Muslim (193), and At-Tirmidhi (2593)]
‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azīz wrote to ‘Adyy ibn ‘Adyy, saying: "Indeed, faith has certain duties, laws, limits, and Sunnahs. Whoever fulfills them has fulfilled faith, and whoever does not fulfill them has not fulfilled faith. If I live longer, I will explain them to you so that you can act upon them; and if I die, I am indeed not keen to remain in your company." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri as mu‘allaq (1/10), Ibn Aby Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (31084) and in Al-Imān (135), Al-Khallāl in As-Sunnah (1162, 1553), Ibn Battah in Al-Ibānah (1166), and Al-Lālikā’i in Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (1572)]
Mu‘ammar, Sufyān ath-Thawri, Mālik ibn Anas, Ibn Jurayj, and Sufyān ibn ‘Uyaynah used to say: "Faith consists of words and deeds, and it increases and decreases." [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra (2/806) and Ash-Sharī‘ah for Al-Ājurri (2/606)]
Al-Hāfizh Abu Bakr ‘Abdullāh ibn az-Zubayr al-Humaydi said: "And that faith consists of words and deeds and it increases and decreases. Words are not useful without deeds; words and deeds are not useful without a sincere intention; and words, deeds, and intention are not useful without compliance with the Sunnah." [Usūl As-Sunnah for Al-Humaydi (37)]
And Al-Khallāl said: "‘Abdul-Malik al-Maymūni related to me: Ya‘la ibn ‘Ubayd told me more than sixty years ago: "Faith consists of words and deeds. He who fasts, prays, and performs good deeds has greater faith than he who steals and commits adultery." [As-Sunnah for Abu Bakr al-Khallāl (3/590)]
Ibn Abi Hātim said: "I asked my father and Abu Zur‘ah about the doctrines of Ahl As-Sunnah on Usūl ad-Dīn and what they know of the views of the scholars in the different countries and places, and what they think about that. They both said: We lived at the time of scholars from different places - the Hejaz, Iraq, the Levant, and Yemen - and their doctrine includes the principle that: faith consists of words and deeds, and it increases and decreases." [Sharh Usul I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (1/198), and ‘Aqīdat As-Salaf - the Introduction by Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawāni to his book Ar-Risālah (29)]
Al-Lālikā’i said: "Faith consists of words and deeds, a view held by the scholars: Mālik ibn Anas, ‘Abdul-‘Azīz ibn Abi Salamah al-Mājeshūn, Al-Layth ibn Sa‘d, Al-Awzā‘i, Sa‘īd ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azīz, Ibn Jurayj, Sufyān ibn ‘Uyaynah, Fudayl ibn ‘Iyād, Nāfi‘ ibn ‘Umar al-Jumahi, Muhammad ibn Muslim at-Tā’ifi, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān, Al-Muthanna ibn as-Sabbāh, Ash-Shāfi‘i, ‘Abdullāh ibn az-Zubayr al-Humaydi, Abu Ibrāhīm al-Muzani, Sufyān ath-Thawri, Shareek, Abu Bakr ibn ‘Ayyāsh, Wakī‘, Hammād ibn Salamah, Hammād ibn Zayd, Yahya ibn Sa‘īd al-Qattān, ‘Abdullāh ibn al-Mubārak, Abu Is-hāq al-Fazāri, An-Nadr ibn Muhammad al-Marūzi, An-Nadr ibn Shamīl, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Is-hāq ibn Rahaweih, Abu Thawr, and Abu ‘Ubayd." [Sharh Usul I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah for Imām Al-Lālikā’i (4/913)]
In his book "Usūl As-Sunnah", Abu ‘Abdullāh ibn Abi Zamanayn said: "Chapter on the view that faith consists of words and deeds: Ahl-us-Sunnah say: Faith is sincerity to Allah within the hearts, proclamation by the tongues, and actions by the body parts with good intention and in compliance with the Sunnah." [Usūl As-Sunnah (207)]
Chapter on Ihsān (excellence)
We believe that the third among the degrees of the religion is ihsān. It is as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stated in his response to Jibrīl when he asked him about ihsān. He said: "Tell me about ihsān." He replied: "It is to worship Allah as if you can see Him; if you cannot see Him, He sees you." ‘Umar added: Then, he left, and I waited for a short while, after which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "O ‘Umar, do you know who the questioner was?" I said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "That was Jibrīl; he came to teach you your religion." [Narrated by Muslim (8), Abu Dāwūd (4695), At-Tirmidhi (2610), An-Nasā’i (4990), and Ibn Mājah (63)]
Our Lord informs that the followers of this true religion will go to Paradise, with their different degrees and ranks, and whether they are people of Islam, Imān, or ihsān. He, Exalted be He, says: {The Book that We have revealed to you [O Prophet] is the truth, confirming that which came before it. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware and All-Seeing of His slaves. Then We made to inherit the Book those whom We have chosen from among Our slaves. But among them are some who wrong themselves, some follow a middle course, and some are foremost in good deeds with Allah’s permission. That is the great bounty. They will enter Gardens of Eternity; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments will be of silk. And they will say: "All praise be to Allah Who has taken away from us all sorrow. Indeed, our Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative."} [Surat Fātir: 31-34]
Chapter on the Command to Adhere to the Sunnah and Hold onto It
There are many verses and Hadīths that urge us to adhere to the Sunnah and hold onto it and warn us against departure from it and forbid us from disunity and conflict. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remember Allah much.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 21] He also says: {Those who have made divisions in their religion and turned into factions, you have nothing to do with them.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 159] Allah Almighty also says: {He has prescribed for you [believers] the same religion which He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We have revealed to you [O Prophet] and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: "You should uphold the religion and make no divisions therein."} [Surat ash-Shūra: 13]
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Behold! The best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is that of Muhammad. The worst things are the newly-introduced ones, and every newly- introduced thing is misguidance.” [Narrated by Muslim (867), An-Nasā’i (1578), Abu Dāwūd (2954), and Ibn Mājah (45)]
Al-‘Irbād ibn Sāriyah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave us an eloquent admonition one day after the Fajr prayer which caused the eyes to shed tears and the hearts to become afraid. Someone said: "This is the admonition of someone who will soon part. What do you charge us with doing, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "I advise you to fear Allah and to hear and obey, even if an Ethiopian slave were placed in charge of you. Those of you who live after me will see much differing. Beware of newly-invented matters, for they are misguidance. Those of you who live to reach those matters should hold fast to my Sunnah and that of the rightly-guided Caliphs. Bite onto it with your molar teeth." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4607), At-Tirmidhi (2676), Ibn Mājah (42), Ahmad (17416), and Ad-Dārimi (96); classified as Sahīh (Authentic) by At-Tirmidhi]
Al-Bukhāri said in his Sahīh, in the Book of Holding Onto the Qur’an and the Sunnah, Chapter on Adhering to the Prophet's Sunnahs and the Verse that Reads: {And make us leaders for the righteous} [Surat al-Furqān: 74]: Leaders who follow the example of those before us and whose example is followed by those who come after us. Ibn ‘Awn said: I love three things for myself and my brothers: This Sunnah - that they learn and ask about it; the Qur’an - that they ponder and ask about it; and leaving people except when it comes to goodness." [Sahīh Al-Bukhāri (8/139)
Book: Belief in Allah
Abstract
We believe that Allah is the First, before Whom nothing existed, and the Last, after Whom nothing will exist. He introduced Himself to us that He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the true Owner of them; that He makes the night merge into the day and the day merge into the night - Exalted be He; and that this observable universe testifies that Allah alone is the One Who created it and brought it into existence, and there is no other creator with Him.
He mentions countless signs that prove He is the One Who created this universe and brought it into existence, and He establishes the argument against us by what we see in ourselves and around us.
We believe in what the prophets and messengers believed in and have certitude in the proofs and arguments they brought forth, which point to Allah, the Exalted.
We believe that Allah is the Creator, and He did not create the creation for no purpose; rather, it is a perfect creation for a great purpose.
There are many other signs and proofs in the Qur'an, like the verses in Surat al-An‘ām and Surat an-Nahl, which all point to the existence and lordship of Allah Almighty. These are intellectual proofs and strong arguments that none can produce the like of them or even close. In their diversity, they are suitable for all people and sufficient for establishing the argument against them, notwithstanding the denial of the disbelievers and the hatred of the people of falsehood. Does the disbeliever have any proof but the denial and rejection?
We believe that Allah is the only Lord and Creator; that He alone began the creation and none took part in it; He creates by whatever means He wills; and that all things other than Him are created beings.
We believe that Allah is the Lord, Creator, Manager, and Possessor of everything, and that any created being does not have the power to manage his own affairs or the affairs of others, except as Allah enables him to.
We believe that Allah is the true King and Master, and the whole creation is submissive to Him, and all other kings preside over temporary and transient dominions.
We believe that Allah alone is the One Who gives life and causes death; that He is the One Who created death and life; and that He is the One Who takes away the souls.
We believe that Allah is the Provider, the Lord of Power, and the Mighty; none but Him provides for us and fulfills our needs. We believe that He encompasses everything in His knowledge, and nothing, great or small, escapes His knowledge; and He, Exalted be He, is the Knower of the unseen and the visible.
We believe that Allah Almighty subjugated everything through His power and rule.
We believe that to our Lord belongs the creation and the command; there is no true god or lawgiver but Him; He is the One Who created His servants, and He lays down laws and obligations and clarifies the religion, and He is their Master and He alone is Able to hold them accountable and give them the due recompense.
We believe that Allah, Glorified be He, created mankind and their actions.
We believe that the belief in Allah's lordship alone is not enough for one to be a believer, and it would not lead him to Paradise. This is because he does not believe that Allah is the only God worthy of being worshiped and that he should worship none but Allah, alone.
We believe that Allah is the only God, and none is worthy of being worshiped other than Him, alone, with no partner; that He is the Truth and all what they invoke beside Him is false; and that this great matter is the purpose for which Allah Almighty revealed the books, sent the messengers, and created Paradise and Hellfire - and there is a consensus among all the scholars of the Ummah about it and is established by the natural disposition and sound reasoning. We know with certainty that the main thing to which the prophets called their peoples was: to worship Allah Almighty alone and abandon the worship of everything else.
True worship is that which is sincerely devoted to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and done in accordance with the Prophet's guidance. Indeed, the worship of any other deity is false and void.
This main pillar and firm foundation of the religion of Allah - i.e. affirming the divinity of Allah alone and negating it from anyone else - is the core and mainstay of the messengers' call. It means: devoting people's deeds to the Creator alone.
In the Qur'an, Allah Almighty often mentions signs of His lordship as proofs, which entail worshiping Him alone, Exalted be He.
We believe that Allah is the sole Creator of these major cosmic signs, and since there is no creator with Him, none should be worshiped along with Him.
Allah Almighty diversified the signs He put as proofs of His divinity in a way that establishes the argument and makes the truth clear; thus people would not have any argument against their Lord.
Acknowledgment of Allah's divinity, along with bearing witness to the Messenger's message, is what Allah has made a boundary between a person's belief in Allah and Kufr.
Along with belief in Allah, there must be disbelief in false deities and disavowal of polytheism and its people.
It is not sufficient that faith reside in the heart, but it should also be uttered by the tongue and acted upon by the body parts. Faith varies in the heart, by increase and decrease.
In faith, a person should be sincere to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, and certain, not doubtful, and his faith should be based on knowledge, sincerity, acceptance, submission, compliance, and truthfulness in words and deeds, along with love for this religion, the One Who legislated it, the one who came with it, and those who follow it.
As Allah clarified the reality of faith and its requirements and pillars, He also cleared the suspicions raised by obstinate polytheists and pointed out that they have no valid justification for their polytheism, for these presumed equals are created beings, who cannot create anything and have no power over even an atom's weight in the heavens or on earth.
The Almighty Lord also maintained that those equals, who are worshiped beside Allah, do not hear the call of those who call upon them; and even if they can hear it, they are not able to respond; and on the Day of Judgment, they will reject their polytheism and disavow them.
He also made clear that those equals who are worshiped beside Allah cannot bring about any benefit or cause any harm; so, how could they be worshiped?
Moreover, Allah Almighty rejected the worship of angels, pointing out that they, although close to Allah, cannot intercede for anyone without His permission. So, if this is the case, how could they be worshiped beside Allah?!
And the prophets and messengers, despite their high status in worldly life and the Hereafter, do not have power to benefit or harm themselves; so what about others who are lower in rank!
We believe that Allah is One in His attributes of perfection and majesty, and to Him belong the most excellent names and most sublime attributes. This is attested by wise minds and the sound natural disposition and unanimously agreed upon by the scholars of the Muslim Ummah. Rather, all divine messages demonstrated Allah's beautiful attributes, names, and actions. Our Lord dismissed the deities of the polytheists as being unable to hear or see.
We believe that He is as He described Himself and as the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) described Him. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing. We affirm for Him what He established for Himself and the Prophet established for Him, and we negate from Him what He negated from Himself or the Prophet negated from Him, without engaging in ta‘tīl (denial), tamthīl (likening), takyīf (asking how), or tahrīf (distortion).
We know with certainty that Allah Almighty possessed His attributes before He created the creation and that He has the utmost perfection, majesty, and excellence from eternity to permanence, for He is the First and the Last, before Whom there was none and after Whom there will be none; He is the First with His names, attributes, perfection, and glory, and He is the Last with His names, attributes, perfection, and glory.
We believe that some of Allah's attributes are associated with His Essence, such as life, knowledge, hearing, seeing, hand, and fingers, and other attributes are linked to His will, like anger, pleasure, and coming down.
We believe that He does whatever He wills whenever He wills and however He wills, and He honors whomever He wills and humiliates whomever He wills; none can repel His command or reverse His decree and judgment.
We believe that some of Allah's attributes are ultimate, such as hearing, living, and seeing, and other attributes are mentioned in a restricted manner, and should remain so, like describing Himself, Exalted be He, as "plotting" against His enemies if they engage in plotting, and "forgetting" them if they forget Him.
His attributes include knowledge, hearing, seeing, living, sustaining, and speech. He possessed the attribute of speech before creating the creation and speaking to them. Our Lord's speech is linked to His will; whenever He wills, He speaks. Allah's attribute of speech occurs in the Qur'an in various aspects. He speaks to His servants; He privately converses with and calls those He wills from among them; and He will talk to the creation on the Day of Judgment, and they will hear His speech on that Day.
We believe that Allah veiled Himself from His creation with a veil of light. So, they cannot see Him in worldly life, though some of His prophets heard His speech when He spoke to them from behind a screen. He also spoke to Mūsa (peace be upon him).
Some of our Lord's speech is described as being more recent than other speech, and some parts are more excellent than others.
His speech includes the Qur'an and all divine books revealed to His messengers, such as the Scrolls of Ibrāhīm and Mūsa (peace be upon them), the Torah, the Gospel, and the Psalms. All of them are the word of Allah, and Jibrīl heard it directly from Him and came down and conveyed it to the prophets and messengers. The Torah is particularly characterized by the fact that Allah revealed it written in the Tablets. Allah's speech and words are not created beings. Indeed, His speech is distinct from that of His creation. Do you not see that He separates between the creation and the command? We differentiate between Allah's Shar‘i words and His words represented by His cosmic signs.
His attributes also include honor, subjugation, might, authority, pride, majesty, will, power, and mercy. Mercy is one of His attributes that describes Him.
Among His attributes is exaltedness; exaltedness of power, exaltedness of status, and exaltedness of essence. In its three aspects, exaltedness is an attribute that indicates His perfection. The noble Qur'an and the Sunnah, as well as sound reasoning and natural disposition, point to numerous forms of Allah's exaltedness; also numerous are the proofs that prove His exaltedness.
His attributes also include rising over the Throne, which Allah mentions seven times in His Book.
Among His attributes are love, pleasure, and hatred of His enemies; this is because they hated His pleasure and hated what He revealed to His Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Other attributes are anger at His enemies and resentment against the disbelievers.
One of His attributes is that He plots against His enemies who plot against His close servants. Other attributes are severe wrath and deception of those who try to deceive Him; Allah deceives the hypocrites who try to deceive Him. Another attribute is that He mocks those who mock Him, Exalted be He.
His attributes also include laughter, wonder, coming, and attending on the Day of Judgment to judge mankind.
We believe in the attribute of descent and that our Lord descends to the worldly heaven in a real way that befits His majesty and greatness; it is not like the descent of created beings; rather, it is like all His other attributes which we believe in and know, without exploring their very nature or rejecting them. We believe in them just as they were reported to us by the truthful Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
We believe in Allah's attribute of ma‘iyyah (Allah being with the creation). Ma‘iyyah is of two kinds: Specific ma‘iyyah with Allah's close servants and messengers, which entails His support for them; General ma‘iyyah with all mankind, believers and disbelievers, and it entails knowledge, encompassment, ability, and authority.
Ma‘iyyah does not entail incarnation or union or contradict Allah's exaltedness, for it means, as unanimously agreed by the scholars, that Allah Almighty is with us by His knowledge, encompassment, and power.
And we establish that Allah has a face that befits His majesty and greatness and a hand that befits His majesty and greatness. It is mentioned in the Qur'an and the Sunnah in numerous forms. It is mentioned as a pair of hands, and that Allah holds and stretches it out and that He will fold the heavens therein and place the earth in His grip. His hand is also described as having fingers. All this proves that the hand mentioned in the Qur'an and the Sunnah is a real hand that befits the Almighty Lord. We should not try to know its very essence, liken it to the hands of created beings, or distort the verses and Hadīths wherein it is mentioned. Another of Allah's attributes is having fingers.
We believe that the believers will see their Lord on the Day of Judgment, as established by the Qur'an and authentic Hadīths in which the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) gave glad tidings to the believers that they will see their Lord with their own eyes on the Day of Judgment.
As Allah Almighty described Himself by the attributes of perfection, majesty, excellence, glory, and pride, He also negated from Himself the attributes of deficiency. The negation of attributes is not the basic rule in the Qur'an and the Sunnah; rather, the basic rule is to establish the attributes. The Qur'an and the Sunnah are abound with clarification of Allah's attributes as befitting His majesty, greatness, and perfection. When Allah negates an attribute from Himself, He does so to demonstrate the perfection in its opposite, or because humans have ascribed some deficiency to the Almighty Lord; so, He negates such ascribed deficiency from Himself.
We believe that Allah Almighty possesses the most excellent names and that His names reached the pinnacle of perfection. Nothing is more excellent than them. Moreover, an attribute can be derived from each name of Allah, and His names are numberless.
Our Lord warned us against profaning His names or denying them or negating their meanings.
The names and attributes of Allah which occur in the Qur'an and the Sunnah are too great to be contained by any book. We believe in these names and attributes as intended by Allah Almighty and as intended by our Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and we know that their reality is not grasped or encompassed by people, for they are beyond their ability to understand. And we do not make an effort to interpret them.
Chapter on the Belief in the Existence of Allah
[Narrated by Muslim (8), Abu Dāwūd (4695), At-Tirmidhi (2610), An-Nasā’i (4990), and Ibn Mājah (63)] Our Lord informs that the followers of this true religion will go to Paradise, with their different degrees and ranks, and whether they are people of Islam, Imān, or ihsān. He, Exalted be He, says: {The Book that We have revealed to you [O Prophet] is the truth, confirming that which came before it. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware and All-Seeing of His slaves. Then We made to inherit the Book those whom We have chosen from among Our slaves. But among them are some who wrong themselves, some follow a middle course, and some are foremost in good deeds with Allah’s permission. That is the great bounty. They will enter Gardens of Eternity; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments will be of silk. And they will say: "All praise be to Allah Who has taken away from us all sorrow. Indeed, our Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative."} [Surat Fātir: 31-34] Chapter on the Command to Adhere to the Sunnah and Hold onto It There are many verses and Hadīths that urge us to adhere to the Sunnah and hold onto it and warn us against departure from it and forbid us from disunity and conflict. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remember Allah much.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 21] He also says: {Those who have made divisions in their religion and turned into factions, you have nothing to do with them.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 159]
It is as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stated in his response to Jibrīl when he asked him about ihsān. He said: "Tell me about ihsān." He replied: "It is to worship Allah as if you can see Him; if you cannot see Him, He sees you." ‘Umar added: Then, he left, and I waited for a short while, after which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "O ‘Umar, do you know who the questioner was?" I said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "That was Jibrīl; he came to teach you your religion." [Narrated by Muslim (8), Abu Dāwūd (4695), At-Tirmidhi (2610), An-Nasā’i (4990), and Ibn Mājah (63)] Our Lord informs that the followers of this true religion will go to Paradise, with their different degrees and ranks, and whether they are people of Islam, Imān, or ihsān. He, Exalted be He, says: {The Book that We have revealed to you [O Prophet] is the truth, confirming that which came before it. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware and All-Seeing of His slaves. Then We made to inherit the Book those whom We have chosen from among Our slaves. But among them are some who wrong themselves, some follow a middle course, and some are foremost in good deeds with Allah’s permission. That is the great bounty. They will enter Gardens of Eternity; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments will be of silk. And they will say: "All praise be to Allah Who has taken away from us all sorrow. Indeed, our Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative."} [Surat Fātir: 31-34] Chapter on the Command to Adhere to the Sunnah and Hold onto It There are many verses and Hadīths that urge us to adhere to the Sunnah and hold onto it and warn us against opposing it and forbid us from disunity and conflict. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remember Allah much.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 21] He also says: {Those who have made divisions in their religion and turned into factions, you have nothing to do with them.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 159] And among His signs is your sleep by night and day, and your seeking of His bounty [by day]. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who listen. And among His signs is that He shows you lightning, causing fear and hope, and He sends down water from the sky, reviving therewith the earth after its death. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who understand. And among His signs is that the sky and earth are maintained by His command. Then when He calls you out of the earth, you will immediately come forth. To Him belong all those who are in the heavens and earth; all are devotedly obedient to Him. It is He Who originates the creation then repeats it, which is easier for Him.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 19-27]
He also established the argument against His servants by the fact that He created them from a single soul. Allah Almighty says: {He created you from a single soul, then He made from it its mate, and He created for you eight pairs of livestock. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers [in stages], creation after creation, in three layers of darkness. Such is Allah, your Lord. To Him belongs the dominion; none has the right to be worshiped except Him. So how are you averted?} [Surat az-Zumar: 6] So, He mentioned His origination of the creation and that all animals are created by Him, and then He established the argument against us by the fact that He created us in the wombs, in darkness, and that none else can turn a drop of sperm into a human being.
In the preceding verses, Allah Almighty mentions one of the strongest proofs of His existence, namely His creation of the heavens and the earth and what is between them.
He also established the argument against His servants by His care of them and what they find in themselves and their progeny, and the fact that He brought them out of their mothers' wombs not knowing anything and then looked after them until they reached maturity in form and knowledge. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah brought you out from your mothers’ wombs not knowing anything, and He gave you hearing, sight and intellect, so that you may be grateful.} [Surat an-Nahl: 78] As He brought everything into existence and prepared it, He also guided His creation to what is beneficial for them. Speaking about Pharaoh, our Lord says: {Pharaoh said: "So who is the Lord of you two, O Moses?"} [Surat Tāha: 49] And the divine response came: {He said: "Our Lord is the One Who gave everything its form then guided it."} [Surat Tāha: 50]
We believe that Allah Almighty spread out the earth and placed therein firm mountains and caused to grow therein everything in due proportion. This equilibrium we see in the world bears the strongest testimony that Allah is the Creator. Likewise, the rain Allah sends down in a specific manner that humans cannot do, nor can they store what comes down from the sky, testifies that Allah is the Creator, the One God, and the Subjugator. In the Qur’an, He says: {As for the earth, We have spread it out and placed therein firm mountains, and caused to grow therein everything in due proportion. And We have made therein for you means of sustenance and for those whom you do not provide. There is nothing except that We have its treasuries, and We do not send it down except in a determined measure. And We send fertilizing winds, and send down rain from the sky for you to drink, and it is not you who could store it.} [Surat al-Hijr: 19-22]
We believe in what the prophets and messengers believed in and have certitude in the proofs and arguments they brought forth, which point to Allah, the Exalted. For example, Allah points out that Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) cited as an argument against Nimrod that Allah causes the sun to rise from the east and none else can bring it from the west. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Abraham said: "My Lord is the One Who gives life and causes death." He said: "I give life and cause death." Abraham said: "It is Allah Who brings the sun from the east, so bring it from the west."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 258]
Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) cited another argument against his people: that Allah guided him, gave him food and drink, and healed him whenever he fell ill, and He is the One Who would cause him to die and then bring him to life. He is quoted in the Qur’an as saying: {Who created me, so He guides me; and it is He Who provides me with food and drink; and when I am ill, He heals me; and He will cause me to die then bring me back to life.} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 78-81] Allah Almighty mentions that Mūsa (peace be upon him) cited as an argument against Pharaoh the fact that his Lord is the One: {Who gave everything its form then guided it.} [Surat Tāha: 50] It also occurs in the Qur'an that Allah glorifies Himself above any defect, and He introduces Himself to us. Our Lord says: {Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High, Who created and fashioned in due proportion, and Who determined [the creation] then guided them.} [Surat al-A‘la: 1-3]
Moreover, Allah Almighty cites as proof for Him being the sole Creator of this universe that He causes the cheerful gardens to grow and that humans cannot cause their trees to grow. He also mentions as an argument that He made the earth stable, placed therein rivers and firm mountains, and put a barrier between two bodies of water preventing their water from merging together. And that He alone is the One Who responds to the distressed - even if not a believer - when he calls out to Him, the One Who guides people in the darkness of the land and the sea, and the One Who sends the winds as harbingers ahead of His mercy; and He is the One Who provides for us, and there is no provider, lord, or creator other than Him. Our Lord, Exalted be He, says: {Is He [not better] Who created the heavens and earth, and sent down for you rain from the sky, by which We caused to grow gardens of cheerful beauty? You could never cause their trees to grow. Is there any god besides Allah? No, but they are people who ascribe equals [to Allah]. Is He [not better] Who made the earth a stable place to live, and caused rivers to flow through it, and placed therein firm mountains, and made a barrier between two flowing bodies of water? Is there any god besides Allah? No, but most of them do not know. Is He [not better] Who responds to the distressed when he calls out to Him, and Who relieves suffering, and Who makes you successors on earth? Is there any god besides Allah? Little is it that you take heed! Is He [not better] Who guides you in the depths of darkness of the land and sea, and Who sends the winds as harbingers ahead of His mercy? Is there any god besides Allah? Exalted is Allah far above the partners they associate with Him! Is He [not better] Who originates creation then repeats it, and Who gives you provision from the heaven and earth? Is there any god besides Allah? Say: "Produce your evidence if you are truthful."} [Surat an-Naml: 60-64]
He Almighty also says: {It is He Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm mountains and rivers, and created therein fruits of every kind in pairs. He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect. And on the earth there are neighboring [yet different] tracts of land, and gardens of grapevines, grains and palm trees – some growing in clusters from one root or standing alone. They are all irrigated with the same water, yet We cause some of them excel others in taste. Indeed, there are signs in this for people of understanding.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 3-4] So, Allah Almighty affirms that He alone is the One Who spread out the earth and created all trees and fruits in pairs, and He alone is the One Who causes the night to cover the day. He also uses the argument that different tracts of land produce similar and dissimilar plants, though they are irrigated with the same water. Glory be to Allah, other than Whom there is no lord or creator.
Our Lord demonstrates that mountains, though firm and solid, contain such splendor that points to the magnificence of the Creator. Allah Almighty says: {And in the mountains there are various tracts of white and red, of various colors, and raven black.} [Surat Fātir: 27]
He also points out that He is the One Who created all these worlds and subjected them for mankind. An example is the fact that He enabled ships to sail through the sea. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {It is Allah Who has subjected for you the sea, so that the ships may sail on it by His command, and so that you may seek His bounty, and so that you may be grateful. And He has subjected for you all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; all is from Him. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect.} [Surat al-Jāthiyah: 12-13]
Our Lord proves His existence to us by the fact that He subjected the animals for us, giving us means of transport, clothing, foods, and drinks, and that He holds the bird in the open air. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Do they not see the birds enabled to fly in the open air? None holds them up except Allah. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who believe. Allah has made your houses a place of rest for you, and He has given you tents made from the hides of livestock which you find light to handle when you travel and when you camp. And out of their wool, fur and hair [He has given you] furnishings and enjoyment for a while. Allah has made for you shade out of what He has created, and has made for you shelter in the mountains. He has also made for you garments protecting you from heat [and cold], and garments [of armor] protecting you in battle. This is how He perfects His favors upon you, so that you may submit to Him.} [Surat an-Nahl: 79-81] All these are signs that bear testimony to His existence and lordship. Who could bring them into existence except Him, Glorified be He? There is no creator or lord other than Him.
And He presents to us a great witness that occurs every day and points to His existence and lordship, namely that He is the One Who cleaves the daybreak and causes the grain and fruit stones to sprout. In the Qur'an, He says: {It is Allah Who causes the grain and fruit-stones to sprout. He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. Such is Allah! So how are you being turned away? It is He Who cleaves the daybreak, and made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon with a precise measurement; that is the design of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 95-96]
As He made the sun and the moon two signs, He too rendered the night and day two signs pointing to His existence and lordship. Allah, the Exalted, says: {We have made the day and night as two signs. We darkened the night and made the day bright.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 12]
Allah Almighty also points out that He is the One Who makes the bodies of water fresh and salty, and provides therein for us tender meat and ornaments, which point to His existence. He, Glorified be He, says: {It is He Who has subjected the sea, so that you may eat from it tender meat and extract ornaments to wear. And you see the ships cleaving their way through its waves.} [Surat an-Nahl: 14] He also says: {It is He Who merges the two bodies of water: one fresh and palatable and the other salty and bitter, and He has made between them a barrier and an insurmountable partition.} [Surat al-Furqān: 53]
And our Lord clarifies that sound minds can realize that this universe could not have come into existence without a Creator. He says: {It is He Who gives life and causes death, and to Him belongs the alternation of night and day. Do you not understand?} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 80] He also says: {Abraham said: "Do you then worship besides Allah that which can neither benefit nor harm you in the least? Fie upon you and upon all that you worship besides Allah! Do you not have any sense?"} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 66-67] Could there be greater signs of His existence and lordship, Exalted be He!
Allah Almighty criticizes those who attribute the creation to other than Him and asks them in a scolding manner: Were they created from nothing? Or did they create themselves or create the heavens and the earth? Or do they possess the treasures of Allah? Or are they in control of everything? In the Qur’an, Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Were they created by none, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did they create the heavens and earth? Rather, they are not certain in faith. Or do they possess the treasures of your Lord, or do they have full control [of everything]?} [Surat at-Tūr: 35-37] These verses provide one of the strongest proofs for the existence of the Almighty Creator. Hence, Jubayr ibn Mut‘im reported: I heard the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recite At-Tūr in the Maghrib prayer, and when he reached those verses, {Were they created by none, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did they create the heavens and earth? Rather, they are not certain in faith. Or do they possess the treasures of your Lord, or do they have full control [of everything]?} he said: "My heart was about to fly." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4854), Muslim (463), Abu Dāwūd (811), An-Nasā’i (987), and Ibn Mājah (832)] Jubayr (May Allah be pleased with him) heard those verses before he embraced Islam, and they pointed out that people are created beings and submissive servants to their Lord, Exalted be He above what they ascribe to Him.
Allah Almighty says: {I did not call them to witness the creation of the heavens and earth, nor even the creation of their own selves, and I would not take those who misguide others as helpers.} [Surat al-Kahf: 51] If man is unaware of how the heavens were created and how he himself was created, how could he deny the One Who created him and brought him into existence?
We believe that Allah did not create the universe for no purpose; rather, it is the perfect creation for a great purpose. Allah, the Exalted, says: {We did not create the heavens and earth and all that is between them for fun. If We had wished for a pastime, We could have had it from Our own, if We were to do so.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 16-17]
He also responds to the claim made by the Christians that the Messiah is a god and a creator who manages the affairs of this universe. Allah maintains that nothing on earth or in the heaven is hidden from Him, and that He is the One Who shapes people in the wombs; and among those He shaped and created is the Messiah (peace be upon him). Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Indeed, there is nothing hidden from Allah on earth or in the heaven. It is He Who shapes you in the wombs as He wills. None has the right to be worshiped except Him, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 5-6] In addition to many other signs and proofs in the Qur’an, like the verses in Surat al-An‘ām and Surat an-Nahl, which all point to the existence and lordship of Allah Almighty.
Chapter on the Belief in Allah's Lordship
We believe that Allah is the only Lord and Creator, and that He alone began the creation and none took part in it. In the Qur’an, He says: {Allah brings the creation into being, then He will repeat it, then to Him you will be returned.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 11] Allah Almighty also says: {Say: "Can any of your [so-called] partners originate creation then repeat it?" Say: "Allah originates creation then repeats it. How are you then deluded [from the truth]?"} [Surat Yūnus: 34]
And that Allah creates by His command. He says: {Whenever He wills something to be, He only says to it, 'Be', and it is.} [Surat Yāsīn: 82] And He creates by whatever means He wills. He says: {And We brought forth thereby various types of plants.} [Surat Tāha: 53] Allah, the Exalted, also says: {And He created therein fruits of every kind in pairs.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 3] And He says: {And We have created everything in pairs, so that you may take heed.} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 49]
Our Lord declares that He is the Creator of everything and all else are created beings. He says: {Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Maintainer of everything.} [Surat az-Zumar: 62]
We believe that Allah is the Lord, Creator, and Manager of everything. In the Qur'an, He says: {O mankind, worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous; He Who made the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and sends down rain from the sky, and brings forth fruits thereby as a provision for you.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 21-22] He also says: {Allah is your Lord Who created the heavens and earth in six Days, and then rose over the Throne, governing all affairs.} [Surat Yūnus: 3] He, Exalted be He, created the heavens and the earth and He possesses and manages them. He says: {To Him belongs the keys of the heavens and earth. As for those who disbelieve in the verses of Allah, it is they who are the losers.} [Surat az-Zumar: 63] Any created being does not have the power to manage his own affairs or the affairs of others, except as Allah enables him to. Neither the angels nor the prophets (peace be upon them) nor the pious people can manage the affairs of the universe or bring about any benefit or ward off any harm. Allah Almighty says: {Say: "Call upon those whom you claim [to be gods] besides Allah. They do not have even an atom’s weight of authority in the heavens or on earth, nor do they have any share in either of them, nor is any of them a helper to Allah."} [Surat Saba’: 22]
We believe that Allah is the true Sovereign, and the whole creation is submissive to Him, and all other kings only have transient dominions. Our Lord says: {Master of the Day of Judgment.} [Surat al-Fātihah: 4] He also says: {Say: "O Allah, Lord of the dominion, You give dominion to whom You will and take it away from whom You will; You honor whom You will and humiliate whom You will. All good is in Your Hand. You are Most Capable of all things."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 26] And all else are submissive servants to Allah Almighty, Who says: {There is none in the heavens and earth except that he will come to the Most Compassionate in full submission.} [Surat Maryam: 93]
We believe that Allah is the Creator of the heavens and earth, the One Who wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night, and the One Who subjected the sun and the moon, each running its course for a fixed term. In the Qur'an, He says: {He created the heavens and earth for a true purpose. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night. He has subjected the sun and the moon, each running its course for an appointed term. Indeed, He is the All-Mighty, Most Forgiving.} [Surat az-Zumar: 5] And that Allah, Exalted be He, is the One Who made the sun a radiant light and the moon a reflected light and rendered the alternation of the night and day a sign that shows the greatness of His creation and the perfection of His management. He says: {It is He Who made the sun a radiant light and the moon a reflected light, and precisely determined its phases, so that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allah has not created all of this except for a true purpose. He makes the signs clear for people who know. Indeed, in the alternation of the night and day, and in what Allah has created in the heavens and earth, there are signs for people who fear Him.} [Surat Yūnus: 5-6] And that He is the One Who created us from a single soul and made from it its mate and created all animals. Allah, Blessed and Glorified be He, says: {He created you from a single soul, then He made from it its mate, and He created for you eight pairs of livestock. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers [in stages], creation after creation, in three layers of darkness. Such is Allah, your Lord. To Him belongs the dominion; none has the right to be worshiped except Him. So how are you averted?} [Surat az-Zumar: 6]
We believe that Allah is the Provider, the Lord of Power, and the Mighty. None but Him provides for us and fulfills our needs. He says: {Indeed, it is Allah Who is the All-Provider, Lord of Power, the Mighty.} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 58] He also says: {There is no moving creature on earth but upon Allah is its provision. He knows its place of dwelling and its place of rest; everything is [written] in a clear Record.} [Surat Hūd: 6]
We believe that Allah Almighty encompasses everything in His knowledge. He says: {He knows what was before them and what will be after them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge, except what He wills.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255] Nothing, great or small, escapes Allah's knowledge. He, Exalted be He, says: {[He is] the Knower of the unseen; not even an atom’s weight is hidden from Him in the heavens or on earth, nor is there anything smaller or bigger than that, except that it is in a clear Record.} [Surat Saba’: 3] His knowledge encompasses everything in this universe. Our Lord says: {He alone has the keys of the unseen; no one knows them except Him. He knows what is in the land and sea. Not a leaf falls without His knowledge, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything moist or dry, but is [written] in a Clear Record.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 59] Highlighting an aspect of this all-encompassing knowledge, He also says: {There is no moving creature on earth or a bird flying with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have missed nothing in the Record, then to their Lord they will be gathered.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 38]
We believe that Allah is the Knower of the unseen and the visible things. He says: {He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen, the All-Great, the Most Exalted.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 9] And that He does not reveal His unseen to anyone of His creation except a messenger whom He chooses. Our Lord says: {[He is] Knower of the unseen, He does not reveal His unseen to anyone, except the messenger whom He chooses, then He appoints angel-guards before him and behind him.} [Surat al-Jinn: 26-27] Whoever claims to know the unseen is a liar and a fabricator. The messenger did not know the unseen. Allah Almighty commanded His Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to say: {Say [O Prophet]: "I do not tell you that I have the treasuries of Allah, nor do I know the unseen."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 50]
We believe that Allah alone is the One Who gives life and causes death. He, Exalted be He, says: {Indeed, to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth. He gives life and causes death. You have no protector or helper besides Allah.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 116] He also says: {It is He Who gave you life, then will cause you to die, then He will bring you back to life. Indeed, man is ever ungrateful.} [Surat al-Hajj: 66] And that He is the One Who created death and life. Our Lord says: {Who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deeds, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Forgiving.} [Surat al-Mulk: 2] And that He is the One Who takes away the souls. He says: {Allah takes away the souls at the time of their death.} [Surat az-Zumar: 42]
We believe that Allah, Exalted be He, subjugated everything through His power and rule. In the Qur’an, He informs us that: {To Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and on earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the morning and evening.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 15] He also says: {The Day when they will be brought forth, nothing about them will be hidden from Allah. [He will say]: "To whom does the dominion belong this Day? To Allah, the One, the Subjugator!"} [Surat Ghāfir: 16]
We believe that Allah created the heaven and raised it without pillars. He says: {He created the heavens without pillars that you can see; and He placed firm mountains on the earth so it does not shake with you.} [Surat Luqmān: 10] Allah Almighty subjected for mankind what is in the heavens and on earth; all is from Him. He says: {And He has subjected for you all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; all is from Him. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect.} [Surat al-Jāthiyah: 13]
We believe that to our Lord belongs the creation and the command. He, Exalted be He, says: {Behold, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 54] There is no true god or lawgiver but Him. He says: {He has prescribed for you [believers] the same religion which He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We have revealed to you [O Prophet].} [Surat ash-Shūra: 13] He also says: {To each of you We have ordained a law and a way of life.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 48] He is the One Who lays down laws and obligations and clarifies the religion. Allah Almighty disapproves of those who take their rabbis and monks as lords, accepting from them what they legislate in the religion. Allah, the Exalted, says: {They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 31] And He says: {Or do they have partners who have prescribed for them a religion that is not sanctioned by Allah?} [Surat ash-Shūra: 21]
As Allah is the One Who created His servants and He is their Master, He also laid down laws for them, for He alone is able to hold them accountable and give them the due recompense. In the Qur'an, He says: {Allah created the heavens and earth for a true purpose, and so that every soul may be recompensed for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.} [Surat al-Jāthiyah: 22] He also says: {The Hour is certainly coming, but I almost keep it hidden, so that every soul will be recompensed for what it strives.} [Surat Tāha: 15]
We believe that Allah, Glorified be He, created mankind and their actions. He says: {Allah Who created you and all what you do?”} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 96]
We give a true and honest testimony that Allah Almighty made every sign and wonder in the universe point to Him as the Creator. He affirms this, saying: {Is then He Who creates equal to one who cannot create? Will you not then take heed?} [Surat an-Nahl: 17] Allah Almighty disapproves of those who ascribe partners to Him in His lordship or divinity, for He is the only Creator. He says: {Or do they ascribe to Allah partners who created the like of His creation, so they are confused between two creations? Say: "Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Subjugator."} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 16]
The polytheists believed in Allah's lordship and knew that He is the Creator, the Provider, and the One Who gives life and causes death and Who can bring about benefit or cause harm, and that their idols and deities could not do any good or harm and they were but means whereby they sought to draw close to Allah Almighty. Nonetheless, Allah did not accept that from them. He says: {If you ask them who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and moon, they will surely say: 'Allah.' How are they then deluded? Allah extends provision to whom He wills of His slaves or restricts it. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of everything. If you ask them who sends down rain from the sky, then revives therewith the land after its death, they will surely say, “Allah”. Say, “All praise is for Allah,” but most of them do not understand.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 61-63] Although they would desperately seek Allah's help at times of difficulty and turn to Him whenever they suffered distress, this did not avail them, because they persisted in their polytheism and disbelief. Allah Almighty says: {When they board a ship, they supplicate to Allah, devoting their faith sincerely to Him. But as soon as He rescues them to the land, they associate partners with Him, showing their ingratitude to what We have given them and enjoy themselves, but they will soon come to know.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 65-66]
Chapter on the Belief in Allah's Divinity
We believe that Allah is the only God, and none is worthy of being worshiped other than Him, alone, with no partner; that He is the Truth and all what they invoke beside Him is false; and that this great matter is the purpose for which Allah Almighty revealed the books, sent the messengers, and created Paradise and Hellfire - and it is established by the natural disposition and sound reasoning. We know with certainty that the main thing to which the prophets called their peoples was: to worship Allah Almighty alone and abandon the worship of anything else. Our Lord says: {We never sent before you [O Prophet] any messenger without revealing to him that none has the right to be worshiped except Me, so worship Me.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 25] He also says: {Indeed, We sent to every community a messenger, [saying]: "Worship Allah and shun false gods."} [Surat an-Nahl: 36] And He says: {Ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: Did We appoint gods to be worshiped besides the Most Compassionate?} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 45] Every prophet - from the first, Nūh, to the last, Muhammad - said to their people: Worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. Prophet Nūh (peace be upon him) is quoted in the Qur'an to have saying: {O my people, worship Allah; you have no god other than Him.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 59] And the last Prophet, Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), was commanded as follows: {Say [O Prophet]: "I am only a warner, and none has the right to be worshiped except Allah, the One, the Subjugator."} [Surat Sād: 65] Allah Almighty also says: {Such is Allah, your Lord; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Creator of all things. So worship Him, for He is the Maintainer of all things.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 102]
This great matter is the purpose for which Allah Almighty created the jinn and mankind. He says: {I have not created the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 56] Worship means: to believe in Allah as the only true God. Commenting on this verse, Al-Bukhāri (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "I have not created the blissful from the two parties except that they should believe in My oneness." [It is reported in Al-Bukhāri like this, without attribution (6/49); Ibn Hajar mentioned in Al-Fat'h that it was said by Al-Farrā’ (8/600)].
Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal to the people of Yemen, he said to him: "Indeed, you are going to a nation from the people of the book. So, let the first thing to which you invite them is to believe in the oneness of Allah Almighty." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1458) and Muslim (19)] Al-Bukhāri (May Allah have mercy upon him) organized a chapter on this entitled: Chapter on what is reported regarding the Prophet calling his Ummah to believe in the oneness of Allah Almighty
True worship is that which is sincerely devoted to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and done in accordance with the Prophet's guidance. Indeed, the worship of any other deity is false and void. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {That is because it is Allah Who is the Truth and whatever they invoke besides Him is falsehood.} [Surat al-Hajj: 62] "There is no god but Allah" means: No one is truly worthy of being worshiped except Allah - as indicated by the verse above.
Belief in Allah alone and worshiping Him apart from all else is the meaning of the phrase "there is no god but Allah." This noble phrase negates the worthiness of worship from any deity other than Allah. And it negates divinity from any deity other than Allah and affirms true divinity to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, emphasizing that true worship should only be devoted to Him alone. This phrase occurs in the Qur’an many times, both literally and with its meaning which involves negation and affirmation, like the verse that says: {Indeed, We sent to every community a messenger, [saying]: "Worship Allah and shun false gods."} [Surat an-Nahl: 36] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {Worship Allah and do not associate any partners with Him.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 36]
This main pillar and firm foundation of the religion of Allah - i.e. affirming divinity to Allah alone and negating worship from any other deity - is the mainstay of the religion and the core of the messengers' mission. It means devotion of the acts of created beings solely to their Creator. This issue is hardly absent from any surah of the Qur’an. Allah Almighty established the argument against mankind with numerous proofs and signs to be counted or encompassed. The greatest proof among them is Allah's testimony. In the Qur'an, He says: {Say: "Whose testimony is the greatest?" Say: "Allah is [the] Witness between me and you. This Qur’an has been revealed to me so that I may warn you thereby and whomsoever it reaches. Do you really bear witness that there are other gods besides Allah?" Say: "I do not bear such witness.” Say: "Indeed, He is One God, and I disown all that you associate [with Him]."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 19]
Allah Almighty bore witness, and so did the noblest of His creation, namely the angels and the people of knowledge. They bore witness to the greatest thing ever to be witnessed, i.e. Allah's oneness and divinity. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Allah testifies that none has the right to be worshiped except Him, as do the angels and people of knowledge; He is the Upholder of justice. None has the right to be worshiped except Him, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 18] So, the angels and the people of knowledge bore the same witness as Allah bore for Himself: {And sufficient is Allah as a witness.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 79]
Allah uses as an argument against His servants that He is the Creator of everything that exists; and He renders every sign in the universe a witness that He alone is worthy of divinity and worship. Hence, He often asks them in the Qur’an about this matter and cites their acknowledgement that He is the Creator, the Provider, and the One Who gives life and causes death; then, He criticizes them for not worshiping Him or for worshiping something along with Him. Allah Almighty says: {If you ask them who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and moon, they will surely say: 'Allah.' How are they then deluded? Allah extends provision to whom He wills of His slaves or restricts it. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of everything. If you ask them who sends down rain from the sky, then revives therewith the land after its death, they will surely say: 'Allah'. Say: “All praise is for Allah." But most of them do not understand.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 61-63] He Almighty also says: {If you ask them, “who created the heavens and earth?”, they will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knowing created them." It is He Who spread out the earth for you, and made therein pathways for you, so that you may find your way. And it is He Who sends down rain from the sky in due measure, by which We revive dead land. This is how you will be brought forth [from the grave]. And it is He Who created all types of things, and made for you ships and animals on which you ride.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 9-12]
As another argument, Allah Almighty makes people acknowledge His favors upon them, which require them to worship the One Who created and bestowed those favors. Our Lord says: {Say: "Who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Or who owns [your] hearing and sight? Who brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living? Who controls all things?" They will say: 'Allah.' Say: "Do you not then fear Him? Such is Allah, your True Lord. What is beyond the truth except falsehood? So how could you be averted [from the truth]?"} [Surat Yūnus: 31-32]
In the Qur’an, Allah Almighty often cites as an argument against mankind the signs of His lordship that entail worshiping Him alone and the fact that the Creator of these major cosmic signs is no one else but Him; and since there is no creator other than Him, no one should be worshiped along with Him. Therefore, He concludes the following verses with the question: {Is there any god besides Allah?} {Is He [not better] Who created the heavens and earth, and sent down for you rain from the sky, by which We caused to grow gardens of cheerful beauty? You could never cause their trees to grow. Is there any god besides Allah? No, but they are people who ascribe equals [to Allah]. Is He [not better] Who made the earth a stable place to live, and caused rivers to flow through it, and placed therein firm mountains, and made a barrier between two flowing bodies of water? Is there any god besides Allah? No, but most of them do not know. Is He [not better] Who responds to the distressed when he calls out to Him, and Who relieves suffering, and Who makes you successors on earth? Is there any god besides Allah? Little is it that you take heed! Is He [not better] Who guides you in the depths of darkness of the land and sea, and Who sends the winds as harbingers ahead of His mercy? Is there any god besides Allah? Exalted is Allah far above the partners they associate with Him!} [Surat an-Naml: 60-63]
Moreover, He refers to some remarkable created beings as a proof of His lordship that entails His divinity. Allah Almighty says: {Among His signs is that He created you from dust, then you became human beings spreading [on the earth]. And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves that you may find comfort in them, and He placed between you love and mercy. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect. And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors. Indeed, there are signs in this for those who have knowledge. And among His signs is your sleep by night and day, and your seeking of His bounty [by day]. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who listen. And among His signs is that He shows you lightning, causing fear and hope, and He sends down water from the sky, reviving therewith the earth after its death. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who understand. And among His signs is that the sky and earth are maintained by His command. Then when He calls you out of the earth, you will immediately come forth. To Him belong all those who are in the heavens and earth; all are devotedly obedient to Him. It is He Who originates the creation then repeats it, which is easier for Him. To Him belong the most sublime attributes in the heavens and earth, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. He makes this comparison for you from your own lives: do you have among your slaves any partners who equally share with you whatever wealth we have given you, so you are fearing them as you fear one another? This is how We make the verses clear for people who understand. In fact, the wrongdoers follow their own desires without any knowledge. Who can guide those whom Allah caused to stray? They will have no helpers.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 20-29] He commences each of those verses with {And among His signs}; that's among the cosmic signs that point to His lordship which entails His divinity - they are the signs He mentioned. Then He gives this parable to those who equate Him with any of His creation: "Would anyone of you share his house and wife with his slave? Likewise, Allah Almighty would not accept that anyone of His servants be treated as an equal to Him." These are the words of Qatādah. [Tafsīr At-Tabari (20/95)] Then, concluding the verses, He makes clear that the sound natural disposition calls for worshiping Him alone. He says: {Adhere sincerely to the true religion in all uprightness. This is the natural disposition with which Allah has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the straight religion, but most people do not know.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 30]
Allah Almighty diversified the signs He put as proofs of His divinity in a way that establishes the argument and makes the truth clear; thus, people would not have any argument against their Lord. As He uses conclusive arguments, obvious proofs, and amazing signs that prove to people that He is the only God, He also provides examples and comparisons, clarifying the truth. He, Exalted be He, says: {And Allah makes a comparison of two men, one of them is dumb and unable to do anything, and he is a burden to his master; wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to the one who enjoins justice and follows a straight path?} [Surat an-Nahl: 76] Commenting on this verse, Ibn Jarīr said: "This is a comparison Allah Almighty made for Himself and the deities worshiped besides Him. He says: {And Allah makes a comparison of two men, one of them is dumb and unable to do anything.} By this, He means idols, which cannot hear or speak, because they are made of wood or copper; they cannot benefit those who serve them or protect them from harm. {And he is a burden to his master.} He says: He is dependent upon his cousins, allies, and guardians. Likewise, an idol is a burden to those who worship it. They need to carry it, place it somewhere, and serve it. This is like a dumb person who cannot do anything and is a burden to his relatives and others. {Wherever he directs him, he brings no good.} He says: In whatever direction he leads him, he does not bring any good, for he does not understand what is said to him and cannot express himself or say what he wants; he does not understand and is not understood. The same holds true for an idol; it does not understand what is said to it and so it cannot take any order; neither can it speak, and so it cannot give any command or prohibition. {Is he equal to the one who enjoins justice?} In other words, is the dumb slave who is a burden to his master, who brings no good wherever he is directed, equal to the one who speaks and commands what is right and calls to it, i.e. Allah, the One, the Superb Vanquisher, Who calls His servants to obey Him and worship Him alone? He says: Not equal is Him, Exalted be He, and the idol whose condition has been described." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (17/262)]
Allah Almighty gave another example about the god of falsehood and the God of the truth, as stated by Mujāhid. [Tafsīr At-Tabari (21/285)] Allah, the Exalted, says: {Allah makes a comparison of a slave owned by several quarrelsome masters, and a slave owned by only one master. Are they equal in comparison? All praise be to Allah. But most of them do not know.} [Surat az-Zumar: 29]
It is this matter - i.e., the acknowledgment of Allah's divinity, along with bearing witness to the Messenger's message - that Allah has made a boundary between a person's belief in Allah and Kufr. Allah Almighty says: {Then when the [four] sacred months are over, kill the polytheists wherever you find them, seize them, besiege them and lie in wait for them on every route. But if they repent, establish prayers and give Zakah, then set them free, for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 5] He also says: {Yet if they repent, establish prayer, and give Zakah, then they are your brothers in faith.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 11] Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have been ordered to fight the people until they testify that none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish prayer, and give Zakah. If they do so, then their wealth and blood are protected from me except through the right of Islam, and their reckoning is with Allah." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1399, 7284), Muslim (20), Abu Dāwūd (1556), At-Tirmidhi (2607), and An-Nasā’i (2443)]
It is not sufficient that faith reside in the heart, but it should also be uttered by the tongue and acted upon by the body organs. Hence, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have been ordered to fight the people until they say 'none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah'." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (25) and Muslim (22)] Faith is not true unless it is acted upon by the body parts. Our Lord says: {The true believers are those whose hearts are filled with awe when Allah is mentioned, and their faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and they put their trust only in their Lord; those who establish prayer and spend out of what We have provided for them. Such are the true believers; they will have high ranks with their Lord, and forgiveness and an honorable provision.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 2-4] He also says: {It is not righteousness to turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Scriptures, and the prophets; and to give charity out of one’s cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, beggars, and to free slaves; to establish prayer and give Zakah; to fulfill the ratified pledges; to be patient at times of hardship, adversity, and during the battle. Such are the true believers, and such are the righteous.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 177]
The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever amongst you sees an evil should change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of faith." [Narrated by Muslim (49), Abu Dāwūd (1140), At-Tirmidhi (2172), An-Nasā’i (5008), and Ibn Mājah (1275)] This Hadīth indicates that there are varying degrees of faith in the heart.
Along with belief in Allah, there must be disbelief in false deities. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {Whoever rejects Tāghūt [false gods] and believes in Allah, has indeed grasped the strong handhold that never breaks. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.} It is as the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stated in his response to Jibrīl when he asked him about ihsān. He said: "Tell me about ihsān." He replied: "It is to worship Allah as if you can see Him; if you cannot see Him, He sees you." ‘Umar added: Then, he left, and I waited for a short while, after which the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "O ‘Umar, do you know who the questioner was?" I said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "That was Jibrīl; he came to teach you your religion." [Narrated by Muslim (8), Abu Dāwūd (4695), At-Tirmidhi (2610), An-Nasā’i (4990), and Ibn Mājah (63)] Our Lord states that the followers of this true religion will go to Paradise, with their different degrees and ranks, and whether they are people of Islam, Imān, or ihsān. He, Exalted be He, says: {The Book that We have revealed to you [O Prophet] is the truth, confirming that which came before it. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware and All-Seeing of His slaves.
Then We made to inherit the Book those whom We have chosen from among Our slaves. But among them are some who wrong themselves, some follow a middle course, and some are foremost in good deeds with Allah’s permission. That is the great bounty. They will enter Gardens of Eternity; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments will be of silk. And they will say: "All praise be to Allah Who has taken away from us all sorrow. Indeed, our Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative."} [Surat Fātir: 31-34] Chapter on the Command to Adhere to the Sunnah and Hold onto It There are many verses and Hadīths that urge us to adhere to the Sunnah, hold onto it, warn us against opposing it, and forbid us from disunity and conflict. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remember Allah much.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 21]
He also says: {Those who have made divisions in their religion and turned into factions, you have nothing to do with them.} [Surat at-Talāq: 12]
And the verse that says: {Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 158] And the verse that says: {Glory be to the One Who took His slave [Muhammad] by night from the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah] to the Aqsā Mosque [in Jerusalem] whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 1]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote with His Hand concerning Himself, that: My mercy overcame - or preceded - My anger. It is with Him over the Throne." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7553), Muslim (2751), At-Tirmidhi (3543), and Ibn Mājah (189)]
Mu‘āwiyah ibn al-Hakam as-Sulami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was praying with the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), a man in our company sneezed. I said: "May Allah have mercy upon you!" The people stared at me with disapproving looks. So, I said: "Woe to me, why are you staring at me?" They began to strike their hands on their thighs, and when I saw them urging me to observe silence, I became angry but I said nothing. When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) finished the prayer, I declared that neither before him nor after him have I seen a leader who gave better instruction than him for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom. I swear that he did not scold, beat, or revile me - he said: "Talking to people is not fitting during the prayer, for it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring His greatness, and recitation of the Qur’an." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I had been until recently a pagan, but Allah has brought Islam to us; among us there are men who have recourse to diviners." He said: "Do not have recourse to them." I said: "There are men who take omens." He said: "That is something they find in their breasts, but it does not turn them away." I said: "Among us there are men who draw lines." He said: "There was a prophet who drew lines; so if they do it as he did, this is permissible." I had a maid-servant who tended goats by the side of Uhud and Jawwāniyyah. One day I happened to pass by that way and found that a wolf had carried a goat from her flock. I am after all a man from the posterity of Adam. I get angry as they (human beings) get angry. So, I slapped her, after which I went to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), having a feeling that this is something grave. I said: "O Messenger of Allah, should I set her free?" He said: "Bring her to me." So, I brought her to him. He said to her: "Where is Allah?" She said: "He is in the heaven." He said: "Who am I?" She said: "You are the Messenger of Allah." Thereupon, he said: "Set her free, for she is a believer." [Narrated by Muslim (537), Abu Dāwūd (930), and An-Nasā’i (1218)] [Surat as-Sāffāt: 35-36]
He should submit and comply. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Whoever submits himself to Allah and does good, he has certainly grasped the firmest handhold.} [Surat Luqmān: 22]
He should be truthful in his words, deeds, and belief in order for him to attain the reward about which the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) gave glad tidings, in the Hadīth that reads: "There is no one who bears witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, sincerely from his heart, except that Allah will forbid him to Hellfire." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (128) and Muslim (32)]
He should love this religion, the One Who legislated it, the one who came with it, and those who follow it. Allah Almighty says: {And among people there are some who take others as equals to Allah: they love them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 165] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "None of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his children, his father, and all people." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (15), Muslim (44), An-Nasā’i (5013), and Ibn Mājah (67)] In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are three qualities. Whoever possesses them will taste the sweetness of faith: to consider Allah and His Messenger dearer to him than everything else; to love a man for Allah's sake alone; and to hate to return to disbelief after Allah has rescued him therefrom as much as he hates to be cast into Hellfire." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (16), Muslim (43), At-Tirmidhi (2624), An-Nasā’i (4987), and Ibn Mājah (4033)]
As Allah clarified the reality of faith and its requirements and pillars, He also cleared the suspicions raised by obstinate polytheists and pointed out that they have no valid justification for their polytheism, for these presumed equals are created beings, who cannot create anything and have no power over even an atom's weight in the heavens or on earth. Allah Almighty says: {Do they ascribe to Him partners those who cannot create anything, but are themselves created? They cannot help them, nor can they help themselves. If you call them to guidance, they will not follow you; it is the same whether you call them or remain silent. Those whom you supplicate to besides Allah are slaves like you; supplicate to them and let them respond to you if you are truthful. Do they have feet to walk with? Or hands to grasp with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say [O Prophet]: "Call your idols then conspire against me and give me no respite! My Protector is Allah Who has sent down the Book, for it is He Who protects the righteous. But those whom you supplicate besides Him cannot help you, nor can they help themselves." If you call them to guidance, they do not hear, and you see them looking at you, but they do not see.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 191-198] Allah Almighty also says: {Say: "Call upon those whom you claim [to be gods] besides Allah. They do not have even an atom’s weight of authority in the heavens or on earth, nor do they have any share in either of them, nor is any of them a helper to Allah." No intercession will be of any benefit before Him, except for those whom He gave permission}. [Surat Saba’: 22-23]. This verse cuts off all ties with polytheism.
The Almighty Lord also maintained that those equals, who are worshiped besides Allah, do not hear the call of those who call upon them; and even if they were to hear it, they would not be able to respond; and on the Day of Judgment, they would reject their polytheism and disavow them. He, Exalted be He, says: {If you call upon them, they cannot hear your call, and even if they were to hear, they could not respond to you. On the Day of Resurrection they will disown your associating them as partners with Allah. And none can inform you like the All-Aware.} [Surat Fātir: 14]
He also made clear that those equals who are worshiped besides Allah cannot bring about any benefit or cause any harm; so, how could they be worshiped? Allah Almighty says: {They have taken besides Him other gods who can create nothing but are themselves created. Nor do they have power to harm or benefit themselves, nor do they have power to cause death, give life or resurrect the dead.} [Surat al-Furqān: 3]
Our Lord also pointed out that those equals cannot provide for their followers. In the Qur'an, He says: {They worship besides Allah those who have nothing to provide for them from the heavens and earth, nor are they capable of doing so.} [Surat an-Nahl: 73] So, how could they worship those who cannot provide for them or do any good or harm and have no power over anything?
As an argument, He said that whenever they suffer any harm or distress, they turn to Allah Almighty alone for help, devoting their religion sincerely to Him, and if He rescues them, they turn back to their disbelief. Allah, the Exalted, says: {When they board a ship, they supplicate to Allah, devoting their faith sincerely to Him. But as soon as He rescues them to the land, they associate partners with Him.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 65]
As Allah refuted the claim of polytheists with regard to taking equals to Him, He also refuted any other claim that He has taken a son. Our Lord says: {Allah has never begotten a son, nor is there any god besides Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he had created, and each would have tried to gain supremacy over the other. Glory be to Allah far above what they ascribe to Him!} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 91] He also says: {If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder. Glory be to Allah – Lord of the Throne – far above what they ascribe [to Him].} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 22] Allah Almighty stated that the Jews and Christians claimed that He had a son. In the Qur'an, He says: {The Jews say, "Ezra is the son of Allah," and the Christians say: "The Messiah is the son of Allah." These are mere words that they utter, imitating the words of the disbelievers before them. May Allah ruin them; how can they be deluded?} [Surat at-Tawbah: 30] He refuted their disbelief at its very core. How could a human being who eats food become a god! A god would not eat or drink or need anything as needed by humans. Allah Almighty says: {The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger. There were messengers who passed away before him, and His mother was a woman of truth; they both ate food. See how We make Our signs clear to them, yet see how they are deluded! Say: "Do you worship besides Allah that which can neither harm nor benefit you?! And Allah is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing."} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 75-76]
Moreover, Allah Almighty rejected the worship of angels, pointing out that they, although close to Allah, cannot intercede for anyone without His permission. In the Qur'an, He says: {How many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will be of no avail except after Allah’s permission to whom He wills and pleases.} [Surat an-Najm: 26] They fear their Lord above them. Allah, the Exalted, says: {To Allah prostrates all that is in the heavens and on earth of living things, and so do the angels; and they do not show arrogance. They fear their Lord above them and do what they are commanded.} [Surat an-Nahl: 49-50] Allah Almighty also says: {The Messiah would never disdain to be a slave of Allah, nor would the nearest angels to Him. Those who disdain to worship Him and are arrogant. He will gather them all together before Him.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 172] So, if this is the case, how could the angels be worshiped besides Allah?
And the prophets and messengers, despite their high status in worldly life and the Hereafter, do not have power to benefit or harm themselves; so what about others who are lower in rank?! Allah Almighty points out that the prophets worshiped Him in hope and fear; He says: {They used to hasten in doing good deeds and used to call upon Us with hope and fear, and they were humble before Us.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 90] And He commanded the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to say the following: And the verse that says: {We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an so that you may understand.} [Surat Yūsuf: 2] And the verse that says: {They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.} [Surat an-Nahl: 50] And the verse that says:
{I will take you and raise you up to Myself.}
[Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 55] And the verse that says: {By which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him on a Day the length of which is fifty thousand years.} [Surat al-Ma‘ārij: 4] And the verse that says: {Allah is the One who has created seven heavens, and likewise for the earth. The Command descends between them so that you may know that Allah is Most Capable of all things, and that Allah has encompassed everything in knowledge.} [Surat at-Talāq: 12]
And the verse that says: {Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 158] And the verse that says:
{Glory be to the One Who took His slave [Muhammad] by night from the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah] to the Aqsā Mosque [in Jerusalem] whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 1] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: And He says: [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7553), Muslim (2751), At-Tirmidhi (3543), and Ibn Mājah (189)] Mu‘āwiyah ibn al-Hakam as-Sulami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was praying with the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), a man in our company sneezed. I said: "May Allah have mercy upon you!" The people stared at me with disapproving looks. So, I said: "Woe to me, why are you staring at me?" They began to strike their hands on their thighs, and when I saw them urging me to observe silence, I became angry but I said nothing. When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) finished the prayer, I declared that neither before him nor after him have I seen a leader who gave better instruction than him for whom I would ransom my father and mother. I swear that he did not scold, beat, or revile me - he said: "Talking to persons is not fitting during the prayer, for it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring His greatness, and recitation of the Qur’an." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I had been a pagan until recently, but Allah has brought Islam to us; among us there are men who have recourse to diviners." He said: "Do not have recourse to them." I said: "There are men who take omens." He said: "That is something they find in their breasts, but it should not turn them away." Ibn as-Sabbāh said: "It should not turn you away." I said: "Among us there are men who draw lines." He said: "There was a prophet who drew lines; so if they do it as he did, this is permissible." I had a slave-girl who tended goats by the side of ’Uhud and Al-Jawwāniyyah. One day I happened to pass by that way and found that a wolf taken away a goat from her flock. I am after all a man from the posterity of Adam. I got angry as they (human beings) get angry. So, I slapped her, after which I went to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), having a feeling that this is something grave. I said: "O Messenger of Allah, should I set her free?" He said: "Bring her to me." So, I brought her to him. He said to her: "Where is Allah?" She said: "He is in the heaven." He said: "Who am I?" She said: "You are the Messenger of Allah." Thereupon, he said: "Set her free, for she is a believer." [Narrated by Muslim (537), Abu Dāwūd (930), and An-Nasā’i (1218)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Then those angels who spend the night among you ascend, their Lord asks them, although He knows best about them: 'How did you leave My servants?' They say: 'We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying.'"
{Whoever submits himself to Allah and does good, he has certainly grasped the firmest handhold.}
He should be truthful in his words, deeds, and belief in order for him to attain the reward about which the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave him glad tidings, in the Hadīth that reads: "There is no one who bears witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, sincerely from his heart, except that Allah will forbid him to Hellfire." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (128) and Muslim (32)]
He should love this religion, the One Who legislated it, the one who came with it, and those who adopted it. Allah Almighty says: {And among people there are some who take others as equals to Allah: they love them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 165] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "None of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his children, his father, and all people." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (15), Muslim (44), An-Nasā’i (5013), and Ibn Mājah (67)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are three qualities anyone who possesses them will taste the sweetness of faith: to consider Allah and His Messenger dearer to him than everything else; to love a man for Allah's sake alone; and to hate to return to disbelief after Allah has rescued him therefrom as much as he hates to be cast into Hellfire." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (16), Muslim (43), At-Tirmidhi (2624), An-Nasā’i (4987), and Ibn Mājah (4033)] As Allah clarified the reality of faith and its requirements and pillars, He also refuted the suspicions raised by obstinate polytheists and pointed out that they have no valid justification for their polytheism, for these presumed equals are created beings, who cannot create anything and have no power even over an atom's weight in the heavens or the earth. Allah Almighty says: {Do they ascribe to Him partners those who cannot create anything, but are themselves created? They cannot help them, nor can they help themselves. If you call them to guidance, they will not follow you; it is the same whether you call them or remain silent. Those whom you supplicate to besides Allah are slaves like you; supplicate to them and let them respond to you if you are truthful. Do they have feet to walk with? Or hands to grasp with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say [O Prophet]: "Call your idols then conspire against me and give me no respite! My Protector is Allah Who has sent down the Book, for it is He Who protects the righteous. [Surat al-Qamar: 14] Nāfi‘ ibn ‘Abdullāh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Anti-Christ was mentioned in the Prophet's presence, and he said: "Indeed, Allah is not unknown to you; indeed, Allah is not one-eyed - pointing to his eye - whereas the Anti-Christ is blind in the right eye and his eye looks like a protruding grape." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7407), Muslim (169), Abu Dāwūd (4757), and At-Tirmidhi (2241)]
Among Allah's attributes are "Living" and "Sustaining". He says: {Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 2]
Allah's attributes also include "Speech". He possessed the attribute of speech before creating the creation and speaking to them. Our Lord's speech is linked to His will; whenever He wills, He speaks. Allah's attribute of speech occurs in the Qur'an in various ways. All that Allah informs about Himself, giving any command or prohibition, denotes speech. An example is the verse that reads: {Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that you may be reminded.} [Surat an-Nahl: 90] And everything He informs about Himself that He said or says denotes speech, like the verse that reads: {And [remember] when Allah said: "O Jesus, I will take you and raise you up to Myself."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 55] And any verse in which 'informing' is ascribed to Allah, the Exalted, it establishes the attribute of speech for Him, the Lord of all the worlds. An example is the verse that says: {She said: "Who informed you of this?" He said: "I was informed by the All-Knowing, the All-Aware."} [Surat at-Tahrīm: 3]
And any calling or private conversation ascribed to Allah establishes the attribute of speech for Him, the Lord of all the worlds, like in the verse that says: {We called him from the right side of the Mount Tūr [in Sinai] and We brought him near by conversing with him in private.} [Surat Maryam: 52] Any statement ascribed to Allah or any speech in the Qur'an by which Allah is described establishes His attribute of speech. They are too numerous to be counted. An example is His statement to the angels. Allah Almighty says: {And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to appoint a vicegerent on earth."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 30] And He talked to Adam: {We said: "O Adam, dwell in Paradise, you and your wife; and eat pleasantly from wherever you wish."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 35] And He talked to Mūsa (peace be upon him): {He said: "O Moses, I have chosen you above other people, by giving you My messages and speaking to you."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 144]
Calling is a form of our Lord's speech, as He called out to Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him): {And We called out to him: “O Abraham."} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 104] Private conversation is another form of it, as He privately conversed with Mūsa (peace be upon him): {We called him from the right side of the Mount Tūr [in Sinai] and We brought him near by conversing with him in private.} [Surat Maryam: 52] Commenting on this verse, Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Until he heard the creaking of the Pen." [Narrated by Ibn Aby Shaybah (32506), Hannād in Az-Zuhd (149), ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad in As-Sunnah (1231), At-Tabari in At-Tafsīr (15/559), and Al-Hākim (3472)] As-Suddy said: {And We brought him near by conversing with him in private.} He said: "He was admitted into heaven and spoken to." [Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr (5/238) and Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr Fi At-Tafsīr Al-Ma’thūr (5/515)] Angels can hear the speech of Our Lord, as indicated by the verse that says: {Until when their hearts are relieved of dread, they will say [to the angels]: "What did your Lord just say?" They will say: "The Truth, and He is the Most High, Most Great."} [Surat Saba’: 23] Masrūq ibn ‘Abdullāh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah speaks to send revelation, the inhabitants of heaven hear the clanging of a bell from the heavens like a chain being dragged across a rock, and they swoon. They continue to remain like that until Jibrīl comes to them. When he comes to them, they recover and say: 'O Jibrīl, what did your Lord say?' He would say: 'The truth!' And they would say: 'The truth, the truth.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4738), ‘Uthmān ibn Sa‘īd ad-Dārimi in Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah (158), ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad in As-Sunnah (536), and Muhammad ibn Nasr in Ta‘zhīm Qadr As-Salah (217)]
And He will speak to the creatures on the Day of Judgment, as informed by the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): "There will be none among you but his Lord will speak to him, and there will be no interpreter between them nor a screen to screen Him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7443), Muslim (1016), At-Tirmidhi (2415), and Ibn Mājah (185)]
The creation will hear the speech of Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment, as related in a Hadīth in which ‘Abdullāh ibn ’Onays (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Allah will gather the creation and call them with a voice that will be heard by those distant as it will be heard by those near, saying: ‘I am the King, I am the Recompenser.’" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri as mu‘allaq (9/141), and in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (970), and in Khalq Af‘āl Al-Ibād (90), and by Ahmad (16042)]
We believe that Allah Almighty has screened Himself from the creation; so, they cannot see Him in the life of this world. And He speaks to whomever He wills from among His angels and messengers (peace be upon them) from behind a screen. Allah, the Exalted, says: {It is not for a human being that Allah should speak to him except through revelation or from behind a veil, or by sending an angel-messenger to reveal what He wills by His permission. Indeed, He is Most High, All-Wise.} [Surat ash-Shūra: 51]
Some of our Lord's speech is described as being more recent than other speech. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Whenever new revelation comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it in jest.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 2] And some parts of it are more excellent than others. Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man heard another man reciting {Say He is Allah, the One} repeatedly. The next morning, he came to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and informed him about it, as if he thought that it was not enough to recite. Thereupon, the Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, it is equal to one-third of the Qur’an." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (5013), Abu Dāwūd (1461), and An-Nasā’i (995)]
The Qur’an and all divine books revealed to Allah's messengers, such as the Scrolls of Ibrāhīm and Mūsa (peace be upon them), the Torah, the Gospel, and the Psalms, are all the word of Allah, and Jibrīl heard them directly from Him and came down and conveyed them to the prophets and messengers. The Torah is particularly characterized by the fact that Allah revealed it written on the Tablets. Allah, the Exalted, says: {...Which the Trustworthy Spirit [Gabriel] has brought down to your heart [O Prophet] so that you may be one of the warners.} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 193-194] He also says: {So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him, so that you may be guided.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 158] Allah's words and speech are not created beings. That is why the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) sought refuge in Allah's words. In a Hadīth, he said: "Whoever lands somewhere and then says 'I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created', nothing will harm him until he leaves that place.” [Narrated by Muslim (2708), At-Tirmidhi (3437), and Ibn Mājah (3547)] If Allah's words were part of the creation, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would not have sought refuge in them. Indeed, Allah's speech is different from His creation. Do you not see that "Allah has distinguished between His statement and His creation? He says: {His is the creation and the command} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 54]. When He says {His is the creation}, this necessarily includes all created beings without exclusion; then, He mentions what is not part of the creation, namely {the command}. His command is His statement. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, Whose speech is not a creation." [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah by Imām Ahmad (224)]
And we differentiate between Allah's cosmic words, like in the verse that says: {There were messengers rejected before you, but they endured patiently their rejection and persecution until Our help came to them. None can change the words of Allah. You have already received some accounts of those messengers.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 34] Regarding the verse that reads: {Say: "If the ocean were ink for [writing] the Words of my Lord, the ocean would surely run dry before the Words of my Lord are finished, even if We brought its like to resupply it."} [Surat al-Kahf: 109] And His Shar‘i speech that occurs in verses such as the following: {The Word of your Lord is perfect in truthfulness and justice; none can change His Words, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 115] And the verse that says: {And [remember] when Abraham was tested by his Lord with certain words, which he fulfilled.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 124]
Imām Ad-Dārimi said: "No one denies the speech of Allah Almighty except those who want to revoke what Allah Almighty revealed. How could He Who enabled people to speak be unable to speak Himself?!" [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah by Ad-Dārimi (155)]
Among the attributes of Allah is Might. He, Exalted be He, says: {Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Might, far above what they ascribe [to Him].} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 180] Allah Almighty also says: {Whoever seeks honor, then all honor belongs to Allah alone.} [Surat Fātir: 10]
Another of Allah's attributes is Subjugation. In the Qur’an, He Almighty says: {And none has the right to be worshiped except Allah, the One, the Subjugator.} [Surat Sād: 65]
Allah's attributes also include Jabarūt (Grandeur), Malakūt (Dominion), Kibriya’ (Superiority), and ‘Azhama (Majesty). The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to say during rukū‘: "Glory be to the Owner of Grandeur, Dominion, Superiority, and Majesty." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (873), An-Nasā’i (1049), Ahmad (23980), At-Tirmidhi in Ash-Shamā’il (314), and Al-Bazzār (2750)] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah Almighty said: 'Superiority is My robe, and majesty is My lower garment; whoever disputes with Me over any of them, I will throw him into Hellfire.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4090), Ibn Mājah (4174), Al-Humaydi (1183), Ibn Abi Shaybah (27111), and Ahmad (7382)]
Among Allah's attributes are Irāda (Will) and Mashī’ah (Volition). He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 185] He Almighty also says: {But it was Allah’s Will to establish the truth by His Words and exterminate the disbelievers.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 7] And He says: {But you cannot wish except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat at-Takwīr: 29]
And among His attributes is Qudrah (Capability). Allah Almighty says: {Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth, and what He spread between them of all living creatures. And He is Most Capable of bringing them together whenever He wills.} [Surat ash-Shūra: 29] He also says: {For Allah is Most Capable of all things.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 20]
And Mercy is one of His attributes. Allah, the Most Merciful and Most Compassionate, says: {But My mercy encompasses everything.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 156] He also says: {Your Lord has decreed mercy upon Himself.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 54] Mercy is one of His attributes, which is ascribed to the Almighty Lord as a trait that describes Him. Mercy may also occur in the Qur'an and the Sunnah being ascribed to Allah, the Creator, as part of His creation. An example is the verse that reads: {It is He Who sends the winds as harbingers before His mercy, and We send down from the sky pure water.} [Surat al-Furqān: 48] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: "The day Allah created mercy, He created it as one hundred parts of mercy." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6469), Muslim (2752), At-Tirmidhi (3541), and Ibn Mājah (4293)] So, such mercy is a created being and has been ascribed to its Creator.
Among Allah's attributes is ‘Ulow (Highness): Highness of Qahr (power), Highness of Qadr (status), and Highness of dhāt (essence). In its three aspects, Highness is an attribute that indicates His perfection. The noble Qur'an and the Sunnah, as well as the sound reason and natural disposition, point to numerous forms of Allah's highness. Every statement by Allah Almighty or His Messenger describing Him as High or the Most High or referring to Him as being in Highness does point to His highness. Likewise, the mention of anything coming down from Him, like the revelation or the command, that He will come on the Day of Judgment to judge people, that He descends every night and on the eve of ‘Arafah, and that angels come down do all point to His highness. Also, every statement that describes Allah as being in the heaven, above the heaven, or above the Throne, or that He rose over the Throne is a proof of His highness. The same holds true for anything that involves ascension to Allah Almighty: It signifies His highness.
This is also established by the fact that the angels fear their Lord above them and they ascend to Him, that people's deeds are raised up to Him, that He raised ‘Īsa to Him, and that He took Prophet Muhammad for the night journey and made him ascend to the heavens. All this points to Allah's highness. In fact, the proofs for Allah Almighty being exalted are too numerous to be easily counted.
The proofs include the verse that says: {To him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.} [Surat ash-Shūra: 4] And the verse that reads: {That is because it is Allah Who is the Truth and whatever they invoke besides Him is falsehood, and it is Allah Who is the Most High, the Most Great.} [Surat al-Hajj: 62] And another verse that reads: {To Him ascend good words, and righteous deeds raise them.} [Surat Fātir: 10] And this verse that reads: {This [Qur’an] is a blessed Book which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah, so that you may be shown mercy.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 155] The creatures will hear the speech of Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment, as related in a Hadīth in which ‘Abdullāh ibn ’Onays (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Allah will gather the creatures and call them with a voice that will be heard by those distant as it will be heard by those near, saying: ‘I am the King, I am the Recompenser.’" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri as mu‘allaq (9/141), and in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (970), and in Khalq Af‘āl Al-Ibād (90), and by Ahmad (16042)] We believe that Allah Almighty has screened Himself from the creation; so, they cannot see Him in the life of this world. And He speaks to whomever He wills from among His angels and messengers (peace be upon them) from behind a screen. Allah, the Exalted, says: {They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.} [Surat an-Nahl: 50] And the verse that says: {I will take you and raise you up to Myself.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 55] And the verse that says: {By which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him on a Day the length of which is fifty thousand years.} [Surat al-Ma‘ārij: 4] And the verse that says: {Allah is the One who has created seven heavens, and likewise for the earth. The Command descends between them so that you may know that Allah is Most Capable of all things, and that Allah has encompassed everything in knowledge.} [Surat at-Talāq: 12] And the verse that says: {Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 158] And the verse that says: {Glory be to the One Who took His slave [Muhammad] by night from the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah] to the Aqsā Mosque [in Jerusalem] whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 1]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote a book which is with Him over the Throne: My mercy overcame - or preceded - My anger." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7553), Muslim (2751), At-Tirmidhi (3543), and Ibn Mājah (189)] Mu‘āwiyah ibn al-Hakam as-Sulami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was praying with the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), a man in our company sneezed. I said: "May Allah have mercy upon you!" The people stared at me with disapproving looks. So, I said: "Woe to me, why are you staring at me?" They began to strike their hands on their thighs, and when I saw them urging me to observe silence, (I became angry) but I said nothing. When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had finished the prayer - and I declared that neither before him nor after him have I seen a leader who gave better instruction than he for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom. I swear that he did not scold, beat, or revile me - he said: "Talking to persons is not fitting during the prayer, for it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring His greatness, and recitation of the Qur’an." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have been until recently a pagan, but Allah has brought Islam to us; among us there are men who have recourse to diviners." He said: "Do not have recourse to them." I said: "There are men who take omens." He said: "That is something they find in their breasts, but it does not turn them away (from freedom of action)." I said: "Among us there are men who draw lines." He said: "There was a prophet who drew lines; so if they do it as he did, this is permissible." I had a maid-servant who tended goats by the side of Uhud and Jawwāniyyah. One day I happened to pass that way and found that a wolf had carried a goat from her flock. I am after all a man from the posterity of Adam. I felt sorry as they (human beings) feel sorry. So, I slapped her, after which I went to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), having a feeling that this is something grave. I said: "O Messenger of Allah, should I set her free?" He said: "Bring her to me." So, I brought her to him. He said to her: "Where is Allah?" She said: "He is in the heaven." He said: "Who am I?" She said: "You are the Messenger of Allah." Thereupon, he said: "Set her free, for she is a believer." [Narrated by Muslim (537), Abu Dāwūd (930), and An-Nasā’i (1218)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Then those angels who spend the night among you ascend, their Lord asks them, although He knows best about them: 'How did you leave My servants?' They say: 'We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (555), Muslim (632), and An-Nasā’i (485)] Abu Razīn al-‘Uqayli (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, where was Allah before He created His creation?" He said: "He was above the clouds, below which was air and above which was air, and He created His Throne above water." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (3109), Ibn Mājah (182), At-Tayālisi (1189), Ahmad (16188), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (625)] These and numerous other verses and Hadīths point to Allah's highness.
The proofs for His highness are too numerous to be counted. It is unanimously confirmed by the scholars of Islam and established by the sound mind and natural disposition. Imām Ibn Battah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "The Muslims - including the Companions, the succeeding generation, and all faithful scholars - unanimously agree that Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, is above His Throne, above His heavens, and separate from His creation, and His knowledge encompasses all His creation." [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra by Ibn Battah (7/136)]
Ad-Dārimi (May Allah have mercy upon him) reported that when Ibn al-Mubārak was asked: "How can we recognize our Lord?" He said: "He is above the Throne, above the seventh heaven above the Throne, and is separate from His creation." [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah by Ad-Dārimi (98)]
Among Allah's attributes is His rising over the Throne, which He mentions in seven places in the Qur’an. One of those verses reads: {Your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and earth in six days, and then rose over [istawa] the Throne. He makes the night and day overlap in rapid succession. He made the sun, the moon, and the stars – all subservient to His command. Behold, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 54] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote a book which is with Him over the Throne: My mercy overcame - or preceded - My anger." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7553), Muslim (2751), At-Tirmidhi (3543), and Ibn Mājah (189)] Al-Lālikā’i narrated that Ibn ‘Uyaynah reported: Rabī‘ah was asked about the verse that reads: {The Most Compassionate rose over the Throne.} [Surat Tāha: 5], as to how He rose over the Throne? He replied: “The rising is not unknown, but its nature is inconceivable. The message came from Allah, and the Prophet was tasked with conveying it; and we are obligated to firmly believe.” [Sharh Usul I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (3/442) and Al-‘Arsh by Adh-Dhahabi (2/213)] A similar view was reported from Imam Mālik (May Allah have mercy upon him). [Narrated by Abu Nu‘aym in Al-Hilyah (6/325, 326), Al-Bayhaqi in Al-Asmā’ Wa As-Sifāt (2/304), and Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr in At-Tamhīd (7/138). Adh-Dhahabi (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "The scholars derived a rule from Imām Malik's statement: 'The rising is known, but its nature is unknown; believing in it is obligatory; and asking about it is innovation in religion.' They adopted this rule as far as this issue is concerned." [Al-‘Uluw for Adh-Dhahabi (1/117)]
Another attribute of Allah Almighty is love. In the Qur'an, He says: {Allah will bring a people whom He loves and who love Him.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 54] Imām Ad-Dārimi (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "He combined the two loves: the love of the Creator and the love of people. Then, He distinguished between what He loves and what He does not love, so that people can know that these two are different and opposed to each other. He says: {Allah does not like offensive words to be said} [Surat an-Nisā’: 148] and {He does not like those who are wasteful.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 141]" [Naqd Ad-Dārimi (2/865)]
In another verse, He says: {Allah loves those who frequently repent and He loves those who purify themselves.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 222] Sahl ibn Sa‘d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said during the battle of Khaybar: "Tomorrow I will give the flag to a man to whom Allah will give victory, and who loves Allah and His Messenger and is loved by Allah and His Messenger." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3009), Muslim (2406), and Abu Dāwūd (3661)] In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No one of you is a real believer until I become more beloved to him than his father and his children and all people." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (15), Muslim (44), An-Nasā’i (5013), and Ibn Mājah (67)]
The attributes of Allah Almighty include: pleasure. In the Qur'an, He says: {As for the first forerunners of the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who followed them in righteous deeds, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 100] ‘Ā’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I noticed that the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was missing from his bed one night; so I went looking for him, and my hand touched the soles of his feet; he was in the mosque with his feet erect (prostrating), and he was saying: "O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your wrath and in Your pardon from Your punishment, and I seek refuge in You from You. I cannot count the praises You deserve. You are as You have praised Yourself." [Narrated by Muslim (486), Abu Dāwūd (879), At-Tirmidhi (3493), An-Nasā’i (169), and Ibn Mājah (3841)]
Among Allah's attributes is hatred toward His enemies, for they hated His pleasure and hated what He sent down to His Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Allah Almighty says: {That is because they follow what incurs Allah’s wrath and they hate what pleases Him, so He will render their deeds worthless.} [Surat Muhammad: 28] He also says: {But Allah disliked their going forth, so He made them lag behind, and they were told: "Stay behind with those who are staying behind."} [Surat at-Tawbah: 46] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah said: 'If My slave loves meeting with Me, I love meeting with him; and if he dislikes meeting with Me, I dislike meeting with him.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7504) and An-Nasā’i (1835)]
Allah's attributes also include anger for His enemies. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah is angry with them, and has cursed them.} [Surat al-Fat'h: 6] Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Allah's anger is intensified for those killed by the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in Allah's cause; Allah's anger is intensified for people who caused the Prophet's face to bleed." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4074)]
One of Allah's attributes is abhorrence - His abhorrence of the disbelievers. He, Glorified be He, says: {Those who disbelieve will be addressed: "Allah’s abhorrence of you was greater than your abhorrence of yourselves [Today].”} [Surat Ghāfir: 10]
Among Allah's attributes is plotting against His enemies who plot against His pious servants. Allah Almighty says: {Thus they made a plan and We too made a plan, but they were unaware of it. See then what was the outcome of their plan: We destroyed them and their entire people.} [Surat an-Naml: 50-51]
Allah's attributes include severe anger. In the Qur'an, He Almighty says: {When they greatly angered Us, We exacted Our retribution and drowned them all.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 55] -- -- --
[Surat an-Nisā’: 166] Another proof is its agreement with the teachings brought by the prophets (peace be upon them). An example is the verse that says: {Your Lord has ordained that you worship none but Him, and show kindness to parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, do not say to them a word of annoyance nor scold them, rather speak to them noble words.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 23] Until the verse that reads: {This is part of the wisdom that your Lord has revealed to you [O Prophet]. Do not set up any other god with Allah, or you will be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected.}
[Surat al-Isrā’: 39] Allah Almighty also says: {He has sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming what came before it. And He sent down the Torah and the Gospel.}
[Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 3] All these principles which Islam puts emphasis on are the very things the previous messengers called to and put stress on. The proofs include testimony by the contemporary People of the Book for the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), which Allah Almighty mentions in the noble Qur’an, saying: {Say: "What do you think, if this [Qur’an] is really from Allah and yet you reject it, and a witness from the Children of Israel has testified in its favor and believed, whereas you persist in arrogance? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people."} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 10] After the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed Waraqah about what he saw, Waraqah said to him: "That is the same angel whom Allah sent to Mūsa."
One of Allah's attributes is laughing. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "“Allah laughs at two men, one of them killed the other, yet they both entered Paradise. [This one fought in the way of Allah and was killed, then his killer repented and was also martyred.”] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2826), Muslim (1890), An-Nasā’i (3166), and Ibn Mājah (191)] In a long Hadīth reported by Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) about seeing Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) related the story of the last one to enter Paradise. He said: "Allah will say: 'May Allah be merciful to you, O son of Adam! How treacherous you are! Have you not made covenants and given pledges that you will not ask for anything more than what you are given?' He will say: 'O my Lord, do not make me the most wretched amongst Your servants.' So, Allah will laugh and allow him to enter Paradise." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (806)]
Wakī‘ said: "If you are asked: 'Does our Lord laugh?' Say: This is what we heard." [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (3/477)]
Al-Hāfizh Ibn Battah (May Allah have mercy upon him) set a chapter in his book "Al-Ibānah", titled: Chapter on the belief that Allah Almighty laughs. In it, he said: "Know - may Allah have mercy upon you - that among the traits of the believers, the followers of the truth, is that they believe and accept authentically reported texts and do not dispute them due to analogy or form their opinions based on personal inclinations. Indeed, faith is belief, and the faithful is a believer. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they accept you [O Prophet] as judge in their disputes, and find no discomfort within their hearts about your judgments, but accept them wholeheartedly.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 65] Among the traits of the believers is that they describe Allah as He described Himself and as the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) described Him, based on texts transmitted by the scholars and narrated by reliable narrators, who are trusted with what they narrated, which involve the rulings on what is lawful and what is unlawful and the religious Sunnahs and traditions. In the face of Hadīths authentically reported from the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), we should not ask 'how?' or 'why?' But, we should follow, comply, and be certain, and refrain from innovations, opposition, or doubt. All authentic Hadīths are narrated by trustworthy and upright people. Among the things a believer is required to accept and not object to is that Allah Almighty laughs. No one disputes or rejects this but a heretic who is frowned upon by the scholars." [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra by Ibn Battah (7/91)]
Among Allah's attributes is that He will come on the Day of Judgment to judge mankind. He, Exalted be He, says: {Are they waiting for the coming of the angels, or the coming of your Lord?} [Surat al-An‘ām: 158] He also says: {And your Lord comes with the angels, rank after rank.} [Surat al-Fajr: 22] And He says: {Are they waiting that Allah should come to them in shadows of clouds, along with the angels? But then the matter would be decided. And to Allah return all matters.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 210] And Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah will gather mankind on the Day of Judgment and say: 'Whoever used to worship something should follow it...'" He continued to report the Hadīth until he reached this part: "And this Ummah will remain, and they will say: 'We will remain in our place until our Lord comes to us. When our Lord comes, we will recognize Him.' So, Allah Almighty will come to them and say: 'I am your Lord!' They will say: 'You are our Lord.' And they will follow Him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (806), Muslim (182), Abu Dāwūd (4730), At-Tirmidhi (2554), and Ibn Mājah (178)]
Abu al-‘Āliyah commented on this verse: {Are they waiting that Allah should come to them in shadows of clouds, along with the angels?} [Surat al-Baqarah: 210] He said: "The angels will come in shadows of clouds, and Allah Almighty will come in whatever He wishes." [Al-Asmā’ Wa As-Sifāt by Al-Bayhaqi (2/370)]
Among Allah's attributes is that He descends to the worldly heaven in a real way that befits His majesty and greatness; it is not like the descent of created beings; rather, it is like all His other attributes which we believe in and know, without exploring their very nature or rejecting them. We believe in them just as they were reported to us by the truthful Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who said: "When half of the night or two-thirds of it has passed, Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, descends to the worldly heaven and says: 'Is there anyone who asks for something, so that it may be given to him? Is there anyone who supplicates, so that his supplication may be answered? Is there anyone who asks for forgiveness, so that he may be forgiven?' This continues until the daybreak." [Narrated by Muslim (758)]
The leading Imām Muhammad ibn Khuzaymah produced a chapter in his book "At-Tawhīd', entitled: "Chapter on reports with authentic chains of transmission and sound content, narrated by the scholars of Hijaz and Iraq from the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) about the descent of the Almighty Lord to the lowest heaven every night: we testify, giving the testimony of someone acknowledging with his tongue, believing in his heart, and trusting these reports about the Lord's descent, without describing the very nature of this, for our Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not describe to us how our Creator descends to the lowest heaven; he only informed us that He descends, and Allah, Exalted be He, and His Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not fail to clarify any religious matter whose clarity is needed by Muslims. So, we proclaim and believe in what is contained in these reports about such descent, without trying to say or know how this happens, for the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not demonstrate to us the manner of descending." [At-Tawhīd by Ibn Khuzaymah (1/289)]
In his book "Al-Ibānah", Al-Hāfizh Ibn Battah (May Allah have mercy upon him) produced a chapter, entitled: Chapter on the faith and belief that Allah Almighty descends every night to the worldly heaven, without departure from His place and without knowing how this happens. Then, Ibn Battah said: "Know - may Allah have mercy upon you - that Allah has ordained His believing servants to obey His Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), accept what he said and came with, believe in all authentic reports from him, and submit to all this and avoid objection by making comparisons and asking why and how. And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is authentically reported to have said: "Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted be He, descends to the lowest heaven every night when the last third of the night is remaining and says: 'Is there anyone who supplicates to Me, so that I may answer his supplication? Is there anyone who asks from Me, so that I may give him? Is there anyone who asks for My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?'" This is part of a long Hadīth - which we will cite in full, Allah Willing - narrated by trustworthy narrators and pious scholars, who conveyed to us the Shariah of Islam and its pillars, like the prayer, Zakah, fasting, Hajj, and Jihad, as well as all other rulings, such as marriage, divorce, transactions, and the lawful and the unlawful." [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra by Ibn Battah 97/201)] [The Hadīth is narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1145), Muslim (758), Abu Dāwūd (1315), At-Tirmidhi (446), and Ibn Mājah (1366)]
We believe in Allah's attribute of Ma‘iyyah (Allah being with His servants). He is present with His creation through His knowledge, encompassment, and will. This attribute is established by the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Allah Almighty says: {Do you not see that Allah knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth? No secret consultation takes place between three, but He is their fourth, or between five, but He is their sixth, or between fewer or more than that, but He is with them wherever they may be. Then He will inform them of what they did on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of everything.} [Surat al-Mujādalah: 7]
And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not trouble yourselves too much! You are not calling one who is deaf or absent, but you are calling One Who is Hearing, and Near, and He is with you." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4205), Muslim (2704), Abu Dāwūd (1526), and At-Tirmidhi (3461)]
Ma‘iyyah is of two kinds:
Specific ma‘iyyah: It is shown to the messengers of Allah and His pious servants, and it entails His support for them. Allah Almighty says: {He said: "Do not be afraid; I am with you both, hearing and seeing."} [Surat Tāha: 46]
General ma‘iyyah: It means that Allah is with all mankind, believers and unbelievers. In the Qur'an, He says: {He is with you wherever you are.} [Surat al-Hadīd: 4] This kind of ma‘iyyah means knowledge, encompassment, ability, and authority.
This ma‘iyyah does not contradict Allah's exaltedness, for it means knowledge and encompassment, by consensus among the scholars, as previously mentioned. In other words, Allah Almighty is with His servants through His knowledge and encompassment.
One of Allah's attributes is ‘Ajab (wonder). Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah wonders at people who will enter Paradise in chains." [They were from the disbelievers whom the Muslims took as captives in Jihad. Then they embraced Islam, and thus their conversion led them to Paradise.] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3010) and Abu Dāwūd (2677)] ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Your Lord wonders at a shepherd of goats who calls to prayer at the peak of a mountain, and offers prayer. Allah Almighty says: 'Look at this servant of Mine; he calls to prayer and offers it, fearing Me. So, I forgive My servant and admit him to Paradise.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (1203), An-Nasā’i (666), Ahmad (17312), Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (584), and Ar-Ruwyāni (232)]
We believe that the believers will see their Lord on the Day of Judgment, as established by the Qur'an and authentic Hadīths in which the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) gave glad tidings to the believers that they will see their Lord with their own eyes on the Day of Judgment. By Allah, this is the greatest bliss the dwellers of Paradise will enjoy. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {On that Day some faces will be bright, looking at their Lord.} [Surat al-Qiyāmah: 22-23] He Almighty also says: {For those who do good there will be the best reward and more.} [Surat Yūnus: 26] And He, Exalted be He, says: {No indeed! On that Day they will be barred from seeing their Lord.} [Surat al-Mutaffifīn: 15] Imām Mālik was asked: "O Abu ‘Abdullāh, will the believers see their Lord on the Day of Judgment?" He replied: "If the believers were not to see their Lord on the Day of Judgment, Allah would not rebuke the disbelievers for being barred from seeing Him, as He says: {No indeed! On that Day they will be barred from seeing their Lord.}" [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (2/468)]
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We said: "O Messenger of Allah, will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?" He said: "Do you have any difficulty in seeing the sun and the moon when the sky is clear?" We said: 'No.' He said: "So you will have no difficulty in seeing your Lord on that Day as you have no difficulty in seeing the sun and the moon." The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) then said: "Somebody will then announce: 'Let every nation follow what they used to worship.' So, the companions of the cross will go with their cross, and the idolaters will go with their idols, and the companions of every god will go with their god, until there remain those who used to worship Allah, both the pious and wicked ones, and some of the people of the book. Then, Hell will be presented to them as if it were a mirage. It will be said to the Jews: 'What did you use to worship?' They will reply: 'We used to worship Ezra, the son of Allah.' It will be said to them: 'You are liars, for Allah has neither a wife nor a son. What do you want (now)?' They will reply: 'We want you to provide us with water.' It will be said to them: 'Drink,' and they will fall down in Hell (instead). Then, it will be said to the Christians: 'What did you use to worship?' They will reply: 'We used to worship the Messiah, the son of Allah.' It will be said: 'You are liars, for Allah has neither a wife nor a son. What do you want (now)?' They will say: 'We want you to provide us with water.' It will be said to them: 'Drink,' and they will fall down in Hell (instead). When there remain only those who used to worship Allah, both the pious and wicked ones. It will be said to them: 'What keeps you here when all the people have gone?' They will say: 'We parted with them when we were in greater need of them than we are today. We heard the call of someone proclaiming: 'Let every nation follow what they used to worship'. Now, we are waiting for our Lord.' Then, the Almighty will come to them in a shape other than the one which they saw the first time, and He will say: 'I am your Lord.' They will say: 'You are our Lord.' And none will speak to Him then but the prophets, and then it will be said to them: 'Do you know any sign by which you can recognize Him?' They will say: 'The Shin.' So, Allah will uncover His Shin, whereupon every believer will prostrate before Him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7439) and Muslim (183)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, you will see your Lord as you see this moon and will have no difficulty in seeing Him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (554), Muslim (633), Abu Dāwūd (4729), At-Tirmidhi (2551), and Ibn Mājah (177)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The people said: "O Messenger of Allah, will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?" He replied: "Do you have any doubt about seeing the full moon on a cloudless night?" They replied: "No, O Messenger of Allah!" He said: "Do you have any doubt about seeing the sun when there are no clouds?" They replied in the negative. He said: "You will see Him in the same way. On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered and He will order the people to follow what they used to worship. Some of them will follow the sun, some will follow the moon, and some will follow other deities; and only this nation will be left, along with its hypocrites. Allah will come to them and say: 'I am Your Lord.' They will say: 'We will stay in this place until our Lord comes to us and when our Lord will come, we will recognize Him.' Then, Allah will come to them again and say: 'I am your Lord.' They will say: 'You are our Lord.' Allah will call them, and the Sirāt (bridge) will be laid across Hell, and I will be the first amongst the messengers to cross it with my Ummah. Only the messengers will be able to speak on that Day, and they will be saying: 'O Allah, save us. O Allah, save us!'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (806), Muslim (182), Abu Dāwūd (4730), At-Tirmidhi (2554), and Ibn Mājah (178)]
The Prophet's Hadīths speaking about seeing Allah Almighty are authentic and mass transmitted. This is not contradicted by the verse that says: {He said: "My Lord, reveal Yourself to me so that I may look at You." Allah said: "You will not be able to see Me. But look at the mountain; if it stays firm in its place, only then will you see Me"} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 143], for it applies to worldly life. This is similar to the Prophet's response to Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) when he asked him: "Did you see your Lord?" The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "(He is) light. How could I see Him?" [Narrated by Muslim (178) and At-Tirmidhi (3282)] So, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not see our Lord during the night of Isrā’ and Mi‘rāj. Instead, Allah Almighty informs us about the signs He honored him with on that journey. He, Exalted be He, says: {Glory be to the One Who took His slave [Muhammad] by night from the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah] to the Aqsā Mosque [in Jerusalem] whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.} [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (806), Muslim (182), Abu Dāwūd (4730), At-Tirmidhi (2554), and Ibn Mājah (178)] Yet, Allah Almighty does not mention that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw his Lord. If he had seen Him, He would have mentioned that by way of showing favor upon him.
Likewise, the verse that says: {No vision can encompass Him, but He encompasses all vision, and He is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware} [Surat al-An‘ām: 103] The Prophet's Hadīths speaking about seeing Allah Almighty are authentic and mass transmitted. This is not contradicted by the verse that says: {He said: "My Lord, reveal Yourself to me so that I may look at You." Allah said: "You will not be able to see Me. But look at the mountain; if it stays firm in its place, only then will you see Me"} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 143], for it applies to worldly life.
Ad-Dārimi (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "All these Hadīths, and more, were reported on seeing Allah Almighty. We have found our Shaykhs, the people of fiqh and insight, believing in these narrations, and Muslims, in the past and present, continue to transmit and believe in them, not rejecting them or finding them strange. If anyone among the people of deviation rejected them, they would describe him as misguided. Rather, their highest hope and the best reward they would seek from their Lord is to look at His face. To them, this is unrivaled by any other bliss in Paradise." [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah by Ad-Dārimi (122)]
The leading Imām of Tafsīr Ibn Jarīr at-Tabari (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "The correct opinion with regard to the believers seeing their Lord, Exalted be He, on the Day of Judgment - which is the view we adopt and found it adopted by Ahl-us-Sunnah Wa al-Jamā‘ah - is that the dwellers of Paradise will see Him, as authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." [Sarīh As-Sunnah by At-Tabari (20)]
Ibn Battah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "By rejecting the seeing of Him, they wanted to negate His lordship, for once they acknowledge seeing Him, they must acknowledge His lordship. Indeed, Allah Almighty made the reward for those who believe in Him in the unseen to see Him with their own eyes." [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra by Ibn Battah (2/7)]
Al-Walīd ibn Muslim said: I asked Al-Awzā‘i, Mālik ibn Anas, Sufyān ath-Thawri, and Al-Layth ibn Sa‘d about these Hadīths that mention seeing Allah and the like, and they said: "Accept them without asking: how?" This is similar to the Prophet's response to Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) when he asked him: "Did you see your Lord?" The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "(He is) light. How could I see Him?"
We affirm that Allah Almighty has a face, in a way that befits His greatness and grandeur. He, Exalted be He, says: {Everything will perish except Him. His is the Judgment and to Him you will all be brought back.} [Surat al-Qasas: 88] Allah Almighty also says: {But there will remain the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honor.} [Surat ar-Rahmān: 27] And He, Glorified be He, says: {And those who observe patience, seeking the pleasure of their Lord.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 22] In another verse, He Almighty says: {But to seek the pleasure of his Lord, the Most High.} [Surat al-Layl: 20] And He Almighty says: {Seeking His pleasure.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 52] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: [There are] "Two gardens, the utensils and the contents of which are of silver, and two other gardens, the utensils and contents of which are of gold. And nothing will prevent the people who will be in the Garden of Eden from seeing their Lord except the curtain of Majesty over His Face." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4878), Muslim (180), At-Tirmidhi (2528), and Ibn Mājah (186)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, does not sleep, and it is not befitting of Him to sleep. He lowers the Scales and raises them. The deeds done during the night are taken up to Him before the deeds done during the day, and the deeds done during the day before the deeds done during the night. His veil is light, and if He were to remove it, the glory of his face would burn everything of His creation as far as His sight reaches." [Narrated by Muslim (179) and Ibn Mājah (195, 196)]
Abu ‘Uthmān as-Sābūni (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "They say the same about all attributes mentioned in the Qur’an or the authentic Sunnah, including hearing, seeing, eye, face, knowledge, power, ability, might, majesty, will, wish, speech, pleasure, anger, life, wakefulness, joy, laughter, etc., without likening any of these to the attributes of created beings. Rather, they adhere to what is said by Allah Almighty and His Messenger (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), without adding anything thereto or trying to know the very nature of this, or likening Allah Almighty to His creation, or distorting or changing the meanings of these attributes, and without changing the meaning of the relevant words, as known by Arabs, and interpreting them in some unusual way. But they take these as they outwardly are and leave their knowledge to Allah Almighty, acknowledging that their true interpretation is known to Allah Almighty alone. About those well-grounded people in knowledge, Allah, Exalted be He, says: {And those who are well-grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it. It is all from our Lord." None will take heed except people of understanding.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 7] [‘Aqīdat As-Salaf As'hāb Al-Hadīth by Abu ‘Uthmān as-Sābuni (16, 17)]
Among Allah's attributes is having a Hand. It is mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah in numerous forms. It is sometimes mentioned as a pair of hands, and at other times it is mentioned that Allah holds and stretches it out and that He will fold the heavens therein and place the earth in His grip. His hand is also described as having fingers. All this proves that the hand mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah is a real hand that befits the Almighty Lord. We should not try to know its very essence, liken it to the hands of created beings, or distort the verses and Hadīths wherein it is mentioned. Allah, the Exalted, says: {[Allah] said: "O Iblīs, what prevented you from prostrating to whom I created with My two Hands? Did you just become proud or have you always been arrogant?"} [Surat Sād: 75] Allah Almighty also says: {Those who pledge allegiance to you [O Prophet] are indeed pledging allegiance to Allah; Allah’s Hand is over their hands.} [Surat al-Fat'h: 10] And He, Exalted be He, says: {They did not recognize the true worth of Allah. On the Day of Judgment the whole earth will be in His grasp, and the heavens shall be folded up in His right hand. Glory be to Him! Exalted be He above what they associate with Him.} [Surat az-Zumar: 67]
And in a Hadīth reported by Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Adam and Mūsa (peace be upon them) debated, and Adam won the argument with Mūsa. Mūsa said: 'You are Adam Whom Allah created with His own hand and into Whom He breathed from His spirit.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6614), Muslim (2652), Abu Dāwūd (4701), At-Tirmidhi (2134), and Ibn Mājah (80)] In another version of the Hadīth, he said: "Adam and Mūsa debated. Mūsa said to him: 'O Adam, you are our father; you deprived us and caused us to be expelled from Paradise because of your sin.' Adam said to him: 'O Mūsa, Allah chose you for His speech, and He wrote the Torah for you with His own Hand.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6614), Muslim (2652), Abu Dāwūd (4701), At-Tirmidhi (2134), and Ibn Mājah (80)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Those who act justly will be with Allah on pulpits of light at the right hand of the Most Compassionate, Exalted be He, and both His hands are right. They are those who are just in their judgment and towards their people and what is under their charge." [Narrated by Muslim (178) and At-Tirmidhi (3282)]
Abu Mūsa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah expands His Hand during the night so the sinners of the day may repent, and expands His Hand during the day so the sinners of the night may repent. He keeps doing so until the sun rises from the west." [Narrated by Muslim (2759)]
The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Do you see what He has spent since He created the heavens and the earth? Yet all that has not decreased what is in His hand. His Throne was over the water, and in His hand is the balance, and He raises and lowers" [it]. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4684), Muslim (993), At-Tirmidhi (3045), and Ibn Mājah (197)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah created Adam and breathed into him from His spirit, he sneezed and said: 'Praise be to Allah.' He praised Allah by His permission... Thereupon, Allah said to him while His two hands were closed: 'Choose whichever of them you wish.' He said: 'I choose the right hand of my Lord, and both hands of my Lord are right and blessed.' Then, He extended them, and there was Adam and his offspring in it." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (3368), Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (596), Al-Bazzār (8194), and An-Nasā’i in Al-Kubra (9977)]
In yet another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Verily, all the hearts of the children of Adam are between two fingers of the fingers of the Most Compassionate, like one heart which He turns about as He wills." [Narrated by Muslim (2654)]
In his book "As-Sunnah", ‘Abdullāh ibn Imām Ahmad related that Wakī‘ said: "We take these Hadīths as they are reported without asking how or why. An example is the Hadīth reported by Ibn Mas‘ūd, which reads: 'Indeed, Allah Almighty carries the heavens on a finger and the mountains on a finger.' And another Hadīth, which reads: 'Verily, all the hearts of the children of Adam are between two fingers of the fingers of the Most Compassionate.' [Narrated by Muslim (2654)] In addition to other similar Hadīths." [As-Sunnah by ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad (1/267)]
Replying to someone asking about those who deny the Hadīths on Allah's attributes, Shareek (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "Indeed, those who transmitted these Hadīths are the same ones who transmitted the Qur'an and the fact that there are five prayers, Hajj to the Ka‘bah, and the fasting of Ramadan. We only know Allah through these Hadīths." So, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not see our Lord during the night of Isrā’ and Mi‘rāj. Instead, Allah Almighty informs us about the signs He honored him with on that journey. He, Exalted be He, says:
After listing the Hadīths establishing the attribute of a Hand for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, Al-Hāfizh Ibn Battah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "These Hadīths and the similar ones fall under the completeness of the religion. The correct approach is to believe in them, accept them, receive them without objection, and follow the example of the righteous predecessors in narrating them without asking how or why." [Al-Ibānah by Ibn Battah (3/313)]
As Allah Almighty described Himself by the attributes of perfection, majesty, excellence, glory, and pride, He also negated from Himself the attributes of deficiency. The negation of attributes is not the basic rule in the Qur'an and the Sunnah; rather, the basic rule is to establish the attributes. The Qur'an and the Sunnah abound with clarification of Allah's attributes as befitting His majesty, greatness, and perfection. When Allah negates an attribute from Himself, He does so to demonstrate the perfection in its opposite, or because humans have ascribed some deficiency to the Almighty Lord; so, He negates such a ascribed deficiency from Himself.
Among the deficiencies Allah Almighty negates from Himself is drowsiness and sleep. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255] He Almighty also negates forgetfulness from Himself, saying: {Your Lord is never forgetful} [Surat Maryam: 64]. And He, Glorified be He, negates weariness from Himself, for the Jews, may Allah curse them, claimed that He experienced fatigue after creating the universe. So, the Almighty Lord negates that He had to take rest after the completion of the creation. He, Exalted be He, says: {Indeed, We created the heavens and earth and all that is between them in six days, and no weariness touched Us.} [Surat Qāf: 38]
Our Lord states that He created the creation for a great wisdom and that He did not create it for no purpose. So, He negates purposelessness and frivolity from Himself. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Did you think that We created you with no purpose, and that you would not be brought back to Us?} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 115] Allah Almighty makes clear that His judgment is just and His speech is categorical and that He does not wrong anyone, for He possesses the perfect justice. He, Exalted be He, says: {They will find all what they did before them, and your Lord does not wrong anyone.} [Surat al-Kahf: 49] Allah Almighty also says: {Your Lord is not unjust to His slaves.} [Surat Fussilat: 46]
The Jews and Christians falsely attributed a son to Allah Almighty, thus emulating the disbelievers before them. But Allah, the Exalted, negates that from Himself. He, Glorified be He, says: {Allah has never begotten a son, nor is there any god besides Him.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 91] Allah Almighty explains that whoever has a child must have a spouse and He is far exalted above having a spouse or a child. He, Glorified be He, says: {The Originator of the heavens and earth, how could He have a son when He never had a companion? He created all things, and He is All-Knowing of everything.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 101] He Almighty also says: {And that He – our exalted and glorified Lord – has neither taken a wife nor a child.} [Surat al-Jinn: 3]
We believe that Allah Almighty possesses the excellent names, and His names are at the pinnacle of excellence and beauty. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah – none has the right to be worshiped except Him. He has the Most Beautiful Names.} [Surat Tāha: 8] Some of His names occur in the verses that read: {All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment.} [Surat al-Fātihah: 2-4] And in the verses that read: {He is Allah; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. He is Allah; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Most Perfect, the Granter of Security, the Watcher over all, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah far above what they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. He has the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and earth glorifies Him, for He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.} [Surat al-Hashr: 22-24]
Allah's names are derivatives, and from each of them an attribute is derived. For example, the attribute of mercy is derived from the name the Most Merciful, might from the Mighty, wisdom from the All-Wise, life from the All-Living, and so on.
Allah's names are numberless. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I ask You by every name that belongs to You, which You have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught anyone of Your creation, or kept to Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen with You." [Narrated by Ad-Dabby in Ad-Du‘ā' (6), Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (29930) and in Al-Musnad (329), Ahmad (3712), and Al-Hārith ibn Abi Usāmah in Al-Musnad, and also in Bughyat Al-Bāhith (1057)] The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Verily, Allah has ninety-nine names, one-hundred minus one. Whoever memorizes them all will enter Paradise.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2736), Muslim (2677), At-Tirmidhi (3506), and Ibn Mājah (3860)]
Our Lord warns us against seeking deviation in His names. In the Qur’an, He Almighty says: {Allah has the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them, and leave those who seek deviation in His Names. They will be recompensed for what they used to do.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 180]
There are different forms of seeking deviations in Allah's names. An example is to call people with Allah's names, which may not be used for people, such as the Creator, the Most Compassionate, etc. Another form is calling the idols with names derived from Allah's names, like Al-Lāt, which is derived from Allah, and Al-‘Uzza, from Al-‘Azīz (the Mighty). Seeking deviation in Allah's names also includes rejecting or denying their meanings.
The names and attributes of Allah Almighty which are mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah are too numerous to be included in a single book. Yet, it is enough honor for us that we have referred to a few phrases in this regard.
We believe that a Muslim should only describe Allah and name Him with the attributes and names He Almighty declared for Himself or the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) declared for Him; and that he should negate from his Lord what He negated from Himself or the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) negated from Him. Beyond that, he should remain silent.
We believe in these names and attributes as intended by our Lord and by our Prophet, and we know that their realities are not realized or grasped by people. Moreover, we should not pretend to know their very nature, as Allah Almighty commanded His Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to say: {Nor do I pretend to be what I am not.} [Surat Sād: 86] Likewise, some types of bliss in Paradise, which are mentioned in the Qur'an and the Sunnah, share the same names with forms of bliss in this life, yet the difference between the two is too big to be grasped by people's minds. So, if we believe in the bliss of Paradise, even though we did not see it or know its reality and nature, indeed Allah Almighty is far exalted above any similitude to human beings for the mere reason of sharing some attributes and names. We do not have to negate from Allah Almighty these names and attributes because of such homonymy.
This is the view adopted by the leading scholars of guidance and knowledge, one after another. For example, Ibn Abi Zamanayn said: "These are the attributes of our Lord with which He describes Himself in His Book and His Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) described Him. Nothing of them specifies, likens, or measures Him. Glory be to the One like Whom there is nothing, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing. Eyes did not see Him so that they could know His essence, yet hearts did see Him as a truth of faith." [Usūl As-Sunnah for Ibn Abi Zamanayn (74)]
‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn al-Qāsim said: "No one should describe Allah Almighty except with what He describes Himself with in the Qur'an or liken His Hands or Face to anything else. Rather, we should say: He has two Hands, as He describes Himself in the Qur'an, and has a Face, as He describes Himself in the Qur'an. Thus, we should stick to what He describes Himself with in the Book. Indeed, none is equal or similar to Allah, Exalted be He. But He is Allah, there is none worthy of worship except Him, as He describes Himself. His two Hands are extended, as He describes them: {On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be in His Grip, and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand.} [Surat az-Zumar: 67] As He describes Himself." [Usūl As-Sunnah, by Ibn Abi Zamanayn (75)]
Imām Al-Humaydi (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "As for what is mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, like: {The Jews say: "Allah’s Hand is restrained." Their hands have been restrained.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 64] And like: {And the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand.} [Surat az-Zumar: 67] We should not add anything to it or try to interpret it. Rather, we should stop at the limit set by the Qur’an and the Sunnah." [Al-‘Uluw Lil ‘Alyy Al-‘Azhīm, by Adh-Dhahabi (168)]
Imām Ahmad said: "We worship Allah along with His attributes with which He described Himself... We should stick to the Qur'an and the Hadīths in this respect and say as He said and describe Him as He described Himself - not going beyond that. We believe in the Qur'an, all of it, with its specific and ambiguous verses, and do not negate from our Lord, Exalted be He, any of His attributes, or negate anything He described Himself with, like speaking, descending, and meeting privately with His servant on the Day of Judgment and placing His veil upon him. All of this indicates that Allah will be seen in the Hereafter. Yet, specification here is a religious innovation. We should submit to Allah and obey His command. Allah Almighty is Speaking, Knowing, Forgiving, the Knower of the unseen and the Visible. These are attributes of Allah with which He described Himself; so, they should not be rejected or denied. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255] {He is Allah; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Most Perfect, the Granter of Security, the Watcher over all, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme.} [Surat al-Hashr: 23] These are the attributes and names of Allah." [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra, by Ibn Battah (7/326)]
When asked about the attributes of the Almighty Lord, Imām Qiwām as-Sunnah Abu al-Qāsim said: "Mālik, Ath-Thawri, Al-Awzā‘i, Hammād ibn Salamah, Hammād ibn Zayd, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Yahya ibn Sa‘īd, ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Mahdi, and Is'hāq ibn Rahwayh held the view that the attributes of Allah with which He described Himself or the Messenger described Him, such as hearing, seeing, the face, and the two hands, should be taken as they outwardly and famously are, without trying to know their nature, interpreting them, or likening them to anything else." [Al-‘Uluw Lil ‘Alyy Al-‘Azhīm, by Adh-Dhahabi (2/459)]
He also said: "I here mention - with Allah's help - some of our earlier scholars who addressed these meanings, including Abu ‘Abdullāh Sufyān ibn Sa‘īd ibn Masrūq ath-Thawri, who revealed his belief and approach in the Sunnah in a number of places, and he dictated them to Shu‘ayb ibn Harb; they also include Abu Muhammad Sufyān ibn ‘Uyaynah al-Hilāli, who demonstrated his belief when he was asked about it, as reported by Muhammad ibn Is'hāq ath-Thaqafi; one of them is Abu ‘Amr ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ‘Amr al-Awzā‘i, the Imām of the people of the Levant, who proclaimed his belief during his era, and it was reported by Ibn Is'hāq al-Fazāri; and they include ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn al-Mubārak, the Imām of Khorasan, Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyād, Wakī‘ ibn al-Jarrāh, Yūsuf ibn Asbāt, who demonstrated their belief and approach in the Sunan; they also include Shurayk ibn ‘Abdullāh an-Nakha‘i, Yahya ibn Sa‘īd al-Qattān, Abu Is'hāq al-Fazāri, and Abu ‘Abdullāh Mālik ibn Anas al-Asbahi al-Madani, the Imām of Dār al-Hijrah and the Scholar of the Two Sacred Mosques, who proclaimed his belief in the chapter on Faith and the Qur’an; they include Abu ‘Abdullāh Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shāfi‘i al-Matlabi, the chief scholar of his time, Abu ‘Ubayd al-Qāsim ibn Sallām, An-Nadr ibn Shumayl, and Abu Ya‘qūb Yusuf ibn Yahya al-Buwaiti, one of Ash-Shāfi‘i's students, who proclaimed his belief when the tribulation occurred in relation to the Qur’an; among them is Abu ‘Abdullāh Ahmad ibn Hanbal, the chief scholar of Hadith at his time. Abu Ahmad ibn Abi Usāmah al-Qurashi al-Harawi was among the best scholars of Khorasan at his time; proclaiming his belief, he said: 'Whoever is endowed by Allah with the knowledge of guidance and honor about the Sunnah among the remaining scholars at the latter times should follow the example of the past predecessors; our approach and the approach of our leading scholars of Hadith and tradition is to say that Allah Almighty is One, and He has no partner, opponent, equal, or rival; He is One God and the Eternal Refuge; He has taken no wife or son and He shares His rule with no one.'" [Al-Hujjah Fi Bayān Al-Mahajjah (2/508)]
He (May Allah have mercy upon him) also said: "The right approach with regard to Allah's attributes is to believe in them without discussing them, and to let them pass as the predecessors did - without likening or interpretation." [At-Targhīb Wa At-Tarhīb, by Qiwām As-Sunnah (1/253)]
Ibn Qutaybah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "The right view with regard to these reports - i.e. the reports on Allah's attributes - is to believe in the authentic among them, which are transmitted by trustworthy narrators. So, we believe in seeing Him, that He revealed Himself, that He wonders, that He descends to the heaven of the world, that He rose over the Throne, and in His Essence and two Hands, without speaking about the very nature of this, putting a limit thereto, or determining what is not mentioned on the basis of what is mentioned. We hope that by this view and approach, we are on the path of salvation, Allah Willing." [Al-Ikhtilāf Fi Al-Lafzh Wa Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah, by Ibn Qutaybah (53)]
Az-Zuhri said: "Allah is to clarify, the Prophet is to convey, and we are to submit." [Al-Hujjah Fi Bayān Al-Mahajjah (2/512), and Sharh As-Sunnah, by Al-Baghawi (1/171)]
Book of the Belief in the Angels
Abstract
We believe in the angels and know with certainty that belief in them is the second among the pillars of faith.
Belief in the angels comprises a number of aspects:
First: Belief in their existence.
Second: Giving them their due status and affirm that they are servants of Allah and part of His creation like humankind and jinn; and they are subject to Allah's commands and accountable to Him; they have no power to do anything except what Allah enables them to; they can die, but Allah Almighty gave them a long term of life and will not cause them to die before they reach their appointed term; they should not be given any description leading to being associated as partners with Allah, Exalted be He, and should not be called upon as gods, as the polytheists used to do.
Third: Acknowledging that the angels include messengers whom Allah Almighty sends to whomever He wills from among humankind, and He may send them to one another. We should also acknowledge that they include the bearers of the Throne, angels who stand lined up in rows, gatekeepers of Paradise, gatekeepers of Hellfire, scribes who record people's deeds, and angels who direct the clouds. The Qur’an mentions all of this, or most of it. [Shu‘ab Al-Īmān (1/296)]
Fourth: Believing in angels both as a whole and individually. We believe in the existence of angels as a whole, and we also specifically believe in those angels whose names, traits, and actions are reported to us in the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
We believe in those of them we know and those we do not know, and we believe in their tasks and traits. We are aware that what we do not know about their numbers, actions, and traits is more than what we know. However, we believe in all this, as we are informed by the Almighty Lord and His Messenger (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), without trying to know their very nature, rejecting it based on our limited minds, imagining it through our opinions, or interpreting it by our personal reasoning. Rather, we say: We believe and submit!
We believe that Allah Almighty created the angels from light. So, they are among Allah's creation. He created them in a specific form whose reality is known to Him alone. They are devout servants, whom Allah, the Exalted, created to worship Him and carry out His commands. They worship Him and never disdain to do so.
Their acts of worship include glorification of Allah, prostration, fear and apprehension of their Lord. In spite of their earnest worship of Allah Almighty, they are severely fearful of Him. Among their worship is that they show loyalty and love for the sake of Allah, Exalted be He.
We believe that Allah Almighty created them in a specific form only known to Him, the Creator.
We believe that Allah, Glorified be He, created them with wings and allowed them to come to the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) in human form. Those polytheists who claimed that the angels are the daughters of Allah are declared liars by the Almighty Creator.
We believe that angels do not eat or drink, for they have no desires, and they are characterized by modesty and get hurt by the same things that hurt humans.
We believe that Allah Almighty created in them such tremendous power and strength that He alone encompasses, and they are too numerous to be counted, except by the One Who created them.
We believe that Allah, the Exalted, honored them and assigned them with various sublime tasks, the most noble of which is to be a messenger between Allah and His servants, conveying the revelation to them. The angel tasked with bringing down the revelation to the prophets and messengers of Allah is Jibrīl (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty may also send them to people other than the prophets as an affliction and test.
Among their tasks is bearing the Throne, writing down the destiny, taking care of wombs and their contents, in terms of creation, forming, and breathing of life, taking away people's life, breathing life into bodies in this world and in the Hereafter, conducting Jihad along with the believers, supplicating for the believers and seeking Allah's forgiveness for them, witnessing the believers' worship, raising their good words, and conveying their news to the Almighty Lord, though He is the All-Aware, All-Knowing, and He does not need anyone to tell Him.
Their tasks also include coming down to earth on occasions of worship, such as Fridays, the day of ‘Arafah, and the Night of Al-Qadr.
One of their tasks is to convey to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his Ummah's invocations of Allah's blessings upon him.
Among their tasks is to protect people, record their good and bad deeds, guard Madīnah from the Anti-Christ, question the dead in the grave, give glad tidings to the believers at the time of death about their great attainment, receive them in the Hereafter, and enter their places through the gates of Paradise. They will be with Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment, rank after rank.
Among them is the gatekeeper of Paradise and the gatekeeper of Hellfire.
We believe that Allah Almighty created angels with different ranks and positions. Angels of the highest status are Jibrīl, Mikā’īl, and Isrāfīl, and the noblest among them include the bearers of the Throne and also those angels who took part in the battle of Badr. In every heaven there are angels whose number is only known to Allah, Exalted be He. Each of them has a known station, and some of them are particularly brought close to their Lord.
Chapter on the Obligation of Belief in the Angels
We believe in angels and know with certainty that belief in them is the second among the pillars of faith. Allah Almighty says: {The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers. All of them believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 285] He, Exalted be He, also says: {It is not righteousness to turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Scriptures, and the prophets.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 177] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out to people one day, and someone came to him and said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is faith?" He replied: "To believe in Allah, His angels, His book, the meeting with Him, and His messengers, and believe in the Resurrection in the Afterlife." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4777), Muslim (9), and Ibn Mājah (64)]
Al-Bayhaqi (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "Belief in angels has various aspects, one of which is to believe in their existence, and another one is to give them their due status and affirm that they are servants of Allah and part of His creation like humankind and jinn; and they are subject to Allah's commands and accountable to Him; they have no power to do anything except what Allah enables them to; they can die, but Allah Almighty gave them a long term of life and will not cause them to die before they reach their appointed term; they should not be given any description leading to being associated as partners with Allah, Exalted be He, and should not be called upon as gods, as the earlier people used to do. (By the earlier people, they mean philosophers). The third aspect is to acknowledge that the angels include messengers whom Allah Almighty sends to whomever He wills from among humankind, and He may send them to one another. We should also acknowledge that they include the bearers of the Throne, angels who stand lined up in rows, gatekeepers for Paradise, gatekeepers for Hellfire, scribes who record people's deeds, and angels who direct the clouds. The Qur’an mentions all of this, or most of it." [Shu‘ab Al-Imān (1/296)]
So, Al-Bayhaqi mentioned three aspects of belief in angels.
The fourth aspect is to believe in angels both as a whole and individually. We believe in the existence of angels as a whole, and we also specifically believe in those angels whose names, traits, and actions are reported to us in the Qur’an or the Sunnah.
We are aware that what we do not know about their numbers, actions, and traits is more than what we know. However, we believe in all this, as we are informed by the Almighty Lord and His Messenger (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), without trying to know their very nature, rejecting it based on our limited minds, imagining it through our opinions, or interpreting it by our personal reasoning. Rather, we say: We believe and submit!
Chapter on the Creation of Angels and their Vast Numbers and Traits
We believe that Allah Almighty created angels from light. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Angels were created from light." [Narrated by Muslim (2996)] They are among Allah's creation whom He created in a specific form. They are neither mere souls, nor mere powers. But they are a realm of the unseen and devout servants whom Allah, the Exalted, created to worship Him and carry out His commands. They worship Him and never disdain to do so.
Among their acts of worship is glorification of Allah Almighty, prostration, fear and apprehension of their Lord. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {They never disobey whatever Allah commands and do whatever they are commanded.} [Surat at-Tahrīm: 6] He Almighty also says: {To Allah prostrates all that is in the heavens and on earth of living things, and so do the angels; and they do not show arrogance.} [Surat an-Nahl: 49] And He, Glorified be He, says: {You will see the angels surrounding the Throne, glorifying their Lord with His praise.} [Surat az-Zumar: 75] In spite of their earnest worship, they are extremely fearful of the Almighty Lord Who says: {They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.} [Surat an-Nahl: 50]
Among their worship is that they show loyalty and love for the sake of Allah, Exalted be He. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibrīl and says: ‘Verily, Allah loves so-and-so; so love him.’ So, Jibrīl loves him and calls the inhabitants of the heavens: ‘Verily, Allah loves so-and-so; so love him.’ So, the inhabitants of the heavens love him, and then he is granted acceptance on earth." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3209), Muslim (2637), and At-Tirmidhi (3161)] They also show animosity and hatred for the sake of Allah, feel angry if Allah's prohibitions are violated, and curse those cursed by Allah Almighty. Our Lord says: {Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers are cursed by Allah and the angels, and by all people.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 161] The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Angels do not enter a house where there are statues or images." [Narrated by Muslim (2112)]
We believe that Allah Almighty created them in a specific form only known to Him, the Creator. Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have been permitted to tell about one of Allah’s angels who bear the Throne; the distance between the lobe of his ear and his shoulder is a journey of seven hundred years." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4727), Ibn Tahmān in his Mashyakhah (21), At-Tabarāni in Al-Awsat (1709), Abu ash-Shaykh in Al-‘Azhamah (313)]
We believe that Allah Almighty created them with wings. He, Exalted be He, says: {It is He Who made the angels messengers with two, three, or four wings. He increases in creation whatever He wills.} [Surat Fātir: 1] ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) saw Jibrīl with six hundred wings. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4857), Muslim (174), and At-Tirmidhi (3277)] We believe that they have hearts. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Until when their hearts are relieved of dread, they will say [to the angels]: "What did your Lord just say?" They will say: "The Truth, and He is the Most High, Most Great."} [Surat Saba’: 23]
They were permitted to come to the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) in human form. For example, they went to Ibrāhīm and Lūt (peace be upon them) in the form of unknown guests. About this, Allah Almighty says: {Has there come to you the story of Abraham’s honored guests? When they came to him and said, 'Peace.' He said: "Upon you be peace." [saying to himself] "Unknown people!"} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 24-25] Allah Almighty also says: {When Our angel-messengers came to Lot, he was perturbed and felt troubled on their account, and said: "This is a distressing day."} [Surat Hūd: 77] And Jibrīl (peace be upon him) came to Mariyam (peace be upon her) in such a form that she did not recognize him at first. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {She screened herself from them, then We sent to her Our Spirit [Gabriel] and he appeared before her in the form of a perfect human being. She said: "I seek refuge in the Most Compassionate from you; [do not approach me] if you fear Allah." He said: "I am only a messenger from your Lord."} [Surat Maryam: 17-19] Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Jibrīl (peace be upon him) used to come to the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in the form of Dihyah." [Narrated by Ahmad (5857), Muhammad ibn Nasr al-Marūzi in Ta‘zhīm Qadr As-Salah (372), and Ibn Battah in Al-Ibānah (831)]
We believe that angels do not eat or drink, for they have no desires. Hence, when they visited Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) and he served food to them, they did not eat. Informing about this, Allah Almighty says: {Then he went quickly to his household, and came with a fat [roasted] calf, and placed it before them and said: "Will you not eat?" [They did not eat] So, he grew fearful of them. They said, "Do not be afraid,” and gave him glad tidings of a knowledgeable son.} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 26-28] And we believe that they are characterized by modesty. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Should I not show modesty to a man to whom the angels show modesty?" [Narrated by Muslim (2401)]
And they get hurt by the same things that hurt humans. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He who eats of this (offensive) plant, i.e. garlic - and sometimes he said: He who eats onion, garlic, and leeks - should not approach our mosque, for the angels get hurt by the things that hurt the children of Adam." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (854), Muslim (564) and this is his wording, Abu Dāwūd (3822), At-Tirmidhi (1806), An-Nasā’i (707), and Ibn Mājah (3365)]
We believe that Allah Almighty created in them such tremendous power and strength that He alone encompasses. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Extremely powerful, highly revered with the Lord of the Throne.} [Surat at-Takwīr: 20] Allah Almighty also says: {And it [the fire] is overseen by rigorous and stern angels, who never disobey whatever Allah commands and do whatever they are commanded.} [Surat at-Tahrīm: 6] Allah Almighty sent an angel to the towns of the people of Lūt, numbering seven towns, and he turned them upside down. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {When Our command came, We turned their cities upside down and rained down upon them clustered stones of baked clay.} [Surat Hūd: 82]
We believe that the angels are too numerous to be counted, except by the One Who created them. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then I was shown Al-Bayt Al-Ma‘mūr (the most frequented house). I asked Jibrīl about it and he said: 'This is Al-Bayt Al-Ma‘mūr where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave, they never return to it.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3207), Muslim (164), At-Tirmidhi (3346), and An-Nasā’i (448)]
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, I see what you do not see, and I hear what you do not hear. The heaven squeaked, and it has the right to squeak. There is no spot the size of four fingers except that there is an angel placing his forehead in it, prostrating to Allah." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2312), Ibn Mājah (4190), Ibn Abi Shaybah (27044), Ahmad (21516), and Al-Bazzār (3924, 3925)]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Hellfire will be brought on that Day with seventy thousand bridles, and each bridle will be dragged by seventy thousand angels." [Narrated by Muslim (2842) and At-Tirmidhi (2573)]
The polytheists claimed that the angels are the daughters of Allah Almighty. Showing their lie, Allah, the Exalted, says: {Or did We create the angels as females while they were watching?} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 150] Responding to them, our Lord also says: {Has your Lord favored you with sons and has taken for Himself angels as daughters? You are indeed making a monstrous claim.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 40]
Chapter on the Actions of the Angels
We believe that Allah, the Exalted, honored them and assigned them with various sublime tasks, the most noble of which is to be a messenger between Allah and His servants, conveying the revelation to them. The angel tasked with bringing down the revelation to the prophets and messengers of Allah is Jibrīl (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty says: {Say: "This has been brought down by the Holy Spirit from your Lord with the truth."} [Surat an-Nahl: 102] Allah Almighty also says: {This is indeed a revelation from the Lord of the worlds, which the Trustworthy Spirit [Gabriel] has brought down to your heart [O Prophet] so that you may be one of the warners, in clear Arabic language.} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 192-195]
Allah Almighty may also send them to people other than the prophets as an trial and test. An example is the three persons from the children of Israel. ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi ‘Amrah related that Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) related to him that he heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "There were three persons from among the children of Israel - a leper, a blind [man], and a bald man - whom Allah Almighty willed to test. So, he sent them an angel who came to the leper and said: 'What thing do you like most?' He replied: 'Good color and good skin, for the people have a strong aversion to me.' The angel touched him and his illness was cured, and he was given a good color and beautiful skin. The angel asked him: 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied: 'Camels (or cows).' (The narrator doubted, for either the leper or the bald man demanded camels and the other demanded cows). So, he was given a pregnant she-camel, and the angel said: 'May Allah bless it for you.' The angel then went to the bald man and said: 'What thing do you like most?' He said: 'I like good hair and wish to be cured of this disease, for the people feel repulsion for me.' The angel touched him and his illness was cured, and he was given good hair. The angel asked: 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied: 'Cows.' The angel gave him a pregnant cow and said: 'May Allah bless it for you.' The angel went to the blind man and asked: 'What thing do you like best?' He said: '(I like) that Allah may restore my eyesight to me so that I may see people.' The angel touched his eyes and Allah gave him back his eyesight. The angel asked him: 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied: 'Sheep.' The angel gave him a pregnant sheep. Afterwards, all the three pregnant animals gave birth to young ones, and multiplied and brought forth so much that one of the (three) men had a herd of camels filling a valley, and one had a herd of cows filling a valley, and one had a flock of sheep filling a valley. Then, the angel, disguised in the shape and appearance of a leper, went to the leper and said: 'I am a poor man, who has lost all means of livelihood while on a journey. So, none will satisfy my need except Allah and then you. In the name of the One Who has given you such a nice color and beautiful skin, and so much property, I ask you to give me a camel so that I may reach my destination.' The man replied: 'I have many obligations.' The angel said: 'I think I know you; were you not a leper to whom the people had a strong aversion? Weren't you a poor man, and then Allah gave you (all this property).' He replied: 'I got this property through inheritance from my forefathers.' The angel said: 'If you are telling a lie, then may Allah make you as you were before.' Then, the angel, disguised in the shape and appearance of a bald man, went to the bald man and said to him the same as he told the first one, and he too answered the same as the first one did. The angel said: 'If you are telling a lie, then may Allah make you as you were before.' The angel, disguised in the shape of a blind man, went to the blind man and said: 'I am a poor man and a traveler, whose means of livelihood have been exhausted while on a journey. I have nobody to help me except Allah, and then you. I ask you in the name of the One Who has given you back your eyesight to give me a sheep, so that I may complete my journey with it.' The man said: 'No doubt, I was blind and Allah gave me back my eyesight; I was poor and Allah made me rich; so take anything you wish from my property. By Allah, I will not stop you from taking anything of my property which you may take for Allah's sake.' The angel replied: 'Keep your property with you. You have been tested, and Allah is pleased with you and angry with your two companions.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3464) and Muslim (2964)]
Among the angels, there are the bearers of the Throne. Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, says: {With the angels on all its sides, and on that Day, eight [mighty angels] will bear the Throne of your Lord above them.} [Surat al-Hāqqah: 17]
Among their tasks is writing down destiny. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The creation of one of you starts in the womb of his mother within forty days. Then he becomes a clot of blood for a similar period and then he becomes like a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel, who is ordered to write four things: his deeds, his sustenance, his life span, and whether he will be wretched or blissful." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3208), Muslim (2643), Abu Dāwūd (4708), At-Tirmidhi (2137), and Ibn Mājah (76)]
Among their tasks is taking charge of the wombs and their contents, in terms of creating, forming, and breathing life. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When forty-two nights pass after the semen gets into the womb, Allah sends an angel and he gives it shape. Then, he creates its sense of hearing, its eyesight, its skin, its flesh, and its bones, and then says: 'My Lord, will he be male or female?' And your Lord decides as He wishes and the angel writes it down. Then, he says: 'My Lord, what about his age?' And your Lord decides as He wishes and the angel writes it down." [Narrated by Muslim (2645)]
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah has appointed an angel in charge of the womb, and the angel says: ‘O Lord, a sperm drop! O Lord, a clot! O Lord, a piece of flesh.’ Then, when Allah wills to complete its creation, the angel asks: ‘O Lord, a male or female? Wretched or blissful? How much will his sustenance be? How long will he live?’ All that is written while the fetus is still in its mother’s womb." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6595) and Muslim (2646)]
Among their tasks is to take people's souls. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Until when death approaches one of you, Our Messengers (the angel of death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.} [Al-An‘ām: 61] Allah Almighty also says: {How will they feel when the angels take their souls, striking their faces and their backs?} [Surat Muhammad: 27]
ِAnd of their tasks is to breathe life into the bodies in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The creation of one of you starts in the womb of his mother within forty days. Then he becomes a clot of blood for a similar period and then he becomes like a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel, who is ordered to write four things: his deeds, his sustenance, his life span, and whether he will be wretched or blissful." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3208), Muslim (2643), Abu Dāwūd (4708), At-Tirmidhi (2137), and Ibn Mājah (76)] Allah Almighty says: {Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.} [Surat az-Zumar: 68]
Their tasks also include conducting jihad along with the believers and making them firm in the battlefields, and also in the struggle of life. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {[Remember] when your Lord inspired the angels: "I am with you, so make firm the feet of those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike their necks and strike all their limbs."} [Surat al-Anfāl: 12] The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The devil draws near to man, and so does the angel. The devil’s approach consists of promises of what is evil and denial of what is true; whereas the angel’s approach consists of promises of what is good and confirmation of what is true. When anyone experiences the latter, let him know that it comes from Allah and let him praise Allah; but if he experiences the other, let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil." Then, he recited {Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit shameful acts.}" [Surat al-Baqarah: 268] [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2988), Ibn al-Mubārak in Az-Zuhd (1435), Ahmad in Az-Zuhd (854), and Abu Dāwūd in Az-Zuhd (164)]
Among their tasks is supplicating for the believers and asking Allah's forgiveness for them. The Almighty Lord says: {Those [angels] who bear the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord with His praise and believe in Him, and seek forgiveness for those who believe, [saying]: "Our Lord, Your mercy and knowledge encompass everything, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and protect them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire."} [Surat Ghāfir: 7]
Their tasks include witnessing the acts of worship performed by the believers on good occasions and virtuous times - such as Fridays, the day of ‘Arafah, the night of Qadr, and the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers - and raising their good words, and conveying their news to the Almighty Lord, though He is the All-Aware, All-Knowing, and He does not need anyone to tell Him. Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, says: {And the recitation of dawn [prayer], for the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed [by the angles].} [Surat al-Isrā’: 78] Allah Almighty also says: {On that night the angels and the Spirit [Gabriel] descend by their Lord’s permission with all decrees.} [Surat al-Qadr: 4]
And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Then those angels who spend the night among you ascend, their Lord asks them, although He knows best about them: 'How did you leave My servants?' They say: 'We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (555), Muslim (632), and An-Nasā’i (485)]
The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “Allah has some angels who wander around the roads and paths looking for the people of dhikr. When they find some people remembering Allah, they call each other saying: ‘Come to the object of your pursuit.’ Then, the angels encircle them with their wings up to the lowest heaven." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6408) and Muslim (2689)]
Moreover, the angels witness the occasions of faith, like the Fridays, the day of ‘Arafah, and the night of Qadr. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And when the imām comes out, the angels attend to listen to dhikr." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (881), Muslim (850), Abu Dāwūd (351), At-Tirmidhi (499), and An-Nasā’i (1388)]
One of their tasks is to convey to the Prophet his Ummah's invocations of Allah's blessings upon him. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And invoke Allah's blessings upon me, for your invocations of Allah's blessings upon me reach me wherever you are." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (204), Ahmad (8804), At-Tabarāni in Al-Awsat (8030), and Al-Bayhaqi in Ash-Shu‘ab (3865)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah has angels traveling around on earth conveying to me the greetings of my Ummah." [Narrated by An-Nasā’i (1282), ‘Abdur-Razzāq (3116), Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (8797) and in Al-Musnad (269), and Ahmad (3666)]
Another of their tasks is to protect the children of Adam. Allah, the Exalted, says: {For each person there are mu‘aqqibāt (successive angels) in front of him and behind him, guarding him by the command of Allah.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 11] ‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah related that Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Mu‘aqqibāt: They belong to Allah's command. They are the angels." [Narrated by At-Tabari in At-Tafsīr (13/463) and Ibn Abi Hātim in At-Tafsīr (12198)]
Their tasks include writing down good deeds and sins. Allah Almighty says: {Honorable scribes.} [Surat al-Infitār: 11] He also says: {Moreover, there are two angel scribes, constantly accompanying him, one on the right, and the other on the left. Not a single word he utters but there is with him a vigilant watcher, ready [to record it].} [Surat Qāf: 17-18] And He, Exalted be He, says: {And He sends over you recording-angels.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 61] Allah Almighty says about them: {Do they think that We do not hear their secret talks and private counsels? Yes indeed, and Our angel-messengers are with them recording everything.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 80] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah says: 'If My slave intends to do a bad deed, do not write it unless he does it; if he does it, write it as it is; but if he refrains from doing it for My sake, write it as a good deed. And if he intends to do a good deed, but does not do it, write it for him as a good deed, and if he does it, write it for him as ten times as much, up to seven-hundred times.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7501), Muslim (128), and At-Tirmidhi (3073)] In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The angels said: 'Lord, this is Your slave; he wants to do a bad deed - while He is more Aware of him.' He said: 'Watch him. If he does it, write it for him as it is; yet if he refrains from doing it, write it for him as a good deed, for he has only given it up for My sake.'" [Narrated by Muslim (129)]
Among their tasks is guarding Madīnah from the Anti-Christ. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are angels at the entries of Madīnah, and neither plague nor the Anti-Christ will enter it." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1880) and Muslim (1379)]
One of their tasks is to question the dead in the grave. Al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Informing about the condition of a person after he is put in the grave, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Two angels come to him and make him sit up. They will say to him: 'Who is your Lord?' He will say: 'My Lord is Allah.' They will say to him: 'What is your religion?' He will say: 'My religion is Islam?' They will say to him: 'Who is that man who was sent to you?' He will say: 'He is the Messenger of Allah.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4753), An-Nasā’i (2001), Ibn Mājah (1548), At-Tayālsi (789), ‘Abdur-Razzāq (6737), and Ibn Abi Shaybah (12185)]
Among their tasks is the work of the Gatekeeper of Paradise. Anas ibn Mālik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and will seek its opening. The Gatekeeper will say: 'Who are you?' I will say: 'Muhammad.' He will say: 'It is for you that I have been ordered, and not to open it for anyone before you.'" [Narrated by Muslim (197)] And the work of the Gatekeeper of Hellfire. Allah Almighty says: {They will cry out: "O Mālik, let your Lord put an end to us!” He will say, “You are here to stay."} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 77] He, Exalted be He, also says: {It is overseen by nineteen [angels]. And We have not made the keepers of the Fire except angels.} [Surat al-Muddaththir: 30-31] ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Hellfire will be brought on that Day with seventy thousand bridles, and each bridle will be dragged by seventy thousand angels." [Narrated by Muslim (2842) and At-Tirmidhi (2573)] [Tafsīr Al-Qurtubi (19/80)]
Chapter on the Ranks of Angels
We believe that Allah Almighty endowed angels with varying ranks and positions. He Almighty says: {[The angels say]: "There is none among us but has a known station: We are indeed those who stand lined up in rows."} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 164-165]
The highest ranked angels are Jibrīl, Mikā’īl, and Isrāfīl. Hence, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated to Allah Almighty by His Lordship of those three angels. Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ‘Awf reported: I asked ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (peace be upon her): "By what did the Prophet of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) use to open his prayer when he prayed at night?" She said: "When he prayed at night, he would open his prayer with: 'O Allah, Lord of Jibrīl, Mikā’īl, and Isrāfīl; Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the visible; You judge between Your slaves concerning that over which they used to differ, guide me through that over which there has been difference concerning the truth, by Your permission; verily, You guide whomever You will to a straight path.'" [Narrated by Muslim (770), Abu Dāwūd (767), An-Nasā’i (1625), and Ibn Mājah (1357)]
Among the noblest of them are the bearers of the Throne and also those who took part in the battle of Badr. Mu‘ādh ibn Rifā‘ah ibn Rāfi‘ related that his father, who had participated in the battle of Badr, reported: Jibrīl came to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "How do you estimate the people of Badr amongst you?" He said: "(They are) among the best Muslims." Or he said a similar statement. Thereupon, he said: "And so are the angels who participated in Badr." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3992)]
Each heaven comprises numerous angels whose number is only known to Allah Almighty, and for each of them is a known station. Some of them are particularly close to the Almighty Creator. Hence, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said about the ascent of the believer's soul after his death: "They take it up and do not bring it past a company of angels without them asking: 'Who is this good soul?' To this, they reply: ‘So and so, the son of so and so,’ using the best of his names by which people used to call him in the worldly life. Then, they bring him to the lowest heaven and ask that the gate be opened for him, which will be done. From every heaven its archangels escort him to the next heaven." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3212), An-Nasā’i (2001), Ibn Mājah (1548), At-Tayālsi (789), ‘Abdur-Razzāq (6324, 6737), and Ahmad (18534), and this is his wording]
Book: The Belief in the Scriptures
Abstract
We believe in the scriptures, which are the books Allah Almighty revealed to His messengers and prophets (peace be upon them). The books we know of them are the Scrolls of Ibrāhīm, the Scrolls of Mūsa, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, and the Qur’an. We believe in what we know of them and what we do not know.
We believe that all these books are the speech and revelation of Allah Almighty which He sent down to His messengers (peace be upon them) through the trustworthy Angel Jibrīl (peace be upon him); they comprise the divine laws, information, admonitions, and commands and prohibitions. Each book, at its time, was the revelation that should have been adopted and taken as a criterion by the nation to which it was sent down.
We believe that some of them are better than others. Allah Almighty wrote the Torah with His own Hand.
We know with certainty that belief in the scriptures is the third among the pillars of faith. We believe in all of them and are not like those who believe in some of them and disbelieve in others.
We believe that Allah Almighty did not pledge to preserve the scriptures preceding the Qur’an; rather, He, Exalted be He, left their preservation to the people among whom they were revealed. Hence, they were subject to distortions, loss, and forgetfulness. The fabricators wrote them and falsely attributed them to Allah, the Exalted. They wrote and recited these books to further confuse people and mislead them into believing that they were revealed by the Almighty Lord.
We believe that the glorious Qur’an is the greatest, most perfect, and noblest among the divine books, and it is the last one, which Jibrīl (peace be upon him) brought down to Prophet Muhammad's heart, in a clear Arabic language. Allah Almighty chose for it the noblest language. This is because Arabic is the most eloquent, clearest, and broadest of all languages. Thus, Allah, the Exalted, revealed the noblest Book in the noblest language to the noblest Messenger through the noblest Angel in the noblest land in the noblest month of the year, Ramadan. So, it is perfect from all aspects. The first Qur’anic words revealed by Allah Almighty were: {Read in the name of your Lord Who created.} [Surat al-‘Alaq: 1] Among the last revealed verses is the verse that reads: {This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 3] The Qur’an was sent down to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) by successive revelations over the course of his prophethood. It includes Makkan and Madīnan surahs, which amount to 114. The greatest among them is Surat al-Fātihah; as for Surat al-Ikhlās, it equals one third of the Qur’an; and the greatest verse is the Verse of Al-Kursi.
Allah Almighty praises this noble book, and made it a source of light, guidance, and mercy for the believers, as well as an exhortation and a cure for the illnesses of their hearts and bodies.
We believe that this glorious book is the most perfect and most comprehensive among all divine books and it comprises such reasoning, proofs, and examples that establish the argument against mankind until the Day of Judgment. This noble Qur’an contains what was in the previous divine books, and more. It comprises what people need, including the fundamentals of faith, laws, arguments, wisdom, exhortations, and information, and it is at the peak of eloquence and clarity. One of the strongest proofs that this Qur’an is the word of Allah is the fact that Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was an unlettered man who could not read or write; yet, the greatest and most eloquent book was revealed to him.
We believe that the Qur’an is a dazzling miracle in terms of its words and meanings, and Allah Almighty challenged all humans and jinn to produce the like of it, or ten surahs like its surahs, or even one surah.
We believe that this Qur’an is the word of Allah, which was revealed by Him, not created, and that it is preserved in people's chests and written in mus'hafs and recited in mosques. This does not contradict it being the speech of Allah, the Exalted. His speech is one of His attributes, and His attributes are not part of the creation, for if this were the case, they would be subject to the same circumstances applying to created beings, such as changing and perishing.
We believe that Allah has undertaken to preserve the Qur’an and did not leave that to people. Allah, Exalted be He, made some of its verses definite and some ambiguous. He Almighty clarifies that the people of deviation pursue the ambiguous verses of the Qur’an, while the faithful believe in the Qur’an altogether, with its definite and ambiguous verses.
Moreover, our Lord made the Qur’an a judge and a criterion over all previous scriptures. He Almighty states that this book narrates to us the stories of the past nations and judges between the People of the Book concerning things over which they differed.
We believe that this noble Qur’an is the word of the Lord of the worlds, and that it was brought down by the Trustworthy Spirit. This is common knowledge in Islam, and all Muslims, including the scholars and the laymen, unanimously agree over this. No one among them disputes it. Allah Almighty testifies that this Qur’an is from Him, and so did the angels testify that it is a revelation from an All-Wise and Praiseworthy Lord. Likewise, the People of the Book living at the Prophet's time gave a similar testimony, and Allah Almighty mentions this testimony in His Book. Also, some of the jinn bore witness that this Qur’an is a revelation from Allah and that it is consistent with what Mūsa (peace be upon him) came with. Moreover, the disbelievers of the Quraysh testified that this Qur’an is not the word of human beings and that it differs from their speech.
We believe that the divine knowledge, Shar‘i rulings, and noble ethics contained in the Qur’an are all consistent with people's natural disposition and the teachings brought by the prophets (peace be upon them). All the principles and teachings emphasized by the Qur’an are the very principles and teachings which were emphasized and preached by the messengers (peace be upon them).
The noble Qur’an is consistent with what Allah Almighty wants from the people and what the people want from their Lord. This is because Allah is the Creator and He knows the needs of His servants and what is best for their religion, bodies, property, and homes. He Almighty gives no command but it serves their best interest and He lays down no prohibition but it seeks the maximum caution and protection for them.
And the noble Qur’an accords with reason. Hence, after Allah Almighty mentions the main prohibitions in Surat al-An‘ām, He concludes them with the phrase: {so that you may understand.}
The proofs offered by the noble Qur’an are very eloquent, cogent, and clear, as they are easily understandable to everyone. No one can refute or reject them. This does not apply to any human speech. Moreover, its proofs cannot, by any means, lead to falsehood.
The noble Qur’an is the word of the Lord of the worlds. Nonetheless, it is easy for everyone to understand. It was not usual that a person could write a book that addresses everyone and is easy for anyone to understand. This is only true in the case of this noble Book.
The noble Qur’an is preserved against any change or alteration. Allah, the Exalted, determined it to be lasting and enduring until the Day of Judgment. This lastingness, permanence, and lack of change indicate that it is a revelation from the All-Wise and Praiseworthy Lord. As it endures and continues to be preserved and new sciences and discoveries emerge, we do not find any contradiction between it and any scientific fact; rather, all sciences agree with all that is mentioned in the Qur’an, like the creation of the heavens and the creation of mankind.
The Qur'an guides to what is most upright and includes all goodness. It tells about the Creator and the creation, the worldly life and the Hereafter, humankind and jinn, the commands and prohibitions, ethics and duties, and Paradise and Hellfire. It includes faith, deeds, and recompense.
The noble Qur'an is a cure for diseases. No human speech is known to contain a cure for diseases of the heart and body, as this glorious Qur'an, which is the speech of the Lord of all the worlds.
The Qur'an relates to us the stories of the past nations as they took place, though their stories were not familiar to the people of Makkah. However, Allah Almighty relates them to us. This confirms that this is a revelation from an All-Wise, Praiseworthy Lord.
The glorious Qur'an is characterized by the utmost eloquence and it comprises information about the unseen, as well as divine laws brought by an unlettered Messenger who could not read or write. This confirms that this is a revelation from an All-Wise, Praiseworthy Lord. A surah of the Qur'an would be revealed at sporadic times and different places; nonetheless, it is recited as if it were revealed once altogether. On the other hand, people's style and talent would usually undergo change and variation if they authored books over a long period of time.
Allah Almighty gave the Sunnah to the Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) as He gave him the Qur'an. If one looks into the Qur’an and the Sunnah, he will see some marked variance between them.
The Qur’an directed the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to the due course of action.
Chapter on the Obligation of Believing in the Scriptures
We believe in the scriptures, which are the books Allah Almighty revealed to His messengers and prophets (peace be upon them).
The books known to us are: the Scrolls of Ibrāhīm, the Scrolls of Mūsa, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, and the Qur’an.
We believe in what we know of them and what we do not know.
We believe that all these books are the speech and revelation of Allah Almighty which He sent down to His messengers (peace be upon them) through the trustworthy Angel Jibrīl (peace be upon him); they comprise the divine laws, information, admonitions, and commands and prohibitions. Each book, at its time, was the revelation that was meant to be adopted and taken as a criterion.
We believe that some of them are better than others; Allah Almighty wrote the Torah with His own Hand. He, Exalted be He, says: {We inscribed for him [Moses] on the Tablets admonition of all things and explanations of everything.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 145] The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that Adam said to Mūsa (peace be upon both of them): "O Mūsa, Allah chose you for His speech, and He wrote (the Torah) for you with His own Hand." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6614), Muslim (2652), Abu Dāwūd (4701), At-Tirmidhi (2134), and Ibn Mājah (80)] About the Torah, Allah, the Exalted, says: {We sent down the Torah which contains guidance and light; the prophets who submitted themselves to Allah were judging by it.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 44] And about the Gospel, He Almighty says: {And We gave him [Jesus] the Gospel that contained guidance and light, confirming what came before it in the Torah; a guidance and admonition for the righteous.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 46]
Belief in the Scriptures is the third among the pillars of faith. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers. All of them believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers, [saying]: "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say: "We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 285] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out to the people one day, and a man came to him and said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is faith?" He said: "It is to believe in Allah and His angels, His books, the meeting with Him, and His messengers, and to believe in the Resurrection in the Afterlife." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4777), Muslim (9), and Ibn Mājah (64)] We should not be like those who believe in some and disbelieve in others. About such people, Allah Almighty says: {Those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers, and wish to make a distinction between Allah and His messengers, and they say, "We believe in some and disbelieve in others," wishing to adopt a way in between.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 150] Or like those who rejected the books Allah Almighty sent down to His messengers. Speaking about them, our Lord says: {Those who reject the Book and what We sent Our messengers with. So, they will soon come to know.} [Surat Ghāfir: 70]
{They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.} [Surat an-Nahl: 50] And the verse that says: {I will take you and raise you up to Myself.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 55] And the verse that says:
{By which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him on a Day the length of which is fifty thousand years.} [Surat al-Ma‘ārij: 4] And the verse that says: {Allah is the One Who has created seven heavens, and likewise for the earth. The Command descends between them so that you may know that Allah is Most Capable of all things, and that Allah has encompassed everything in knowledge.} [Surat at-Talāq: 12] And the verse that says:
{Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.}
[Surat an-Nisā’: 158] And the verse that says: {Glory be to the One Who took His slave [Muhammad] by night from the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah] to the Aqsā Mosque [in Jerusalem] whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 1] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote a book which is with Him over the Throne: My mercy overcame - or preceded - My anger." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7553), Muslim (2751), At-Tirmidhi (3543), and Ibn Mājah (189)] Mu‘āwiyah ibn al-Hakam as-Sulami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was praying with the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), a man in our company sneezed. I said: "May Allah have mercy upon you!" The people stared at me with disapproving looks. So, I said: "Woe to me, why are you staring at me?" They began to strike their hands on their thighs, and when I saw them urging me to observe silence, (I became angry) but I said nothing. When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) finished the prayer, I declared that neither before him nor after him have I seen a leader who gave better instruction than him for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom. I swear that he did not scold, beat, or revile me - he said: "Talking to people is not fitting during the prayer, for it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring His greatness, and recitation of the Qur’an." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have been until recently a pagan, but Allah has brought Islam to us; among us there are men who have recourse to diviners." He said: "Do not have recourse to them." I said: "There are men who take omens." He said: "That is something they find in their breasts, but it does not turn them away." I said: "Among us there are men who draw lines." He said: "There was a prophet who drew lines; so if they do it as he did, this is permissible." I had a maid-servant who tended goats by the side of Uhud and Jawwāniyyah. One day I happened to pass by that way and found that a wolf had carried a goat from her flock. I am after all a man from the posterity of Adam. I get angry as they (human beings) get angry. So, I slapped her, after which I went to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), having a feeling that this is something grave. I said: "O Messenger of Allah, should I set her free?" He said: "Bring her to me." So, I brought her to him. He said to her: "Where is Allah?" She said: "He is in the heaven." He said: "Who am I?" She said: "You are the Messenger of Allah." Thereupon, he said: "Set her free, for she is a believer." [Narrated by Muslim (537), Abu Dāwūd (930), and An-Nasā’i (1218)] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Then those angels who spend the night among you ascend, their Lord asks them, although He knows best about them: 'How did you leave My servants?' They say: 'We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (555), Muslim (632), and An-Nasā’i (485)] Abu Razīn al-‘Uqayli (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, where was Allah before He created His creation?" He said: "He was in the clouds, below which was air and above which was air, and He created His Throne above water." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (3109), Ibn Mājah (182), At-Tayālisi (1189), Ahmad (16188), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (625)] These and numerous other verses and Hadīths point to Allah's highness. The proofs for His highness are too numerous to be counted. It is also unanimously confirmed by the scholars of Islam and established by the sound mind and natural disposition. Imām Ibn Battah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "The Muslims - including the Companions, the succeeding generation, and all faithful scholars - unanimously agree that Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, is above His Throne, above His heavens, and separate from His creation, and His knowledge encompasses all His creation." [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra by Ibn Battah (7/136)] Ad-Dārimi (May Allah have mercy upon him) reported that when Ibn al-Mubārak was asked: "How can we recognize our Lord?" He said: "He is above the Throne, above the seventh heaven above the Throne, and is separate from His creation." [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah by Ad-Dārimi (98)] Among Allah's attributes is His rising over the Throne, which He mentions in seven places in the Qur’an. One of those verses reads: {Your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and earth in six days, and then rose over [istawa] the Throne. He makes the night and day overlap in rapid succession. He made the sun, the moon, and the stars – all subservient to His command. Behold, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.}
[Surat al-A‘rāf: 54] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote a book which is with Him over the Throne: My mercy overcame - or preceded - My anger." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7553), Muslim (2751), At-Tirmidhi (3543), and Ibn Mājah (189)] Al-Lālikā’i narrated that Ibn ‘Uyaynah reported: Rabī‘ah was asked about the verse that reads: {The Most Compassionate rose over the Throne.} [Surat Tāha: 5], as to how He rose over the Throne? He replied: “The rising is not unknown, but its nature is inconceivable. The message came from Allah, and the Prophet was tasked with conveying it; and we are obligated to firmly believe.”
[Sharh Usul I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (3/442) and Al-‘Arsh by Adh-Dhahabi (2/213)] A similar view was reported from Imam Mālik (May Allah have mercy upon him). [Narrated by Muslim (810) and Abu Dāwūd (1460)]
Allah Almighty praises Himself for sending down this book. He, Exalted be He, says: {All praise be to Allah Who has sent down upon His slave the Book, and has not allowed any crookedness therein.} [Surat al-Kahf: 1] And He Almighty praises this noble book, saying: {Had We sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and break asunder out of awe of Allah. Such are the similitudes We set forth for people so that they may reflect.} [Surat al-Hashr: 21] He also says: {Even if there were a Qur’an that could cause mountains to move, or split the earth, or cause the dead to speak.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 31] He made it a source of guidance and mercy for the believers. Allah, the Exalted, says: {This [Qur’an] is an insight for people; a guidance and mercy for people who are certain in faith.} [Surat al-Jāthiyah: 20] And He made it an exhortation and a cure for the illnesses of the believers' hearts and bodies. He, Exalted be He, says: {O mankind, there has come to you an exhortation from your Lord, a cure for [illness] of the hearts, a guidance and mercy for the believers.} [Surat Yūnus: 57] He also says: {We send down the Qur’an as a healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 82]
We believe that this glorious book is the most perfect and most comprehensive among all divine books and it comprises such reasoning, proofs, and examples that establish the argument against mankind until the Day of Judgment. Allah Almighty says: {O mankind, there has come to you conclusive evidence from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 174] He also says: {Whenever they bring you an argument, We bring you the truth and the best explanation.} [Surat al-Furqān: 33] And He Almighty says: {We have explained every kind of example for mankind in this Qur’an, yet most people persist in disbelief.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 89] In another verse, He Almighty says: {We have explained things in various ways in this Qur’an, so that they may take heed, but it only increases them in aversion.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 41] Ibn Jarīr said: "Allah, Glorified be He, says: {We have explained} for the polytheists who ascribe lies against Allah {every kind of example} and lessons, signs, and arguments {in this Qur'an} and warned them {that they may be reminded}; that they remember these arguments against them and recognize their error and take lessons and repent from their ignorance. Yet, they do not take lessons or reminders from the verses and warnings coming to them." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (17/453)]
This noble Qur'an contains [the essence of] what was in the previous divine books, and more. Allah Almighty says: {The Word of your Lord is perfect in truthfulness and justice; none can change His Words, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 115] It contains what people need, including the fundamentals of faith, laws, arguments, wisdom, exhortations, and information. Our Lord says: {Indeed, this Qur’an guides to what is most upright.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 9] He also says: {We relate to you [O Prophet] the best of stories through Our revelation of this Qur’an.} [Surat Yūsuf: 3] It is at the pinnacle of eloquence and clarity. Allah Almighty says: {Allah has sent down the best message – a consistent Book of repeated lessons.} [Surat az-Zumar: 23] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "‘I have been sent with concise and profound speech, and I have been given victory through fear." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2977), Muslim (523), At-Tirmidhi (1553), and An-Nasā’i (3087)]
One of the strongest proofs that this Qur'an is the word of Allah is the fact that Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was an unlettered man who could not read or write; yet, the greatest and most eloquent book was revealed to him. Allah, the Exalted, says: {You [O Prophet] never recited any book before this, nor did you write with your hand. Otherwise, the people of falsehood would have raised suspicions.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 48] He Almighty also says: {So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him, so that you may be guided.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 158]
We believe that the Qur’an is a dazzling miracle in terms of its words and meanings, and Allah Almighty challenged all humans and jinn to produce the like of it, or ten surahs like its surahs, or even one surah. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Allah Almighty says: {Say: "If all humans and jinn were to come together to produce something similar to this Qur’an, they would not be able to produce the like of it, even if they collaborated with one another."} [Surat al-Isrā’: 88] Allah Almighty also says: {Or do they say: "He has fabricated it"? Say: "Then produce ten fabricated Chapters like it and seek help from whoever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful!"} [Surat Hūd: 13] And He Almighty says: {If you are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down upon Our slave, then produce a chapter like it and call upon your helpers other than Allah, if you are truthful.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 23]
We believe that Allah has undertaken to preserve the Qur’an and did not leave that to people. He Almighty says: {Indeed, it is We who sent down the reminder and We are indeed its guardians.} [Surat al-Hijr: 9] He Almighty also says: {No falsehood can approach it from the front or from behind; a revelation from the One Who is All-Wise, Praiseworthy.} [Surat Fussilat: 42] He made it a perfect book overall. He Almighty says: {Alif Lām Ra. This is a Book whose verses are perfected, then fully explained, from One Who is All-Wise, All-Aware.} [Surat Hūd: 1] And He made it consistent. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah has sent down the best message – a consistent Book of repeated lessons.} [Surat az-Zumar: 23] And He made some of its verses definite and some others ambiguous. Allah Almighty says: {It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are definite verses, which are the foundation of the Book; while others are ambiguous. Those with deviant hearts follow the ambiguous verses, seeking discord and seeking their [false] interpretation. But no one knows their [true] interpretation except Allah. And those who are well-grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it. It is all from our Lord." None will take heed except people of understanding.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 7] Allah Almighty clarifies that the people of deviation pursue the ambiguous verses of the Qur’an, while the faithful believe in it altogether, with its definite and ambiguous verses.
Moreover, our Lord made the Qur’an a judge and criterion over all the previous scriptures. He Almighty says: {And We have revealed to you the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 48] Allah Almighty states that this book narrates to us the stories of the past nations. He, Glorified be He, says: {That is from the stories of the unseen which We reveal to you [O Prophet]; you were not with them when they agreed upon their plan as they were plotting.} [Surat Yūsuf: 102] And there are many other similar verses. Furthermore, the Qur’an judges between the People of the Book concerning things they differed. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Indeed, this Qur’an explains to the Children of Israel most of that over which they differ.} [Surat an-Naml: 76]
On his pulpit, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Indeed, this Qur’an is the speech of Allah Almighty. So, apply it accordingly and do not follow your inclinations regarding it. [Narrated by Ahmad in Az-Zuhd (191), Ad-Dārimi (3398), ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad in As-Sunnah (117), Al-Ājurri in Ash-Sharī‘ah (155), and this is his wording, and Ibn Battah in Al-Inābah (23)]
‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (May Allah be pleased with him) also said: "The Qur’an is the word of Allah. So, do not judge it based on your opinions." [Narrated by Al-Ājiri in Ash-Sharī‘ah (156)]
Farwah ibn Nawfal al-Ashja‘i said: "Khabbāb ibn al-Aratt (May Allah be pleased with him) was my neighbor. One day he said to me: 'O Hanāh, draw close to Allah Almighty as much as you can, and know that you will not draw close to Him through something dearer to Him than His word.'" [Narrated by Abu ‘Ubayd in Fadā’il Al-Qur’an (77), Ibn Abi Shaybah (30722), Ahmad in Az-Zuhd (192), ‘Uthmān ibn Sa‘īd ad-Dārimi in Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah (160), and ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad in As-Sunnah (111)]
We believe that this Qur’an is the word of Allah; that it is a revelation, not a created being; and that it is preserved in people's hearts. Allah Almighty says: {Rather, this [Qur’an] is clear verses [preserved] in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge. And none rejects Our verses except the wrongdoers.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 49] Whether it is written in mus'hafs or recited at prayer niches and mosques, it remains the word of Allah Almighty, Who says: {Those who recite the Book of Allah, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hoping for a deal that will suffer no loss.} [Surat Fātir: 29] Allah Almighty says: {This is indeed a noble Qur’an, in a well-preserved Record, that none can touch except the purified [angels] – a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-Wāqi‘ah: 77-80]
The glorious Qur'an is the word of Allah, and His word is one of His attributes, and His attributes are not part of the creation, for if this were the case, they would be subject to the same things applying to created beings, such as changing and perishing. Our Lord says: {Do they not then ponder on the Qur’an? If it had been from anyone other than Allah, they would have surely found in it many discrepancies.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 82] Allah Almighty also says: {If any of the polytheists asks you for protection, give it to him, so that he may hear the Word of Allah, then escort him to his place of safety; that is because they are a people who do not know.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 6]
Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to seek refuge with Allah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn, saying: "Your forefather used to seek refuge with Allah for Ismā‘īl (Ishmael) and Is'hāq (Isaac) by reciting the following: O Allah, I seek refuge with Your perfect words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every envious eye." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3371), Abu Dāwūd (4737) - and he said: This is a proof that the Qur'an was not created - At-Tirmidhi (2060), and Ibn Mājah (3525)]
Isma‘īl ibn Abi Oways reported consensus of the people of Madīnah that the Qur'an was not created. He said: "Mālik and the scholars of our city used to say that the Qur'an is from Allah, and nothing from Allah is created. The scholars of Madīnah at the time of Mālik ibn Anas included Muhammad ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi dhi’b, ‘Abdul-‘Azīz ibn Abi Salamah al-Majshūn, Abu Bakr ibn Abi Sabrah, Ibrāhīm ibn Sa‘d az-Zuhri, Sa‘īd ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān al-Jumahi, Hātim ibn Ismā‘īl, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azīz al-‘Amri az-Zāhid, Abu Damrah Anas ibn ‘iyād, and Muhammad ibn Ismā‘īl ibn Abi Fudayk." [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (2/300)]
Shu‘ayb ibn Harb related: I said to Abu ‘Abdullāh Sufyān ibn Sa‘īd ath-Thawri: "Tell me something of the Sunnah from which Allah Almighty will make me benefit, and when I stand before Allah Almighty and He questions me as to from where I learned it, I will reply: My Lord, Sufyān ath-Thawri told me about it, and I learned it from him; thus, I will be safe, and the responsibility will fall on you." He said: "O Shu‘ayb, this is an affirmation - a sure one! Write this down: In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful: The Qur'an is the word of Allah and was not created. It originated from Him and will return to Him." [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (1/170)]
Imām Ibn Jarīr at-Tabari said: "Ibn ‘Uyaynah related to us that he heard ‘Amr ibn Dinār say: 'I used to hear our Shaykhs, seventy years ago, say: The Qur'an is the word of Allah. It originated from Him and will return to Him.'" [Sarīh As-Sunnah by At-Tabari (19)]
Al-Hasan ibn Ayyūb said: "I heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal quote Al-Faryābi as saying: I heard Ath-Thawri - i.e. Sufyān - say: Whoever says that the Qur'an was created is a heretic." ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: "I heard my father say: I learned that Ibrāhīm ibn Sa‘d, Sa‘īd ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn al-Jumahi, Wahb ibn Jarīr, Abu an-Nadr Hāshim ibn al-Qāsim, and Sulaymān ibn Harb said: The Qur'an is not created." [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (2/277)]
The leading Imām Muhammad ibn Khuzaymah (May Allah have mercy upon him) set a chapter on this issue, entitled: "Chapter on the proofs denoting that the Qur'an is the word of Allah, the Creator, and His word is not a created being." [At-Tawhīd by Ibn Khuzaymah (1/404)]
Abu Sa‘īd ad-Dārimi said: "These Hadīths point out that the Qur'an is not created, as there is no greater difference between created beings in terms of superiority than the difference between Allah and His creation, for the difference in superiority between created beings can be minimized, whereas the difference between Allah and His creation cannot, and His superiority over them is immeasurable. The same holds true for the superiority of His speech over the speech of created beings. If it were created speech, its superiority over other speech would not be like the superiority of Allah over His creation, or even a millionth of it or close to that. So, ponder it, for indeed there is nothing like unto Him, and there is no speech like His speech, and none would ever be able to produce the like of it." [Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah by Ad-Dārimi (188)]
Abu Yūsuf (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "As for the Qur'an, it is the word of Allah Almighty and His revelation. This is the view adopted by Abu Hanīfah and other great imams; they did not regard it as a created being or a creator." [Al-I‘tiqād by An-Naysābouri (135)]
Chapter: The Noble Qur'an is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds
We believe that this noble Qur'an is the word of the Lord of the worlds, and it was brought down by the Trustworthy Spirit, Jibrīl. This is regarded as common knowledge in Islam. Muslims have a consensus over this, and none of them disputes it. This issue - that the Qur'an is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds - is established by countless proofs, one of which is:
Allah's testimony that this Qur'an is from Him. Allah Almighty says: {Say: "Whose testimony is the greatest?" Say: "Allah is the Witness between me and you. This Qur’an has been revealed to me so that I may warn you thereby and whomsoever it reaches."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 19] He Almighty also says: {But Allah bears witness to what He has sent down to you, as He has sent it down with His knowledge.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 166]
Another proof is the angels' testimony that this Qur'an is a revelation from the All-Wise and Praiseworthy Lord, Who says: {But Allah bears witness to what He has sent down to you, as He has sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness; but sufficient is Allah as a Witness.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 166]
Another proof is its agreement with the teachings brought by the prophets (peace be upon them). An example is the verse that says: {Your Lord has ordained that you worship none but Him, and show kindness to parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, do not say to them a word of annoyance nor scold them, rather speak to them noble words.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 23] Until the verse that reads: {This is part of the wisdom that your Lord has revealed to you [O Prophet]. Do not set up any other god with Allah, or you will be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 39]
Allah Almighty also says: {He has sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming what came before it. And He sent down the Torah and the Gospel.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 3] All these principles which Islam puts emphasis on are the very things called to and stressed by the previous messengers.
The proofs include testimony by the contemporary people of the book for the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), which Allah Almighty mentions in the noble Qur’an, saying: {Say: "What do you think, if this [Qur’an] is really from Allah and yet you reject it, and a witness from the Children of Israel has testified in its favor and believed, whereas you persist in arrogance? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people."} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 10] After the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed Waraqah about what he had seen, Waraqah said to him: "That is the same angel whom Allah sent to Mūsa." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3392) and Muslim (160)]
It is reported that Negus asked Ja‘far (May Allah be pleased with him): "Do you have anything of what the Messenger came with?" So, Ja‘far recited to him some verses of the Qur’an. Thereupon, Negus said: "By Allah, these words and the words brought by Mūsa come out of the same lamp." [Narrated by Is'hāq ibn Rahwayh (1835), Ahmad (22498), Ibn Khuzaymah (2260), At-Tahāwi in Sharh Mushkil Al-Āthār (5598), and Abu Na‘īm in Al-Hilyah (1/115) and in Dalā’il An-Nubuwwah (194)]
Among them is testimony by the jinn that this Qur’an is a revelation from Allah Almighty and that it is consistent with what Mūsa (peace be upon him) came with: {And [remember] when We sent to you a group of jinn to listen to the Qur’an. When they heard it, they said [to one another]: "Listen attentively." Then when it was over, they returned to their people as warners. They said: "O our people, we have heard a scripture that has been sent down after Moses, confirming what came before it; it guides to the truth and to a straight path."} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 29-30] Allah Almighty also says: {Say: "It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened [to the Qur’an,] and they said: 'Indeed, we have heard a wondrous recitation that guides to the right way, so we have believed in it, and we will never associate anyone with our Lord.'"} [Surat al-Jinn: 1-2]
They also include testimony by the disbelievers of the Quraysh that this Qur’an is not the words of mankind and it differs from their speech. Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah came to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he recited some of the Qur’an to him. He seemed to have softened towards it. Abu Jahl came to know about that. So, he went to him and said: "O uncle, your people intend to gather together some money for you." He asked: 'Why?' He replied: "In order to gift you. It seems you went to Muhammad for financial gains." He retorted: "The Quraysh know that I am among the richest of them." Abu Jahl said: "Say something about him so that your people know that you reject him." He answered: "What can I say? By Allah, there is none among you who knows poetry and its various genres better than me, or even the poetry of jinn. By Allah, what he says bears no resemblance to these. By Allah, what he says has a sweetness, it is covered by brightness, its upper part is fruitful, while its bottom is affluent; and that it overcomes and is not overcome, and it crushes what is below it." [Narrated by Al-Hākim (3872) and Al-Bayhaqi in Ash-Shu‘ab (133) and in Dalā’il An-Nubuwwah (2/198)]
One of the proofs is that the Qur’an accords with what Allah Almighty wants from His servants. He, Exalted be He, says: {This is My straight path; follow it and do not follow other ways, lest they lead you away from His way. This is what He commands you, so that you may become righteous.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 153]
Another proof is the fact that the Qur’an contains divine knowledge, Shar‘i rulings, and noble ethics, all of which are consistent with people's natural disposition. Allah Almighty says: {Adhere sincerely to the true religion in all uprightness. This is the natural disposition with which Allah has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the straight religion, but most people do not know.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 30]
Another proof is that the Qur’an calls to what is good for people and their well-being. This is because Allah is the Creator and He knows the needs of His servants and what is best for their religion, bodies, property, and homes. He, Glorified be He, says: {Does He not know His Own creation, when He is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware?} [Surat al-Mulk: 14] He Almighty gives no command but it serves the best interest and He lays down no prohibition but it seeks the maximum caution and protection.
Another proof is that the noble Qur’an accords with reason. Hence, after Allah Almighty mentions the main prohibitions in Surat al-An‘ām, He concludes them with the phrase: {so that you may understand}. The verse reads: {Say [O Prophet]: “Come, I will recite to you what your Lord has forbidden to you: do not associate any partners with Him, and honor your parents. Do not kill your children for fear of poverty, for We provide for you and for them. Do not approach shameful acts, whether openly or in secret. Do not kill the soul sanctified by Allah, except lawfully. This is what He commands you, so that you may understand."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 151]
The Qur’an addresses the people of intellect too many times to be counted. Moreover, Allah Almighty often asks His servants to think, reflect, and ponder His commands and prohibitions.
Another point is that the proofs offered by the noble Qur'an are very clear, eloquent, and cogent, and they are easily understandable to everyone. This does not apply to any human speech. Allah Almighty says: {This is Allah’s creation. So show Me what others beside Him have created. In fact, the wrongdoers are clearly misguided.} [Surat Luqmān: 11] He, Exalted be He, also says: {If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder. Glory be to Allah – Lord of the Throne – far above what they ascribe [to Him].} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 22] Moreover, its proofs cannot, by any means, lead to falsehood. They are too strong to be refuted or denied. The Almighty Lord says: {And say: "The truth has come and falsehood has perished. Indeed, falsehood is bound to perish."} [Surat al-Isrā’: 81]
Another proof is that the glorious Qur'an, which is the word of the Lord of all the worlds, is easy for everyone to understand. Allah Almighty says: {We have certainly made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember; is there anyone to take heed?} [Surat al-Qamar: 17] It was not usual that a person could write a book that addresses everyone and is easy for anyone to understand. This is only true in the case of this noble Book.
Another proof is that the noble Qur'an is preserved against any change or alteration. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, it is We Who sent down the reminder and We are indeed its guardians.} [Surat al-Hijr: 9] Allah, the Exalted, determined it to be lasting and enduring until the Day of Judgment. This lastingness, permanence, and lack of change indicate that it is a revelation from the All-Wise and Praiseworthy Lord. Allah Almighty says: {Do they not then ponder on the Qur’an? If it had been from anyone other than Allah, they would have surely found in it many discrepancies.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 82]
As it endures and continues to be preserved and new sciences and discoveries emerge, we do not find any contradiction between it and any scientific fact; rather, all sciences agree with all that is mentioned in the Qur'an, like the creation of the heavens and the creation of mankind.
One of the proofs is that the Qur'an guides to what is most upright and includes all goodness. It tells about the Creator and the creation, the worldly life and the Hereafter, humankind and jinn, the commands and prohibitions, ethics and duties, and Paradise and Hellfire. It includes faith, deeds, and recompense. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {We have not neglected in the Book anything} [Surat al-An‘ām: 38] Allah Almighty also says: {Indeed, this Qur’an guides to what is most upright.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 9]
Another proof is that the noble Qur'an is a cure for diseases. Allah Almighty says: {O mankind, there has come to you an exhortation from your Lord, a cure for [illness] of the hearts, a guidance and mercy for the believers.} [Surat Yūnus: 57] No human speech is known to contain a cure for diseases of the heart and body, unlike this glorious Qur'an, which is the speech of the Lord of all the worlds.
Another proof is that Allah Almighty challenged humankind and jinn to produce the like of the Qur'an or a surah like its surahs. He, Exalted be He, says: {Or do they say: "He fabricated it?" Say: "Produce then one Chapter like it, and call upon whoever you can other than Allah, if you are truthful!"} [Surat Yūnus: 38] Making clear that there is no doubt about the Qur'an, Allah Almighty says: {This Qur’an could not possibly have been produced by anyone other than Allah. It is a confirmation of what came before it and an explanation of the Scripture, and is undoubtedly from the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat Yūnus: 37]
Another proof is that this Qur'an relates to us the stories of the past nations as they took place, though their stories were not familiar to the people of Makkah. However, Allah Almighty relates them to us. He, Exalted be He, says: {We relate to you [O Prophet] the best of stories through Our revelation of this Qur’an, although before this you were unaware of them.} [Surat Yūsuf: 3] This confirms that this is a revelation from an All-Wise, Praiseworthy Lord.
Another proof is that this glorious Qur'an is characterized by the utmost eloquence and comprises information about the unseen, as well as divine laws brought by an unlettered Messenger who could not read or write. Allah Almighty says: {You [O Prophet] never recited any book before this, nor did you write with your hand. Otherwise, the people of falsehood would have raised suspicions.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 48] Allah Almighty also says: {Those who follow the Messenger – the unlettered Prophet – whose description they find in their Torah and the Gospel.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 157]
One of the proofs is that a surah of the Qur'an would be revealed at sporadic times and different places; nonetheless, it is recited as if it were revealed all at once. On the other hand, people's style and talent would usually undergo change and variation if they authored books over a long period of time.
Another proof is that Allah Almighty gave the Sunnah to the Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) as He gave him the Qur'an. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, I have been given the Book and the like of it along with it." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (46040, At-Tirmidhi (2664), Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (24816) and in Al-Musnad (927), and Ahmad (17174)]
Another proof is that the Qur'an directs the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to the correct course of action. An example is the verse that says: {Were it not for a prior decree from Allah, you would have surely been afflicted with a great punishment for what you have taken [of ransom].} [Surat al-Anfāl: 68] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful to you, seeking to please your wives? Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat at-Tahrīm: 1] And the verse that reads: {He frowned and turned away, when the blind man came to him. How would you know? Perhaps he might be purified, or he might take heed and benefit from the reminder? But he who was indifferent, you give him your full attention, although you are not to be blamed if he does not purify himself.} [Surat ‘Abasa: 1-7] And the verse that reads: {Had We not made you stand firm, you would nearly have inclined to them a little. In that case, We would have made you taste double punishment, both in this life and after death. Thereupon, you would have found no helper against Us.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 74-75] If the Qur’an had come from the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), he would not have recorded this about himself. This instruction to the noble Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is a categorical proof that the Qur’an did not come from him, but from an All-Knowing and All-Wise Lord.
Book on the Messengers and Prophets (peace be upon them)
Abstract
We believe that belief in the messengers (peace be upon them) is the fourth among the pillars of Imān (faith).
We believe that the basis of the call of the messengers (peace be upon them) is knowledge about Allah and His names, attributes, and actions; and that they were all sent with Tawhid (monotheism) and called people to worshiping Allah Almighty alone and abandoning the worship of anything other than Him. The prophets and messengers were the most perfect in faith and in monotheism among people. Furthermore, they were the most knowledgeable about the Creator and what we should and should not do with regard to Him, Exalted be He.
Each prophet called his people to two great principles, namely the worship of Allah Almighty alone and the belief in the Last Day, including the bliss our Lord prepared for His pious servants and the punishment He prepared for His enemies.
We believe that all prophets (peace be upon them) called for the same major principles, namely the belief in Allah and His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and destiny, with its pleasant and unpleasant aspects. They all called for the main acts of worship, like prayer, Zakah, fasting, and Hajj. Also, they called for the best morals and prohibited the worst bad manners. So, the prophets (peace be upon them) called for the same fundamentals; whereas the difference lay in the laws to which they called people, along with their variant rulings and details.
We believe that it is a duty to believe in all the prophets (peace be upon them), believe in all the information they mentioned in relation to the unseen, observe their commands and prohibitions, love and revere them, follow their example, and testify that they conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, showed sincerity to Allah Almighty and His servants, and conducted Jihad for Allah's sake in its true way. Every nation should act upon the Shariah of the prophet sent to them, and this nation, the Muslim Ummah. Both their jinn and human beings should act upon the Shariah of the final Prophet and Messenger (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), for he was sent to both humans and jinn.
All prophets and messengers came to bring people out of the darkness of disbelief, polytheism, and ignorance, even if they led a life of affluence, power, farming, and manufacturing.
We believe that Allah Almighty sent them as bearers of glad tidings and as warners, so that people may not have an argument against their Lord after the messengers came to them.
We believe that Allah Almighty sent to each nation a messenger. We should believe in those prophets and messengers whose names are known to us. As for those whose names we do not know, we should believe in them as a whole. Belief in all prophets and messengers is a duty upon every Muslim, man and woman. Whoever disbelieves in one prophet has disbelieved in all prophets (peace be upon them).
We believe that Allah Almighty sends His messengers to whomever He wills from among His servants, according to His wisdom. No one can reverse His judgment. He does whatever He wills and chooses.
We believe that prophethood is a divine favor and mercy which He bestows upon whomever He wills from among His servants. Allah Almighty chooses messengers from the angels and from mankind.
Some of the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) are more meritorious than the others. The best among them are the messengers of the firm resolve, and the best among the messengers of the firm resolve are Ibrāhīm and Muhammad (peace be upon them). Yet, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade people from distinguishing between the prophets by way of fanaticism or derogation. As Allah Almighty took Ibrāhīm and Muhammad (peace be upon them) as close friends, He chose Mūsa (peace be upon him) and favored him with His messages and speech with Him. In addition to our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) being a close friend of Allah, his Lord also spoke to Him from behind a veil on the night of Isrā’. So, our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) combined the honor of friendship and speech.
We believe that the prophets are the best among mankind. No person, regardless of his piety or status, can reach the rank of a prophet. So, it is not permissible to prefer any human being over any of the prophets. Prophethood is not something that can be acquired or obtained by hard work and good deeds, or by purification of one's soul and heart, and refinement of one's manners.
We believe that Allah Almighty only sent men as messengers. We know that the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) were humans like other people, and they were the most perfect among people in terms of religion, minds, and morals. They received divine revelation and were infallible in what they conveyed from Allah Almighty. If a prophet used his personal reasoning in something regarding which he received no revelation and he was not right, Allah would not approve his reasoning; rather, He would send down revelation to correct him.
The messengers and prophets (peace be upon them) did not possess any power to benefit or harm themselves, despite their high status and praiseworthy station in this world and in the Hereafter. As they possessed no power to benefit or harm themselves, they lacked such power for others; and as they lacked such power while they were alive, they did not possess it after their death.
They did not know the unseen except to the extent Allah Almighty revealed to them and permitted them to know.
The prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) worshiped Allah Almighty with fear and hope, and they would seek Allah's pleasure and pursue means of nearness to Him.
We believe that the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) were subject to the same things which other people experience, like afflictions, illnesses, grief, and death. They had spouses and offspring and used to eat food and walk in the markets. And we know that Allah Almighty raised the Messiah (peace be upon him) to Him, alive, when his people wanted to kill him.
We testify that the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) rendered sincere advice to the people, fulfilled the trust, and conveyed the message of their Lord. It did not harm them that some of their followers did not comply with their teachings, or that some of their people showed arrogance towards them.
We believe that Allah Almighty gave each prophet such miracles and arguments that would prompt people to believe.
We believe that Allah Almighty did not send any prophet without a miracle that indicated his truthfulness, whether we know it or not. A group of these miracles is mentioned in the noble Qur'an. We also know that there are numerous miracles with which Allah, Exalted be He, supported His past messengers and He did not mention them to us. He Almighty sometimes mentions the clear signs and sometimes the proofs. We know that the miracles and arguments with which Allah Almighty supported His messengers and prophets (peace be upon them) are very numerous.
The strongest proof of their truthfulness is the monotheism they called to, which is settled in people's natural disposition and is favored by their minds. Related to this are the useful knowledge, good deeds, guidance, and the true religion they came with. Another proof is Allah's testimony for His messengers that they are on the true path and what they came with is the truth. Among their greatest miracles is the revelation they received from their Lord. The greatest revelation is the glorious Qur’an, which is the miracle of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). No human can produce the like of this revelation, for it is the speech of Allah Almighty, and it comprises information about the unseen, as well as guidance, light, mercy, and wisdom.
Among the things with which Allah Almighty supported His messengers (peace be upon them) are the intellectual arguments He gave them, thereby confounding the disbelievers and eliminating their falsehood.
One of their most sublime signs is that they informed about things related to the unseen, which Allah Almighty permitted them to tell about. Among the signs is that the previous prophets, along with their followers, were saved from the evil plotting of their enemies, whereas the obstinate and arrogant disbelievers were destroyed. Moreover, Allah Almighty reminds those invited to the religion of what He did to the destroyed nations of the past and that His immutable law will surely come to pass. Among the signs proving their prophethood is their perfect character and noble manners and actions, as well as the truthfulness of their speech, which indicates that they would never lie. Another proof is the massive transmission between generations of their signs, and the knowledge, guidance, and the true religion they came with, in a way that shows it is impossible for people to have colluded to transmit something untrue. Another proof is that they asked for no wage in return for their mission and did not seek authority. Another proof is that the prophethood of the prophets would not be maligned except by ignorant people who did not consider the religion, knowledge, and guidance brought by them, or by obstinate and arrogant ones.
Among them were material proofs that people could see with their own eyes, and their minds would submit to them, like the drowning of the people of Nūh (peace be upon him), the she-camel of Sālih (peace be upon him), Hūd's challenge to his people that they all plot against him, Ibrāhīm's salvation from the fire, and the miracles of Mūsa (peace be upon him), such as the staff, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, the blood, the flood, and the drowning of Pharaoh and his people; the miracles of Dāwūd (David) (peace be upon him), like the mountains' glorification of Allah and making iron malleable for him; the miracles of Sulaymān (Solomon) (peace be upon him), like subjecting the winds and jinn to his command and his familiarity with the speech of birds; the miracles of the Messiah, like healing the lepers and the blind and bringing the dead to life, and making something from clay in the shape of a bird and breathing into it and turning it into a bird by Allah's permission; and the miracles of our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), which are too numerous to be easily counted, like the splitting of the moon, the Isrā’ (night journey) and Mi‘rāj (ascension), the multiplication of food, the speech of animals, the glorification of Allah by pebbles, the trunk's longing for the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and Allah's support for him against his enemies.
Another sign is the condition of the prophets calling people to the true religion. People can distinguish between an honest person calling them to the truth and a liar calling them to falsehood. There are other signs and proofs as well.
All the miracles of the prophets vanished, except for the noble Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him); they are enduring, for they are revelation which Allah Almighty pledged to preserve. They contain the greatest signs and proofs for the Prophet's truthfulness and the veracity of his prophethood.
We believe that Allah Almighty supports His messengers (peace be upon them), in accordance with His wisdom, through Shar‘i and cosmic signs and proofs; thereby, Allah guides whomever He wills by His grace and leads astray whomever He wills by His justice. However, the signs and miracles will only increase the obstinate in their obstinacy and arrogance.
We believe that had Allah willed, He would have guided all humankind.
We believe that the signs and proofs of prophethood that came with them and the miracles with which Allah Almighty provided them could not be done by false prophets, magicians, or impostors. Our Lord would not support a liar with a true proof or argument, for He is the All-Wise Lord in His law and His command, and His wisdom and immutable rules prevent this from happening.
We believe that Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullāh (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is the servant and Messenger of the Lord of the worlds, and he is the final Prophet and Messenger, the chief of the children of Adam, and the intimate friend of Allah Almighty.
We know that he was given such miracles the like of which were not given to any of the messengers (peace be upon them). The greatest of these miracles is the Noble Qur’an. The first revelation came to him in the form of true dreams. He would see no dream, except that it would occur just the way he had seen it. And the first thing revealed to him was the opening verses of Surat al-‘Alaq. Thereafter, Surat al-Muddaththir was revealed to him. Then, the revelation got intense and came in succession. We know that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) continued to call to monotheism for 13 years in Makkah and then lived in Madīnah for ten years teaching and illustrating the Shariah of Allah, calling to His religion, and conducting Jihad in Allah's cause until he passed away at the age of 63 - (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
We know that one of his greatest miracles, after the Noble Qur’an, is the Isrā' and Mi‘rāj. Another miracle is the splitting of the moon. Allah Almighty endowed him with numerous special traits, which the scholars mention within their books, and sometimes they write complete separate books on them.
We believe that everyone, among humans and jinn, is obligated to believe in him, believe in all that he conveyed, and obey his commands.
We believe that Allah Almighty should not be worshiped except according to the Shariah brought by Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He Almighty warns us against disobeying the Prophet's commands and enjoins us to love and revere him and to consider him to be dearer than our souls, parents, and children, and all people.
We believe that Allah Almighty coupled the Prophet's mention with His mention in the two testimonies of faith and the Adhān. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is frequently mentioned in the previous scriptures and the Noble Qur’an. Muslim scholars have also authored various books on his Sunnah, biography, traits, manners, and battles.
We believe that Allah Almighty sent him as a Messenger to all humankind and jinn, and He Almighty led a group of jinn to him to listen to the Qur’an and go back to their people as warners; thus, the argument can be established against them. Moreover, Allah, the Exalted, took the covenant from all prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) that if Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) were sent as a Messenger while they were alive, they would definitely believe in him.
We believe that the prophets (peace be upon them) gave glad tidings to their people about the coming of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and that his traits and the traits of his Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) were mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel. Also, the Messiah (peace be upon him) particularly informed the Children of Israel about his coming. The Children of Israel recognized him as they would recognize their children. One of the signs of his prophethood, which was known among the People of the Book, was the Seal of Prophethood on the Prophet's shoulder.
We believe in the universality of his message. That is why he sent letters to the kings and rulers inviting them to worship Allah Almighty alone and to believe in his message.
We believe that Allah Almighty drew the ends of the world together for the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he saw the extent to which his Ummah's dominion would extend.
One of the proofs for the universality of his message is that the Christians of Najran refrained from mubāhalah (mutual invocation to Allah to curse the liar) with him and accepted to pay him the tribute while being humbled, given their knowledge that he was a Prophet.
One of the proofs for the universality of the Prophet's message is the conversion to Islam by many Jewish rabbis and Christian monks, and even by thousands and thousands among the People of the Book. Another proof is that he (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fought the Romans and commanded His Companions to conduct Jihad against the Persians and the Romans after him.
Another proof of the universality of his message is that he promised Surāqah that he would wear the bracelets of Khusru, and he actually wore them during ‘Umar's caliphate.
We know with certainty that Allah Almighty, according to His wisdom, guides whomever He wills by His grace and leads whomever He wills astray by His justice. It was also dictated by His wisdom that every prophet had an enemy and that those enemies would cooperate in their wrong path and speak similarly. The statements made by the chiefs of people in every nation are similar. They would sometimes say the prophet is a magician, a soothsayer, or a liar. They would at other times claim he did not bring them any miracle or claim that he fabricated lies about Allah Almighty. They would at other times dismiss him as insane. Far removed are the messengers of Allah (peace be upon them) from insanity, since they are the most perfect minds among all people and had the purest hearts. And sometimes these chiefs would find it too grave to accept his call to the worship of Allah Almighty alone. They would also reject the prophet's call on the grounds that he was a human being like themselves. And they would at other times ask them to do things which no human being is capable of, out of their arrogance and stubbornness. For example, they asked Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to cause a spring to gush forth from the earth, or that he should have a garden, or that he should make the sky fall upon them in pieces, or that he should bring Allah and the angels before them, or that he should have a house of gold, or that he should ascend to the heaven, or that he should bring down to them a book for them to read. They would also ask the Prophet to bring them the punishment he had threatened them with. And at other times, they would bar people from the way of Allah and tell their followers not to listen to this Qur’an and to make noise when it was recited. They would also deny the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and accuse him that he was taught by a human being, and what he received was not revelation from Allah Almighty.
Or they would turn away from the Messenger because he was followed by the poor and weak. They would sometimes mock the messengers and ridicule them. They would also try to deceive the Messenger and seek to make him compromise or incline to them. And they would resort to shaming, which they knew was false, as Pharaoh did with Mūsa, describing him as a disbeliever.
The chiefs of the people might also threaten to drive the prophets out of their lands. The Quraysh disbelievers imposed a siege on our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers and Banu Hāshim in the mountain pass for three years and then drove him out of his land. And the people of Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) tried to burn him, but Allah Almighty saved him. Moreover, the Children of Israel attempted to kill the prophets, and they actually killed a number of them.
This is the typical attitude of the arrogant people towards the messengers and the typical behavior of the chiefs of every nation towards reformers.
Chapter on the Belief in the Messengers (peace be upon them)
Belief in the messengers (peace be upon them) is the fourth among the pillars of faith. Allah Almighty says: {The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers. All of them believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers, [saying]: "We make no distinction between any of His messengers."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 285] He Almighty also says: {It is not righteousness to turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Scriptures, and the prophets.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 177] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came out to the people one day, and a man came to him and said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is Imān (faith)?" He said: "To believe in Allah, His angels, His book, the meeting with Him, and His messengers, and to believe in the Resurrection of the Afterlife." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4777), Muslim (9), and Ibn Mājah (64)]
We believe that the basis of the call of the messengers (peace be upon them) is knowledge about Allah and His names, attributes, and actions; and that they were all sent with the monotheistic belief, and called people to worship Allah Almighty alone and abandon the worship of anything other than Him. The Almighty Lord says: {And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that “There is no true god but Me, so worship Me.”} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 25] Each prophet would say to his people: {Worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. Will you not then fear Him?} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 65] The prophets and messengers were the most perfect in faith and monotheism among people, and they were the most knowledgeable about the Creator and what we should and should not do with regard to Him, Exalted be He.
Each prophet called his people to two great principles, namely the worship of Allah Almighty alone and the belief in the Last Day. This includes the bliss our Lord prepared for His pious servants and the punishment He prepared for His enemies. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Indeed, We sent Noah to his people. He said: "O my people, worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. I fear for you the punishment of a momentous Day."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 59] And He Almighty says: {And to the people of Midian We sent their brother Shu‘ayb. He said: "O my people, worship Allah; you have no god besides Him. Do not give short measure or weight. I see that you are in prosperity, but I fear for you the punishment of an encompassing Day."} [Surat Hūd: 84] In another verse, Allah, the Exalted, says: {Remember [Hūd] the brother of ‘Ād, when he warned his people in the [land of] sand dunes – and indeed there came warners before him and after him – [saying]: "Worship none but Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a horrible day."} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 21]
We believe that all the prophets (peace be upon them) called for the same major principles, namely the belief in Allah and His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and destiny, with its pleasant and unpleasant aspects. They all called for the main acts of worship, like prayer, Zakah, fasting, and Hajj, and called for the best morals and prohibited the worst bad manners. {He has prescribed for you [believers] the same religion which He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We have revealed to you [O Prophet] and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: "You should uphold the religion and make no divisions therein."} [Surat ash-Shūra: 13] So, the prophets (peace be upon them) called for the same fundamentals; and the difference lay in the laws to which they called people, along with their variant rulings and details. Allah Almighty says: {We have revealed to you [O Prophet] the Book in truth, confirming the scriptures that came before it and as a criterion over them. So judge between them according to what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their desires in disregard of the truth that has come to you. To each of you We have ordained a law and a way of life.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 48]
We believe that it is compulsory to believe in all the prophets (peace be upon them), to believe in all the information they mentioned in relation to the unseen, to observe their commands and prohibitions, to love and revere them, to follow their example, and to testify that they conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, showed sincerity to Allah Almighty and His servants, and conducted Jihad for Allah's sake in the true way. Every nation should act upon the Shariah of the prophet sent to them. For this nation, the Muslim Ummah, the jinn and human beings should act upon the Shariah of the final Prophet and Messenger (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), for he was sent to all humans and jinn.
All prophets and messengers came to bring people out of the darkness of disbelief, polytheism, and ignorance, even if they led a life of affluence, power, and production. About Mūsa (peace be upon him), Allah Almighty says: {We sent Moses with Our signs [saying]: "Bring your people out of the depths of darkness into the light, and remind them of Allah’s days [of favor]. Indeed, there are signs in this for every patient and grateful person."} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 5] He also says: {Do you build a landmark on every high place for no purpose? And do you construct for yourselves palaces, hoping that you will live forever? And when you attack [others], do you attack ruthlessly?} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 128-130] And He, Exalted be He, says: {Have they not traveled through the land to see how was the end of those who came before them? They were more powerful than them, and they tilled the land and built it more than these people have ever built. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 9]
We believe that Allah Almighty sent them as warners and bearers of glad tidings, so that the people may not have an argument against their Lord after the messengers came to them. Allah, the Exalted, says: {These messengers were sent as bearers of glad tidings and as warners, so that the people may have no excuse before Allah after [the coming of] the messengers. For Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 165]
We believe that Allah Almighty sent a messenger to every community. He, Glorified be He, says: {Indeed, We sent to every community a messenger, [saying]: "Worship Allah and shun false gods."} [Surat an-Nahl: 36] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The children of Israel used to be ruled and guided by prophets. Whenever a prophet died, another would take over his place. Indeed, there will be no prophet after me." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3455), Muslim (1842), and Ibn Mājah (2871)] Our Lord even informs us that He sent three prophets to one town at the same time. He Almighty says: {When We sent them two [messengers], but they rejected them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said: "We are sent to you as messengers."} [Surat Yāsīn: 14]
We should believe in those prophets and messengers whose names are known to us, and as for those whose names we do not know, we should believe in them as a whole. So, we should believe in all prophets and messengers. Allah, the Exalted, says: {There are messengers whose stories We have already mentioned to you, and messengers We have not mentioned to you. And Allah spoke to Moses directly.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 164] Allah Almighty also says: {The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers. All of them believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers, [saying]: "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say: "We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 285] And He, Exalted be He, says: {Say: "We believe in Allah and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants, and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 84]
We believe that Allah Almighty sends His messengers to whomever He wills from among His servants, according to His wisdom. He, Glorified be He, says: {If We had willed, We could have sent to each town a warner.} [Surat al-Furqān: 51] Allah Almighty also says: {Then We sent Our messengers in succession: every time a messenger came to his people, they rejected him. So We destroyed them, one after the other, and made them mere tales. Away with the people who refuse to believe!} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 44] No one can reverse His judgment. He does whatever He wills and chooses. Allah Almighty says: {Your Lord creates and chooses what He wills; they have no choice. Glorified is Allah and Exalted is He far above what they associate with Him.} [Surat al-Qasas: 68]
Whoever disbelieves in one prophet has thus disbelieved in all prophets (peace be upon them). The Almighty Lord says: {The people of Noah rejected the messengers.} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 105] This is similar to another verse that says: {All of them rejected the messengers, so My warning was fulfilled.} [Surat Qāf: 14]
We believe that prophethood is a divine favor and mercy which He bestows upon whomever He wills from among His servants. Allah Almighty chooses messengers from the angels and from mankind. In the Qur’an, He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah chooses messengers from the angels and from mankind. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.} [Surat al-Hajj: 75] He Almighty also says: {Allah knows best where to place His message.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 124] So, prophethood is not something that can be acquired or obtained by hard work and good deeds, or by the purification of one's soul and heart, and refinement of one's manners.
We believe that some of the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) are preferred over the others. Allah Almighty says: {Those messengers: We favored some over others. There are some to whom Allah spoke, and some He raised high in rank. To Jesus, son of Mary, We gave clear signs and supported him with the Holy Spirit.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 253] And that the best among the prophets are those with firm resolve, who are mentioned in the verse that says: {And [remember] when We took from the prophets their covenant and from you [O Prophet], and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary; We took from them a solemn covenant.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 7] Allah Almighty also refers to them in the verse that reads: {So be patient, as the Messengers of Firm Resolve were patient.} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 35] And the best among the messengers of firm resolve are Ibrāhīm and Muhammad (peace be upon them). Allah, the Exalted, says: {Who is better in religion than one who submits himself entirely to Allah, does good, and follows the religion of Abraham, exclusively devoted to Allah? For Allah did take Abraham as a close friend.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 125] Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), five days before his death, say: "I stand acquitted before Allah that I take any one of you as a close friend, for Allah has taken me as a close friend, as he took Ibrāhīm as a close friend." [Narrated by Muslim (532)]
We bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is the best of all messengers and prophets. He (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I am the chief of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgement." [Narrated by Muslim (2278) and Abu Dāwūd (4673)]
Yet, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade people from distinguishing between the prophets by way of fanaticism or derogation. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Two men, a Muslim and a Jew, abused each other. The Muslim said: "By the One Who gave superiority to Muhammad over all the people." Thereupon, the Jew said: "By the One Who gave superiority to Mūsa over all the people." The Muslim became furious at that and slapped the Jew in the face. The Jew went to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and informed him of what happened between him and the Muslim. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) called the Muslim and asked him about that, and he told him. Then, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not give me preference over Mūsa, for the people will fall unconscious on the Day of Resurrection and I will be the first to gain consciousness, and behold! Mūsa will be there holding the side of Allah's Throne. I will not know whether Mūsa has been among those people who have become unconscious and then has regained consciousness before me, or has been among those exempted by Allah from falling unconscious." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2411), Muslim (2373), Abu Dāwūd (4671), At-Tirmidhi (3245), and Ibn Mājah (4274)] In another version: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) became so angry that it showed on his face. Then, he said: "Do not give preference to the prophets of Allah over one another." [Narrated by Muslim (2373)]
As Allah Almighty took Ibrāhīm and Muhammad (peace be upon them) as close friends, He chose Mūsa (peace be upon him) and favored him with His messages and speaking with Him. In addition to our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) being a close friend of Allah, his Lord also spoke to Him from behind a veil on the night of Isrā’. Allah Almighty says: {Then he revealed to His slave what he had to reveal.} [Surat an-Najm: 10] So, our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) combined the honor of friendship and speaking.
We believe that the prophets are the best among mankind. No person, regardless of his piety or status, can reach the rank of a prophet. So, it is not permissible to prefer any human being over any of the prophets. The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is not befitting for anyone to be better than Yūnus ibn Matta (Jonah)." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4804)]
We believe that Allah Almighty only sent men as messengers. He, Exalted be He, says: {We did not send before you [O Prophet] except men to whom We gave revelation.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 7]
We know that the messengers and prophets (peace be upon them) are the best among all mankind. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Allah chooses messengers from the angels and from mankind. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.} [Surat al-Hajj: 75] And they are the most perfect among people in terms of religion, minds, and morals. Allah Almighty says: {Say: "I am only a man like you; it has been revealed to me."} [Surat al-Kahf: 110] So, they are human beings just like other people, except that they received divine revelation; and they were infallible in what they conveyed from their Lord. Allah Almighty says about His Prophet and close friend Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): {Nor does he speak out of his own desire. It is but a revelation sent down [to him]. He was taught by [an angel of] mighty power.} [Surat an-Najm: 3-5]
We believe that Allah Almighty created the angels from light. So, they are among Allah's creation. He created them in a specific form whose reality is known to Him alone. They are devout servants, whom Allah, the Exalted, created to worship Him and carry out His commands. They worship Him and never disdain to do so. Their acts of worship include glorification of Allah, prostration, and fear and apprehension of their Lord. In spite of their earnest worship of Allah Almighty, they are severely fearful of Him. Among their worship is that they show loyalty and love for the sake of Allah, Exalted be He. We believe that Allah Almighty created them in a specific form only known to Him, the Creator. We believe that Allah, Glorified be He, created them with wings and allowed them to come to the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) in human form. Those polytheists who claimed that the angels are the daughters of Allah are declared liars by the Almighty Creator. We believe that angels do not eat or drink, for they have no desires, and they are characterized by modesty and get hurt by things that hurt humans. We believe that Allah Almighty created in them such tremendous power and strength that He alone encompasses, and they are too numerous to be counted, except by the One Who created them.
We believe that Allah, the Exalted, honored them and assigned them with various sublime tasks, the most noble of which is to be a messenger between Allah and His servants, conveying the revelations to them. The angel tasked with bringing down the revelations to the prophets and messengers of Allah is Jibrīl (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty may also send them to people other than the prophets as an affliction and test. Among their tasks is bearing the Throne, writing down the destiny, taking care of wombs and their contents in terms of creation, forming and breathing life into bodies in this world and in the Hereafter, taking away people's lives, conducting Jihad along with the believers, supplicating for the believers and seeking Allah's forgiveness for them, witnessing the believers' worship, raising their good words, and conveying their news to the Almighty Lord, though He is the All-Aware, All-Knowing, and He does not need anyone to tell Him. Their tasks also include coming down to earth on special occasions of worship, such as Fridays, the day of ‘Arafah, and the Night of Al-Qadr.
One of their tasks is to convey to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his Ummah's invocations of Allah's blessings upon him. Among their tasks is to protect people, record their good and bad deeds, guard Madīnah from the Anti-Christ, question the dead in the grave, give glad tidings to the believers at the time of death about their great attainment, receive them in the Hereafter, and enter their places through the gates of Paradise. They will also come along with Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment, rank after rank. Among them is the gatekeeper of Paradise and the gatekeeper of Hellfire. We believe that Allah Almighty created angels with different ranks and positions. Angels of the highest status are Jibrīl, Mikā’īl, and Isrāfīl, and the noblest among them include the bearers of the Throne and also those angels who took part in the battle of Badr. In every heaven there are angels whose number is only known to Allah, Exalted be He. Each of them has a known station, and some of them are particularly brought close to their Lord. Chapter on the Obligation of Belief in the Angels [Surat al-Mā’idah: 17]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to his paternal aunt and daughter Fātimah (May Allah be pleased with her): "O people of Quraysh, buy yourselves from Allah, for I cannot avail you at all against Allah; O children of ‘Abd Manāf, I cannot avail you anything against Allah; O ‘Abbās ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, I cannot avail you anything against Allah; O Safiyyah, the Messenger's paternal aunt, I cannot avail you anything against Allah; O Fātimah bint Muhammad, ask me whatever you like from my property, but I cannot avail you anything against Allah." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2753), Muslim (206), At-Tirmidhi (3185), and An-Nasā’i (3646)] As they did not possess any power to benefit or harm themselves or others when they were alive, there is even greater reason they cannot do so after they die.
We believe that they did not know the unseen except to the extent what Allah Almighty revealed to them and permitted them to know. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Say [O Prophet]: "I do not tell you that I have the treasuries of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 50] Allah Almighty also says: {Say: "I have no power to benefit or harm myself, except what Allah wills. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I would have acquired much good, and no evil would have touched me. I am only a warner and bearer of glad tidings for people who believe."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 188] And He, Exalted be He, says: {[He is] Knower of the unseen, He does not reveal His unseen to anyone, except the messenger whom He chooses, then He appoints angel-guards before him and behind him.} [Surat al-Jinn: 26-27]
The prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) worshiped Allah Almighty with fear and hope. Our Lord says: {They used to hasten in doing good deeds and used to call upon Us with hope and fear, and they were humble before Us.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 90] They would seek Allah's pleasure and pursue means of nearness to Him. Allah Almighty says: {Those whom they call upon seek means of nearness to their Lord, each trying to become closer, hoping for His Mercy and fearing His punishment. Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is fearsome.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 57]
The prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) were subject to the same things which other people experience, like afflictions, illnesses, and death. Allah, the Exalted, says: {You [O Prophet] will surely die, and they too will die.} [Surat az-Zumar: 30] Mentioning Prophet Ayyūb (Job) (peace be upon him) and his suffering, Allah Almighty says: {And [remember] Job, when he cried out to his Lord: "I have been struck by adversity, and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy."} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 83] The prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) had wives and offspring. Allah, Blessed and Glorified be He, says: {We have sent messengers before you and gave them wives and offspring.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 38] And they would eat food and walk in the markets. Allah Almighty says: {We did not send any messengers before you [O Prophet] except that they ate food and walked in the markets.} [Surat al-Furqān: 20] They would suffer grief. Speaking about Y‘aqūb (Jacob) (peace be upon him), Allah Almighty says: {He turned away from them and said: "O my sorrow for Joseph!" And his eyes turned white because of suppressing his grief.} [Surat Yūsuf: 84] In a Hadīth about the death of the son of the Prophet's daughter, it is reported that when the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) sat there (at the house of his daughter), the child was brought to him, and he took him into his lap while the child's breath was disturbed in his chest. The Prophet's eyes started shedding tears. Thereupon, Sa‘d said: "What is this, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "This is mercy which Allah has lodged in the hearts of whomever of His servants He wills. Verily, Allah is merciful only to the merciful among His servants." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6655), Muslim (923), Abu Dāwūd (3125), An-Nasā’i (1868), and Ibn Mājah (1588)] --
We know that they rendered sincere advice to the people, fulfilled the trust, and conveyed the message of their Lord. It did not harm them that some of their followers did not comply with their teachings or that some of their people showed arrogance towards them. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I was shown the nations, and I saw a prophet who had a few followers with him, and a prophet who had one or two men with him, and a prophet who had none with him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (5705), Muslim (220), and At-Tirmidhi (2446)]
We believe that Allah Almighty raised the Messiah (peace be upon him) to Him, alive, when his people wanted to kill him. He, Exalted be He, says: {When Jesus sensed disbelief from them, he said: "Who are my helpers in the cause of Allah?" The disciples said: "We are helpers of Allah. We believe in Allah; so bear witness that we are Muslims." Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down and we follow the messenger; so count us among those who bear witness [to the truth].” And they [the disbelievers] devised a plan, but Allah also made a plan, and Allah is the best of planners.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 52-54] Allah Almighty also says: {And he [Jesus] will be a sign of the Hour; so do not have doubt about it and follow me. This is a straight path.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 61] Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him), Mujāhid, and Qatādah said: It refers to the descent of ‘Īsa, the son of Maryam (peace be upon him). [Narrated by At-Tabari in At-Tafsīr (20/631-633)]
Allah, the Exalted, says: {There will be none from the People of the Book but will believe in him [upon his return] before his death; and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 159] Commenting on the phrase {before his death}, Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "That's before the death of ‘Īsa, the son of Maryam." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (9/380)]
We believe that he will descend at the end of time as a just judge. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose hand my soul is, the son of Maryam is about to descend among you as a just judge. He will break the cross, kill the pig, and lay down the tribute, and wealth will be so superfluous that none would accept it." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2222), Muslim (155), Abu Dāwūd (4324), At-Tirmidhi (2233), and Ibn Mājah (4078)]
Telling about the Messiah's descent, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And it would be at this very time that Allah would send the Messiah, the son of Maryam, and he will descend at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus, wearing two garments lightly dyed with saffron and placing his hands on the wings of two angels. When he would lower his head, there would fall beads of perspiration therefrom, and when he would raise it up, beads like pearls would scatter from it." [Narrated by Muslim (2937), Abu Dāwūd (4321), At-Tirmidhi (2240), and Ibn Mājah (4075)]
Chapter on the Miracles of the Prophets and the Signs of Their Prophethood
We know that Allah Almighty gave each prophet such miracles and arguments that would prompt people to believe. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There was no prophet among the prophets but was given miracles because of which people had security - or believed. But, what I was given was the revelation Allah sent down to me. So, I hope that I will have the most followers among them on the Day of Judgment." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7274) and Muslim (152)]
We believe that Allah Almighty did not send any prophet without a miracle that indicated his truthfulness, whether we know it or not. A group of these miracles is mentioned in the noble Qur'an. We also know that there are numerous miracles with which Allah, Exalted be He, supported His past messengers and He did not mention them to us. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {But those who disbelieve and reject Our verses, they are the people of the Blazing Fire.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 10] He Almighty also says: {[Their] case is like that of the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They all rejected Our signs, so Allah seized them for their sins, for Allah is severe in punishment.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 11] And Allah Almighty sometimes mentions the clear signs and proofs, like in the verse that says: {And We sent Moses with Our signs and clear proof.} [Surat Hūd: 96] In another verse, He Almighty says: {Allah said: "We will strengthen you through your brother and give you both power, so they cannot harm you. With Our signs, you and your followers will prevail."} [Surat al-Qasas: 35] ‘Ikrimah said: "Sultan (power) in the Qur'an means: an argument." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (8/30) and (9/337)]
We know that the miracles and arguments with which Allah Almighty supported His messengers and prophets (peace be upon them) are very numerous. The greatest among these was the revelation they received from their Lord. Allah's revelation to His prophets and messengers could be without an intermediary, like through a dream. For example, Allah Almighty says about Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him): {Then when he reached the age where he could work with him, Abraham said: "O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you."} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 102] Or the messenger hears Allah's speech directly, yet from behind a veil. Allah Almighty says: {It is not for a human being that Allah should speak to him except through revelation or from behind a veil.} [Surat ash-Shūra: 51] An example is Allah's speech to Mūsa (peace be upon him). Allah, Exalted be He, says: {He said: "O Moses, I have chosen you above other people, by giving you My messages and speaking to you. So hold fast to what I have given you, and be of those who are grateful."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 144] Or the angel speaks to him. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Or He sends an angel-messenger to reveal what He wills by His permission.} [Surat ash-Shūra: 51]
We know that one of the strongest proofs of their truthfulness is the monotheism they called to, which is settled in people's natural disposition and favored by their minds, and the useful knowledge, good deeds, guidance, and the true religion they came with. ‘Ubaydullāh ibn ‘Abdullāh related that ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) related to him: Abu Sufyān related to me that Heraclius said to him: "I asked you about what he commands you to do, and you claimed that he commands you to observe prayer, truthfulness and chastity, keep promises, and fulfill trusts. This is the character of a prophet." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2681), Muslim (1773), and At-Tirmidhi (2717)]
When Ja‘far (May Allah be pleased with him) recited the first verses of Surat Maryam to Negus, he remarked: "Indeed, these words and the words brought by Mūsa come out of the same lamp." [Narrated by Is'hāq ibn Rahwayh (1835), Ahmad (22498), Ibn Khuzaymah (2260), At-Tahāwi in Sharh Mushkil Al-Āthār (5598), and Abu Na‘īm in Al-Hilyah (1/115) and in Dalā’il An-Nubuwwah (194)]
Another proof is Allah's testimony for His messengers that they are on the true path and came with what is the truth. He, Exalted be He, says: {But Allah bears witness to what He has sent down to you, as He has sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness; but sufficient is Allah as a Witness.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 166] Allah Almighty also says: {Those who disbelieve say: "You are not a messenger." Say: "Allah is sufficient as a Witness between me and you, as well as those who have knowledge of the Scripture."} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 43]
Among their greatest miracles is the revelation they received from their Lord, and the greatest revelation is the glorious Qur’an, which is the miracle of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). No human can produce the like of this revelation, for it is the speech of Allah Almighty, and it comprises information about the unseen, as well as guidance, light, mercy, and wisdom.
Among their clear signs are the intellectual arguments with which Allah Almighty provides His messengers and prophets (peace be upon them), confounding the disbelievers and eliminating their falsehood. For example, Allah, Glorified be He, says: {Have you not considered the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord, as Allah had given him kingship? When Abraham said: "My Lord is the One Who gives life and causes death." He said: "I give life and cause death." Abraham said: "It is Allah Who brings the sun from the east, so bring it from the west." Thus the disbeliever was dumbfounded, and Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 258] In other verses, Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) is quoted as saying: {Indeed, they are my enemies, except the Lord of the worlds, Who created me, so He guides me; and it is He Who provides me with food and drink; and when I am ill, He heals me; and He will cause me to die then bring me back to life; and I hope that He will forgive me my sins on the Day of Judgment.} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā': 77-82] Speaking to Pharaoh, Prophet Mūsa (peace be upon him) is quoted as saying: {Our Lord is the One Who gave everything its form then guided it.} [Taha: 50] Another one is the verse that says: {If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder. Glory be to Allah – Lord of the Throne – far above what they ascribe [to Him].} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 22] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {Allah has never begotten a son, nor is there any god besides Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he had created, and each would have tried to gain supremacy over the other. Glory be to Allah far above what they ascribe to Him!} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 91] The proofs are numerous. We have mentioned some of them in the chapter of lordship and divinity. One of the most sublime signs is their informing about things related to the unseen, which Allah Almighty permitted them to tell about.
Among the previous prophets' amazing signs is that they, along with their followers, were saved from the evil plotting of their enemies, whereas the obstinate, arrogant disbelievers were destroyed. Moreover, Allah Almighty reminds those invited to the religion of what He did to the past nations and that His immutable law will surely come to pass. In the first verses of Surat al-Anbiyā’, He, Exalted be He, says: {Then We fulfilled Our promise to them: We saved them and those whom We willed, and destroyed those who transgressed all bounds.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 9] Then, in its concluding verses, He Almighty says: {We have written in the Psalms, after the Preserved Record, that the land will be inherited by My righteous slaves.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 105] He, Exalted be He, also says: {But they rejected all of Our signs, so We seized them with the grip of the All-Mighty, Most Powerful. Are your disbelievers [O Makkans] superior than those, or have you been granted immunity in divine Scriptures?} [Surat al-Qamar: 42-43] And in Surat ash-Shu‘arā’, each time Allah Almighty mentions the salvation of the previous prophets (peace be upon them) and the destruction of their enemies, He follows that with the verse that reads: {Indeed, there is a sign in this, yet most of them would not believe.} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 67] He Almighty also says: {But if they turn away, then say: "I warn you of a blast like the one that befell ‘Ād and Thamūd."} [Surat Fussilat: 13] And He, Glorified be He, says: {Have they not traveled through the land to see how was the end of those who came before them? They were more powerful than them, and they tilled the land and built it more than these people have ever built. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 9]
Among the signs proving their prophethood is their perfect character and noble manners and actions, as well as the truthfulness of their speech, which indicates they would never lie. About the people of Sālih (peace be upon him), Allah Almighty says: {They said: "O Sālih, we truly had hopes in you before this. Do you forbid us to worship what our fathers used to worship? We are in disturbing doubt about what you are calling us to."} [Surat Hūd: 62] Allah Almighty also says: {They said: "O Shu‘ayb, does your prayer command you that we should forsake what our forefathers worshiped, or that we should give up dealing with our wealth as we please? Indeed, you are such a forbearing and right-minded man!"} [Surat Hūd: 87]
Asking Abu Sufyān about our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), Heraclius said: "And I asked you whether you used to accuse him of lying before he said what he said, and you replied in the negative. Indeed, he would not refrain from lying to people and then dare to lie about Allah!" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7) and Muslim (1773)]
Among the proofs is the successive transmission from generation to generation of their signs, and the knowledge, guidance, and the true religion they came with, in a way that shows it is impossible for people to have colluded to transmit something untrue.
Another proof is that they asked for no wage in return for their mission and did not seek authority. Allah Almighty mentions that many of His prophets said to their people: {O my people, I ask you no reward for it. My reward is only with the One Who created me. Do you not then understand?} [Surat Hūd: 51]
Another proof is that the prophethood of the prophets would not be maligned except by ignorant people who did not consider the religion, knowledge, and guidance they brought, or by obstinate and arrogant ones. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {They denied them wrongfully and arrogantly, although their hearts were convinced that they were true.} [Surat an-Naml: 14] Allah Almighty also says: {We know well that what they say grieves you [O Prophet]. It is not you that they doubt, rather it is the verses of Allah that the wrongdoers deny.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 33]
Among them were material proofs that people could see with their own eyes, and their minds would submit to them, like the drowning of the people of Nūh (peace be upon him), the she-camel of Sālih (peace be upon him), Hūd's challenge to his people that they all plot against him, Ibrāhīm's salvation from the fire, and the miracles of Mūsa (peace be upon him), like the staff, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, the blood, the flood, and the drowning of Pharaoh and his people; the miracles of Dāwūd (David) (peace be upon him), like the mountains' glorification of Allah and making iron malleable for him; the miracles of Sulaymān (Solomon) (peace be upon him), like subjecting the winds and jinn to his command and his familiarity with the speech of birds; the miracles of the Messiah, like healing the lepers and the blind and bringing the dead to life, and making something from clay in the shape of a bird and breathing into it and turning it into a bird by Allah's permission; and the miracles of our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), which are too numerous to be easily counted, like the splitting of the moon, the Isrā’ (night journey) and Mi‘rāj (ascension), the multiplication of food, the speech of animals, the glorification of Allah by pebbles, the trunk's longing for the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and Allah's support for him against his enemies.
Among the signs is the condition of the prophet calling people to the true religion. People can distinguish between an honest person calling them to the truth and a liar calling them to falsehood. Hence, ‘Abdullāh ibn Salām said: "When the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madīnah, the people rushed to meet him, and it was said: ‘The Messenger of Allah has come!' I came with the people to see him, and when I saw his face clearly, I knew that his face was not the face of a liar." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2485), Ibn Mājah (1334), Ibn Abi Shaybah (25898), Ahmad (23784), and ‘Abd ibn Humayd (496)] The list of their miracles and signs goes on.
Nothing of the prophets' miracles remains but the noble Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah, which are enduring, because both are revelation which Allah Almighty pledged to preserve. He, Exalted be He, says: {Indeed, it is We Who sent down the reminder and We are indeed its guardians.} [Surat al-Hijr: 9] They contain the strongest arguments and proofs of the truthfulness of the message and the truthfulness of the Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
We believe that Allah Almighty supports His messengers (peace be upon them), in accordance with His wisdom, through Shar‘i and cosmic signs and proofs; thereby, Allah guides whomever He wills by His grace and leads astray whomever He wills by His justice. However, the signs and miracles will only increase the obstinate in rejection and arrogance. Allah Almighty says: {We have explained things in various ways in this Qur’an, so that they may take heed, but it only increases them in aversion.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 41] Allah Almighty also says: {Your Lord’s revelation to you [O Prophet] will only increase them in transgression and disbelief.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 68] And He, Exalted be He, says: {They swore by Allah their most solemn oaths that if a warner came to them, they would surely be more guided than any other community. But when a warner came to them, it only added to their aversion.} [Surat Fātir: 42] Allah Almighty also says: {They swear by Allah their most solemn oaths that if a sign came to them, they would certainly believe in it. Say [O Prophet]: "Signs are only with Allah." How do you know that even if it came to them, they would still not believe?} [Surat al-An‘ām: 109] And He, Exalted be He, says: {We gave Thamūd the she-camel as a clear sign, but they wrongfully rejected her. We do not send signs except as a warning.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 59]
Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The people of Makkah asked the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to turn Mount Safa into gold for them or to move the mountains away from them so that they could cultivate. It was said to him: "If you will, you can give them respite; and if you will, we will grant them their request, and then if they disbelieve, they will be destroyed as I destroyed those before them." He replied: "Rather, I will give them respite." Thereupon, Allah Almighty revealed the verse that says: {Nothing prevents Us from sending signs except that the earlier people denied them. We gave Thamūd the she-camel as a clear sign.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 59] [Narrated by Ahmad (2333), Al-Bazzār (5036), An-Nasā’i in Al-Kubra (11226), Al-Hākim (3437), and Al-Bayhaqi in Dalā’il An-Nubuwwah (605)]
We know that had Allah willed, He would have guided all humankind. He Almighty says: {If Allah had willed, He would have made all of you a single community [of believers], but He causes to stray whom He wills and guides whom He wills.} [Surat an-Nahl: 93] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {If Allah had willed, He could have brought them all to guidance; so do not be of those who are ignorant.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 35]
We believe that the signs and proofs of prophethood that came with them and the miracles with which Allah Almighty provided them could not have been done by false prophets, magicians, or impostors. Our Lord would not support a liar with a true proof or argument, for He is the All-Wise Lord in His Shariah and command, and His wisdom and immutable rules prevent this from happening. Allah, the Exalted, says: {If he had falsely attributed something to Us, We would have surely seized him by the right hand, then severed his aorta.} [Surat al-Hāqqah: 44-46]
Chapter on the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)
We believe that Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is the servant and Messenger of Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and His final Prophet and Messenger. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 40] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "My similitude in comparison with other prophets before me is like that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for the place of one brick in a corner. The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: 'Would that this brick be put in its place!' So, I am that brick, and I am the last of the prophets." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3535) and Muslim (2286)]
He is the chief of the children of Adam. In a Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I will be the chief of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgment, the first one for whom the grave will be split open, and the first intercessor and the first one whose intercession will be accepted." [Narrated by Muslim (2278) and Abu Dāwūd (4673)] He is the intimate friend of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If I were to take an intimate friend from my Ummah, I would take Abu Bakr; but he is my brother and my Companion." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3656)]
We know that he was given such miracles the like of which were not given to any of the messengers (peace be upon them). The greatest of these miracles is the Noble Qur’an. And the first thing revealed to him was the opening verses of Surat al-‘Alaq, as reported in an authentic Hadīth: ‘Ā’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The commencement of the divine revelation to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was in the form of good dreams which would come true like bright daylight, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hirā’ where he used to worship continuously for many days before having the desire to see his family. He used to take with him food for the journey and for the stay, and then come back to Khadījah to take his food likewise again until suddenly the truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hirā’. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "I do not know how to read." The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) added: "The angel caught me and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied: 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon, he caught me again and pressed me a second time until I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied: 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon, he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said: '{Read in the name of your Lord Who created, created man from a clinging clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous) [Surat al-‘Alaq: 1-3].'" Then, the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) returned with the revelation, with his heart beating severely. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3), Muslim (160), and At-Tirmidhi (3632)] Thereafter, Surat al-Muddaththir was revealed to him. Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) speak about the period of pause of the revelation: "While I was walking I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up towards the sky, and behold! I saw the same angel who came to me in the Cave of Hirā’, sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I was so terrified by him that I fell down on the ground. Then, I went to my wife and said: 'Enwrap me, enwrap me.' And they enwrapped me." Thereafter, Allah Almighty revealed: {O you covered [in your cloak], arise and warn... and shun ar-rujz} [Surat al-Muddaththir: 1-5]. Abu Salamah said: "Ar-rujz is idols." Then, the revelation got intense and continued. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4926), Muslim (161), and At-Tirmidhi (3325)]
‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, (May Allah be pleased with her) reported that Al-Hārith ibn Hishām (May Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah, how does the revelation come to you?" The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Sometimes it comes to me like the ringing of a bell, and that is the hardest for me, and when it leaves me I understood what he has said. And sometimes the angel appears to me in the form of a man and talks to me and I understand what he says." ‘Ā’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: "I saw the revelation coming down on him on an intensely cold day, and when it left him, his forehead would drip with sweat." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2), Muslim (2333), At-Tirmidhi (3634), and An-Nasā’i (933)]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) continued to call to monotheism for 13 years in Makkah and then stayed in Madīnah for ten years teaching and illustrating the Shariah of Allah, calling to His religion, and conducting Jihad in Allah's cause until he passed away at the age of 63 - (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
We know that one of his greatest miracles, after the Noble Qur’an, is the Isrā’ and Mi‘rāj. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Glory be to the One Who took His slave [Muhammad] by night from the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah] to the Aqsā Mosque [in Jerusalem] whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 1]
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I was brought the Burāq, which is an animal white and long, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, which would place its hoof a distance equal to the range of vision. I mounted it and came to Bayt al-Maqdis, and then tethered it to the ring used by the prophets. I entered the mosque and prayed two rak‘ahs in it and then came out, and Jibrīl brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. I chose the milk, and Jibrīl said: 'You have chosen the natural thing.' Then, he took me to heaven. Jibrīl then asked for (the gate of heaven) to be opened and he was asked: 'Who are you?' He replied: 'Jibrīl.' He was further asked: 'Who is with you?' He said: 'Muhammad.' It was said: 'Has he been sent for?' Jibrīl replied: 'He has indeed been sent for.' (The gate of heaven) was opened for us and lo! we saw Adam. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Then, we ascended to the second heaven. Jibrīl (peace be upon him) (asked the gate of heaven to be opened), and he was asked: 'Who are you?' He answered: 'Jibrīl.' And he was further asked: 'Who is with you?' He replied: 'Muhammad.' It was said: 'Has he been sent for?' He replied: 'He has indeed been sent for.' The gate was opened. When I entered, ‘Īsa ibn Maryam and Yahya ibn Zakariyya (Zecharia) (peace be upon both of them), cousins from the maternal side, welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Then, I was taken to the third heaven and Jibrīl asked for the opening (of the gate). He was asked: 'Who are you?' He replied: 'Jibrīl.' He was further asked: 'Who is with you?' He replied: 'Muhammad.' It was said: 'Has he been sent for?' He replied: 'He has indeed been sent for.' (The gate) was opened for us and I saw Yūsuf (peace be upon him), who had been given half of beauty. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Then, he ascended with us to the fourth heaven. Jibrīl (peace be upon him) asked for the (gate) to be opened, and it was said: 'Who are you?' He replied: 'Jibrīl.' It was further said: 'Who is with you?' He said: 'Muhammad.' It was said: 'Has he been sent for?' He replied: 'He has indeed been sent for.' The (gate) was opened for us, and lo! Idrīs (Enoch) (peace be upon him) was there. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Allah Almighty says: {And We raised him to a high status} [Surat Maryam: 57]. Then, he ascended with us to the fifth heaven and Jibrīl asked for the (gate) to be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He replied: 'Jibrīl.' It was further said: 'Who is with you?' He replied: 'Muhammad.' It was said: 'Has he been sent for?' He replied: 'He has indeed been sent for.' (The gate) was opened for us, and there I was with Hārūn (Aaron) (peace be upon him). He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Then, I was taken to the sixth heaven. Jibrīl (peace be upon him) asked for the door to be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He replied: 'Jibrīl.' It was said: 'Who is with you?' He replied: 'Muhammad.' It was said: 'Has he been sent for?' He replied: 'He has indeed been sent for.' (The gate) was opened for us, and there I was with Mūsa (peace be upon him). He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Then, I was taken to the seventh heaven. Jibrīl asked for (the gate) to be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He said: 'Jibrīl.' It was said: 'Who is with you? He replied: 'Muhammad (peace be upon him).' It was said: 'Has he been sent for?' He replied: 'He has indeed been sent for.' (The gate) was opened for us, and there I found Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) reclining against Al-Bayt Al-Ma‘mūr, and there enter into it seventy thousand angels every day and they never come back. Then, I was taken to Sidrat Al-Muntaha whose leaves were like elephant ears and its fruit like big earthenware vessels. And when it was covered by the Command of Allah, it underwent such a change that none amongst the creation has the power to praise its beauty. Then, Allah revealed to me a revelation and He made obligatory for me fifty prayers every day and night. Then, I went down to Mūsa (peace be upon him) and he said: 'What has your Lord enjoined upon your Ummah?' I said: 'Fifty prayers.' He said: 'Return to your Lord and beg for reduction, for your Ummah will not be able to bear this burden, as I have put to test the Children of Israel and tried them.' I went back to my Lord and said: 'My Lord, make things lighter for my Ummah.' He reduced five prayers for me. I went down to Mūsa and said: 'He reduced five (prayers) for me.' He said: 'Verily, your Ummah will not be able to bear this burden. Return to your Lord and ask Him to make things lighter.' I then kept going back and forth between my Lord, Blessed and Exalted be He, and Mūsa, until He said: 'There are five prayers every day and night, O Muhammad, each being credited as ten; so, that makes fifty prayers. He who intends to do a good deed and does not do it will have a good deed recorded for him; and if he does it, it will be recorded for him as ten; whereas he who intends to do an evil deed and does not do it, it will not be recorded for him; and if he does it, only one evil deed will be recorded.' I then came down and when I came to Mūsa and informed him, he said: 'Go back to your Lord and ask Him to make things lighter.' I said: 'I did return to my Lord so much that I felt ashamed before Him.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7517), Muslim (162), and this is his version, At-Tirmidhi (3131), An-Nasā’i (450), and Ibn Mājah (1399)]
One of his signs is the splitting of the moon. Allah, the Exalted, says: {The Hour has drawn near and the moon has split asunder.} [Surat al-Qamar: 1] Ibn Mas‘ūd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: During the Prophet's lifetime, the moon was split into two parts; one part remained over the mountain, and the other part went beyond the mountain. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Witness." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4864), Muslim (2800), and At-Tirmidhi (3285)]
Allah Almighty endowed him with numerous special traits. In a Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have been preferred over the other prophets in six respects: I have been given words which are concise but comprehensive in meaning; I have been helped by terror (in the hearts of enemies); spoils have been made lawful to me; the earth has been made for me clean and a place of worship; I have been sent to all humankind; and the line of prophets is closed with me." [Narrated by Muslim (523) and At-Tirmidhi (1553)] The scholars mention these traits within their books, and sometimes they write whole separate books on them.
We believe that every believer, man and woman, is obligated to believe in him, to believe in what he said, and obey his commands. Allah Almighty says: {So that you may believe in Allah and His Messenger, support and revere him, and glorify Him morning and evening.} [Surat al-Fat'h: 9] Allah Almighty also says: {So believe in Allah and His Messenger, and in the Light [the Qur’an] that We have sent down. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.} [Surat at-Taghābun: 8]
We believe that Allah Almighty should not be worshiped except according to the Shariah brought by Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Our Lord says: {And whatever the Messenger has given you – take it; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.} [Surat al-Hashr: 7] Allah, the Exalted, warns us against disobeying the Prophet's commands. He Almighty says: {So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet’s order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.} [Surat an-Nūr: 63]
We are required to revere and love him. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {Say: "If you love Allah then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 31]
Love for the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is one of the fundamentals of faith. Allah Almighty mentions it in association with love for Him and warns those who give precedence over it to any of the dear worldly things, like one's relatives, property, and homeland. The Almighty Lord says: {Say: "If your parents, your children, your brothers, your spouses, your clan, the wealth you have acquired, the trade you fear to decline, and the homes you cherish – [if these] are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His decree. For Allah does not guide disobedient people."} [Surat at-Tawbah: 24]
The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) should be dearer to the believer than his own soul, his parents, his children, and all people. ‘Abdullāh ibn Hishām (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were with the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) as he was holding the hand of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb. ‘Umar said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, indeed you are dearer to me than everything except my own self." In response, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No, by the One in Whose Hand my soul is, until I am dearer to you than your own self." Thereupon, ‘Umar said to him: "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self." The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Now, O ‘Umar!" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6632)]
Allah Almighty coupled the Prophet's mention with His mention in the two testimonies of faith and the Adhān. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is frequently mentioned in the previous scriptures and the Noble Qur’an, and Muslim scholars authored various books on his Sunnah, biography, traits, manners, and battles. It is enough here to mention what we are obligated to believe with regard to his prophethood.
Al-Qādi ‘Iyād (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "If the attributes of perfection and excellence are what we have mentioned, and if we see someone amongst us with the honor of having one or two of them, if both exist in him throughout his life, such as good lineage, beauty, strength, forbearance, bravery, and tolerance, and he attains good status, fame, and special love in people's hearts due to his character, though he may have died a long time ago; so what do you think about the great status of someone who combines all these traits in a way that cannot be measured, expressed in words, or acquired through effort or special means? Yet, they are the gift of the Almighty Lord, including the merit of prophethood, the message, intimate friendship, love, being chosen, the journey of Isrā’, seeing Allah Almighty (that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw Allah Almighty during the night of Isrā’ is subject to a difference of opinion. The correct view, however, is that he did not see his Lord during that night.) Also nearness, the revelation, the intercession, the Wasīlah, the merit, the high status, the praised station, the Burāq, the Ascension to heaven, being sent to all people, black and white, leading the prophets in prayer, the testimony among all prophets and nations, being the chief of the children of Adam, the standard of Praise, the glad tidings, the warning, the status in the sight of the Lord of the Throne, being obeyed there, trustworthiness, guidance, being a mercy to the worlds, being granted contentment and having his requests responded to, the Kawthar, hearing the speech, the completion of favor, being forgiven his past and future sins, reassurance of heart, relief of burden, enduring fame, great victories, the descent of tranquility, support with angels, being given the Book and wisdom, the seven oft-repeated verses, and the glorious Qur’an, purification of the Ummah, supplication to Allah, the peace and blessings of Allah and the angels, judging between people by what Allah showed him, relieving them of their burdens and shackles, swearing by mentioning his name, answering his supplication, speaking to inanimate objects, making the deaf hear, letting water sprout from between his fingers, multiplication of little things, splitting of the moon, returning of the sun, transformation of things, and victory through terror - in addition to other numberless things that can only be encompassed in knowledge by the One Who bestowed them and favored him thereby; there is no god but Him; and what He Almighty prepared for him in the Hereafter, of honorable positions, ranks of respect and bliss, and the best reward and more, things that go beyond people's minds and discernment." [Ash-Shifa Bi Ta‘rīf Huqūq Al-Mustafa (1/55 - 57)]
Chapter on the Universality of the Prophet's Message to All Humankind
We believe that Allah Almighty sent Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to all humankind. He, Glorified be He, says: {Say [O Prophet]: "O people, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth; none has the right to be worshiped except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him, so that you may be guided.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 158] He Almighty also says: {We have not sent you [O Prophet] except as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most people do not know.} [Surat Saba’: 28]
And the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have been given five things which were not given to any prophet before me: Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month’s travel; the earth has been made for me a place for praying and a means for purification, so when the time of prayer comes, my followers can pray (wherever they may be); spoils of war have been made lawful for me; a prophet would be sent specifically to his people, and I have been sent to all humankind; and I have been granted the intercession." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (438), Muslim (521), and An-Nasā’i (432)]
Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was sent to both worlds - humankind and jinn - by consensus among Muslims. Some jinn listened to the Qur'an and went back to their people as warners. Allah Almighty informed His Messenger about this in the Qur'an, saying: {And [remember] when We sent to you a group of jinn to listen to the Qur’an. When they heard it, they said [to one another]: "Listen attentively." Then when it was over, they returned to their people as warners. They said: "O our people, we have heard a scripture that has been sent down after Moses, confirming what came before it; it guides to the truth and to a straight path. O our people, respond to the one who is calling to Allah, and believe in him; He will forgive some of your sins and protect you from a painful punishment. And whoever does not respond to the one who is calling to Allah will have no escape on earth, nor will he have any protectors against Him; such people are clearly misguided."} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 29-32]
Allah, Exalted be He, took the covenant from all prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) that they would believe in Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) if he was sent as a messenger while they were alive. Allah Almighty says: {And [remember] when Allah took the covenant of the prophets, [saying]: "After I have given you the Book and wisdom, if there comes to you a messenger confirming what is with you, then you must believe in him and support him." Allah said: "Do you affirm this covenant and accept this commitment?" They said: "Yes, we do." He said: "Then bear witness and I am with you among the witnesses."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 81] ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Allah Almighty did not send any prophet - Adam and those who came after him - without taking the covenant from him regarding Muhammad: If he was sent while he was alive, he would believe in him and support him. And He would also command him to take the covenant from his people. He says: {And [remember] when Allah took the covenant of the prophets, [saying]: 'After I have given you the Book and wisdom...'}" [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 81] [Narrated by At-Tabari in At-Tafsīr (5/540)]
And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "(I am) the supplication of Ibrāhīm, the glad tidings by ‘Īsa to his people, and the dream of my mother who saw that a light came out of her and illuminated the palaces of the Levant." [Narrated by Ahmad (17163), ‘Uthmān ibn Sa‘īd ad-Dārimi in Ar-Radd ‘Ala Al-Jahmiyyah (261), Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (418), ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad in As-Sunnah (865), Ibn Hibbān (6404), and At-Tabarāni in Musnad Ash-Shāmiyyīn (1455)] In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I am the supplication of my father Ibrāhīm." By this, he meant Prophet Ibrāhīm's supplication, which occurs in the verse that says: {Our Lord, send among them a messenger to recite to them Your revelations, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 129]
We believe that the prophets (peace be upon them) gave glad tidings to their people about the coming of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and that his traits and the traits of his Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) were mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are firm against the disbelievers and compassionate among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking Allah’s grace and pleasure. Their distinguishing sign is on their faces from the effects of prostration. Such is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is like that of a seed that sprouts its shoot, then makes it strong; then it grows thick and stands straight on its stem, which delights the sowers – so that He may enrage thereby the disbelievers. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.} [Surat al-Fat'h: 29] Allah Almighty also says: {Those who follow the Messenger – the unlettered Prophet – whose description they find in their Torah and the Gospel. He enjoins them to do what is good and forbids them from what is evil; he makes lawful for them what is pure and makes unlawful for them what is impure; he relieves them of their burden and the shackles that were on them. So those who believe in him, they honor and support him, and follow the light which is sent down with him – it is they who will be successful.”} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 157] Also, the Messiah (peace be upon him) informed the Children of Israel about his coming. He is quoted in the Qur'an as saying: {O Children of Israel, I am truly a messenger of Allah to you, confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving glad tidings of a messenger after me whose name will be Ahmad. But when he came to them with clear proofs, they said: "This is clear magic."} [Surat as-Saff: 6] The People of the Book recognized him as they recognized their children. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {Those whom We gave the Scripture recognize him [the Prophet] as they recognize their own sons, yet a group of them conceals the truth knowingly.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 146]
One of the signs of his prophethood, which were known among the People of the Book, was the Seal of Prophethood on the Prophet's shoulder. As-Sā’ib ibn Yazīd (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Then, I stood behind him and looked at the Seal of Prophethood between his shoulders, like the button on a bride’s pavilion." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (190), Muslim (2345), and At-Tirmidhi (3643)]
Jābir ibn Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "And I saw the seal near his shoulder, the size of a pigeon's egg and its color was the same as that of his body." [Narrated by Muslim (2344), At-Tirmidhi (3644), and An-Nasā’i (5114)]
We believe in the universality of his message. That is why he sent letters to the kings and rulers inviting them to worship Allah Almighty alone and believe in his message. Abu Burdah related that his father (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to proceed to the land of Negus. Mentioning the rest of the Hadīth, he said that Negus said: "I bear witness that he is the Messenger of Allah, and it is he about whom ‘Īsa (Jesus) the son of Maryam gave good news. If it were not for the kingdom of which I am in charge, I would come to him and carry his shoes." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3205), Ibn Aby Shaybah (37795), ‘Abd ibn Humayd (550), Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in Al-Āhad Wa Al-Mathāni (366), Ar-Ruwyāni (502), and Al-Hākim (3268)]
After receiving the Prophet's letter, Heraclius said: "I knew he would appear, but I did not think that he would be from amongst you. If what you say should be true, he will very soon occupy the earth under my feet, and if I knew that I would reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him; and if I were with him, I would wash his feet." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2941) and Abu Dāwūd (5136)]
Hudhayfah reported: Al-‘Āqib and As-Sayyid, the rulers of Najrān, came to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) with the intention of doing li‘ān (taking an oath of condemnation) to him. One of them said to the other: "Do not do this, for, by Allah, if he was a prophet and we did this li‘ān, neither we nor our offspring after us would be successful." Then, both of them said: "We will give what you should ask for, but you should send a trustworthy man with us, and do not send any person with us but an honest one." The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I will send an honest man who is really trustworthy." Thereupon, every one of the Prophet's Companions wished to be that one. Then, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Get up, O Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrāh." When he got up, the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "This is the trustworthy man of this Ummah." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4380), Muslim (2420), At-Tirmidhi (3796), and Ibn Mājah (135)]
We believe that Allah Almighty drew the ends of the world together for the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he saw the extent to which his Ummah's dominion would extend. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah drew the ends of the world together for me, and I saw its eastern and western ends. The dominion of my Ummah will reach those ends which were drawn together for me." [Narrated by Muslim (2889), Abu Dāwūd (4252), At-Tirmidhi (2176), and Ibn Mājah (3952)]
One of the proofs for his prophethood is the conversion to Islam by many Jewish rabbis and Christian monks, and even by thousands and thousands among the People of the Book.
Moreover, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fought the Romans and commanded His Companions to conduct Jihad against the Persians and the Romans after him.
Chapter on the Statements by the Foes of the Messages and the Messengers
Allah Almighty says: {Similarly We did make for every prophet enemies, devils from among men and jinn, whispering to one another alluring words of delusion. If Allah had willed, they would not have done so. So leave them to their fabrications.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 112] Allah, Exalted be He, also says: {Thus we did assign for every prophet an enemy from among the wicked, but your Lord is sufficient as a Guide and Helper.} [Surat al-Furqān: 31]
According to His wisdom, Allah Almighty guides whomever He wills by His grace and leads whomever He wills astray by His justice. It was also dictated by His wisdom that every prophet had an enemy and that those enemies would cooperate in their wrong path and speak similarly. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Nothing is said to you [O Prophet] except what was already said to the messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord is All-Forgiving, but Severe in punishment.} [Surat Fussilat: 43] The statements made by the chiefs of people in every nation are similar. They would sometimes say the prophet is a magician, a soothsayer, or a liar. An example is what Pharaoh said about Mūsa (peace be upon him), as revealed in the verse that reads: {We sent Moses with Our signs and compelling proof to Pharaoh, Hāmān and Korah, but they said: “A magician! An utter liar!"} [Surat Ghāfir: 23-24] They would at other times claim he did not bring them any evidence. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {They said: "O Hūd, you have not brought us any clear evidence, and we will not forsake our gods on account of what you say, nor will we believe in you."} [Surat Hūd: 53] At other times, they would claim he fabricated lies about Allah Almighty. About their evil statement, our Lord says: {When Our clear verses are recited to them, they say: "This is nothing but a man who wishes to turn you away from what your forefathers used to worship." And they say: "This is nothing but a fabricated lie." And the disbelievers say about the Truth when it comes to them: "This is nothing but clear magic."} [Surat Saba’: 43]
They would also accuse him of being insane. Allah Almighty says: {They say: "O you to whom the Reminder has been sent down, You are surely insane!"} [Surat al-Hijr: 6] About their statement, the Almighty Lord says: {Pharaoh said: "Your messenger who has been sent to you is truly insane!"} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 27] Far be it from the messengers of Allah (peace be upon them), who possessed the most perfect minds and the most pure hearts among all people.
And sometimes they would find it too grave to accept his call to the worship of Allah Almighty alone. About their statement, our Lord says: {Have you come to tell us that we should worship Allah alone and abandon what our forefathers used to worship? Bring upon us what you are threatening us with, if you are truthful.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 70] And they said: {Has he made all gods into one God? Indeed, this is something strange!} [Surat Sād: 5]
They would also reject the prophet's call on the grounds that he was a human being like themselves. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {But the chiefs of his people who disbelieved said: "We only see you a human being like ourselves."} [Surat Hūd: 27] Allah Almighty also says: {Diverted (are) their hearts. The wrongdoers whisper to one another in secret: "Is this but a human being just like yourselves? Will you then follow his magic, although you openly see?"} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 3]
They would at other times ask them to do things which no human being is capable of, out of their arrogance and stubbornness. For example, they asked Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to cause a spring to gush forth from the earth, or that he should have a garden, or that he should make the sky fall upon them in pieces, or that he should bring Allah and the angels before them, or that he should have a house of gold, or that he should ascend to the heaven, or that he should bring down to them a book for them to read. Allah, the Exalted, says: {They say: "We will never believe in you until you cause a spring to gush forth for us from the earth, or until you have a garden of date palms and grapevines, and you cause rivers to flow abundantly in their midst, or you make the sky to fall upon us in pieces – as you claim – or bring Allah and the angels before us face to face, or until you have a house of gold, or you ascend to the heaven, and even then we will never believe in your ascension unless you bring down to us a book which we can read." Say: "Glory be to my Lord! Am I anything but a human, sent as a messenger?" Nothing prevented people from believing when guidance came to them except that they said: "Has Allah sent a human as a messenger?" Say: "If there had been angels walking on earth peacefully, We would have certainly sent down to them from the heaven an angel as a messenger."} [Surat al-Isrā’: 90-95]
They would also ask the prophet to bring them the punishment he had threatened them with. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {They said: "Have you come to tell us that we should worship Allah alone and abandon what our forefathers used to worship? Bring upon us what you are threatening us with, if you are truthful."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 70] And He Almighty says: {Then they killed the she-camel and defied their Lord’s command, and said: "Bring us what you threaten us, if you are indeed one of the messengers."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 77]
At other times, they would accuse the messenger of being misguided and foolish. An example is found in a verse that says: {The disbelieving chiefs of his people said: "Indeed, we see you as foolish, and we think that you are one of the liars."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 66]
And at other times, they would bar people from the way of Allah and tell their followers not to listen to this Qur’an and to make noise when it was recited. Allah Almighty says: {Those who disbelieve say: "Do not listen to this Qur’an, but make noise [when it is recited], so that you may prevail."} [Surat Fussilat: 26]
They would at other times accuse the messenger of lying, as revealed about them saying: {And we think that you are one of the liars.} Or they would accuse the messenger of being taught by a human being and that what came to him was not divine revelation. Allah, the Exalted, says: {We surely know that they say: "It is only a human being who teaches him." But the language they refer to is foreign, whereas this is eloquent Arabic language.} [Surat an-Nahl: 103]
Or they would turn away from the messenger because he was followed by the poor and weak. Speaking about the people of Nūh, Allah Almighty says: {But the chiefs of his people who disbelieved said: "We only see you a human being like ourselves, and we do not see those who follow you except the lowest among us apparently. We do not see you superior to us, rather, we think that you are liars."} [Surat Hūd: 27] Heraclius said to Abu Sufyān: "And I asked you whether the nobles followed him or the weak, and you claimed that the weak followed him; and those are the followers of the messengers." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7) and Muslim (1773)]
And they would sometimes mock the messengers and ridicule them. Allah Almighty says: {Say: "Was it Allah, His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?"} [Surat at-Tawbah: 65] He Almighty also says: {So he started constructing the Ark, and every time some chiefs of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him. He said: "If you ridicule us now, we will soon ridicule you as you are ridiculing us."} [Surat Hūd: 38] They would some other times try to deceive the messenger and seek to make him compromise or incline to them. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {They wish that you would compromise so they would too compromise.} [Surat al-Qalam: 9] Allah Almighty also says: {Had We not made you stand firm, you would nearly have inclined to them a little.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 74]
They would also treat the prophet disrespectfully and call him names, as Pharaoh did with Moses (peace be upon him): {Or am I not better than this contemptible one who can hardly express himself?} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 52]
Another example is Abu Sufyān's statement about Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), when he was in the Levant. He related: When we went out, I said to my companions: "The cause of 'Ibn Abi Kabshah' (i.e. the Prophet) has become so important, for the king of Banu al-Asfar (the Romans) is afraid of him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4553), Muslim (1773), and At-Tirmidhi (2717)]
The chiefs of the people might also threaten to drive the prophet out of the land. An example is the people of Shu‘ayb, about whom Allah Almighty says: {The arrogant chiefs of his people said: "O Shu‘ayb, we will surely drive you and those who believe with you out of our town unless you return to our faith." He said: "Even if we detest it?"} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 88]
He Almighty also says: {The disbelievers said to their messengers: "We will surely drive you out of our land unless you return to our religion."} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 13] The people of Lūt said to him and those who believed along with him: {Drive them out of your town, for they are people who keep themselves pure!} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 82] The disbelievers of the Quraysh imposed a siege on our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), his followers and Banu Hāshim in the mountain pass for three years, and then drove him out of his land.
Ibn Mas‘ūd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) distributed the spoils from the battle of Hunayn, a man from the Ansār said: "He did not intend by it the approval of Allah." So, I went to the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and told him about that. Thereupon, his face changed and he said: "May Allah be merciful to Mūsa, for he was hurt more than that and he showed patience." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4335), Muslim (1062), and At-Tirmidhi (3896)]
The people of Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him), tried to burn him, but Allah Almighty saved him. He, Exalted be He, says: {His people’s only response was to say: "Kill him or burn him!"} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 24] About what the children of Israel did with their prophets, Allah, the Exalted, says: {Is it that every time a messenger comes to you [O Israelites] with something against your desires, you become arrogant; some of them you rejected, and others you killed?} [Surat al-Baqarah: 87]
This is the typical attitude of the arrogant people towards the messengers and a typical behavior of the chiefs of every nation towards reformers.
And it is an unchanging law of Allah Almighty that He supports His messengers and prophets. He, Exalted be He, says: {We will surely help Our messengers and those who believe in the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will come forward.} [Surat Ghāfir: 51] He Almighty also says: {Then We fulfilled Our promise to them: We saved them and those whom We willed, and destroyed those who transgressed all bounds.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 9]
Book on the Last Day
Abstract
We believe in the Last Day and that this is one of the six pillars of faith. It is called the Last Day because it will be the last day in this world. No day will follow it. It also has numerous other names, such as the Day of Judgment, the Day of Resurrection, the Day of Reckoning, the Day of Recompense, At-Tāmmah (the Supreme Calamity), Al-Hāqqah (the Inevitable Hour), Al-Wāqi‘ah (the Inevitable Event), As-Sākhkhah (the Deafening Blast), and Al-Ghāshiyah (the Overwhelming Event). Allah Almighty mentions the Last Day in many verses of His Noble Book.
Part of the belief in the Last Day is to believe in its signs and in what happens after death. We will start with the signs of the Hour and then with what happens after death, for this occurs before the Last Day.
The signs of the Hour are these signs that point to the imminence of the Last Day. They belong to the unseen which we are commanded to believe in.
They are of three types:
First: Signs of the Hour that have already appeared and finished, and these are too numerous.
Second: Signs of the Hour that have taken place and continue to exist.
Third: Signs of the Hour that have not yet taken place, but they will occur shortly before the Day of Judgment.
Part of the belief in the Last Day is to believe that everything will perish except Allah Almighty and that the angel of death takes people's souls, and to believe in what happens after death, like the questioning of the dead in the grave, and the bliss and punishment therein.
We believe that when Allah Almighty decides to bring this world to an end, He commands the angel to blow the trumpet for the first time, upon which all that is in the heavens and earth will fall unconscious, except those whom Allah wishes; then Allah will send down rain from which the bodies of mankind will grow; then Allah Almighty will command the angel to blow the trumpet for the second time, upon which people will come out of their graves and stand for the Lord of the worlds. The first to come out of the earth will be our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and the first to be clothed will be Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him). People will be resurrected barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised. The gathering ground will be white.
We believe in our Prophet's intercession and in the resurrection, the reckoning, and the recompense, and that Allah Almighty is quick in reckoning. And we believe that Allah's reckoning of His servants has different levels and conditions. Some of them will face a hard reckoning, while others will pass through an easy one. And among the believers, there are those who will enter Paradise without reckoning.
No one will be wronged on that Day. The first people to be questioned on the Day of Judgment will be the Ummah of Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and the first thing to be judged among people will be bloodshed.
We believe that the witnesses will be brought forth on that Day. The angels will testify, so will the earth about what the people had done thereupon. The body organs will also give testimony.
We believe that Allah Almighty will place real scales to weigh people's deeds.
We believe that there is a cistern for Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), which his Ummah will converge on. Then, people will be led either to Paradise or to Hellfire, Allah forbid, and the bridge will be erected over Hellfire, having hooks like the thorns of Sa‘dān (a kind of plant). They will snatch people, according to their deeds. The first to cross the bridge will be Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Chapter on the Proofs of the Belief in the Last Day
We believe in the Last Day. It is one of the six pillars of faith mentioned in the verse that reads: {It is not righteousness to turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is to believe in Allah and the Last Day.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 177] And the verse that reads: {But those well-grounded in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been sent down to you [O Prophet], and what was sent down before you; who establish prayer and give Zakah, and believe in Allah and the Last Day – it is they who We will give a great reward.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 162]
It is also established by a Hadīth in which Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) came out to people one day, and someone came to him and said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is faith?" He replied: "It is to believe in Allah and His angels, His book, the meeting with Him, and His messengers, and believe in the Resurrection in the Afterlife." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4777), Muslim (9), and Ibn Mājah (64)]
It is also established by reason. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {And he produced arguments against Us while forgetting his own creation. He says: "Who can give life to the bones after they have crumbled to dust?" Say: "The One Who created them in the first place will give life to them, for He has full knowledge of every created being."} [Surat Yāsīn: 78-79] He Almighty also says: {O mankind, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then We surely created you from dust, then from a drop of sperm, then from a clot, then from a lump of flesh – formed or unformed – so that We may make it clear to you [Our power]. We settle in the wombs whatever We will for an appointed term. Then We bring you out as infants, then [We nurture you] so that you may reach your maturity. Then some of you die, while others are left to reach the decrepit old age so that they may know nothing after having knowledge. You see the land lifeless, then as soon as We send down rain on it, it stirs and swells to life and brings forth every type of pleasant plant.} [Surat al-Hajj: 5] In another verse, Allah, the Exalted, says: {Are you more difficult to create or the heaven that He built?} [Surat an-Nāzi‘āt: 27] And He, Glorified be He, says: {And among His signs is that you see the land withered, but when We send down rain upon it, it stirs and swells. He Who gives it life will surely give life to the dead, for He is Most Capable of all things.} [Surat Fussilat: 39] Allah Almighty also says: {It is He Who originates the creation then repeats it, which is easier for Him.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 27] And He, Exalted be He, says: {Just as We originated the first creation, so We will bring it back. That is Our binding promise, which We will surely do.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 104]
It is called the Last Day because it will be the last day in this world. No day will follow it. It also has numerous other names. Its names include the Day of Judgment, the Day of Resurrection, the Day of Reckoning, the Day of Recompense, At-Tāmmah (the Supreme Calamity), Al-Hāqqah (the Inevitable Hour), Al-Wāqi‘ah (the Inevitable Event), As-Sākhkhah (the Deafening Blast), and Al-Ghāshiyah (the Overwhelming Event). Allah Almighty mentions the Last Day in many verses of His noble Book. Examples include the verse that says: {A Day when people will stand before the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-Mutaffifīn: 6] And the verse that reads: {The Day when they will rush out of their graves as if they are racing towards a goal.} [Surat al-Ma‘ārij: 43] And the verse that reads: {But when the Supreme Calamity comes.} [Surat an-Nāzi‘āt: 34] And the verses that read: {But when the Deafening Blast comes, on that Day everyone will flee from his sibling, and from his mother and father, and from his wife and children. On that day, everyone will have enough concern of his own.} [Surat ‘Abasa: 33-37] And the verses that read: {O mankind, fear your Lord; the earthquake of the Hour is something dreadful. On the Day when you see it, every nursing mother will abandon her baby, and every pregnant woman will miscarry. You will see people as though they are drunk, while they are not drunk, but the punishment of Allah is severe.} [Surat al-Hajj: 1-2] And the verse that reads: {When He will gather you for the Gathering Day; that is the Day of great loss.} [Surat at-Taghābun: 9]
Chapter on the Belief in the Signs of the Hour
Part of the belief in the Last Day is belief in its signs, which point to its imminence. Allah Almighty says: {Are they but waiting for the Hour to come upon them by surprise? Already [some of] its signs have appeared.} [Surat Muhammad: 18] This belongs to the unseen which we are commanded to believe in.
Some of the signs of the Hour have already appeared and finished, and these are very numerous. One of them is mentioned in the Hadīth that reads: "My advent and the Hour is like this next to that, or like these two", joining his index and middle fingers. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (5301) and Muslim (2950)] In another Hadīth, he (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Count six signs that indicate the approach of the Hour: my death, the conquest of Jerusalem, a plague that will afflict you as the plague that afflicts sheep, an increase of wealth to such an extent that even if one is given one hundred Dinars, he will still be dissatisfied..." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3176) and Ibn Mājah (4042)] The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "The Hour will not come until two big groups fight each other whereupon there will be a great number of casualties on both sides and they will be following the same religious doctrine; until about thirty dajjāls (impostors) appear, and each one of them will claim that he is the messenger of Allah; until the religious knowledge is taken away, earthquakes increase in number, time passes quickly, afflictions appear, and killing prevails; until wealth becomes so abundant that a wealthy person will worry lest nobody would accept his Zakah, and whenever he presents it to someone, he would say: 'I am not in need of it'; and until people compete with one another in constructing high buildings." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7121), Muslim (157), and At-Tirmidhi (2218)]
Other signs of the Hour have taken place and continue to exist. One of them is the occurrence of trials within the Ummah. (Numerous Hadīths reported by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim do mention trials, but they do not say explicitly that they are signs of the Hour. Hence, we have cited two Hadīths from the Sunan because they mention that clearly.) The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Before the Last Hour there will be commotions like pieces of a dark night in which a man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever in the evening, or a believer in the evening and a disbeliever in the morning. He who sits during them will be better than he who gets up, and he who walks during them is better than he who runs. So, break your bows, cut your bowstrings, and strike your swords with stones. If people come to one of you, let him be like the better one of Adam's two sons." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4259), At-Tirmidhi (2204), Ibn Mājah (3961), Ibn Aby Shaybah (30978), Ahmad (19662), and Ar-Ruwyāni (585)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Before the Last Hour there will be commotions like pieces of a dark night in which a man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever in the evening, or a believer in the evening and a disbeliever in the morning. People will sell their religion in return for some worldly gains." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (21970, Ibn Aby Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (31053) and in Al-Imān (64), and Al-Faryābi in Sifat An-Nifāq Wa Dhamm Al-Munāfiqīn (97)]
The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "The Hour will not come until about thirty dajjāls appear, and each one of them will claim that he is the messenger of Allah." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7121), Muslim (157), and At-Tirmidhi (2218)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was saying something in a gathering, a Bedouin came and asked him: "When will the Hour come?" The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) continued his talk; so some people said that the Messenger had heard the question, but did not like what that Bedouin asked. Some others said that he did not hear the question. When the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) finished his speech, he said: "Where is the one who inquired about the Hour?" The Bedouin said: "I am here, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When honesty is lost, then wait for the Hour." The Bedouin said: "How will it be lost?" The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When matters are entrusted to unfit people, then wait for the Hour." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (59)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Among the signs of the Hour is that knowledge will be taken away, ignorance will be established, alcohol will be drunk, and adultery will prevail." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (80), Muslim (2671), At-Tirmidhi (2205), and Ibn Mājah (4045)]
The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Ahead of the Hour there will be days in which ignorance will emerge, knowledge will be taken away, and killing will be widespread." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7062), Muslim (2672), At-Tirmidhi (2200), and Ibn Mājah (4050)]
Some signs of the Hour have not taken place yet. They will occur shortly before the Day of Judgment, like the descent of the Messiah, ‘Īsa, the son of Maryam (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty says: {There will be none from the People of the Book but will believe in him [upon his return] before his death; and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 159] And regarding the emergence of Gog and Magog, Allah Almighty says: {Until when Gog and Magog are let loose, swarming swiftly from every mound.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 96] And the emergence of the Beast. Allah, the Exalted, says: {When the decree [of the Hour] comes to pass against them, We will bring forth to them a beast out of the earth that will tell them that the people had no faith in Our verses.} [Surat an-Naml: 82]
Hudhayfah ibn Usayd al-Ghifāri reported: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) came to us all of a sudden as we were busy in a discussion. He said: "What are you discussing?" We said: "We are discussing the Last Hour." Thereupon, he said: "It will not come until you see ten signs ahead of it." So, he mentioned the smoke, the Anti-Christ, the Beast, the rising of the sun from the west, the descent of Jesus, the son of Maryam (peace be upon him), the Gog and Magog, and landslides in three places: one in the east, one in the west, and one in Arabia - and the last of these will be a fire that will emerge from Yemen, which will drive people to the place of their grand assembly. [Narrated by Muslim (2901), Abu Dāwūd (4311), At-Tirmidhi (2183), and Ibn Mājah (4041)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Hour will not come until the sun rises from the west, and when it rises from the west, all people will believe, and on that day {Belief will be of no benefit to those who did not believe before, or those who did not do some good through their faith.}" [Surat al-An‘ām: 158] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4635), Muslim (157), Abu Dāwūd (4312), and Ibn Mājah (4068)]
The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "By the One in Whose hand my soul is, the son of Maryam is about to descend among you as a just judge. He will break the cross, kill the pig, and lay down the tribute, and wealth will be so superfluous that none would accept it." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2222), Muslim (155), Abu Dāwūd (4324), At-Tirmidhi (2233), and Ibn Mājah (4078)]
In yet another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah did not send a prophet except that he warned his people about the one-eyed impostor; he is one-eyed, and indeed your Lord is not one-eyed. It is written between his two eyes: a disbeliever." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7408), Muslim (2933), Abu Dāwūd (4316), and At-Tirmidhi (2245)]
Chapter on the Belief in What Comes After Death
We believe that part of the belief in the Last Day is to believe that everything will perish except Allah Almighty, Who says: {Everything will perish except Him.} [Surat al-Qasas: 88] Allah Almighty also says: {Everyone on earth will perish, but there will remain the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honor.} [Surat ar-Rahmān: 26-27] And that the angel of death will take people's souls. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Say: "The angel of death, who is in charge of you, will take your souls, then to your Lord you will be brought back."} [Surat as-Sajdah: 11]
We believe in what happens after death, including the questioning of the dead and the bliss and punishment in the grave. This is indicated in a verse that says: {The Fire, which they will be exposed to [in their graves] morning and evening, and on the Day when the Hour takes place [it will be said]: "Admit the people of Pharaoh into the most severe punishment."} [Surat Ghāfir: 46] And the verse that reads: {We will punish them twice, then they will be brought back to a great punishment.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 101] And the verse that reads: {If only you could see when the angels take the souls of the disbelievers, beating their faces and their backs: "Taste the punishment of the scorching fire! This is because of what your hands have sent forth, for Allah is never unjust to [His] slaves."} [Surat al-Anfāl: 50-51] And the verse that reads: {If only you could see the wrongdoers in the throes of death while the angels are stretching out their hands [saying]: "Give up your souls! Today you will be recompensed with a disgracing punishment, because you used to tell lies against Allah and you arrogantly rejected His verses."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 93] And the verse that reads: {And for the wrongdoers, there will be another punishment before that, but most of them do not know.} [Surat at-Tūr: 47]
Al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Regarding the verse: {Allah keeps those who believe steadfast with the firm Word [of faith]} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 27] The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It was revealed in connection with the punishment of the grave. It will be said to him: 'Who is your Lord?' He will reply: 'My Lord is Allah, and my Prophet is Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).' This is the meaning of the verse that says: {Allah keeps those who believe steadfast with the firm Word [of faith] in the life of this world and in the Hereafter.}" [Surat Ibrāhīm: 27] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1369), Muslim (2871), and this is his version, At-Tirmidhi (3120), An-Nasā’i (2056 - 2057), and Ibn Mājah (4269 - 4750)]
Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach them this supplication as he used to teach them a surah from the Qur’an. “Allāhumma inna na‘ūdhu bika min ‘adhābi jahannam, wa a‘ūdhu bika min ‘adhāb al-qabr, wa a‘ūdhu bika min fitnat al-masīh ad-dajjāl, wa a‘ūdhu bika min fitnat al-mahyā wa al-mamāt.” (O Allah, we seek refuge in You from the torment of Hellfire, and I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the tribulation of the Antichrist, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death.) [Narrated by Muslim (590), Abu Dāwūd (1542), At-Tirmidhi (3494), An-Nasā’i (2063), and Ibn Mājah (3840)]
Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went through the graveyards of Madīnah and heard the voices of two humans who were being tortured in their graves. He said: “They are being tortured, and they are not being tortured for something grave; yet indeed it is grave. One of them was heedless about preventing urine from reaching his clothes, and the other one used to go about with talebearing.” Then, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked for a green palm tree leaf and split it into two pieces and placed one piece on each grave, saying: "I hope their punishment may be alleviated as long as these two have not dried." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6055), Muslim (292), Abu Dāwūd (20), At-Tirmidhi (70), An-Nasā’i (31), and Ibn Mājah (347)]
Abu Sa‘īd related: Zayd ibn Thābit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: As we were accompanying the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) while he was riding a she-mule in a garden belonging to Banu an-Najjār, the animal shied and almost dropped him. It happened that there were five or six graves there. So, he asked if anyone knew who was buried in them. A man replied that he did. He was asked when they died, and he said that they died during the period of polytheism. Then, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "These people are being afflicted in their graves, and were it not that you would cease to bury one another, I would ask Allah to let you hear the punishment in the grave which I am hearing.” Then, he turned to us and said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of Hellfire.” They said: "We seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of Hellfire.” He said: “Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave." They said: "We seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave." He said: "Seek refuge in Allah from trials, both open and secret." They said: "We seek refuge in Allah from trials, both open and secret." He said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the trial of the Antichrist." They said: "We seek refuge in Allah from the trial of the Antichrist." [Narrated by Muslim (2867)]
Abu Ayyūb (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out after the sun had set, and heard a sound. He said: "Jews are being tormented in their graves." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1375), Muslim (2869), and An-Nasā’i (2059)]
‘Ā’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Two of the old Jewish women of Madīnah came to me and said: "The people of the graves are tormented in their graves." I did not believe them, and I did not want to believe them. They left, and the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to me, and I said: "O Messenger of Allah, two of the old Jewish women of Madīnah said that the people of the graves are tormented in their graves." He said: "They spoke the truth. They are tormented in a manner that all the animals can hear." I never saw him offer any prayer after that without seeking refuge with Allah from the torment of the grave. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6366), Muslim (586), and An-Nasā’i (2067)]
As disbelievers, hypocrites, and some Muslim sinners suffer torment in the grave, believers enjoy bliss therein. Anas ibn Mālik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a man is placed in his grave and his companions leave him, he hears the steps of their sandals. Then, two angels come to him and, having made him sit up, they say: 'What was your opinion of this man, i.e. Muhammad?’ The believer replies: ‘I testify that he is the servant and Messenger of Allah.' He is then told to look at his abode in Hellfire for which Allah has substituted for him an abode in Paradise, and he sees them both. As for the hypocrite and the disbeliever, he is asked: ‘What was your opinion of this man?’ He replies: ‘I do not know. I said as other people said.’ They will say: ‘You neither knew nor did you follow.’ He will then be given a blow with iron hammers and will release a shout which will be heard by all that is near him, with the exception of men and jinn." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1374) and Muslim (7318)]
Chapter on the Belief in the Resurrection and What Comes Thereafter
We believe that when Allah Almighty decides to bring this world to an end, He commands the angel to blow the trumpet. Thereupon, all that is in the heavens and on earth will get stunned, except whom Allah wills. Our Lord, Exalted be He, says: {The Trumpet will be blown and all those in the heavens and all those on earth will get stunned, except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.} [Surat az-Zumar: 68] And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then, the trumpet will be blown and no one will hear that but he will bend his neck to one side and raise it from the other side. The first one to hear that trumpet will be the person who will be busy in setting right the tank meant for providing water to the camels. He will get stunned and the other people will also get stunned." [Narrated by Muslim (2940)] --
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Hour will come (so suddenly) that two persons spreading a garment between them will not be able to finish their bargain, nor will they be able to fold it up. The Hour will come while a man is carrying the milk of his she-camel, but cannot drink it. The Hour will come when someone is not able to prepare the tank to water his livestock from it, and the Hour will come when one of you has raised his food to his mouth but cannot eat it."
Allah Almighty will cause whomever He wills among His creation to perish, and none will remain but Him, Exalted be He. Our Lord says: {Everyone on earth will perish, but there will remain the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honor.} [Surat ar-Rahmān: 26-27] Allah Almighty also says: {Do not supplicate with Allah another god; none has the right to be worshiped except Him. Everything will perish except Him. His is the Judgment and to Him you will all be brought back.} [Surat al-Qasas: 88] In another verse, He, Exalted be He, says: {The Day when they will be brought forth, nothing about them will be hidden from Allah. [He will say]: "To whom does the dominion belong this Day? To Allah, the One, the Subjugator!"} [Surat Ghāfir: 16]
Then, Allah Almighty will send down rain out of which the bodies of people will grow. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then, Allah will send down rain which will be like drizzle, or like a shadow - Nu‘mān, a narrator of this Hadīth, is in doubt - and out of which the bodies of people will grow. Then, it will be blown a second time, and they will stand up looking on." [Narrated by Muslim (2940)]
Then, Allah, the Exalted, will command the angel to blow the trumpet a second time. He, Glorified be He, says: {Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.} [Surat az-Zumar: 68]
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrated the amount of time between the two blows. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Between the two blows, there will be forty. Everything of the human body will decay except the coccyx bone, from which Allah will reconstruct the whole body." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4814) and Muslim (2955)]
We believe in what the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told us with regard to the heavens and the earth on the Day of Judgment. Ibn Mas‘ūd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A Jewish rabbi came to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Muhammad, we learned that Allah will place the heavens on one finger, and the earths on one finger, and the trees on one finger, and the water and dust on one finger, and all other creatures on one finger. Then, He will say: 'I am the King.'" Thereupon, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) laughed until his premolar teeth became visible, in confirmation of the rabbi’s words. Then, the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited: {They did not revere Allah His true reverence. On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be in His Grip, and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified and exalted is He above all what they associate with Him!} [Surat az-Zumar: 67] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4811), Muslim (2786), and At-Tirmidhi (3238)]
We believe that people will be resurrected from their graves. Allah Almighty will bring life back to the dead upon the second blow of the trumpet. Then, they will stand before the Lord of all the worlds. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {Then after that you will surely die, then on the Day of Resurrection you will surely be resurrected.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 15-16] Allah Almighty also says: {The Trumpet will be blown [again], and at once they will rush from their graves to their Lord. They will say, “Woe to us! Who has resurrected us from our resting place?” [They will be told,] “This is what the Most Compassionate promised, and the messengers told the truth.” It will only be a single Blast, and at once they will all be brought before Us.} [Surat Yāsīn: 51-53]
And He, Glorified be He, says: {Indeed, it is We Who give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritors [of all things]. We surely know those of you who have gone before and those who are yet to come. It is your Lord Who will gather them together. He is All-Wise, All-Knowing.} [Surat al-Hijr: 23-25]
In another verse, He Almighty says: {They say: "What! When we are turned into bones and dust, will we really be resurrected as a new creation?" Say: "Be you stones or iron, or any other substance you think is harder to bring back to life." They will then say: "Who will bring us back [to life]?" Say: "The One Who created you the first time." They will shake their heads at you and say: "When will that be?" Say: "Perhaps it is soon." On the Day when He calls you, you will respond by praising Him, thinking that you had not stayed [on earth] except for a little while.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 49-52] Allah Almighty also says: {Whoever Allah guides is truly guided; and whoever He causes to stray, you will find none to protect them besides Him. On the Day of Resurrection, We will gather [and drag] them on their faces – deaf, dumb and blind. Their abode will be Hell; every time it subsides, We will flare it up for them. That will be their recompense because they rejected Our verses and said: "What! When we are turned into bones and crumbled particles, will we really be raised as a new creation?" Do they not see that Allah, Who created the heavens and earth, is able to create the like of them? He has decreed for them an appointed time, about which there is no doubt, yet the wrongdoers persist in denial.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 97-99] And Allah, the Exalted, says: {But when the promise of the Hereafter comes, We will bring you all together.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 104] So numerous are the verses that affirm the Resurrection.
We believe that Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) will be the first one to come out of the grave. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I will be the chief of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgment, the first one for whom the grave will be split open, and the first intercessor and the first one whose intercession will be accepted." [Narrated by Muslim (2278) and Abu Dāwūd (4673)]
The first one to regain his consciousness will be the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). In a Hadīth, he said: "Do not give me preference over Mūsa, for the people will fall unconscious on the Day of Resurrection and I will be the first to regain consciousness, and behold! Mūsa will be there holding the side of Allah's Throne. I will not know whether Mūsa has been among those people who have become unconscious and then has regained consciousness before me, or has been among those exempted by Allah from falling unconscious." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2441) and Muslim (2373)]
The first one to be clothed will be Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him). The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The first one to be clothed on the Day of Judgment will be Ibrāhīm." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3349), Muslim (2860), At-Tirmidhi (2423), and An-Nasā'i (2082)]
People will be resurrected barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "People will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment, barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6527), Muslim (2859), An-Nasā’i (2083), and Ibn Mājah (4276)]
We believe that the earth on which people will be resurrected is different from this earth. Allah, the Exalted, says: {The Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will the heavens, and all will appear before Allah, the One, the Subjugator.} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 48]
The land of resurrection will be white. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The people will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection on a white land with a reddish tinge like the loaf of white bread." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6521) and Muslim (2790)]
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The earth will turn to be a single bread on the Day of Resurrection and the Almighty Lord will turn it in His Hand as one of you turns a loaf while on a journey." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6520) and Muslim (2792)]
As to where humankind will be as the earth will turn into another one and the heavens too, there are authentic Hadīths that tell about that. Thawbān, the Prophet's freed slave, reported: A Jewish rabbi came to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "Where will the human beings be on the Day when the earth will change into another earth and the heavens too?" The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "They will be in darkness beside the Bridge." [Narrated by Muslim (315)]
‘Ā’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the verse that reads: {The Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will the heavens} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 48], as to where the people will be on that Day, O Messenger of Allah? He said: "On the Sirāt (the Bridge)." [Narrated by Muslim (2791)]
We know that this Day is a very momentous one. Allah Almighty says: {Do they really not think that they will be resurrected for a momentous Day?} [Surat al-Mutaffifīn: 4-5] He Almighty also says: {O mankind, fear your Lord; the earthquake of the Hour is something dreadful.} [Surat al-Hajj: 1]
It equals fifty thousand years, as authentically reported. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No owner of a treasure who does not pay zakah will be spared, for his treasure will be heated in the Fires of Hell and then made into plates. His flanks and his forehead will be branded with them until Allah pronounces judgment on His servants during a day lasting fifty thousand years by your measure, and he will see his path leading either to Paradise or to Hellfire." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2371), Muslim (987), Abu Dāwūd (1658), At-Tirmidhi (1636), An-Nasā’i (3563), and Ibn Mājah (2788)]
On that Day, the sun will draw close to the earth. Abu ’Umāmah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, the sun will draw so close to the people that there will be left only a distance of one mile." Sulaym ibn ‘Āmir said: "By Allah, I do not know whether he meant by 'mile' the mile of the earth or an instrument used for applying kohl to the eye." He said: "The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their knees, some up to their waist, and some will be totally bridled by perspiration." [Narrated by Muslim (2864) and At-Tirmidhi (2421)]
The believers will be shielded from the heat of the sun by virtue of their good deeds. Some will be covered by the shade of the Throne, as related in a Hadīth that reads: "There are seven types of people whom Allah will cover in His shade on a Day there will be no shade but His shade." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (660) and Muslim (1031)]
Some will be shaded by Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Āl ‘Imrān, which will plead for those who recite them. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the two bright ones, Al-Baqarah and Āl ‘Imrān, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surat al-Baqarah, for taking recourse to it is a blessing and abandoning it is a cause of grief, and magicians cannot confront it." [Narrated by Muslim (804)] Some will be shaded by the shade of their truthfulness. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Everyone will be in the shade of his truthfulness until judgment is passed among people." [Narrated by Ahmad (17333), Abu Ya‘la (1766), Ibn Khuzaymah (2431), Ibn Hibbān (3310); classified as Sahīh (Authentic) by Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibbān]
Chapter on Intercession on the Day of Judgment and the Coming of the Lord to Judge among His Servants
We believe that intercession belongs to Allah Almighty alone. He, Exalted be He, says: {Say: "All intercession belongs to Allah alone. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth, then to Him you will be returned."} [Surat az-Zumar: 44]
We believe that no one will intercede with Allah Almighty without His permission. Our Lord says: {Who is there that can intercede with Him except with His permission?} [Surat al-Baqarah: 255] Intercessors will not intercede except for those with whose speech and deeds the Most Compassionate is pleased. Allah Almighty says: {They cannot intercede except for whom He pleases, and they are fearful in awe of Him.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 28] Allah Almighty also says: {On that day, no intercession will be of any use except to whom the Most Compassionate gave permission and approved his word.} [Surat Tāha: 109]
We believe that the luckiest ones to receive the intercession of intercessors are the people of sincerity and monotheism. In a Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) asked: "O Messenger of Allah, who are the luckiest people to have your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?" He (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I thought, O Abu Hurayrah, that no one would ask me about this Hadīth before you, given what I saw of your keenness on learning Hadīths. The luckiest people to have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection are those who say 'No one is worthy of being worshiped except Allah' sincerely from their heart, or from their soul." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (99, 6570)]
We believe that the disbelievers will not receive the intercession of intercessors. Allah, the Exalted, says: {So the intercession of intercessors will not benefit them.} [Surat al-Muddaththir: 48]
We believe that Allah Almighty will allow intercession for whomever He wills from among His servants, in honor of the intercessor and out of mercy towards the one for whom the intercession is made. We know that the noblest of all intercessors on the Day of Judgment will be Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He will intercede for us for several purposes, the greatest of which will be his intercession for all people assembled so that their judgment could begin. This is Al-Maqām al-Mahmood (praised status), which Allah Almighty mentions in His Book, saying: {And wake up during the night and pray, as an additional prayer for you [O Prophet], so your Lord may raise you to a praised status.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 79] A Hadīth reported by Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) partly reads: "He will intercede with Allah to judge amongst the people. He will proceed on until he holds the ring of the door (of Paradise) and then Allah will exalt him to the praised status, which will be praised by all the assembled people." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1475)] The Hadīth mentions the intercession for beginning the judgment, and Allah Almighty informs that He, out of His bounty, will decide the judgment, as revealed in a verse that says: {Are they waiting that Allah should come to them in shadows of clouds, along with the angels? But then the matter would be decided. And to Allah return all matters.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 210] And He, Exalted be He, says: {And your Lord comes with the angels, rank after rank.} [Surat al-Fajr: 22] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {Are they waiting for the coming of the angels, or the coming of your Lord, or the coming of some of your Lord’s signs?} [Surat al-An‘ām: 158]
Then, there will come the intercession for the people of Paradise to enter Paradise. These intercessions are mentioned in numerous authentic mass-transmitted Hadīths, like the Hadīth reported by Anas (May Allah be pleased with him), in which the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, people will surge with one another like waves, and they will come to Adam and say: 'Intercede for us with your Lord.' He will say: 'I am not fit for that, but go to Ibrāhīm as he is the close friend of the Most Compassionate.' They will go to Ibrāhīm and he will say: 'I am not fit for that, but go to Mūsa as he is the one to whom Allah spoke directly.' So, they will go to Mūsa and he will say: 'I am not fit for that, but go to ‘Īsa as he is a soul created by Allah and His Word.' They will go to ‘Īsa and he will say: 'I am not fit for that, but go to Muhammad.' They will come to me and I will say: 'I am for that.' Then, I will ask for my Lord's permission, and it will be given, and then He will inspire me to praise Him with such praises that I do not know now. So, I will praise Him with those praises and will fall down in prostration before Him. Then, it will be said: 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted your request; and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say: 'O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah!' And then it will be said: 'Go and take out of Hellfire all those who have faith in their hearts equal to the weight of a barley grain.' I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall down before Him. Then it will be said: 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted your request; and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say: 'O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah!' It will be said: 'Go and take out of it all those who have faith in their hearts equal to the weight of a small ant or a mustard seed.' I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall down in prostration before Him. It will be said: 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted your request; and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say: 'O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah!' Then, He will say: 'Go and take out all those in whose hearts there is faith even to the lightest, lightest mustard seed - out of Hellfire.' I will go and do so." When we left Anas, I said to some of my companions: "Let's pass by Al-Hasan who is hiding himself in the house of Abu Khalīfa and request him to tell us about what Anas ibn Mālik has told us." So, we went to him and we greeted him and he admitted us. We said to him: "O Abu Sa‘īd, we came to you from your brother Anas ibn Mālik and he related to us a Hadīth about the intercession the like of which I have never heard." He said: "What is that?" Then, we told him the Hadīth and said: "He stopped at this point." He said: "What then?" We said: "He did not add anything to that." He said: "Anas related the Hadīth to me twenty years ago when he was a young fellow. I don't know whether he forgot or he did not like that you might depend on what he had to say." We said: "O Abu Sa‘īd, let us know that." He smiled and said: "Man was created hasty. I did not mention that except because I wanted to inform you about it. Anas told me the same as he told you and said that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) added: 'I then return for a fourth time and praise Him with the same praises, and fall down in prostration before Him. Then it will be said: 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted your request; and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say: 'O Lord, allow me to intercede for whoever said: 'No one is worthy of being worshiped except Allah.'' Then, Allah will say: 'By My Power, My Majesty, My Supremacy, and My Greatness, I will take out of Hellfire whoever said: 'No one is worthy of being worshiped except Allah.''" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7510), Muslim (193), and Ibn Mājah (4312)]
In another similar Hadīth reported Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said in its last part: "'Go to Muhammad.' They will come to me and say: 'O Muhammad, you are the Messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets. Allah forgave you all your previous and later sins. Intercede for us with your Lord. Do you not see in which trouble we are? Do you not see what (misfortune) has overtaken us?' I will then set off and come below the Throne and fall down in prostration before my Lord. Then, Allah will reveal to me and inspire me with some of His Praises and Glorifications which He had not revealed to anyone before me. He will then say: 'O Muhammad, raise your head; ask and it will be granted; and intercede and your intercession will be accepted.' I will then raise my head and say: 'O my Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah!' It will be said: 'O Muhammad, let in from the right gate of Paradise those of your Ummah who have no account to render. They will share the other gates with the people.' By the One in Whose Hand Muhammad's life is, the distance between two gate shutters of Paradise is as great as between Makkah and Hajar, or as between Makkah and Busra." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3340) and Muslim (194)]
In another Hadīth reported by Anas ibn Mālik (May Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I will be the first intercessor in Paradise. No prophet was believed (by as many people) as I was believed. Among the prophets was a prophet who was not believed except by one man from his nation." [Narrated by Muslim (196) and Ad-Dārimi (52)]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every prophet had an invocation which he made and was answered; and I reserved my invocation to intercede on behalf of my Ummah on the Day of Judgment." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6305)] In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every prophet had an invocation that would be readily answered, and I want to reserve my invocation to intercede for my Ummah in the Hereafter." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6304), Muslim (199), At-Tirmidhi (3602), and Ibn Mājah (4307)]
We believe that as Allah Almighty honored Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) with the intercession, He also honored the prophets, the angels, and the believers. Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, will say: 'The angels interceded, the prophets interceded, and the believers interceded, and none remained but the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.' So, He will take a handful from Hellfire, and there will come out of it people who never did any good." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7439) and Muslim (183)]
Chapter on the Presentation, Reckoning, and Distribution of Books
We believe that everyone will be given their records. Some will receive it with their right hands, as Allah Almighty says: {As for the one who is given his Record in his right hand, he will say: "Here is my Record, read it!"} [Surat al-Hāqqah: 19]
And some will take their records with the left hand. Allah, the Exalted, says: {As for the one who is given his Record in his left hand, he will say: "Would that I had not been given my Record."} [Surat al-Hāqqah: 25] Or they will take their records from behind their backs. The Almighty Lord says: {But whoever is given his Record from behind his back.} [Surat al-Inshiqāq: 10] It will be said to him: {Read your record; this Day you are sufficient to take account of yourself.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 14] Allah Almighty also says: {And the record [of deeds] will be placed before them, and you will see the wicked scared of what it contains. They will say: "Woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing, small or big, except that it has recorded it?" They will find all what they did before them, and your Lord does not wrong anyone.} [Surat al-Kahf: 49]
We believe that we will be brought forth before Allah Almighty Who says: {On that day, you will be brought forth [before Allah], and none of your secrets will remain hidden.} [Surat al-Hāqqah: 18] Allah Almighty also says: {They will be presented before your Lord in rows: "Now you have come to Us as We created you the first time, although you claimed that We would never appoint a time for your return."} [Surat al-Kahf: 48] ‘Adiyy ibn Hātim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There will be none among you but his Lord will talk to him, and there will be no interpreter between him and Allah. He will look to his right and see nothing but his deeds which he has sent forward, and will look to his left and see nothing but his deeds which he has sent forward, and will look to his front and see nothing but Hellfire facing him. So, save yourself from Hellfire even with half a date (given in charity)." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6539) and Muslim (1016)]
We believe in the reckoning, and that Allah Almighty will hold His servants accountable. He, Exalted be He, says: {Indeed, to Us is their return, then it is for Us to call them to account.} [Surat al-Ghāshiyah: 25-26] So, whoever finds something good should praise Allah Almighty, and whoever finds something else should blame none but himself. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) quoted Allah Almighty as saying: "O My servants, it is but your deeds that I record for you and then give you the full recompense for them. So, whoever finds something good should praise Allah, and whoever finds something else should blame none but himself." [Narrated by Muslim (2577)]
Allah Almighty is swift in reckoning. He, Glorified be He, says: {Today every soul will be recompensed for what it has earned; no injustice Today! Allah is swift in reckoning.} [Surat Ghāfir: 17]
We believe that some of the believers will enter Paradise without reckoning. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Seventy thousand of my Ummah will enter Paradise without reckoning..." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (5811) and Muslim (216), and this is his wording]
Allah's reckoning of His servants has different levels and conditions. Some of them will face a hard reckoning, while others will pass through an easy one. Allah Almighty says: {Whoever is given his Record in his right hand, he will have an easy reckoning.} [Surat al-Inshiqāq: 7-8]
‘Ā’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No one will be called to account on the Day of Judgment but he will be ruined." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6537) and Muslim (2876)] I said: "O Messenger of Allah, does not Allah Almighty say: {Whoever is given his Record in his right hand, he will have an easy reckoning?"} [Surat al-Inshiqāq: 7-8] In response, the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "That is only the presentation of accounts, but none will be called to account on the Day of Judgment but he will be punished." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6537)] No one will be wronged on that Day. Allah, the Exalted, says: {And fear the Day when you will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be rewarded in full for what it has earned, and none will be wronged.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 281]
The first nation to be brought to account on the Day of Judgment is the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who said: "We are the last of the people of this world but we will be the first on the Day of Judgment and the first to be judged before all creations." [Narrated by Muslim (856)]
Bloodshed will be the first thing to be judged among people. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The first matter concerning which judgment will be given among the people on the Day of Resurrection will be bloodshed." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6864) and Muslim (1678)]
We believe that the witnesses will be brought forth on that Day. The angels will testify, so will the earth about what the people had done thereupon. The body organs will also give testimony. Allah Almighty says: {We will surely help Our messengers and those who believe in the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will come forward.} [Surat Ghāfir: 51] Allah Almighty also says: {The earth will shine with the light of its Lord, the record of deeds will be placed, the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forth, and judgment will be passed between them with fairness, and they will not be wronged.} [Surat az-Zumar: 69] And He, Exalted be He, says: {On that Day it will recount all its news.} [Surat az-Zalzalah: 4] In another verse, He Almighty says: {Today We will seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify to all what they used to do.} [Surat Yāsīn: 65]
In a Hadīth reported by Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned the testimony of people's body organs against themselves. He said: "... Then, it will be said to him: 'Now, we will bring forth our witness against you.' He will think to himself: 'Who could be that one who testifies against me?' A seal will be put on his mouth, and it will be said to his thigh, flesh, and bones: 'Speak!' So, his thigh, flesh, and bones will speak and tell about his deeds. Thus, he will find no excuse for himself. That is the hypocrite. That is the one with whom Allah will be displeased." [Narrated by Muslim (2968)]
Anas ibn Mālik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: As we were in the Prophet's company, he laughed, and said: "Do you know why I laughed?" We said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "It was because of the talk which the servant will have with his Lord. He will say: 'My Lord, have you not guaranteed me protection against injustice?' He will say: 'Yes.' The servant will say: 'I do not deem valid any witness against me but my own self.' He will say: 'Well, sufficient will be the witness of yourself against you and that of the two angels who had been appointed to record your deeds.' Then, the seal will be set upon his mouth and it will be said to his hands and feet to speak and they will speak of his deeds. Then, he will be made free to talk, and he will say: 'Be away! Let there be the curse of Allah upon you! It was for your safety that I was contending.'" [Narrated by Muslim (2969)]
Chapter on the Belief in the Scales
We believe that Allah Almighty will place the scales to weigh people's deeds. He, Exalted be He, says: {We will place the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection, and no soul will be wronged in the least. Even if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. Sufficient are We as Reckoners.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 47] Allah Almighty also says: {The weighing [of deeds] on that Day will be true and just. Those whose scales [of good deeds] are heavy, it is they who will be the successful. But those whose scales are light, it is they who have lost their own souls, because they wrongfully rejected Our verses.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 8-9] It is a real scale with two pans and a pivot, and it will weigh people's deeds.
We believe that deeds will be placed on the scales. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are two phrases which are light for the tongue, heavy on the scale, and dear to the Most Compassionate: 'Subhān Allah wa bihamdihi; subhān Allah al-‘Azhīm' (Glory and praise be to Allah; glory be to Allah, the Most Great)." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6682), Muslim (2694), At-Tirmidhi (3467), and Ibn Mājah (3806)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Purification is half of faith, and al-hamdulillāh (praise to Allah) fills the scale." [Narrated by Muslim (223), At-Tirmidhi (3517), An-Nasā’i (2437), and Ibn Mājah (280)]
We know that a person will be placed on the scale along with his deeds. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, there will be brought forth a bulky person whose value to Allah will be less than that of the wing of a mosquito." And he said: "Recite: {And We will give no weight to them on the Day of Resurrection."} [Surat al-Kahf: 105] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4729) and Muslim (2785)] Also, the records of deeds will be placed on the scales, as indicated by the Hadīth of the Card. [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2639), Ibn Mājah (4300), Ibn al-Mubārak in Al-Musnad (100) and in Az-Zuhd (2/109), and Ahmad (6994)]
Chapter on the Belief in the Cistern
We believe that there is a cistern for Prophet Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), which his Ummah will converge on. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {We have surely given you [O Prophet] Al-Kawthar.} [Surat al-Kawthar: 1]
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day as the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting amongst us, he dozed off, and then he raised his head smiling. We said: "What makes you smile, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "A surah has just been revealed to me; and he recited: {We have surely given you [O Prophet] Al-Kawthar; so pray and sacrifice to your Lord alone. Indeed, the one who hates you is truly cut off} [Surat al-Kawthar: 1-3]. Then, he said: "Do you know what the Kawthar is?" We said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "It is a river which my Lord, Exalted and Glorified be He, has promised me, and there is an abundance of good in it. It is a cistern to which my Ummah will come on the Day of Resurrection, and its tumblers will be as numerous as the stars. A person will be turned away from among them. I will say: 'O My Lord, he is one of my Ummah!' Thereupon, He will say: 'You do not know what he newly introduced to the religion after you.'" [Narrated by Muslim (400)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "My Cistern would take a month's journey to cross it. Its water is whiter than milk, its smell is nicer than musk, and its drinking cups are as numerous as the stars of the sky; whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6579) and Muslim (2292)]
He (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "My Cistern has its dimensions wider than the distance between Ayla and Aden, and its water is whiter than ice and sweeter than honey diluted with milk, and its cups are more numerous than the stars. Verily, I shall prevent people therefrom just as a man prevents the camels of the people from his fountain." They said: "O Messenger of Allah, will you recognize us on that day?" He said: "Yes, you will have distinctive marks which nobody among the nations will have; you will come to me with a bright forehead and bright hands and feet on account of the traces of ablution." [Narrated by Muslim (247)]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "While I was sleeping, a group was brought close to me, and when I recognized them, a man came out from between me and them and said: 'Come along.' I asked: 'Where?' He said: 'To Hellfire, by Allah.' I asked: 'What is wrong with them?' He said: 'They turned apostate as renegades after you left.' Then behold! (Another) group was brought close to me, and when I recognized them, a man came out from between me and them and said: 'Come along.' I asked: 'Where?' He said: 'To Hellfire, by Allah.' I asked: 'What is wrong with them?' He said: 'They turned apostate as renegades after you left.' So, I did not see anyone of them escaping except a few who were like camels without a shepherd." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6587)]
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was taken for the journey of Mi‘rāj (ascension) to the heaven, he said: "I came upon a river the banks of which were made of tents of hollow pearls. I asked: 'What is this, O Jibrīl?' He said: 'This is the river of Kawthar.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4964)]
Chapter on the Sirāt (bridge) and the Recompense
We believe that the Sirāt will be erected above Hellfire, and it will be slippery. People will pass over it in accordance with their deeds. It has hooks like As-Sa‘dān thorns, which will snatch people according to their deeds. The first to cross this bridge will be our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered and He will order the people to follow what they used to worship. Some of them will follow the sun, some will follow the moon, and some will follow other deities; and only this Ummah will be left, along with its hypocrites. Allah will come to them and say: 'I am your Lord.' They will say: 'We will stay in this place until our Lord comes to us and when our Lord comes, we will recognize Him.' Then, Allah will come to them again and say: 'I am your Lord.' They will say: 'You are our Lord.' Allah will call them, and the Sirāt will be laid across Hellfire, and I will be the first amongst the messengers to cross it with my Ummah. Only the messengers will be able to speak on that Day, and they will be saying: 'O Allah, save us. O Allah, save us!'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (806), Muslim (182), Abu Dāwūd (4730), At-Tirmidhi (2554), and Ibn Mājah (178)]
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then, the bridge will be laid across Hellfire." We said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is the bridge?" He said: "It is a slippery bridge on which there are clamps and hooks like a thorny seed that is wide at one side and narrow at the other and has thorns with bent ends. Such a thorny seed is found in Najd and is called As-Sa‘dān. Some of the believers will cross the bridge as quickly as the blink of an eye, some others as quickly as lightning, a strong wind, fast horses, or she-camels. So, some will be safe without any harm; some will be safe after receiving some scratches, and some will fall down into Hellfire. The last person will cross by being dragged all the way." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7439)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And on the sides of the Sirat hooks will be suspended ready to catch those it will be ordered to catch. There will be those who suffer scratches and be saved and others who will pile up in Hellfire." [Narrated by Muslim (195)]
Abu az-Zubayr related that he heard Jabir ibn ‘Abdullāh (May Allah be pleased with him) who was asked about the arrival of people on the Day of Resurrection, and he said: "We will come on the Day of Resurrection like this and like that... Then, the people will be summoned along with their idols whom they worshiped, one after another. Then, our Lord will come to us and say: 'Who are you waiting for?' They will say: 'We are waiting for our Lord.' He will say: 'I am your Lord.' They will say: '(We are not sure) until we look at You.' He will manifest Himself to them smiling and will go along with them and they will follow Him; and everyone, whether a hypocrite or a believer, will be endowed with a light, and there will be spikes and hooks on the bridge of Hellfire, which will catch hold of those whom Allah wills. Then, the light of the hypocrites will be extinguished, and the believers will attain salvation." [Narrated by Muslim (191)]
When the believers pass the Sirāt and are saved therefrom, they will be held over a vault between Paradise and Hellfire. Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The believers, after being saved from Hellfire, will be stopped at a bridge between Paradise and Hellfire and mutual retaliation will be established among them regarding wrongs they have committed in the world against one another. After they are cleansed and purified, they will be admitted into Paradise; and by Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, every one of them will know his dwelling in Paradise better than he knew his dwelling in this world." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6535)]
Chapter on Paradise and Hellfire
We believe that Paradise and Hellfire are the abodes of recompense. The dwellers of Paradise and Hellfire are described in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, along with their dwellings, drinks, foods, and clothes.
We believe that both are already created and exist now, and that Adam (peace be upon him) used to live in the Garden of Eternity. Allah Almighty says: {O Adam, dwell in Paradise, you and your wife, and eat from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, or else you will both be among the wrongdoers.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 19] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Adam and Mūsa debated. Mūsa said to him: 'O Adam, you are our father; you have deprived us and caused us to be expelled from Paradise because of your sin.' Adam said to him: 'O Mūsa, Allah chose you for His speech, and he wrote the Torah for you with His own Hand. Are you blaming me for something which Allah decreed for me forty years before He created me?' Thus, Adam won the argument with Mūsa; thus, Adam won the argument with Mūsa; thus, Adam won the argument with Mūsa." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6614), Muslim (2652), Abu Dāwūd (4701), At-Tirmidhi (2134), and Ibn Mājah (80)]
Paradise is the abode of bliss. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. How excellent is the reward of those who do [righteous] deeds!} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 136] Allah Almighty increases our desire for the bliss of Paradise, saying: {No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.} [Surat as-Sajdah: 17]
We believe that the greatest bliss in Paradise is to see the countenance of Allah Almighty. He, Exalted be He, says: {On that Day some faces will be bright, looking at their Lord.} [Surat al-Qiyāmah: 22-23] He, Glorified be He, also says: {No indeed! On that Day they will be barred from seeing their Lord.} [Surat al-Mutaffifīn: 15] Sohaib ar-Rūmi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the dwellers of Paradise enter Paradise, Allah Almighty will ask: ‘Do you want Me to give you anything more?’ They will say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Hellfire?’ He will then remove the veil, and of all the things they were given, nothing will be dearer to them than looking at their Lord." [Narrated by Muslim (181)]
We believe that Paradise has different ranks. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned the lowest and highest ranks of the dwellers of Paradise; he said: "Mūsa asked his Lord: 'Who among the dwellers of Paradise is the lowest in rank?' He said: 'A man who will come after the dwellers of Paradise have been admitted into it. It will be said to him: 'Enter Paradise.' He will say: 'My Lord, how, while the people have settled in their dwellings and taken their shares?' It will be said to him: 'Would you be pleased if there were for you like the kingdom of a king amongst the kings of the world?' He will say: 'I am pleased, my Lord.' He will say: 'For you is that, and the like of it, and the like of it, and the like of it, and the like of it.' Upon the fifth time, he said: 'I am pleased, my Lord.' He will say: 'That is for you and ten times like it; and you will have what your soul desires and your eyes relish.' He will say: 'I am pleased, my Lord.'' He said: 'My Lord, what about those of them who have the highest rank?' He said: 'They are those whom I choose. I establish their honor with my Hand and put a seal on it, (giving them) what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has perceived.'" He said: This is confirmed by the verse that says: {No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.} [Surat as-Sajdah: 17] [Narrated by Muslim (189)]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The lowest in rank among you in Paradise will be told: 'Desire (whatever you like)'. He will express his desire and repeatedly express a desire. He will say to him: 'Have you expressed your desire?' He will say: 'Yes.' Then, He will say: 'You will have what you desire and the like of it along with it.'" [Narrated by Muslim (182)]
We know that Paradise has eight gates. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever says, 'I bear witness that none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah, alone, with no partner, and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger; that ‘Īsa is Allah's Slave and His Apostle and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hellfire is true,' Allah will admit him into Paradise from any of its eight gates he likes." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3435) and Muslim (28)]
We know that the abode of bliss comprises several gardens. Allah Almighty says: {For those who fear of standing before their Lord will be two Gardens.} [Surat ar-Rahmān: 46] And He Almighty says: {And besides these two there will be two other gardens.} [Surat ar-Rahmān: 62] And the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Two gardens, the utensils and the contents of which are of silver, and two other gardens, the utensils and contents of which are of gold. And nothing will prevent the people who will be in the Garden of Eden from seeing their Lord except the curtain of Majesty over His Face."
We believe that the bliss of Paradise is everlasting and ceaseless. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever enters Paradise will find bliss and will not suffer, his clothes will not wear out, and his youth will not decay."
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A caller will call out: 'You will be healthy and never be ill; you will have life and never die; you will be young and never grow old; and you will live in bliss and never suffer. This is the meaning of the verse that says: {They will be called: 'This is Paradise that you are made to inherit for what you used to do.'"} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 43]
Allah Almighty provides information about Hellfire and its distinct types of punishment and torment. He, Exalted be He, says: {We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire which will encompass them like the walls. If they cry for relief, they will be relieved with water like boiling oil that will scald the faces. What a terrible drink, and what a terrible resting place!} [Surat al-Kahf: 29] Allah Almighty also says: {Melting all that is in their bellies and their skins. And for [striking] them, there will be maces of iron.} [Surat al-Hajj: 20-21] And He Almighty says: {Those who reject Our verses, We will cast them into the Fire. Whenever their skins are burnt through, We will replace them with fresh skins, so that they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surat an-Nisā': 56]
We believe that Hellfire has different layers of depth. Our Lord pointed out that the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of Hellfire. He, Exalted be He, says: {Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire, and you will never find for them any helper.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 145] It is mentioned in the Qur’an that it has seven gates. Allah, the Exalted, says: {It has seven gates; each gate will have its allotted share of them.} [Surat al-Hijr: 44]. It is the abode of enduring punishment. The Almighty Lord says: {Those who disbelieve and do wrong, Allah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to a way except the way of Hell, abiding therein forever. And that is easy for Allah.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 168-169]
Book of the Belief in Predestination
Abstract
We believe in the divine predestination and decree and know with certainty that this belief is the sixth pillar of faith. Indeed, belief in predestination is part of the belief in Allah because predestination is part of Allah's knowledge, determination, management, will, and creation.
Muslims unanimously agree that the belief in predestination is one of the pillars of faith.
We know that the belief in predestination includes the belief in Allah's comprehensive and all-inclusive knowledge and that Allah encompasses all things, great or small, in His knowledge; and that there is nothing that exists or is yet to exist except that it had been recorded in the Preserved Tablet, with all details, like its form, number, amount, the time it will come into existence, and how it will come to an end.
And we know that He, Exalted be He, knows what existed, what will exist, and how what does not exist would be like if it did exist; and that Allah Almighty had written the predestination of all creatures fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and His Throne was above water.
We believe that Allah Almighty has written all that exists in a Preserved Book.
We believe that Allah Almighty writes whatever He wishes and erases or affirms whatever He wishes, and with Him is the Master Book.
We believe that nothing happens except according to Allah's predestination and decree and nothing can be averted except as He predestined and decreed. All that He predestined will surely happen, and what He did not predestine, none could make it happen. All creation cannot do anything not predestined by our Lord or avert something predestined by Him, Exalted be He. Whatever misses a person would not have befallen him and whatever befalls him would not have missed him.
We believe that whatever Allah wills comes to pass and whatever He does not will does not happen, and that His will is absolute; and that nothing happens in His dominion except if He wills it. We believe that people have wills in reality, and they are subject to Allah's will.
We believe that Allah Almighty guides whomever He wills by His grace and abandons whomever He wills by His justice. He is not questioned about what He does, but we are questioned. Any good deed a person performs is due to Allah's help, and any sin he commits is caused by his previous abandonment of Allah and by Allah; the blissful are those for whom bliss is already predestined and the miserable are those for whom misery is already predestined. All deeds of people, good and bad, are acts on their part, yet they are predestined by their Creator.
We believe that Allah Almighty loves good deeds and the doers of good, and we believe that He Almighty dislikes wickedness and the wicked, and that when Allah, the Exalted, wills good for someone, He guides him to the things dear and pleasing to Him, and when He wills otherwise for someone, He establishes the proof against him and then punishes him, justly.
We believe that Allah Almighty does not enjoin immoral or shameful acts and does not approve of disbelief for His servants.
We believe that Allah is the Creator of everything and that He created people and created their actions. And we believe that He has no partner in the creation just as He has no partner in the dominion. As an argument to His servants, He states that He alone is the Creator. Since He is the sole Creator, it is not for anyone to claim to be His partner in the creation.
We believe that there is no contradiction between the Shariah, the command, and the creation, for the creation and the command belong to Allah Almighty alone. Just as He does whatever He wills, and is not questioned about His actions, He commands, and no one can stop His judgment or reverse His command.
We believe that Allah Almighty determined the destiny of all creatures fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth. Nonetheless, He commanded people to obey Him and obey His messengers and prophets and forbade them from disobeying Him or disobeying His messengers and prophets. In His Book, Allah Almighty expounds on His predestination along with the command to follow His revelation and injunctions. Our Lord points out that it is our duty to follow guidance, and that He guides whomever He wills by His grace and misguides whomever He wills by His justice. He, Exalted be He, combines with His mention of His general Will, His warning to the violators, and His command to His believing servants to worship Him and rely upon Him. Combining belief in divine predestination and acting upon the Shariah are possible and within people's reach. Allah, the Exalted, also points out that He does not burden anyone beyond his capacity.
We believe that as there is no contradiction between the creation, the command, and the Shariah, there is also no contradiction between the Shariah, the command, and reason. Everything commanded or prohibited by Allah Almighty or His Messenger (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) or predestined or stated by Allah, the Exalted, does not run counter to reason. On the contrary, it is quite reasonable and perfectly wise.
We believe that Allah Almighty revealed the books and sent the messengers to establish the argument against humankind. This Shariah, the command, and predestination are completing one another and lie at the height of excellence. Nothing is more excellent than them.
Allah Almighty praises His Book, which comprises the legislation and the command, and describes it as the best speech. Everything Allah Almighty has legislated or predestined is perfect and excellent, whether our minds can grasp it or not. We should not make our minds and views judges over Allah's Shariah and predestination, by approving of it sometimes and disproving it at other times. Indeed, all that is legislated and predestined by our Lord is at the pinnacle of beauty and perfection.
We believe that the Shariah and divine predestination are all good. Allah Almighty would not predestine sheer evil. Evil falls under general predestination and it is mentioned in the Qur’an as being attributed to those who perpetrate it. Out of politeness, we should not attribute evil to Allah, Exalted be He.
We believe that pursuing the proper means does not contradict belief in predestination; rather, it is a sign of perfect belief in the divine decree and predestination. Our Lord commands us to seek the proper means, and one of the best means is supplication. Our Lord commands us to supplicate to Him, though destiny had already been determined.
We believe that Allah Almighty enjoins justice and administers justice through His Shariah, predestination, and recompense, and He negates injustice from Himself and affirms His perfect justice.
We believe that the precedence of the divine predestination and decree does not mean injustice to people, for Allah Almighty revealed the books and sent the messengers, so that people may have no excuse before Him after the coming of the messengers. He, Almighty made destiny a hidden secret and gave people free will. So, whoever is guided - it is for his own benefit, and whoever goes astray, only goes astray to his detriment.
We believe that it is not permissible for a person to cite predestination as an excuse for committing sins or abandoning virtuous deeds. Allah Almighty declared that the polytheists who cited predestination as an excuse for them to fall into polytheism were liars and He made them taste His punishment. If predestination were an excuse for them to fall into polytheism, Allah Almighty would not have made them taste His punishment.
We believe that a person may cite predestination as an excuse for committing sins after repenting, and to likewise cite it as far as afflictions are concerned.
We believe that if the believer leaves the affair to Allah Almighty, turns to Him, and says "We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return" upon the occurrence of a disaster, he will gain three good things: blessings from Allah upon him, and mercy, and following the path of guidance.
Chapter on the Obligation of Believing in Predestination
We believe in divine predestination and decree. Allah Almighty had already known all that would happen. So, He wrote, willed, created, and accurately determined it.
We know with certainty that belief in divine predestination and decree is the sixth among the pillars of faith. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, We have created everything according to a determined measure.} [Surat al-Qamar: 49] He, Glorified be He, also says: {And Allah’s command is a decree firmly determined.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 38] And He, Exalted be He, says: {He has created everything and measured it precisely.} [Surat al-Furqān: 2] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers. All of them believe in Allah, His angels, and His Books.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 285] Belief in predestination is part of the belief in Allah Almighty, because predestination is part of His knowledge, determination, and management.
Allah Almighty also says: {It is He Who gives life and causes death. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is.} [Surat Ghāfir: 68] He Almighty also says: {He alone has the keys of the unseen; no one knows them except Him. He knows what is in the land and sea. Not a leaf falls without His knowledge, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything moist or dry, but is [written] in a Clear Record.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 59]
In a Hadīth reported by Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him), Jibrīl (peace be upon him) said: "Tell me about faith." He (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "To believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in destiny, the pleasant and unpleasant aspects thereof." He said: "You have spoken the truth." [Narrated by Muslim (8), Abu Dāwūd (4695), At-Tirmidhi (2610), An-Nasā’i (4990), and Ibn Mājah (63)]
Muslims unanimously agree that belief in predestination is one of the pillars of faith. Al-Hāfizh Abu al-Qāsim al-Lālakā’i said: "If there were prevailing and widespread consensus in the world over anything, it would be on this issue (i.e. predestination). Whoever contradicts it is a stubborn opponent, who is subject to the following warning by falling under the verse that says: {But whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him, and follows other than the way of the believers, We will leave him to what he has chosen, and burn him in Hell. What a terrible destination!"} [Surat an-Nisā’: 115] [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (4/726)]
‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb related from his father that his grandfather reported: A group of people were sitting at the Prophet's door. Some of them said: "Does Allah not say such and such?" Some others said: "Does Allah not say such and such?" The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) heard that and he came out as if pomegranate seeds had burst into his face (because of anger). He said: "Have you been commanded to do this? - Or have you been created for this purpose? - You are using one part of the Qur’an against another part, and this is what led to the doom of the nations who came before you. You have nothing to do with what is here. See what you have been commanded therein and do it, and what you have been forbidden, refrain from it." [Narrated by Ibn Mājah (85), Ahmad (6845), and this is his version, Al-Hārith ibn Abi Usāmah in Al-Musnad and in Bughyat Al-Bāhith (735), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (406)]
‘Abdul-Malik - i.e. Ibn Jurayj - related that ‘Atā’ ibn Abi Rabāh reported: I went to Ibn ‘Abbās while he was drawing water from the well of Zamzam and the ends of his clothes became wet, and I said to him: "Some people speak about predestination (denying it)." He said: "Have they really done it?" I replied in the affirmative. He said: "By Allah, this verse was revealed in connection to none but them: {Taste the agony of Hell! Indeed, We have created everything according to a determined measure} [Surat al-Qamar: 48-49]. Do not visit the sick among them nor offer the funeral prayer for their dead ones. If you showed me one of them, I would definitely gouge out his eye." [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (3/597)]
‘Ubādah ibn as-Sāmit (May Allah be pleased with him) said to his son: "O son, you will not find the taste of the reality of faith until you know that whatever befalls you would not have missed you, and whatever misses you would not have befallen you. I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'The first thing Allah created was the Pen, and He said to it: 'Write.' It said: 'Lord, what should I write?' He said: 'Write the destinies of everything until the coming of the Hour.'' O son, I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'Whoever dies upon something other than this does not belong to me.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd in Sunan (4700) and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (1/51)]
Yahya ibn Ya‘mur reported: The first man who discussed predestination in Basra was Ma‘bad al-Juhani. I along with Humayd ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān al-Himyari set out for Hajj or ‘Umrah. We said: "Should it so happen that we come into contact with one of the Prophet's Companions, we will ask him about what those people say about predestination." Accidentally, we came across ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb, while he was entering the mosque. My companion and I surrounded him, one of us on his right and the other on his left. I expected that my companion would authorize me to speak. I therefore said: "Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmān, there have appeared some people in our land who recite the Qur'an and pursue knowledge." After talking about their affairs, I added: "They claim that there is no such thing as predestination, and that events are not predestined." He said: "If you happen to meet such people, tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. By the One by Whom ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar swears, if anyone of them had with him gold equal to Uhud and spent it (in charity), Allah would not accept it unless he believed in predestination." [Narrated by Muslim in the introduction of his Sahīh (8) and Al-Ājurri in Ash-Sharī‘ah (2/851)]
Abu Hārūn al-Abali - one of the companions of Sahl ibn ‘Abdullāh, and he was a righteous man who used to recite the Qur’an to us in the grand mosque, reported: Sahl ibn ‘Abdullāh was asked about predestination, and he said: "Belief in predestination is an obligation, denying it is a disbelief, engaging in idle talk about it is a religious innovation, and keeping silent about it is Sunnah." [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (4/786)]
Al-Hasan al-Basri said: "The Pen dried up, the decree was determined, and predestination was accomplished by executing the book, believing the messengers, giving bliss to those who act rightly and fear Allah and misery to those who transgress and do wrong, and by granting Allah's protection to the believers and His disavowal to the polytheists." [Ash-Sharī‘ah for Al-Ājurri (2/881]
Ibn Battah al-‘Akburi said: "This is followed by belief in predestination, with its pleasant and unpleasant aspects and its sweetness and bitterness. It is wholly determined by Allah, the Exalted, for His servants, and it happens exactly at the time He wills, without advancement or delay, according to His foreknowledge. And the belief that whatever befell a person would not have missed him and whatever missed a person would not have befallen him, and whatever happened earlier would not have come later, and whatever happened later would not have come earlier. Belief in this is a necessary duty and obligation imposed by Allah Almighty upon His servants. Whoever opposes this, departs from it, or casts doubt on it and does not affirm predestination for Allah Almighty and attribute it to Him, or attribute the will to Him is the first step to infidelity (disbelief)." [Ash-Sharh Wa Al-Ibānah ‘Ala Usūl As-Sunnah Wa Ad-Diyānah, by Ibn Battah (213-216)]
Chapter on What is Entailed by Belief in Predestination
We believe that belief in predestination includes belief in Allah's comprehensive and all-inclusive knowledge and that He, Exalted be He, knows what is in the heavens and on earth. Our Lord says: {Do you not know that Allah knows all that is in the heaven and on earth? That is all [written] in a Record. This is indeed easy for Allah.} [Surat al-Hajj: 70] And that Allah Almighty encompasses all things in His knowledge. He, Glorified be He, says: {Allah is the One Who has created seven heavens, and likewise for the earth. The Command descends between them so that you may know that Allah is Most Capable of all things, and that Allah has encompassed everything in knowledge.} [Surat at-Talāq: 12]
And that His knowledge encompasses all things, great and small. Allah, the Exalted, says: {He alone has the keys of the unseen; no one knows them except Him. He knows what is in the land and sea. Not a leaf falls without His knowledge, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything moist or dry, but is [written] in a Clear Record.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 59] Commenting on this verse, Ibn Jarīr (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "There is nothing that exists or that will exist except that it is recorded on the Preserved Tablet, with all details, like its form, number, amount, the time it will come into existence, and how it will come to an end. His word 'clear' means that it shows the veracity of the information contained therein in the way it was identified." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (11/403)]
Allah Almighty says: {He knows whatever goes into the earth and whatever comes out of it, and whatever descends from the heaven and whatever ascends to it, and He is the Most Merciful, All-Forgiving. Those who disbelieve say: "The Hour will not come to us." Say: "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you." [He is] the Knower of the unseen; not even an atom’s weight is hidden from Him in the heavens or on earth, nor is there anything smaller or bigger than that, except that it is in a clear Record.} [Surat Saba’: 2-3]
‘Imrān ibn Husayn (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was with the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), some people from Banu Tamīm came to him. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Banu Tamīm, accept the good news!" They said: "You have given us the good news; now give us (something)." (After a while) some people of Yemen entered, and he said to them: "O the people of Yemen, accept the good news, as Banu Tamīm have refused it." They said: "We accept it! We have come to you to learn the religion. So, we ask you about what the beginning of this matter was." The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There was Allah and nothing else before Him, and His Throne was above water, and He then created the heavens and the earth and wrote everything in the Book." Then, a man came to me and said: "O ‘Imrān, go and catch your she-camel, for it has run away!" I set out seeking it, and behold, it was beyond the mirage! By Allah, I wished that it had gone, and I had not left (the gathering)." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7418) and At-Tirmidhi (3951)]
Allah Almighty knows everything about the past, the present, and the future. He also knows what would not happen and how it would be if He wanted it to happen. For example, He Almighty states that if the hypocrites had gone forth along with the believers, they would have only increased them in disorder - and they were yet to go forth: {If they had gone forth with you, they would have only increased you in disorder, and would have scurried around, sowing discord among you, and some of you would have listened to them. And Allah is All-Knowing of the wrongdoers.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 47]
About the denizens of Hellfire, Allah, the Exalted, says: {If you could only see when they will be made to stand before the Fire, they will say: "If only we were sent back, we would not reject the verses of our Lord, and we would be among the believers." But that which they used to conceal before will become apparent to them. And even if they were sent back, they would surely return to what they were forbidden, for they are indeed liars.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 27-28] So, He Almighty mentions that if they were sent back, they would surely return to their disbelief, whereas they had not yet been made to stand before the Fire. Our Lord says: {Those who disbelieve say: "The Hour will not come to us." Say: "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you." [He is] the Knower of the unseen; not even an atom’s weight is hidden from Him in the heavens or on earth, nor is there anything smaller or bigger than that, except that it is in a clear Record.} [Surat Saba’: 3]
We believe that Allah Almighty has written all that exists and happens in a Preserved Book. He, Exalted be He, says: {Nothing is hidden from your Lord, not even an atom’s weight on earth nor in heaven, nor anything smaller or greater than that, except that it is [written] in a clear Record.} [Surat Yūnus: 61] Allah Almighty also says: {Do you not know that Allah knows all that is in the heaven and on earth? That is all [written] in a Record. This is indeed easy for Allah.} [Surat al-Hajj: 70] In another verse, He Almighty says: {No calamity befalls the earth or yourselves, but it is already written in a Record before We bring it into existence. That is indeed easy for Allah.} [Surat al-Hadīd: 22]
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Allah decreed the destinies of the creatures fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, when His Throne was upon the water." [Narrated by Muslim (2653) and At-Tirmidhi (2156)]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "The first thing Allah created was the Pen. He said to it: 'Write.' It asked: 'What should I write?' He said: 'Write the destiny of whatever happened and whatever will happen until eternity.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4700), At-Tirmidhi (2155, 3319), At-Tayālesi (578), Ahmad (22705, 22707), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (115)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote a book (wherein He has written): 'My mercy overcame - or preceded - My anger'. It is with Him over the Throne." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7553), Muslim (2751), At-Tirmidhi (3543), and Ibn Mājah (189)]
We believe that Allah Almighty writes whatever He wishes and erases or affirms whatever He wishes, and with Him is the Master Book. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah eliminates what He wills or affirms it, and with Him is the Master Book.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 39]
We believe that nothing happens except according to Allah's predestination and decree and nothing can be averted except as He predestined and decreed. All He predestined will surely happen, and what He did not predestine, none could make it happen. All creation cannot do anything not predestined by our Lord or avert something predestined by Him, Exalted be He. Whatever misses a person would not have befallen him and whatever befalls him would not have missed him. ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: As I was riding behind the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) one day, he said: "O boy, I will teach you some words: Preserve Allah and He will preserve you. Preserve Allah and you will find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of Allah, and if you seek help, seek it from Allah. Know that if the Ummah gathered together to benefit you, they would not be able to benefit you except with something Allah had written for you; and if they gathered together to harm you, they would not be able to harm you except with something Allah had written for you. The pens were lifted, and the scrolls went dry." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2516), Ibn Wahb in Al-Qadar (28), Ahmad (2669), and ‘Abd ibn Humayd (636)]
We believe that whatever Allah wills happens and whatever He does not will does not happen, and that His will is absolute. Allah Almighty says: {Your Lord creates and chooses what He wills; they have no choice. Glorified is Allah and Exalted is He far above what they associate with Him.} [Surat al-Qasas: 68] Allah Almighty also says: {But you cannot wish except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat at-Takwīr: 29] His ability is overpowering. Our Lord says: {Allah is not such that something can escape Him in the heavens or on earth. He is indeed All-Knowing, Most Capable.} [Surat Fātir: 44] He Almighty also says: {If Allah had willed, they would not have done so. So, leave them to their fabrications.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 112]
Nothing happens in His dominion except according to His will. He Almighty says: {If Allah had willed, those who came after them would not have fought one another after receiving clear signs. But they differed – some believed and some disbelieved. If Allah had willed, they would not have fought one another, but Allah does what He wills.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 253]
We believe that people have wills, and in reality, they are subject to Allah's will. Allah Almighty says: {But you cannot will unless Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.} [Surat al-Insān: 30] Allah Almighty also says: {For those among you who wish to take the straight path. But you cannot wish except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat at-Takwīr: 28-29] And He Almighty says: {Indeed, this is a reminder; so, let anyone who wills take a way to his Lord.} [Surat al-Insān: 29] In another verse, He Almighty says: {That Day is sure to come. So, whoever wills may seek a path leading to his Lord.} [Surat an-Naba’: 39]
We believe that Allah Almighty guides whomever He wills by His grace and abandons whomever He wills by His justice. He is not questioned about what He does, but we are questioned. He, Exalted be He, says: {Those who reject Our verses are deaf and dumb in the depths of darkness. Whomever Allah wills, He causes to stray and whomever He wills, He leads to a straight path.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 39] And He Almighty says: {Whoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his heart to Islam; and whoever He wills to lead astray, He makes his heart tight and constricted, as if he were climbing up into the sky.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 125] He, Glorified be He, also says: {If We had willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but My Word will be fulfilled: "I will certainly fill up Hell with jinn and men all together."} [Surat as-Sajdah: 13]
Abu Bakr al-Marūzi related: I heard Abu ‘Abdullāh - i.e. Ahmad ibn Hanbal - say: "They asked ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Mahdi about predestination and he said: 'Good and evil are predestined.'" [Al-Ibānah Al-Kubra by Ibn Battah (4/261)]
Abu Bakr ibn Abi ‘Āsim said: "You asked about the Sunnah, as to what it is. The Sunnah is a term that comprises numerous meanings related to the rulings and other things. The things agreed by the scholars to be part of the Sunnah include the following: the affirmation of predestination; the ability for doing some act should exist at the time of doing it; the belief in predestination along with its pleasant and unpleasant aspects; any good deed a person performs is due to Allah's help and any sin he commits is caused by his previous abandonment of Allah and by Allah; the blissful are those for whom bliss is already predestined and the miserable are those for whom misery is already predestined; nothing goes beyond the will of Allah Almighty; and all deeds of people, good and bad, are acts on their part, yet they are predestined by the Creator." [As-Sunnah by Ibn Abi ‘Āsim (2/645)]
We believe that Allah Almighty loves virtuous deeds and the doers of good. He, Glorified be He, says: {But Allah has endeared faith to you and made it pleasing to your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness, and disobedience hateful to you. Such are the rightly guided.} [Surat al-Hujurāt: 7] He Almighty also says: {Those who obey Allah and the Messenger will be with those whom Allah has blessed: the prophets, the people of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent companions they are!} [Surat an-Nisā’: 69] And He, Exalted be He, says: {And do good, for Allah loves those who do good.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 195] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {Allah loves those who frequently repent and He loves those who purify themselves.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 222] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6223), Muslim (2994), Abu Dāwūd (5028), At-Tirmidhi (2746), and Ibn Mājah (968)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If Allah loves a servant, He calls upon Jibrīl and says: ‘Verily, Allah loves so-and-so; so love him.’" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6040), Muslim (2637), and At-Tirmidhi (3161)]
We believe that Allah Almighty dislikes wickedness and the wicked. He, Glorified be He, says: {O you who believe, let not some men ridicule others, for it may be that they are better than them; nor let some women ridicule others, for it may be that they are better than them. Do not speak ill of one another, nor call one another by [offensive] nicknames. How evil is the name of wickedness after having faith! And whoever does not repent, it is they who are the wrongdoers.} [Surat al-Hujurāt: 11] Allah Almighty also says: {For Allah does not like transgressors.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 190] And He Almighty says: {Allah does not like corruption.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 205]
‘Uthmān al-Batti related: I visited Ibn Sirīn, and he said to me: "What do people say about predestination?" I do not know how I replied to him. Thereupon, he lifted something off the ground and said: "I would not add anything to what I am going to say like this." [Ash-Sharī‘ah by Al-Ājiri (2/887)] "Indeed, if Allah intends good for someone, He enables him to engage in things pleasing and dear to Him; but if He intends otherwise for him, He establishes the argument against him and then punishes him - not wrongfully." [Al-Qadar by Al-Faryabi (263)]
We believe that Allah Almighty does not enjoin immoral or shameful acts and does not approve of disbelief for His servants. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah never enjoins shameful acts.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 28] He Almighty also says: {He does not approve of disbelief for His slaves. If you are grateful, He approves that for you.} [Surat az-Zumar: 7]
We believe that Allah Almighty is the Creator of everything. He, Glorified be He, says: {Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Maintainer of everything.} [Surat az-Zumar: 62] And that He created people and created their actions. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Allah Who created you and all what you do?} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 96] And that He has no partner in the creation just as He has no partner in the dominion. Allah Almighty says: {He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth, Who has never begotten a son, and has no partner in His dominion. He has created everything and measured it precisely.} [Surat al-Furqān: 2]
As an argument to His servants, He states that He alone is the Creator. He Almighty says: {It is We Who created you; will you not then believe [in the Resurrection]? Have you thought about the semen that you emit? Is it you who create it, or is it We Who are the Creators?} [Surat al-Wāqi‘ah: 57-59] Besides being proof of the Resurrection, it also proves that Allah Almighty is the sole Creator.
Chapter: There is no contradiction between the command, the Shariah, the creation, and the mind
We believe that there is no contradiction between the Shariah, the command, and the creation. To Allah Almighty belong the creation and the command. As He does whatever He wills and is not questioned about that, He commands, and no one can reverse His command and judgment. He, Glorified be He, says: {Your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and earth in six days, and then rose over the Throne. He makes the night and day overlap in rapid succession. He made the sun, the moon, and the stars – all subservient to His command. Behold, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 54]
We believe that Allah, the Exalted, had determined the destiny of all creatures fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth. Nonetheless, He commanded people to obey Him and obey His messengers and prophets and forbade them from disobeying Him or disobeying His messengers and prophets. Allah, Blessed and Glorified be He, says: {If Allah afflicts you with harm, no one can remove it except Him; if He wants good for you, none can withhold His bounty. He grants it to whom He wills of His slaves, and He is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. Say: "O people, the truth has come to you from your Lord. So, whoever accepts guidance, it is only for his own good; and whoever goes astray, it is only for his own loss. I am not a keeper over you." Follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until Allah passes His judgment, for He is the Best of Judges.} [Surat Yūnus: 107-109] In these verses, Allah Almighty informs about His predestination along with the command to follow His revelation and injunctions. He, Exalted be He, also says: {Follow [O Prophet] what is revealed to you from your Lord – no one has the right to be worshiped except Him – and turn away from those who associate partners with Allah. If Allah had willed, they would not have associated partners with Him. We have not made you a keeper over them, nor are you, their trustee.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 106-107] Our Lord points out that it is our duty to follow guidance, and that He guides whomever He wills by His grace, and He misguides whomever He wills by His justice. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {If your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind a single community, but they will not cease to differ, except those whom Allah has given mercy, and for this He created them, and the word of your Lord will be fulfilled: "I will certainly fill Hell with jinn and humans all together." We relate to you [O Prophet] the stories of the messengers to strengthen your heart. And there has come to you in this the truth, an admonition, and a reminder to the believers. Say to those who do not believe: "Carry on in your ways; we are acting (in our way). And wait; we too are waiting." To Allah belongs the unseen of the heavens and earth, and to Him will return all matters. So, worship Him and put your trust in Him, for your Lord is not unaware of what you do.} [Surat Hūd: 118-123] In these verses as well, Allah Almighty mentions His general will and His threat to the disobedient ones, along with His command to His believing servants to worship and rely upon Him.
Combining belief in divine predestination and acting upon the Shariah are possible and within people's reach. Hence, Allah, the Exalted, says: {Allah does not charge any soul more than what it can bear.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 286] Allah Almighty also says: {We do not burden a soul more than what it can bear.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 62]
Our Lord commanded us to display patience over the painful things He had predestined for us. He, Glorified be He, says: {We will surely test you with something of fear and famine, and loss of property, lives, and fruits. But give glad tidings to those who are patient.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 155] He Almighty also says: {Those who observe patience will be given their reward without measure.} [Surat az-Zumar: 10]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The most afflicted among people are the prophets, then those next to them, then those next to them, then those next to them." [Narrated by Is'hāq ibn Rahwayh (2413), Ahmad in Al-Musnad (27079), Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya in Al-Marad Wa Al-Kaffārāt (6), and An-Nasā’i in Al-Kubra (7440)]
In another Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Afflictions continue to befall a believing man or woman, children, and property until he meets Allah free from sins." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (7859), Ibn Abi Shaybah (10916), Ahmad in Al-Musnad (7859), and Hannād ibn as-Sirri in Az-Zuhd (402)]
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were attending a funeral procession in Baqī‘ aI-Gharqad. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to us and sat, and we sat around him. He had a small stick in his hand. He bent his head and started scraping the ground with it. He then said: "There is none among you, and not a created soul, but he has place either in Paradise or in Hellfire assigned for him, and it is also determined for him whether he will be among the blissful or the miserable." A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, should we not depend on what has been written for us and leave the deeds as whoever amongst us is blissful will do the deeds of a blissful person and whoever amongst is miserable will do the deeds of a miserable person?" The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Good deeds are made easy for the blissful, and bad deeds are made easy for the miserable." Then, he recited the verses: {As for the one who gives in charity and fears Allah, and genuinely believes in the best reward.} [Surat al-Layl: 5-6] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1362), Muslim (2647), Abu Dāwūd (4694), and At-Tirmidhi (3344)]
‘Imrān ibn Husayn (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, are the people of Paradise recognized from the people of Hellfire?" He replied: 'Yes.' He further asked: "Why should people do good deeds then?" The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Everyone does what he was created for - or what has been made easy for him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6596), Muslim (2649), and Abu Dāwūd (4709)]
Jābir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Surāqah ibn Mālik ibn Ju‘shum came and said: "O Messenger of Allah, explain our religion to us as if we have been created just now. What are our deeds today for? Are they for things about which the pens have dried and the destinies have been determined, or about something in the future?" He replied: "No, they are for things about which the pens have dried, and the destinies have been determined." He said: "Why should there be deeds then?" Zuhayr said: "Then, Abu az-Zubayr said words which I could not understand. So, I asked about what he said, and he replied: "Do deeds, for everyone has been enabled." [Narrated by Muslim (2648)]
Sahl as-Sa‘idi (Mmay Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A person may do deeds that seem to people as the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise while in fact, he is from the dwellers of Hellfire; and a person may do deeds that seem to people as the deeds of the dwellers of Hellfire while in fact, he is from the dwellers of Paradise. Verily, the deeds depend on how they end." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6493) and Muslim (112)]
Speaking about Allah Almighty, Imām Al-Ājurri said: "He likes obedience from His servants and commanded it. It happened by those who obey Him through His guidance to them. Also, He forbade sins and willed them to exist, without liking them or commanding them. Far exalted be Allah above enjoining or liking immorality. So Glorified be He that nothing can happen in His dominion without His will or without His prior knowledge. He had known what His servants would do before He created them and after He created them, and before they did it, according to His predestination and decree. The Pen had written in the Preserved Tablet, at Allah's command, what people, pious and wicked, would do. Nonetheless, He commends those of His servants who obey Him, attributes their deeds to them, and promises them a great reward for those deeds, though if it were not for His help to them, they would not have done those deeds or become entitled to this reward from Him. {That is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills, for Allah is the Lord of great bounty} [Surat al-Hadīd: 21]. Likewise, He dispraises those who commit sins, threatens them with punishment for doing them, and attributes the deeds to them, which have happened according to divine predestination. He misguides whomever He wills and guides whomever He wills." [Ash-Sharī‘ah by Al-Ājurri (2/702)]
We believe that as there is no contradiction between the creation, the command, and the Shariah. There is also no contradiction between the Shariah, the command, and reason. Everything commanded or prohibited by Allah Almighty or His Messenger (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) or predestined or stated by Allah, the Exalted, does not run counter to reason. On the contrary, it is quite reasonable and perfectly wise. Allah, the All-Wise and All-Knowing Lord, says: {This is part of the wisdom that your Lord has revealed to you [O Prophet]. Do not set up any other god with Allah, or you will be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 39] Allah Almighty also says: {Which contain extensive wisdom, but the warnings are of no avail.} [Surat al-Qamar: 5] And He, Exalted be He, says: {And Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 113] With it, the argument is established against humankind. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Say: "Allah alone has the most conclusive argument. If He had willed, He could have guided you all."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 149] This Shariah, the command, and predestination are at the pinnacle of excellence. Nothing is more excellent than them. Allah Almighty says: {Do they seek the judgment of the times of ignorance? Who could be better than Allah in judgment for people who are certain in faith?} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 50]
Ad-Daylami related: I went to Ubayy ibn Ka‘b and said to him: "I am confused about divine predestination. So, tell me something by means of which Allah may remove the confusion from my mind." He replied: "Were Allah to punish everyone in the heavens and on earth, He would do so without being unjust to them, and were He to show mercy to them, His mercy would be much better to them than their actions. And were you to spend in support of Allah’s cause an amount of gold equivalent to Uhud, Allah would not accept it from you until you believed in the divine predestination and knew that what befell you could not have missed you and what missed you could not have befallen you. Were you to die believing other than this, you would enter Hellfire." I then went to ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd, and he said something similar to that. Then, I went to Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamān, and he said something like that. Then, I went to Zayd ibn Thābit, who related to me something similar to that from the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4699), Ibn Mājah (77), Ahmad (21589), ‘Abd ibn Humayd (247), Al-Faryābi in Al-Qadar (190), and Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (4/676)]
Praising His Book which comprises the legislation and the command, Allah Almighty describes it as the best message and speech. He, Glorified be He, says: {Allah has sent down the best message – a Book.} [Surat az-Zumar: 23] Everything Allah Almighty has legislated or predestined is perfect and excellent, whether our minds can grasp it or not. We should not make our minds and views a judge over Allah's Shariah and predestination, by approving of it sometimes and disproving it in other times. Indeed, all that is legislated and predestined by our Lord is at the pinnacle of beauty and perfection.
We believe that the Shariah and divine predestination are all good. Allah Almighty would not predestine sheer evil. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "All goodness is in Your Hands, and evil does not belong to You." [Narrated by Muslim (771), Abu Dāwūd (761), At-Tirmidhi (266), and An-Nasā’i (897)]
Evil falls under general predestination. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, We have created everything according to a determined measure.} [Surat al-Qamar: 49] Evil is mentioned in the Qur’an being attributed to those who perpetrate it. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak, from the harm of all what He has created."} [Surat al-Falaq: 1-2]
Out of politeness, we should not attribute evil to Allah Almighty. Some jinn are quoted in the Qur’an as saying: {We do not know whether evil is intended for those on earth, or their Lord intends good for them.} [Surat al-Jinn: 10] Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) is quoted in the Qur’an as saying: {And when I am ill He heals me.} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 80] He attributed illness to himself and healing to Allah, Exalted be He.
Chapter: Pursuing the Means is Part of Divine Predestination
We believe that pursuing the proper means does not contradict the belief in predestination; rather, it is a sign of the perfect belief in divine predestination and decree. Our Lord commands us to seek sustenance and at the same time states that He had predestined it for us. He, Exalted be He, says: {It is He Who made the earth smooth for you, so travel through its regions and eat from His provisions. And to Him is the resurrection.} [Surat al-Mulk: 15]
He Almighty also says: {When the prayer is over, disperse in the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah much so that you may be successful.} [Surat al-Jumu‘ah: 10]
Allah Almighty informs that Ya‘qūb (Jacob) (peace be upon him) said to his children: {O my sons, do not enter all from one gate, but enter from different gates. I cannot avail you of anything against [the decree of] Allah; the decision belongs to Allah alone. In Him I put my trust, and in Him let the faithful put their trust.} [Surat Yūsuf: 67] As-Sā’ib ibn Yazīd reported: The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wore two coats of mail at the battle of ’Uhud as a double protection. [Narrated by Ibn Mājah (2806), Sa‘īd ibn Mansūr (2858), Ahmad (15722), and An-Nasā’i in Al-Kubra (8529)] Allah Almighty commanded Nūh (peace be upon him) to build the ark, commanded Mūsa (peace be upon him) to strike the sea, and commanded Mariyam (peace be upon her) to shake the trunk of the palm tree so that fresh ripe dates would drop upon her - in addition to other divine commands to His slaves to pursue the proper means.
One of the most effective means is supplication. An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr reported: Commenting on the verse: {Your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you"} [Surat Ghāfir: 60], the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Supplication is worship." And he recited: {Your Lord says: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, utterly debased."} [Surat Ghāfir: 60] [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (1479), At-Tirmidhi (2969), and Ibn Mājah (3828)]
Means include medical treatment and ruqiyah. Abu Khizāmah related that his father reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah, do you think that the ruqiyah we perform, the medical treatment we use, and the caution we practice can avert anything of Allah's predestination?" He said: "They are part of Allah's predestination." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2065), Ibn Mājah (3437), Ibn Wahb in Al-Jāmi‘ Fi Al-Hadīth (699), Ahmad (15472), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in Al-Āhad and Al-Mathāni (2610)]
Chapter: Divine Predestination does not Contradict Justice
We believe that Allah Almighty enjoins justice and administers justice through His Shariah, predestination, and recompense. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah enjoins justice and kindness.} [Surat an-Nahl: 90] Allah, Exalted be He, also says: {And Allah makes a comparison of two men, one of them is dumb and unable to do anything, and he is a burden to his master; wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to the one who enjoins justice and follows a straight path?} [Surat an-Nahl: 76] Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that Allah Almighty said: "O My servants, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and made it forbidden among you. So, do not wrong one another." [Narrated by Muslim (2577) and At-Tirmidhi (2495)]
Negating injustice from Himself, Allah Almighty says: {Whoever does a righteous deed, it is to his own benefit; and whoever does an evil deed, it is to his own loss. Your Lord is not unjust to His slaves.} [Surat Fussilat: 46] Allah, the Exalted, also says: {Allah does not do injustice as much as an atom’s weight. And if it is a good deed, He will multiply it.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 40] And He Almighty says: {Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, and is a believer, it is they who will enter Paradise, and they will not be wronged even as much as the speck on a date stone.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 124] In another verse, He Almighty says: {Allah does not wrong people in the least, but it is people who wrong themselves.} [Surat Yūnus: 44] And He, Glorified be He, says: {Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded tenfold, but whoever comes with an evil deed will only be punished with its like; and none will be wronged.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 160] In addition, there are other verses that indicate Allah's perfect justice and negate injustice from Him.
We believe that the precedence of divine predestination and the divine decree does not mean injustice to people, for Allah Almighty revealed the books and sent the messengers, so that people may have no excuse before Him after the coming of the messengers. Our Lord says: {These messengers were sent as bearers of glad tidings and as warners, so that the people may have no excuse before Allah after [the coming of] the messengers. For Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 165]
He made predestination a hidden secret. Allah Almighty says: {[He is] Knower of the unseen, He does not reveal His unseen to anyone.} [Surat al-Jinn: 26] He gave His servants free will. He, Exalted be He, says: {Say: "The truth is from your Lord. Whoever wills may believe, and whoever wills may disbelieve."} [Surat al-Kahf: 29] Allah Almighty also says: {Indeed, We showed him the way, whether he is grateful or ungrateful.} [Surat al-Insān: 3] And He, Glorified be He, says: {Then He inspired it [to know] its wickedness and righteousness.} [Surat ash-Shams: 8]
Chapter on Citing Predestination as an Argument
We believe that Allah Almighty revealed the books and sent the messengers, so that people may have no excuse before Him. Allah, the Exalted, says: {These messengers were sent as bearers of glad tidings and as warners, so that the people may have no excuse before Allah after [the coming of] the messengers. For Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 165] Allah Almighty states that the polytheists cited predestination as an excuse for them to fall into polytheism, and He reveals the falsity of their statement and made them taste His punishment. He, Glorified be He, says: {Those who associate partners with Allah will say: "If Allah had willed, neither we nor our forefathers would have associated anything with Him, nor would we have made anything forbidden." Likewise, those who came before them rejected the truth until they tasted Our punishment. Say: "Do you have any knowledge that you can present to us? You follow nothing but assumption and you do nothing but lie."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 148] If predestination were an excuse for them to fall into polytheism, Allah Almighty would not have made them taste His punishment.
‘Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were sitting with the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and he had a stick with which he was scraping the earth. He said: "There is no one among you except that his place in Hellfire or Paradise was predestined." A man said: "Should we rely on that, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "No, do good deeds, for everyone will find it easy to do such deeds (it will lead him to his destined place)." Then, he recited: {As for the one who gives in charity and fears Allah.} [Surat al-Layl: 5] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6605), Muslim (2647), At-Tirmidhi (2136), and Ibn Mājah (78)] So, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructed us to do virtuous deeds and forbade us from solely relying upon the predestination.
We believe that a person may cite predestination as an excuse for committing sins after repenting from them. Humayd ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān related that Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Adam and Mūsa debated. Mūsa said to Adam: 'You are Adam whose sin drove you out of Paradise.' Adam said to him: 'You are Mūsa, whom Allah chose for His messages and speech, and you blame me for something which Allah had decreed for me before I was created?' Thus, Adam won the argument with Mūsa; thus, Adam won the argument with Mūsa." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6614), Muslim (2652), Abu Dāwūd (4701), At-Tirmidhi (2134), and Ibn Mājah (80)]
Mutarrif ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn ash-Shikhkhīr (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "We are not left to the predestination in the Qur’an, yet He informed us in the Qur’an that we will end up to it." [As-Sunnah for ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad (2/412)] Muhammad ibn Sīrīn (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "If the deniers of predestination are not among those who ridicule the verses of Allah Almighty, I do not know then who they can be!" [As-Sunnah for ‘Abdullāh ibn Ahmad (2/432) and Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (4/696)]
Ibn Wahb and some others said: Mālik was asked about the deniers of predestination as to whether we should stop talking to them, and he replied: "Yes, if they are aware of their error." He said: "And you should command them to do what is right and forbid them from doing what is wrong and tell them about their difference. You should not speak to them in a humble manner, nor should you pray upon their dead or attend their funerals. And, in my view, you should not marry from them." In another version, he added: "Allah says: {A believing slave is better than a free polytheist} [Surat al-Baqarah: 221]." In another version by Ash'hab, he said: 'You should not pray behind them, and if you find them in a garrison, drive them out of it." [Tartīb Al-Madārik Wa Taqrīb Al-Masālik (1/91)]
We believe that it is permissible for a person to cite predestination as an argument as far as afflictions are concerned. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in both. Adhere to whatever brings you benefit, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless. If something befalls you, do not say: ‘Had I done such-and-such, it would have been such-and-such.’ Indeed, 'if' opens the way before the devil to act." [Narrated by Muslim (2664) and Ibn Mājah (79)]
Commenting on the verse: {Those when afflicted with a disaster, they say, "We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return"} [Surat al-Baqarah: 156], Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah mentions that if the believer leaves the affair to Allah, turns to Him, and says "We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return" upon the occurrence of a disaster, he will gain three good things: blessings from Allah upon him, and mercy, and following the path of guidance. And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever says: 'We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return' upon the occurrence of a disaster, Allah will compensate him for his disaster, give him a good outcome, and grant him a good alternative with which he will be pleased." [Narrated by At-Tabari in At-Tafsīr (2/707) - (3/223), Ibn Abi Hātim in At-Tafsīr (1421), At-Tabarāni in Al-Kabīr (13027), and Al-Bayhaqi in Ash-Shu‘ab (9240)]
Book on the Worship
Abstract
We believe that Allah Almighty created His servants to worship Him, according to the true faith, the religion of Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him). The Almighty Lord commanded both humankind and jinn to offer this worship, which has numerous forms, and none of them can be devoted to anything or anyone other than Allah Almighty. Forms of worship include supplication, reliance upon Allah, fear of Allah, hope for Allah's mercy and reward, seeking refuge with Allah, slaughtering sacrifices for His sake, and seeking help and assistance from Him.
We believe that Allah Almighty created His servants to worship Him, and we know that the first command given in the Qur’an is to worship Allah alone, with no partner. Every prophet said to his people: {Worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 65]
We know that worship is not accepted unless it is done sincerely for Allah's sake and in accordance with the guidance of His Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
Worship should be devoted to Allah Almighty alone, with no partner. Our Lord warns us against polytheism, major and minor. If anyone performs a deed sincerely for Allah's sake, yet not in accordance with the Prophet's guidance, his deed will be rejected. And if he performs a deed in accordance with the Prophet's guidance, yet not sincerely for Allah's sake, it will be rejected.
We know that worship rests upon three fundamentals: complete love, complete hope, and complete fear. The prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) possessed the greatest share of these things.
The greatest thing a believer should hope for is to see the countenance of Allah Almighty. This is the supreme bliss to be enjoyed by the dwellers of Paradise, in addition to the bliss they will already have. When the dwellers of Paradise enter Paradise, Allah will grant the believers an additional honor and benevolence, out of His grace and bounty, and allow them to look at Him. The worst thing the believers should fear is to be deprived of this bliss which will be particularly afforded to Allah's pious servants and denied to His enemies. Indeed, He will deprive all His enemies - the polytheists, the Jews, the Christians, the Magians, and the hypocrites - from looking at Him.
The Wasīlah is seeking closeness to Allah Almighty through all that is pleasing to Him, be it obligatory or recommended. It also has another meaning, which occurs in the Hadīth that reads: "Ask Allah to give me the Wasīlah."
We believe that Allah Almighty commanded His servants to supplicate to Him and He promised that He will respond to them. We know that we may implore Allah by His beautiful names and sublime attributes. Hence, the prophets and messengers would often supplicate to Allah by His excellent names. The good times for supplication include the time after the performance of prayers, the time of breaking the fast, during Tawāf, upon Mount Safa and Mount Marwa, at ‘Arafat and Muzdalifah, and after throwing the pebbles.
As we may implore Allah Almighty by our belief in Him, we may also implore Him by our righteous deeds and different forms of worship. {When the prayer is over, disperse in the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah much so that you may be successful.}
It is not permissible to implore Allah Almighty by any means not sanctioned by Him. The people of Jahiliya used to seek closeness to Allah, the Exalted, by imploring Him through their idols and deities.
Chapter on the verse that reads: {I have not created the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.}
We believe that Allah Almighty created mankind and jinn to worship Him. He, Exalted be He, says: {I have not created the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 56] In other words, they are only commanded to devote worship to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, alone. The worship Allah Almighty commanded is the true faith, the religion of Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him). Allah, the Exalted, says: {Say [O Prophet]: "Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, an upright religion, the faith of Abraham, inclining to true faith, and he was not one of those who associated partners with Allah."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 161]
The worship enjoined by Allah Almighty has numerous forms, and it is not permissible to devote any of them to anything other than Him, Glorified be He. Our Lord says: {The mosques are for Allah alone, so do not supplicate anyone along with Allah.} [Surat al-Jinn: 18]
One of the forms of worship is supplication. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Whoever supplicates to another god besides Allah, for which he has no proof, his reckoning will be with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will never succeed.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 117] Allah Almighty also says: {Your Lord says: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, utterly debased."} [Surat Ghāfir: 60]
Another form of worship is putting one's trust in Allah Almighty, Who says: {And put your trust in Allah if you are believers.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 23] Allah Almighty also says: {Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him.} [Surat at-Talāq: 3]
Another form is apprehension of Allah, Exalted be He, Who says: {So do not be apprehensive of them but be apprehensive of Me.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 150]
Another form is fear from Allah Almighty, Who says: {Do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are [true] believers.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 175]
The forms of worship also include hope. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Those whom they call upon seek the means of nearness to their Lord, each trying to become closer, hoping for His Mercy and fearing His punishment. Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is fearsome.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 57] Our Lord also says: {Say: "I am only a man like you; it has been revealed to me that your God is One God. So, whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and associate none in the worship of his Lord."} [Surat al-Kahf: 110]
They also include seeking refuge with Allah Almighty, Who says: {Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind."} [Surat an-Nās: 1]
Another form of worship is to slaughter a sacrifice for Allah Almighty, Who says: {Say: "Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 162]
Another form is to seek Allah's help. A Qur'anic verse reads: {You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.} [Surat al-Fātihah: 5]
Another form is to implore Allah Almighty for assistance. He, Exalted be He, says: {[Remember] when you were imploring the assistance of your Lord [at Badr] and He responded to you: "I will reinforce you with a thousand angels, following one another in succession."} [Surat al-Anfāl: 9]
We know that the first command given for people in the Qur'an is to worship Allah Almighty alone, with no partner. Allah, Blessed and Glorified be He, says: {O mankind, worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 21] Each prophet would say to his people: {Worship Allah; you have no god besides Him.} [Surat Hūd: 84] About the first Messenger, Nūh (peace be upon him), Allah, the Exalted, says: {Indeed, We sent Noah to his people. He said: "O my people, worship Allah; you have no god other than Him. I fear for you the punishment of a momentous Day."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 59] And about the last Messenger, Muhammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), He, Glorified be He, says: {Worship Allah and do not associate any partners with Him.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 36] Allah Almighty also says: {Indeed, We sent to every community a messenger, [saying]: "Worship Allah and shun false gods."} [Surat an-Nahl: 36]
We know that worship cannot be accepted unless it is sincerely done for the sake of Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and in accordance with the Prophet's guidance. Allah Almighty says: {So, whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and associate none in the worship of his Lord.} [Surat al-Kahf: 110]
We know that worship should be devoted to Allah Almighty alone, with no partner. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, actions are by intentions, and each person will have what he intended. Thus, he whose emigration was for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, his emigration was for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, and he whose emigration was to achieve some worldly gain or to take some woman in marriage, his emigration was for that for which he emigrated." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6689), Muslim (1907), Abu Dāwūd (2201), At-Tirmidhi (1647), An-Nasā’i (75), and Ibn Mājah (4227)]
Our Almighty Lord warns us against polytheism altogether, minor, and major. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but forgives anything less than that for whom He wills. Whoever associates partners with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 48] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah Almighty said: 'I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. So, he who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism.'" [Narrated by Muslim (2985)]
And if a person performs a deed sincerely for the sake of Allah Almighty, yet it is not in accordance with the Prophet's guidance, his deed will be rejected. Allah, the Exalted, says: {There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 21] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever does an act not sanctioned by this matter of ours, it will be rejected." [Narrated by Muslim (1718)] Allah Almighty says: {So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet’s order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.} [Surat an-Nūr: 63] He Almighty also says: {Say: "If you love Allah then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 31]
We know that worship rests upon three fundamentals: complete love, complete hope, and complete fear. The prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) possessed the greatest share of these things. Describing their condition, Allah Almighty says: {They used to hasten in doing virtuous deeds and used to call upon Us with hope and fear, and they were humble before Us.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 90] He Almighty also says: {And those who do whatever [good] they do with their hearts fearful, knowing that they will return to their Lord – it is they who hasten to do good deeds, and they are foremost in them.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 60-61] And Allah, the Exalted, says: {They forsake their beds, supplicating their Lord with fear and hope, and spend out of what We have provided for them.} [Surat as-Sajdah: 16] In another verse, He Almighty says: {[Is he better] or the one who constantly worships during the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord?} [Surat az-Zumar: 9]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah Almighty says: 'I am just as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him when He remembers Me: If he remembers Me in himself, I too remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than them; and if he comes one span near to Me, I go one cubit near to him; and if he comes one cubit near to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms near to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7405), Muslim (2675), At-Tirmidhi (3603), and Ibn Mājah (3822)]
In another verse, He Almighty says: {And among people there are some who take others as equals to Allah: they love them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 165] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are three things; whoever has them finds the sweetness of faith: To love Allah and His Messenger more than all else; to love a person solely for Allah's sake; and to hate to revert to disbelief as one hates to be thrown into the fire." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (16), Muslim (43), At-Tirmidhi (2624), An-Nasā’i (4987), and Ibn Mājah (4033)]
In another Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, none of you believes until I become dearer to him than his father and his child." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (14) and An-Nasā’i (5015)] A person cannot attain Allah's love until he follows the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Allah, the Exalted, says: {Say: "If you love Allah then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful."} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 31]
The greatest thing the believers should hope for is to see the countenance of Allah Almighty, Who says: {On that Day some faces will be bright, looking at their Lord.} [Surat al-Qiyāmah 22-23]
This is the supreme bliss to be enjoyed by the dwellers of Paradise, in addition to the bliss they will already have. Allah, the Exalted, says: {For those who do good there will be the best reward and more – neither gloom nor humiliation will cover their faces. It is they who are the people of Paradise, they will abide therein forever.} [Surat Yūnus: 26]
Suhayb (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the dwellers of Paradise enter Paradise, Allah Almighty will ask: ‘Do you want Me to give you anything more?’ They will say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Hellfire?’ He will then remove the veil, and nothing will be dearer to them of all things they were given than looking at their Lord." [Narrated by Muslim (181), At-Tirmidhi (2552), and Ibn Mājah (187)]
Chapter on Imploring Allah and the Wasila
The Wasīla is the seeking of closeness to Allah Almighty through all that is pleasing to Him, be it obligatory or recommended.
We believe that Allah Almighty commanded His servants to supplicate to Him and He promised that He will respond to them. He, Glorified be He, says: {Your Lord says: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, utterly debased."} [Surat Ghāfir: 60] He Almighty also says: {When My slaves ask you concerning Me, I am indeed nearby. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me; so, they should respond to Me and believe in Me, so that they may be guided.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 186]
We know that imploring Allah Almighty should be done by invoking His excellent names and sublime attributes. Our Lord says: {Allah has the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them, and leave those who profane His Names. They will be recompensed for what they used to do.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 180] Allah Almighty also says: {Say: "Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Compassionate – whichever name you call, to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names." Do not be too loud in your prayer, nor too quiet, but seek a way in between.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 110]
Hence, the prophets and messengers would often supplicate and implore Allah by invoking His excellent names. Allah Almighty informs that Adam and his wife said: {Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves; if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 23] In another verse, He Almighty informs that Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) said: {My Lord, make me steadfast in prayer and those of my offspring. Our Lord, accept my supplication.} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 40] And He Almighty states that Prophet Mūsa (peace be upon him) said: {My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 151]
As we may implore Allah Almighty by our belief in Him. Our Lord says: {Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down and we follow the messenger; so, count us among those who bear witness [to the truth].} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 53]
We may also implore Allah Almighty by our righteous deeds, like the three persons who were trapped inside the cave. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Three men from among those who were before you set out together until they reached a cave at night and entered it. A big rock rolled down the mountain and closed the mouth of the cave. They said: 'Nothing could save you from this rock but to invoke Allah by giving reference to the righteous deeds which you have done.' So, one of them said: 'O Allah, I had old parents, and I never provided my family with milk before them. One day, by chance I was delayed, and I came late as they had already gone to sleep. I milked the sheep for them and took the milk to them, but I found them sleeping. I disliked providing my family with the milk before them. I waited for them, and the bowl of milk was in my hand, and I kept on waiting for them to get up until the day dawned. Then, they got up and drank the milk. O Allah, if I did that for Your sake only, relieve us from our critical situation caused by this rock.' So, the rock moved a little, but they could not get out." The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) added: "The second man said: 'O Allah, I had a cousin who was the dearest of all people to me and I wanted to have sexual relations with her, but she refused. Later, she had a tough time in a famine year, and she came to me, and I gave her one-hundred-and-twenty Dinars on the condition that she would not resist my desire, and she agreed. When I was about to fulfill my desire, she said: 'It is illegal for you to outrage my chastity except by legitimate marriage.' So, I felt too ashamed to have sexual intercourse with her and left her though she was the dearest of all people to me, and, I left the gold I had given her. O Allah, if I did that for Your sake only, relieve us from the present calamity.' So, the rock moved a little more, but still, they could not get out from there." The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) added: "Then, the third man said: 'O Allah, I employed a few laborers, and I paid them their wages except for one man who did not take his wage and went away. I invested his wage, and I got much property thereby. Then, he came and said to me: 'O servant of Allah, pay me my wage.' I said to him: 'All the camels, cows, sheep, and slaves you see are yours.' He said: 'O servant of Allah, do not mock me.' I said: 'I am not mocking you.' He took all the herd and drove them away and left nothing. O Allah, if I did that for Your sake only, relieve us from the present suffering.' So, the rock moved completely, and they got out walking." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2272) and Muslim (2743)]
We may also implore Allah Almighty by different forms of worship, notably supplication. About His prophets (peace be upon them), Allah, Exalted be He, says: {They used to hasten in doing virtuous deeds and used to call upon Us with hope and fear, and they were humble before Us.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 90] The good times for supplication include the time after the performance of prayers, the time of breaking the fast, during Tawāf, upon Mount Safa and Mount Marwa, at ‘Arafat and Muzdalifah, and after throwing the pebbles.
We may also implore Allah Almighty by mentioning our condition and demonstrating our need for Him and His help and mercy. Allah, the Exalted, informs that Mūsa (peace be upon him) said: {My Lord, I am desperately in need of whatever good You may send down to me.} [Surat al-Qasas: 24] He Almighty also informs that Prophet Ayūb (Job) (peace be upon him) supplicated, saying: {I have been struck by adversity, and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 83]
A Muslim may also implore Allah Almighty by asking a righteous man who is living and present to supplicate for him, as the brothers of Yūsuf asked their father to seek Allah's forgiveness for them. About this, Allah, Glorified be He, says: {They said: "O our father, pray to Allah to forgive us our sins; we were certainly mistaken."} [Surat Yūsuf: 97] Allah Almighty also says: {If only they had come to you [O Prophet] – after wronging themselves – and had asked Allah for forgiveness, and the Messenger had asked for forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Accepting of Repentance, Most Merciful.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 64] Anas ibn Mālik related that Umm Harām bint Milhān, his maternal aunt, reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) slept near me one day, and then he woke up smiling. I said: "O Messenger of Allah, what has made you smile?" He said: "People of my Ummah who were shown to me riding across this green sea like kings on thrones." She said: "Supplicate to Allah to make me one of them." So, he supplicated for me. Then, he slept again, and did likewise, and she said the same as she said before, and he replied in the same manner. She said: "Supplicate to Allah to make me one of them." He said: "You will be one of the first ones." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2799), Muslim (1912), Abu Dāwūd (2490), An-Nasā’i (3172), and Ibn Mājah (2776)]
When the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) described the seventy thousand persons who would enter Paradise without reckoning, ‘Ukkāshah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Supplicate Allah to make me one of them." [Narrated by Muslim (218)]
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that when they experienced a drought, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb would pray for rain by virtue of Al-‘Abbās ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, and say: "O Allah, we used to supplicate You by virtue of our Prophet and You would give us water; we are now supplicating You by virtue of our Prophet’s uncle; so give us water.” He said: "They would then be given water." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1010)] So, the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) ceased to seek rain and implore Allah Almighty by the Prophet's supplication, because he passed away, and began to ask Al-‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) to supplicate for rain, given their knowledge that this is a legitimate means of imploring Allah. ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) intended to implore Allah by Al-‘Abbās's supplication, not Al-‘Abbās himself, because if the intent were to implore Allah by Al-‘Abbās himself, it would be more appropriate to do it through the Prophet himself (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
It is not permissible to implore Allah Almighty by anything other than what He legislated. The people of Jahiliya (the pre-Islamic era) used to seek closeness to Allah by imploring Him through their idols and false gods. About their heinous act, Allah, Exalted be He, says: {As for those who take others as guardians besides Him, [saying]: "We only worship them so that they may bring us closer to Allah."} [Surat az-Zumar: 3]
Book of What Contradicts the Core of Imān or Its Perfect State
Abstract
We know that the opposite of belief in Allah is: disbelief in Allah.
There is major and minor disbelief. Major disbelief brings a person out of the fold of Islam; Allah Almighty will not accept any compensation or ransom from him; all his good deeds are rendered worthless; and he will dwell in Hellfire eternally. Minor disbelief, on the other hand, contradicts the perfect state of belief.
Major disbelief has various kinds, which Allah Almighty mentioned in His Book, and He Almighty stated that the disbelief of disbelievers may sometimes be rejection, and it may at other times be abandonment and arrogance towards the truth. Disbelief may also take the form of denial, and it makes no difference whether the denial is expressed by the tongue or denial within the heart. At other times, it takes the form of doubt and suspicion, as the person is hesitant about the truth and doubtful about the Resurrection and the meeting with Allah. Disbelief may also take the form of cursing and mockery or turning away and barring others from the path of Allah, and it may take the form of hating the truth.
We know that there is minor disbelief, which does not contradict the core of faith, but it contradicts its perfect state. It does not cause its perpetrator to dwell eternally in Hellfire or render all his virtuous deeds worthless. Minor disbelief has too many forms.
One of the forms of minor disbelief is fighting a Muslim. It does not take one out of the fold of Islam or cause him to languish eternally in Hellfire, for Allah Almighty calls the believers who fight one another as brothers, though they are fighting.
We know that the opposite of belief in Allah is Shirk, which is the worst wrongdoing. Shirk renders all good deeds worthless, and a person who dies as a polytheist, without repenting, shall not be forgiven and Paradise is forbidden to him, and his abode is Hellfire wherein he will abide forever.
Allah Almighty nullifies Shirk and criticizes the polytheists for their Shirk and highlights the error of them taking equals to Him. He makes clear that those partners cannot do any good or harm. Sometimes He, Exalted be He, stresses that those partners do not hear, and even if they were to hear, they would not respond to those calling upon them. At other times, Allah, the Exalted, makes clear that those partners cannot do any good or harm and cannot bring life or cause death. And some other times, Allah Almighty states that those worshiped apart from Him are even lower than those who worship them, for they cannot walk, strike, hear, or see. And He at other times describes them as little and powerless and that they do not possess even an atom's weight in the heaven or on the earth in a truthful way, and they are not partners in any of this, and none of them is a supporter or helper to Allah Almighty or an intercessor with Him. And some other times, our Lord points out that the existence of other gods along with Him is unreasonable, universally impossible, and religiously void.
We know that major Shirk has numerous forms.
One form is to ascribe a partner to Allah Almighty in His lordship, creation, dominion, sustenance, and management of the universe. Our Lord makes clear that to Him alone belong the creation and the command.
Another form of major Shirk is to ascribe a son to Allah Almighty, far exalted be He above that.
Another form is to believe in the stars, worship them, seek rain through them, and believe that they can bring sustenance.
Another form is to associate a partner with Allah Almighty in His names and attributes, like claiming that someone knows the unseen. And there is a stern warning against anyone who calls himself or someone else with one of Allah's names which befit none but Him, like the names: 'Allah' or "the Most Compassionate".
Among its forms is to believe that a created being possesses divine perfection or is able to do all things. This could never be true, as Allah Almighty points out the utter helplessness of the worshipers and those worshiped apart from Him.
Another form is to worship other gods alongside Allah, the Exalted.
Another form is to devote worship or part of it to anyone other than Allah Almighty.
The forms of major Shirk also include slaughtering a sacrifice to someone other than Allah Almighty, like an idol or a dead person, with the aim of drawing closer to them.
Another form is to make a vow to someone or something other than Allah Almighty. Indeed, a vow is an act of worship and must not be devoted to anyone or anything other than our Lord. Hence, Allah, the Exalted, praises the believers who fulfill their vows.
Another form of major Shirk is to seek refuge with other than Allah Almighty.
Its forms also include seeking help from other than Allah Almighty for things that can only be done by our Lord, or supplicating to other than Allah, Exalted be He.
Another form is Shirk in obedience to other than Allah Almighty. He, Glorified be He, mentions that the People of the Book took their rabbis and monks as lords besides Him, legislating for them and declaring unlawful what Allah made lawful.
Another form is Shirk in praying, bowing, prostrating, and performing Tawāf. This is because such acts of worship must not be devoted to anyone other than Allah Almighty, Who commanded His Prophet Ibrāhīm to purify His House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up in prayer, and those who bow and prostrate. The Almighty Lord mentions that only the arrogant would disdain to worship Him and points out that all creatures prostrate to Him.
One of its forms is not judging according to what Allah has revealed and referring to other than Allah for judgment, as the People of the Book and others did. They associated partners with Allah Almighty, laying down legislation for them. This is sometimes regarded as disbelief, and at other times as wrongdoing or rebellion.
Another form is Shirk of love. This is to love a created being in a way that comprises humbleness, reverence, and submission.
Another form is Shirk of fear. This is to fear a created being in a way that comprises submission, humbleness, and reverence, like fearing that he may cause an affliction or prevent good or committing something unlawful for his sake to win his approval. The Almighty Lord points out that His pious and close servants fear no one but Him.
Another form is Shirk of hope. This is to hope for something from a created being, alive and present or absent, while that thing can only be done by Allah Almighty - or to ask the dead to relieve distress, fulfill needs, or intercede on the Day of Judgment.
Another form is magic.
Its forms also include Kihānah (soothsaying) and (‘Irāfah) divination, for those who engage in them claim to know the unseen.
We know that there is minor Shirk, which does not bring one out of the fold of Islam or contradict the core of faith; rather, it contradicts the perfect state of faith. So, it does not cause a person to dwell eternally in Hellfire or render all his virtuous deeds worthless. Minor Shirk has numerous forms.
Another form is taking evil omens, and the criterion here is that it prompts one to go ahead with his plan or cancel it, as related in the relevant Hadīth.
Another form is hanging amulets.
One of the forms is little riyā’ (show off). Yet, if a person's heart is filled with riyā’ and he begins to perform honorable deeds without a sincere intention, faith, or fear from Allah Almighty, this person is a sheer hypocrite, and his deeds are rendered worthless and rejected. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) called this the Shirk of the inner self and pointed out that riyā’ is so invisible, and that his fear for his Ummah from riyā’ was greater than his fear for them from the Anti-Christ.
Another form is to seek worldly gains by one's virtuous deeds. This oscillates between major, and minor Shirk, depending on the intention within one's heart.
Another form is astrology, which may be major, or minor Shirk, depending on the intention within one's heart.
Another form is saying "It is as Allah wills, and you will" and similar phrases.
Another form is swearing by other than Allah Almighty.
We know that one of the things that contradicts belief in Allah is hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is to display Islam and conceal disbelief. Hypocrisy, which is tantamount to disbelief, is major and minor. It is to disbelieve in Allah Almighty and worship other than Him while pretending to be Muslim before people. An example is the hypocrites who lived at the time of the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Major hypocrisy brings a person out of the fold of Islam. We bear witness, as Allah bears witness, that the hypocrites are liars in their claim of faith.
Allah Almighty will not accept from the hypocrite any ransom or compensation, and whoever dies as a hypocrite is doomed to abide in Hellfire eternally.
We know that major hypocrisy involves hatred and animosity towards the truth, and such hypocrites find joy in the defeat of Islam and its people and feel deeply sad if they see Islam victorious. Major hypocrisy comes after belief, by refusing to refer to the Shariah for judgment, not trusting Allah Almighty and His promise to support His Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and religion, mocking and reviling the truth and its followers, slandering Muslims, and backbiting them, and deceiving the people of faith and showing off good deeds.
Allah, the Exalted, commanded His Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to strive against the hypocrites.
We know that minor hypocrisy does not bring a person out of the fold of Islam, nor does it render his good deeds worthless or cause him to dwell in Hellfire eternally; and we know that minor hypocrisy does not contradict the core of faith, but it contradicts its perfect state; and that hypocrisy has four traits, which would make a person a sheer hypocrite if he has them all; but if he possesses one of them, he has a trait of hypocrisy until he gives it up: if he speaks, he tells a lie; if he makes a promise, he breaks his promise; if he engages in a covenant, he proves treacherous; and if he is in a dispute, he acts immorally.
* Religious innovation is misguidance altogether.
We believe that Allah Almighty has perfected the religion for us and completed His favor upon us. Religious innovations are among the things that contradict the perfect state of faith. And we know that Allah, the Exalted, forbade dissension and disunity.
We know that religious innovations include extolment of graves and constructing buildings over them. This may also lead to Shirk. Another religious innovation is making images of righteous people in the hope of following their example after they pass away.
We know that wrong innovations include such newly introduced festivities and joining the disbelievers in their festive occasions.
We know that one of the wrong innovations is seeking blessings in something Allah Almighty did not make a cause for blessing it. This may also lead to Shirk.
Chapter on the Disbelief in Allah
We know that the opposite of belief in Allah is disbelief in Allah. There is major and minor disbelief. Major disbelief contradicts the core of faith, whereas minor disbelief contradicts the perfect state of faith. Major disbelief takes one out of the fold of Islam, and Allah does not accept from its perpetrator any ransom or compensation. Allah, the Exalted, says: {And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he will be in the Hereafter among the losers.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 85] He Almighty also says: {Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, even an earth full of gold will never be accepted from any of them, if offered as ransom. For such people there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 91] And He, Exalted be He, says: {And fear a Day when no soul will avail another anything, nor intercession will be accepted, nor compensation taken, nor will they be helped.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 48] Disbelief renders all virtuous deeds worthless. Allah Almighty says: {Whoever rejects the faith, all his efforts will be worthless, and, in the Hereafter, he will be among the losers.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 5] Commenting on the verse {Whoever rejects the faith, all his efforts will be worthless}, Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Allah Almighty states that faith is the firmest bond and that He does not accept any deed without it and does not forbid Paradise except to those who reject it." [Narrated by At-Tabari (3/113), (9/593) and Ibn Abi Hātim in At-Tafsīr (1307), yet in his commentary on: {If they believe as you have believed.}]
The disbeliever will dwell in Hellfire eternally. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Those who disbelieve and do wrong, Allah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to a way, except the way of Hell, abiding therein forever. And that is easy for Allah.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 168-169]
Major disbelief has various kinds, which Allah Almighty mentioned in His Book, and He Almighty stated that the disbelief of disbelievers may sometimes be Johūd (rejection), like in the verse that says: {We know well that what they say grieves you [O Prophet]. It is not you that they doubt, rather it is the verses of Allah that the wrongdoers deny.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 33] In another verse, He Almighty says: {But none rejects Our signs except whoever is deceitful, ungrateful.} [Surat Luqmān: 32] And He, Glorified be He, says: {They denied them wrongfully and arrogantly, although their hearts were convinced that they were true. See then how the end of those was who spread corruption!} [Surat an-Naml: 14]
And their disbelief sometimes takes the form of abandonment and arrogance towards the truth. About Satan, the leader of disbelievers, Allah Almighty says: {And when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam,” and they prostrated except Satan; he refused and was arrogant and was one of the disbelievers.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 34] Noah (peace be upon him) is quoted in the Qur'an as saying: {Every time I call them so that You may forgive them, they thrust their fingers into their ears and cover their faces with their garments and persist in obstinacy and grow extremely arrogant.} [Surat Nūh: 7]
At other times, disbelief takes the form of Takdhīb (denial). Regarding the previous nations, Allah Almighty says: {[Their] case is like that of the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They all denied Our signs, so Allah seized them for their sins, for Allah is severe in punishment.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 11] Allah Almighty also says: {Rather, the disbelievers persist in denying it.} [Surat al-Inshiqāq: 22] It makes no difference whether the denial is expressed by the tongue or by the heart. About the hypocrites, Allah Almighty says: {Have you not seen the hypocrites who say to their fellow disbelievers from the People of the Book: "If you are expelled, we will surely leave with you, and we will never obey anyone concerning you, and if you are attacked, we will surely come to your aid." But Allah bears witness that they are truly liars.} [Surat al-Hashr: 11] He Almighty also says: {When the hypocrites come to you, they say, "We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah," And Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars.} [Surat al-Munāfiqūn: 1]
Disbelief sometimes takes the form of Shakk (doubt and suspicion), as the person is hesitant and unsure about the truth, the Resurrection, and the meeting with Allah Almighty. In a Qur'anic story, the owner of a garden said: {Nor do I think that the Hour will ever come. Even if I am brought back to my Lord, I will surely find something better than this.} [Surat al-Kahf: 36] In response, his believing companion said to him: {Do you disbelieve in He Who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then fashioned you into a well-proportioned man?} [Surat al-Kahf: 37]
At other times, disbelief takes the form of cursing and mockery. About the disbelievers, Allah, the Exalted, says: {And there were messengers before you [O Prophet] who were ridiculed, but those who mocked them were overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 10] And about the people of Noah and their mockery of him, Allah, Exalted be He, says: {So, he started constructing the Ark, and every time some chiefs of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him. He said, “If you ridicule us now, we will soon ridicule you as you are ridiculing us.} [Surat Hūd: 38]
Disbelief may sometimes take the form of turning away and barring access to the way of Allah Almighty, Who says: {Or have they taken other gods besides Him? Say: "Bring your proof. Here is the Book of those who are with me, and the Book of those who came before me." Yet most of them do not know the truth, so they turn away.} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 24] And He, Blessed and Exalted be He, says: {We have not created the heavens and earth and all that is between them except for a true purpose and for a set term, yet those who disbelieve turn away from what they have been warned of.} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 3]
And sometimes disbelief is hatred of the truth. Allah Almighty says: {That is because they detest what Allah has sent down, so He rendered their deeds worthless.} [Surat Muhammad: 9]
We know that there is minor disbelief, which is less than the major one. Minor disbelief does not contradict the core of faith, yet it contradicts its perfect state. Minor disbelief does not take a person out of the fold of Islam, nor does it cause him to dwell in Hellfire eternally or render all his deeds worthless. There are numerous forms of minor disbelief.
One of the forms of disbelief lies in the Hadīth in which the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Cursing a Muslim is evil doing and fighting him is disbelief." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (48), Muslim (64), At-Tirmidhi (1983), An-Nasā’i (4108), and Ibn Mājah (69)] Another form lies in the Hadīth in which the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Two things are found among people which are tantamount to disbelief: libeling the lineage and wailing over the dead." [Narrated by Muslim (67)] The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Do not revert to disbelief after me by striking the necks of one another." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (121), Muslim (65), An-Nasā’i (4131), and Ibn Mājah (3942)]
However, such disbelief does not bring one out of the fold of Islam or cause him to languish eternally in Hellfire, for Allah Almighty calls the believers who fight one another as brothers. He, Exalted be He, says: {If two groups of the believers fight one another, make peace between them.} [Surat al-Hujurāt: 9-10] So, He calls them believers even though they fight each other. After citing a group of such Hadīths, Imām Ahmad (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "These Hadīths cited above: 'There are three traits, whoever has them is a hypocrite' affirms the sinfulness of the mentioned traits. We relate these Hadīths as they are and do not interpret them. The same applies to similar Hadīths, which are reported authentically and recorded. We yield to them, even if we do not know their interpretation. No one should dispute them or argue about them. Such Hadīths should only be interpreted in the way they were reported." [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah (1/182)]
Chapter on Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah)
We know that Shirk (associating partners with Allah) is contrary to the belief in Allah Almighty. Shirk is major and minor. Major Shirk contradicts the core of faith, while minor Shirk contradicts the perfect state of faith. Major Shirk is the worst wrongdoing. Allah, the Exalted, says: {When Luqmān said to his son, while advising him: "O my dear son, do not associate partners with Allah. Indeed, associating partners with Allah is the worst wrongdoing."} [Surat Luqmān: 13] Major Shirk renders all virtuous deeds worthless. Allah Almighty says: {It has already been revealed to you and to those who came before you that if you associate others with Allah, your deeds will surely become worthless, and you will certainly be among the losers.} [Surat az-Zumar: 65] He Almighty also says: {This is Allah’s guidance with which He guides whom He wills of His slaves. If they were to associate others with Him, all their deeds would have been nullified.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 88]
If a person dies while engaged in major Shirk and does not repent, Allah Almighty does not forgive him. He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but forgives anything less than that for whom He wills. Whoever associates partners with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 48] If a polytheist dies without repenting, Paradise will be forbidden for him, and Hellfire will be his abode wherein he will abide forever. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Whoever associates any partners with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode will be the Fire.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 72]
Jābir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, what are the two imperatives?" He said: "Whoever dies while associating no partner with Allah will enter Paradise, and whoever dies while associating partners with Allah will enter Hellfire." [Narrated by Muslim (93)]
Allah Almighty nullifies Shirk and criticizes the polytheists for their Shirk and highlights the error of them taking equals to Him. He makes clear that those partners cannot do any good or harm. Sometimes He, Exalted be He, stresses that those partners do not hear, and even if they were to hear, they would not respond to those calling upon them. Allah Almighty says: {Whereas those whom you invoke beside Him do not own so much as the membrane of a date stone. If you call upon them, they cannot hear your call, and even if they were to hear, they could not respond to you. On the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your associating them as partners with Allah.} [Surat Fātir: 13-14] So, the Almighty Lord points out that they do not possess anything and cannot hear the supplication of those who call upon them; and on the Day of Judgment, they will disown their polytheism.
At other times, Allah, the Exalted, makes clear that those partners cannot do any good or harm and cannot bring life or cause death. He, Glorified be He, says: {They have taken besides Him other gods who can create nothing but are themselves created. Nor do they have power to harm or benefit themselves, nor do they have power to cause death, give life or resurrect the dead.} [Surat al-Furqān: 3] He Almighty also says: {Do they hear you when you call upon them? Or can they benefit or harm you?} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 72-73]
And some other times, Allah Almighty states that those worshiped apart from Him are even lower than those who worship them, for they cannot walk, strike, hear, or see. "Thus, they are bereft of all these things with which one can do any good or harm." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (13/322)] Allah Almighty says: {Do they have feet to walk with? Or hands to grasp with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say [O Prophet]: "Call your idols then conspire against me and give me no respite!"} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 195]
And in other verses, Allah Almighty highlights the incapacity and helplessness of these idols. He, Exalted be He, says: {O people, a similitude is set forth, so listen to it: those whom you invoke besides Allah can never create even a fly, even if they all come together for that. And if a fly snatches something away from them, they cannot retrieve it. How feeble is the invoker as well as the invoked!} [Surat al-Hajj: 73] He Almighty also says: {But those whom you supplicate besides Him cannot help you, nor can they help themselves.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 197]
And in other verses, Allah Almighty describes them as needy and lowly and points out that they do not even possess an atom's weight of authority in the heavens or on earth, nor do they have any share in either of them, and none of them is a helper to the Almighty Creator or acts as an intercessor with Him. {Say: "Call upon those whom you claim [to be gods] besides Allah. They do not have even an atom’s weight of authority in the heavens or on earth, nor do they have any share in either of them, nor is any of them a helper to Allah." No intercession will be of any benefit before Him, except for those whom He gave permission.} [Surat Saba’: 22-23]
At other times, Allah Almighty clarifies that the existence of other gods along with Him is contrary to reason, universally impossible, and religiously void. The Almighty Creator says: {If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder. Glory be to Allah – Lord of the Throne – far above what they ascribe [to Him].} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 22] In another verse, Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says: {Say: "If there were other gods besides Him – as they claim – they would have surely sought a way to the Lord of the Throne."} [Surat al-Isrā’: 42] And He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah has never begotten a son, nor is there any god besides Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he had created, and each would have tried to gain supremacy over the other. Glory be to Allah far above what they ascribe to Him!} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 91]
We know that major Shirk has numerous forms.
Among its forms is to associate partners with Allah Almighty in His lordship, creation, dominion, sustenance, and management of the universe. About such Shirk, Allah, the Exalted, says: {Or do they ascribe to Allah partners who created the like of His creation, so they are confused between two creations? Say: "Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Subjugator."} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 16] Criticizing those who associate partners with Allah Almighty from among His creation, our Lord says: {This is Allah’s creation. So, show Me what others beside Him have created. In fact, the wrongdoers are clearly misguided.} [Surat Luqmān: 11] Allah, Exalted be He, makes clear that to Him alone belong the creation and the command. He Almighty says: {Your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and earth in six days, and then rose over the Throne. He makes the night and day overlap in rapid succession. He made the sun, the moon, and the stars – all subservient to His command. Behold, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 54]
Another form of major Shirk is to ascribe a son to Allah, far exalted be He above that. He Almighty says: {The Jews say, "Ezra is the son of Allah," and the Christians say: "The Messiah is the son of Allah." These are mere words that they utter, imitating the words of the disbelievers before them. May Allah ruin them; how can they be deluded?} [Surat at-Tawbah: 30] He Almighty also says: {They regard the jinn as partners of Allah, even though He created them, and they falsely attribute to Him sons and daughters without knowledge. Glorified and Exalted is He far above what they ascribe to Him.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 100] And Allah, the Exalted, says: {Yet they ascribe to Him some of His slaves as offspring. Indeed, man is clearly ungrateful. Has He taken for Himself daughters from what He has created, and favored you with sons?} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 15-16]
Another form of major Shirk is the belief in and worship of the stars. Relating to Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) and how he argued with his people regarding the worship of stars, Allah Almighty says: {Thus, We showed Abraham the dominion of the heavens and earth, so that he would be of those who have certain faith. When the night grew dark upon him, he saw a star and said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, he said: "I do not like those that set." Then when he saw the moon rising, he said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the misguided people." Then when he saw the sun rising, he said: "This is my Lord; this is greater." But when it set, he said: "O my people, I disown all what you associate with Allah. I turn my face towards the One Who originated the heavens and earth, inclining to true faith, and I am not one of those who associate partners with Allah." His people argued with him. He said: "Do you argue with me concerning Allah, when He has guided me? I do not fear what you associate with Him, [none can harm me] except what my Lord wills. My Lord encompasses everything in His knowledge. Will you not then take heed? Why should I fear what you associate with Him, when you do not fear that you associate with Allah for which He has not sent down any authority? So, which of the two parties has more right to feel secure, if you really know?"} [Surat al-An‘ām: 75-81]
Another form is to seek rain through the stars and believe that they bring sustenance. Allah, the Exalted, says: {And instead [of thanking Allah] for the provision you are given, you show ingratitude?} [Surat al-Wāqi‘ah: 82] Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There was once a downpour during the Prophet's lifetime. Thereupon, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Some people entered the morning with gratitude and some with ingratitude. Those who entered with gratitude said: 'This is the mercy of Allah.' But those who entered with ingratitude said: 'Such and such asterism was right.'" It was upon this that this verse was revealed: {I do swear by the positions of the stars} [Surat al-Wāqi‘ah: 75]. He continued the recitation until he reached the verse that says: {And instead [of thanking Allah] for the provision you are given, you show ingratitude?} [Surat al-Wāqi‘ah: 82] [Narrated by Muslim (73) and At-Tabari in At-Tafsīr (23/154)]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are four characteristics within my Ummah belonging to the Jahiliya, which they would not abandon: boasting of high rank, reviling other people’s genealogies, seeking rain by the stars, and wailing." [Narrated by Muslim (934) and Ibn Mājah (1581)]
Zayd ibn Khālid al-Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the Fajr prayer at Al-Hudaybiyah after it rained at night, and when he finished, he turned to the people and said: "Do you know what your Lord said?" They said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "Some of My slaves have entered the morning as believers in Me and some as disbelievers. He who says, 'We have had a rainfall due to Allah's grace and mercy' believes in Me and disbelieves in the stars; and he who says, 'We have had a rainfall due to the rising of such and such star' disbelieves in Me and believes in the stars." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (846), Muslim (71), Abu Dāwūd (3906), and An-Nasā’i (1525)]
Another form is to associate a partner with Allah Almighty in His names and attributes, like claiming that someone knows the unseen. Commanding His Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), Allah, the Exalted, says: {Say [O Prophet]: "I do not tell you that I have the treasuries of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me." Say: "Is the blind equal to the one who can see? Do you not then contemplate?"} [Surat al-An‘ām: 50] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {The unseen belongs to Allah alone.} [Surat Yūnus: 20] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever goes to a soothsayer and believes him in what he says or has intercourse with his wife while she is menstruating or through her anus, he has nothing to do with what has been sent down to Muhammad." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3904), At-Tirmidhi (135), Ibn Mājah (639), Al-Fadl ibn Dakīn in As-Salāh (15), Is'hāq ibn Rahwayh (482), and Ahmad (9536). And there is a stern warning against anyone who calls himself or someone else with one of Allah's names which befit none but Him, like the names: 'Allah' or 'the Most Compassionate'. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Allah has the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them, and leave those who profane His Names. They will be recompensed for what they used to do.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 180] He Almighty also says: {Allah – none has the right to be worshiped except Him. He has the Most Beautiful Names.} [Surat Tāha: 8] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The most awful name in Allah's sight on the Day of Resurrection is a man calling himself 'the king of kings'." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6205), Muslim (2143), Abu Dāwūd (4961), and At-Tirmidhi (2837)]
Abu ‘Ubayd (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "Commenting on the term 'the king of kings', Sufyān ibn ‘Uyaynah said: 'This is like their saying 'Shahenshah', i.e. the king of kings.' Another one said: 'Rather, it is when a person is called by one of the names of Allah, like the Most Compassionate, the Subjugator, and the Mighty. Indeed, Allah is the King of kings. So, it is not permissible for anyone to be called by this name or the like.'" [Gharīb Al-Hadīth by Al-Qāsim ibn Sallām (2/18)]
Among its forms is to believe that a created being possesses divine perfection or is able to do all things. Allah, the Exalted, says: {And there is none comparable to Him.} [Surat al-Ikhlās: 4] He Almighty also says: {Lord of the heavens and earth and all that is between them. So, worship Him and be constant in worshiping Him. Do you know anyone equal to Him?} [Surat Maryam: 65] Telling about His absolute capability, He Almighty says: {Allah is Most Capable of all things.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 148] In another verse, He, Exalted be He, says: {Allah is not such that something can escape Him in the heavens or on earth. He is indeed All-Knowing, Most Capable.} [Surat Fātir: 44] Allah Almighty points out the helplessness of the worshipers and those worshiped apart from Him. He, Exalted be He, says: {O people, a similitude is set forth, so listen to it: those whom you invoke besides Allah can never create even a fly, even if they all come together for that. And if a fly snatches something away from them, they cannot retrieve it. How feeble is the invoker as well as the invoked!} [Surat al-Hajj: 73]
Another form is to take deities along with Allah Almighty. Informing about the people of Abraham (peace be upon him) and how they took idols as gods apart from Allah, our Lord says: {And [remember] when Abraham said to his father, Āzar: "Do you take idols as gods? I see that you and your people are clearly misguided."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 74] Allah Almighty speaks about the dwellers of the cave and informs that they stayed away from their people because they took gods other than Allah, Exalted be He. A verse reads: {These people of ours have taken besides Him other gods. Why do they not bring clear proof about them? Who does greater wrong than one who fabricates lies against Allah?} [Surat al-Kahf: 15] About the people of Moses (peace be upon him), Allah Almighty states that they asked Moses to make for them a god as the polytheists had gods. Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says: {We led the Children of Israel across the sea, then they came upon a people who were devoted to their idols. They said: "O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods." He said: "You are indeed an ignorant people. Indeed, what they follow is doomed to destruction and what they do is worthless."} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 138-139] Rejecting the worship of anyone other than Him, Allah, the Exalted, says: {Allah has never begotten a son, nor is there any god besides Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he had created, and each would have tried to gain supremacy over the other. Glory be to Allah far above what they ascribe to Him!} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 91]
Another form is to devote worship or part of it to anyone other than Allah Almighty. Speaking about the condition of the polytheists, our Lord says: {They assign to Allah a portion of the crops and livestock He created, saying: "This is for Allah" – as they claim – "and this is for our partners [idols]." But that which is assigned for their partners does not reach Allah, while that which is assigned for Allah reaches their partners. How unfair is their judgment!} [Surat al-An‘ām: 136] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah Almighty said: 'I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. So, he who does something for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism.'" [Narrated by Muslim (2985)]
Its forms also include slaughtering a sacrifice to someone other than Allah Almighty, like an idol or a dead person, with the aim of drawing closer to them. Making clear that sacrificial slaughter should only be devoted to Him, Allah, the Exalted, says: {Say: "Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds."} [Surat al-An‘ām: 162] He Almighty also says: {He has only forbidden to you carrion, blood, flesh of swine, and what is slaughtered to other than Allah. But if one is compelled by necessity – neither driven by desire nor exceeding the need – then Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} [Surat an-Nahl: 115] Abu at-Tufayl related: We said to ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (May Allah be pleased with him): "Inform us about something which the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) confided to you." He said: "He confided nothing to me which he concealed from people, but I heard him say: 'Allah cursed he who sacrifices for anyone besides Allah.'" [Narrated by Muslim (1978) and An-Nasā’i (4422)] Given the gravity of this sin, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade us from sacrificing in a place where sacrifices are offered to other than Allah Almighty. Thābit ibn ad-Dahhāk (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man took a vow during the Prophet's lifetime to slaughter camels at Buwāna. He came to the Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him about that. Thereupon, the Messenger (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "Did the place contain any of the Jahiliya idols that used to be worshiped?" He replied in the negative. He further asked, "Was any of their festivals observed there?" The man replied in the negative. So, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Fulfill your vow, for a vow should not be fulfilled if it involves disobedience to Allah or pertains to something beyond one's control." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3313)]
Among its forms is to make a vow to someone or something other than Allah Almighty. Indeed, a vow is an act of worship and may not be devoted to other than our Lord. Hence, Allah, the Exalted, praises the believers who fulfill their vows. He, Glorified be He, says: {They fulfill their vows and fear a Day whose evil will spread far and wide.} [Surat al-Insān: 7] Allah Almighty also says: {Whatever charity you give or vow you make, Allah surely knows it. But the wrongdoers have no helpers.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 270] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever makes a vow to obey Allah should obey Him, and whoever makes a vow to disobey Allah should not disobey Him." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6696), Abu Dāwūd (3289), At-Tirmidhi (1526), An-Nasā’i (3806), and Ibn Mājah (2126)]
Another form is to seek refuge with other than Allah Almighty. Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: "Some men from among human beings used to stay the night at the valley during Jahiliya and say: 'We seek refuge with the mighty one of this valley.' Yet, this increased them but in sinfulness." [Narrated by At-Tabari in At-Tafsīr (23/322)] About the condition of the people of Jahiliya, Allah, the Exalted, says: {And there were some men who used to seek refuge with some jinn, but they only increased them in burden.} [Surat al-Jinn: 6] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever lands somewhere and then says 'I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created', nothing will harm him until he leaves that place." [Narrated by Muslim (2708), At-Tirmidhi (3437), and Ibn Mājah (3547)]
Its forms also include seeking help from other than Allah Almighty for things that can only be done by our Lord, or supplicating to other than Allah, Exalted be He. In a verse, He Almighty says: {The mosques are for Allah alone, so do not supplicate to anyone along with Allah.} [Surat al-Jinn 18] Allah Almighty also says: {If you call upon them, they cannot hear your call, and even if they were to hear, they could not respond to you. On the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your associating them as partners with Allah. And none can inform you like the All-Aware.} [Surat Fātir: 14] Allah Almighty points out that polytheists, when suffering trouble, seek refuge with Him, and then when He saves them, they revert to their polytheism. He, Exalted be He, says: {When they board a ship, they supplicate to Allah, devoting their faith sincerely to Him. But as soon as He rescues them to the land, they associate partners with Him.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 65] He Almighty also says: {Who is more astray than one who invokes besides Allah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and are in fact unaware of their invocations?} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 5] Allah Almighty points out that He is the One Who responds to the distressed and relieves suffering. He, Exalted be He, says: {Is He [not better] Who responds to the distressed when he calls out to Him, and Who relieves suffering, and Who makes you successors on earth? Is there any god besides Allah? Little is it that you take heed!} [Surat an-Naml: 62]
Among its forms is polytheism in worship, by devoting it to other than Allah Almighty. Informing about the People of the Book and that they took their rabbis and monks as lords besides Him, legislating for them and declaring unlawful what Allah made lawful, our Lord says: {They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah, as well as the Messiah, son of Mary, even though they were commanded to worship only One God; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, glorified is He far above what they associate with Him.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 31] Allah Almighty also says: {Or do they have partners who have prescribed for them a religion that is not sanctioned by Allah?} [Surat ash-Shūra: 21] Allah Almighty commands His servants to believe in Him and refer to His Shariah for judgment, and He points out that Satan wants them to refer to false deities for judgment. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Have you not seen [O Prophet] those who claim that they believe in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down before you, yet they seek the judgment of Tāghūt [false deities], even though they were commanded to reject them? Satan wants to lead them far astray.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 60] ‘Adiyy ibn Hātim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) while I had a cross of gold around my neck. He said: "O ‘Adiyy, remove this idol from yourself!" And I heard him reciting from Surat Barā’ah (At-Tawbah): {They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah} [Surat at-Tawbah: 31]. He said: "As for them, they did not worship them, but when they made something lawful for them, they would consider it lawful, and when they made something unlawful for them, they would consider it unlawful." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (3095), Ibn Sa‘d (6/219), Ibn Aby Hātim in At-Tafsīr (10057), and At-Tabarāni in Al-Kabīr (17/92/218)]
Its forms also include polytheism in praying, bowing, prostrating, and performing Tawāf. This is because such acts of worship must not be devoted to anyone other than Allah Almighty, Who commanded His Prophet Ibrāhīm to purify His House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up in prayer, and those who bow and prostrate; He says: {And [remember] when We showed to Abraham the site of the House [Ka‘bah]: "Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up in prayer, and those who bow and prostrate."} [Surat al-Hajj: 26] Allah, Glorified be He, commands that prostration should be offered to Him alone. In the Qur’an, He Almighty says: {Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them if you truly worship Him.} [Surat Fussilat: 37] Only the arrogant would disdain worshipping Him. Allah Almighty says: {[Allah] said: "O Satan, what prevented you from prostrating to whom I created with My two Hands? Did you just become proud, or have you always been arrogant?"} [Surat Sād: 75] Allah Almighty informs that all creatures prostrate to Him. He, Glorified be He, says: {To Allah prostrates all that is in the heavens and on earth of living things, and so do the angels; and they do not show arrogance.} [Surat an-Nahl: 49] Before he entered the place of Negus, Ja‘far (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "I am your speaker today." So, they followed him until they arrived to [King] Negus, without prostrating to him. Thereupon, he wondered: "Why have you not prostrated to the king?" He replied: "Allah Almighty sent His Prophet to us and he commanded us not to prostrate except to Allah." [Narrated by At-Tayālsi (344), Sa‘īd ibn Mansūr (2481), Ahmad (4400), Luwayn in his Juz’ (4), and At-Tahāwi in Ahkām Al-Qur’an (418)]
One of its forms is not judging according to what Allah revealed and referring to other than Allah for judgment. Allah Almighty clarifies the ruling on those who do not judge by what He revealed. He, Glorified and Exalted be He, says: {Whoever does not judge according to what Allah has revealed, it is they who are the disbelievers.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 44] Allah Almighty also says: {Whoever does not judge according to what Allah has revealed, it is they who are the wrongdoers.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 45] And He, Exalted be He, says: {Whoever does not judge according to what Allah has revealed, it is they who are the rebellious.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 47] This is because the command entirely belongs to Allah, the Exalted, Who says: {Behold, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-A‘raf: 54] Allah Almighty also says: {Those who associate partners with Allah say: "If Allah had willed, neither we nor our forefathers would have worshiped anything besides Him, nor would we have prohibited anything without His command." Those who came before them did the same. Is the duty of the messengers except to convey the message clearly?} [Surat an-Nahl: 35]
Allah Almighty criticizes the People of the Book for taking their rabbis and monks as lords who lay down legislation for them. He, Exalted be He, says: {They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah, as well as the Messiah, son of Mary, even though they were commanded to worship only One God; none has the right to be worshiped except Him, glorified is He far above what they associate with Him.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 31] Allah Almighty also says: {Or do they have partners who have prescribed for them a religion that is not sanctioned by Allah?} [Surat ash-Shūra: 21] ‘Adiyy ibn Hātim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) while I had a cross of gold around my neck. He said: "O ‘Adiyy, remove this idol from yourself!" And I heard him reciting from Surat Barā'ah: {They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah} [Surat at-Tawbah: 31]. He said: "As for them, they did not worship them, but when they made something lawful for them, they would consider it lawful, and when they made something unlawful for them, they would consider it unlawful." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (3095), Ibn Sa‘d (6/219), Ibn Aby Hātim in At-Tafsīr (10057), and At-Tabarāni in Al-Kabīr (17/92/218)]
In doing so, the People of the Book emulate the polytheists about whom Allah Almighty says: {Those who associate partners with Allah say, “If Allah had willed, neither we nor our forefathers would have worshiped anything besides Him, nor would we have prohibited anything without His command.” Those who came before them did the same. Is the duty of the messengers except to convey the message clearly?} [Surat an-Nahl: 35]
Allah Almighty also says: {But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they accept you [O Prophet] as the judge in their disputes and find no discomfort within their hearts about your judgments but accept them wholeheartedly.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 65] And He, Exalted be He, says: {Or do they have partners who have prescribed for them a religion that is not sanctioned by Allah?} [Surat ash-Shūra: 21] In another verse, Allah Almighty says: {Do they seek the judgment of the times of ignorance? Who could be better than Allah in judgment for people who are certain in faith?} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 50]
Another form is polytheism in love. This is to love a created being in a way that comprises humbleness, reverence, and submission. About the polytheists' love for their deities, Allah Almighty says: {And among people there are some who take others as equals to Allah: they love them as they should love Allah.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 165] ‘Abdullāh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): "Which sin is the gravest?" He replied: "That you take an equal to Allah while He created you." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (4477), Muslim (86), Abu Dāwūd (2310), At-Tirmidhi (3182), and An-Nasā’i (4013)]
Another form of polytheism is fear. This is to fear a created being in a way that comprises submission, humbleness, and reverence, like fearing that he may cause an affliction or prevent something good or committing something unlawful for his sake to win his approval. Allah, the Exalted, says: {It is Satan who frightens [you] through his allies. Do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are [true] believers.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 175] The polytheists believe that their gods can do good and cause harm. Hence, they thought that their deities inflicted harm upon Prophet Hūd (peace be upon him). They are quoted in the Qur'an as saying: {All we can say is that some of our gods have afflicted you with harm. He said: "I call Allah to witness, and you too bear witness, that I totally reject whatever you associate."} [Surat Hūd: 54] Mujāhid said: "{Our gods have afflicted you with harm}: The idols have afflicted you with madness." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (15/361)] The Prophet of hanīfiyyah (inclining to true faith), Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him), is quoted in the Qur'an as saying: {Why should I fear what you associate with Him, when you do not fear that you associate with Allah for which He has not sent down any authority? So, which of the two parties has more right to feel secure, if you really know?} [Surat al-An‘ām: 81]
The people of the time of ignorance used to seek refuge with the leaders of jinn out of fear from the fools among them. Allah Almighty says: {And there were some men who used to seek refuge with some jinn, but they only increased them in burden.} [Surat al-Jinn: 6]
Allah Almighty also says: {However, when fighting was ordained for them, a group of them feared people as one should fear Allah or even more.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 77] The Almighty Lord points out that His pious and close servants fear none but Him. He, Glorified be He, says: {Those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him, and they do not fear anyone except Allah. And sufficient is Allah as a Reckoner.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 39] He Almighty also says: {The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give Zakah and fear none but Allah. It is they who are expected to be rightly guided.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 18] And Allah Almighty states that the magicians, after they came to believe, did give precedence to the fear of Him over their fear of Pharaoh and his punishment. About their statement, Allah, the Exalted, says: {They said: "We will never choose you over the clear signs that have come to us, or over the One Who created us. So, decide whatever you will. You can only make a decision about the life of this world. We surely believe in our Lord so that He may forgive us our sins and the magic that you have compelled us to practice, for Allah is best [in reward] and more lasting [in punishment]."} [Surat Tāha: 72-73]
Another form is polytheism of hope. This is to hope for something from a created being, alive and present or absent, while that thing can only be done by Allah Almighty - or to ask the dead to relieve distress, fulfill needs, or intercede on the Day of Judgment. Mentioning the reason behind their worship of the idols, the Qur'an relates that the polytheists said: {We only worship them so that they may bring us closer to Allah.} [Surat az-Zumar: 3] Allah Almighty also says: {If you call upon them, they cannot hear your call, and even if they were to hear, they could not respond to you. On the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your associating them as partners with Allah. And none can inform you like the All-Aware.} [Surat Fātir: 14] Allah, Exalted be He, points out that those partners do not possess anything. He Almighty says: {Say: "Tell me about your associate-gods to whom you supplicate besides Allah. Show me what they created on earth, or do they have a share in the heavens? Or have We given them a Book, so they have a clear proof? No, the wrongdoers promise one another nothing but delusion."} [Surat Fātir: 40] Allah, the Exalted, states that the followers will be told on the Day of Judgment: {Call upon your [so-called] partners [for help]. They will call upon them but will receive no response. They will see the punishment, wishing that they had followed guidance.} [Surat al-Qasas: 64] Mention is made in several Qur’anic verses of the polytheists calling upon their gods, and this points to their polytheism of hope. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {There is no doubt that those [gods] to whom you call me to are not worthy of calling upon, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter. Our return is to Allah, and it is the transgressors who are the people of the Fire.} [Surat Ghāfir: 43] Had they not believed that they would respond to them, the believer of the people of Pharaoh would not have negated it.
One of its forms is magic. Allah, the Exalted, says: {But the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels Hārūt and Mārūt in Babylon. But these two angels did not teach anyone without telling them: "We are only a test, so do not disbelieve."} [Surat al-Baqarah: 102] Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Avoid the seven destructive sins." They said: "What are they, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Associating partners with Allah, practicing magic, killing the life which Allah made inviolable except for a just cause, consuming usury, devouring the orphan's wealth, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering the unaware chaste believing women." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2766), Muslim (89), Abu Dāwūd (2874), and An-Nasā’i (3671)]
‘Amr ibn Dinār related that he heard Bajālah relate to ‘Amr ibn Aws and Abu ash-Sha‘thā’: I was a scribe for Mu‘āwiyah, the paternal uncle of Al-Ahnaf, as we received a letter from ‘Umar one year before his death, saying: "Kill every magician..." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3043), ‘Abdur-Razzāq (9972), Sa‘īd ibn Mansūr (2180), and Ahmad (1657)]
And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever acquires any knowledge of astrology does acquire a branch of magic, of which he gets more as long as he continues to do so." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3905), Ibn Mājah (3726), Ibn Abi Shaybah (26159), Ahmad (2000), and ‘Abd ibn Humayd (714)]
Its forms also include soothsaying and divination, for those who engage in them claim to know the unseen. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {[He is] Knower of the unseen, He does not reveal His unseen to anyone, except the messenger whom He chooses, then He appoints angel-guards before him and behind him.} [Surat al-Jinn: 26-27] Safiyyah related from some of the Prophet's wives that he said: “If anyone goes to a soothsayer and asks him about something, his prayer will not be accepted for forty nights.” [Narrated by Muslim (2230)]
Abu Hurayrah and Al-Hasan (May Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever goes to a fortuneteller or a soothsayer and believes him in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad." [Narrated by Ahmad (9536) via Abu Hurayrah and Al-Hasan; narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3904), At-Tirmidhi (135), Ibn Mājah (639), Ibn Aby Shaybah (17077), Is'hāq ibn Rahwayh (482), and Ahmad (9290) via Abu Hurayrah]
We know that there is minor Shirk that does not take a person out of the fold of Islam nor cause him to dwell eternally in Hellfire, nor render all his virtuous deeds worthless. Minor Shirk has numerous forms:
One of its forms is Tiyarah (taking evil omens), and the criterion here is that it prompts a person to go ahead with his plan or cancel it. Allah Almighty says: {When prosperity came their way, they said, "This is what we deserve," but when adversity befell them, they ascribed it to the misfortune of Moses and those who were with him. Indeed, Allah decrees their misfortune, but most of them do not know.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 131] Allah Almighty also says: {The messengers said: "Your evil omen is with yourselves [because of your disbelief]. Is it because you are admonished? Rather, you are a people who transgress all bounds."} [Surat Yāsīn: 19] In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is no infection, no evil omen, no hāmah (owl), and no safar (snake or a month)." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (5707), Muslim (2220), and Abu Dāwūd (3911)]
‘Urwah ibn ‘Āmir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Taking evil omens was mentioned in the Prophet's presence, and he said: "The best type is the good omen, and it does not turn back a Muslim. If one of you sees anything he dislikes, he should say: 'O Allah, no one brings good things except You, and no one averts evil things except You, and there is no power or strength except through You.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3919), Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (26920) and Al-Adab (162), and by Al-Khallāl (1405)]
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever is deterred by an omen from doing something has committed Shirk." They said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is the expiation for that?" He said: "One should say: O Allah, there is no goodness but Your goodness; there is no omen but Your omen; and there is no god but You." [Narrated by Ibn Wahb in Al-Jāmi‘ (658), Ahmad (7045), and this is his version, At-Tabarāni in Al-Kabīr (14622), and Ibn as-Sunni in ‘Amal Al-Yawm Wa Al-Laylah (292)]
Another form is hanging amulets. Abu Bashīr al-Ansāri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he was in the Prophet's company on some of his journeys. ‘Abdullāh, a sub-narrator, added: "I think that Abu Bashīr also said: "And the people were at their sleeping places." The Messenger of Allah sent a messenger with this order: "There should remain no necklace of string or any other kind of necklace around the necks of camels without being cut off." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3005), Muslim (2115), and Abu Dāwūd (2552)]
‘Abdullāh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Indeed, spells, amulets, and love-potions are Shirk." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (3883), Ibn Mājah (3530), Mu‘ammar in Al-Jāmi‘ (20343), Ibn Abi Shaybah (23924), and Ahmad (3615)]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Whoever hangs up something (as an amulet) will be entrusted to it." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2072), Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (23923) and Al-Musnad (786), and Ahmad (18781)]
One of the forms is little riyā’ (show off). Yet, if a person's heart is filled with riyā’ and he begins to perform virtuous deeds without a sincere intention, faith, or fear of Allah Almighty, this is a sheer hypocrite, and his deeds are rendered worthless and rejected. Allah, the Exalted, says: {So, whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and associate none in the worship of his Lord.} [Surat al-Kahf: 110] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah Almighty said: 'I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. So, he who does something for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism.'" [Narrated by Muslim (2985)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The first person to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who died as a martyr. He will be brought forward, and after Allah has reminded him of the favors He bestowed upon him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask: 'What did you do to show gratitude for it?’ The man will reply: ‘I fought for Your cause until I was martyred.’ Allah will say: ‘You lied. You fought so that people might call you courageous, and they have done so.' Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hellfire. Next a man who has acquired knowledge and taught it and read the Qur’an will be brought forward, and after Allah has reminded him of the favors He bestowed upon him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask: ‘What did you do to show gratitude for it?’ The man will reply: ‘I acquired knowledge and taught it and read the Qur’an for Your sake.’ Allah will say: 'You lied. You acquired knowledge that people might call you learned, and you read the Qur’an that they might call you a Qur’an reader, and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hellfire. Next a man whom Allah has made affluent and to whom He has given all kinds of property will be brought forward, and after Allah has reminded him of the favors He bestowed upon him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask: ‘What did you do to show gratitude for it?’ The man will reply: ‘I have not neglected to spend for Your sake in all causes approved by You.’ Allah will say: ‘You lied. You did it that people might call you generous, and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hellfire." [Narrated by Muslim (1905), At-Tirmidhi (2382), and An-Nasā’i (3137)]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "He who intentionally lets people hear of his good deeds, Allah will let them know his real intention, and he who does good things to show off, Allah will disclose his real intention." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6499), Muslim (2987), and Ibn Mājah (4207)]
Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever intentionally lets people hear about his good deeds, Allah will let them know his real intention and humiliate and belittle him." [Narrated by Ibn al-Mubārak in Az-Zuhd (141), Ibn Abi Shaybah (36448), Hannād in Az-Zuhd (872), and Ahmad (6509) and in Az-Zuhd (238)]
Abu Mūsa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, what kind of fighting is in Allah’s cause? Some of us fight because of being enraged and angry and some out of zealotry." The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) raised his head and said: 'Whoever fights so that the word of Allah is the uppermost fights in Allah's cause." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (123), Muslim (1904), Abu Dāwūd (2517), At-Tirmidhi (1646), An-Nasā’i (3136), and Ibn Mājah (2783)]
We know that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) called this the hidden Shirk. Mahmūd ibn Labīd reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Beware, beware of the Shirk of the inner beings!" They said: "What is the Shirk of the inner beings?" He said: "When one of you stands to pray and strives to beautify his prayer so as to be seen by people. That is the Shirk of the inner beings." [Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah (8489), Ibn Khuzaymah (937), At-Tabarāni in Al-Kabīr (4301), and Al-Bayhaqi in As-Sunan Al-Kubra (3629) and in Ash-Shu‘ab (2872)]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that riyā’ is so invisible, and that his fear for his Ummah from riyā’ was greater than his fear for them from the Anti-Christ. He (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Shall I tell you of what I fear more for you than the Anti-Christ?" He said: 'We said: Yes.' He said: "The hidden Shirk! When a man stands to offer prayer and beautifies his prayer because he notices that someone is looking at him." [Narrated by Ibn Mājah (4204), Ahmad (11252), Hanbal in Is'hāq in Al-Fitan (30), and At-Tabari in Tahdhīb Al-Āthār (1117)]
One form of minor Shirk is seeking worldly gains by one's honorable deeds. Allah Almighty says: {Whoever seeks the harvest of the Hereafter, We will increase for him his harvest; and whoever seeks the harvest of this world, We will give him thereof, but in the Hereafter, he will have no share.} [Surat ash-Shūra: 20] Allah, the Exalted, also says: {Those who seek the life of this world and its splendor, We will repay them in full in this life for their deeds, and nothing will be diminished from them therein.} [Surat Hūd: 15] This oscillates between major, and minor Shirk, depending on the intention within one's heart. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Whoever desires this fleeting life, We hasten therein whatever We will to whomever We please. Then We prepare for him Hell, which he will enter, despised, and rejected.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 18]
Abu Mūsa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and asked: "A man fights for war booty, another fights for fame, and a third fights for showing off; which of them fights in Allah's cause?" The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever fights so that the word of Allah is the uppermost fights in Allah’s cause.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2810), Muslim (1904), Abu Dāwūd (2517), and An-Nasā’i (3136)]. In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) invoked against those whose chief concern and aim is the worldly life. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Miserable is the worshiper of the dinar and dirham, and the worshiper of the striped silk cloak. If he is given anything, he is satisfied; but if he is not given, he is dissatisfied.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2886) and Ibn Mājah (4135)]
Another form is saying "It is as Allah Wills, and you will" and any similar phrase. Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "It is as Allah Wills, and you will." Thereupon, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Have you equated me to Allah? Rather, it is as Allah alone Wills." [Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah (27227), Ahmad (1839), Al-Bukhāri in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (783), Ibn Abi ad-Dunya in As-Samt (342), and Al-Baghandi in his Amāli (36)] Like this phrase is: "This is from Allah and from you;" "Were it not for Allah and so-and-so, such and such would not have happened."
Another form is swearing by someone or something other than Allah Almighty. The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever swears, let him not swear by anything other than Allah." The Quraysh used to swear by their forefathers, and he said: "Do not swear by your forefathers." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3836), Muslim (1646), and An-Nasā’i (3764)] Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever swears by other than Allah has indeed committed disbelief, or polytheism." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (1535), Ahmad (6072), Abu ‘Uwānah (6401), and Al-Hākim (7895)]
Chapter on Hypocrisy
We know that one of the opposites of belief in Allah is major hypocrisy, which is to display Islam and conceal disbelief. There is major hypocrisy and there is minor hypocrisy. Major hypocrisy contradicts the core of faith, whereas the minor one contradicts the perfect state of faith. In the book of Usūl As-Sunnah, Imām Ahmad said: "Hypocrisy is disbelief. It is to disbelieve in Allah Almighty and worship other than Him while pretending to be Muslim before people. This is like the hypocrites who lived at the time of the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." [Usūl As-Sunnah by Imām Ahmad (55)] Major hypocrisy takes one out of the fold of Islam.
We bear witness, as Allah bears witness, that the hypocrites are liars in their claim of faith. Allah, the Exalted, says: {There are those [hypocrites] who built a mosque to cause harm, promote disbelief and create division among the believers, and as a base for those who had previously fought against Allah and His Messenger. They will surely swear, "We intend nothing but good," but Allah testifies that they are indeed liars.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 107] Allah Almighty also says: {And Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars.} [Surat al-Munāfiqūn: 1]
Allah Almighty will not accept from hypocrites any ransom or compensation. He, Exalted be He, says: {Say: "Whether you spend willingly or unwillingly, it will never be accepted from you, for you have been a wicked people." Nothing prevents the acceptance of their spending except that they disbelieve in Allah and His Messenger. They do not come to prayer but lazily, and they do not spend but reluctantly.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 53-54]
Whoever dies as a hypocrite is doomed to abide in Hellfire eternally. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire, and you will never find for them any helper.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 145] He Almighty also says: {Allah has promised the hypocrites, both men and women, and the disbelievers the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever – it is sufficient for them. Allah has cursed them, and for them there will be an everlasting punishment.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 68]
We know that major hypocrisy constitutes hatred and animosity towards the truth. About the condition of the hypocrites, Allah, the Exalted, says: {That is because they follow what incurs Allah’s wrath and they hate what pleases Him, so He will render their deeds worthless. Do those in whose hearts is sickness think that Allah will never expose their malice? If We willed, We could show them to you [O Prophet], so you would recognize them by their faces, but you will surely recognize them by the manner of their speech. And Allah knows all what you do.} [Surat Muhammad: 28-30]
Hypocrites find joy in the defeat of Islam and its people and feel deeply sad if they see Islam victorious. Exposing their innermost feelings, Allah Almighty says: {If something good happens to you, it grieves them, but if a disaster befalls you, they say, "We have taken our precautions beforehand," and they turn away rejoicing.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 50]
Hypocrisy comes after belief, by refusing to refer to the Shariah for judgment. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {They [the hypocrites] say: "We believe in Allah and in the Messenger, and we obey." Then a party of them turns away after that. Such are not believers. When they are called to Allah and His Messenger so that he may judge between them, a party of them turns away.} [Surat an-Nūr: 47-48]
Hypocrites distrust Allah and do not think He will support His Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and religion. The Almighty Lord says: {And [remember] when the hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts said: "Allah and His Messenger did not promise us but delusion!"} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 12]
Hypocrites mock the truth and its people and curse and deride them. Allah Almighty says: {The hypocrites fear that a chapter should be sent down about them, informing [the believers] of what is in their hearts. Say [O Prophet]: "Keep on mocking! Allah will certainly expose what you fear." If you question them, they will surely say: "We were only indulging in idle talk and playing." Say: "Was it Allah, His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?"} [Surat at-Tawbah: 64-65]
Hypocrites disparage Muslims. Allah, the Exalted, says: {˹There are˺ those who slander ˹some of˺ the believers for donating liberally and mock others for giving only the little they can afford. Allah will ridicule them, and for them there will be a painful punishment.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 79]
Hypocrites try to deceive the believers and show off by performing honorable deeds. Allah, Blessed and Glorified be He, says: {They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, while they deceive none but themselves, but they do not realize.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 9] Allah Almighty also says: {The hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. Whenever they stand up for prayer, they stand up reluctantly, only to be seen by people, and they do not remember Allah but a little.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 142] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "That is the prayer of the hypocrite; he sits watching the sun, until when it is between the horns of a devil, he stands and pecks out four (rak‘ahs), not remembering Allah in them but a little." [Narrated by Muslim (622), Abu Dāwūd (413), At-Tirmidhi (160), and An-Nasā’i (511)]
‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "I have seen that none of us would fail to observe it (prayer) except a hypocrite whose hypocrisy was well known." [Narrated by Muslim (654), Abu Dāwūd (550), An-Nasā’i (849), and Ibn Mājah (777)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, you will not have difficulty seeing your Lord except as much as you have difficulty seeing one of them (the sun and the moon) ... Then, the third one will be brought, and He will say the same to him. He will reply: 'O Lord, I believed in You and in Your Book and Your messengers, and prayed, observed fasts, and gave charity.' He will speak vouching for himself to the best of his ability. He will say: 'Well then, We will bring our witness against you.' He will say to himself: 'Who could be the one to testify against me?' Then, a seal will be placed upon his mouth, and it will be said to his thigh, flesh, and bones: 'Speak.' So, his thigh, flesh, and bones will speak and talk about his deeds. Thus, he will not be able to make any excuse for himself. That is the hypocrite. That is the one with whom Allah will be displeased." [Narrated by Muslim (2968)]
Allah Almighty commanded His Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and the believers to conduct jihad against them. He, Exalted be He, says: {O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh with them. Their abode is Hell. What a terrible destination! They swear by Allah that they said nothing [blasphemous], while they indeed uttered a word of blasphemy, and disbelieved after accepting Islam, and plotted what they could not achieve. They are spiteful [against believers] for no reason except that Allah and His Messenger have enriched them out of His bounty. If they repent, it will be better for them, but if they turn away, Allah will chastise them with a painful punishment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have on earth no protector or helper.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 73-74]
We know that minor hypocrisy does not take a person out of the fold of Islam, nor does it render his good deeds worthless or cause him to dwell in Hellfire forever; and we know that minor hypocrisy has certain traits. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are four (traits); whoever has them will be a sheer hypocrite and whoever has one of them will have one trait of hypocrisy until he gives it up: when he is entrusted, he betrays; when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous; and when he quarrels, he acts immorally." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (34), Muslim (58), Abu Dāwūd (4688), At-Tirmidhi (2632), and An-Nasā’i (2632)]
Abu Mūsa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A believer who reads the Qur'an and acts upon it is like a citron, whose taste and smell are good. A believer who does not read the Qur'an, but he acts upon it is like a date, whose taste is good, but it has no smell. The parable of a hypocrite who reads the Qur'an is that of basil, whose smell is good, but its taste is bitter. And the parable of a hypocrite who does not read the Qur'an is that of a colocynth, whose taste is bitter, and its smell is bitter." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (5059), Muslim (797), At-Tirmidhi (2865), An-Nasā’i (5038), and Ibn Mājah (214)]
Chapter on Bid’ah (Religious Innovation)
We know that some religious innovations contradict the core of faith, and some contradict the perfect state of faith. Religious innovations that comprise polytheism or disbelief contradict the core of faith; whereas religious innovations that have no polytheism or disbelief do contradict its perfect state.
We believe that Allah Almighty has perfected the religion for us and completed His favor upon us. He, Exalted be He, says: {This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 3] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever introduces something to this matter of ours (religion) which is not part of it, will have it rejected." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2697), Muslim (1718), Abu Dāwūd (4606), and Ibn Mājah (14)]
We know that religious innovations are among the things that contradict the perfect state of faith. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Beware of newly introduced things (to religion), for every newly introduced thing is a religious innovation, and every religious innovation is a misguidance." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4607), At-Tirmidhi (2676), Ibn Mājah (42), Ahmad (17144), Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in As-Sunnah (26), and Ibn Waddah in Al-Bida‘ (54)]
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever calls to guidance will obtain a reward equivalent to that of those who follow him, without their reward being diminished in the least; and whoever calls to misguidance will incur a sin equivalent to that of those who follow him, without their sins being diminished in the least." [Narrated by Muslim (2674), Abu Dāwūd (4609), At-Tirmidhi (2674), and Ibn Mājah (206)]
Al-Bukhāri (May Allah have mercy upon him) presents a chapter in his Sahīh, entitled: "Chapter on the sin of he who calls to misguidance or introduces a bad practice". He cited therein the Hadīth that reads: "No soul gets killed wrongfully without the first son of Adam taking a share of the guilt for its blood because he was the first to commit murder." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7321), Muslim (1677), At-Tirmidhi (2673), An-Nasā’i (3985), and Ibn Mājah (2616)]
Abu Sa‘īd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You will follow the ways of those who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit, so much so that even if they were to enter a hole of a mastigure, you would follow them." We said: "O Messenger of Allah, the Jews and Christians?" He said: "Who else then?" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3456) and Muslim (2669)]
We know that Allah Almighty forbade dissension and disunity. He, Blessed and Glorified be He, says: {Do not be like those who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them; and for them there will be a great punishment.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 105] He, Exalted be He, also says: {So let those who disobey His command beware lest some trial may afflict them, or they may be afflicted with a painful punishment.} [Surat an-Nūr: 63]
We know that religious innovations include extolment of graves and constructing buildings over them. This may also lead to Shirk. Another religious innovation is making images of righteous people in the hope of following their example after they pass away. The Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, those who were before you used to take the graves of their prophets and righteous men as places of worship. Indeed, you should not take graves as places of worship. I forbid you to do that." [Narrated by Muslim (532)]
‘Ā’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Umm Habībah and Umm Salamah mentioned a church they had seen in Ethiopia, and there were pictures in that church. When they told the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) about that, he said: "Those people are such that if a pious man amongst them died, they would build a place of worship over his grave and paint those pictures in it. Those people will be Allah's worst creatures on the Day of Resurrection." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (427), Muslim (528), and An-Nasā’i (704)]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Muslims to obliterate images and level graves. Abu al-Hayyāj al-Asdi related that ‘Ali said to him: "I am sending you on the same mission as the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent me. Do not leave an image without obliterating it, or a high grave without levelling it." [Narrated by Muslim (969), Abu Dāwūd (3218), At-Tirmidhi (1049), and An-Nasā’i (2031)]
We know that wrong innovations include such newly introduced festivities and joining the disbelievers in their festive occasions. Anas ibn Mālik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madīnah, the people had two days on which they engaged in games. He asked: "What are these two days?" They said: "We used to enjoy ourselves on them in jāhiliyyah." The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah has substituted for you something better than them: the Day of Al-Ad'ha and the Day of Al-Fitr." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (1134), An-Nasā'i (1556), Isma‘īl ibn Ja‘far, in the Hadīth by ‘Ali ibn Hajar (62), Ahmad (12827), and ‘Abd ibn Humayd (1392)]
Allah, the Exalted, says: {For every community We ordained ways of worship which they follow, so do not let them dispute with you [O Prophet] in this matter. But call them to your Lord, for you are indeed on the straight guidance.} [Surat al-Hajj: 67] Commenting on the words {For every community We ordained ways of worship which they follow}, Ibn ‘Abbās (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "An Eid." [Tafsīr At-Tabari (18/679) and narrated by Ibn Abi Hātim in At-Tafsīr (14718)] And the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every people have their Eid, and this is our Eid." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (952), Muslim (892), Abu Dāwūd (1593), and Ibn Mājah (1898)]
We know that one of the wrong innovations is seeking Barakah (blessing) in something Allah Almighty did not make a cause of blessing. This may also lead to Shirk. Abu Wāqid al-Laythi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out to Hunayn, he passed by a tree that the idolaters called Dhāt Anwāt upon which they hung their weapons. The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah, make a Dhāt Anwāt for us as they have a Dhāt Anwāt." The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Glory be to Allah! This is like what Mūsa's people said: {Make for us a god just as they have gods} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 138]. By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, you will follow the way of those who were before you." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2180), Mu‘ammar in Al-Jāmi‘ (20763), ‘Abdur-Razzāq in At-Tafsīr (931), and Ibn Abi Shaybah (38530)]
Chapter on Major Sins
We know that there are major and minor sins. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {Those who avoid major sins and shameful acts, except for minor lapses.} [Surat an-Najm: 32] He Almighty also says: {If you avoid the major sins which are forbidden to you, We will absolve your [minor] sins and admit you to a noble entrance.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 31]
‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, which sin is the gravest in the sight of Allah?" He said: "To ascribe an equal to Allah while He created you." He said: "Then what?" He said: "To kill your child out of fear that he will eat along with you." He said: "Then what?" He said: "To commit adultery with the wife of your neighbor." Then, in confirmation of this, Allah Almighty revealed the verse that says: {And those who do not invoke besides Allah another god, and who do not kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden, except in the course of justice, and who do not commit adultery.} [Surat al-Furqān: 68] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6001) and Muslim (86)]
We know that Imān increases and decreases. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {Whenever a Chapter is sent down, some of those [hypocrites] say: "Which of you has this increased in faith?" As for those who believe, it does increase them in faith, and they rejoice.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 124] Virtuous deeds increase and establish faith, whereas sins decrease and weaken it. A sin, below disbelief and Shirk, contradicts the perfect state of faith. A perpetrator of a major sin should not be stripped of faith altogether and does not deserve to be described as an absolute believer, for he has done something that undermines his faith. Hence, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "An adulterer is not a believer at the time he is committing adultery; a drinker of alcohol is not a believer at the time he is drinking alcohol; a thief is not a believer at the time he is stealing; and a robber is not a believer at the time he is robbing, and people are looking on." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2475) and Muslim (57)] In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever amongst you sees something evil should change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of faith." [Narrated by Muslim (49)] About what will happen on the Day of Judgment, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah Almighty will then say: 'Go, and whoever you find in his heart a dinar's worth of faith, bring him out.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7493) and Muslim (183)] These Hadīths indicate that sins weaken faith.
A perpetrator of a major sin is threatened with punishment for his sin, unless he repents from it, faces the legal penalty, if his sin is one that entails such a penalty, or Allah Almighty forgives him due to any of the numerous reasons for forgiveness. Our Lord says: {Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but forgives anything less than that for whom He wills.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 48]
Book on the Companions and the Imamah
Chapter on the Companions and the Prophet's Household
We believe that Allah, the Exalted, chose the Companions of His Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and made them the best among His servants, after the prophets (peace be upon them), and He mentioned their traits and praised them in the Torah and the Gospel. Allah, Glorified be He, says: {Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are firm against the disbelievers and compassionate among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking Allah’s grace and pleasure. Their distinguishing sign is on their faces from the effects of prostration. Such is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is like that of a seed that sprouts its shoot, then makes it strong; then it grows thick and stands straight on its stem, which delights the sowers – so that He may enrage thereby the disbelievers. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.} [Surat al-Fat'h: 29] Allah, Exalted be He, mentions His pleasure with them. He Almighty says: {As for the first forerunners of the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who followed them in righteous deeds, Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. That is the supreme triumph.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 100]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that the noble Companions are the best generation ever. ‘Abdullāh reported: The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "Who are the best among people?" He said: "My generation, and then those next to them, and then those next to them." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6658), Muslim (2533), At-Tirmidhi (3859), and Ibn Mājah (2362)]
We believe the Muhājirūn (the Immigrants) are more meritorious than the Ansār (the Helpers) (May Allah be pleased with all of them). Hence, Allah Almighty mentions the Muhājirūn first in His Book, in the verse cited above, and praises them in the verse that reads: {For the poor emigrants [there is a due share] who were driven out of their homes and their properties, seeking Allah’s bounty and pleasure, and helping the cause of Allah and His Messenger. It is they who are the truthful.} [Surat al-Hashr: 8]
About the Ansār, Allah, the Exalted, says: {As for those who were settled in the city [of Madinah] and embraced Islam before them, they love those who migrated to them, and find no covetous desire in their hearts for what they were given. Rather, they give them preference over themselves even though they may be in dire need. Whoever is protected from the covetousness of their souls, it is they who are successful.} [Surat al-Hashr: 9]
We believe that the best people within this Ummah, after the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), are Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmān, and ‘Ali (May Allah be pleased with them) in this order; and their order in merit is like their order in assuming the caliphate.
We testify for the ten Companions given glad tidings of entering Paradise, as the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) testified for them, saying: "Abu Bakr will enter Paradise, ‘Umar will enter Paradise, ‘Uthmān will enter Paradise, ‘Ali will enter Paradise, Talhah will enter Paradise, Az-Zubayr will enter Paradise, ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ‘Awf will enter Paradise, Sa‘d will enter Paradise, Sa‘īd will enter Paradise, and Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrāh will enter Paradise." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (3747), Ahmad in Al-Musnad (1675) and in Fadā’il As-Sahābah (278), and Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in Al-Āhād and Al-Mathāni (232)]
We believe that the people of Badr have such merits that no one else possesses. In a Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Who knows, perhaps Allah has looked at the people of Badr and said: 'Do whatever you like, for I have forgiven you.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3007), Muslim (2494), Abu Dāwūd (2650), and At-Tirmidhi (3305)]
Mu‘ādh ibn Rifā‘ah ibn Rāfi‘ az-Zurqi related that his father, who had participated in the battle of Badr, reported: Jibrīl came to the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "How do you estimate the people of Badr amongst you?" He said: "(They are) among the best Muslims." Or he said a similar statement. Thereupon, he said: "And so are the angels who participated in Badr." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3992)]
We also testify for the people of the Pledge of Ridwān, as the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) testified for them, saying: "There will not enter Hellfire anyone of those who gave the pledge of allegiance under the tree." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4653), At-Tirmidhi (3860), Abu al-Jahm in his Juz’ (1), Ahmad (14778), and An-Nasā’i in Al-Kubra (11444)] And we affirm that they obtained a remarkable benefit with this pledge of allegiance about which Allah Almighty says: {Those who pledge allegiance to you [O Prophet] are indeed pledging allegiance to Allah; Allah’s Hand is over their hands.} [Surat al-Fat'h: 10] We know that Allah Almighty bestowed His pleasure upon them, saying: {Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you [O Prophet] under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with an imminent victory.} [Surat al-Fat'h: 18]
We believe that Allah Almighty endowed the Prophet's household with particular merits and rights. So, we are required to love them, show loyalty to them, and observe their rights. One of their rights set by our Lord is the fifth of the spoils of war. Moreover, the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to invoke Allah's blessings upon them, along with our invocation for him. He (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Say: O Allah, bestow Your peace upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You bestowed Your peace upon Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm; indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious; and bestow Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You bestowed Your blessings upon Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm; indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious."
One of their merits is mentioned in the verse that reads: {O wives of the Prophet, you are not like any other women: if you fear Allah, do not be complaisant in your speech, or those with sickness in their hearts may be moved with desire; but speak in an appropriate manner. Stay in your homes and do not display your charms as was done in the former days of ignorance; establish prayer and give Zakah; and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah only intends to keep evil away from you, O members of the [Prophet’s] household, and to completely purify you.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 32-33] Allah Almighty also says: {The Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 6]
‘Ā’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out one morning wearing a striped cloak of black camel's hair. Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali came, and he wrapped him under it; then Al-Husayn came, and he wrapped him under it along with him; then Fātimah came, and he wrapped her under it; then ‘Ali came, and he wrapped him under it; then, he (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: {Allah only intends to keep evil away from you, O members of the [Prophet’s] household, and to completely purify you."} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 33] [Narrated by Muslim (2424)]
Wāthilah ibn al-Asqa‘ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Indeed, Allah chose Kinānah from the children of Ismā‘īl (Ishmael), [He] chose Quraysh from Kinānah, [He] chose Banu Hāshim from Quraysh, and [He] chose me from Banu Hāshim." [Narrated by Muslim (2276)]
Zayd ibn Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day the Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up to deliver a sermon at a watering place known as Khumm situated between Makkah and Madīnah. He praised Allah, extolled Him, delivered the sermon, and exhorted us, and he said: "To proceed: O people, I am only a human being. I am about to receive a messenger (the angel of death) from my Lord, and I will respond (to Allah's call). I am leaving among you two weighty things: the first is the Book of Allah, in which there is right guidance and light; so, hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it." He exhorted us to hold onto the Book of Allah and then said: "The second is the members of my household. I remind you of Allah with regard to the members of my family; I remind you of Allah with regard to the members of my family; I remind you of Allah with regard to the members of my family." [Narrated by Muslim (2408)]
The Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) recognized the rights and merits of the Prophet's family, so much that Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said to ‘Ali (May Allah be pleased with him): "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the Prophet's relatives are dearer to me to uphold their ties than to uphold the ties of my relatives." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3508) and Muslim (1759)]
The Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade people from cursing his Companions (May Allah be pleased with them); he said: "Do not abuse my Companions, for if any one of you spent gold equal to Uhud, it would not be equal to a mudd spent by one of them, or half of it." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3673), Muslim (2541), Abu Dāwūd (4658), and At-Tirmidhi (3861)] The noble Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that loving the Ansār is a sign of faith and hating them is a sign of hypocrisy. He (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The sign of Imān (faith) is love of the Ansār, and the sign of hypocrisy is hatred of the Ansār." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (17), Muslim (74), and An-Nasā’i (5019)]
Sa‘īd ibn Zayd ibn ‘Amr ibn Nufayl (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Indeed, an incident which one of them would witness along with the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), in which his face would be covered with dust, is better than the deeds one of you would do during all his lifetime, even if he was granted the lifespan of Nūh." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4650)]
Chapter on the Obligation of Obeying the Rulers
We know that hearing and obeying are due to the Muslim rulers, as revealed in the verse that says: {O you who believe, obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those of you who are in authority.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 59] And the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Hearing and obeying is a right, unless a sin is commanded; if a sin is commanded, there must be no hearing or obeying." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (2955) and Muslim (1839)]
‘Ubādah ibn as-Sāmit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: "We pledged to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to hear and obey both in times of hardship and ease, when we felt energetic and when we felt tired, and when others are preferred over us; that we would not dispute with those in authority; and that we would speak the truth wherever we may be, not fearing the blame of blamers, for the sake of Allah." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7055) and Muslim (1709)]
Abu Zur‘ah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said: "And we fulfill the duty of jihad and Hajj with the Muslim rulers at every time and era, and we do not uphold revolt against the rulers or engage in turmoil. We hear and obey those whom Allah put in charge of us, and we do not depart from obedience to them; we adhere to the Sunnah and the Muslim Group." [Sharh Usūl I‘tiqād Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamā‘ah, by Imām Al-Lālakā’i (1/175)]
Obedience to the rulers is only due in what is good; yet if a sin is involved, such obedience is prohibited, as indicated by the above-mentioned Hadīth by Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him): "... unless a sin is commanded; if a sin is commanded, there must be no hearing or obeying." In another Hadīth, the Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There must be no obedience for a sin; obedience is only due in what is good." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7257) and Muslim (1840)]
Imām Abu Ibrāhīm al-Muzani said: "Obedience to the rulers is due in what is pleasing to Allah Almighty and when displeasing things to Him are avoided. We should refrain from revolting against them when they transgress and act unjustly and should repent to Allah Almighty, so that He makes them relent to their subjects." [Sharh As-Sunnah, by Al-Muzani (84)]
Conclusion
Praise be to Allah by Whose grace good things are accomplished, and we invoke Allah's peace and blessings upon the Prophet sent as a mercy to the worlds! We give thanks to our Lord for His favor as He enabled us to complete this valuable blessed book. We say as the dwellers of Paradise will say: {All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.} [Surat Yūnus: 10] And we say as our Lord commands: {Say: "All praise is for Allah, and peace be upon His slaves whom He has chosen. Is Allah better, or those partners whom they associate with Him?"} [Surat an-Naml: 59]
We implore Allah Almighty to render this work purely done for His sake and in accordance with the Prophet's guidance, and to make it useful for His servants and a means of intercession for us on the Day of Judgment!
We know that no matter how hard we try, we cannot fully grasp this noble topic, for it involves talk about Allah Almighty and His angels, books, and messengers, the Last Day, and the divine decree and predestination. Now, we conclude this book with a statement by the Almighty Lord, Who says: {They did not revere Allah His true reverence. On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be in His Grip, and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified and Exalted is He above all what they associate with Him!} [Surat az-Zumar: 67]
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