BE IT IMPLICITLY OR EXPLICITLY

BE IT IMPLICITLY OR EXPLICITLY

BismiLlahi Rahmanir Raheem

Al HamduliLlahi Rabbill ‘aalamiin, was Salaatu was Salaamu ‘ala Sayidina wa Nabiyina Muhammad Ashrafil Khalaqi wa Khatimil Anbiyahi wal Mursaleen

AlhamduliLlah, it is another beautiful Wednesday night and there is this feel of Cold air in the Sky. The Moon failed to show up tonight as well and it makes me wonder why? It is just the Rahma (Mercy) of Allah. Remember that not just are we alive to see this night, enough to spend at least one more day with our family, but that we are still in the fold of Islam and we are making an endeavor to learn more about our Religion by joining me here, tonight. With you is the Rhythm on the Block, Abu Ismail on your very own Inspired Words brought to you on ISLAMAFFAIR FB PAGE.

In shaa Allah, we would be talking about one of the Hadith of An Nawawi, which was recorded in the Sahihain (i.e. in the Books of Bukhari and Muslim)

It was narrated on the authority of the Mother of the Believers, Umm ‘Abdullah, A’ishah (RadhiyaLlahu 'anha), who said,
“The Messenger of Allah (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa Salam) said,
‘Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not from it, shall have it rejected’ [Bukhari]
In the version of Imam Muslim,
‘Whoever does an act that is not in accordance with ours will have it rejected.'” [Muslim]

The full name of Imam An Nawawi was Yahya Ibn Sharaf Ibn Mooree Ibn Hasan Ibn Husayn with his kunya being Abu Zakariyyah. The name An Nawawi was attributed to him because he was born in a village called Nawa, which is outside Damascus. It was agreed that he was born in the month of Muharram (the month of Allah) {as it is sometimes being referred to} 631 A.H.

Imam Ad-Dhahabi (RahimahuLlahu 'alayhi) said about An Nawawi:

“That he was pink in complexion, with a long beard, possessing the aura of the Scholars, laughing little and avoiding jest. He worked hard to speak the truth even if it was bitter, and he did not fear the blame of others when it came to the rights of Allah.”

This proves that He was strict and candid in speech and manner. In addition, the Arabs would call people who are white as being pink in complexion

This hadeeth is an important principle of Islam. It talks about any act performed, not in the accordance to Allah’s and the Prophet’s directive or command, that then it is to be rendered useless, unacceptable and returned back to the performer. It also, in a manner (i.e. implicitly), speaks concerning the practice of Sunnah and Innovation (i.e. Bid’ah).

The Prophet was quite aware that there would be innovations after his time, so he tried to warn the early Muslims of it.

It was narrated by ‘Irbad Ibn Sariyah, who said that the Prophet said: “Whoever from you who lives after me will witness many differences, so keep to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Whoever is after me, bite if firmly with your molars (i.e. to hold tight to it), and avoid all newly introduced matters, for verily, every newly introduced matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.”

Despite all the warning, it did not stop it from occurring because today we can see it clearly in our midst, which is one of the reasons why there is a kind of discord in our Religion. But remember that this is clearly the Qadar (destiny) of Allah. SubhanaLlah!!

Bid’ah (Innovation) comes from the word bada’. In Shari’ah, the Scholars agree on the definition of Bid’ah being something that has no previous documented support explicitly and implicitly. Therefore, any act not known to have occurred during the time of the Prophet or by the Rightly Guided Caliphs, those acts are also not to be performed after their passing.

Imam Malik was very strict on the issue, saying; “What was not from the religion at the time of the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam) will not be in the religion after the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam). Whoever is saying that they can invent something new in the religion, they are saying that the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam) was not forthright in his message. Ibn Hazm, Adh-Dhahir, Ibn Qayyim, Ibn Taymiyyah all follow this opinion.

“… Not in accordance with ours …” (taken from the Hadith of A’isha)

The hadith is also used as a criterion for judging external action (mundane activities) or the performance of Ibaadah (worship). So, if an action is not done in accordance with the Shari’ah or the Sunnah of the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam), it will be rejected and not accepted by Allah based on the text of the Hadith. Scholars agree that this Hadith compliments Hadith No.1 of An Nawawi (Action are Based on Intention), which talks on judging the internal actions of the heart. While this Hadith talks on the actions performed bodily.

By the mention of the phrase ‘actions performed bodily’, then we mean acts of Ibaadah based on the Sunnah of the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam). Because for anyone to perform Ibaadah in its right proportion, then, emulating and following the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam) is necessary and compulsory in other to remain on the Straight Path. Of which, is a Qur’anic obligation/legislation.

Allah in Surah Ahzab says:
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah [Muhammad (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam)] you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” [Qur’an (33):21]

Al-Imam al-Shatibi (RahimahuLlah ‘alayhi) mentions that if certain actions are taken as Ibadah where in reality they are not, this will lead to bid'ah. But we are also aware of Actions that the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam) encouraged, speaking of it in such a way that it was noted by the Companions and Scholars as being Compulsory actions and some being highly Recommended. Yet, many Muslims are unyielding to it, providing excuses that would probably not be regarded acceptable under Shari’a.

Allah says: “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” [Surah Ahzab (33):36]

We, therefore, need to be careful, and remain as firm as possible on following the Sunnah of the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam). Remember that the Prophet is but a warner, obey Him or not, you will face Allah on the Day of Judgement.

Allah says: “He who obeys the Messenger [Muhammad (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam)] has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you [O Muhammad (SallaLlahu ‘alayhi wa salam)] as a watcher over them” [Surah An-Nisa (4):80]

… You do not know what extra deed that you may perform that would guarantee you access into the Gates of Jannah …

Insha Allahu, this is where we would stop on the topic till next week. I pray to Allah to make what we just graphically learnt to be beneficial to us. In addition, may He make us understand it better than I expected. Do remember to join my colleagues, Abu ‘Aisha on Friday with Islam Focus and Umm AbdurRahman on Mondays with Ayah Diary. I remain my humble self, the Rhythm on the Block Abu Ismail. Till next week, stay safe.