Brief History of the Innovated Sects!

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Surely All praises belongs to Allah!

 

 

Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah ( d.728H)

said:

 

"And know that most of the innovations connected to 'uloom(sciences) and acts of worship occured in this Ummah at the end of the period of the Rightly guided Khaleefahs; just asa the Prophet informed, when he said: "Those of you who live long after me will see a great deal of differences. So Hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Khaleefahs after me"...So when the period of the Rightly Guided Khaleefahs had passed and the rule of kingship appeared, deficiencies appeared in the leaders, and therefore deficiency spread also to the people of knowledge and Deen.So during the end of the rule of 'Alee (rta) - the innovation of the Khwaarij (5) and Raafidah (6) appeared; this being connected to the issue of leadership and khilaafah, and what was connected to this from actions and Shareeah rulings

 

The kingship of Mu'aawiyah was a kingship of mercy, so when it passed, the rule of Yazeed came and fitnah (trials and discord) took place within it: the killling of al-Husayn in Iraaq, the fitnah of the people of Hurrah in al-Madeenah and the seige of Makkah when 'Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr made his stand. Then Yazeed passed away and the Ummah split-up. Ibn az-Zubayr in the Hijaaz, Banu Hakam in ash-Shaam (Syria, Jordan and Palestine) and the jump to power of Mukhtaar ibn Abee'Ubayd and others in 'Iraaq. All of this took place at the end of the period of the Companions, when there only remained the likes of 'Abdullah ibn 'Abaas, 'Abdullah ibn Umar, Jaabir ibn 'Abdullah, Abu Saeed al-Khudree and others. The innovations of the Qadarriyah (7) and the Murjiah (8) then occured and it was refused by those Companions who remained, as they had, along with others, refuted the innovations of the Khawaarij and the Raafidah.

(Majmooul-Fataawaa (10/354-368) of Ibn Taymiyyah.)

 

Ibn al-Qayyim (d.751H) (rh) said:

 

"The innovation of the Qadariyyah started at the end of the period of the Companions. So those that remained at the end of the periods of the Companions.So those who remained at that time, such as 'Abdullah ibn Umar, Ibn Abbas, and their like, oppsed and refuted it. Then the innovation of the Murjiah occured, after the period of the Companions, so those of the major 'Tabiyoon who faced it, refuted it.Then came the innovation of the 'Jahyimmah' (9) after the passing away of the Tabbi'oon. Its evil reached alarming proportions and the matter had become dire during the age of the Imaams such as Ahmad (d.241H) and those with him.There appeared after this, the innovation of hulool (incarnation), this appeared with, and in the time of al-Hallaaj.(Tadheeb Sunan Abee Dawood (7/61) of Ibn al-Qayyim.)

 

So whenever Shaytaan brought about an innovation from these innovations, or from other than them, Allaah established from His party an army, those who refuted it and warned the Muslims against it-all for the sake of sincerity and sincere advice for Allaah, His book, His Messenger and the people of Islaam".(Tadheeb Sunan Abee Dawood (7/61) of Ibn al-Qayyim.)

 

Compilation of the Aqeedah

 

Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr (d.852H) (rh) said: "From that which occured was:compilation of hadeeth, then tafseer, then the compilation of issues of fiqh (jurisprudence) eminating from pure opinion, and then the compilation of matters related to actions of the heart.

 

As for the firts matter; it was opposed by 'Umaar, Abu Moosaa and a few others whilst the majority allowed it. As for the second:It was oppsed by a group from the Tabioon such as Imaam ash-Sha'bee(d.104H) and a small group. Imaam Ahmad's opposition of this intensified.

 

Also from that which occured was the compilation of the sayings about Usool ud-Deen (fundamentals of the Deen). Some embarked to affirm it (ie the attributes of Allaah), whilst others negated it. The former went to the extent of making tashbeeh (resembling Allaah to his creation), whilst the latter went to the extent of making ta'teel (denying the attributes of Allah). The rejection of this from the Salaf such as Abu Haneefah(d.150H), Abu Yoosuf(d.182H) and ash-Shaafiee(d.204H), and their sayings with regards to censuring the people of Kalaam (philosphical speech and theology) is well known. The reason for such censure was that the people of 'Kalaaam' spoke about those matters which both the Prophet and his Companions remained quiet about. It is established from Maalik(d.179H) that there did not exist at the time of the Prophet nor that of AbuBakr (rta) or Umar (rta), anything from these desires - meaning: the innovation of the Khawaarij, the Raafidah and the Qadiriyyah. Indeed, those who came after the first three excellent generations expanded upon matters which the Imaams of the Tabioon and those who followed them, rejected.

 

The people of Kalaam did not content themselves, until they filled the Deen with issues and the sayings of the philosphers. They made this philoshopy the basis and the fundamental principle to which everything was refered back to, and all that which opposed it from the narrations (of the Prophet, his Companions and the Salaf who followd them) then ta'weel (false interpretation ) was made of them, even if they were averse to the result. Nor did they content themselves with just this.They claimed that what they had compiled was the noblest branch of knowledge and the most deserving to be acquired; and that those who did not use what they had laid down, then they were from the laymen and the ignorant ones.

 

So delight is for the one who clings to what the Salaf were upon, and distances himself from the innovations that the khalaf (the latecomers who oppsed the aqeedah and manhaj of the Salaf) introduced.However, if one cannot keep away from it, then let him take only that which he needs and let the way of the Salaf be his intended goal."FathulBaree (13/253) of Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalaanee.

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Surely All Praises belongs to Allah!

 

Allaah makes it a condition to follow the Companions understanding in the matter of belief when He says:

 

'And if they believe as you believe then they are guided.' (4)

 

The word 'you' here refers to the Companions, that if you have the belief of the Companions then you will be guided otherwise you will not since you will be following your own interpretations regarding the belief saying it means this and that without knowledge as we see today.

 

Therefore we need to follow our pious predecessors' understanding of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, because they were closer to the source and also because Allah has chosen their hearts to be the best of the hearts (5) of His servabts.

 

Ibn Mas'ood (6) (Ral) said:

 

'Indeed Allaah looked into the hearts of the servants and found the heart of muhammad (Sal) to be the best of the hearts of His servants and so He chose him for himself and sent him as a Messenger. Then He looked into the hearts of His servants after Muhammad (Sal) and found the hearts of the Companions to be the best of tbe hearts of the hearts of the servants. So He made made them ministers of His Messenger (Sal), fighting for his deen, So whatever the Muslims hold to be good then it is good then it is good with Allaah, and whatever the Muslims hold to be evil then it is evil with Allaah.' (7)

 

The Muslims here refers to the Companions, that ifthey unite upon a matter concerning the deen then that is deen from Allaah. As in the saying of the Prophet (Sal):

 

'Mu Ummah will not unite upon misguidance.' (8)

 

There are many proofs from Allaah and His Messenger to follow the understanding of the Companions and the next two generations so this is the understanding this book being foward. We can only follow this way for right guidance so take heed of Muhammad (Sal) saying:

 

'Indeed the children of Israeel will split into seventy one sects and my ummah will split into seventy three sects, all will be in the fire except one.' It was said to him 'What is the one?' He (Sal) said 'That to which I and my Companions are upon.' (9)

 

This is a serious statement from the Messenger (Sal) and is not to be taken lightly. The ummah today is split up but who are the Salaf's understanding of Islam.

 

They are the strangers as the Messenger (Sal) said:

 

'Islam began as a stranger and shall return as a stranger as it began so give glad tidings to the strangers.' (10)

 

' So give glad tidings to the few, those who put right what the people have corrupted.' (11)

 

 

The Muslims who are following the understanding of the Salafus-Saalih are few in number and are strangers in the community of Muslims since they reviving that which the people did nbot know about from the Sunnah upon the authentic ahadeeth. They are not those who quote ahadeeth at you left, right and centre without knowing where they are from and whether it is saheeh (authentic) or not. Rather they are the ones who establish the deen of Allah paying strict attention to the chain of narration in the hadeeth. They are careful not to make a lie against the Messenger (Sal).

 

As Ali (Ral) said in his advice to Kumail ibn Ziyaad an-Nakha'ee (a tabi'ee, reliable)

 

'...Oh Allaah yes, the earth will not be without one who stands upright for Allah with proof so that Allaah's proof and clear signs are not abolished. They are the ones who are few in number but having most value to Allaah, with them Allaah asserts His proofs amongst their contemporaries and cultivates them in the hearts of ones similar to them... O how I would like to see them and I seek Allaah's forgiveness for me and for you if you wish then stand.' (12)

 

They are the ones who do not stick blindly to the saying of one Imaam but rather ake from where they took of the authentic Sunnah.

 

The Prophet (Sal) said:

 

'This knowledge will be carried by the trustworthy ones of every generation. They will expel by in the alterations made by those going beyond bounds, the false chain of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant. (13)

 

Also the Prophet (Sal) said:

 

'There will not seize to be a group from my ummahvictorious upon the truth, not being harmed by those who oppose them, until the hour is established.' (14)

 

So this group will always be there and this is the way for salvation. O brothere and sisters! Let us look at some characteristics with which to recognise this group today.

 

Firstly we know that we must follow the Qur'aan and the Sunnah in the understanding of the Salafus-Saalih.

 

So we must love the Salafus-Saalih and this is one of the characteristics with which we must attach ourselves with.

 

The proof is: 'Abdulrahman ibn al Mahdi (d.198) said 'When you see a man from Basrah love Ibn Zaid, then he is a man from the Sunnah.' i.e. If you see a man that hates him then he is from the Ahlul Bid'ah - people of innovation.

 

The tabi'ee Sufyaan ath-Thawri (d.163) (Rah) said 'If you hear a man from the East who is a person of Sunnah and another in the West then send your Sallaams to them and supplicate for them for how few are Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa'a' (15)

 

Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa'a are those who are following the way of the Salafus-Saalih (pious predecessors) since Ahlus Sunnah are those who follow the Prophet (Sal) and wal jamaa'a refers to the Companions. This is clear proof that we must love the Salafus-Saalih who, as mentioned earlier, are the best of the people. Nowadays we see Muslims not loving the Salafus-Saalih. They speak ill of them, without knowledge, they bring doubt upon some of the Salafus-Saalih and they do not call to this understanding and they do not call to this understanding but they would rather call to their group or hizb (party). As is clear in a verse in the Qur'aan where Allaah says that each party rejoices with what it has.

 

Another characteristic is that they are careful to mention references and making sure the isnaad (chain of narration) has no fault i.e. that it is Saheeh.

 

The proof is Ibn Seerin (Rah) said 'They did not ask about the isnaad of the hadeth until the time of the fitna, so when this occurred they said name your men, as for Ahlu Sunnah then accept their narrations. As for Ahlul Bida'ah then reject their narrations.'

 

Thirdly we must al Auzaa'ee (d.157) (Rah) said 'Hold fast to the narration of the Salaf even if the people were to abondon you. Beware in the opinions of men no matter how they beautify it with their speech.' (16)

 

Imaam al Auzaa’ee rahimahullaah said

‘Patiently restrict yourselves to the Sunnah and pause where the people paused; say what they said and avoid what they avoided. Take the path of the Salajus-Saalih for indeed what is sufficient for them is sufficient for you.’ (17)

 

The people who are following the Salafus-Salih today are, as the scholars say, the Ashaabul-Hadeeth.Imaam Shari’ee rahmihullaah said

‘Every time I look upon the Ashaabul-Hadeethit is if I am looking upon the Companions of the Prophet Sallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.’

 

Abdullaah Ibn Mubarak (18) rahimahullaah was asked ‘Who is the Jama’aa?’ So he said ‘The Jama’aa is Abu Bakr and Umar.’ They said ‘But they have died.’He said ‘Then it is Abu Hamza Sakari.’ He was a scholar following the way of the Companions and the Tab’ieen at the time of Abdullaah Ibn Mubarak rahimahullaah.

 

These are just some of the sayings of the scholars which tell us to go back to the understanding of the way of the Salafus-Saalih however some people might think that this is a new thing that some Muslims are calling to. This in incorrect as we have seen earlier that Allaah and His Messenger Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam have ordered us to follow that way. Recently an ignorant author whose name is not worth mentioning writes that there was not a madhab called Salagiyya, not even the word"Salafiyya" before the coming of Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [d.728h] and Ibn al-Qaiyom. However this is a great lie and gross error. Sheikh Abdullaah al-Farsi explains

‘the word "Salafiyya" has been mentioned had been before them. For example Abi Uthman Isma’eel Abdulrahman as-Saboone rahimahullaah, who was one of the Salafi scholars who died 449h, mentioned in the introduction of his book ‘Aquidato Salaf wa as-habul hadeeth’ that some brothers asked me to gather issues in the Usool deen (Aquidah) that our Muslim scholars and righteous Salaf were upon. He mentions the word Salaf in the introduction of his book. Also Hafidh Isma’eel at-Taymi al-Asbahani rahimahullaah, also from the same century as as-Sabooni rahimahullaah (5th century) and he repeated the word Madhad Salaf so many times that it cannot be counted in his book.’

 

Then came Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah much later reviving this way. Even at the time of the Tabi’een, Imaam Auza’ee, who was one of the students of the companions said

‘Your Salaf strongly hated the innovators ant they spoke harshly against them and they warned against their innovations.’

Also he said

‘You should follow the footsteps of the Salaf even thought you are lonely and strange and be aware of the way of the Khalaf even thought they beautify theyr speech.’

So those who say that this is a snew thing are ignorant of the fact that this is the way of the saved sect and hence the scholars are trying to revive it. As for the ignorant then it is strange to them since they do not go back to the understanding of the Salaf so how will they understand. They write books without knowledge and harm themselves by speaking ill of scholars, trying to find their faults yet they have not even met them.

 

A lot of Muslims also choose to follow speakers than scholars to answer their question, which is another sadness in the ummah. As one companion said

‘You are in a time whose scholars are many and speakers are few and there will come a time whose scholars are few and speakers are many.’

 

 

last peice of advice to our brothers who are upon this path from our noble sheikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah who said

"It is self-delusion to say ‘I am saved and not pessimisic, for example being too secure saying ‘I am Salafi I am saved,’ We still have to humble ourselves and not to say that we have the attributes of the Salaf. So I say to these people, not everybody who opposes me a thing from this path will become one of those who will perish, for verily the disputer may be a mujtahid who was wrong, and Allaah will forgive him his mistakes. Or may be the proof did not reach him, enough to satisfy his needs (i.e. to understand it). Or maybe he has enough good deeds in which Allaah will wipe away his bad deeds." (19) This is a beautiful statement by Sheikh al-Islam. Which if considered carefully would help us to better our da’wa to other Muslims.