ilm4all.blogspot.com By:Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen Shaikh Saaleh Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan From the Books: Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Sharh al-Arba`een al-Nawawiyyah Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 1 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS.1 INTRODUCTION.2 SELECTED VOCABULARY.3 THE DEEN IS NASEEHAH..4 TO ALLAAH...8 TO HIS BOOK....13 TO HIS MESSENGER.19 TO THE IMAAMS OF THE MUSLIMS.28 TO THE COMMON MUSLIMS46 MORE BENEFITS FROM THE HADEETH..51 Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 2 Introduction: Tameemal-DaareenarratedthattheProphetsaid:TheDeen(Religion)isal-Naseehah (sincerity). The people said: To whom? The Prophet said:1) To Allaah 2) His Book 3) His Messenger 4) To the Imaams (rulers and scholars) of the Muslims 5) And the Muslims in general. [SaheehMuslim(98).ThisHadeethhasalsobeenreportedfromAbuHurairah,Ibn`Umar,Ibn `Abbaas in Sunan al-Tirmidhee, Sunan al-Nasaaee and Musnad Ahmad and others. See Irwaa al-Ghaleel (26/1/62-63) of Shaikh al-Albaanee] What follows is the explanation of the Hadeeth by: 1)Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen from the books: a.Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen b.Sharh al-Arba`een al-Nawawiyyah And by: 2)Shaikh Saaleh Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan from the book: a.Sharh al-Arba`een al-Nawawiyyah ThepurposewastogatherallthebenefitsregardingthisHadeeth,mentionedinthesethree differentbooksbythesetwonobleShaikhsandcombinethemintoonebookforthemaximum benefit and understanding. This Hadeeth is from the Jawaami` al-Kalim (concise in wording but comprehensive in meaning), In a few words the Prophet explained the rights of Allaah, His Book, His Messengers, the ImaamsandthecommonMuslimshaveuponus.WhentheProphetsaid:The religion is sincerity, it means the essence of this Deen is nothing but Naseehah. And this is why it becomes more important for us to understand this Hadeeth as explained by the scholars. Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 3 Naseehah: Definition al-Deen,thereligionofIslaam:thereligionwhichAllaahispleasedwith;thereligion whichAllaahlegislated,whichtheAngelJibreelbrought,whichtheProphet conveyed,andwhichtheCompanionsfollowed;thereligionwhichiscomplete;no one introduces an innovation in it except that on that Day he will be turned away from the cistern (Haudh) of the Prophet . al-Naseehah:Sincerity,faithfulness,goodadvice,well-wishing.Theinfinitivenoun means:headvisedhim;hedirectedhimtothatwhichwasgood;hedesiredwhatwasgoodfor him; he acted sincerely or honestly towards him. The word means: free from impurities; pure; unadulterated. Tawbatun-Nasooh[Surahal-Tahreem(66):8]means:Trueorsincererepentance(i.e. repentance which mends ones life; repentance in which one intends not to return back to that sin from which he repented). Ibn Hajar said: The word Naseehah may also be a derivative of the word al-Nus-hi () which means:tostitch,tosew.Al-Munsihah()means:needle.So,oneofthemeaningsofal-Naseehah is to unite something together that is scattered or separated, as in sewing a garment. {O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance!} [Surah al-Tahreem (66): 8] It is as if the sins tear ones religion apart and it is then mended and put back together again by sincere repentance. [Fath al-Baaree (1/138)] SotheNaseehahisacomprehensivewordwhichisusuallytranslatedassincerityin theEnglish language because the essence of it is being free from deception or cheating. Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 4 The Deen is Naseehah Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: The author (Imaam al-Nawawee) (in Riyaadh al-Saaliheen) mentioned three Ahaadeeth under the Chapter of al-Naseehah (sincere advice). The first Hadeeth which he mentioned is the Hadeeth of Tameem bin Aus al-Daaree that the Prophet said: Religion is sincerity, religion is sincerity, religion is sincerity. He repeated it three times. [This is as per the narration reported by Abu Dawood and al-Nasaaee in their respective Sunans]. He repeated it three times in order to grab the attentionofthosebeingaddressed,sothatthosewholistenshouldpayheed.TheCompanions said: To whom O Messenger of Allaah? He said: 1)ToAllaah,2)HisBook,3)HisMessenger,4)TotheImaams(rulersandscholars)ofthe Muslims, 5) And the Muslims in general. These are the five places pertaining with al-Naseehah. Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: Thestatement:ontheauthorityofAbeeRuqayyah,thisisbeingnicknamed(Kunyah)aftera female child, whereas normally the Kunya is with the name of a male child. But it doesnt matter if onegetsfamous(bythatKunya).SometimestheKunyacanbeofotherthanahuman,likeAbu Hurairah for example. Abu Hurairah got famous with this Kunya because he used to carry a cat and he was very fond of it. TheDeenisNaseehah.Al-DeenhereisSubject(Mubtada)andal-NaseehahisPredicate(Khabr) Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 5 andboth,thesubjectandthepredicate,areinformants(Ma`rifah).Thescholarsofthe`Arabic languagesay:WhentheSubjectisprovidinginformationandthePredicateisproviding information, then this is from the ways of confining (the meaning). AndthestatementoftheProphet:TheDeen(religion)isNaseehah(sincerity),is like saying: (The Deen is nothing exceptNaseehah) (or this Deen is only and only Naseehah).Sowhenthesentenceconsistsoftwoinformants,thenitisrestricting(the meaning/action).1 Andhissaying:al-Deen,meaning:theaspectofthereligionwhichisrelatedwith actions,becauseal-Deenhastwoaspects:theaspectinregardstotheaction;andtheaspectin regards to the reward (and reckoning). The saying of Allaah : {The Only Owner of the Day of Recompense} [Surah al-Faatihah (1): 4]

1Note:thepredicatelimits(themeaningortheactionof)thesubjectwhen(not)and (except,but)areused together in a sentence; or when (verily, but, only) is used. Example: (There is no winner except Muhammad) And (and only Muhammad is the winner) In both these sentences, the victory is limited to Muhammad, and victory is not attributed except to him. Another example: The saying of Allaah : {Not upon the Messenger is [the responsibility] except to convey (the message).} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 99] and {then the duty of Our Messenger is only to convey (the Message) clearly.} [Surah al-Taghaabun (64): 12] In both these verses, the responsibility of the Messenger is only limited to convey the message. Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 6 Here it is related with reward and retribution; and in the saying of Allaah : {and have chosen for you Islam as your religion} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 3] Here it is related with the aspect of actions. So his saying: al-Deen al-Naseehah, is related with the actions. Al-Naseehah is with the meaning sincerity and purity. (In the beginning) the Prophet did not make it clear to whom this sincerity should be sothattheCompanionsshouldinquire(andask)himaboutit;becausewhenathingis first outlined and then it is explained (in detail), it becomes one of the reasons for understanding it better. When a thing is vaguely described, then the self becomes eager (and curious) to understand itproperly.Sowhentheselfiseager(tolearn)andthethingisexplainedthereafter,thenit becomesdeeplyrootedinthemindmorethanitwouldhavehaditbeenexplainedinthevery beginning itself. Andinsomenarrations,theProphetrepeatedthephrase,al-Deenal-Naseehah three times: al-Deen al-Naseehah, al-Deen al-Naseehah, al-Deen al-Naseehah. We (the Companions) said: To whom O Messenger of Allaah? He said: 1)ToAllaah,2)HisBook,3)HisMessenger,4)TotheImaams(rulersandscholars)ofthe Muslims, 5) And the Muslims in general. Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan said: In another narration it is mentioned that the Prophet said: Religionissincerity,religionissincerity,religionissincerity.[SunanAbuDawood(4944), Musnad Ahmad (4/102)] Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 7 He repeated it three times for emphasis. Here the meaning of Naseehah is Khuloos (Sincerity, pureness, free (from)). In `Arabic when it is said: the thing is Naasih, it means that it is free from cheating/deception. When it is said: the honey is Naasih, the milk is Naasih, it means: free from cheating and mixing of impurities (or mixing with poor quality). Similarly, the Deen of Islaam is free from every type of falsehood, deception, wickedness, cheating, and betrayal. The Deen of Islaam is pure, and lucid. And similarly a Muslim maintains himself, from the outside and the inside, upon sincerity and protects himself from having bad manners, and from being treacherous and a betrayer, and other than that. As for the one who cheats or betrays or is wicked or his apparent behavior is different from what is in his heart, then this trait is not part of the Deen (rather it is the trait of a hypocrite). The Prophet confined (the meaning of) al-Deenasal-Naseehah.Andconfiningathingmeansthatnothingelseisallowedtobe included in it.2

2Note:InthisHadeeththeProphethasstatedthattheDeenofIslaamisNaseehah.Thisisaprofound statement. In this one brief sentence, the Prophet has described the essence of Islaam. Its implication is oneofall-inclusiveness.IbnSalaah mentioned:Oneoftheinterpretationsofthisisthatonesreligioncannot becompleteunlesshefulfillstheNaseehahtoAllaah,HisBook,andothersmentionedinthisHadeeth.[Siyaanah Saheeh Muslim (1/221)] The meaning is not that Naseehah is all there is to Islaam. As Ibn Hajar said: The meaning of Naseehah forms the bulk (and the most important pillar) of this religion. It is in the same way as the Prophet had said: Hajjis `Arafah.[Sunan Ibn Maajah (3015), Sunan Abu Dawood (1949), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (889), Sunan al-Nasaaee (3016, 3044) and graded as Saheeh By Shaikh al-Albaanee] [Fath al-Baaree (1/138)] Asisknown,thepilgrimageinvolvesmanyactionsbutthemostimportantofthemandthemostpredominateactis thatof`Arafah.ThereforetheProphetcalledHajjas`Arafah.Inthesameway,thisreligionisinfact Naseehah. InHajarreportedthatal-Khattaabeesaid:Naseehahisacomprehensivewordthanembodieseverytypeofvirtue and the wanting or desire for all forms of goodness. Rather, there is no other word in the Arabic language that is so comprehensive. [Fath al-Baaree (1/138)] Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 8 Naseehah: towards Allaah Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: 1. Sincerity towards Allaah : 1a) Sincerity of intention: AndsinceritytowardsAllaahmeanshavingpureintention(i.e.doingdeedsforthesakeof Allaah alone), and worshiping Him out of love and veneration; because when a slave worships Allaah out of love, he will try to obey all the commands of Allaah in order to attain His love;andwhenheworshipsoutofveneration,hewillabstainfromalltheprohibitions,fearing (none but) Allaah . 1b) Doing a lot of Dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah : And from sincerity towards Allaah is that a person makes constant Dhikr (remembrance) of his Lord with his heart, his tongue and with his limbs. As for his heart, then there is no restriction on howmuchDhikrofAllaahapersoncanmake.ApersoncanmakeDhikrofAllaahinall circumstances, and in everything he wishes, and in everything he hears (and in everything that he sees); because there is a Sign of Allaah in everything which points to His Wahdaaniyyah (Oneness), His Ruboobiyah (Lordship), His Greatness and His Authority. So his pondering at the creation of the heavens and the earth; and his pondering at the (creation) of the day and night; and his pondering at the(other)Aayaat(Signs)ofAllaahlike thesun,themoon, thestars,themountains,the trees, themovingcreaturesandotherthanthat,allthisisconsideredaspartofmakingtheDhikrof Allaah in the heart. 1c) Guarding the limits set by Allaah : And from the sincerity towards Allaah is that a person should have Ghairah (protective jealousy) for Allaah.Heshould beenragedforAllaahs sakewhentheMahaarim(thingsmadeforbidden by)Allaahareviolated- astheProphet used todo.The Prophet never took revenge for the wrong done to him, irrespective of what the people said about him, he never tookrevenge(forpersonalreasons).ButwhentheMahaarim(thelimitssetby)Allaahwere transgressed,he wouldbethemostsevereofpeopleintakingrevengefromthose whotransgressedtheMuharramaatofAllaah.Similarly,apersonshouldfeeloutragedforhis Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 9 Lords sake.3 He should not hear anyone insulting Allaah, or reviling Allaah, or makingfun of Allaah except that he should be enraged because of that and should rebuke (the one doing so); and if the needarises,heshouldcomplaintotheauthoritiesbecausethisispartofsincereadvicetowards Allaah. 1d) Defending the Deen of Allaah against the deviants: And from sincerity towards Allaah is: that you defend the Deen of Allaah which He has legislatedforHisslaves,sothatheabolishestheconspiraciesoftheconspirators,andherefutes thedeviants,thosewhoopposetheDeensayingthatit(theDeen)isarestrictionwhichrestricts the freedom of the people. As a matter of fact, the Deen does indeed restrict freedom4; because a personshouldrestricthimselfforthesakeofAllaahandtowardsAllaahandtowardsHisDeen. Anyone who does not restrict himself by this, he will be under Shaitaans constraints and will follow the footsteps of Shaitaan. This is because a man can never be on his own, he would be always be between the two (either he restraints himself or he will beconstrained by Shaitaan). No doubt, in everything, he will face a choice of whether doing good or doing evil. And what a beautiful statement Ibn al-Qayyim had said in al-Nooniyyah (1/308): They fled from the servitude for which they were created So they were plagued with the servitude of the self and Shaitaan. They fled from the servitude for which they were created and that is the worship of Allaah. Allaah said: {I have not created the Jinns and mankind except to worship Me} [Surah al-Dhaariyaat (51): 56]

3 Note: As Allaah mentioned about the skies and the earth: * * * {And they say: al-Rahmaan (Allaah) has begotten a son.Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing; wherebytheheavensarealmosttorn,and theearthissplitasunder,andthe mountainsfallinruins,becausethey ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to al-Rahmaan (Allaah).} [Surah Maryam (19): 88-91] 4 Note: Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said: The world is a prison for the Believer and Paradise for the disbeliever. [Saheeh Muslim (7058) and others] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 10 But they fled from this servitude which is complete freedom, and complete (source of) happiness (and ran) towards the servitude of self and Shaitaan. As for the self we seek Allaahs refuge from its evil it hijacks the person and makes him chase hisdesires,sothat hebecomestheslaveofhis desires.Andwhenthedesiresbecome dominant, the intellect fades away.5

1e) Propagating the Deen of Allaah : And from sincerity towards Allaah is: that one should be a propagator of the Deen of Allaah among His slaves, because this is the (lofty) status (and responsibility) of all the Messengers. They werecallers-invitingpeople-towardstheworshipofAllaah,asAllaahmentionsabout them: {Andverily,WehavesentamongeveryUmmahaMessenger(proclaiming):WorshipAllaah (Alone),andavoidTaghoot(allfalsedeities,etc.i.e.donotworshipothersbesidesAllaah). Then of them were some whom Allaah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified.} [Surah al-Nahl (16): 36] ThesayingofAllaah:{thenofthem}means:thosefromtheUmmahinwhichthe Messengers were sent. We ask Allaah that He guides us and you towards the Straight Path.

5 Note: As Allaah said:

{Haveyouseenhimwhotakeshisownlust(vaindesires)ashisilaah(god),andAllaahknowing(himassuch),left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allaah? Will you not then remember?} [Surah al-Jaathiyah (45): 23] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 11 Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: 1. Sincerity towards Allaah involves two things: First: Sincerely worshiping Him alone. Second:AffirmingHisOnenessinHisRuboobiyah(Lordship),HisUloohiyah(Hisworship)andHis Asmaa wal-Sifaat (Names and Attributes). Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan said: And when the Companions asked the Prophet about al-Naseehah, they said:TowhomOMessengerofAllaah?Hesaid:forAllaah.Thefirstthingyou should be sincere towards is in regards to what is between you and Allaah and that is by worshiping Him as He should be worshiped, and by believing in Him with complete faith, believing inHisRuboobiyyah(Lordship),believinginHisUloohiyyah(thatHealonedeservestobe worshiped), and believing in HisAsmaa wal-Sifaat (Names and Attributes), believing in His decree andactions,andbelievingthatnooneisworthyofbeingworshipedexceptHim,andthereafter makingallworshipsincerelyforHimalone.ThisisthesinceritybetweentheslaveandHisRabb (Lord). Itisamustthatoneshouldbesincerefromtheoutsideandtheinside.Theonewhodisplaysas beinguponTawheed,whilefromtheinsideisuponShirk;ortheonewhodisplaysthathehas Imaan, while from the inside he is upon Kufr; then he is a hypocrite. A hypocrite is more evil than a pure Kaafir. As Allaah said: {Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire; and no helper will you find for them.} [Surah al-Nisaa (4): 145] But why? Because: {They (think to) deceive Allaah and those who believe} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 9] For this is a major deception. Asfortheonewhoissincere,thenfirstlyhisouterbehaviorandinnerbeliefsarethesamewith Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 12 Allaah.Whenhesays: (NonehastherighttobeworshipedexceptAllaah),he abidesbyit.HeworshipsnonebutAllaah alone,andthenhecallsthepeopletowardsthe understanding of this statement ( ) and to abide by it, and towards worshiping Allaah withsincerity.Thepurposeofarticulatingthisstatementisnotlimitedtoutteringitwiththe tongue only (rather, it is to believe in the heart, to articulate it with the tongue, and to act upon it usingthelimbs).Theonewhosays alot,butdoesnotbelieveinitnoractuponwhatit implies is a hypocrite. Hypocrisy is to display the good deeds while hiding the evil which is within. Theonewhoshowshisgooddeedstothepeoplewhileheopposesitfromwithinisahypocrite; and hypocrisy is worse than Kufr and we seek Allaahs refuge for a Kaafir is clear and open about his Kufr, the people are aware of it and take precautions against him. But as for the hypocrite, then he deceives the Muslims, making them think that he is one of them whereas he is their enemy. He betraysthem,andeagerlywaitsforacalamitytoafflictthem,andchasestheirshortcomingsand faults,spreadsthemandslandersthem.WhentheMuslimsareafflictedwithsomecalamity,his hypocrisy and Kufr is exposed and he sides with the enemies of the Muslims. But when the Muslims areblessedwithprosperityandgoodness,hedisplayshisfaithsothathemayliveandenjoy amongst the Muslims. This is the trait of a hypocrite; he wants to deceive Allaah and to deceive the people. Allaah said: {They(thinkto)deceiveAllaahandthosewhobelieve,whiletheyonlydeceivethemselvesand perceive (it) not.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 9] Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 13 Naseehah: towards the Book of Allaah Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: 2. Sincerity towards the Book of Allaah : Thereafter, the Prophet said: His Book, meaning, again from the part of the Deen is sincerity towards the Book of Allaah . This includes the Book which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad , as well as the earlier revelations. 2a) Believing in all that is mentioned in it: SinceritytowardsthisBook(theQuraan)isbybelievingineverythingthatitinforms,meaning: whatever the Quraan informs (of the things that already took place orthat are going to happen in thefuture),itisobligatorytobelieveinthem,andespeciallyinregardstotheQuraan.Forthe Quraan and all praise is for Allaah alone from the time of the Prophet till this day ofours,ithasreachedusinMutawaatir6formanditwillbethiswaytilltheendoftimewhen Allaah will raise it. It is recited by the young and the old. But as for the earlier books, they were distorted, changed and altered, but whatever is authentic (or true) in them, we have to affirm the message that it brings. But we do not worship Allaah according to the commandments mentioned in the previous books except with the evidence mentioned in our Sharee`ah. 2b) Defending it: And from the sincerity towards the Book of Allaah is that a person stands in its defense, defending it from distortion either distortion in the wordings or the distortion in the meaning7; or defending it against the one who claims that it is incomplete or that things have been added to it like how theRaafidhahclaimthatthisQuraanisincompleteandthattheQuraanwhichwasrevealedto Muhammad()hadmoretoitthanwhattheMuslimshavetoday.Bythis,the Raafidhah have opposed the Ijmaa` (consensus) of the Muslims. The Quraan and all praise is for Allaah alone nothing can be deducted from it; and whoever claims that it is incomplete, then he has belied the saying of Allaah :

6Note:Mutawaatir(Successive):Asuccessivenarrationisoneconveyedbynarratorssonumerousthatitisnot conceivable that they have agreed upon an untruth thus being accepted as unquestionable in its veracity. 7Note:TheJahmees,theAsh`arees,theMatrudeesandtheMu`tazilees,theyalldeny(completelyorpartially)or distort the meaning especially when the Aayaat arerelated to the Names and Attributes of Allaah Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 14 {Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quraan) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).} [Surah al-Hijr (15): 9] AllaahhasguaranteedtoprotecttheQuraan,sowhoevermakesaclaimaboutevenasingle letter of the Quraan, that it has been removed, then he has lied against Allaah . Upon him is to repent from this apostasy and turn to Allaah (seeking His forgiveness). 2c) Explaining it and clarifying the doubts: AndfromsinceritytowardstheBookofAllaahisexplainingtheQuraan(forthewelfare)ofthe Believers - explaining the true meaning, according to the apparent8 meaning (fulfilling the purpose forwhichitwasrevealed);withoutanydistortionorchanging(themeaning).Ifoneissittingina gathering,partofgoodnessandsinceritytowardstheBookofAllaahisthatone(whois knowledgeable) should present a verse from the Book of Allaah and should explain it to the people,clarifyingforthemitsmeaningespeciallythoseverseswhichareoftenrepeatedin prayerslikeSurahal-Faatihah;foral-Faatihahisfromthepillarsofprayers(andwhichshouldbe recited)ineveryRak`ah(unit),bytheImaam,thosewhoarefollowinghimandthosewhoare praying individually. People are in the need of understanding this Surah. So if a person explains it to them and makes them understand, then this is from the sincerity towards the Book of Allaah . 2d) Believing that it is the Speech of Allaah and not created: AndfromsinceritytowardstheBookofAllaahistobelievethattheQuraanisreallythespeech Allaah and He spoke with it; and that the letters, the wordings and the meaning are all part of the speech of Allaah. It is not like that only the wording is from Allaah without the meaning; nor is it that only the meaning is from Allaah without the wording. Rather, the whole of it is the speech of Allaah - in letters and in meaning. Allaah spoke with it to Jibreel , who in turn came with it to the Prophet . Allaah said:

8[Note:Unlikethatsect(Baatiniyyah)whichsaysthattherearetwomeaningsforeveryverseintheQuraan:the apparentoneandthehiddenone.TheyclaimthattheapparentmeaningisforthecommonMuslimstofollow, whereas none other than their leaders know the hidden meaning of these verses. Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 15 * * * {Andtruly,this(theQuraan)isarevelationfromtheLordofthe`Aalameen*whichthe trustworthy Rooh [Jibreel] has brought down * upon your heart (O Muhammad) that you may be (one) of the warners * in the plain Arabic language.} [Surah al-Shu`araa (26): 192-195]9 And contemplate how He said: {upon your heart}, even though the Prophet used to listen to it through his ears. If the ears do not carry what they heard to the heart, then it will not settle in the soul. Nothing settles in the soul except when it reaches the heart through the ears or throughseeingwiththeeyes,ortouchingwiththehand,orsmellingwiththenose,ortastingit with the mouth (tongue). Anyhow, the (place of) settlement is the heart. That is why He said: {Upon your heart (O Muhammad) that you may be (one) of the warners.} Sobasedonthis,itisnotfromsinceritytowardstheBookofAllaahthatapersonsays:The Quraan is an expression of the words of Allaah and not the actual words of Allaah per se; or that one says: It is from the many creations of Allaah (i.e. it is created), or things similar to it. Rather, from sincerity is to believe that it is truly the Words of Allaah, in letters and in meaning. 2e) Adopting cleanliness before touching it: And from sincerity towards the Book of Allaah is that one respects and honors this Quraan; and fromitisthata personshouldnot touchit exceptwhen heisTaahir(pure,clean)of thetwo impurities:theminor ones(whichcan be removed bymakingWudhu)and themajorones(which can be removed by making Ghusl), because of the saying of the Prophet : NoneshouldtouchtheQuraanexcepttheonewhoisTaahir(clean).[GradedasSaheehby Shaikh al-Albaanee in Irwaa al-Ghaleel (122) and in Saheeh al-Jaami` (7780)]

9 Note: Our Deen is all about clarity: In a span of a few Aayaat, Allaah clarified for the people about Himself, about the Quraan, about Jibreel and about the Prophet so that there is no more doubt left in the hearts of the people. Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 16 Ortouchingitfrombehindabarrier(likewearingagloveetc.),becausetheonewhotouchesit from behind a barrier is like the one who has not touched it in reality. It is not obligatory, but one should(try)nottorecitetheQuraan,evenbyheart,exceptwheninthestateofpuritybecause this is from the manners of respecting the Quraan.10

10 Note: And also from the sincerity and respect towards the Book of Allaah is to recite it regularly and to recite it with a beautiful voice, and to contemplate over its Aayaat, and to memorize it (as much as possible), and to implement its teachings. a) Recite it regularly: Narrated`Abdullaah bin`Amr :Allaah'sApostle saidtome:RecitethewholeQuraaninone month'stime.Isaid:ButIhavepower(todomorethanthat).Allaah'sApostlesaid:Thenfinishthe recitation of the Quraan in seven days, and do not finish it in less than this period. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4691) and Muslim (1971)] b) Recite it in a nice voice: {and recite the Quraan (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style.} [Surah al-Muzammil (73): 4] NarratedAbuHurairahsaid:AllaahsMessengersaid:WhoeverdoesnotreciteQuraanina pleasant, loud voice is not from us. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7527)] c) Contemplate over its Aayaat: {AndWehaveindeedmadetheQuraaneasytounderstandandremember,thenisthereanythatwillremember and receive admonition?} [Surah al-Qamar (54): 17, 22, 32, 40] Yazeedibn`Abdullaahsaidthat`Abdullaahibn`AmraskedtheProphet:Inhowmanydays shouldIcompletetherecitationofthewholeQuraan,ApostleofAllaah?Hereplied:Inonemonth.Hesaid:Iam moreenergetictocompleteitinaperiodlessthanthis.Hekeptonrepeatingthesewordsandlesseningtheperiod until he said: Complete its recitation in seven days. He again said: I am more energetic to complete it in a period less than this. The Prophet said: He who finishes the recitation of the Quraan in less than three days does not understand it. [Sunan Abu Dawood (1390) and authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee] d) Memorize it (as much as possible): Narrated `Abdullaah bin `Amr that the Prophet said: It shall be said to the Companion of the Quraan (i.e. the one who memorized the Quraan), Recite, and rise up, recite (melodiously) as you would recite in theworld;forindeedyourrankshallbeatthelastAayahyourecited.[Sunanal-Tirmidhee(2914),SunanAbu Dawood (1464) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (3780) and graded as Hasan Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee] e) Implement its teachings:

{And indeed We have put forth every kind of example in this Quraan, for (the benefit of) mankind. But, man is ever more quarrelsome than anything.} [Surah al-Kahf (18): 54] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 17 2f) Honoring the Quraan: AndfromsinceritytowardstheBookofAllaahisnottoputitinplaceswhereitcanbe disrespected. Putting it in certain places is disrespecting it, like putting it in the trash or something similar.Itisnecessarytotakeprecautionsespeciallyforwhatsomeoftheyoungonesdo,those whowhentheyhave finishedtheirlessonsintheirschools(i.e.when theyfinish theiracademic year) would throw their books which would contain portions from the Quraan on the street or in the dustbin or other (unclean) places. And we seek Allaahs refuge from this. AsforplacingtheMus-haf(theQuraan)onthecleanandpureearth,thenthereisnoproblem withit,becausethisisneitherfromdisrespectingnorinsultingtheQuraan.Thisusuallyhappens when people are praying while reciting by looking into the Mus-haf (or when they are reciting from the Mus-haf and they come across a verse of prostration) and they want to prostrate; so they place it (on the earth) in front of them. This is not considered as disrespect or insult to the Mus-haf and there is no problem in doing so. And Allaah knows best.11 Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: 2) Sincerity towards Allaahs Books consists of many things of which a few are: First:Defendingit:thatoneshoulddefenditfromdistortionandexposingtheonewhotriesto distort it. Second: Believing in all that is mentioned in the Book, with a firm belief, without any hesitation. If a person belies even a single incident mentioned in the Book, then he is not sincere; and if he doubts in it or is indecisive, then he is not sincere. Third:Fulfillingtheobligationsmentionedinit.WhateverobligationismentionedintheBookof Allaah, one should abide by it. If one does not abide by it, then he is not sincere to it. Fourth: Shunning that which it prohibits, if one does not do it, then he is not being sincere. Fifth:Tobelievethatallthatismentionedinitregardingtherulings(thecommandsandthe prohibitions), that they are the best, and that no ruling is better than what is mentioned al-Quraan al-Kareem.

11 Note: Amongst the worst type of disrespect to the Book of Allaah is what the magicians do with it. They would use theversesfromtheQuraantopleaseShaitaanandtoperformmagic,ortomakeamuletsorcastspells,bywriting them in backwards, and sometimes with blood or urine. They would also recite them in unclean places like toilets etc. We seek refuge in Allaah from Shaitaan and his allies. Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 18 Sixth:TobelievethatthisQuraanistheSpeechofAllaah,bothinwordsandinmeaning, Allaah in reality spoke with it, and Jibreel took it from Allaah and came with it and revealed it totheProphets heartsothathemaybeoneofthewarners,inplain `Arabic language. Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan said: Then he said: His Book. Sincerity towards the Book of Allaah and it is the Quraan istobelieveinit,andtobelievethatitistheSpeechofAllaahwhichHerevealedandisnot created, and that it is indeed the Words of Allaah in truth, which He revealed upon His Messenger ;thereafterrecitingitalot,ponderingandcontemplatingoveritsmeaning,and seeking its Tafseer (explanation) and then acting upon it and making the actions sincerely for Allaah alone. The following are from the sincerity towards the Book of Allaah : First: To believe that it is indeed the Speech of Allaah (in words and meaning). Second: To learn its (proper recitation). Third: To increase in its recitation. Fourth:Toponderoverit,mererecitationwithoutunderstandingitsmeaningandexplanationis not sufficient. Fifth: To act upon its (teachings). And `Ilm (knowledge) without actions does not benefit anything. Even if you were to memorize the (whole)Quraanandreciteditalot;aslongasyoudontactuponits(teachings),youarenot sincere to the Book of Allaah . Rather, you are betraying the Book of Allaah . Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 19 Naseehah: towards the Messenger of Allaah Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: 3. Sincerity towards the Messenger of Allaah : Thereafter, the Prophet said: His Messenger, and sincerity towards the Messenger of Allaah comprises of the following:12

3a) Imaan in Muhammads Messengership: OneshouldhavecompletefaithinhisMessengership,andthatAllaahhassenthimforthe whole of creation the `Arabs and the non-`Arabs; the Humans and the Jinn. Allaah said: {And We have sent you (O Muhammad) as a Messenger to mankind.} [Surah al-Nisaa (4): 79] And He said: {BlessedbeHeWhosentdownthecriterion(ofrightandwrong,i.e.thisQuraan)toHisslave (Muhammad) that he may be a warner to the `Aalameen (mankind and jinn).}[Surah al-Furqaan (25): 1] AndtherearemanyAayaatwithsimilarmeaning.ThereforeonehastobelievethatMuhammad is the Messenger of Allaah for the whole of creation for the Jinn and the mankind.

12 Note: Naseehah (sincerity) towards the Messenger of Allaah is by venerating him, aiding him while he was alive and reviving his Sunnah after his death by learning it and teaching it, and by implementing his statements and actions, and by loving him and loving his followers (the Companions). Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 20 3b) To believe in what he has informed: And from sincerity towards the Messenger of Allaah is to believe in all that he informs, andthatheisthetruthfulandthetrustworthyone.Truthfulandtrustworthyinwhathehas informed from the revelation.13 He was not dishonest nor did he lie. 3c) To obey him in what he has commanded: And fromsinceritytowardstheMessenger ofAllaah istoemulate himsincerely,i.e. oneshouldnotexceedandgobeyondtheSharee`ahwhichhehadbrought(byinnovatinginthe Deen), nor should one make any reductions in the Deen (by doing things as and when one likes and leaving it when he does not like it). One should make him the Imaam in allof his affairs and acts of `Ibaadah (worship). Verily! He is the Imaam of the whole Ummah and their leader. It is not permissible for anyone to obey other than him, except for the one(i.e. the scholar)who is an intermediatebetween him and the Messenger provided that he (i.e. the scholar) has theknowledgeoftheSunnahwhichyoudonthave.Inthiscase,thenthereisno probleminyou following this person with the condition that you firmly believe that he is guiding you towards the Sharee`ahandthatheisnotindependent(todoordictateashepleases).Nooneisallowedto dictateabouttheSharee`ahexcepttheMessengerofAllaahwiththepermissionof Allaah. As for others, then their responsibility is to only convey the message of the Prophet , as the Prophet said: Convey from me, even if it is one verse. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree] 3d) To defend and honor the Sharee`ah he had brought: Andfromthesinceritytowardsthe Messenger ofAllaah is todefendandupholdhis Sharee`ah.Defendsothatnoonereducesanythingfromit;anddefend sothatnooneaddstoit that which is not from it. One should wage war against Ahl al-Bid`ah (the innovators) who innovate (intheDeen)throughtheirspeech,actionsandbeliefs;becauseallBid`ahcomesfromthesame doorandallBid`ahcultivatesfromthesamefield(i.e.toopposetheSharee`ah,toopposethe Sunnah) and all of it is misguidance as the Prophet had said:

13 Note: This includes the information about the things which have already happened like the stories of the people in the past; the things which are going to happen in the future like the portents of the Hour, the things that are going to happen on the Day of Judgment, and Paradise and Hell. Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 21 And every innovation (in the Deen) is misguidance [Saheeh Muslim (1885)] Thereisnoexceptioninthis,everyBid`ah,eitherofspeech,actionsorbeliefs,isincludedinthis. EverythingwhichopposestheguidanceoftheProphetandthatwhichhebrought eitherinbelieforspeechoraction,isconsideredasBid`ah.So,fromsinceritytowardsthe Messenger of Allaah is to wage war (strive) against Ahl al-Bid`ah, like how they wage war against the Sunnah (and its people). If they wage war (against the Sunnah) with their speech, theyrefutethemthroughspeech;andiftheywagewarthroughtheiractions,thenrespondto them through actions - like for like. This is all part of sincerity towards the Messenger of Allaah . 3e) To respect and love his Companions: AndfromsinceritytowardstheMessengerofAllaahistohonorhisCompanions, respect them and love them. The Companions were humans, but there is no doubt that they were special and the most privileged of people. The Sahaabah were the best generation (of this Ummah),becausetheyaccompaniedtheMessengerof.Whosoeverrevilesthe Companions, or hates them, or backbites them, or points to something as a means to belittle them - then he has not been sincere towards the Messenger of Allaah . And if he claims that he is sincere towards the Messenger , then (know that) he has lied. How can one insult andhatetheCompanionsoftheMessengerofAllaahandstill(claimto)lovethe Messenger and (claim to) be sincere to him? And it has been (authentically) reported from the Prophet that he said: Amanisuponthereligionofhisfriend,soletoneofyoulookat whomhebefriends.[Sunan Abu Dawood (4833) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2378) and graded as Hasan by Shaikh al-Albaanee] So if the Companions of the Prophet are insulted by this insulting slandering liar, then he has in fact insulted the Prophet , and he is not being sincere towards him .Rather,inreality,hehasinsultedtheSharee`ahbecausetheoneswhobroughtusthe Sharee`ah are the Companions . So if reviling them and insulting (and accusing) them was Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 22 correct,thenitmeanstheSharee`ahisalsonotsafeandfreefromerrors,becauseitmeansthat theSharee`ahhasbeenbroughttousbyblameworthypeople.Rather,insultingtheCompanions is like insulting Allaah we ask Allaah for our wellbeing (from such falsehood). It is an insult to the Wisdom of Allaah because (it means that) He chose - for His Messenger andforcarryingHisSharee`ahablameworthypeople.Therefore,fromsincerity towardstheMessengerofAllaahistolovehisCompanions,andrespectthemand honor them, as this is part of the Deen. Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: 3) And from sincerity towards His Messenger are: First: Being keen and dedicated in following him; and one should not follow (or give precedence to) the ways of those other than him, as Allaah said: {IndeedintheMessengerofAllaah(Muhammad)youhaveagoodexampletofollowforhim who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah much.} [Surah al-Ahzaab (33): 21] Second: To believe that he is indeed the Messenger of Allaah, he did not lieandheshouldnotbebelied(i.e.heshouldneitherbedeniednorshouldanyfalsehoodbe attributed to him). He is the truthful one and the one trusted (by Allaah). Third: To believe in everything that he has informed the things of the past, present and the future. Fourth: To comply with his commands. Fifth: To shun everything that he has prohibited. Sixth: To defend his Sharee`ah. Seventh:TobelievethatwhatevercamethroughtheProphetregardingthe commands and the prohibitions, then the obligation to comply with it is similar to when it is coming fromAllaah,becausewhateverhasbeenaffirmedinthe(authentic)Sunnah,thenitislike Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 23 (whatever has been revealed) the Quraan. Allaah said: {O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger} [Surah al-Nisaa (4): 59] and: {He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allaah} [Surah al-Nisaa (4): 80] and: {And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)} [Surah al-Hashr (59): 7] Eight: Aiding the Prophet , if he was alive then being with him and besides him; and aidinghisSunnahafterhisdeath(byrevivingthatwhichhasbeenforgottenand helping those who follow his Sunnah). Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan said: 3a) To love the Messenger the most: Thenhesaid:HisMessenger,similarlyoneshouldbesinceretowardsthe MessengerbytestifyingthatheisindeedtheMessengerofAllaah, testifyingintruthandwithcertainty,outwardly(withthetongue)andinwardly(withtheheart), and by obeying him and following that which he brought, and by loving him more than you love yourself, your child (children) and your parents and the whole of mankind.14

14 Note: The Prophet said: Noneofyouwillhavefaithtillhelovesmemorethanhisfather,hischildrenandallofmankind.[Saheehal-Bukhaaree (14, 15) and Saheeh Muslim (144)] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 24 3b) No other person should be given precedence over the Prophet : No creation should be given precedence over and above the love of Allaah and His Messenger .LoveofAllaahshouldbefirstandforemost,thenafterthattheloveofthe Messenger which should be accompanied by obeying him, following his Sunnah, both outwardly and inwardly, and not lying upon him, and not attributing to him things which he never said because of his saying: Ascribing false things to me is not like ascribing false things to anyone else. Whosoever tells a lie againstmeintentionallythensurelylethimoccupyhisseatinHell-Fire[Saheehal-Bukhaaree (1291) and Saheeh Muslim (4)] 3c) Do not attribute lies to the Prophet : SodonotattributetotheProphetanythingexceptthatwhichhasbeennarrated throughreliablescholars.SoifyouknowtheSanad(thechainofnarration),andyouknowthe narrators,thendonotattributeanythingtotheProphetexceptwhichyouhave verified it to be authentic. But if you have no knowledge in this regards, then you should refer back to the foundation of the Sunnah: the authentic books (of Ahaadeeth) (like the two Saheehs), which their authors took care to report only that which has been confirmed to be from the Prophet . As for that which is not confirmed, then you should not attribute it to the Prophet tillyouverifyitsauthenticity,andthenafterthis,youshouldimplementhis Sunnah. 3d) Do not interpret the Hadeeth according to your own understanding: AndsimplymemorizingtheAhaadeethwithoutunderstandingitsmeaning(doesnotservethe purpose), rather you should know its meaning so that you can act upon it. It is not possible that you can (correctly) act upon a Hadeeth without understanding its meaning; and nor is it allowed for you to interpret it from your own when you dont understand its meaning. Dont say: the Prophetsaidsuch-and-suchandthisiswhatitmeans,tillyouunderstandthecorrectmeaning, thatwhichthereliablescholarshaveaffirmed(andexplained).Soyoushould notattributeto the Prophet exceptthewording,donotattributetohimyourown interpretation;andthattooonlythosenarrationswhichyoucametoknowabouttheir authenticity,eitherbyyourownifyouarefromitspeople(i.e.Muhaddith)orbyaskingthe scholarsoryoureferbacktotheauthenticbooksofAhaadeeth,whichhavebeenrecorded,and have been accepted by the Ummah, like Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Saheeh Muslim and similarly those Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 25 (narrations) which have been authentically reported in the four books of Sunan and the Masaanid (sn.Musnad).YoushouldattributetotheProphet onlywhathasbeenauthentically reported and then act upon it; and this is from the Sincerity towards the Messenger of Allaah . 3e) Stick to the Sunnah and fight the Bid`ah: Similarly, one should avoid the Bid`ah (religious innovations). The Prophet said: Hewhodoesanactwhichwehavenotcommanded,willberejected(byAllaah).[Saheeh Muslim] And he also said: Verily he among you who lives long will see great controversy, so you must keep to my Sunnah andtotheSunnahoftheKhulafaar-Rashideen(therightlyguidedcaliphs),thosewhoguideto the right way. Cling to it stubbornly [literally: with your molar teeth]. Beware of newly invented matters [in the religion], for verily every Bid`ah (innovation) is misguidance. [Sunan Abu Dawood (4607), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2676), and graded as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee] So ward off (every type of)Bid`ah (in religion), for which there is no proof from the Sunnah of the Prophet .15 3f) Be clear when you quote a weak Hadeeth: AndfromSinceritytowardstheMessengerofAllaahisthatthoseDha`eef(weak) Ahaadeeth-whichhavebeengradedasweakthescholars-suchAhaadeethshouldnotbe asserted to be from the Prophet . Rather, one should say: It has been narrated from the Prophet , or it has been reported from the Prophet ; but never say

15 Note: Acting upon Bid`ah is like eating bad food as Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah said: The Legislated matters (Sharee`ah) are the nourishments of the hearts. So, whenever the hearts are nourished upon Bid`ah, there is no space left for the Sunnah. Its similarity islike a person being nourished upon bad food (which is neither good in taste nor beneficial for the body). [Iqtidhaa Siraat al-Mustaqeem (2/104)] Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 26 (regardingaweakHadeeth):theProphet saidsuch-and-such,orhe didsuch-and-such. One should say it in such a way which (directly or indirectly) indicates its weakness, and this is part of being honest. And all this is part of Sincerity towards the Messenger of Allaah . 3g) Refer to the scholars about the authenticity of the Hadeeth: Similarly,fromsinceritytowardstheMessengerofAllaahisthatyoushouldnot engage in grading the Hadeeth, that it is authentic or weak, when you are not qualified to do so. No one should engage in this except those who know this science and have specialized in it, those who arefirminknowledgeandknowthenarrationsandthenarrators.Butwhathasappearedisthat manyyouthshavetheaudacitytogradetheAhaadeethasauthenticorweakwithouthavingany knowledge(aboutthisfield)andwithoutlearning(thissubject)andwithouthavinganyexpertise andwithoutseekingknowledgefromthescholars.ThisaudacityregardingtheSunnahofthe Messenger is extremely dangerous.16 It is not from sincerity towards the Messenger of

16 Note: Amongst the treacherous who attribute lies to Allaah and His Messenger are the Soofees those whobelieveinHulool(Divineindwelling[i.e.thebeliefthatAllaahdwellswithinahumanbeing])orIttehaad (Unity [i.e. the belief that the Creator and the creation are one]) or Wahdatul-wujood (Unity of existence [i.e. all that exist is Allaah]) who say: My heart informed me from my Lord (i.e. they receive revelations directly from Allaah) Or they say: Wetake(ourknowledge)fromtheEverLivingOne,Whodiesnot,whereasyoutake(yourknowledge)from intermediaries (meaning the Prophet and his Companions). Or: : : It was said to one of the Soofees: Why dont you go to `Abdul-Razzaaq to hear from him the Hadeeth (of the Prophet )?Towhichhereplied:Whatistheneedtohearfrom`Abdul-Razzaaqfortheonewhohearsfromal-Khallaaq (the Supreme Creator - Allaah)? [See Ibn al-Qayyims: (1/123)] This is clear Kufr as Allaah says:

{AndwhocanbemoreunjustthanhewhoinventsalieagainstAllaah,orsays:Ihavereceivedinspiration, whereas he is not inspired in anything; and who says, I will reveal the like of what Allaah has revealed. And if you could but see when the Dhaalimoon (wrong-doers) are in the agonies of death, while the angels are stretching forth theirhands(saying):Deliveryoursouls!Thisdayyoushallberecompensedwiththetormentofdegradation BECAUSEOFWHATYOUUSEDTOUTTERAGAINSTALLAAHOTHERTHANTHETRUTH.AndyouusedtorejectHis Aayaat with disrespect!} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 93] = Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 27 Allaahthattheignorantonesengageinthisfieldandcallthemselvesas MuhadditheenonlybecausetheyhavereadsomebooksofHadeethorhavememorizedafew Ahaadeeth.JustbecauseonehasmemorizedtheAhaadeethdoesnotmakehimaMuhaddith;a Muhaddithistheonewhospecializesinthefieldandhasknowledgeaboutthenarrators.The science (of Hadeeth) is vast and which should only be learned by sitting with the scholars and those who have expertise in this field. Soitisnotforeveryone(toenterthisfield)byjustreadingafewbooksofHadeeth,andthento startgradingtheAhaadeethasauthenticorweakortoexpounditandexplainitfromhisown withouthavingthecorrectunderstanding,becausethisistreacheryanddishonestytowardsthe SunnahoftheMessenger.ItisobligatorytohonortheSunnah;andnooneshould engage in this field except those who have specialized in it.

= Then there are those (amongst the Soofees and others) who authenticate a weak Hadeeth- in complete defiance to theruleslaidoutbytheMuhadditheen-onlybecausethatweakorfabricatedHadeethsupportstheirdesires.They first invent a practice or belief and then look for some evidence to support it. But if the evidence opposes it, they will cling on to their misguidance and reject the Hadeeth even if it is authentic. Then there are those from the Ahl a-Bid`ah from the likes of the Mu`tazilah and the Jahmees who reject the authentic Hadeeth(andeventheAayaatfromtheQuraan)onlybecausetheycouldnotcomprehendit.Theyrejectthe Ahaadeeth that the Believers will see their Lord in the Jannah, or the existence of the Bridge (which will be laid on the backoftheHellfireandeveryonewillbemadetocrossit),ortheScale(Meezaan),ortheAhaadeethofthe Intercession(thattheProphetwillintercedeforthesinnersontheDayofJudgment),ortheAhaadeethregarding Dajjaal (only because he is not mentioned in the Quraan) and there are many more Ahaadeeth which they reject. Example: In one of the gatherings of the Khaleefah Haroon al-Rasheed, Abu Mu`aawiyah al-Dhareer narrated the followingHadeeth:AadamandMoosaadebatedwitheachothertilltheendoftheHadeeth.*Oneofthose presentinthegatheringsaid:HowisthatpossibleknowingthatbetweenAadamandMoosaa(isalonggap)?Sothe Khaleefah al-Rasheed got angry and said:Heis narratingto you the Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah and you oppose it by saying: How? And he kept on rebuking that person till those in the gathering calmed him down. [`Aqeedah al-Salaf As-haab al-Hadeeth of al-Saaboonee (1/40)] *ThecompleteHadeeth:NarratedAbuHurairah :TheProphet said:AadamandMoosaa debated with each other and Moosaa said: You are Aadam the one who turned out your offspringfrom Paradise. Aadamsaid:YouareMoosaawhomAllaahchoseforHisMessageandforHisdirecttalk,yetyoublamemefora matterwhichhadbeenordainedformeevenbeforemycreation?ThusAadamovercameMoosaa.[Saheehal-Bukhaaree (3409, 6614, 7515) and Saheeh Muslim (6409, 6410, 6411, 6412)] Shaikh al-Fawzaan Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 28 Naseehah: towards the Imaams Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: 4. Sincerity towards the Imaams of the Muslims: ByImaamitmeansthosewhoaretobefollowedandobeyed,andtheyaredividedintotwo categories:a)theImaamsinDeen(thereligiousleaders)andb)theImaamsinauthority(the worldly leaders). 4a.i) The Imaams in Deen: AsfortheImaaminDeen,thenitreferstothescholars,thosewholeadthepeopletowardsthe BookofAllaahandguide them towardsit and teach themtheSharee`ah ofAllaah. Allaah said in the Du`aa of the slaves of al-Rahmaan (the Most Beneficent): {Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqoon.} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 74] TheydidnotaskAllaahforauthorityorgovernorship.Rather,theyaskedAllaahfor Imaamah (leadership) in Deen because the slave of al-Rahmaan (the Most Beneficent) do not seek authoritynordotheyaskforgovernorship.ButastheProphetsaidto`Abdul Rahmaan bin Samurah : Do not seek to be a ruler, because if you are given authority because of your asking for it, then youwillbeheldresponsibleforit,butifyouaregivenitwithoutaskingforit,thenyouwillbe helpedinit(byAllaah).[Saheehal-Bukhaaree(6622,6722,7146,7147)andSaheehMuslim (4062, 4487)] They only seek Imaamah in Deen; and about whom Allaah said:

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 29 {AndWemadefromamongthem,leaders,givingguidance(totheirpeople)underOur Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Aayaat}[Surah al-Sajdah (32): 24] He said: {leaders, guiding (others) under Our Command}. 4a.ii) To attend their gatherings for seeking knowledge: AndfromsinceritytowardstheImaamsoftheMuslimsinDeenandknowledgeisthataperson shouldbediligentandkeeninseekingknowledgefromthescholars;fortheyarethemeansand intermediatesbetweentheMessengerofAllaahandbetweentheUmmah.17One should be keen in seeking knowledge from the scholars by all means (possible). In our times, and all praiseisforAllaahalone,themeans(ofseekingknowledge)haveincreased,books,audiosand othermeans.Sobekeeninseekingknowledgefromthescholars.Seekknowledgewithcare (patience and devotion) and do not be hasty (impatient and inattentive); because if a person rushes (andisinattentive)whileseekingknowledge,thenperhapshemayunderstanditinawayother thanwhathisShaikhwastryingtoconvey.AndAllaahtaughttheProphetthe manners of seeking knowledge, when He said: * * * {Movenotyourtongueconcerning(theQuraan,OMuhammad)tomakehastetherewith.Itis for Us to collect it and to give you (O Muhammad) the ability to recite it (the Quraan), And when Wehaverecitedittoyou[OMuhammadthroughJibreel],thenfollowyouits(theQuraans) recital. Then it is for Us (Allaah) to make it clear to you.} [Surah al-Qayaamah (75): 16-19] TheProphetusedtorushinhisattemptstograsptherevelationandhewouldbe recitingtherevelationwithJibreelwhilehewasrecitingit.ThatiswhyAllaahsaid: {Movenotyourtongueconcerning(theQuraan,OMuhammad)tomakehastetherewith}

17 Note: As the Prophet said: The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets and the Prophetsdo not leavebehindadinaroradirham,leavingonlyknowledge,andhewhotakesittakesanabundantportion(of goodness).[SunanAbuDawood(3641),Sunanal-Tirmidhee(2682)andSunanIbnMaajah(223)andgradedas Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee] Al-Hasan al-Basree said: If it were not for the scholars, people would have behaved like cattle. [al-Tabsirah of Ibn al-Jawzee (2/193)] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 30 meaning,donotmoveyourtongue,norreciteitsecretly(butjustlisten)tillJibreel completes the recitation, and thereafter you can recite it. {AndwhenWehaverecitedittoyou[OMuhammadthroughJibreel],thenfollowyouits(the Quraans)recital.ThenitisforUs(Allaah)tomakeitcleartoyou.}Allaahtookthe responsibility,meaning: You(OMuhammad)willnotforgetit;eventhoughitcommonlyhappens thatifapersonremainssilenttilltheend,tillthescholarcompleteshistalk,chancesarethata person forgets some of the statements. But here Allaah said: {Then it is for Us (Allaah) to make it clear to you.} 4a.iii) Do not spy on them waiting for them to make mistakes: And from the sincerity towards the scholars is that people should not spy on them to expose their secretsandwhentheysliporerr,becausetheyarenotMa`soom(infallible).Manybeforehave slipped and erred, as every son of Aadam is liable to commit mistakes, and the best of those who makemistakesarethosewhorepent.18Andespeciallytheonewhoseeksknowledge;heshould not be theonecarrying the errors of hisShaikh tothe peopleand exhausts(histimeandenergy) overit.(RatherheshouldcorrecthisShaikh),forhowmanypeoplehavebenefitedfromtheir students, who alert them when they err, in matters of knowledge and in matters of actions or any other error, because in the end the person (the scholar) is a human being. So the important thing is that one should not lie in wait to find errors as has been mentioned in a Hadeeth: O you who accepted Islaam with his tongue, while faith has not reached his heart! Do not harm the Muslims, nor revile them, nor spy on them to expose their secrets. Indeed if anyone searches for their faults, Allaah will search for his fault, and if Allaah searches for the fault of anyone, He willdisgracehim(evenifheishidingin)hishouse.[Sunanal-Tirmidhee(2032)andSunanAbu Dawood (4880) and the wordings are his; and graded as Hasan Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee] This is regarding (the honor of) the Muslims in general, so what about (the honor of) the scholars?

18 Note: Anas said that the Messenger of Allaah said: Every son of Aadam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent. [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2499) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (4251) and graded as Hasan by Shaikh al-Albaanee.] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 31 Thosewhoseektofindthefaultsofthescholarstopublicizethemarenotonlyharmingthe scholars and their honor, but they are harming the scholars in person, and harming the knowledge thattheyhave,andtheyareharmingtheSharee`ahwhichonewouldlearnthroughthem.Thisis becauseifthepeopledonottrustthescholars,andiftheirfaultsareexposed-especiallywhen they are not really at fault except according to the understanding of this biased and unfair person thenthepeoplewillrelylessonthescholarsandtheknowledgethattheyhave.Thisisacrime against the Sharee`ah, the knowledge which they might have of the Sunnah of the Prophet . 4a.iv) One should inform the scholars when they err: Andtherefore,fromthesinceritytowardstheImaamsoftheMuslims,thescholars,isthatone should defend them and cover their faults as much as possible. And one should not be silent if he hearssomething,butratheralertthescholarandseektheclarificationfromhim.Perhaps something has been wrongly attributed to him. And many times things have been attributed to us andtothoseotherthanuswhichareuntrue.ButthepeopleandwebeseechAllaahforour wellbeing if they follow their desires, and they love something and someone says that the such-and-such scholar (has allowed it), people accept his statement and attribute it to this scholar. But when it is inquired from the person (the scholar) to whom this is being attributed, he says: I never said it this way. Sometimes the questioner errs in asking the question (or in the way he presents it tothescholar)andthescholarrepliestoitaccordingtothewayhe understoodthequestionand triestoexplainittothequestionerandhereissometimeswherethemistakeshappen.And sometimesafterunderstandingthequestion,thescholaranswersitcorrectly,butthequestioner misunderstands the answer and relays it according to his misunderstanding. Anyhow, the sincerity towards the Imaams of the Muslims in knowledge and Deen is that a person doesnotscavengeaftertheirfaults.Rather,helooksforexcusesforthem.Callthemandinform them that I have heard such-and-such about you, is it true? If he says: Yes. Say to him: I think that this is wrong. He may either clarify for you and explains to you something you might not be aware of,andbecauseofwhichyouthoughthewaswrong;orhemayhaveoverlookedsomething,and youmakehimawareofitandhemaybecomegratefultoyouforthis.Anditwassaidaboutthe firstImaamoftheMuslims,inDeenandauthorityafterthedemiseoftheProphet, AbuBakrthatinhisfirstsermon,addressingtothepeople,hesaidabouthimself:IfI stray(fromthepath),thenstraighten(i.e.correct)me.19Thisisbecauseintheend,amanisa human (liable to make mistakes). So correct your brother even if he is a person of knowledge, because much danger is involved here. Ifthescholariscorrect,Allaahmayguidesmanypeoplethroughhimandifheerrs,thenmany people will deviate because of him. So the slip of a scholar is a severe thing.

19 Note: Seerah of Ibn Hishaam (4/240) Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 32 ThatiswhyIsay:Itisnecessarythatweshouldprotectthe honorof ourscholars, andweshould defendthem,andweshouldfindanexcusefortheirmistakes.Thisshouldnotpreventusfrom (approachingand)callingthem,andaskingthem,andseekingclarificationfromthem,discussing andreasoningwiththem;sothatwebecomesincereadvisorstotheImaams(scholars)ofthe Muslims. 4b.i) The Imaams in authority: The second category of the Imaams of the Muslims is: the rulers, those who are in authority. Very oftenarulermakesmoremistakethanascholar;sometimes,becauseofhisauthorityhis arrogance leads him to more crime. He wishes to enforce his authority irrespective of whether he is rightorwrong.Sopredominantly,moremistakesaremadebytheImaamsoftheMuslimsthe rulers and those in authority than by the scholars, except as Allaah Wills. 4b.ii) Do not chase their faults and to correct them in the best way possible: Andfromthesinceritytowardsthemisthatweshouldabstainfromchasingtheirfaults,andwe should not spread it amongst the people, and we should advise them to the best of our ability by meeting them in person if that is possible; or by writing to them if that is possible; or if writing to them is not possible, then letting those who can call them to call them (and advise them) because sometimes it is not possible to write to them or sometimes it may not reach them. So at this time we can inform those who can call them to call and advise them and this is from sincerity towards them.20

20 Note: Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allaah said: : [ ] . : Allaahis pleased withyouabout three things and Heis angry with you about threethings.Heis pleased that you worshipHimalone,notassociatinganythingoranyonewithHiminworship,thatyoualltakeholdoftheRopeof Allaah altogether [and do not divide], that you give good advice to those that Allaah has put in authority over you. ThethreethatdispleaseHimarethatyousay,`Itwassaid,'and,`So-and-sosaid,'askingmanyunnecessary questionsandsquanderingwealth.[al-Adabal-MufradofImaamal-Bukhaaree(443)andgradedasSaheehby Shaikh al-Albaanee] TheProphet said:Therearethreethingsthatifapersonadherestothem,theypurifyhisheartfrom any form of treachery or evil: doing deeds purely for the sake of Allaah alone, offering sincere advice to the rulers of theMuslims,andadheringtotheJamaa`ah(mainbody)oftheMuslims.Theirsupplicationisanswered(i.e. encompassingeverygoodandallofthepeople).[Sunanal-Tirmidhee(2658)andSunanIbnMaajah(3056)and graded as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee, al-Saheehah (404)] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 33 Asforspreadingtheirfaults,thenthisisnotanenmitytowardsthemonly,ratheritisapersonal enmity towards them and enmity towards the whole Ummah.21 This is because if the hearts of the Ummahisfilledwithhatredtowardsitsrulers,thentherulerswillbedisobeyed,opposedand resisted,whichwillleadtochaosanddisorder,fearwillbewidespreadandtherewillbelackof safety and security. But if the people respect the rulers, only then will they obey their instructions in the matters which does not oppose the Sharee`ah.22

21 The Prophet said: One who dislikesa thing done by his Ameer (ruler) should be patient over it, for anyonefromthepeoplewhowithdraws(hisobedience) fromhisauthority,eventotheextentofa handspan,and diedinthatconditions,woulddiethedeathofonebelongingtothedaysofJaahilliyyah(pre-Islaamicperiod). [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7053, 7054, 7143) and Saheeh Muslim (4560)] 22 Note: The one who insults the ruler will be disgraced: Ziyaad bin Kusaib Al-`Adawi said: I was with Abu Bakrah near the Minbar (pulpit) of Ibn `Aamer while he was givingaKhutbah(Fridaysermon),wearingafinegarment.AbuBilaalsaid:LookatourAmeerwearingclothesof wickedness! So Abu Bakrah said: Be quiet! I heard the Messenger of Allaah saying: WhoeverinsultsAllaahsrulerontheearth,Allaahwilldisgracehim.[Sunanal-Tirmidhee(2224)andgradedas Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee] ProtestsandrevoltsarenotfromtheSunnah,shoutingagainsttherulerfromthepulpit(minbar)ofaMasjidisnot from the Sunnah. Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said that the Prophet said: ThebesttypeofJihad(strivinginthewayofAllaah)isspeakingatruewordinthePRESENCEofatyrantruler. [Sunan Abu Dawood (4344), Sunan Ibn Maajah (4011), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2174) and graded as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albaanee] In his presence and not behind his back; and this is one of the responsibilities of the Scholars and not every layman. So what shall we do if the ruler does not listen? Answer: Be patient. NarratedUsaidbinHudair:AmancametotheProphetandsaid:OAllaahsApostle!You appointed such-and-such person and you did not appoint me? The Prophet said: After me you will see rulers not giving you your rights (but you should give them their rights) and be patient till you meet me. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7057)] NarratedAnas :TheProphet decidedtograntaportionof(theuncultivatedlandof)Bahrainto theAnsaar.TheAnsaarsaid:(Wewillnotacceptit)tillyougiveasimilarportiontoouremigrantbrothers(from Quraish). He said: Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 34 Theimportantthing(toknow)isthatImaamsoftheMuslimsconsistsoftwocategories:the ImaamsintheDeen,andtheyaretheScholars;andtheImaamsinauthorityandtheyarethe rulers. The scholars explain the matters of the Deen to the people and the rulers use their authority inimplementing theSharee`ahofAllaah.SoirrespectiveofifitistheImaaminknowledge orthe Imaaminauthority,weshouldadvisethem.Weshouldbekeeninadvisingthemanddefending them and covering their faults. If they err, then we should correct them. Sometimes we think that it is an error on the part of the scholar or the ruler, but when we discuss with them, it becomes clear to us that they did not err. And this happened many times. Similarly,sometimes falsenewsisbrought to us regardingascholaror a ruler bythosewhohave badintentions.SomepeopleandAllaahsrefugeissoughtlovetospreadthefaultsofthe scholars and the rulers. So, the one with bad intention might report from them that which they did notsay;orattributetothemsomethingwhichtheydidnotdo.Soifwehearsomethingabouta scholarorarulerwhichweseeassomethingwrong,thenweshouldadvisethemthrough discussions and making things clear to them so that they review (the matter).

=(O Ansaar!) You will soon see people giving preference to others (over you), so remain patient till you meet me. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2376, 2377, 3794)] But patience for how long? Where is this meeting place? The Prophet said: After me you will see others given preference over you in this respect (in which case) you should be patient till you meetmeattheTank(ofAl-Kauthar).[Saheehal-Bukhaaree(3163,3792,3793,4330)andSaheehMuslim(2313, 4549)] Patient till death overtakes you. Don't take the law in your hands, ask Allaah for your rights: Allaah's Messenger said: Youwillseeafterme,selfishnessandfavoritism(onthepartofotherpeople)andothermattersthatyouwill disapproveof.Theyasked:Whatdoyouorderustodo,OAllaah'sMessenger(undersuch circumstances)? He said: Paytheirrightstothem(totherulers)andaskyourrightfromAllaah.[Saheehal-Bukhaaree(7052)andSaheeh Muslim (4545)] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 35 Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: 4. (Sincerity towards) the Imaams of the Muslims: (Imaams) is the plural of (Imaam), and the Imaam is the leader as Allaah said: {Verily, Ibraaheem was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), obedient to Allaah} [Surah al-Nahl (16): 120] And from it is the saying of the righteous slaves of al-Rahmaan: {and make us leaders for the Muttaqoon} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 74] The Imaams of the Muslims are divided into two categories: First:Thescholars;meaning:therighteous,god-fearingscholars,whoinheritedfromtheProphet knowledge,worship,goodmannersandthecalltowardsit.ThesearetherealUlul-Amr(thoseinauthority whoshould beobeyed) because theyarethe oneswhoareintouchwith thepeopleandtheyaretheoneswhoareintouchwiththerulers,andtheyexplaintheDeenof Allaah (and make it clear for the people and the rulers) and invite people towards it. Second: therulerswhoimplement theSharee`ahofAllaah.Thisiswhyitissaid:Thescholarsare the ones who explain and the rulers are the ones who implement the Sharee`ah (in the land). It is obligatory upon them (the rulers) to implement the Sharee`ah of Allaah upon themselves and upon the salves of Allaah (under their authority). 4a) Sincerity towards the scholars involves: First: Loving them, because if you dont love anyone of them, you will not be comfortable with him (or his teachings). Second:Supportingandhelpingtheminpreachingthetruth,spreadingtheirbooksandthrough the many other means (audios, videos or other technologies) which change/progress from time to time. Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 36 Third:Defendingtheirhonorbynotallowinganyonetobackbite,disrespectordegradethem.If something negative has been attributed to the one of the righteous scholars, then one should take the following steps: Step one: Confirm if what is being attributed to him is the truth or not. And how many thingshave been falsely attributed to the scholars (in the past). So, one should verify it. If one verifies that what has been attributed is indeed (said or done) by the scholar, then he should proceed to the second step. Step two: Study the issue and see if it is something which should be criticized or not? Because, in thebeginning,(or)atthefirstglance,itmightseemsomethingwrong,butwhenonedoesmore research,heseesthatitisthetruth.Sooneshouldstudymoreindetailtoseeifitissomething which should be criticized or not. Step three: If it becomes clear that the scholar was not wrong and that the criticism is wrong (and unjust) then one should defend him and clarify the issue to the people and spread it, that what this scholar has said is correct, even if the people are in opposition to him (the defender). Step four: If it becomes clear to you, as per your understanding, that what has been attributed to thescholaris nota lie,and thatwhat he(didor said)isindeedwrong, thenoneshouldapproach thisscholarwithgoodmannersandcalmnessandsaytohim:Ihaveheardsuch-and-suchabout youandwouldlikeyou toclarifyit forme,asyouaremoreknowledgeablethanme.Sowhenit clear to you that he has erred, then you have the right to discuss with him but with proper manners and in a respectable way because of his position. Asforwhatsomeignorantonesdo-whoapproachascholar,whoexpressedhisviewsin opposition to how they had perceived, they approach him in a harsh and rude way and sometimes wavingtheirhandinhisfaceandsaytohim:Whatisthisstatementofyourswhichyouhave concocted?Whatisthisawfulstatement?DontyoufearAllaah?Thenitendsupthatthe scholars (statement or action) was in conformity with the Hadeeth while they were the ones who were opposing it. What leads them (the foolish ones) to this is mostly because they are amazed at themselves (and the knowledge that they have), they perceive that only they are the Ahl al-Sunnah, that they are the only ones who are upon the path of the Salaf (pious predecessors), whereas they are the ones who are the furthest from the path of the Salaf and the Sunnah. Whenapersonisovertakenbyself-amazementweaskAllaahsprotectionfromthisthenhe sees others as someone insignificant. So be careful of this!23

23 Note: The Prophet said: Three things destroy (a man): The greed that is obeyed, the desires that are followed and a person beingself-amazed (at his own opinion). [Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah (1802/4/412-416) and graded as Hasan li ghairihee (accepted due to supporting chains). This has been reported from Anas bin Maalik, Ibn `Abbaas, Abu Hurairah, `Abdullaah Ibn Abu Aufaa and Ibn `Umar ] = Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 37 Fourth: And from the sincerity towards the scholars is that when you see any error on their part, do not keep quiet, saying that he is more knowledgeable than me. But rather discuss with them with goodmannersandrespect.Sometimesapersonmightnotbeawareoftherulingsandsomeone lesserthanhiminknowledgemayinformhimaboutit(andcorrecthim).Andthisisfromthe sincerity towards the scholars. Fifth: Inform the scholars about that in which there is a benefit for the people. If you see a scholar wholovestoshareknowledgeandhespeaksineverygathering,andyouseepeoplebeing overburdenedbyitandtheysay:Thisistoomuchforus.Wheneverwegather,hetalks(about Islaam). So from the sincerity towards this scholar is to inform him that he should speak only when itiscomfortableforthepeopleandwhenitsuitstheenvironment.Dontsay:IfIsaythistothe scholar, I will be preventing him from spreading the knowledge. Rather this is from preserving of knowledge, because if the people are tired of this scholar, then they will be fed up of him and the knowledge that he has. That is why the Prophet used to fix a certain time for preaching the Companions. He would not preach a lot to them, even though his speech was the dearest of all to the companions, but even then he used not to over burden them with it. A person should be like a shepherd, choosing that which is the most beneficial and useful (for the people). 4b) Sincerity towards the rulers involves: First: Accepting their authority. If one does not accept their authority, then he is not being sincere towards them. If one does not accept their authority, then he will not follow their orders neither following what they implement nor stopping from what theydisallow. Therefore it is necessary to accept that he is the ruler. And whosoever dies without having sworn allegiance will die the death of one belonging to the Days of ignorance.24 Whoever gains authority over the Muslims, even if by force, then he is their Imaam, irrespective of him being from Quraish or not.

= Ibnal-Qayyim said:al-`Ujb(conceit,pride,self-amazement)destroysthe(good)deedthewayal-Riyaa (showing off) destroys it. [Madaarij al-Saalikeen (1/515)] 24 Note: It has been reported on the authority of Naafi`, that `Abdullaah bin `Umar paid a visit to `Abdullaah bin Mutee` in the days (when atrocities were perpetrated on the People of Madeenah) at Harrah in the time of Yazeed binMu`aawiyah.IbnMutee`said:PlaceapillowforAbu`Abdal-Rahmaan(Kunyaof`Abdullaahbin`Umar).Butthe lattersaid:Ihavenotcometositwithyou.IhavecometoyoutotellyouatraditionIheardfromtheMessengerof Allaah . I heard him saying: One who withdraws his band from obedience (to the Ameer) will find no argument (in his defense) when he stands before Allaah on the Day of Judgment, and one who dies without having bound himself by an oathof allegiance (to an Ameer) will die the death of one belonging to the days of Jaahillyyah. [Saheeh Muslim (4562)] = Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 38 Second:Spreadingtheirgoodnessamongtheirsubjectsbecausethisincreasestheloveofthe people for them. And when the people love them, they will comply with their orders. But some people do the exact opposite of this; they spread their flaws and hide their good deeds. Thisisinjustice andoppression.Example:hewillmentiononeflaw bywhich hewill try tobelittle therulerwhileignoringtheothermanygoodthingsthattherulermayhavedone,andthisis injustice. Third:Obeyingtheircommandsandstoppingatwhattheydisallowedexceptifitleadsto disobedience of Allaah , because there is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator.Obeyingthe(Muslim)rulersisfrom`Ibaadah(worship)andnotjustmerepolitics.The evidence for this is that Allaah commanded it when He said: {Oyouwhobelieve!ObeyAllaahandobeytheMessenger(Muhammad),andthoseofyou (Muslims) who are in authority.} [Surah al-Nisaa (4): 59] SoAllaahcommandedtoobeytherulers,and(fulfilling)whateverAllaahcommandsis `Ibaadah. AndoneshouldnotputtheconditionthattherulershouldnotbedisobedienttoAllaah.Obey theminwhattheycommand(aslongasitdoesntgoagainsttheSharee`ah),evenifthey(the rulers) werethemselves disobedient to Allaah, because you have been commanded (by Allaah) to obey them even if they were sinners.25

= TheProphetsaid:OnewhodislikesathingdonebyhisAmeer(ruler)shouldbepatientoverit,for anyonefromthepeoplewhowithdraws(hisobedience) fromhisauthority,eventotheextentofa handspan,and diedinthatconditions,woulddiethedeathofonebelongingtothedaysofJaahilliyyah(pre-Islaamicperiod). [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7053, 7054, 7143) and Saheeh Muslim (4560)] 25 Note: Narrated `Abdullaah : Allaah's Messenger said: Youwillseeafterme,selfishnessandfavoritism(onthepartoftherulers)andothermattersthatyouwill disapproveof.Theyasked:Whatdoyouorderustodo,OAllaah'sMessenger(undersuch circumstances)? He said: Paytheirrightstothem(totherulers)andaskyourrightfromAllaah.[Saheehal-Bukhaaree(7052)andSaheeh Muslim (4545)] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 39 Fourth: Covering up their faults as much as possible. The reason for this is: it is not from sincerity towards them that one should publicize their faults, because it will fill the hearts of the people with anger,hatredandrageagainsttherulers.Andwhentheheartsarefilledwiththat,thenthere wouldberebellion,whichwillleadtorevoltagainsttherulers.Andbecauseofthis,therewillbe evil and destruction which only Allaah knows about it enormity. Bycoveringtheirfaultsitdoesntmeanthatweshouldremainsilentaboutit.Rather,weshould advisetherulersbymeetingthempersonallyifthatispossible;26ifthatisnotpossible,thenby someothermeanstoreachthemlikeapproachingthescholarsorotherdignitarieswhocan contactthem. Usaamah Ibn Zaid rebuked those who said to him: You dont do this, nor

26Note:ImaamAhmadreported:`IyaadhIbnGhanmwaswhippingapersonofalandwhichwasconquered.So Hishaam Ibn Hakeem spoke harshly with him, until `Iyaadh became angry. So he stayed the night (like this) through the night, then he came to Hishaam Ibn Hakeem and sought an excuse from him. Then Hishaam said to `Iyaadh: Have you not heard the Prophet saying: Verily the person who shall suffer the severest punishment is the one who is most severe in punishing the people in this world. So `Iyaadh Ibn Ghanm said: O Hishaam Ibn Hakeem! Indeed we have heard what you have heard, but you have not heard the statement of the Messenger of Allaah : Whosoeverwishestoadvisetherulerconcerningamatter,thenlethimnotdoitopenly.Rather,heshouldtake him by the hand and take him into seclusion. So if he accepts his advice, then he has achieved his objective, and if he does not accept from him, then he has still conveyed that which was a duty upon him. [Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad (15333) and Ibn Abee `Aasim in Kitaab al-Sunnah (1096, 1097, 1098) under the heading: Chapter: How are the leaders of the common-folk to be advised? (but without the conversation between Hishaam and `Iyaadh and both of them are the Companions of the Prophet ) and graded as Saheeh li ghairihee in his checking of Kitaab al-Sunnah] And there is another narration, from the statements of `Abdullaah Ibn Abu Aufaa , to support this as reported by Imaam Ahmed in his Musnad: Sa`eedIbnJumhaansaid:Iwentto`AbdullaahIbnAbeeAufaa ,andhehadbecomeblindandIgreetedhim withSalaam.Heaskedme:Whoareyou?Isaid:IamSa`eedIbnJumhaan.Heasked:Whathavetheydonetoyour father?Isaid:Hewaskilled.TheAzaariqahhavekilledhim.Hesaid:Allaahscursebeuponal-Azaariqah,Allaahs curse be upon al-Azaariqah. The Prophet informed us: They are the dogs of Hellfire. I said: (Are) al-Azaariqah alone (the dogs of the Hellfire) or the whole of the Khawaarij? He said: The whole of the Khawaarij. I (further) said: The ruler oppresses the people and does such-and-such to them. He said: Give me your hand. Then he grabbed my hand firmly and said: Woe unto you O son of Jumhaan! Upon you is to stick to the Sawaad al-A`dham (the main group). If the ruler listens to you, then approach him in his house (i.e. in seclusion) and inform him (in private) of what you know. So if he listens to you (then it is good) otherwise leave him, for you are not more knowledgeable than him. [Musnad Ahmad (19415) and graded as Hasan by Shaikh al-Albaanee in his checking of Kitaab al-Sunnah (2/523) and Shaikh Muqbil also graded it Hasan in Saheeh al-Musnad (542) and al-Haithamee said: its narrators are all reliable Majma` al-Zawaaid (9163)] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 40 doyouadvicesuch-and-such,meaningtheKhaleefah.Hesaidtothemsomethinglike:Doyou want me to inform you everything that I say to the Khaleefah?27 This is not possible. It is not necessary that one should inform everyone about everything that he might have said (as an advice)totheruler.Ifoneinformsothersaboutitandweretherulertoimplementaccordingto theadvicegiventohim,thepeoplewillsay:therulerhasbeensubjugated;butifhedoesnot implement, then they will say: the ruler has (openly) sinned and disobeyed. That is why it is from theHikmah(wisdom)thatoneshouldnotdiscloseittothepeople,becauseindoingsothereis major disadvantage. Fifth: Not revolting against them, nor overthrowing them. The Prophet did not allow overthrowing them except as the Prophet had said: When we see, either with our own eyes or when we know with certainty. clear Kufr, which is evident and very clear. regardingwhichwehaveprooffromAllaah,meaning:conclusive evidence. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7056) and Saheeh Muslim (4541)] So, if these conditions are met and revolting against them becomes permissible, does it mean that weshouldgoaheadandrevoltagainstthem?(Oneshouldrememberthat)thereisadifference between permission to revolt and between obligation (compulsory) to revolt. TheAnswer is: No, wedo not revolt against them even if we were to see clearKufr for which we haveprooffromAllaah,exceptwhenthereisbenefit.Andthereisnobenefitwhenonlyasmall group rises up, having little weaponry against a nation with all its strength and weapons. This will onlyleadtobloodshed,lossoflives,andallowingthatwhichwasforbidden(meaningspillingof blood),andwhilestillnotbeingabletoremovetheevilwhichtherulerswerecriticizedfor;this wasevidentfromthetimesoftherighteousKhulafaa-inwhichtheKhawaarijfirst emerged-tillthisdayofours.Therewasmoreevilandchaos(afterrevoltingthanitwasbefore revolting), the magnitude of which is only known to Allaah.

27 Note:NarratedAbuWaail:SomebodysaidtoUsaamah :Willyougotoso-and-so(i.e.`Uthmaan ) andtalktohim(i.e.advisehim)?Hesaid:DoyouthinkthatIhavenotspokentohimsimplybecauseyoudidnot hear it? Really, I speak to (advise) him privately without opening a gate (of affliction), for neither do I want to be the first to open it (i.e. the door of rebuking the leaders openly or rebelling against them). [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3267, 7098) and Saheeh Muslim (7483)] Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 41 Buttherearesomepeoplewhohavetheflameofzealkindledintheirhearts.Sotheydothings, the consequences of which are blameworthy and this is a manifest error. 28 Moreover, we say: What is the scale ofKufr? As some people might see it asKufr, whereas others maynotconsideritasKufr.ThatisthereasonwhytheProphet confineditwhen he said: clear Kufr, 29 where there are no probabilities and possibilities like when you were to see him prostrating to an idol, or heard him reviling Allaah or His Messenger etc. 30

28 Note: Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen said: Of the many revolutions (which took place), bring me ONE example where the situation of the people became better than before! Can you? You will never be able to (give even a single example). [Sharh Kitaab al-Siyaam min Kitaab al-Kaafee, Cassette (2), First side.] A scholar realizes the evils inthe Fitan even before it takes place, due to his understanding of the Book ofAllaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger . But as for the savage mob, then they only know that they have fallen into the turmoil after they have sunk in the mire. Al-Hasan al-Basree said: When the Fitan (trials) are approaching, every scholar knows about it; and when it has passed away, only then do the ignorant ones realize it. [Ibn Sa`d in Tabaqaat al-Kubraa on the authority of `Afaan bin Muslim (9/166) and its chain is authentic; and also in al-Hilyat al-Awliyaa (9/24)] When the Fitan approaches, no one knows its reality and the harm that is in itexcept for the sincere scholars; whereas the ignorant are duped by it. 29 Note: Fir`aun claimed for himselfRuboobiyah (Lordhsip), and this isclearKufr, but still Allaah sent Moosaa and Haroon informing them to speak with him mildly, perhaps he may accept the truth. Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan said in clarifying the correct methodology in advising and forbidding evil: Allaah said regarding Moosaa and Haaroon when He sent them to Fir`aun, the tyrannical king: {So go you both (Moosaa and Haaroon) to him (Fir`aun)} [Surah Taha (20): 47],and he did not say they stood at the marketsandMasaajidandridiculedhim!OrtheystoodonthestreetsandgatheringplacesandridiculedFir`aun becauseheoverpowerspeople!RatherHesaid:{Sogoyouboth(MoosaaandHaaroon)tohim(Fir`aun)},and when you approach him: {And both of you speak to him in gentle manner, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allaah}[SurahTaha(20):44].Becausehewasapersonwhowouldcommitevil,sodonotangerhimwithharshness and arrogance, even though he was a disbelieving infidel! However, gentle speech affects mankind so (when you speak to him in this manner), at the very least, it would reduce his evil and reduce his oppression and would make him open to the acceptance of the truth. [Taken from his treatise Mafhoomul-Bai`ah] 30 Note: Narrated by `Awf ibn Maalik : The Messenger of Allaah said: Thebestofyourrulersarethosewhomyouloveandwholoveyou,whoinvokeAllaahsblessingsuponyouand you invoke His blessings upon them. And the worst of your rulers are those whom you hate and who hate you and whom you curse and who curse you. It was asked (by those present): Shouldn't we overthrow them with the help of the sword? He said: = Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen Sharh 40 Nawawee Explanation of the Hadeeth: The Religion is Sincerity ilm4all.blogspot.com 42 Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan said: 4a) Implementing the rules: Then he said: The Imaams of the Muslims. The meaning of Imaams of Muslims is therulersandthoseinauthority,andsinceritytowardsthemistoaffirmtheirauthority,and hearingandobeyingthemingoodness(i.e.whichisinaccordancewiththeSharee`ah),and fulfillingthedutieswhichtheyentrustyouwith-theemployee,theemployer,theteacher,the judge,theMufti,andeveryonewhoisentrustedwiththeresponsibilityoftheaffairsofthe Muslims,whichtheoneinauthorityhasplaceduponhim.Soitisnecessar