How To Clear All The Confusion
Alhamdulillaah, nowadays there’s access to Islamic knowledge like never before. All it takes is a click of the mouse or a simple phone call, and one can gain access to a variety of articles, e-books, and fatwas from the shuyookh. One can also watch videos and listen to lectures from all over the world, simply by sitting at home. And as for the emails, we see plenty of those filling our inbox, from people you know and even people you don’t know, educating us on our Deen. But then, along with all of that, also comes a lot of confusion.
Confusion???
Yes…. Confusion.
That’s because everyone is talking about their version of Islam, their comprehension of how everything should be. Every group is interpreting the texts of the Quran and Sunnah according to its own understanding. One group promotes a certain belief, saying how good it is, while another group considers the very same belief to be totally wrong.
One party claims to be following the Quran and Sunnah, while the others say that they are misguided. Some rituals and practices are so common that they are actually considered part of the Shareeah and but the same practices are vehemently being denied by others as bidah or innovation.
And yet, every group claims that their understanding of Islam is the Truth, that their interpretation is correct. So what to do? Who’s right and who’s wrong? What’s part of the Shareeah and what’s not? What is Sunnah and what is bidah? How do we know who to follow and who to avoid? Just WHO is upon the Truth?
The vital answer lies in the noble saying of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). He already gave us the solution to this dilemma 1400 years ago when he said: ”For indeed, those who will still be alive after me will see many differences; so hold fast to my Sunnah, and to the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khalifahs after me, Adhere to it and cling tightly to it and beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance.“ (At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, others– hasan sahih).
In other words, the solution….the answer to all the confusion, to all the different opinions, to all the various groups and thoughts, is….. to follow the practice of the beloved Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and his Noble Sahabah. Simple and Straightforward. Nothing more. Nothing less…..a simple rule of thumb that most of us can apply. If the Sahabah practiced a certain act or celebrated a particular ritual, then we will also do it. BUT, if they didn’t do so, then we shouldn’t do it either. That is because if it were good and correct, they would have done so. But if they didn’t do it, that means that there was no good in it.
We must realize that, understanding this concept of following the Sahabah is of utmost no, vital importance. It means the difference between guidance and misguidance, between success and failure, between salvation and loss. And
that unless we understand and practice our Deen in accordance with the understanding and practice of the Companions of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), we would be lost. We would go astray.
In fact, if we look at the history of Islam, we will realize that any group, any individual, any community that went astray over all these years, did so only and only when they left the ways of the Sahabah and began interpreting the
Deen according to their own comprehension and understanding. And that’s why the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) gave us such specific instructions about this situation, to follow in times of differences and confusion.
The entire Shareeah is replete with Orders from Allah and His Messenger (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) to follow the Sahabah and the obligation to do so. Let us examine some of them
So What’s Proof?
Proofs From the Quran
Allah is telling us that the Sahabah are on the right path: “If they believe as you all (meaning, the Sahabah) have believed, they shall be guided; if they reject it, they shall surely be in clear dissension. Allah will suffice you agaist them. And He is All-hearing, All-Knowing.” (Surah al-Baqarah:137)
This is a clear proof that the Sahabah, may Allah be pleased with them all, were upon Guidance and the Truth, so whoever follows them will be upon guidance and upon the Straight Path. For it is the Sahabah who are the ones referred to in the verse initially, and then those who came after them who took their path and followed them.
Every day in prayer, we ask Allah to put us on their path. Every day when we stand up for prayer, we read the Fatiha at least 17 times a day. And at least 17 times, we make dua to Allah when we say…. “Guide us to the Straight
Path. The Path of those whom You have favored” (Surah al-Fatiha:6-7)
Have we ever thought, just WHO these people are that we are asking Allah to be like? Just WHO are the people that Allaah has favored?
The answer lies in the Supreme Words of our Rabb in Surah an-Nisaa, ayah 69: Whosoever obeys Allah, and the Messenger, they are with those whom Allah has favored, the Prophets, the Siddiqun (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr AsSiddiq ), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” (Surah an-Nisaa:69)
Here, Allah is clearly telling us that He has blessed and bestowed His Favors upon the people who were the first to believe in the Prophet, as well as the Shuhadaa’ and the righteous. Now, ask yourself this. “Who besides the Sahabah could qualify for this?”
1. The Sahabah were the first to believe in the Prophet (sal Allaahualayhi wa sallam)
2. The Sahabah were the first and best Shuhadaa.
3. The Sahabah were the top righteous people. No one could be better than them, except the Prophets (Alayhim ussalaam)
Then, these are the people we are asking Allah to be like. These are the people we want to follow. And we ask Allah to guide us on the Path that they traversed.
Allah threatens to punish all those who oppose their ways and choose a path different from them: “And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers, We shall let him follow what he has turned to and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination” (Surah an-Nisaa’:115)
And the Sahabah were the only ‘believers’ when this verse was revealed. No one else. Allah testifies to their Iman and confirms them to be True Believers. “Say, (O Muhammad), This is my way; I invite to Allah with sure knowledge, I and my followers. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.” (Surah Ibraheem:108)
And the Saaabah were the first followers of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), so they are upon the path of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), inviting to Allah with sure knowledge and certainty. Could Allah be talking about anyone but them?
Allah is PLEASED with them and promised them Jannah. “And the first forerunners (in the faith) among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.” (Surah at-Taubah:100)
Subhaan Allah! Imagine…Allah, Subaahanhu wa Taala Himself testifying that He is pleased with the Sahabah! Could there be a better proof than this that there’s a Path to follow? If Allah is pleased with them, surely they are following and practicing Islam correctly. Allah praises them and approves of their acts of
worship
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and (His) pleasure. Their
Mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration.” (Surah al-Fath:29)
Should we then not go back to their ways when we are confused?
Allah says the Sahabah are the best. “You are the best ummah that has ever been sent to mankind. You command what is good, you forbid the evil, and you believe in Allah.” (Surah Aal-Imran:110)
The Ulama tell us that this ayah was revealed for the Sahabah specifically and for the rest of us generally. If they are the best in Allah’s eyes, then their way of understanding the Deen was the best too. And there are many other ayaat.
These were only some of them.
Proofs From Sunnah
The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) told us to follow their path. He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: ”The Jews split up into 71 sects, the Christians split up into 72 sects, and this ummah (Muslims) will split up into 73 sects; all of them are in the Fire except one.” Someone asked: “Which is that one O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “Whoever is upon that which I am upon and my companions.“ (at-Tirmidhi–hasan)
The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) also called the Sahabah the BEST. He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: ”The best of my ummah is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.“ (Bukhaari, Muslim)
Just think about it. In the entire history of mankind, from the time of Adam until the Day of Judgment, never will there be an entire group, an entire generation, better than the Saaabah. Never. And if they were the best, that means their way of practicing Islam was also the best and most correct.
Logical Proof
1. The Sahabah were witnesses to the revelation of the Quran and the incidents that were the cause of the coming down of many of the ayaat and surahs. And they knew exactly when and why the ayaat were revealed. Thus, they understood them in a very clear and correct concept.
2. They had the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) right amongst them, and thus heard and learnt from him
directly. If ever they misunderstood or didn’t comprehend anything in the Deen, all they needed to do was ask, and he would show them the right way.
3. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) himself taught them carefully and lovingly. So what do you say about the knowledge of one who was taught by the best teacher there could ever be?
4. The Quran was revealed in their language, in their dialect, in their time, and in their culture. Thus, they received the teachings of Islam pure and unadulterated and understood it the best. They didn’t mix it with foreign cultures, or corrupt beliefs, or confused ideas.
5. If we look at history, we will see that in the time of the Sahabaa, when there appeared several deviant groups appeared, not a single Sahabi was among these groups. As Ibn Masoud said, “Follow (us) and do not innovate, for indeed you have been sufficed.”
Conclusion
Thus, we see with certainty that the Saaabah were not only the best in Iman and taqwa, but they were also the best in their knowledge and in their understanding and implementation of the Quran and Sunnah. Therefore, their understanding is the best. Their opinions are the best. Their implementation of the Qur’an and Sunnah is the best. So when we differ about something, or get confused, then theirs is the way to go and theirs is the interpretation to follow. If they had a certain understanding of the matters of the deen, then we follow that opinion.
May Allah enable us to emulate the Sahabah and follow in their footstep. May He grant us the Taufeeq to understand and implement the Deen the way they did. Ameen.
And Allaah knows best.
by Asma bint Shameem