منهاج
أهل السنة
والجماعة في
العقيدة
والعمل
Methodology (Minhaaj) of Ahlus-Sunnah
wa-l-Jamaa’ah
Related to Beliefs (al-‘Aqeedah) and Actions (al-‘Amal)
By the Noble Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Uthaimeen (Rahima-hu’llah)
Study Guide Lecture
No. One
Allah, the Most High, says:
Allah, the Most High, says:
Allah, the Most High, says:
Allah bears witness that none has the right
to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge
(also give this witness)…[Al-Imraan
Allah, the Most High, says:
And those whom they invoke instead of Him
have no power of intercessionـ except for those who bear witness to the truth
knowingly (i.e. believed in the Oneness of Allah, and obeyed His Orders,
and they know the facts about the Oneness of Allah). [Az-Zukhruf
43:86].
The Prophet e said: Seeking knowledge
is an obligation upon every Muslim. [Ibn Maajah].
The Prophet e said: He who dies knowing that
there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah shall enter Al-Jannah (
The Prophet e used to supplicate: O
Allah I ask of You beneficial knowledge…
He e also used to supplicate: O
Allah I seek refuge in You from knowledge which has no benefit, and from
deeds which are not raise up to you and from a supplication which is not
heard.
The Sources of Islamic Knowledge
Primary Sources
Al-Qur'an (the Book of Allah)
As-Sunnah (the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad)
Secondary Sources
Al-Ijmaa' (Consensus of the Muslim
Scholars)
Al-Qiyaas (Analogy or Comparison
based upon the text of Qur'an and Sunnah)
Al-'Urf (Customs of the People)
'Amalu Ahlu-l-Madeenah (Practices of the People of Madeenah)
Questions:
1.
Mention a proof of the importance of knowledge.
2.
Discuss the status of the People of knowledge.
3.
Mention some of the sources of Islamic Knowledge.
منهاج
أهل السنة
والجماعة في
العقيدة
والعمل
Methodology (Minhaaj) of Ahlus-Sunnah
wa-l-Jamaa’ah
Related to Beliefs (al-‘Aqeedah) and Actions (al-‘Amal)
By the Noble Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Uthaimeen (Rahima-hu’llah)
Study Guide Lecture
No. Two
Introduction
Linguistically, the word ‘aqeedah means: ‘to knot, bind, fasten
tightly, fortify, consolidate and cement.’
Technically, the word 'aqeedah
means, ‘a firm, unwavering belief
which is in no way open to doubt in the mind and heart of the one who holds this conviction.’
Therefore, the Islamic ‘Aqeedah
(Creed) refers to a firm unwavering faith (Imaan) in the following:
1)
Allah, the Most High, and what is due to Him from Tawheed in one’s belief and worship and
obedience to Him,
2)
His Angels,
3)
His Scriptures,
4)
His Messengers,
5)
The Last Day,
6)
The Divine Decree (Qadr),
&
7)
What is confirmed from the remaining matters of the
Unseen and reports concerning the previous nations,
Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah are all those who are upon that which the
Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) and His Companions were upon.
They are named “Ahl al-Sunnah” due to
their adherence to, and following of, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him).
They are named the “Jamaa’ah” because
they are those who have gathered upon the Truth and have not
divided into sects in the religion among themselves; they have
gathered around the lawful rulers and have not revolted against them; and they
have followed that which the Salaf (Early Generations) of this nation
have unanimously agreed upon.
Since they alone, in exclusion to all others, are
the followers of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessing of Allah be upon him), following/adhering to his path, they are
also known as “Ahl al-Ittiba” (those who follow
strictly).
They are in this world “The Victorious Group” [at-Taa'ifah
al-Mansoorah] and in the hereafter “The Saved
Sect” [al-Firqah an-Naajiyyah].
Questions
1.
What is the linguistic meaning of ‘Aqeedah?
2.
What is the technical meaning of ‘Aqeedah?
3.
Name some of the important points of the Islamic ‘Aqeedah
(Pillars of Imaan)?
4.
Who are the Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaa’ah,
and why are they referred to by this name?
5.
What are some of the other names which refer
to the Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaa’ah?
6.
Mention three principles related to the Methodology
Employed by Ahlu-s-Sunnah in the Acquisition of Matters of ‘Aqeedah.
منهاج
أهل السنة
والجماعة في
العقيدة
والعمل
Methodology (Minhaaj) of Ahlus-Sunnah
wa-l-Jamaa’ah
Related to Beliefs
(al-‘Aqeedah) and Actions (al-‘Amal)
By the Noble Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Uthaimeen (Rahima-hu’llah)
Study Guide Lecture
No. 3
1.
The Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaa’ah are those
whom Allah guided in the issues about which the people differed,
especially from the Generation of the Prophet, and the Era of the
Rightly Guided Khalifahs.
2.
The division of the Ummah into
seventy-three (73) sects, all except one would be in the Fire.
3.
The Saved Sect (al-Firqah
an-Naajiyah) which would not enter into the Fire include
all those who would follow that which the Prophet and his Companions were upon.
4.
The Saved Sect are the Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaa’ah. They are known as such due to (a)
Sticking to the Sunnah, and (b) Uniting upon the Truth.
Verily, those who divide
their religion and break up into sects, you (O Muhammad) have no concern in
them in the least. Their affair is only
with Allah, Who then will tell them what they used to do. [al-An’aam
6:159]
The Prophet said: the Jews and
the Christians will be divided into seventy-one or seventy-two religious sects
and this nation will divide into seventy-three religious sects – all in Hell
except one, and that one is on which I and my companions are upon today (Following
the Qur’an and Sunnah). [Abu
Daawood, at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah]
Questions:
1. Mention three
of the Important Qualities and Characteristics of Ahlu-s-Sunnah.
2.
The Muslim Ummah would be divided into how many
sects?
3.
Why are the Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaa’ah called by
this name?
4.
Discuss briefly the biography of the author. [Name,
date of death, works, etc.]
5.
Mention some of the important writings of the
author.
منهاج
أهل السنة
والجماعة في
العقيدة
والعمل
Methodology (Minhaaj) of
Ahlus-Sunnah
wa-l-Jamaa’ah
Related to Beliefs
(al-‘Aqeedah) and Actions (al-‘Amal)
By the Noble Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Uthaimeen (Rahima-hu’llah)
Study Guide Lecture
No. Four Point One
The Way of Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaa’ah
In Matters Relating to
The Names (Asmaa’) of Allah and His
Characteristics (Sifaat) with Examples.
1.
Whatever is confirmed in the
Qur’an and Saheeh (Authentic) Sunnah is the Truth, and its reality is as
it appears to be literally.
2.
Giving distorted
interpretations (Tahreef) is forbidden.
3.
The mistake of those who do Tahreef,
is their wrong belief that if they affirm the text literally
as they appear – they will be making comparison (Tashbeeh/Tamtheel)
between Allah and His creatures.
4.
Another reason for offering
distorted interpretations (Tahreef) is to divide the Muslims.
5.
Acceptance of whatever Allah has named
Himself with (Asmaa’) or described Himself with (Sifaat) –
either in the Qur’an or Sunnah – as Truth, and that its reality is its apparent,
literal meaning.
6.
The Asmaa’ and Sifaat
of Allah are Tawqeefiyyah (i.e. limited to what is confirmed in the text of
Qur’an and Authentic Sunnah – without adding to it or subtracting from it).
Concerning the Names (Asmaa’)
of Allah, we are required to:
(a)
Believe that each name (affirmed
in the text) is actually a Name for Allah.
(b)
Believe in that Characteristic or
quality (Sifah) indicated in the Name.
(c)
Believe in the Effect (Athar)
of that name, as it affects the creation.
This is concerning those names of Allah which are Muta’addee (which
transcend Allah’s Self and have an effect on His creatures).
Example: as-Samee’ (the All-Hearing).
1. It is obligatory to affirm it
as a name of Allah by which He is called upon and worshipped. Someone may be
named Abdus-Samee’ (the Servant of the All-Hearing); likewise, we
supplicate Him by His name, saying: Yaa Samee’ (O All-Hearing One!) [See: 7:180]
2. Similarly, we affirm for Him
the Sifah (characteristic) as-Sam’ (Hearing) which is derived
from the name as-Samee’.
3. Additionally, we affirm the
Effect (Athar) of this characteristic, which is the realization
that Allah Hears everything.
As for those names of Allah which are Laazim (which do
not transcend Allah’s Self, and do not
affect His creatures) – it is only required to:
(a) Believe that each name (affirmed
in the text) is actually a Name for Allah.
(b) Believe in that Characteristic or
quality (Sifah) indicated in the Name.
Example: al-Hayyu
(the Ever-Living).
1.
We affirm it as a name of Allah
by which we call upon Him and worship Him.
Hence, someone might be named Abdul-Hayy (Servant of the
Ever-Living); and we also supplicate Him, saying: Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom! (O
Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting).
2.
We also affirm for Him the Sifah
(characteristic) of al-Hayaah al-Kaamilah (Perfect Life).
منهاج
أهل السنة
والجماعة في
العقيدة
والعمل
Methodology (Minhaaj) of
Ahlus-Sunnah
wa-l-Jamaa’ah
Related to Beliefs
(al-‘Aqeedah) and Actions (al-‘Amal)
By the Noble Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Uthaimeen (Rahima-hu’llah)
Study Guide Lecture
No. Five Point One (Cont’d)
The Way of Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaa’ah
In Matters Relating to
The Names (Asmaa’) of Allah and His
Characteristics (Sifaat) with Examples.
Concerning the
Characteristics (Sifaat) of Allah:
-Whether characteristics
mentioned simply as Sifaat without being named with the related Name
[e.g. Istiwaa (ascension), Nuzool (descending), Ghadab (anger),
Ridaa (pleasure)..]
-or those characteristics which
are derived from His Names by which He is called upon [such as ‘Uloo
(Al-‘Alee), ‘Izzah (al-Azeez), ‘Ilm (al-‘Aleem)…]
We are required to:
(a)
Believe in, and Affirm the Sifah as it is in reality – [without
distortion, negation, etc.]
Example: Allah
affirmed for Himself that He ascended (al-Istiwaa’) above His ‘Arsh. He
affirmed this while speaking to us through the Qur’an, which is revealed in
Clear Arabic Language.
Imaam Maalik’s (may Allah
have mercy on him) was asked about the saying of Allah: Ar-Rahman (the
Merciful One) Istawaa (ascended) ‘
[Soorah TaHa 20:5]
He responded saying:
al-Istiwaa (ascending of Allah above
the Throne) is Ma’loom (well known, in the Arabic language);
al-Kaif (the ‘how of it’) is
Maj-hool (unknown, to the creatures);
as-Su’aal ‘an-hu (asking about it’s ‘how’)
is Bid’ah (innovation); and
al-Emaan bi-hi (Faith in it) is Waajib (obligatory).
(b)
Avoid making comparisons (tash-beeh)
or examples (tam-theel) for Allah with His creation.
(c)
Avoid imagining the how (Kaifiyyah)
of Allah’s characteristics.
(d)
Whoever tries to imagine the How
of Allah’s Self or His Characteristics, will fall into one of the following
prohibited deviations: -- Tahreef (distortion) and Ta’teel
(negation), or -- Tamtheel
(examples) and Tashbeeh
(comparisons).
Whoever imagines a characteristic
of Allah to be in a specific manner – falls into speaking without
knowledge. Allah says: And follow not [do not say, do or witness]
that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight and the
heart – of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah). [Al-Israa’
Whoever imagines a characteristic
of Allah to be similar to something existing, has fallen into making
examples (or comparisons) for Allah.
Allah says: Nothing is like (similar or equal) to Him; and He is the
All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. [Ash-Shoorah 42:11]
Question:
1.
What is the Ruling
concerning distorted
interpretations (Tahreef) of Allah’s Sifaat?
2.
The mistake of those who do Tahreef,
is their wrong belief that if they affirm the text literally
as they appear –they will make the mistake of ________________between Allah and His
creatures.
3.
What does it mean when we say:
The Asmaa’ and Sifaat of Allah are Tawqeefiyyah ?
منهاج
أهل السنة
والجماعة في
العقيدة
والعمل
Methodology (Minhaaj) of
Ahlus-Sunnah
wa-l-Jamaa’ah
Related to Beliefs
(al-‘Aqeedah) and Actions (al-‘Amal)
By the Noble Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Uthaimeen (Rahima-hu’llah)
Study Guide
Lecture No. Six Point Two
The Way of Ahlu-s-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaa’ah In Matters Relating
to the Worship
of Allah
Their way is to worship Allah [based upon the
following three considerations]:
1.
Li-llahi – For Allah [Alone, Sincerely]
2.
Bi-llahi - By [the help and Aid
of] Allah
3.
Fi-llahi - In [accordance with the Deen
of] Allah