All praise to Allah, peace and salutations upon the Messenger of Allah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم). We praise and thank Allah, Who revealed the Qur’an to his Messenger Muhammad (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) and protected it from any interpolations.

Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9)(1), “Verily We: It is We, Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely We, will guard it (from corruption).”

The Qur’an was revealed to Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم). He conveyed it to his noble companions (رضى الله عنهم) who memorized and practiced on its injunctions. There were also special companions (رضى الله عنهم) appointed to write down the revelations, these were the methods which were divinely selected by Allah to preserve and protect the Qur’an.

The life and sayings of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) was also meticulously preserved by his noble companions, via their memory and actions. Due to the profound love for Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), these companions ensured that they followed every action of his in the minutest detail. The love for Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), automatically creates love for Allah, because He was sent to teach people the love of Allah. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Ale-Imran, 3:31), Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Due to the sincerity of their love for Allah and Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), Allah declared His pleasure and acceptance for them in the Qur’an. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Baiyyinah, 98:8), “Their reward with their Lord is ‘Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow, they will abide therein forever, Allah Well-Pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord.” Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Mujadalah 58:22), “… Allah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Verily, it is the Party of Allah that will be the successful.”

These were the pure souls, Allah used to preserve the Deen and to convey it to others, during the life of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) and after his demise. For example, Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) , sent Muaz bin Jabal (رضى الله عنه), to teach the people of Yemen (2).

Today, many people adhere to various claims such as:-

• We are the only ones who have true love for Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) and the members of his household.
• We are the only ones following the Sunnah of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) and we will not put anyone before him despite of who it is.
• We adhere only to the Qur’an.
• There is only one god so we should unite in worship.

The adherents of such claims, tend to beguile those who are unaware of their true nature. They present their claims to the masses of the people, with the notion that this is true Islam or this is what Islam requires from us. A critical study of their ideologies and their methodologies would prove their claim to be false. They revile the wives of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) and his noble companions and claim this is due to their profound love for Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), his family members and his Sunnah.

It must be borne in mind, that any form of deviance which surfaced during and after the time of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), was against the very fundamental principles, which Allah and His Messenger (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) established. Thus, if someone is well versed in the fundamental principles of Islam, these deviant ideologies will have no effect on him.

The deviant ideologies which arose, were started by vilifying the companions. This method was adopted to start upheaval amongst the Muslims. This is so because if any attack was made directly on Allah or Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), then it would have been immediately rejected.

Earlier, we mentioned about the pleasure of Allah for the companions of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم).

Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:6), about the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him), “The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their (believers’) mothers (as regards respect and marriage)….”

The noble companions are the foundation of the Deen of Islam. To vilify the noble companions and/or the wives of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), is detrimental to one’s iman. More so, to declare all the noble companions and the wives of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) as disbelievers, is an attack on the foundation of Islam. This attack, is in fact an attack on Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) and such an attack, is an attack on Allah most high.

A GLIMPSE AT SOME DEVIANT BELIEFS:-

• Misconception: A false claim of love for Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) and his family, while at the same time cursing and pronouncing his wives and his companions as disbelievers.

• Perception: Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), his wives his family and his companions should be loved. A Man’s wife is considered to be part of his family and household, therefore, Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) wives are part of his household. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:6), “The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their (believers’) mothers (as regards respect and marriage).…” Allah states in another verse of the Qur’an (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:53), “… And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy Allah’s Messenger (SAW), nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily! With Allah, that shall be an enormity.” These Verses of the Qur’an are sufficient for any person who truly believes in Allah, to understand the status of the wives of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم).

The first verse (33:6) mentioned above shows the prohibition of marrying the wives of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) after his demise. While the second verse (33:53), refers to them as “the mothers of the believers.” Allah bestowed this status of “mothers of the believers” on the wives of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), so that the believers can love and honour them just as any child would love and honour his mother. How can a people who say they love Allah and Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), slander any one of “the mothers of the believers?” This is against the dictates of a mother-child relationship and more so, this is against the dictates of faith. These people looked into the lives of the companions and select certain incidents and misrepresent the truth and claim it to be factual. They based their religion on fabrications and they reject the authority of the Qur’an claiming it to be incomplete. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9), “Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).” So how can a people who reject the Qur’an be called “lovers of Allah and Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم)?” More so, “believers in Allah and Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) ?” This is what the Qur’an states concerning the wives of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم).

Concerning the companions of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah An-Nur, 24:37), “Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the Remembrance of Allah (with heart and tongue), nor from performing As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), nor from giving the Zakat. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (from the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection).” Allah attest to the faith of the companions (peace be upon them all), they had unshakeable faith. So how is it that they would apostatize after the demise of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) ? This shows how baseless the claim of apostasy, of the wives and the companions of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) is.

• Misconception: Follow only the Qur’an and Sunnah.

• Perception: The people who claim such, speak ill of the companions with the notion of “only following Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم).” They also criticize the great Imams of Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and take people away from their teachings. They call people to themselves, revive rare unaccepted opinions of some scholars and present it to the masses of the people, with the notion that this is the correct and accepted view. They have created such turmoil amongst the Muslims wherever they are, that some Muslims have even left the fold of Islam.

The love for Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) and following his way is an essential part of Islam and he gave the allowance to follow his companions. Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) said “follow my way and the way of the rightly guided Khalifas bite onto it with your molars (3)….” Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah An-Nur, 24:37), “Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the Remembrance of Allah (with heart and tongue), nor from performing As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), nor from giving the Zakat. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (from the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection).”

The four Imams were from the best time and they had a very pure understanding of the Qur’an and Hadith. Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) said in a Hadith “the best of my nation is my generation then those who follow them and then those who follow them (4)” So how can a people, who came much further away from this blessed time, claim to have more knowledge and understanding of Deen as these people claim? Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) said in a lengthy hadith“…the last part of this nation will curse the first part of the nation….(5)”

• Misconception: Prophethood continued after the demise of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) .

• Perception: This is outright disbelief. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:40), “Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything.” Many people have fallen prey to such a claim because this claim to prophethood is disguised with the word reformer. However, a careful and critical study of this reformer’s teachings will reveal that not only was a claim to Prophethood made, but a claim to be the most high was also made. Therefore, people should distant themselves from such persons.

• Misconception: Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) knows the unseen and He’s omnipresent.

• Perception: No one knows the unseen, this is only with the knowledge of Allah. Whatever Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) knew of the unseen, was conveyed to him via Revelation. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-An’am, 6: 59), “And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.”

Rasulullah’s (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) ability in his life was that of a human nature, whatever special qualities he had in his life were given to him by way of a miracle. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Ale-Imran, 3:144), “Muhammad is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah, and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.”

Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Ash-Shurah, 42:11), “…There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.”

The last verse mentioned above, clarifies that none of Allah’s creation is like Him. Therefore, qualities such as “all knowing,” “omnipotent”, “All seeing” and “All hearing” are not the features of men. To ascribe the attributes of Allah to man is harmful to one’s imaan.

• Misconception: Follow only the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the words of Allah we can’t rely on the Hadith as we rely on the Qur’an, because the Hadith are the words of man.

• Perception: People who adhere to this claim, have actually discarded two thirds of their Deen. This is so, because the Hadith is an explanation of the Qur’an. Many things are not explicit in the Qur’an in which the Hadith explicitly explains. For example, the method of prayer, fasting and zakat. The Qur’an was also transmitted to us by the same noble companions who also transmitted the Hadith. So how can one say they accept the Qur’an and reject the Hadith? Allah states in the Qur’an concerning the legality of the words of Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم), (Surah An-Najm, 53:3-4), “Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.” “It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.” Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Hashr, 59:7) “…And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.”

We understand from the aforementioned Ayahs, to reject Rasulullah (صلّى الله عليه و سلّم) teachings is to actually reject the Qur’an. So this claim of taking only from the Qur’an is nothing but misguidance in disguise.

• Misconception: We all worship one god so let’s unite. All religions can come under one roof and worship Allah.

• Perception: This notion of unification of religion is a deception from the Shaitan. The only Deen accepted by Allah is Islam. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Ale-Imran, 3:19), “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.”

Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Ale-Imran, 3:85), “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” The Qur’an states (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:120), “Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) till you follow their religion. Say: “Verily, the Guidance of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only) Guidance. And if you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Qur’an), then you would have against Allah neither any Wali (protector or guardian) nor any helper.” The Qur’an states (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3),“… This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion ….”

The purport of the aforementioned Verses, are sufficient to know that Islam cannot be united with any other religion. Mention was made by Allah of monotheistic religions, so to call for unification of religions with polytheistic religions is preposterous. Allah states in the Qur’an. (Surah Ale-Imran 118-119) “O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand.” “Lo! You are the ones who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the Scriptures [i.e. you believe in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), while they disbelieve in your Book, the Qur’an]. And when they meet you, they say, “We believe”. But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: “Perish in your rage. Certainly, Allah knows what is in the breasts (all the secrets).”

There are many other deviant ideologies amongst the Muslims, which have taken root in various parts of the world, some are more prevalent in certain areas than others. It should be borne in mind, that to save one’s self and one’s family from such deviance, one need to make dua to Allah and ask for his guidance. Allah states in the Qur’an (Surah Ale-Imran, 3:8), (They say): “Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower.”.”

One should keep the company of the righteous scholars and elders and adhere to their teachings, being mindful not to take their religious teachings from any and everyone. Deen was spread by the heart to heart connection of the scholars. The new trend of taking our religion from the internet and other mediums, have led to misguidance amongst the masses of the Muslims. The information being circulated is not verified nor is the religion of those who put this information known to the masses. The upright scholars should be consulted as to what books to read and what lectures to listen to. These few points will aid to curb the surge of misguidance which has become prevalent today.

Footnote:

1. The Verses of the Qur’an used in this article, is an English Translation by Mohsin Khan and cannot do full justice to the Arabic Language.

2. Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 469.

3. Sunan At-Tirmidhi Hadith 2676.

4. Bukhari, Volume 5 Book 57.

5. Sahih Muslim.