Ash-Shaikh Saaleh Aal-Shaikh Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 65 | Size: 2 MB
Eeman and its components, and explaining the misguidance of the Khawarij and the Murjiyah
The issue of Eeman, its components,
levels and that which negates it (i.e., Major Kufr) are fundamental
concepts of Islam. It should be a Muslim’s utmost concern to understand
these issues as was understood by the first and best generation of
Islam.
This booklet is an attempt to educate the
reader about the moderate understanding of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah
concerning the components of Eeman and Kufr and to warn against the
misguided views of those who have been mislead on the subject.
Exaggerations in understanding the verses and Ahadeeth of warning
lead the Khawarij to overstate the status of sinners amongst Muslims
until they regarded anyone who commits a major sin to be a disbeliever,
who will not be forgiven. They lightened the extremely serious issue of
Takfeer (declaring someone to be a Kafir) and consequently, off-shoots
of Khawarij caused blood-shed throughout Islamic history, by revolting
against legitimate rulers they saw as sinful.
A contemporary example is that of Juhayman and his followers who, having
been affected by Khawarij-like ideas, attacked al-Masjid al-Haraam in
the 1980s and shed the blood of innocent Muslims (details on how their
extreme views led to this appalling incident can be read in the course
of the book).
In opposition to the Khawarij, appeared
the Fitna of Murjiyah, who were deficient in their understanding of
Eeman and Kufr and thus, took to the other extreme and claimed that Kufr
only occurs by rejection and denial of faith in the heart; and not due
to actions.
Their misguided approach led to the belittling and easy escape from the
practices of Islam and its obligations. Their way implies that someone
is a Mu’min (complete believer) by just verbally confessing belief in
Allah, even if he prays to the cross, goes to church, and commits major
sins! This is the reason why the Salaf considered the deviation of the
Murjiyah to be more severe than that of the Khawarij. The Khawarij cause
destruction to life and property whereas the Murjiyah cause ruin to the
Deen.
This booklet seeks to expound how failure
to seek guidance from the learned scholars in issues of the Deen can
lead to devastating consequences, which was the main sickness of the
Khawarij since their origin.
The Murjiyah too, fell into the same
pitfall when they tried to counter one form of misguidance with another.
They sought their own understanding instead of referring back to the
Salaf.
The common misunderstanding of both the
Khawarij and the Murjiyah was that they both consider Eeman to be one
entity that does not increase or decrease. So, Eeman is either there
altogether (even if one performs actions like prostration to other than
Allah) as the Murjiyah believe, or Eeman is not there altogether (even
if one only commits a major sin) as the Khawarij believe.
Whereas, the belief of the Ahlus-Sunnah
is that Eeman is a combination of actions and statements; it increases
with good deeds and statements and decreases with sinful statements and
actions. The only case when a person goes out of the fold of Islam is
when he commits any act or statement from the nullifiers of Islam that
are known from the texts of the Deen.
Many original Arabic books were referred to in the compilation of this booklet such as:
Kitaab al-Eeman by Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah,
Sharh Aqeedatil-Wastiyyah by Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan,
As’ilah wa-Ajwiba fi Masaa’il al-Eeman wal-Kufr by Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan,
Aqeedah at-Tawheed by Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan,
Dar’ al-Fitna ‘an Ahlus-Sunnah by Shaikh Bakr ibn Abdullah Abu Zaid,
As’ilah wa-Ajwibah fil-Eeman wal-Kufr by Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah ar-Rajhi,
Al-Khawaarij wal-Fikr al-Mutajaddid by Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin ibn Nasir al-Ubaikan,
DVD series explaining Aqeedah at-Tawheed by Dr. Abdullah al-Farsi and others.
I ask Allah to accept this humble effort and all success is from Allah Alone.
Shawana A. Aziz
–
Contents:
About the Book
Eeman and its components
Islam, Eeman and Ihsaan
Major Kufr
Kufr at-Takdheeb: Kufr of Denial
Kufr al-Istakbar with Tasdeeq: Kufr of Pride/Arrogance
with Acknowledgment
Kufr of Nifaaq: Kufr of Hypocrisy
Kufr ash-Shakh: Kufr of Doubt
Kufr al-A’radh: Kufr of Aversion or turning away
Kufr by Statement
Kufr by Actions
Kufr by Beliefs
Kufr can occur merely through words uttered by the tongue or outward physical actions irrespective of what is in the heart
Explaining the misguidance of those who have been mislead in the issue of the components of Eeman and Kufr
Khawarij: their Origin and Beliefs
Views of the Khawarij continue to inspire corruption
The incident of Juhaymaan
Present-Day Khawarij
Murjiyah: their Origin and Beliefs
Contemporary Murjiyah
Appendix: Fatawa on Eeman and Kufr by Shaikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah ar-Rajhi
Post a Comment