Do we Believe like they Believed?

Written by Aboo Uthmaan

Almost every single Muslim individual and group claims to follow the Qur’aan and Sunnah, but what distinguishes fact from fiction is the understanding that they follow the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) upon. Is it that of a mystic, a modernist, a philosopher, a politician or is it that of those group of people who Allaah has ordered us to follow the understanding of?

Of course that group of people are none other than the Sahaabah (radee Allaahu ‘anhum), the ones who Allaah picked to accompany the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and to convey this religion to us, the ones who were there when the verses of the Qur’aan were being revealed and the ones to whom the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught the Qur’aan together with its understanding.

The Qur’aan and Sunnah are replete with proofs for this principle, but now is not the time or place to cite them since that is not the objective of this post. However, it should come as no surprise to us that in light of this principle the Imaams of old have all explicitly stated that we should follow the Qur’aan and Sunnah upon the understanding of those that came before them, the Sahaabah (radee ‘Allaahu ‘anhum).

It is in this vein that Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d.241H), the Imaam of the Sunnah said:

The fundamental principles of the Sunnah with us are:
Holding fast to what the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) were upon.
Taking them [and their way] as a model to be followed)!

We don’t just need to know this principle but we need to actualise it in our Islam, in our creed, our methodology and our manners. In light of this it is with great regret that we see many Muslims turning away from this principle and following the understanding(s) of other than those, whom Allaah has informed us He is pleased with [1], be it a mystic, a modernist, a philosopher, a politician or other than that.

One such example of Muslims turning away from the understanding of the Sahaabah (radee Allaahu ‘anhum) when it comes to our creed, our Islamic ‘aqeedah, is the belief that Allaah is “everywhere”, so let us take a look at such a belief and compare it to that of the famous Companion of the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (radee Allaahu ‘anhu), he said:

“Between the first heaven and the one above it is (a distance of) five hundred years. Between each of the heavens is (a distance of) five hundred years. Between the seventh heaven and the Kursiy is (a distance of) five hundred years. Between the Kursiy and the water is (a distance of) five hundred years, and the Throne is above the water. Allaah is above the Throne, and nothing whatsoever of your deeds is hidden from Him.” (Recorded by Ibn Khuzaymah in “at-Tawheed”, P. 105 and al-Bayhaqi in “al-Asma was-Sifaat”, P. 401 - This report was classed as “saheeh” by Ibn Qayyim in “Ijtimaa’ al-Juyoosh al-Islamiyyah”, P. 100 and by adh-Dhahabee in “Al-‘Uluw”, P. 64)

In the above report ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (radee Allaahu ‘anhu) states that Allaah is above His “Arsh”, this statement from him is in perfect harmony with the numerous verses in the Qur’aan in which Allaah has informed us that He is above His “Arsh”, from them:

“Indeed your Lord is Allaah, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He Istawaa (rose over) the throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty).” [Al-A’raf 7:54]

Please also refer to the following verses: Yunus 10:3, Ra’d 13:2, Ta-Ha 20:5, Al-Furqan 25:59, As-Sajdah 32:4, Al-Hadid 57:4 and others.

In the above report ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (radee Allaahu ‘anhu) also mentioned that the “Arsh” of Allaah is above the water, this is also in perfect harmony with Allaah’s saying:

“And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His throne was on the water…” [Hud 11:7]

It is hardly surprising that the understanding of the famous Companion of the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (radee Allaahu ‘anhu), is in perfect harmony with the verses from the Qur’aan which I have cited above. I say this because Allaah and His Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) have commanded us to understand Islam upon the understanding of the Companions (radee Allaahu ‘anhum).

Some claim that the word “Arsh” refers to Allaah’s Mastery over the Universe. The ‘Arsh” of Allaah is something which is created, it is not Him, nor is it part of Him. In response to such claims Imaam ibn Abi’l-‘Izz al-Hanafi said:

“What would those who distort the word of Allaah and say that the Throne is an expression referring to al-Mulk or sovereignty say about the following verses?

‘…and eight angels will, that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them.’ [Al-Haaqqah 69:17]

‘…and His Throne was on the water…’ [Hud 11:7]

Will they say that eight angels will, that Day, bear the Sovereignty of Allaah, and that His Sovereignty was on the water? Will Moosaa be holding on to one of the pillars of Allaah’s sovereignty? Can any same person who knows what he is saying utter such things?” (Sharh al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahawiyyah)

Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips made a very beneficial point in that he said that those who affirm that Allaah is above His Creation are often accused of putting Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) in a place, however, those who affirm as such are simply affirming what Allaah has affirmed for Himself throughout the Qur’aan. It is those who say that Allaah is “everywhere” who are in reality putting Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) in a place because in doing so those who claim that Allaah is “everywhere” have put Him (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) inside of His creation. Those who affirm that Allaah is beyond His creation are not putting Him (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) in a place because “location” came into existence with creation. Allaah is where He was before He created, He is not bound by time and space and He is beyond His creation.

So this is how ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood understood the Speech of Allaah, this is how the Sahaabah (radee Allaahu ‘anhum) understood Allaah’s Book, so let us use this as a yardstick and measure just how much of what we believe is in line with the understanding of the Sahaabah (radee Allaahu ‘anhum).

Wallaahu ta’aala ‘aalam!

Subahanaka Allaahuma wa bihamdika ashadu a laa illa illah anta astagfirouka wa at-tabu ilaik.

Aboo Uthmaan
26th Dhul-Hijjah 1428 A.H
(Corresponding to Friday 4th January 2008 C.E)

Footnote:

[1] Allaah says: “And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah to al-Madeenah) and the Ansaar (the citizens of al-Madeenah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajiroon) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allaah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.” [At-Tawbah 9:100]