بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
THE CREED OF ALWASITIYYAH BY SHAYKH’UL ISLAM AHMAD IBN TAYMIYYAH
Taught by WasimKempson
This is a brief introduction by the Ustadh
Ø The more you know about Allah (swt), the moresincere you’ll be
Ø As long as you adhere to the time of the Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) then you will be ok. On a side note, studyingAqeedah is simpler than studying Fiqh due to the number of differences ofopinion. In fiqh, there are loads of differences of opinion, which are allvalid and supported by evidence that are accepted by Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ahBUT with Aqeedah the message of Tawheed during the time of the Prophet (sallalahualayhi wa sallam) and now is still thesame and the Haqq is one so when it comes to areas of belief only a small areaof difference of opinion will be tolerated
Ø The Ustadh then moved on to explain‘Wasitiyyah’ (lit: Wasit) which was a place in Iraq. It lies between Baghdadand Basra (many Ulema come from there i.e. Hasan Al Basri). It’s a place where Hujjaj would gather enroute. Ibn Taymiyyahs books are a response to a various questions asked.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ø It is primarily about the names of Allah (swt).
Ø The book has a number of explanations tosimplify it for us. This book was originally written for a Judge – an Alim toan Alim.
HISTORY OF THEEMERGENCE OF AQEEDAH
The Qur’an wasrevealed to the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam), over a period of 23 yearsand when he passed away it was completely revealed. The sahaba still remainedso they had the Qur’an and Sunnah to go on.
“Allah (swt) willpreserve these sources until the last day” – This was there ‘pure’ Aqeedah.During that time there were no difference of opinion and this continued all theway till the reign of Ali (RA) in 36AH.
INTRODUCTION OF THEINNOVATIVE SECTS
1) The firstfitnah to enter was the innovation of the ‘Khawaarij’.This sect would render a person apostate for committing a sin and they wouldtake their wealth/life. The Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) informed usthat a time would come when people would be like you in terms of praying likeyou, giving zakah etc but the Qur’an wouldn’t reach their throats (Bukhari) andthey would also fight against the Muslims. This wouldn’t make them kuffar butmisguided.
2) Nextappeared ‘Qaadiriyyah’. (lit: Qadr–Decree). They came about because they didn’t understand the Qadr of Allah(swt) and they denied that Allah (swt) had knowledge of what’s going to happenuntil it happened. Then after accepting that they denied that Allah (swt)creates things.
The first hadith in Sahih Muslim: The book of Faith is where Abdullah ‘Ibn Umaris addressing these people who appeared in Iraq.
It is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Ya'murthat the first man who discussed about Qadr (Divine Decree) in Basra was Ma'badal-Juhani. I along with Humaid b. 'Abdur-Rahman Himyari set out for prilgrimageor for 'Umrah and said: Should it so happen that we come into contact with oneof the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him) we shallask him a bout what is talked about Taqdir (Division Decree). Accidentally wecame across Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab, while he was entering the mosque.My companion and I surrounded him. One of us (stood) on his right and the otherstood on his left. I expected that my companion would authorize me to speak. Itherefore said: Abu Abdur Rahman! there have appeared some people in our landwho recite the Holy Qur'an and pursue knowledge. And then after talking abouttheir affairs, added: They (such people) claim that there is no such thing asDivine Decree and events are not predestined. He (Abdullah ibn Umar) said: Whenyou happen to meet such people tell them that I have nothing to do with themand they have nothing to do with me. And verily they are in no way responsiblefor my (belief). Abdullah ibn Umar swore by Him (the Lord) (and said): If anyone of them (who does not believe in the Divine Decree) had with him gold equalto the bulk of (the mountain) Uhud and then, it (in the way of Allah (swt)), Allah(swt) would not accept it unless he affirmed his faith in Divine Decree. Hefurther said: My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: One day we were sittingin the company of Allah (swt)'s Apostle (peace be upon him) when there appearedbefore us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair extraordinarily black.There were no signs of travel on him. None amongst us recognized him. At lasthe sat with the Apostle (peace be upon him) He knelt before him placed hispalms on his thighs and said: Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam. The Messengerof Allah (swt) (peace be upon him) said: Al-Islam implies that you testify thatthere is no god but Allah (swt) and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah(swt), and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, andperform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear theexpense of) the journey. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He(Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: It amazed us that he would put the question andthen he would himself verify the truth. He (the inquirer) said: Inform me aboutIman (faith). He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)) replied: Thatyou affirm your faith in Allah (swt), in His angels, in His Books, in HisApostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the DivineDecree about good and evil. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He(the inquirer) again said: Inform me about al-Ihsan (performance of gooddeeds). He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)) said: That youworship Allah (swt) as if you are seeing Him, for though you don't see Him, He,verily, sees you. He (the enquirer) again said: Inform me about the hour (ofthe Doom). He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)) remarked: One whois asked knows no more than the one who is inquiring (about it). He (theinquirer) said: Tell me some of its indications. He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahualayhi wa sallam)) said: That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistressand master, that you will find barefooted, destitute goat-herds vying with oneanother in the construction of magnificent buildings. He (the narrator, Umaribn al-Khattab) said: Then he (the inquirer) went on his way but I stayed withhim (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)) for a long while. He then,said to me: Umar, do you know who this inquirer was? I replied: Allah (swt) andHis Apostle knows best. He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam))remarked: He was Gabriel (the angel). He came to you in order to instruct youin matters of religion. (Muslim)
The fitnah occurred in Iraq and the first one totalk about the issues pertaining to Qadr was Ma’bad al Juhani in 50AH and thesecond was Ghilan al Qadri.
The first hadith in Sahih Muslim: The book of Faith is where Abdullah ‘Ibn Umaris addressing these people who appeared in Iraq.
It is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Ya'murthat the first man who discussed about Qadr (Divine Decree) in Basra was Ma'badal-Juhani. I along with Humaid b. 'Abdur-Rahman Himyari set out for prilgrimageor for 'Umrah and said: Should it so happen that we come into contact with oneof the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him) we shallask him a bout what is talked about Taqdir (Division Decree). Accidentally wecame across Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab, while he was entering the mosque.My companion and I surrounded him. One of us (stood) on his right and the otherstood on his left. I expected that my companion would authorize me to speak. Itherefore said: Abu Abdur Rahman! there have appeared some people in our landwho recite the Holy Qur'an and pursue knowledge. And then after talking abouttheir affairs, added: They (such people) claim that there is no such thing asDivine Decree and events are not predestined. He (Abdullah ibn Umar) said: Whenyou happen to meet such people tell them that I have nothing to do with themand they have nothing to do with me. And verily they are in no way responsiblefor my (belief). Abdullah ibn Umar swore by Him (the Lord) (and said): If anyone of them (who does not believe in the Divine Decree) had with him gold equalto the bulk of (the mountain) Uhud and then, it (in the way of Allah (swt)), Allah(swt) would not accept it unless he affirmed his faith in Divine Decree. Hefurther said: My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: One day we were sittingin the company of Allah (swt)'s Apostle (peace be upon him) when there appearedbefore us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair extraordinarily black.There were no signs of travel on him. None amongst us recognized him. At lasthe sat with the Apostle (peace be upon him) He knelt before him placed hispalms on his thighs and said: Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam. The Messengerof Allah (swt) (peace be upon him) said: Al-Islam implies that you testify thatthere is no god but Allah (swt) and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah(swt), and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, andperform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear theexpense of) the journey. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He(Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: It amazed us that he would put the question andthen he would himself verify the truth. He (the inquirer) said: Inform me aboutIman (faith). He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)) replied: Thatyou affirm your faith in Allah (swt), in His angels, in His Books, in HisApostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the DivineDecree about good and evil. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He(the inquirer) again said: Inform me about al-Ihsan (performance of gooddeeds). He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)) said: That youworship Allah (swt) as if you are seeing Him, for though you don't see Him, He,verily, sees you. He (the enquirer) again said: Inform me about the hour (ofthe Doom). He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)) remarked: One whois asked knows no more than the one who is inquiring (about it). He (theinquirer) said: Tell me some of its indications. He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahualayhi wa sallam)) said: That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistressand master, that you will find barefooted, destitute goat-herds vying with oneanother in the construction of magnificent buildings. He (the narrator, Umaribn al-Khattab) said: Then he (the inquirer) went on his way but I stayed withhim (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam)) for a long while. He then,said to me: Umar, do you know who this inquirer was? I replied: Allah (swt) andHis Apostle knows best. He (the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam))remarked: He was Gabriel (the angel). He came to you in order to instruct youin matters of religion. (Muslim)
The fitnah occurred in Iraq and the first one totalk about the issues pertaining to Qadr was Ma’bad al Juhani in 50AH and thesecond was Ghilan al Qadri.
3) The nextfitnah to appear were ‘Murji’a’(lit: Irja – to delay). They claimed that sins do not affect your imaan at all.Long as you are a mu’min, you are a person of complete Imaan. This was said byAl Jahm Ibn Safwan who then led a group called ‘Jahmiyyah’ in the year 100AH
4) The nextsect to appear was the ‘Mu’tazilah’ (lit:I’tizal – Ostracise). They said that a person can commit a major sin and heneither a believer nor disbeliever rather he is in a stage between them two buthe’ll be eternally in the Hellfire. The person to start this movement was Wasil‘Ibn Atah al Basri – who was a student of Hasan Al Basri. Having said that, heuse to differ with his teacher and then went his own way.
5) Am IbnUbbayd continued the methodology of the Mu’tazilah in 144AH
6) In 150AHthere were those who began to deny the attributes of Allah (swt) e.g. he doesn’thave the attribute of love, Rahmah. This was started by Al Ja’ad ibn Dirham in124AH. He was later killed for saying Ibrahim wasn’t the Khalil of Allah (swt).
Ja’ad Ibn Safwan took over and continued building on what he said. During thistime innovation appeared but known scholars like Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam AshShafi’i, Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal as well as the likes of AbdullahIbn Mubarak and Hasan al Basri were propagating da’wah.
Ja’ad Ibn Safwan took over and continued building on what he said. During thistime innovation appeared but known scholars like Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam AshShafi’i, Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal as well as the likes of AbdullahIbn Mubarak and Hasan al Basri were propagating da’wah.
CONCLUSION ON THE ABOVE SECTION
Ø The truth is not known by numbers but by whatwhich is being propagated thus Ibn Taymiyyah was a minority and no one claimsthat he was infallible but he followed the way of the Salaf.
EXPLANATION OFAQEEDAH (PG 37)
Firstly it startedwith the basmAllah (swt) as does the Qur’an with the exception of At Tawbah(Surah 9). The argument for whether the basmAllah (swt) is an ayah of theQur’an is a few but the strongest is and Allah (swt) knows best is that it isseparate from the ayah.
‘In the Name of Allah(swt)’ is seeking blessing from Allah (swt) about what you’re about to take.There is a hadith that states that if you do not recite the basmAllah (swt)then your request is deficient. This hadith is da’ef.
‘Allah (swt)’ for Allah(swt) is the greatest name he has. Surah Hashr, Ayatul Kursi and various otherayahs begin with Allah (swt).
‘Allah (swt)’ is theOne who is worshipped.
Ø Ar Rahman – Takes from Merciful ( Possessor ofencompassing Mercy)
Ø Ar Raheem - Bestower of Mercy (more specific) – This name can be given to anyonebecause they can show Mercy however you cannot call someone Rahman because theyaren’t encompassing of Mercy.
The author then says‘All praise belongs to Allah (swt)...’
Let’s break this down.الحمد - Allah (swt) is deserving of praise (I use praise loosely because youcannot translate الحمد )regarding of what he did and regardless of what he didn’t do. الحمدinvolves that you love who you are praising. Allah (swt) praises himself inSurah An’am:1
‘[All] praise is [due] to Allah (swt) , who created theheavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light. Then those whodisbelieve equate [others] with their Lord.’ (6:1)
Humans have many deficiencies i.e. we need sleep, food, drink etcthus self praise for us is a sign of Khidr (pride) whereas Allah (swt) doesn’thave any deficiencies thus he has a right to praise himself. He does so inSurah Zumar:75, Kahf:1.
Then the author says ‘..who sent his Messenger’. The messengers were sent from Nuh (as) till the Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wa sallam).
Q. How many Messengers arethere? In the Qur’an 25 arementioned and there’s a hadith that says that there are ‘124,000’ Prophets.This hadith is da’ef.
In [Surah Ghaafir:78] Allah (swt) says, ‘And We have already sent messengers before you. Among them are those[whose stories] We have related to you, and among them are those [whosestories] We have not related to you. And it was not for any messenger to bringa sign [or verse] except by permission of Allah (swt) . So when the command of Allah(swt) comes, it will be concluded in truth, and the falsifiers will thereuponlose [all].’
In [Surah Ibrahim:9] Allah (swt) says: ‘Has there not reached you the news of thosebefore you - the people of Noah and 'Aad and Thamud and those after them? Noone knows them but Allah (swt) .Their messengers brought them clear proofs, but they returned their hands totheir mouths and said, "Indeed, we disbelieve in that with which you havebeen sent, and indeed we are, about that to which you invite us, in disquietingdoubt.”’
In [Surah Nahl:36] Allah (swt) says, ‘And We certainly sent into everynation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah (swt) and avoid Taghut."And among them were those whom Allah(swt) guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly]decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of thedeniers.’
In [Surah Fatir:24] Allah (swt) says,‘Indeed,We have sent you with the truth as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. Andthere was no nation but that there had passed within it a warner.’
The author then says ‘guidance and religion of truth’ – whereby hemeans beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. Islam may reign supreme and theword has a lowly standing but Islam reigns over all other ways of life.
Q. Where is the superemityof Islam now? To be supreme does notnecessary mean in power but ideology at belief system is supreme; it lies inthe fact that no one can argue with its principles and morals. The Romans andPersians came and went and Islam will rise again. Islam will continue to remainon this earth because of the fact that it remains amongst the people.
‘Sufficient is Allah (swt) as a witness’ [Fath: 28]
The ustadh then moved on to the Shahadah.
The shahaadah is a verbal declaration; testifying of somethingwhich you are completely certain on and certainty is based on knowledge. It isthe first obligation on the slave. You submit to Him and by this you enter thefold of Islam. This shahaadah has conditions, pillars, rights, benefits.
PILLARS OF THE SHAHDAH
1. Negation – There is no deity worthy of worship
2. Affirmation – Except Allah (swt)
CONDITIONS (SHUROOT)
1. Knowledge – we have knowledge of what you’re saying.
2. Truth (As Sidqu) – You don’t say it as a liar
3. Certainty (Al Yakeen) – complete certainty in your heart ofwhat you are saying
4. Sincerity (Al Ikhlaas) – to Allah (swt) as to what you aresaying, as opposed to Shirk
5. Acceptance (Qubool) – No rejection of anything
6. Submission - to everything it necessitates.
7. Love (Al Mahhabba) – Opposing any hatred that you have inyour heart
8. Rejection – Disbelief that may negate yourstatement/testification.
VIRTUES
رسول محمد الله إلاَّ إله لا
1. The Hadith of Sa’eed Al Khudri said, ‘The Prophet (sallalahualayhi wa sallam) informed us of an incident of Musa (as), when he spoke to Allah(swt) to teach him something to remember Him by. Allah (swt) said,
“Say رسول محمد الله إلاَّ إله لا” But Musa (as) said everyone saidthat and he wanted something special to him. Allah (swt) said, “If the 7heavens and 7 earths were placed on a scale with the Shahadah, the Shahadahscale will be outweighed’ (An Nasa’i, Ibn Hibban, Al Haakim)
This shows the virtue of the testification
This shows the virtue of the testification
2. ‘Whoever’s last speech is رسول محمد الله إلاَّ إله لاwillenter Jannah’ (Sunan Abu Dawud and Musnad of Ahmad
3. ‘Best du’a made is the one of the Day of Arafat’ (Muwatta ofImam Malik)
HAQQ OF SHAHADAH
1. Carry out all that which Allah (swt) has commanded and leaveout what He has told you to leave.
2. Fear His punishment and have hope for His reward.
‘’I was commanded to fight with people until they testify رسول محمد الله إلاَّ إله لاand if they say that,there wealth is protected except withdue right. (if they haven’t fulfilled this testifcation then they haveright to fight i.e. the issue of Zakah during the reign of Abu Bakr (ra).
BENEFITS
1. They will have happiness in this life and hereafter, if theysay it sincerely from the heart.
‘"Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. Andexcellent is the final home." [Ra’ad:24]
You have to acknowledge and affirm all this and this is Tawheed.When the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) send Mu’adh to Yemen he said tocall people to Islam, to have doubts first (Bukhari, Book of Zakat)
This Shahadah is inclusive to follow and obey the Messenger (saw).It is to follow him and stay away from what he told us to (Muslim, Abu Dawud).
‘I am the master of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgment,the first from whom the grave will split, the first interceder, and the firstto be granted intercession. ‘(Muslim)
NOTE: ** He has no portion of Allah (swt)’s Lordship. In [SurahIsra: 1] Allah (swt) calls his servants by ‘Abd’
‘Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjidal-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show himof Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing’
Believing and testifying that the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wasallam) is a Messenger of Allah (swt),we will judge and rule by the Shari’ah given to the Prophet (sallalahu alayhiwa sallam). This is explicitly said in[ Surah Nisa: 59-63,63]
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