Author: Fazal Akbar Kashmiri
Islam is a complete code of life that is based on the Quran and Hadith. These two sources are the fountains of guidance and are sufficient to avoid misguidance and deviation. Whatever is in the Quran and Hadith is the truth, and anything contrary to them is false. "Then what is there after the truth except error?" Unfortunately, most people today are either ignorant of the Quran and Hadith or are so engrossed in sectarianism, personality worship, and other such practices that the true religion has become ambiguous to them. This has led to the widespread plague of sectarianism. The current prevalent sectarian religions are living examples of this.
Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim said:
"This innovation (of blind following) emerged in the fourth century, which was condemned by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
with his blessed tongue."
[A'lam al-Muwaqqi'in 2/208]
Therefore, the claim by some people that these sectarian religions are "means of preserving Islam" is baseless and rejected. Similarly, there have been bloody battles between the followers of Hanafi and Shafi'i sects.
[See Mu'jam al-Buldan 17/3/1]
Additionally, the followers of these sectarian religions had established four separate prayer spaces within the Kaaba and refused to pray behind each other. [Refer to Ta'leefat Rashidiya p. 517]
Allah the Almighty says:
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."
[Surah Al-Imran: 103]
"The rope of Allah" refers to the Book of Allah.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Beware! I am leaving among you two heavy things: one of them is the Book of Allah (Exalted and Glorious), it is the rope of Allah. Whoever follows it will be upon guidance, and whoever leaves it will be in misguidance."
[Muslim: 2408/6228]
From this Hadith, it is evident that the "rope of Allah" refers to the Book of Allah. The Book of Allah also includes the Hadith.
[See Sahih Bukhari: 6843, 6842 and Sahih Muslim: 4418]
It is clear that the "rope of Allah" refers to the Quran and Hadith, i.e., the religion of Allah, which we are commanded to hold onto firmly. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also declared this as the preferred thing by Allah, saying:
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."
[Muslim: 4481]
When Huzayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the times of trials, he replied:
"Keep away from all those sects."
[Bukhari: 7084, Muslim: 4784]
Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) was told:
"Hold on to what you know and leave what you do not."[Abu Dawood: 4343, its chain is Hasan]
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Act upon what you know and leave what you do not know, act for your own self and leave the common people."
[Sahih Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 5933, its chain is authentic]
Abu Tha'laba Al-Khushani (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Take care of your own self and leave the common people."[Tirmidhi: 3058, its chain is Hasan, Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Gharib"]
This means that during times of trials, one should abandon sectarianism and always adhere to the Quran and Sunnah.
Causes of division include ignorance, blind following, prejudice, and desires. The only way to avoid this is to hold firmly to the revelation of Allah and call towards the Quran and Hadith without bias. Forming groups and organizations in the name of adhering to Allah's revelation leads to division and is not a source of blessings but rather a cause of weakness and conflict. If someone argues that even the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) had two groups, it should be noted that this was based on ijtihad (independent reasoning) and not evidence of sectarianism or organizational structuring. The companions also committed acts of ijtihad that led to battles, indicating the nature of human error in judgment. However, the scholars of Hadith did not form any organizations and still dedicated their lives to serving the Quran and Sunnah.
Creating groups and organizations for the purpose of dawah (calling to Islam) and causing internal conflicts among Muslims is not necessary. If someone argues that during the caliphate there was no need for organizations, we have the right to ask for evidence that when there is no caliphate, it is necessary to create sects, parties, and organizations that fuel prejudice.
Dear readers! If people are called purely towards the Quran and Hadith, without regard to personalities, there is no prejudice in this invitation. Prejudice arises when people are called towards a particular sect, school of thought, or imam, or when they are asked to obey the current nominal leaders. This is against Allah's command "and do not become divided."
In conclusion, avoid sectarianism and make Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) your sole leader and guide. Follow only him in the light of the understanding of the pious predecessors (Salaf). The pious predecessors (the companions and their followers) were united on this point, and this is the way of the Salaf's invitation.
"All goodness lies in following those who preceded, and all evil lies in the innovations of those who came later."
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Do not differ, for those who came before you differed and perished because of it."
[Bukhari: 2410]
Sectarianism leads to disputes, and disputes lead to cowardice and weakness.
Allah the Almighty says:
"And do not dispute with one another lest you lose courage and your strength departs."
[Surah Al-Anfal: 46]
Using the term "group" in the Hadith does not refer to a particular party or organization, as gathering all the Hadith related to this matter clarifies that it refers to the Muslim community, consensus, or the congregation for prayers.
If there is no Islamic caliphate, Muslims should not form any parties or organizations and should remain separate from all groups and factions, as mentioned in the Hadith narrated by Huzayfah (may Allah be pleased with him).
Forming organizations and groups is against the Quran and Sunnah, and it severely affects the sincerity of Muslims. It clouds judgment with prejudice, leading to the glorification of personalities. Some people go to the extent of accepting whatever their leader says, even if it is contrary to reality, and they go to great lengths to justify it.
Sectarianism has fostered doubts and prejudices among Muslims. It was nonexistent during the best generations and is a later innovation. We urge the workers of these organizations, especially the youth, to protect their faith in these times of trials, recognize their purpose in life, and dedicate themselves to worshipping Allah. Establish a connection with Allah, acquire religious knowledge, and abandon aimless activities. Free yourselves from the constraints of party and organizational affiliations and adopt the responsibilities that Shariah has placed upon us. The manifestos of parties are based on specific ideologies that perish over time, but the work of inviting to Allah on the path of the pious predecessors will continue until the Day of Judgment, Insha'Allah.
[13 Rabi' al-Awwal 1427 A.H.]
Islam is a complete code of life that is based on the Quran and Hadith. These two sources are the fountains of guidance and are sufficient to avoid misguidance and deviation. Whatever is in the Quran and Hadith is the truth, and anything contrary to them is false. "Then what is there after the truth except error?" Unfortunately, most people today are either ignorant of the Quran and Hadith or are so engrossed in sectarianism, personality worship, and other such practices that the true religion has become ambiguous to them. This has led to the widespread plague of sectarianism. The current prevalent sectarian religions are living examples of this.
Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim said:
"This innovation (of blind following) emerged in the fourth century, which was condemned by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
with his blessed tongue."
[A'lam al-Muwaqqi'in 2/208]
Therefore, the claim by some people that these sectarian religions are "means of preserving Islam" is baseless and rejected. Similarly, there have been bloody battles between the followers of Hanafi and Shafi'i sects.
[See Mu'jam al-Buldan 17/3/1]
Additionally, the followers of these sectarian religions had established four separate prayer spaces within the Kaaba and refused to pray behind each other. [Refer to Ta'leefat Rashidiya p. 517]
Allah the Almighty says:
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."
[Surah Al-Imran: 103]
"The rope of Allah" refers to the Book of Allah.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Beware! I am leaving among you two heavy things: one of them is the Book of Allah (Exalted and Glorious), it is the rope of Allah. Whoever follows it will be upon guidance, and whoever leaves it will be in misguidance."
[Muslim: 2408/6228]
From this Hadith, it is evident that the "rope of Allah" refers to the Book of Allah. The Book of Allah also includes the Hadith.
[See Sahih Bukhari: 6843, 6842 and Sahih Muslim: 4418]
It is clear that the "rope of Allah" refers to the Quran and Hadith, i.e., the religion of Allah, which we are commanded to hold onto firmly. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also declared this as the preferred thing by Allah, saying:
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."
[Muslim: 4481]
When Huzayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the times of trials, he replied:
"Keep away from all those sects."
[Bukhari: 7084, Muslim: 4784]
Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) was told:
"Hold on to what you know and leave what you do not."[Abu Dawood: 4343, its chain is Hasan]
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Act upon what you know and leave what you do not know, act for your own self and leave the common people."
[Sahih Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 5933, its chain is authentic]
Abu Tha'laba Al-Khushani (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Take care of your own self and leave the common people."[Tirmidhi: 3058, its chain is Hasan, Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Gharib"]
This means that during times of trials, one should abandon sectarianism and always adhere to the Quran and Sunnah.
Causes of division include ignorance, blind following, prejudice, and desires. The only way to avoid this is to hold firmly to the revelation of Allah and call towards the Quran and Hadith without bias. Forming groups and organizations in the name of adhering to Allah's revelation leads to division and is not a source of blessings but rather a cause of weakness and conflict. If someone argues that even the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) had two groups, it should be noted that this was based on ijtihad (independent reasoning) and not evidence of sectarianism or organizational structuring. The companions also committed acts of ijtihad that led to battles, indicating the nature of human error in judgment. However, the scholars of Hadith did not form any organizations and still dedicated their lives to serving the Quran and Sunnah.
Creating groups and organizations for the purpose of dawah (calling to Islam) and causing internal conflicts among Muslims is not necessary. If someone argues that during the caliphate there was no need for organizations, we have the right to ask for evidence that when there is no caliphate, it is necessary to create sects, parties, and organizations that fuel prejudice.
Dear readers! If people are called purely towards the Quran and Hadith, without regard to personalities, there is no prejudice in this invitation. Prejudice arises when people are called towards a particular sect, school of thought, or imam, or when they are asked to obey the current nominal leaders. This is against Allah's command "and do not become divided."
In conclusion, avoid sectarianism and make Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) your sole leader and guide. Follow only him in the light of the understanding of the pious predecessors (Salaf). The pious predecessors (the companions and their followers) were united on this point, and this is the way of the Salaf's invitation.
"All goodness lies in following those who preceded, and all evil lies in the innovations of those who came later."
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Do not differ, for those who came before you differed and perished because of it."
[Bukhari: 2410]
Sectarianism leads to disputes, and disputes lead to cowardice and weakness.
Allah the Almighty says:
"And do not dispute with one another lest you lose courage and your strength departs."
[Surah Al-Anfal: 46]
Using the term "group" in the Hadith does not refer to a particular party or organization, as gathering all the Hadith related to this matter clarifies that it refers to the Muslim community, consensus, or the congregation for prayers.
If there is no Islamic caliphate, Muslims should not form any parties or organizations and should remain separate from all groups and factions, as mentioned in the Hadith narrated by Huzayfah (may Allah be pleased with him).
Forming organizations and groups is against the Quran and Sunnah, and it severely affects the sincerity of Muslims. It clouds judgment with prejudice, leading to the glorification of personalities. Some people go to the extent of accepting whatever their leader says, even if it is contrary to reality, and they go to great lengths to justify it.
Sectarianism has fostered doubts and prejudices among Muslims. It was nonexistent during the best generations and is a later innovation. We urge the workers of these organizations, especially the youth, to protect their faith in these times of trials, recognize their purpose in life, and dedicate themselves to worshipping Allah. Establish a connection with Allah, acquire religious knowledge, and abandon aimless activities. Free yourselves from the constraints of party and organizational affiliations and adopt the responsibilities that Shariah has placed upon us. The manifestos of parties are based on specific ideologies that perish over time, but the work of inviting to Allah on the path of the pious predecessors will continue until the Day of Judgment, Insha'Allah.
[13 Rabi' al-Awwal 1427 A.H.]