Part 2: A few points of benefits from “Hadeeth Jibreel”**
بسم الله والحمد لله
والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد
In response to the doubts and the misunderstandings of some
who may say: 1) We have already read books on Creed and Tawheed, so it is not
necessary to read them over and over again; 2) or others who may say that the incident
of Yusuf عليه السلام was
between him and two Kaafirs and that is why he first began by teaching them
Tawheed. But as for those who are Muslims, then it is not necessary for them to
go through these same steps while learning their Deen.
The response to them is what has been mentioned in the
very first Hadeeth of Saheeh Muslim, Hadeeth Jibreel.
1) One learns that this Hadeeth was narrated by
`Abdullaah Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما at a time when people
started to differ in the matters related to `Aqeedah, some people started to
deny the Qadr (Pre-decree) even though they used to recite the Qur’aan! And Ibn
`Umar affirmed that the good deeds of the one whose `Aqeedah is incorrect will
not be accepted.
It is clear from this Hadeeth that people even at the
times of the Companions needed proper guidance in order to be upon correct
`Aqeedah. If this was the need of that time, then its importance in this age of
ours is many times more, and verily we see how many people have deviated and
how many sects have emerged in our time.
Al-Hasan al-Basree رحمه الله said: “If
it were not for the scholars, the people would have behaved like cattle.” [al-Tabsirah of Ibn al-Jawzee (2/193)]
2) This Hadeeth was conveyed to `Abdullaah Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما by his father `Umar رضي الله عنه.
This shows that those who were present should inform
those who are absent (as mentioned by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in another Hadeeth). It also shows how a
father should take care to teach his children the important matters pertaining
to the Deen.
3) Imaam al-Bukhaaree and Imaam Muslim رحمهم الله, both began their
respective Saheehs with the Ahaadeeth of `Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه which are from the
foundations of this Deen.
The first in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree is: “The rewards of the
deeds depend upon the intention.” And the first Hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim is:
“Hadeeth Jibreel”. Both these Ahaadeeth have been narrated on the authority of
`Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه.
4) The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was sitting with his
Companions among whom was `Umar رضي
الله عنه, and amongst their midst came Jibreel عليه السلام and started to ask the core questions:
“What is Islaam?”, “What is Imaan?” and “What is Ihsaan?”
5) After the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied and when Jibreel left, the Prophet
صلى الله عليه وسلم
informed his companions that: “That was Jibreel.
He came to teach you your religion.”
The following points should also be taken in
consideration:
a) Angels do not descend except after Allaah’s command. [Surah
Maryam (19):64 and Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3218, 4731, 7455)]
b) Allaah تعالى had sent Jibreel عليه السلام, in the presence of
the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم,
to the Companions so that they may learn the most important aspects of the Deen.
c) Jibreel عليه السلام used to bring the
message from Allaah to the Prophet صلى
الله عليه وسلم, and the Prophet صلى
الله عليه وسلم would then convey it to his Companions. But in this Hadeeth,
the fact that Allaah تعالى send two Messengers -
Jibreel عليه السلام and Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم - at the same time
emphasizes the importance of learning and teaching the matters of `Aqeedah.
d) The fact that
Allaah تعالى sent Jibreel عليه السلام at a time when the
very elite among the companions like `Umar رضي الله عنه were present only adds to the emphasis on
how much important it is for those who will come after them to learn the matters
of `Aqeedah.
e) The way Jibreel عليه السلام asked the questions
and the way the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
answered them, laid the foundation on what are the priorities and how a student
of knowledge should approach while seeking knowledge.
6) When Jibreel عليه السلام asked:
“What is Islaam?” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
replied that it is to believe in the two articles of Faith (لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله),
to establish the Salaah, to pay the Zakaah, to observe the fast of Ramadhaan
and to perform Hajj for those who have the means.
Similarly, when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sent Mu`aadh رضي الله عنه to Yemen, to the
people of the Book, he صلى الله عليه وسلم instructed him to first teach Tawheed to the people. He صلى الله عليه وسلم also made learning
Tawheed a condition to learn other things as he said: “If they learn that
(Tawheed), tell them that Allaah has enjoined on them, five prayers...”
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree] and in another narration it is: “and when they come to
know Allaah, inform them that Allaah has enjoined on them, five prayers…”
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]
So irrespective of the audience, whether they are Kaafir
or Muslims, the method of teaching should remain the same. The caller should
invite them to Tawheed and towards correct `Aqeedah. Similarly, the one who is
learning the Deen, even if he is a born Muslim, should follow the same methodology.
One should not deviate from this method of learning and teaching the Deen.
7) The first three questions of Jibreel عليه السلام on
Islaam, Imaan and Ihsaan, all revolve around the rights of the Creator upon His
slaves. Unlike some of today’s “celebrity” speakers who mostly concentrate upon
the rights of the creation upon other creation.
8) The Hadeeth
mentions about Salaah, Zakaah, Siyaam and Hajj, which is an indication that
this incident happened in Madeenah, after the migration. Rather, if one were to
consider that Hajj was only made obligatory around the 9th year of
Hijri, then it would mean that this incident happened only a year or two before
the Prophet’s death.
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim in Zaad al-Ma`aad (3/520-521); and
Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen in Sharh al-Mumti` (7/14); both said that the Hajj was
made obligatory in the 9th year of Hijri. The Lajna al-Daa’mah are
also of the same opinion.
9) This Hadeeth is
a real eye opener for everyone on the importance of revising knowledge. For 20+ years, the Companions were
learning their Deen from the Prophet صلى
الله عليه وسلم, but a few years before his death, Allaah تعالى sends Jibreel عليه السلام to make a revision
with the Companions about all that they had learned over the years.
Jibreel عليه السلام used to visit the
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
every night in Ramadhaan to revise the Qur’aan with him. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to recite the
Qur’aan to him. [Saheehain]
So it is not out of line that revision be made with the
Companions about their Deen as well.
SUMMARY:
i) In the last few
years before the Prophet’s death, Allaah تعالى sent Jibreel عليه السلام to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم so that they can teach the Ummah the core
matters of the Deen - the rights of the Creator upon His creation, the matters
pertaining to `Aqeedah, and Tawheed. These are the guidelines for everyone –
those who are seeking knowledge and those who are conveying knowledge.
ii) The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم instructed Mu`aadh رضي الله عنه upon the same guidelines
when he was being sent to Yemen; i.e. to first call the people towards Tawheed,
and when they accept it he should instruct them about establish the Salaah and
so on. Salaah without Imaan is of no benefit. People should first be taught:
“Who to worship?” before they are taught: “How to worship?” Before the Salaah
was made compulsory, for 11 years the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم called people towards Tawheed. The Salaah
was made obligatory only 2 years before the migration to Madeenah.
iii) Ibn `Umar narrated
this Hadeeth at a time when some people first began rejecting the Qadr. The
people started deviating from the correct `Aqeedah at a time when the
Companions were still alive; and in our age, they have deviated even further.
People are denying the Names and Attributes of Allaah, exceeding the limits in
their praise for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
and speaking about the Deen without knowledge.
iv) Apart from this
Hadeeth - Hadeeth Jibreel - there are many more Ahaadeeth which emphasizes the
importance of learning and re-learning and revising the matters of Tawheed and `Aqeedah.
A few examples:
a) The people from this Ummah will return to idol
worship. [Saheehain]
b) The Prophet صلى
الله عليه وسلم warning his people before his death to not to take his grave as
a place of worship. [Saheehain]
c) A person will be Believer in the evening, but will
become Kaafir by morning; or who will be Believer in the Day but will become
Kaafir by the evening. [Saheeh Muslim]
d) The Prophet’s warning about the dangers of hidden Shirk.
We ask Allaah تعالى
that He guides us towards the correct understanding of the Deen and keeps us
firm upon it.
اللهم صلِّ
وسلم وبارك على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم
** Hadeeth Jibreel
It is narrated on the authority of Yahya bin Ya`mar that
the first man who discussed al-Qadr (Divine Decree) in Basra was Ma`bad al-Juhani.
I along with Humaid bin `Abdur-Rahmaan al-Himyaree set out for pilgrimage or
for `Umrah and said: Should it so happen that we come into contact with one of
the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم we shall ask him about what is being said
regarding al-Qadr (Divine Decree). Suddenly we came across `Abdullaah ibn `Umar
ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنهما, while he was
entering the Masjid. My companion and I surrounded him. One of us (stood) on
his right and the other stood on his left. I expected that my companion would
authorize me to speak. I therefore said: Abu `Abdur-Rahmaan (Kunya of Ibn
`Umar)! There have appeared some people in our land who recite the Qur’aan and
pursue knowledge. And then after talking about their affairs, added: They (such
people) claim that there is no such thing as Divine Decree and events are not
predestined.
He (`Abdullaah ibn `Umar) said: “When you happen to meet such people tell them that I
have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me.” `Abdullaah
ibn `Umar swore by Him (the Lord) (and said): “If
any one of them (who does not believe in the Divine Decree) had with him gold
equal to the bulk of (the mountain) Uhud and spent it (in the way of Allaah), Allaah
would not accept it unless he affirmed his faith in Divine Decree.” He further said: “My father, `Umar ibn
al-Khattaab, told me: One day we were sitting in the company of Allaah’s
Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم
when there appeared before 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 last he sat with the Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم He knelt before him
placed his palms on his thighs and said: “Muhammad,
inform me about al-Islaam.”
The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Al-Islaam
implies that you testify that there is no one worthy of being worshiped except Allaah
and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah, and you establish Salaah, pay the
Zakaah, observe the fast of Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the (House) if
you are solvent enough (to bear the expense of) the journey.”
He (the inquirer) said: “You
have told the truth.” He (`Umar ibn al-Khattaab) said: “It amazed
us that he would put the question and then he would himself verify the truth.”
He (the inquirer) said: “Inform me about Imaan
(faith).”
He صلى الله عليه وسلم
replied: “That you affirm your faith in Allaah,
in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you
affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil.”
He (the inquirer) said: “You
have told the truth.” He (the
inquirer) again said: “Inform me about al-Ihsaan.”
He صلى الله عليه وسلم
said: “That you worship Allaah 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.”
He صلى الله عليه وسلم
remarked: “One who is asked knows no more than
the one who is inquiring (about it).”
He (the inquirer) said: “Tell
me some of its indications.”
He صلى الله عليه وسلم
said: “That the slave-girl will give birth to
her mistress and master; that you will find barefooted, destitute goat-herds
vying with one another in the construction of magnificent buildings.”
He (`Umar ibn al-Khattaab) said: “Then he (the
inquirer) went on his way but I stayed with him صلى الله عليه وسلم for a long while.”
He صلى الله عليه وسلم then said to me: “`Umar,
do you know who this inquirer was?”
I replied: “Allaah and His Apostle know best.”
He صلى الله عليه وسلم remarked: “He was Gabriel
(the angel). He came to teach you your religion.”
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