Some Muslims continue to ignore the clear evidence and instead follow one who claims to be an a’lim although he is opposing clear evidence and twisting and distorting the true meanings of other ayaat and ahadeeth. Muslims should be warned that many certificates from universities or ijaazas from shuyukh do not mean that the possessor is a true a’lim in the sight of Allah. All knowledge must be connected to tawheed and its branches and must be for the sake of tawheed, many of the so called existing scholars that the common people refer to may well be in the Fire due to their abusing knowledge, concealing evidence and opposition to tawheed in knowledge and other blameworthy motives. Abu darda reported that nabi (saw) said “The worst among you in the eyes of Allah on the Day of ressurection will be the scholar who does not derive benefit from his knowledge.” (TIRMIDHI [no.268] DAARIMI) and A’bdullah ibn A’mru ibn al A’ss reported that nabi (saw) said “Verily, Allah will not destroy knowledge by snatching it away from his slaves but he will destroy knowledge by taking away the lives of the u’lemah until there will not even remain a single a’lim, people will then take the illiterate as leaders. They will be questioned and they will give judgement [fataawa] without knowledge. They will go astray and will lead others astray.” (BUKHAARI, MUSLIM) and Abu Hurayrah reported that Nabi (saw) said “He who is asked about knowledge and conceals it will be bridled on the Day of Judgement with a bridle of Fire.” (ABU DAWOOD [no.3650] AHMAD, TIRMIDHI and IBN MAAJAH from Anaas) So this hadeeth is a severe warning for anyone who conceals the truth due to pride or any other reason especially those whom are referred to, as the people trust that they are sincere u’lemaa’. Buraydah reported that Nabi (saw) said “There are three types of qaadis (judges) one who will go to paradise and the other two who will go to Hell. The one who goes to paradise is the one who knows the truth and judges according to it. The man who knows the truth and does not judge accordingly will go to Hell and the man without knowledge who makes judgement for people will go to Hell.” (ABU DAWOOD [no.3566]NASAA’I, IBN MAAJAH, TIRMIDHI graded Saheeh by AL HAAKIM) The Muslims therefore, should be aware that Nabi (saw) has warned us that there are these three types of judges and they should not think that a mans having some some knowledge is certainty regarding the condition of his heart, beliefs and motivation. Some scholars are so unwilling to admit their errors that they will conceal the sunnah and fabricate ahadeeth or conceal their true meanings and such people and those that follow them blindly should be warned that it is established by mutawaatir that Nabi (saw) said “Whoever tells a lie in my name will find his seat in the Fire.” (BUKHAARI [Eng. version vol.4 no.667], TIRMIDHI, ABU DAWOOD [no.3643] IBN MAAJAH [no.30-37] In different versions from A’bdullah ibn Masoo’d, A’li, Abu Hurayrah, Anaas bin Maalik, Jaabir, Abu Qataadah, Abu Sa’eed and Zubayr ibn al A’wwaam, A’bdullah ibn A’mru, Abdullah ibn A’bbaas ) So all of these ahadeeth prove that the one possessing the most knowledge among people may still be among the worst of them and may still end up in the Hellfire and those that follow him may also enter the Hellfire with him, the fact that the people thought that they were following a scholar will not save them. It is necessary that the a’lim should possess the necessary a’qeedah and be fully based upon and motivated by tawheed otherwise he would not be in possession of true knowledge but it would only appear to be that way, Allah (swt) said “Those truly fear Allah among His slaves who have knowledge” (Faatir 35:28) So if this fear of Allah is lacking then that which the person possesses is not really knowledge but it would only be information stored but without understanding, this is like the errors of the previous people who carried information and thought that this was knowledge “The likeness of those who were entrusted with the Tawrah and then failed (in that) is like that of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example of people who deny the ayaat of Allah. And Allah guides not the people who are zaalimoon.” (al Juma’ 62:5) The true a’lim or faqeeh knows that he is dependent upon Allah for knowledge and that the people are also dependent for knowledge not upon himself but on Allah and we should be reminded of this by the words that we recite during the salah in the faatiha “Guide us onto the Path that is Straight” (al Faatiha 1:5) A’bdullah ibn Masood reported that nabi (saw) said “A man will not be able to move on Yawmil Qiyaamah until he has answered four questions: How did he spend his life, how did he use his youth, how did he aquire wealth and how did he spend it and how did he act upon the knowledge that he had.” (BAYHAQI and similar from TIRMIDHI [No.5197]) So a true a’lim is not only indicated by his outward knowledge but it is also indicated by his inward state and motivation and all of this must be upon the basis of a sound a’qeedah. Therefore when a potential a’lim is asked for a fatwa the questioner must trust that the one he is asking is a sincere believer and will try his best to convey the true judgement of Allah and his messenger. Ka’b bin Maalik reported that Nabi (saw) said “Whoever seeks knowledge in order to prevail over the u’lemah or to argue with the fools or to turn the faces of men towards him, Allah will put him in the Fire.” (TIRMIDHI [no.255], and IBN MAAJAH from Ibn U’mar) So this hadeeth warns those students and scholars who have sought knowledge in order to compete with others whether ignorant or knowledgeable and also those who seek the fame of knowledge.

It is established by qati’ daleel (definite evidence) that all knowledge (i’lm) is from Allah. “And verily We have raised in every nation a messenger, (proclaiming): Worship Allah and reject Taaghoot. Then some of them (there were) whom Allah guided, and some of them (there were) upon whom error had just hold. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for the deniers! Even if thou (O Muhammad) desirest their right guidance, still Allah assuredly will not guide him who misleadeth. Such have no helpers.” (an Nahl 16:36-37)

Allah (swt) said concerning Nabi (saw) “Verily, you guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are the guided.” (al Qassass 28:56) In the sahih of MUSLIM and others Ibn al Musayyab reported from his father that this verse was revealed concerning the efforts of Nabi (saw) to try call his uncle Abu Talib to embrace Islam before his death, but according to these reports he did not and died as a disbeliever. Now when we consider this ayah and hadeeth from the perspective of tawheed in knowledge we see that the most knowledgeable of mankind, Muhammad (saw) was not able to successfully guide his own close relative to the most basic knowledge of laa ilaaha ill Allah (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah). This proves without doubt that knowledge is not from any man but it is only from Allah and Allah said “…but Allah guides whom He wills.” So whoever denied this would become a kaafir and has rejected the Quran. The proof that Allah is the only guide has been proven in hundreds of clear ayaat and ahadeeth. Muaa’wiyah reported that Nabi (saw) said “Whomsoever Allah intends good for, He gives him fiqh (understanding) in the deen and verily I distribute knowledge while Allah bestows it.” (BUKHAARI, MUSLIM) Therefore people are only a means to knowledge but they have no power to grant it to anyone nor to gain it themselves but this is an attribute that only Allah (swt) possesses. This is also confirmed by the hadeeth Waathilah bin al Asqa’ reported that nabi (saw) said “Whoever seeks knowledge and gains it will have two rewards and if he does not gain it there is one reward for him.” (DAARIMI) So if success in gaining was controlled by the student or the teacher, then knowledge would be gained every time effort was put into teaching or studying, but it is known rationally and from experience that this is not the case and this is confirmed by the previous hadeeth and several others.

Whoever denies that the power of guidance is possessed by Allah alone is a kaafir. This is because such denial contradicts the clear texts of the Quran and Sunnah. There are hundreds of clear verses in the Quran which prove that knowledge (i’lm) and guidance (hidaayah) are from Allah, but we shall only mention some of them. Allah (swt) says “…And remember your Lord when you forget and say: ‘I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer than this to the right way.” (al Kahf 18:24) and “Do you seek to guide him whom Allah has sent astray? He whom Allah sends astray, for him you (O Muhammad) can not find a road.” (an Nisaa 4:88) This verse described that the munaafiqeen can not be guided by anyone unless Allah willed it. And Allah (swt) says “He who Allah leadeth, he indeed is led aright, while he whom Allah sendeth astray they indeed are losers.”(al A’raaf 7:178) and “And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted as if he is climbing up to the sky. Thus Allah puts the wrath on those who believe not.” (al Ana’m 6:125) It is reported that Imaam ash Shafi’i said “Knowledge is not what is memorised but what benefits.” (ABU NUA’YM ‘Hilyatul Awliyaa’ [9/123]) and it has been related that Imaam Maalik said ‘Knowledge is not many narrations but it is a light which Allah puts in the heart’ and this is confirmed by this previous ayah. This is also affirmed in the ayah “Is he whose breast Allah has opened to Islam, so that he is in light from his Lord (as he who is kaafir)? So woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. They are clearly astray (dalaalin mubeen)” (az Zumar 39:22) And Allah (swt) says “…and he whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no guide.” (al Mu’min 40:33) and “Thus Allah leaves astray (yudillu) him who is a musrif [criminal in the sight of Allah] (and) murtaab [one who doubts in Allah and His warnings].” (Ghaafir 40:34) So this ayah is clear in stating that misguidance and straying is from Allah in accordance with our own rejection in terms of disbelief and disobedience. And Allah (swt) says “Is not Allah Sufficient for His slave? Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him! He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no guide. And he whom Allah guideth, for him there can be no misleader.” (az Zumar 39:36-37) and it is clear that shirk and kufr lead to further misguidance whereas rejecting shirk and kufr and believing in Allah lead to guidance and knowledge from Allah (swt), this is proven by the ayaat “…Whoever rejects Taaghoot and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is Sami’un A’leem. Allah is the Wali of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for those who disbelieve, their awliyaa’ are Taaghoot, they bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever.” (al Baqarah 2:256-257) The fear (khashiyah) of Allah and the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah are also a means to knowledge from Allah as Allah (swt) says “Allah has sent down, the best speech, a Book, its parts consistent with each other oft repeated. The skins of those who fear (yakhshawna) their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. Such is Allah's guidance, where with He guideth whom He will. And him whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no guide.”(az Zumar 39:23) and Allah (swt) says “Nay, but those who do wrong follow their own lusts without knowledge. Who is able to guide him whom Allah hath bent astray? For such there are no helpers.” (ar Room 30:29) So a cause of Allah misguiding someone is that they oppose clear evidence and truth and instead follow their own desires (ahwaa). And Allah (swt) says “Verily, Ours it is (to give) guidance” (al Layl 92:12) This ayah is clear in restricting the power of guidance to Allah (swt). Additonally, it has been mentioned by Ibn Katheer that this verse shows that only Allah can decide upon the lawful and the unlawful. This would be a warning against fabrication of laws (ahkaam) and evidence (adillah). [see ‘Tafseer al Quran al Azeem’ [vol.4]) “This is the Guidance of Allah with which He guides whomsoever He wills of His slaves. But if they had made shirk with Allah all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them. They are those whom we gave the Book and Al Hukm and Prophethood. But if they disbelieve therein, then indeed We have entrusted it to a people who are not disbelievers therein. They are those whom Allah had guided, So follow their guidance. Say: ‘No reward I ask you for this, it is only a reminder for the a’lameen.” (al Ana’m 6:88-90) So some scholars have committed the shirk of thinking they possess the keys to knowledge and instead of asking for no reward from the people for their teaching they have sought the worldly rewards of fame and praise.

Allah is Al Haadi, Al A’leem and no one can guide except Allah and to believe other than this is shirk in Allah’s names (asmaa) and attributes (sifaat). Allah explained in the Quran the shirk of those who claim to possess the keys to guidance and those who accept them and follow them in their false claims to guidance “Say: (O Muhammad) ‘Shall we call on others besides Allah that can do us neither good nor harm, and shall we turn on our heels after Allah has guided us? Like one whom the shayaateen confused (wandering) through the earth, his companions calling him to guidance (saying): ‘Come to us’’ Say: ‘Verily the Guidance of Allah is the only guidance, and we have been commanded to submit to the Rabbil A’lameen.” (al Ana’m 6:71) There are many so called scholars like this today, they claim that whoever goes to them will have knowledge and that whoever stays away from them will remain ignorant and they consider that whoever does not refer to them will have no way of gaining knowledge. Obviously, this shirk of theirs has blinded them from understanding that knowledge is from Allah and can come through many means “He grants hikmah to whom He pleases, and he to whom hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding.” (al Baqarah 2:269) and “O you who believe! If you have taqwa of Allah, He will grant you a criterion (furqaan) and will expiate for you your sins and forgive you and Allah is the Owner of the great bounty.” (al Anfaal 8:29) and Abu Hurayrah reported that Nabi (saw) said “The word of hikmah is the straying animal of the haakim and wherever he finds it he has a right to it.” (IBN MAAJAH, TIRMIDHI). In fact there is evidence that knowledge can even be gained from a deviant, a kaafir or anyone, as long as it is proven to be true. Even if Shaytaan conveys true knowledge, this knowledge would never become falsehood as the truth is the truth no matter who conveys it. Abu Hurayrah reported that once the Prophet (saw) had put him in charge of guarding the zakat of Ramadaan. He said ‘Someone came to me and began to take portions of the food. I caught him and told him that I was going to take him to the messenger of Allah (saw). The man complained ‘I am in great need and I have children dependent upon me.’ Therefore I let him go. In the morning the Prophet (saw) asked me, “What happened to the one you caught last night Abu Hurayrah?” I replied, ‘O Rasool Allah, he pleaded with me concerning his great need and his dependent children, so I felt pity for him and I let him go.’ The Prophet (saw) said “He lied to you and he will be back.” I knew therefore that he would return because the Prophet (saw) had said so. I waited for him. When he came, he again began to take loads of food. I caught him again and again I told him that I was going to take him to the messenger of Allah (saw). But when he pleaded ‘Let me go. I am in great need and have children dependent upon me,’ I again had mercy on him and let him go. In the morning the messenger of Allah (saw) again asked me, “Oh Abu Hurayrah, what happened to your prisoner last night?” I replied ‘Oh messenger of Allah, he complained to me of his great need and dependent children, so I let him go again.’ The Prophet (saw) said “He has lied to you and he will return.” I again waited for him and again he came and began taking loads of food. I caught him once again. I told him ‘This time I will definitely take you to the messenge of Allah. This is the third time you have done such an act.’ This time the man said to me, ‘If you let me go, I will teach you some words by which Allah will greatly benefit you! When you go to your bed recite ayaatul Kursi [al Baqarah 2:255] from “Allah there is no god but He, Ah Hayyul Qayyoom…” to the end of the verse. If you do so, a guardian from Allah will come and protect you from the Shayaateen until the morning.’ I decided to let him go. In the morning, the messenger of Allah (saw) again asked me, “What happened to your prisoner last night, Abu Hurayrah?” I answered, ‘He claimed that he would teach me some words that would benefit me greatly.’ The Prophet (saw) said, “He has told the truth although he is a liar. Do you know who that person was who you’ve been talking to for the last three nights?” I replied that I didn’t. The Prophet (saw) said “That was Shaytaan.” (BUKHAARI [Eng/Arabic vers. vol 3 no.505, vol4 no.495, vol.6 no.530] NASAA’I in ‘al Yawm wal Laylah’ DAARIMI [no.532]) Therefore Nabi (saw) confirmed that this particular information from Shaytaan was in accordance with the truth, Nabi (saw) did not tell Abu Hurayrah to reject this beneficial i’lm because of whom it was conveyed by. Yet in opposition to this example from Nabi (saw) some ignorant people prohibit themselves and others from taking knowledge from anyone other than their own teacher. This is proof of their deficient understanding of tawheed, Allah controls the whole universe including knowledge. The truth is one and there is no benefit in avoiding the truth and the one who opposes the truth, even if it is conveyed by someone they don’t like, will only be upon misguidance and falsehood. This is confirmed by the words of Allah “…So after the Truth, what else can there be except error?…” (Yunus 10:32) The one who turns away from knowledge and clings to the teachings of one man or group is one who is not recognising the Qadr (decree) of Allah for it is Allah that wills all events to occur, including the opportunity to take knowledge in different situations, Allah provides us with the means and then we decide either to take that beneficial knowledge or to ignore it.

Allah (swt) said “The only deen with Allah is Islam (submission).” (aali I’mraan 3:19) and “Whoever desires a deen other than submission (Islam) never will it be accepted of him and in the hereafter he will be among the losers.” (aali I’mraan 3:85) There are at least two matters to be taken from these verses and many Muslims automatically think they have fulfilled what the verses are commanding to because they assume that they are safe by being born into Islam or that they are happy to be Muslims and don’t want to be any other religion. However, these verses are not talking about the one who is Muslim by name but rather the meaning of the word ‘Islam’ is important here. The verses mean that whoever intends to lead a way of life that is based on anything other than the total submission to Allah (swt) then this person is astray. For the person to really be ‘Muslim’ he must be submitting to the will of Allah and not be submitting to his own desires nor the desires of anyone else, Allah (swt) said “Have you seen him who has taken for his god (ilaah) his own Desires (hawaa)? Would you then be a wakeel over him? Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle. Nay, they are even farther astray from the Path.” (al Furqaan 25:43-44) and “Have you seen him who has taken for his god (ilaah) his own desires (hawaa), and Allah knowing (him as such) left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember?” (al Jaathiyah 45:23) So the one who has not from the start set upon the firm determination to submit to Allah alone has become blind and will not follow the evidence but he will not see and not listen but he is now slave to the whisperings of Shaytaan within himself and submissive to the mubtadi’ah (innovators) who invent their own details of religion, clothe it with attractive language and then call this innovation ‘knowledge’. Allah described the reality of these people, they do not base their position on sure knowledge and proof but argue when they have no evidence from the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of His messenger and invent all kinds of false principles and then they spread this disease and illusion to other people who blindly imitate them, Allah (swt) says “And among mankind is he who disputes concerning Allah, without knowledge and follows every rebellious shaytaan. For him it is decreed that whosoever follows him he will mislead him and will drive him to the torment of the Fire.” (al Hajj 22:3-4) and “And among men is he who disputes about Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a Book giving light. Bending his neck (away from the truth in pride) and leading (others) astray from the Path of Allah. For Him there is disgrace in this worldly life and on the Day of Ressurection We shall make him taste the torment of burning.” (al Hajj 22:8-9) Such people and their followers have not made tawheed their basis and main concern but they have mixed up their intentions and objectives with shirk and they have followed the errors of the previous peoples who innovated so much and turned away from the commands of Allah to such an extent that they now follow a completely different religion to that which Allah revealed to them. The problems come from man turning away from the path of Allah and inventing his own way and making his own laws or following those who invent their own ways. These two types of shirk are among the most common types of shirk and we should learn the lesson that Allah has taught us throughout the Quran, which is to avoid shirk in everything and learn from the failure of the previous nations in this, Allah (swt) says “Corruption has appeared on the land and the sea because of what the hands of men have earned that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their actions: in order that they may turn back (from Evil). Say: ‘Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before (you): most of them worshipped others besides Allah." (ar Room 30:41-42) and if you warn them about this and inform of the ayaat of Allah they turn away. How is it that Allah clearly prohibited division and yet some people make it halaal, how is it that Allah commanded unity and yet some people prohibit it? It is exactly as Allah (swt) says “We have made things clear in this Quran so that they might take heed, but it only makes them run away more!” (al Israa 17:41) and such people should be warned “And who does more wrong than one to whom are recited the Signs of his Lord and who then turns away therefrom? Verily from those who transgress We shall exact (Due) Retribution.” (as Sajdah 32:22) Some do not stop at turning away from clear evidence but also try to distort the ayaat of Allah and twist the truth in order to avoid submitting to the truth that Allah has conveyed to them. Allah (swt) warns such people “And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or rejects the Truth when it reaches Him? Is there not a home in Hell for those who reject (kaafireen)?” (al Ankaboot 29:68) Some of the blind followers have raised their shuyukh to a level equal with the Prophets or even higher than that, they can not be questioned and their opinions are followed even if they oppose much evidence and contain contradictions Allah (swt) said “And of mankind there are some who take others besides Allah as equal (with Allah). They love them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are overflowing in their love for Allah. If only the wrongdoers could see, when they would see the torment, that to Allah belongs all power and that Allah is severe in punishment.” (al Baqarah 2:165) Some are so arrogant they think it is impossible that they could fall into such error and they do not take the warning from Allah but only consider that such verses apply to the likes of Christians who worship I’sa (as), however, the relationship between some blind followers and their shuyukh is similar, they consider that they can not learn from anyone other than their shaykh and they consider it wrong to seek knowledge from anywhere else. The true believer is happy to hear the truth and knowledge whereever it comes from, as he knows it is all from Allah Abu Sa’eed al Khudri reported that Nabi (saw) said “A believer is never satiated with gaining knowledge he goes on seeking it until his death and enters into Paradise.” (TIRMIDHI [no.222]) and this in accordance with the du’a that Allah gave us “Say: ‘ O My Lord increase me in knowledge…” (Ta Ha 20:114) and Umm Salamah reported that Nabi (saw) used to say after the Fajr prayer “O Allah, I ask you for beneficial knowledge, acceptable action and good provision.” (TIRMIDHI [no.2487] AHMAD, IBN MAAJAH) They do not percieve this subtle shirk which associates partners with Allah in Allahs attribute of the bestower of knowledge (Al A’leem) and the only Guide (Al Haadi). Allah warns of these subtle forms of shirk “This is the guidance of Allah with which He guides whomsoever He wills of His slaves. But if they had committted shirk with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.” (al Ana’m 6:88) In this verse Allah confirmed that Allah is the only one who can guide and then immediately mentioned that those who commit shirk will lose everything and all their deeds will become worthless, yet some people commit shirk in knowledge and don’t think it is shirk with Allah because they have not read the Quran with a sincere heart. Allah (swt) says “But most of them believe not in Allah except that they are mushrikoon.” (Yusuf 12:106) This ayah is a tremendous warning that people may believe in Allah and may even pray and do many good actions but they may end up in the fire because they did not fulfill the conditions of imaan and they did not affirm tawheed by recognition and action in all its branches. ‘Submission to Allah’ requires a thorough investigation of what Allah commands and anything other than this is not tawheed but is a form of shirk. So when a Muslim makes a decision he must be convinced that this decision and path of action that he has chosen is in compliance with what Allah has commanded, in other words he must believe he is doing what Allah really wants him to do in that situation, Allah (swt) said “But no by your Lord, they can have no imaan until they set you (O Muhammad) judge in any disputes that arise among them and then find in themselves no resistance against your decisions but submit to them with fullest submission (yusallimu tasleema).” (an Nisaa 4:65) So the one who opposes the clear evidence and instead follows the one who claims to be knowledgeable, and hopes that this is an excuse for him on Yawmil Qiyaamah is in severe error and such a person (who are in fact many) has not understood the true aim and distinguishing characteristics of Islam and has not understood the basic principle of tawheedul u’boodeeyah. The blind followers should be warned “Nay! Man will be a witness against himself, though he may put forth his excuses.” (al Qiyaamah 75:13-14) And those who follow blindly the falsehood should realise that they will be led by that which they followed on Yawmil Qiyaamah, Allah (swt) says “The Day when We shall call together all people with their Imaams. So whosoever is given his record in his right hand, such will read their records, and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least. And whoever is blind in this world will be blind in the hereafter and more astray from the Path.” (al Israa 17:71-72)The truth is that the haqq is much too great to be all contained within one man. Indeed, it is shirk to say that I’lm is all contained in one man. It is also falsehood to say that knowledge can only be gained through one means or one set of people. Allah made it clear that knowledge can be obtained everywhere because the whole earth and its contents are signs of the truth and Islam does not contradict reality “Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth. Verily, Therein is surely a sign for those who believe.” (al A’nkaboot 29:44) and “Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers.” (al Jaathiyah 45:3) These ayaat and others like them are not restricted but they are general. They are general in that the whole of the heavens and the earth are signs and these signs can be discovered by anybody who makes sincere effort to discover the truth. So it is clear from these ayaat that knowledge can be gained from Allah by means of the whole universe, so no-one has the right to narrow down the paths of knowledge. Also, Allah (swt) says “We shall show them Our signs on the horizons and in their ownselves until it becomes manifest to them that this is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things.” Will you not then see?” (Fussilat 41:53) and “And on the earth are signs for those who have certain belief (lil mooqineen) and also in your ownselves.” (adh Dhaariyaat 51:20-21) and “And (Allah) has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth it is all as a favour and a kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply.” (yatafakkaroon)” (al Jaathiyah 45:13) Allah describes the creation and then mentions that in all of this are signs and knowledge for people who use their minds, Allah (swt) says “…We have explained in detail Our ayaat for people who know (ya’lamoon).” (al Ana’m 6:97) and “…Indeed, We have explained in detail Our ayaat for people who understand (yafqahoon).” (al Ana’m 6:98) and “…Verily, in these things are signs for people who believe (yu’minoon)” (al Ana’m 6:99) and “…Thus do We explain the signs in detail for a people who use their intellects (ya’qiloon)” (ar Room 30:28) So all of these and hundreds more ayaat prove that knowledge is open to all through numerous means and the most important knowledge is the knowledge of tawheed. So without doubt it is not only the ‘scholars’ who are commanded to use their minds but the salvation of every person depends upon how they used the mind that Allah had created them with. It is amazing that people use their mind when it comes to trading, travelling and going to the toilet yet they do not want to use their minds to discover the truth about the next life which is certain to come, nor do they want to use their minds to understand the final message to mankind. Even within the Muslim ummah there are those who try to prohibit their followers from using their minds so that they follow their fataawa blindly and they hope their errors and deceptions will never be discovered. Some of these corrupted teachers never accept the truth if it comes from one whom they consider inferior but they should take warning from the Quran, where Allah (swt) says “Woe to ever sinful liar. Who hears the verses of Allah being recited to him, yet persists with pride as if he heard them not. So annouce to him a painful torment.” (al Jaathiyah 45:7-8) The people are cursed who do not use their intellects and who do not make effort to discover the truth, Allah (swt) says “And surely, We have created many of the jinn and mankind for Hell. They have hearts wherewith they understand not, they have eyes wherewith they see not, and they have ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle, nay even more astray. Those, they are the heedless ones (ghaafiloon).” (al A’raaf 7:179) and “Verily, the worst of creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and the dumb, those who don’t use their intellects.” (al Anfaal 8:22) and “And they will say: ‘Had we but listened or used our intellects (na’qilu) we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire.” (al Mulk 67:10) It should also be remembered that among those who rejected the Nabi (saw) were those who brought forward nonsensical excuses and Allah condemned them for not thinking properly, Allah (swt) says “Do they not think (yatafakkaru)? There is no madness in their companion (Muhammad [saw]). He is but a plain warner.” (al A’raaf 7:184) That which contradicts knowledge and proof should never be followed, we may seek knowledge through listening and through reading and seeing and our hearts will understand the knowledge. If we follow that which contradicts our knowledge we should realise that Allah will question our sight, hearing and hearts about that knowledge which we received and understood but acted in opposition to, Allah (swt) says “And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing and the sight and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned.” (al Israa 17:36) The warning about shirk has been made very clear to the blind followers, Adi bin Haatim said that he heard Nabi (saw) recite the verse “They took their rabbis and their priests to be lords besides Allah and the messiah Ibn Maryam, while they were commanded to worship none but one ilaah, laa ilaha illa huwa. Praise and Glory be to Him from having the partners they associate.” (at Tawbah 9:31) So I said to him (saw) ‘Verily, we did not worship them’ to which he (saw) replied, “Did they not make haraam what Allah made halaal, so you then made it haraam. And did they not make halaal what Allah made haraam and you therefore made it halaal?” I said ‘Yes’ He (saw) said, “That is worshipping them.” (AHMAD, TIRMIDHI) This ayah and hadeeth is a warning not only to those who commit shirk by obeying the rulers who rule by other than what Allah has revealed but it is also a warning about the shirk of blind followers of scholars. They follow those scholars even when they contradict the clear rules which Allah (swt) has revealed, it is a warning about deviant belief that some blind followers possess which is that men apart from the Prophets and Messengers possess divine protection in their knowledge. Not even a sincere a’lim is protected from error and so he should not be followed in his clear mistakes but then what is the case with the one people take as a scholar while this ‘scholar’ is a mubtadi’ (innovator) or one who possesses worldy motivation and does not seek the truth from Allah nor does he seek the pleasure of Allah but only the fame of knowledge and the praise of the people?Allah (swt) condemned some of the Ahlul Kitaab due to their twisting of the wahi “And verily among them there is a party which distorts the Book with their tongues, so that you may think that it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say ‘This is from Allah’ but it is not from Allah and they speak a lie against Allah while they know it.” (aali I’mraan 3:78) We as Muslims should be aware that there are those who claim to be Muslims who have also followed this error and they legislate and effectively make themselves Lords, and in the next ayah, Allah (swt) says “It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given the Book and al Hukma and Prophethood to say to the people ‘Be my worshippers rather than Allahs.’ On the contrary (he would say:) ‘Be you Rabbaniyyoon (learned men who practise what they know and convey it), because you are teaching the Book and are studying it.” (aali I’mraan 3:79) So the sign of the a’lim is that he constantly calls to tawheed and does not call the people to worship himself in any form whatsoever. And in the next ayah “Nor would He order you to take angels and prophets for Lords. Would He order you to disbelieve after you have submitted (muslimoon).” (aali I’mraan 3:80) So if this is the case with Prophets and Angels then what of those of much lesser status such as scholars who raise themselves to be Lords before their followers and what of those who blindly follow them in this form of Lordship? Allah informed us about the shirk of attributing intercession to others without authority from Allah “Who doth more wrong than such as forge a lie against Allah or deny His Signs? But never will prosper those who sin.They serve besides Allah things that hurt them not nor profit them and they say: ‘These are our intercessors with Allah.’ Say: ‘Do ye indeed inform Allah of something He knows not in the heavens or on earth?’ Glory to Him! and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!" (Yunus 10:17-18) In the a’qeedah Islam established the principle that there is to be no blind taqleed and so the disbelievers were criticized for following the ways of the people after they had been conveyed the evidence, Allah (swt) says “Nay! they say: ‘We found Our fathers following a certain religion and We do guide ourselves by their footsteps.’Just in the same way whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people the wealthy ones among them said: ‘We found Our fathers following a certain religion and We will certainly follow in their footsteps.’ He said: ‘What! even if I brought you better guidance than that which ye found your fathers following?’ They said: ‘For us We deny that ye (prophets) are sent (on a mission at all).’ So We exacted retribution from them: now see what was the end of those who rejected (Truth)” (az Zukhruf 43:22-25) So the principle of following the truth which is indicated by evidence does not stop at the a’qeedah but it is a principle which generally applies to the whole of Islam. The truth should never be abandoned because some people do not follow it, neither should the falsehood be followed due to following those scholars who have adopted falsehood. Islam judges the people by the truth it does not judge the truth by the people. Allah warned severely about rejecting the evidence and Allah warned about those who turned the deen into a game "‘Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play and were deceived by the life of the world.’ That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs and as they were wont to reject Our signs.” (al A’raaf 7:51) So are those who blindly follow and fall into partisanship not afraid that this ayah may apply to them as they turn the Islamic activities into a game and forget Allah during the such activities?The warning is clear regarding the shirk of the blind followers and it is also clear regarding the shirk of those who are blindly followed and are pleased with this blind following while they oppose the ayaat of Allah. Abu Hurayrah reported that Nabi (saw) said “He who seeks knowledge which should be sought only for the pleasure of Allah but instead seeks it for worldly reasons, he will not even smell the fragrance of paradise on Yawmil Qiyaamah.” (AHMAD, ABU DAWOOD, IBN MAAJAH) , Abu Hurayrah reported that Nabi (saw) said “The first of people against whom judgement will be pronounced on the Day of Ressurrection will be a man who died a martyr. He will be brought (forward) and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them. Allah will say: ‘And what did you do about them?’ He will say ‘I fought for you until I died shaheed (a martyr)’ He (swt) will say ‘You have lied. You fought so that it might be said ‘He is courageous.’ And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hellfire. Another will be a man who has studied knowledge and has taught it and who used to recite the Quran. He will be brought (forward) and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognise them. Allah will say ‘And what did you do about them?’ He will say ‘I studied knowledge and I taught it and I recited the Quran for Your sake.’ He (swt) will say ‘You have lied. You studied knowledge so that it might be said of you ‘He is an a’lim’ And you recited the Quran so that it might be said of you ‘He is a qaari.’ And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into the Hellfire. Another will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given all kinds of wealth. He will be brought (forward) and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognise them. Allah will say ‘And what did you do about them?’ He will say ‘I left no path untrodden in which You like wealth to be spent without spending in it for Your sake’ He (swt) will say ‘You have lied. You did but do so, that it might be said of you ‘He is openhanded (i.e. generous)’ And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into the Hellfire.” (MUSLIM [no.4688-4689]) The a’lim should realise that even he must always seek knowledge from Allah as he may have made mistakes and he must always seek to improve by seeking the beneficial knowledge as he knows not which is the heavier side of his scale of deeds. It is reported by Anaas bin Maalik that Nabi (saw) said “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim…” (IBN MAAJAH [1/224] TIRMIDHI [no.218] BAYHAQI in ‘Shu’bul Imaan’) This command is for everyone including the a’lim and it means that his knowledge is incomplete. Some of those who are followed blindly are so arrogant that they think they can never be wrong and if they are wrong they will never admit it and benefit from the nasiha but instead will twist the truth and insult or slander the one who highlights their error so that they can preserve their own reputation. Such people should be warned by the words of Allah “I shall turn away from My signs those who are arrogant on the earth without right, and even if they see all the signs they will not believe in them. And if they see the way of righteousness they will not adopt it as the way, but if they see the way of error, they will adopt that way, that is because they have rejected Our ayaat and were heedless from them.” (al A’raaf 7:146) So all of knowledge may dissappear for the one who is arrogant and for the one who rejects the truth in any matter that has been proven by clear proof. After this they start to see misguidance and innovation as the right way and they see the straight path as misguidance. After this severe warning against shirk in knowledge we remind the Muslims that Allah told us that only those who have correct belief (imaan) and are correctly motivated in their Islamic actions and do not commit shirk in anything (including knowledge) will b e those by whom Allah will establish the deen in strength so that the Muslims can lead mankind. Allah (swt) said, “Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous actions, that He will certainly grant them succession in the earth (layastakhlifannahum fil Ard) as He granted succession (istikhlaaf) to those before them and that he will grant them the power to their deen (wa layumakkinanna lahum deenahum) , that which He has chosen for them. And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (wa layubaddilannahum min ba’di khawfihim amnaan), they worship Me and do not associate anything with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this they are the faasiqoon.” (an Noor 24:55)

A warning about bida’

Abu Hurayrah reported that Nabi (saw) said “There will be dajjaals and liars among my ummah. They will tell you something new, which neither you nor your forefathers have heard. Be on your guard against them and do not let them lead you astray.” (AHMAD [20/349 check ref.]) So there is a warning here about being led astray and Nabi (saw) informed that a sign of these deviant leaders would be that they would invent new matters. There is no excuse for the one who calls to the prohibited innovation nor for the one who follows that prohibited innovation, and the ones who originally innovated the error will bear the burden of the followers. This then is a severe warning to all those leaders of groups and scholars who are blindly followed and it is a warning to those who follow them. They must verify all that they call to in order to see that they are not calling to prohibited errors. Jareer bin A’bdullah narrated that Nabi (saw) said “He who introduced some good practice to Islam which was followed after him he would be assured of reward like one who followed it, without their reward being diminished in any respect. And he who introduced some evil practice in Islam which had been followed, he would be required to bear the burden like that of one who followed this (evil practice) without their’s being diminished in any respect.” (MUSLIM [6466-6469)

Already, much has been mentioned about the warning to seek the correctness or istiqaamah of all matters. All opinions must be compared to the Quran and the Sunnah and the pure rational thought and the explanations that have been transmitted by the salaf, as they were the highest authority in interpreting the rules of the deen due to their closeness to the messenger (both in time and place)and the sending down of the wahi. The original way of the Prophet (saw) and that way which he left us upon in the enlightened city of Madeenah must be followed. If we are upon a way that contradicts this way, then there can be no expectation for success. Imam Maalik is reported to have said “Nothing will benefit the last ones of this ummah except that which benefitted its first ones.” (IBN A’BDUL BARR in ‘at Tamheed’) and this statement of Maalik is consistent with the hadith reported by Abu Hurayrah that Nabi (saw) said “Verily the deen would return to Madeenah just as the snake crawls back to its hole.” (MUSLIM, BUKHAARI) The matter of returning to the ways of the first Muslims is of course established by many ayaat and ahadith. We must follow the beliefs and their explanation as transmitted by the salaf from the Quran and the Sunnah “So if they believe as you believe they are indeed on the right path.” (al Baqarah 2:137) We must also follow all the laws and methods of the Quran and Sunnah as transmitted by the sahaabah for Allah (swt) said “If anyon e contends with the messenger, even after the guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that of the believers, We shall leave him in that path that he has chosen and land him in Hell, what an evil refuge.” (an Nisaa 4:115) If a text is unclear or a new situation arises, then it may be open to differing interpretation for those who possess the necessary qualities, but they must seek the best interpretation which is most likely to be the guidance of Allah concerning the matter. “And give good tidings to those of My servants who listen to the word and follow the most excellent of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided and endowed with understanding.” (az Zumar 39:18)