There has been much talk about Muslim unity or rather the lack of it, and the causes of disunity amongst the Muslim Ummah. The disunity of the Muslim Ummah is no doubt due to the deviation from the stright path of Islam.
What is Innovation or Bidah (in Arabic)Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “According to sharee’ah, the definition is ‘Worshipping Allaah in ways that Allaah has not prescribed.’ So Everyone who worships Allaah in a manner that Allaah has not prescribed or in a manner that is not in accordance with the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or his rightly-guided successors (al-khulafa’ al-raashidoon), is an innovator, whether that innovated worship has to do with the names and attributes of Allaah, or to do with His rulings and laws
Both the Quran and Hadith warn about deviation from the stright path in many verses. The prophet (peace be upon him) stated that the ummah would split up into many sects and that only those who stick to his path will enter jannah. Ibn Jawazi rahmahullah has written a great book on how the devil/shaytan decieved the ummah into the deviated innovated sects such as sufism, shiasim and khawaarij (click on the Deviant groups tab for more info on these sects).
The `Siraat ul-Mustaqeem’ (Straight Path) is the path to which Allaah has called and that is the Sunnah. And `Subul (other paths) are the paths of the people of disagreement who turn away from the Straight Path, and they are the People of Innovation.
“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqûn” [Al-An'aam 6:153]
In Aqidatu's-Salaf Ashabu'l-Hadith
The Creed of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) the people of hadith by Shaykhu'l-Islam Imam Abu Uthman Ismail ibn Abdur-Rahman as-Sabuni It states the following
"Deviations from the Straight Path did not appear in the Ummah until the people left the Revelation of Allah (awj) and the methodology, clearly expounded by our pious predecessors, replacing it for man-made ideologies.
This sometimes consisted of Greek philosophy as well as the ignorant deviations of man’s intellect. This changed the religion of Allah (awj), to such an extent that the Ummah splintered into groups, each of these developing its own methodology, way, leaders and followers.
In every period of weakness and deviation Allah has raised scholars who correct and, thus preserve the creed of Ahlu's-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah. They safeguard it and refute those who oppose it. This is so, even today and shall be until the Day of Judgement, inshaAllah.
A great number of scholars of Ahlu's-Sunnah have authored many books, clarifying the correct creed, which is obligatory for every Muslim to believe. One such book is the one in the reader’s hands, entitled Aqidatu's-Salaf Ashabu'l-Hadith, by Shaykhu'l-Islam Imam Abu Uthman Ismail ibn Abdur-Rahman as-Sabuni. He mentioned the importance of returning to the creed which the scholars of the Ummah were united upon".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The issue of unity amongst the ummaah is of course of great importance, something the entire ummah would like to happen, however the prophet (peace be upon him) and the pious predecessors have warned against uniting with those who have deviated from the stright path of Islam. Until these people return to the stright path unity amongst the ummah can not be achieved. How can the rightly guided Muslims unite with those who have innovated and deviated from the path of the Prophet (peace be upn him) Who have instead chosen to follow shaytan and their own desires.
The SALAFI dawah is that of the Quran & Sunnah. It is not a "sect". The Prophet (peace upn him said)"How excellent a Salaf I am for you." (Muslim, no. 2450). How can the path of the prophet (peace be upon him therefore be a sect?)
These are the sects that caused disunity & innovation amongst the ummaah: The SHIAS who curse the companions, KHAWARAJIS who call Muslims kafirs & agree with sucide bombings, SUFIS who worship graves & claim devine incarnation, MUQALLIDOON who blindly follow madhabs & sheikhs, MURJIAH who claim iman to be only... words & not deed. ASHARRIYAH who deny Allah's Attributes.
The Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) warned against the People of Innovation, from befriending, supporting or taking from them saying: "Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind." Reported by Bukhaaree (12/41) and Muslim (9/140)
And in his footsteps, we find the Noble Companions and the Taabi'een after them warning from the danger of innovations upon the Ummah, its people and their unity, since it is innovations which have divided the Ummah and split it asunder.
Ibn Abbaas (d. 68H) said: "Indeed the most detestable of things to Allaah are the innovations." Reported by al-Bayhaqee in as-Sunan al-Kubraa (4/316)
Ibn Umar (d. 84H) said: "Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people see it as something good." Reported by Abu Shaamah (no. 39)
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) said:"Innovation is more beloved to Iblees than sin, since a sin may be repented from but innovation is not repented from." Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (no. 238)
Al-Fudayl bin 'Iyaad (d. 187H) said: "I met the best of people, all of them people of the Sunnah and they used to forbid from accompanying the people of innovation." Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (no.267)
Al-Hasan al-Basree (d. 110H) said: "Do not sit with the people of innovation and desires, nor argue with them, nor listen to them." Reported by ad-Daarimee in his Sunan (1/121)
Ibraaheem bin Maysarah (d.132H) said: "Whoever honours an innovator has aided in the destruction of Islam." Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (1/139).
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) said: "Whoever listens to an innovator has left the protection of Allaah and is entrusted with the innovation." Reported by Abu Nu'aym in al-Hilyah (7/26) and Ibn Battah (no.444).
Imaam Maalik (d. 179H) said: "How evil are the people of innovation, we do not give them salaam." Reported by al-Baghawee in Sharh us-Sunnah (1/234).
Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee (d. 204H) said: "That a person meets Allaah with every sin except Shirk is better than meeting Him upon any one of the innovated beliefs." Reported by al-Bayhaqee in al-I'tiqaad (p.158)
Al-Fudayl bin 'Iyaad (d. 187H) said: That I eat with a Jew and a Christian is more beloved to me than that I eat with a person of innovation." Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee (no.1149)
Al-Fudayl bin 'Iyaad said: "If a man comes to a person to consult him and he directs him to an innovator, then he has made a deception of Islaam. Beware of going to a person of innovation for they divert [people] from the truth." Sharh Usool ul-I'tiqaad of al-Laalikaa'ee (no.261)
THE PATH IS ONE
EditThe Splitting up of this Umma: Due to the Innovations and Innovatorsby Zahra Bint Abdullah on Sunday, 10 October 2010 at 13:32
Author: Imaam ash-ShatibeeSource: Al-I’tisaam
Imaam ash-Shaatibee (rahimahullaah) said in al-I’tisaam (1/40-45):
…And Ibn Wahb said: “I heard Maalik saying: `There is no verse inthe Book of Allaah that is harder upon those in disagreement amongstthe People of Desires than this verse:
On the Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) when some faces willbecome white and some faces will become black; as for those whosefaces will become black (to them will be said): “Did you rejectFaith after accepting it? Then taste the torment (in Hell) forrejecting Faith.” [Aali Imraan 3:106]
Maalik said: “And which words are more clearer than these?’ And Isaw him explaining these verses in reference to the People of Desires.”
Ibn al-Qaasim reported this and added: “Maalik said to me: `Thisverse is about the people of the qiblah [i.e. Muslims].” And whatImaam Maalik has said about this verse has been narrated from morethan one person as has preceded such as al-Hasan.
From Qataadah, that he said regarding the saying of Allaah:
And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves afterthe clear proofs had come to them [Aali Imraan 3:105]
“Meaning: The People of Innovation.”
And from Ibn `Abbaas, that he said regarding the saying of Allaah:
On the Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) when some faces willbecome white and some faces will become black [Aali Imraan 3:106]
“The faces of Ahl us-Sunnah will become white and the faces of Ahlul-Bid’ah will become black.”
And also amongst the verses [that are related to the censure ofinnovation] is His saying:
“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not(other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. ThisHe has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqûn” [Al-An'aam6:153]
The `Siraat ul-Mustaqeem’ (Straight Path) is the path to which Allaah has called and that is the Sunnah. And `Subul (other paths)are the paths of the people of disagreement who turn away from theStraight Path, and they are the People of Innovation. And the intenthere is not the `paths of disobedience’ because no one makesdisobedience a path that he continuously treads upon – in imitationof and resemblance to the legislation, but rather this descriptionis specifically for the invented innovations.
And what Ismaa’eel has narrated from Sulaimaan bin Harb givesevidence to this: “Hammaad bin Zaid narrated to us from `Aasim binBahdalah from Abu Waa’il from Abdullaah [Ibn `Abbaas] who said: `OneDay the Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) drew for us a long,straight line’ and then Sulaimaan drew for us a long, straightline, `and then he drew lines to its right and to its left and thensaid: This is the Path of Allaah. Then he drew lines to its rightand to its left and said: These are different paths, upon each ofthese ways is a devil calling to it’, and then he recited the verse:
“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not(other) paths…” [Al-An'aam 6:153]
meaning these paths
“…for they will separate you away from His Path” Al-An’aam 6:153]”
Bikr bin `Alaa said: “He meant the devils amongst men and these arethe innovations and Allaah knows best.
And the hadeeth has been reported in many ways.
And `Umar bin Salamah al-Hamdaanee said: “We were sitting in thecircle of Ibn Mas’ood in the mosque, which had been plain land afterit had been covered with gravel. `Ubaidullaah bin Umar ibn al-Khattaab, who had just returned from an expedition, said tohim: `What is the straight path O Abu `Abdur-Rahmaan?’ Hereplied: `By the Lord of the Ka’bah, it is that which your fatherwas firmly established upon until he entered Paradise’ and then heswore firmly upon that three times, Then he drew a line in theground with his hand and also drew lines to either side of it andsaid: `Your Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) left you upon thisend and its other end is in Paradise. So whoever remains steadilyupon it will enter Paradise and whoever takes any of these lineswill be destroyed.”
And in another narration: “O Abu `Abdur-Rahmaan, what is thestraight path?” He said: “The Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihiwasallam) left us upon the nearest end of the line and its other endis in Paradise. And to its left and right are roads in which thereare men who invite those who pass by them, saying: `Come this way!Come this way!” So whoever is taken by them to those paths will endup in Hellfire and whoever remains steadfast upon the great pathwill end up, through it, in Paradise.” The Ibn Mas’ood recited:
“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not(other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. ThisHe has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqûn” [Al-An'aam6:153]
And Mujaahid said about the saying of Allaah:
…and follow not (other) paths [Al-An'aam 6:153]
“The innovations and doubts.”
And Abdur-Rahmaan bin Mahdee said: “Maalik bin Anas had been askedabout the Sunnah and he said: `It is whatever has no other name forit except `the Sunnah’ and he recited:
“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not(other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. [Al-An'aam 6:153]
Bikr bin `Alaa said: “He means – if Allaah wills – the hadeeth ofIbn Mas’ood that the Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) drew aline…” and he mentioned the hadeeth.
And this explanation (tafseer) shows that the verse includes all thedifferent paths of innovation and does not specify one innovationover others.
And also amongst the verses [that are related to the censure ofinnovation] is the saying of Allaah the Exalted:
And upon Allâh is the responsibility to explain the Straight Pathbut there are ways that turn aside. And had He willed, He would haveguided you all (mankind). [An-Nahl 16:9]
The explained path is the Path of Truth and that which is other thanit, turns away from the truth – and these are the paths ofinnovations and misguidance – may Allaah protect us, by HisExcellence, from travelling upon them. It is sufficient for whateverturns away [from the Truth] that it is warned against and the versecontains a warning and a prohibition [of taking other paths thatturn deviate from the Truth].
And Ibn Waddaah mentioned, saying: “‘Aasim bin Bahdalah wasquestioned: `O Abu Bakr, have you considered the saying of Allaah,the Exalted:
And upon Allâh is the responsibility to explain the Straight Pathbut there are ways that turn aside. And had He willed, He would haveguided you all (mankind). [An-Nahl 16:9]
He replied: `Abu Waa’il informed us, from `Abdullaah Ibn Mas’oodsaying: “Abdullaah bin Mas’ood drew a straight line and drew linesto its right and to its left and then said: `The Messenger(sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) drew just like this, and he saidabout the straight line: `This is the path of Allaah’ and about thelines to its right and left he said: `These are different ways, uponeach of these ways is a devil calling to it.” Allaah the Exaltedsaid:
“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it… [Al-An'aam6:153]
to the end of the verse.
From at-Tustaree, that he said: “Explanation of the path (qasd us-sabeel) – that is the path of the Sunnah, ` ways that turn aside’(wa minhaa jaa’ir) – meaning to the Hellfire and they are the sectsand innovations.”
And from Mujaahid, that he said: “”Explanation of the path (qasd us-sabeel) – meaning the one who is justly balanced betweenexaggeration and negligence and this shows that the one who turnsaside is one who commits excesses or is negligent, and both of themare amongst the descriptions of the innovations.”
And from `Alee (radiallaahu `anhu), that he used to read it: “Waminkum jaa’ir…” (And amongst you is one that turns aside). Theysaid: `He means by that this Ummah.’
So it is as if this verse along with the one before it have comewith the same meaning.
And amongst the verses is the saying of Allaah:
Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (allkinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad) have no concern in themin the least. Their affair is only with Allâh, Who then will tellthem what they used to do. [Al-An'aam 6:159]
The explanation (tafseer) of this verse has come in the hadeeth fromAa’ishah (radiallaahu anhaa) who said: “The Messenger(sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) said: `O Aa’ishah! Verily, those whodivide their religion and break up into sects. Who are they?’ So Isaid: `Allaah and His Messenger know best.’ He replied: `They arethe People of Desires, the People of Innovations and the People ofMisguidance from this Ummah. O Aaishah! For every sin there isrepentance, except [for] the People of Desires and Innovations,there is no repentance from them and I am free and innocent of themand they of me.”
Ibn `Atiyyah said: “This verse includes the People of Desires,Innovations and Deviation in the minor matters and others besidesthem from amongst the people engrossed in argumentation, anddisputation with theological rhetoric (kalaam). All of this isdirected towards the mistakes and the arena of evil beliefs.”
And he means – and Allaah knows best – by `amongst the peopleengrossed in argumentation, and disputation in the minor matters’what Abu `Umar bin `Abdul-Barr in the chapter on `Censure of Ra’I(Opinion)’ in his book `Kitaab ul-`Ilm’ and we shall mention it [indue course] with the power of Allaah.
And Ibn Battaal quotes in his `Sharh ul-Bukhaaree’ from Abu Haneefahthat he said: “I met `Ataa ibn Rabaah in Makkah and I asked himabout something and he said: `From which place are you?’ Isaid: `Kufah’. He said: `Are you from the town [whose inhabitants]split their religion and break into sects?’ I said: `Yes’. Hesaid: `From which group are you?’ I said: `From those who do notrevile and abuse the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), who have faith inQadr and who do not declare anyone to be a disbeliever on account asin [that he committed].’ So `Ataa said: `You know [the truth] sohold fast.”
And from al-Hasan who said: “Uthmaan bin `Affaan (radiallaahu `anhu)came out one day and addressed us with a sermon but the peopleinterrupted his speech and began to throw pebbles at each otheruntil — He said: `And we heard a voice from one of the rooms ofthe Wives of Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) and it was said:This is the voice of the Mother of the Believers.’ He said: `So Iheard it and she was saying: `Verily, your Prophet is free andinnocent from the one who divides his religion and breaks up into asect’ and she recited:
Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (allkinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad) have no concern in themin the least [Al-An'aam 6:159]
Al-Qaadee Ismaa’eel said: “I consider that he means by hissaying `Mother of the Believers’ to be Umm Salamah, that has beenmentioned in some of the hadeeth and Aai’shah at that time wasperforming Hajj.”
And from Abu Hurairah: “That this verse was revealed in connectionwith this Ummah.” And from Abu Umaamah: “They are the Khawaarij.”
Al-Qaadee said: `The apparent meaning (dhaahir) of the Qur’aanindicates that everyone who introduces an innovation into thereligion such as the Khawaarij and others besides them – that theycome under this verse, because when they innovate, they argue anddispute [over this innovation], cause divisions and break off intosects.”
And amongst such verses is the saying of the Exalted:
And be not of Al Mushrikûn (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah,polytheists, idolaters, etc). Of those who split up their religion(i.e. the true Islâmic Monotheism), and became sects, [i.e. theyinvented new things in the religion (Bid'ah), and followed theirvain desires], each sect rejoicing in that which is with it. [Rum30:31-32]
It is also read as `faaraqoo’ [instead of `farraqoo' - therebygiving it the meaning `depart from and sever oneself from thereligion']. Abu Hurairah explained it with reference to theKhawaarij and Abu Umaamah has reported this in marfoo’ form.
It has also been said: `They are the People of Desires andInnovations’. They said: `Aa’ishah (radiallaahu anhaa) reported itfrom the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam)’ and that is becausethis is the nature of the one who innovates – as Ismaa’eel al-Qaadeehas said and as has preceded in the other verses.
And amongst such verses is the saying of the Exalted:
Say: “He has power to send torment on you from above or from underyour feet, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and makeyou to taste the violence of one another. [Al-An'aam 6:65]
From Ibn `Abbaas that: “Covering you with confusion in party strife,this is the divergent and varying desires (i.e. innovations).”
And built upon His saying:
…and make you to taste the violence of one another. [Al-An'aam 6:65]
is the pronunciation of takfeer [declaring someone a disbeliever] ofsome of you over others so that they fight each other, as occurredwith the Khawaarij when they revolted against the Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. And it has been said that the meaning of:
..or to cover you with confusion in party strife [Al-An'aam 6:65]
is “Covering with differences/disunity”
Mujaahid and Abu al-`Aaliyah said: “This verse is about the Ummah ofMuhammad (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam).” Abu al-`Aaliyahsaid: “They are four in number, two of them appeared twenty-fiveyears after the death of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam),so they were covered with the confusion of party-strife and some ofthem were made to taste the violence of others – and two remainedand they will occur, for sure: Being swallowed from underneath you(i.e. by the earth) and being transformed/disfigured from above you.”
And this, all of it, is very clear in that the differences anddesires (i.e. innovations) are disliked and not liked and areblameworthy and not praiseworthy.
And from what has been reported from Mujaahid about the saying ofAllaah:
But they will not cease to disagree – except him on whom your Lordhas bestowed His Mercy (the follower of truth – Islâmic Monotheism)and for that did He create them. [Hud 11:118-119]
He said about `those who disagree’: “They are the People of Falsehood” and about `except him on whom your Lord has bestowed HisMercy’: `The People of Truth, there is no difference amongst them.”
And it has been reported from Mutarrif bin ash-Shakheer that hesaid: “If the desires had been but one (i.e. united) then a personwould have said: `Perhaps the truth is in it. But when the desiressplit and separate [and become many], every possessor ofintelligence knows that the truth never splits [contradictingitself].”
From `Ikrimah “‘But they will not cease to disagree’, meaning in thedesires [i.e. their innovations] and `except him on whom your Lordhas bestowed His Mercy’, they are the Ahl us-Sunnah.”
And Abu Bakr bin Thaabit al-Khateeb has quoted from Mansoor binAbdur-Rahmaan that he said: “We were sitting with al-Hasan and therewas a man behind me standing and he began to order me to ask himabout the saying of Allaah:
But they will not cease to disagree – except him on whom your Lordhas bestowed His Mercy [Hud 11:118-119]
So he said: “Yes, `they will not cease to disagree’ upon theirdifferent ways `except on whom your Lord has bestowed His Mercy’ sowhomever He bestows His Mercy upon does not disagree.[i.e. he is notin disagreement as to the truth, he is clear about it.]
And Ibn Wahb reports from `Umar bin `Abdul `Azeez and Maalik binAnas: “The People of Mercy do not differ.” And this verse has abeautiful explanation which will come later – if Allaah wills.”
[End of Article]
—————-
So know, O reader, that all of the innovated sects fall under this, for they are those who have introduced many innovations into this Ummah and have thus split this Ummah. From them are the extreme Khwaarij such as al-Qa’idah and their likes, the Sufis, the Tableeghi Jamaat in South Asia and other than there, the Qutubees, the Raafidah Sh’eeah, the Ikhwaanal Muslimoon, and any other sect which has gone away from the correct understanding of this religion as the pious predecessors understood this religion.
