Imam Ibn Bazz: The knowledge of the Religious Rulings is the Most Important Obligation

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The knowledge of the Religious Rulings is the Most Important Obligation

All praise be to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Servant of Allah, and His Messenger and the best of His creation, his family, his Companions, and whoever follows his guidance until the Day of Resurrection! To proceed:

Knowing Allah's Rulings is a duty on every Muslim, male or female, in all necessary matters that they need. Thus, they can worship their Lord with true guidance and clear insight.

A Muslim can neither understand Islam nor act according to it unless he knows its rulings, pays attention to them, and exerts his effort and strength to be acquainted with them. Thus, his worship to his Lord can be built on a true and firm basis. Whomsoever Allah grants the success of knowing the rulings of this great faith and acting according to them will be guided to Al­Sirat­ul­Mustaqim (the Straight Path) and will surely attain much goodness.

Allah (Glorified be He) says: He grants Hikmah to whom He pleases, and he, to whom Hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good. But none remember (will receive admonition) except men of understanding. Commenting on this Ayah (Qur'anic verse), Al­Hafizh Ibn Kathir said : `Ali ibn Abu Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said concerning Allah's statement, He grants Hikmah to whom He pleases "Hikmah means knowledge of the Qur'an; its abrogating and abrogated verses, its Muhkamat (clearly decided Qur’anic verses, mostly concerning legal rulings) and its Mutashabihat (Qur’anic verses whose meanings require explaination), its first and its last, and its ordinances, prohibitions, and parables." It was narrated by Juwaybir from Al­Dahhak that Ibn `Abbas narrated in a Hadith Marfu` (a Hadith narrated from the Prophet with a connected or disconnected chain of narration): "Hikmah is the Qur'an." He means by the Qur'an,

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the understanding of the Qur'an. Ibn `Abbas said, "Verily, both the pious and the wicked already recite it [i.e. the Qur'an]." This Hadith was narrated by Ibn Mardawayh. Moreover, it was said by Ibn Abu Najeeh that Mujahid said, "Hikmah means soundness in everything said." It is narrated by Layth ibn Abu Sulaym that Mujahid said concerning the verse which reads, He grants Hikmah to whom He pleases Hikmah does not mean prophethood; it means knowledge, Fiqh (jurisprudence), and Qur'an." Abu Al­`Aliyah said, "Hikmah means to fear Allah, for fearing Allah is the peak of every form of wisdom." It is narrated by Ibn Mardawayh from Baqiyyah from `Uthman ibn Zufar A l­ Juhany from Abu `Ammar Al­Asadi from Ibn Mas`ud in the form of Hadith Marfu`: "Fearing Allah is the pinnicle of Hikmah." It was said by Abu Al­`Aliyah in a narration on his authority that Hikmah is the Book (Qur'an) and proper understanding. Ibrahim Al­Nakh`i stated, "Hikmah means understanding." Abu Malik said, "Hikmah is the Sunnah." Wahb reported from Malik that Zayd ibn Aslam said, Hikmah means reason. Malik said, "I am deeply inlcined to think that Hikmah is the understanding of the Religion of Allah (i.e. Islam). It is something that Allah casts into hearts out of His Mercy and Blessing. An example that clarifies what I said is that sometimes we meet some people who are very reasonable regarding worldly affairs while we meet others who are not, but they are knowledgeable of their Deen and have deep insight about it. Allah grants some people such insight and deprives others of it. Thus, I can say that Hikmah is the proper understanding of the Religion of Allah." End of the speech of Ibn Kathir (may Allah be Merciful with him).

Out of emphasizing the importance of the understanding of the Religion of Allah and that it is a light for those who have it and act according to it in this world and in the Hereafter, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, If Allah wants to do good to a person, He endows him with a proper understanding of Deen. This Hadith is agreed upon by Al­Bukhari and Muslim.

In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it, and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was

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barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and benefits (from the knowledge), which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealedthroughme(Heislikethatbarrenland). ThisHadithwasnarratedbyAl­BukhariandMuslim.

TheProphet(mayAllah'sPeaceandBlessingsbeuponhim)alsosaid: Thereshouldbenoenvybutonlyincaseoftwopersons:one having been endowed with wealth, which he dedicated to spend it in right charitable ways and (the other) who has been endowed withwisdomwhichheusesforjudgingandteachesit(toothers). narratedbyAl­Bukhari,Muslim,Al­Nasa'iandIbnMajah.

The great scholar of this Ummah (nation based on one creed) and the interpreter of the Qur'an, the grand Companion `Abdullah Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) who was noted for his knowledge of the Religion in respect of the fiqh and the interpretation. He expanded his knowledge in the sciences of Shari`ah (Islamic law) and mastered them, thanks to the blessing of the MessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhim)whousedtosupplicatetoAllahforhimsaying, OAllah,makehim(Ibn`Abbas)alearned

          

 

scholarinreligion(Islam),andbestowonhimtheknowledgeoftheBook(Qur'an)." Verily,itisablessedsupplicationfromablessed Messenger, may Allah accept the supplication from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is a blessing that Allah bestowed upon Ibn

`Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both). There appeared during his life, as well as before and after him some brilliant leading figures who excelled in Usul (principles) of Islam and its subsidiary matters. Some of them were from among the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and others who took the responsibility of Tabligh (calling to Islam) and carried out their duty to the best of their abilities. They enlightened people about Islam whether in the circles of study, preaching, and guidance spread in the Houses of Allah (i.e. mosques) or through what they left behind of the scholarly heritage and valuable writings on different branches of knowledge of Shari`ah and other related sciences. Allah has prepared pious rulers who would spare no effort in the cause of spreading knowledge and encouraging scholars and students.

Learning about Islam and its laws demands research and deliberate study in order to know Allah's ruling on every issue that encounters the Muslim in his life. Thus, every Muslim should not overlook any issue without researching and studying to find

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the ruling supported by evidence from the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Ijma` (consensus of scholars), or by manifest Qiyas (analogy).

Thanks to Allah, Islam is clear and free of ambiguity and confusion in its rulings and laws. Allah has manifested them in His Clear Book and the Sunnah of His honorable Messenger (peace be upon him). There were some people who raised the banner of this Sunnah, explained and defended it; they were the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and those who righteously followed them from among the Salaf (righteous predecessors) of this Ummah and the Imams and scholars of the Shari`ah throughout successive generations. Afterwards, there came a time when many people neglected research, knowledge­seeking, and learning, but were content with imitating others which caused them to fall into many mistakes concerning `Aqidah (creed) and rulings.

Allah commanded us to ask him for guidance to Al­Sirat­ul­Mustaqim (the Straight Path), which is the path taken by the blessed people including Prophets, the Siddiqûn (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them), the martyrs, and the righteous who sought knowledge and acted according to what they knew. We ask Allah to keep us away from the path of those who incurred His anger, who while knowing Al­Haqq (the Truth) followed their desires such as the Jews and their likes. We ask Him to keep us away from the path of the stray who ignored Al­Haqq such as the Christians and their likes.

Muslim brothers, how can we know if some water is pure or filthy? How can we know if this drink, food, vessel, quarry, bracelet or garment is lawful, unlawful, Makruh (reprehensible), or Mustahab (desirable)? How can we know that possessing or spending certain money is lawful or unlawful? How can we be guided to the acts of worship, know their due times, and the right manner of performing them? How can we know the legal distribution of inheritance and estates, establish the Hudud (ordained punishments for violating Allah’s Law) and interact with each other? How can we know the details of acts of worship, transactions, and what we call nowadays

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'Personal Status,' such as marriage, divorce etc.?

All praise is due to Allah, our Purified Shari`ah comprises all these matters. Allah perfected true Islam so that every thinking person can find a manifest and obvious ruling and explanation for every minor issue of the affairs of this world and the Hereafter.

It is a perfect comprehensive faith, which is neither restricted to the aspects of worship nor separated from the aspects of life as the enemies of Islam claim. It is a faith that builds a strong bond between the creature and his Creator. Moreover, it establishes the best relationship between man and his family and relatives on one hand, and between man and his brother on the other hand, whether he embraces the same beliefs or another faith based on justice, correlation, tolerance and cooperation in acts of righteousness and piety. We have been shown how to treat animals with kindness, mercy, and benevolence before Europe extended its kindness to animals through certain associations especially established to serve this purpose, while it has yet to show such kindness to man and respect his rights.

Muslims must understand their religion. They should not exceed the limits set by Allah and should persist in understanding the rulings of Islam above anything else. Some people, to whom Allah has granted success, may learn about many life sciences and excel in them; however, they know nothing about the rulings of their Deen (religion) and the details of their Shari`ah. They even do not pay attention to such matters. This is really a shameful and a great disaster when the knowledge of Allah's rulings comes next to any other knowledge. There is no harm in learning other sciences and disciplines of knowledge but it is obligatory to prioritize the origin and cornerstone of all sciences,

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which is the knowledge about Allah, His Names, and Attributes, the worship due to Allah Alone, and the knowledge of His Deen (i.e. Islam); including `Aqidah, acts of worship, manners, and rulings that a Muslim should not ignore. Muslims should hold fast to Islam truthfully and sincerely and accept its ordinances and act according to them in all their life affairs with no exception. Muslims must know that if they abide by this, they will achieve happiness and success in this world and in the Hereafter.

Allah has honored and blessed this Ummah with Islam, so if they fail to appreciate it, they will have no value, honor, or happiness.

We ask Allah to guide us and all Muslims to that which pleases Him, to safeguard all of us from deceptive temptations, the evils of our souls and our bad deeds, and to grant all of us the blessing of learning about His Deen, abiding by it and calling to it with clear proofs. We ask Allah to set right the rulers of Muslim people, enable them to support Al­Haqq, and gather them on the Word of Guidance. Verily, Allah is the Owner of all things and He has power over everything. May Peace and Blessings be upon His Servant and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!