IMAAMS IN ISLAM There are many Imams in Islam, Allaah made 4 of them famous, who presented their opinion based on the evidence from Quran and Sunnah (Hadith). The opinion they presented is known as Madhab, and are thus named after the four imams – Imam Abu Haneefa, Imam Maalik, Imam al-Shafi and Imam Ahmad (May Allah be pleased with them). As far as a knowledgeable person is concerned, he doesn’t have to follow any particular Imam (Taqleed), rather he should follow the Quran and Sunnah and this is the opinion of the Imams regarding (Taqleed) following them, because Allah says in the Quran: “(And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day” [Quran 4:59]. Referring to Allaah means referring to His Book, and referring to the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) means referring to his Sunnah (Hadith). As far as the issues with the less informed Muslims are concerned, the Ijmaa (scholarly consensus) recommends following a particular Imam (Taqleed) until he gains knowledge to understand the evidence quoted for the various opinions (Madhabs) and to follow that which is closest to the Quran and Sunnah. None can deny the contributions and the dedications made by the Imams to the Muslim world, and their efforts to unite Muslims as one ummah. Ironically in Asian countries, the majority of Muslims are hostile towards one other Madhab, often they wage verbal-wars against the followers of another Madhab in their Jumah sermons and other speeches (You Tube videos witnesses to this fact). There are Masjids in Asian countries where one can see a banner at the entrance saying “Here prayers are conducted according to so-and-so Madhab”, where you can experience an attitude of intolerance against ones neighbour in the suff (row arranged for obligatory prayers). Alhamdulillaah, in one aspect we Muslims are united, that is to supplicate (duaa) for our brothers in Palestine, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Libya, Syria, Burma, Nigeria, Iraq, Yamen, Gaza, Sudan, Egypt, Central African Republic and other parts of the world, at the same time we seem to forget that Allaah might be targeting our country next, due to our disobedience against Allah’s command which is: “And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Quran), and be not divided among yourselves…”[Quran 3 103]. Generation after generation, we have openly refused Allaah’s command above and formed sects and sub-sects, yet Allaah is patient with us, but for how long? It is high time for us to repent from party strife and return to Quran and Sunnah, otherwise Allaah is able to execute His punishment on us as He warned us in his Law-Book: “Say: He has power to send torment on you from above or from under your feet, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another. See how variously We explain the Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), so that they may understand”. [Quran 6:65]. The symptoms of His punishment have already begun appearing in some parts of the world in the form of banning animal slaughtering, banning loudspeakers atop the minarets, banning hijab, stone pelting to Masjids etc. Before it gets too late, let us bid goodbye to factionalism (sectism) and let us all together say “Innanee minal Muslimeen” (I am one of the Muslims). As Allah commanded us to say in the following verse: “And who is better in speech than he who (says: My Lord is Allaah (believes in His Oneness), and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and) invites (men) to Allaahs (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: I am one of the Muslims. [Quran 41:33]. We ask Allaah to make us steadfast in His religion, and bestow more of His bounty upon us, as Allaah is the One Who guides us to the truth and to help us understand our religion. (Aameen)!
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 09:14:54 +0000
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