Adherence to Islam and Reviving it Based on the Sunnah of the Prophet  Muhammad (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)

 

 

Islam is the Right Religion but most among mankind do not know it (Qur’an 12:40 and 30:30).  Unfortunately, those who understand Islam as the Right Religion are not united. Not all of them adhere to the Qur’an and the Sunnah (Traditions or Practices, which include the Ahâdith or teachings and sayings of Prophet  Muhammad (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam).  They are divided into different sects in the same way as the non-Muslims are divided.  Mankind must have ample and correct knowledge of Islam based on the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah in order to be with the rightly guided Ummah  (Muslim Nation) of the Prophet  (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam) who will be saved from the Hell-Fire:

 Abu Hurairah   (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet  (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)  said: “The Jews were split up into seventy-one or seventy-two sects; and the Christians were split up into seventy one or seventy-two sects; and my community will be split up into seventy-three sects.”  (Abu Dawud  4579) 

Abdullah Bin Amr   (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “There will befall my Ummah exactly (all those) evils which befell the people of Isra'il, so much so that if there was one amongst them who openly committed fornication with his mother,  there will be among my Ummah one who will do that; and if the people of Isra'il were fragmented into seventy-two sects my Ummah will be fragmented into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in Hell Fire except one sect.” They (the Companions) said: “Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam), which is that?” Whereupon he said: “It is one to which I and my companions belong.”  (Tirmidhi  171)

 The above authentic hâdîth tell us that only those who adhere and follow the Prophet’s Sunnah will be saved from the Hell-Fire.  For the guidance of the whole mankind, Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta'ala has commanded us to believe and follow Prophet  (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)   Muhammad (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam). Allâh the Almighty  tells us in His Book:  

 “O mankind!  The Messenger has come to you in truth from Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.  Believe in him: it is best for you...”    (Qur’an 4:170)

  “Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you do love Allâh follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins for Allâh is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.’  Say: ‘Obey Allâh and His Messenger.’  But if they turn back Allâh loves not those who reject Faith.”    (Qur’an 3:31-32)

 “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet  (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam), whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures);  -- in the Torah and the Gospel; for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil.  He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure).  He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them.  So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him -- it is they who will prosper.”   (Qur’an 7: 157)

The above Qur’anic Ayât (Verses)  clearly tell us that it is a must for all of us to follow and obey Prophet  Muhammad (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam), Allah’s Final Messenger and Prophet to the whole mankind. We have to follow his Sunnah as it is a clear divine commandment from Allah the Almighty Who Alone is our Creator and Sustainer.  Those who do not follow the Prophet’s Sunnah do not actually follow the Qur’an for Allah the Exalted has repeatedly tell us in the Qur’an to follow and obey  His Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam).   He has warned those who disobey the Prophet (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam) with humiliating punishment in the Hell-Fire:

 “But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abide therein.  And they shall have a humiliating punishment.”  (Qur’an 4:14)

 In line with the Qur’anic divine injunctions on obedience to Prophet Muhammad (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)  and adherence to his Sunnah, our beloved Prophet  (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)  himself enjoins us to follow his Sunnah.  He admonishes us to keep away from the different sects that have deviated from the True Path, Islam.  He  tells us to keep away from those sects and not to change Islam as it is the Right Religion:  

Hudhaifah ibn  Al Yaman   (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the people used to ask Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam) about good, but I used to ask him about evil for fear that it might overtake me. Once I said, "O Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)! We were in ignorance and in evil and Allâh has bestowed upon us the present good; will there be any evil after this good?" He said, "Yes.” I asked, "Will there be good after that evil?" He said, "Yes, but it would be tainted with Dakhan (i.e. Little evil).” I asked, "What will its Dakhan be?" He said, "There will be some people who will lead (people) according to principles other than my  Sunnah (Tradition). You will see their actions and disapprove of them.” I said, "Will there be any evil after that good?" He said, "Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (by them).” I said, "Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)! Describe those people to us.” He said, "They will belong to us and speak our language.” I asked, "What do you order me to do if such a thing should take place in my life?" He said, "Adhere to the group of Muslims and their Chief.” I asked, "If there is neither a group (of Muslims) nor a chief (what shall I do)?" He said, "Keep away from all those different sects, even if you had to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet Allâh while you are still in that state.”  (Bukhari 4/803 and 9/206)

 Abu Hurairah   (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allâh Alone) but his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magianism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" Then Abu Hurairah  (radhiallâhu anhu)  recited the holy verses: "The pure Allâh’s Islamic nature (true faith of Islam) (i.e. worshipping none but Allâh) with which He has created human beings. No change let there be in the religion of Allâh (i.e. joining none in worship with Allâh). That is the straight religion (Islam) but most of men know, not.” (30:30).    (Bukhari 2/ 296, 441; 6/298 and Muslim)

 For our salvation, it is a must that we must strive hard to know Islam based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah in order to revive the Sunnah of Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam).  The following Ahâdith must serve as inspirations for us to revive the Prophet’s Sunnah:

 Hasan Al-Basri (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)  said: “He whom death overtakes while he is engaged in acquiring knowledge with a view to reviving Islam with the help of it, there will be one degree between him and the Prophet  (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam) in Paradise.” (Tirmidhi  249 and Darimi)

 Sa’id ibn Thabit  (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that he heard Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)  say: “May Allâh brighten a man who hears a tradition from us, gets it by heart and passes it on to others. Many a bearer of knowledge conveys it to one who is more versed than he is; and many a bearer of knowledge is not versed in it.”   (Abu Daud 3652)

Bilal ibn Harith al-Muzani (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “He who revived a Sunnah out of my Sunnan, which has died after me, for him is the reward like the reward of those who acted upon it, without any decrease in that reward...”   (Tirmidhi  168) 

Abdullah (radhiallâhu anhu)    reported on the authority of his father, “I heard Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)  saying, “He who revived a Sunnah of mine that was extinct after me, would (receive) a reward like the reward of one of the people who acted upon it without any diminution in their rewards...”    (Ibn Majah 1/210) 

For our complete guidance, it is a must for us to learn and follow the Sunnah.  If possible, let us invite others to learn and follow the same. We must know that our Creator sent His Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam)  with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to make it prevail over all religions and that He promises great rewards for those who support the Truth.  Allâh the Exalted tells us:

  “It is He (Allâh) Who has sent His Messenger (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam) with Guidance and the Religion of Truth. That He make it prevail over all religions, even though the pagans may detest (it).”   (Qur'an 61:9)

 “And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it -- such are the men who do right.  They shall have all that they wish for, with their Rabb (Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer).  Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allah will remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they have done.” (Qur’an 39:33-35)

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Note: Please take note of the meaning of the following Arabic words used in this article:
Subhanahu wa Ta'ala – ‘The Exalted’
Sall-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam – ‘Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him’
Radia Allahu ‘Anhu – ‘May Allah be pleased with him’, Radi Allahu ‘Anha- ‘May Allah be pleased with her’, Radi Allahu ‘Anhum - ‘May Allah be pleased with them.’