We are increasingly hearing and seeing disturbing things from many Muslim groups who, whilst immersed in their sectarianism, are calling to hate and murder. They use selected texts to promote their corrupt aqeedah and they spread hate. They hinder the Non-Muslims from hearing the truth of Islam. They hinder the Muslims from following the path of Allah with their sectarian calls and extremist views. They will incorrectly apply sound principles. so we should recognize that this fitnah is increasing and salvation lies in clinging firmly onto the guidance found in the Qur’aan and Sunna.
If we look at the collective texts we find the picture is clear. We must stay away from sectarianism in Islam. We must stay away from the bloodshed and away from the callers to jihad in our time. We should find a place of peace and safety anywhere on the earth away from tribulations, and we should worship Allah until death. We should take care of ourselves and our families and leave the affairs of the masses to the masses. We should do good for the people without causing harm to ourselves. This is the guidance we see in the qur’aan and Sunna. This is the life we must strive to lead for the tribulations will only become worse.
Allah says, ‘And those who disbelieve are allies one to another. If you do not do so, there will be tribulation on the earth and great corruption.’ (Qur’aan 8:73)
We hear Muslims blaming the Non-Muslims for the tribulations and corruption that are fast spreading in the Muslim lands. Yet the Muslims themsleves are to blame for they are the ones who have differed and formed numerous sects, each sect rejoicing in that which it has, thinking itself to be on guidance. But Allah has informed us that when this happens there will be tribulations and a great corruption. So the Muslims themselves are to blame in this situation, and this is clear for all those who understand the Qur’aan. The actions of the non-Muslims are merely effects of the turmoil- not the cause. Allah has sent further punishment through them, but they are not the cause.
Say, ‘He is The One Who is Able to send upon you punishment from above you or from beneath your feet or to confuse you in sects and make you taste the violence of one another.’ Look how We diversify the signs that they might understand. (Qur’aan 6:65)
In this noble verse Allah mentions some of His punishments and included amongst them is His punishment of violence within sectarianism. The Muslims have abandoned the Sunna and split into numerous groups so He has punished them in their sectarianism by allowing Muslims to taste the violence of one another. This is a disgrace and a punishment from Him for that which the Muslim sects have earned. So where in this does the blame lie on the Non-Muslims? It is clear that the blame lies within the Muslim world today.
From amongst these Muslim Sects the most dangerous are those making the false call for Jihad and for the establishment of a khilaafah. Here are some of the ways you will recognize them:
They will call to killing and fighting under a false pretext of Jihad and their killings will result in civil strife and revolting against leaders of Muslim lands.
Hudhayfah narrated that the messenger of Allah said, ‘By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the Hour will not be established until you fight your leaders and you strike each other with your swords and your world will be inherited by the evilest amongst you.’ (sunan tirmidhi; sunan ibn majah)
They will claim to be Muslims and will come from the Muslim lands
Huthayfah bin Al Yamaan said the messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘…..There will be callers at the gates of the Hellfire. Whoever responds to them they will throw them into it.’ Huthayfah said, ‘O messenger of Allah (saws) describe them to us.’ He said, ‘They are a people of our skin speaking our language.’ (saheeh bukhaari)
Many of them will be young and foolish, and they will recite the qur’aan but it will not go beyond their throats
Abdullah bin Mas’ood narrated that the messenger of Allah said, ‘In the end of time there will come a people young in years and foolish in minds, reciting the Qur’aan which will not go beyond their throats, uttering sayings from the best of creatures, going through the religion as an arrow goes through the game.’ (sunan tirmidhi)
Many of them will excel in voluntary acts of worship but they will exit Islam
Abu Salamah said, “I asked Abu Sa’eed Al Khudree, ‘Did you hear the messenger of Allah (saws) mention anything about he Haruriyyah?’ He said, ‘I heard him mention a people who would appear to be devoted worshippers such that any of you would consider his own prayer and fasting insignificant compared to theirs. But they will pass through Islam like an arrow passing through its game…’ (sunan ibn majah; musnad ahmad)
So we should not be fooled by their name, color of skin, Muslim country of origin, or worship. If they are calling to sectarianism, violence, false jihad, revolting against the leaders or establishment of a khilaafah then you have unveiled them. It was a mercy from Allah that He sent His Messenger (saws) to describe them to us so we will recognize them and not be fooled by them.
If we continue to study the ahadeeth we will find numerous texts giving us clear advice as to what we should do in this time. This is part of the guidance in the Sunna and it is upon us to listen and obey. Insha Allah I have posted a few aspects of the advice.
To stay away from sectarianism, false jihad, and the false call for a khilaafah and the advice to seclude ourselves from them
Huthayfah bin Al Yamaan said the messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘…..There will be callers at the gates of the Hellfire. Whoever responds to them they will throw them into it.’ Huthayfah said, ‘O messenger of Allah (saws) describe them to us.’ He said, ‘They are a people of our skin speaking our language.’ Huthayfah said, ‘So what do you command me if such a state should take place in my life?’ He said, ‘Stick to the Jamaa’ah of Muslims and their Imam. Huthayfah said, ‘What if there is no jamaa’ah nor Imam?’ He said, ‘Then turn away from these groups, all of them, even if you have to bite onto the trunk of a tree until death overtakes you while you are in that state.’ (saheeh bukhaari)
This is an example of the many texts which direct us to staying away from the numerous Islamic sects. The messenger of Allah (saws) did not instruct us to appoint a khaleefah during this time nor did he instruct us to wage war. He instructed us to, ‘turn away from these groups, all of them,’ and keep away from the fitnah. this is the prophetic guidance and when we continue to look at the texts we find the command to seclude ourselves from the fitnah is only reinforced.
To find a place of peace and safety anywhere on the earth away from the tribulations, and to worship Allah.
And be on guard against the tribulation which affects not only those particularly amongst you who have done wrong. (Qur’aan verse 8:25)
Abu Hurairah narrated that the messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘There will be tribulations during which one sitting will be better than one standing, and one standing will be better than one walking, and one walking will be better than one running, and whoever exposes himself to these tribulations will be destroyed. So whoever can find a place of protection or refuge from them should take refuge in it.’ (saheeh bukhari)
Another command is to find a place of safety away from the sects and bloodshed and to limit travel to areas of tribulations.
Abu Sa’eed Al Khudree narrated that the messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘There will come a time when the best property of a Muslim will be sheep which he will take to the tops of the mountains and the places of rainfall so as to flee with his religion from the tribulations.’ (saheeh bukhari)
The one most protected will be the one living far away from the people in the mountains or valleys.
To understand that worship in a place of safety anywhere on the earth is the Hijrah of our time.
Ma’qil bin Yasaar said the messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘Worship during the Harj (bloodshed) will be like Hijrah to me.’ (sunan tirmidhi; ibn maajah)
We should also note that the definition of Hijrah during this time is any place away from the bloodshed where the Muslim will be able to worship Allah. Just like Muslims went to Christian countries during the early part of Islam when it was strange, similarly with today when Islam has returned strange. The key aspect of Hijrah during the time of Harj is to find a place of safety where the Muslim can practice his religion.
Take care of ourselves and our families and leave the affairs of the masses.
O you who believe! Upon you is yourselves. Those astray will not harm you when you have followed the guidance. (Qur’aan 5:105)
Abu Umayyah Sha’baani said, “I came to Abu Tha’labah Al Khushani and said, ‘How do you understand the verse: O you who believe! Upon you is yourselves. Those astray will not harm you have followed the guidance.’ He said, ‘You have asked one who knows about it. I asked the messenger of Allah (saws) about it and he said, ‘Enjoin the good (ma’roof) and forbid the evil (munkar) but if you see overwhelming stinginess, desires being followed, this world being preferred, every person with an opinion feeling proud of it, and you realize that you have no power to deal with it, then you have to mind your own business and leave the affairs of the masses. And you will come days of patience during which patience will be like grasping burning ember, and one who does good deeds will have a reward like that of fifty men doing the same deed.’ (sunan abu dawood; sunan Ibn majah)
The above verse is general in the sense that Allah instructs the believers to take care of themselves and to follow the guidance. But it is also specific in the context of the above hadeeth. With evil and corruption further spreading we are at the time when enjoining ma’roof and forbidding munkar at the level of the masses is extremely difficult. During this time we have been instructed to take care of ourselves and our families and leave the affairs of the masses and this will require patience on our part.
Abdullah bin Amr narrated that the messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘How will you be at a time that will soon come when the good people will pass away and the worst will be left behind who will break their promises and betray their trusts and they will differ while they were previously together like this.’ They asked, ‘What should we do, O messenger of Allah when that occurs?’ He said, ‘Hold on to that which you recognise (ma’roof) and leave that which you dislike (munkar). Take care of your own affairs and leave the affairs of the masses.’ (sunan abu dawood; sunan Ibn majah)
This is another text which reinforces this with the addition that taking care of ourselves includes enjoining ma’roof upon ourselves and forbidding munkar. As for the masses then we leave their affairs to them.
These are a few aspects of the advice from the messenger of Allah (saws), the guidance is clear and it is upon us to obey and follow.
Sister Kamillah
(Written 2009)