The Golden Principle

Question asked to al-Allaamah Ash-Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (حفظه الله تعالى)

Q. A man calls in the gathering to a principle and encourages the people to hold fast to it and it is: We unite upon that which we agree on and we excuse one another for that which we disagree. This individual calls to this principle on the television and in the gatherings of the people?

A. This is the principle of the Ikhwaan al-Muslimeen and it is well known. The one who has said it is Hasan al-Bannaa the founder of the Ikhwaan al-Muslimeen. It is a false principle. How can we unite upon that which we agree on and excuse one another for that which we disagree about? If we differ with one another in the matter of Aqeedah are we to excuse one another? Are we to unite with the grave worshipers and the Soofiyyah? This principle is contradictory. That is because it will never be possible to unite while there is differing. It is a must that there be unity in the Aqeedah, ideology, path, and in the methodology. We will never unite while we are differing. This is their principle which they constantly repeat/propagate and they call it the golden principle. Why don't they say: "Say Oh people of the Book, let's come to a common word between us and you that we will not worship any one except for Allaah and we will not associate any partners with Him. Nor will we take each other as lords besides Allaah." (Aal 'Imraan: 64)

Come and let's unite upon the word of Tawheed which united between the Arab and Non-Arab and united between the predecessors of this nation and the latter of it. Allaah stated: "Indeed this nation of yours is one nation and I am your Lord therefore worship me" (al-Anbiyyaa: 92)

As for pardoning in matters which there is disagreement in, it is only in the the allowed differing, that which it is allowed (for the one who is qualified to make) the Ijtihaad. 

 [Source: al-Ijaabaat al-Muhimmah Fee al-Mashaakil al-Mulimmah" V.2  pg. 225]

Imam as-Sa'dee's Tafseer of Ayat al-Kursi

In Imam as-Sa'dee's Tafseer of Ayat al-Kursi, he (rahimahullaah) wrote:

"He is 'Al-Hayy': The Ever-Living, to whom belongs all of the qualities of perfect life; including perfection in hearing, vision, ability, will, might, knowledge, wisdom, mercy, and other proper attributes relating to His essence.

He is 'Al-Qayyoom': The Sustainer, Who is independent and free of any need of His creation. He sustains all of existence. He originated everything into existence, maintained and provided everything with sustenance, and all the necessities for existence and survival.

Allaah's name 'Al-Hayy' indicates all of Allaah's attributes relating to His essence, while, 'Al-Qayyoom' entails all of His attributes describing His actions. Thus, all of His lofty attributes refer back to these two beautiful names.

Hence, it is narrated that 'Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyoom' is the greatest name, which if Allaah is invoked by, He answers, and if requested by, He grants."     

- Allaah, The Most High, said (what means):  And I (Allaah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). (Adh-Dhariyat, ayah 56)

- Allaah, The Most High, said (what means): And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad, (salallaahu 'alaihi wasallam)) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination. (An-Nisa, ayah 115)  

- The Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam) said, "Hold firmly to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs after me. Hold o­nto it with your molar teeth. And beware of newly invented affairs, since every newly invented affair is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance and every innovation is in the Fire." [Ahmad (4/126), at-Tirmidhee (no. 2676), al-Haakim (1/96) and by al-Baghawee in Sharhus-Sunnah (1/105)]

- Prophet Muhammad (salallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) told his daughter Fatimah: "...I am a blessed Salaf for you." (Bukhari, Muslim) 

- "Adhere to the narrations of the Salaf (the Prophet and Sahaaba), even if the people were to abandon you. And beware of the opinions of people, no matter how much they beautify it with speech." - Imaam al-Awzaa'ee [d. 157H, rahimahullaah]   

- Abu Hanifah [d.150H, rahimahullaah] said: "Stick to the narrations and the way of the Salaf (Predecessors), and beware of newly invented matters, for all of it is innovation." [as-Suyooti]

- Abdullaah bin 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: "Every bid'ah(religious innovation) is misguidance, even if people think it is good." [Al-Lalikaii in Sharh Usul Itiqad Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jama'ah Vol 1. P134, no.111] 

- Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, "I have left you upon clear proof, its night is like its day. No one deviates from it except one who is destroyed, and whoever lives (long) from amongst you will see great controversy. So stick to what you know from my Sunnah (example) and the Sunnah of the orthodox, rightly-guided caliphs. Cling to that with your molar teeth, and stick to obedience even if it is to an Abyssinian slave, since the believer is like the submissive camel - wherever he is led, he follows." [Ahmad]  

- Ahmed ibn Hanbal [d.241H, rahimahullaah] said: "The Fundamental Principles of the Sunnah with us are: Holding fast to what the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) were upon. And taking them (and their way) as a model to be followed. And the abandonment of (religious) innovations, and every innovation is misguidance." [Usool as-Sunnah]
- Every issue of aqeedah (creed), 'ibaadah (worship) or manhaj (methodology) which the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah has not provided a text for and upon which the Companions never agreed upon is falsehood, vain and innovated.

* Imam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) recorded that Asma` bint Yazid bin As-Sakan said:

"I heard the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) say about these two Ayat: 

اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهََ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ

Allaah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever-Living (Al-Hayy), the One Who sustains and protects all that exists (Al-Qayyoom) [al-Baqarah, ayah 255; Ayat al-Kursee]

and 

أَلِفلَاممِيماللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهََ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّوم 

Alif-Lam-Mim. Allaah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever-Living (Al-Hayy), the One Who sustains and protects all that exists (Al-Qayyoom) [Al 'Imran, ayat 1-2]:

They contain Allaah's Greatest Name." [This is also the narration collected by Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, and At-Tirmidhi said "Hasan Sahih."]

Ibn Marduwyah recorded that Abu Umaamah (radiallaahu 'anhu) reported that the Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: "Allaah's Greatest Name - if He was supplicated with it, He answers the supplication - is in three Soorahs: Al-Baqarah, Al 'Imran, and Ta-Ha."

Hisham bin 'Ammar, the Khateeb of Damascis (one of the narrators in the above narration), said: "As for Al-Baqarah, it is in:

اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهََ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ

Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever-Living (Al-Hayy), the One Who sustains and protects all that exists (Al-Qayyoom) [al-Baqarah, ayah 255; Ayat al-Kursee].

In Al 'Imran, it is in: 

أَلِفلَاممِيماللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهََ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّوم 

Alif-Lam-Mim. Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever-Living (Al-Hayy), the One Who sustains and protects all that exists (Al-Qayyoom) [Al-'Imran, ayat 1-2], while in Ta-Ha, it is in:

وَعَنَتِ الْوُجُوه ُُ لِلْحَيِّ الْقَيُّومِ

And (all) faces shall be humbled before (Allah), the Ever-Living (Al-Hayy), the One Who sustains and protects all that exists (Al-Qayyoom) [Ta-Ha, ayah 111]."  

Never Never Never give up !!!

One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the forest to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"


His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"


"Yes", I replied.

God replies - When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo..

"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. "I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant... But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been Struggling, you have actually been growing roots."

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. "Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern ... Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

Your time will come, "God said to me." You will rise high! "

How high should I rise?" I asked.

How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and bring back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness

Bad days give you experiences;

both are essential to life.

A happy and meaningful life requires our continuous input and creativity. It does not happen by chance. It happens because of our choices and actions. And each day we are given new opportunities to choose and act and, in doing so, we create our own unique journey." Keep going...

Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
but Only Allah SWT keeps You Going!