Speech in the Al Isra’ wal Mi’raj Asy Syarif Celebrations 1437H /2016: Attempt to Establish a Method in Understanding Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بَدَأَ وَحْيَهُ إِلَى رَسُولِهِ بِخِطَابِ الْعَقْلِ. وَرَفَعَ عَنَّا التَّكْلِيفَ بِغِيَابِ الْعَقْلِ. وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى مَنْ أَعْلَى شَأْنَ الْعَقْلِ. وَسَلَامُ رَبِّي عَلَى أَئِمَّةِ الْإِسْلَامِ مِنْ عُلَمَاءِ السَّلَفِ الَّذِينَ أَعْمَلُوا الْعَقْلَ. فَأَثَرُوا الْفِكْرَ الْإِسْلَامِيَّ بِغَرِيزِ عُلُومِهِمْ وَأَسْأَلُ اللهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ قَبَسَ نُورٍ مِنْ حَبِيبِهِ يُضَاءُ بِهِ الْعَقْلُ
All praises to Allah who began His revelation to His Rasul by addressing the ‘Aql [mind] and who remove responsibilities from us through the absence of the ‘Aql. Selawat and Salam upon the one who elevates the importance of the ‘Aql and Salam from Allah upon the Imams of Islam among the scholars of Salaf who had driven the ‘Aql. Hence they influenced the Islamic Vision with their abundant knowledge and I seek from Allah for myself and for all of you enlightenment from His Habib that shines the ‘Aql.
The topic of discussion today is about: Attempt to Establish a Method in Understanding Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif.
Numerous extremist and radical groups are circulating some Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif that are taken out of context. They use these Hadith as means to oppose and offend other Muslims and non-Muslims. They indoctrinate people’s ‘Aql that they are exemplifying the Prophetic order whenever they kill and cause destructions on Earth. It is obvious that the general Muslims condemn this type of understanding which deviates the true objectives of the Prophetic sayings. However, they do not possess any deep and precise understanding of ‘Ulum Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif to refute this wrong understanding. At the same time, they do not possess a clear method that enables them to derive the most accurate meaning of any Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif. Thus it is beneficial to correct and refute this provocative understanding.
To prevent the general Muslims from being confused and puzzled whenever they hear something which contradicts the tolerance of Islam and the Rahmah of Rasulullah for the entire universe Solawatullahi ‘Alaih, they require either one of two matters:
–Either to obtain the detailed knowledge of ‘Ulum Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif, which is difficult to achieve.
–Or to know a clear method that enables them to apply it each time a deviated meaning for any Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif contradicts their understanding.
We are not here to defend those Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif circulated with an evil intention by questioning its authenticity or explaining its weak Isnad [chain of narrators]. However, we are working to derive a method that enables us to apply each time an extremist quotes any Al Hadith An Nabawi to instigate killings, violence and using all kinds of attacks towards humanity. We are deriving a method that enables us to understand the words of Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam in the context of the Risalah of Islam and the objectives of Syari’ah.
I divide my speech into four sections:-
The 1st Section: I specify the direction of our I’qal [thinking process] in understanding Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif.
The 2nd and 3rd Sections: I present two examples where I explain the phases for the process of understanding when reading Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif; One example containing Hikmah Muhammadiyah [Muhammadi Wisdom] and another example containing Hukm Nabawi [Prophetic Law].
The 4th Section: We rely on the understanding of the two examples that will be presented to extract the method in understanding Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif which we present to the minds of all Muslims.
The 1st Section: The direction of our I’qal in understanding the Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif
When analyzing Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif, the thinking process has to consider two matters simultaneously so that it is not too far off from the true tolerant Islam that is brought by Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam. The two matters are:
1)To begin the analysis based on the firm knowledge such that it can be build upon.
2)To place for it a complete framework as a basis of analysis.
We shall begin the analysis based on the the firm knowledge that can be found in Al Watsiqah Al Baidha’ (The Second Book – Volume 3). From its text, we understand that the words that come from An Nabi Al Mukarram has two aspects:
The 1st Aspect: The Prophetic sayings which contain Al Ahkam At Tasyri’iyah [Laws for the Implementation of Syari’ah] in religious matters, so that the Mu’minin execute them safely.
The 2nd Aspect: The Prophetic sayings which contain Al Hikam Al Hayatiyah [Wisdoms of Life] in worldly affairs, so as to enable the Mu’minin to live their lives peacefully.
Therefore, we gain from this firm knowledge that when we study any Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif, we have to work on driving our thinking process towards finding a Hukm [Law] or Hikmah [Wisdom] contained in that Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif. This firm knowledge enables us to build on the analysis. We also gain from this firm knowledge that when we derive any Prophetic law for the implementation of Syari’ah, we have to be certain that its execution is done safely without violence, force, fear or threat. Similarly, when we derive any Muhammadi wisdom in any worldly affair, we have to ensure that we obtain guidance through it to live our lives peacefully. Thus, Al Watsiqah Al Baidha’ emphasizes religious safety and worldly peace by making us realize of the objectives and aims of Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif.
As for the second matter which is placing a framework as a basis for analysis, it is for us to work on gathering the Prophetic sayings which Allah Jalla wa ‘Ala has given to him with Al ‘Ilm [Knowledge] and Al Hikmah [Wisdom] onto the sayings of Sayyidul Basyar Muhammad Rasulullah Solawatullahi ‘Alaih within the subject of the objectives of Al Bi’thah Al Muhammadiyah from the examples of his words Solawatullahi ‘Alaih:
إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَحْمَةٌ مُهْدَاةٌ
[Indeed I am Rahmah presented (to you).]
إِنَّ اللهَ لَمْ يَبْعَثْنِي مُعْنِتًا وَلَا مُتَعَنِّتًا وَلَكِنْ بَعَثَنِي مُعَلِّمًا مُيَسِّرًا
[Indeed Allah does not send me as one who gives hardship or trouble, but He sent me as one who teaches and gives ease.]
إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَكَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ
[Indeed I was sent to complete the nobilities of Akhlaq.]
إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ بِحَنِيفِيَّةٍ سَمْحَةٍ
[Indeed I was sent with truth and tolerance.]
Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam has placed a framework for Muslims whenever they embark on Da’wah, and this framework forms part of its foundations. He Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam said:
إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُوا مُيَسِّرِينَ وَلَمْ تُبْعَثُوا مُعَسِّرِينَ
[Indeed you are all sent to give ease, and you are not sent to give difficulty.]
These honourable Prophetic sayings, along with other supporting texts, are not fragmented laws. Instead, they are the general fundamentals and foundations, in which no Muslim should divert from directing his thinking process from its framework when analyzing to understand any Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif.
The 2nd Section: The First Example in Understanding Al Hadith An Nabawi [The Muhammadi Wisdom]
Today, we hear an Al Hadith An Nabawi driven by biased people to permit killings and destructions. This Hadith Asy Syarif is:
مَا أُرْسِلْتُ إِلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا بِالذَّبْحِ
[I am not sent to you except with slaughtering.]
When this Prophetic saying is being repeatedly quoted by those biased people, the reaction of a Muslim upon hearing it is either of the following:
–To deny that it is a Hadith said by Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam because it contradicts the objectives of Al Bi’thah Al Muhammadiyah [The Appointment of Sayyidina Muhammad as Rasulullah] for the universe in which the clearest objective is Ar Rahmah.
–To remain silent and try to ask the knowledgeable ones.
Let us together advance in trying to understand the meaning of this Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif by beginning from our firm knowledge. We ask ourselves, “Does this Hadith An Nabawi contain a Prophetic law or a Muhammadi wisdom?”
At the first instant, the text appears to be a Prophetic law, thus some people used it to enable themselves to fight and kill people. However, we shall take a step back and apply a method to derive a safe understanding for this Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif. Firstly, we refer to As Sirah An Nabawiyah At Thahirah [The Pure Prophetic Journey] to learn the reasons and context for this Hadith An Nabawi, whether it is a Prophetic speech to the Muslim Ummah, to all mankind or to a specific group of people.
Hence, we find this Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif from Amru Ibn Al As Radhiyallahu ‘Anh, he said: I did not see Quraisy wanting to attack Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam except on that particular day. I saw them sitting beside the Ka’bah while Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam was standing. Then, Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu’aith stood up to him, grabbed his cloak to his neck and then pulled him down until he dropped to his honourable knees Solawatullahi ‘Alaih. People were shouting at each other thinking that Rasulullah was killed. Abu Bakr then advanced to support. He lifted Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam up by holding on to his arms from behind and asked the Quraisy, “Do you wish to fight against a man who says ‘My God is Allah’?” They then left Nabi Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam who subsequently perform Solah. Upon completing his Solah, he walked pass them while they were seated beside the Ka’bah. He said:
يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيشٍ أَمَا وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا أُرْسِلْتُ إِلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا بِالذَّبْحِ
[Oh people of Quraisy, by the One whom my life is in His hand, I am not sent to you except with slaughtering.]
Then, he gave an indication by placing his honourable hand on his neck. Abu Jahal said to him, “Oh Muhammad, you are not stupid.” Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam then said to him, “You are.”
The first knowledge that we have acquired is that this Hadith An Nabawi does not contain a Prophetic law of slaughtering a Musyrik or Kafir. This is because it is being said by Al Habib Asy Syarif Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam while he was in Makkah Al Mukarramah before Allah Ta’ala permits the Muslims to fight those who fight them. Therefore, we should search for the Muhammadi wisdom that is contained in this Hadith. The Muhammadi wisdom becomes apparent when we observe that Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam was directing his speech to a group of Quraisy as a threat and warning to them, particularly to the notable people of Quraisy who led the offense towards the Muslims. This threat was a type of Al Indzar Al Muhammadi [Muhammadi Warning] directed to the group of Quraisy after they had closed their ears from listening to his honourable Da’wah with Al Hikmah [wisdom] and Al Maw’izah Al Hasanah [a good and firm warning].
Indeed he Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam was informing them the truth about himself that he was able to resist the offence towards his own honourable self and that they would be unable to escape from the power of his authority and retaliation. In this manner, we can see clearly the Prophetic wisdom and its meaning in this Hadith Asy Syarif, which is giving a warning before retaliation is a wisdom. This is because it will prevent the opponent from giving any excuses that he does not know since he has already been warned. With this, he will not dispute about the punishment that will be given. This matter has been clarified by Allah in Surah An Nisa’ verse 165:
رُّسُلًا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّـهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ
[Messengers who gave good news as well as warnings that mankind after (the coming) of the Messengers should have no plea against Allah.]
Allah Ta’ala also says in Surah Al Isra’ verse 15:
وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا
[And We do not punish (anyone) until We send a Messenger.]
It is clear that the Muhammadi wisdom contained in this Hadith Asy Syarif is within the framework of Ar Rahmah Al Muhammadiyah which encompasses all of mankind. This is because threatening and frightening may sometimes change the situation by holding back the tyrant and increase the self-confidence of the person who gives the warning. As such, the person does not have to execute what he has warned. To emphasize that this Hadith Asy Syarif is not a Prophetic law, when Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam entered Makkah Al Mukarramah with victory, Allah Subhanah gave him the authority over his enemies and the opportunity to fulfill his threat by slaughtering them. However, we see Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam coming to them with tolerance and forgiveness by saying:
اذْهَبُوا فَأَنْتُمُ الطُّلَقَاءُ
[Please go, for you are all free.]
He Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam also said:
مَنْ دَخَلَ دَارَهُ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ وَمَنْ دَخَلَ دَارَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ
[Whoever enters his home, he is safe. And whoever enters the home of Abu Sufyan, he is also safe.]
Therefore, the Rahmah of Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam is a general framework, and it is obligatory for us to specify our human understanding towards any Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif and As Sirah An Nabawiyah At Thahirah, which offers us valuable tools for understanding in this context.
The 3rd Section: The Second Example in Understanding Al Hadith An Nabawi (The Prophetic Law)
Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam said:
أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَقُولُونَ لَا إِلٰـهَ إِلَّا اللهُ. فَمَنْ قَالَ لَا إِلٰـهَ إِلَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ عَصَمَ مِنِّي نَفْسَهُ وَمَالَهُ إِلَّا بِحَقِّهِ وَحِسَابِهِ عَلَى اللهِ
[I was ordered to fight mankind until they pronounce “La ilaha illallah”. Thus whoever pronounces “La ilaha illallah”, he has protected himself and his wealth from me, except based on Allah’s judgment and evaluation towards him.] (Sodaqa Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam)
Indeed this Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif contains a Prophetic law in a religious matter. Perhaps the mindset of most people towards this Hadith An Nabawi were deviated as if it contains an order to fight mankind until they embrace Islam and everyone forms one Ummah. We find that this understanding towards this Hadith An Nabi Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam is narrow, violating the clear verses of Al Quran Al Karim and contradicting several established incidents from As Sirah An Nabawiyah Al Asma’ [The Protected Prophetic Journey]. In order to reach the true meaning, we try to understand this Hadith An Nabawi by referring to Al Quran Al Karim, As Sirah An Nabawiyah and several Hadith Asy Syarif.
We begin with Al Quran Al Karim where Allah Subhanah informs that if He has willed, definitely He would have made mankind as one Ummah. Allah Ta’ala says in Surah Hud verse 118:
وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ
[And if your God had willed, He would have made mankind as one Ummah but they will not cease to dispute.]
Likewise, we know from Al Quran Al Karim that Allah Subhanah has calmed His Habib Al Musthafa until he is relieved from his regrets when some people turned away from his Hidayah. Allah Ta’ala says in Surah Al Kahf verse 6:
فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَفْسَكَ عَلَى آثَارِهِمْ إِن لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهـٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا
[Thus do not destroy yourself because you regret of their outcome if they do not believe in these words.]
Allah Ta’ala also says to His Musthafa Solawatullahi ‘Alaih in Surah Yusuf verse 103:
وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
[And most people are not believers, even if you were concerned (for them to be).]
The question is how does the clear verses mentioned above tally with the understanding of some people on the Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif, where the verses explain that most people are not believers even if Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam was concerned for them to be, while some people understand that the Hadith was a Divine order to obligate An Nabi to fight mankind until they have faith and embrace Islam? Therefore, we have to refer to the true understanding of this Hadith Asy Syarif based on the radiance of Al Quran Al Karim and As Sirah An Nabawiyah.
We know from the established and authentic As Sirah An Nabawiyah that Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam gave an option to Ahlul Kitab to choose between Islam and Jizyah [tax], or otherwise to go to war. The ‘Ulama has widened the implementation for the meaning of Jizyah in most countries which have been conquered through peace, but it is not true that Jizyah applies to countries which have been conquered through wars. We are not here to discuss about the issue of Jizyah but we bring it as an example for us to show the wrong understanding of this Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif. How is it logical for Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam to accept Jizyah (from people who do not embrace Islam) if he was ordered to fight mankind until they pronounce the Syahadah, while he Solawatullahi ‘Alaih does not defy any order? Therefore, we have to refer the correct understanding of this Hadith Asy Syarif based on the radiance of As Sirah An Nabawiyah At Thahirah.
Thirdly, we observe the books of Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif to look into several related Hadith for us to analyze. We refer to a Hadith Asy Syarif narrated in Sohih Muslim by Usamah Bin Zaid. He said: Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam sent us to a battle. I went up to a man and he said “La ilaha illallah” then I stabbed him and he died instantly. Subsequently, I mentioned it to Nabi Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam and he Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam asked, “Did he say ‘La ilaha illallah’ and you killed him instantly?” I said, “Indeed he said it out of fear of my weapon, oh Rasulullah.” He Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam then asked, “Have you bisected his heart until you are certain that he said it (out of fear)?” He Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam continued repeating it until I wished that I just embraced Islam on that day.
Now, after presenting the bias understanding regarding that Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif by referring to the verses of Al Quran Al Karim, As Sirah An Nabawiyah At Thahirah and other Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif, we conclude with a new understanding that has not been found in any book. We have not heard this new understanding from any scholar but it is derived by not singling out this Hadith An Nabawi from the framework of the sacred texts. We summarize this new understanding by stating to those who understood it wrongly: Yes, this Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif contains a Prophetic law in a religious matter. However, it is not a law to fight and kill mankind if they do not pronounce “La ilaha illallah”. Instead, it is a Prophetic law to obligate stopping the war immediately to those who declare Tauhid. Therefore, it is a Prophetic law in stopping the war, not a law to start and continue war.
The 4th Section: Presenting a Method in Understanding Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif
We summarize by stating that if our understanding of a Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif contradicts any general foundation of Ar Risalah Al Muhammadiyah or objectives of Al Bi’thah Al Muhammadiyah, beginning with Rahmah and spreading peace, we have to relook into our understanding towards that Hadith Asy Syarif. This follows with a method that becomes clear after we have mentioned the two examples, and we shall summarize it with the following phases:
Firstly, we refer to Al Quran Al Karim where the general context for the honourable verses comes in the form of Da’wah; through discussion, convincing and addressing the human nature in order to raise the value of the ‘Aql and Kalimah.
Secondly, we refer to Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif. Here, we strive to refer to other Hadith An Nabawi which address the same subject, then to read it carefully to form a complete idea of that subject. Thus, it is by interpreting a Hadith by referring to another Hadith.
Thirdly, we refer to As Sirah An Nabawiyah At Thahirah. From his Sirah Solawatullahi ‘Alaih, we understand the context, situation, audiences and other information about the Hadith which would correct the direction of our thinking process when facing any different perspective in the process of understanding.
Fourthly, it is important for us to seek guidance from the Imams of As Sunnah who were established in their knowledge of understanding Al Hadith An Nabawi for the purpose of analysis. This is because our pious and knowledgeable predecessors were extensive in their research and analysis to discover the complete meaning of sacred texts.
Lastly, indeed the safe and moderate understanding of Islam which is contained in the sacred texts of Al Quran Al Karim and Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif opposes today’s battle of ideologies within the Islamic World. We observe numerous groups within the Muslim ranks spreading wrong and narrow understanding of Al Hadith An Nabawi Asy Syarif and practicing their relationship with others based on their wrong understanding. On another note, to show the existence of this wrong understanding within the Muslim youths who do not possess the sufficient knowledge to face this falsehood, we discover that many youths would either reject that the above-mentioned Hadith was from Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam and be proud that he Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam is the Rahmah presented to the universe, or accepts the Hadith but is doubtful that its meaning shows that Islam is a religion that propagates violence.
In conclusion, we shall state: Indeed an Insan Mu’min does not have the right to deny Al Hadith An Nabawi of Rasulullah Sollallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam by relying on his own ‘Aql and understanding because Al Hadith An Nabawi is a sacred text and it is established as one of the sources of knowledge for Muslims. We do not intend to overstep the rights of Al Hadith An Nabawi but we urge people to adopt the method in understanding Al Hadith Asy Syarif which we have explained in our speech, and to always place their thinking process within the framework of Rahmah and peace. Indeed, this will save them, their families and society from falling into the trap of those ideological attacks to remove the tolerance of Islam and the openness of their community towards ideological and humanitarian diversity.
This speech was addressed by Al-Amir Hashem ibn Al-Fadl ibn Al-Abbas El Dandarawy, Sumuwwul Amir of the Tribes and Familes of Al Usrah Al Dandaraweyah and Head of the International Dandara Cultural Centres. To understand more about the two roles of Rasulullah ‘alaihi Solawatullah, Al Irtibat and Al Usrah Al Dandaraweyah, please click here to read Translation of Al Watsiqah Al Baidha’ Formation and Model © 2013