Moro Unity II:A Single Methodology of Understanding Islam – The First Step Towards Unity

Moro Unity II:A Single Methodology of Understanding Islam – The First Step Towards Unity

Originally published in bangsamoro.com


If Islam is the basis of Bangsamoro unity, then why are there so many Islamic groups 'operating' in the land, each saying that their way is the right methodology? If Islam serves as the binding force between them, then why we do not see any tangible cooperation between them?
Looking at the bigger picture, post-colonialization has brought a different hue to Bangsamoro history. Wanting to be free from the shackles of colonialization, it can be said that Moro leaders have chosen two main paths in restoring their freedom: secular and Islamic.

It is our opinion that any secular movement alone will not bring any desired results. Unity is an important pre-requisite for the success of Bangsamoro struggle and it has been argued that any form of unity based upon other than Islam will not yield the preferred outcome. Preferred outcome means unity and success of the Bangsamoro struggle as a result of the help of Allah. Indeed nothing moves in the Universe except by the will of Allah and He is the only One who grants success. Other secular means also include those who are in the mainstream politics who are members of different political parties. More often than none, these so called parties are literally declaring war against each other. In fact feuds and hostility between family members of political clans are not uncommon. These clans are supposed to be the leaders of Bangsamoro people!

With respect to the Islamic movements, it can also be argued that they can be divided into two main categories, militant and non-militant. Notwithstanding the unequivocal verses of the Qur'an to unite, we see no reason why there should be so many factions. Not necessarily agreeing with his methodology, we see no islamically valid reason why the late Abdurazaq Janjalani, rahimahullah, would form his own group apart from the leadership of the late Shaikh Salamat Hashim, rahimahullah. Allah knows best. The difference between their methodologies were in furoo' (branches/derivatives) not in usool (fundamentals). While this is not the place to discuss their methodologies in detail, one of the greatest of their differences is the permissibility of kidnappings. Contemporary scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah (the main body of Muslim Orthodoxy) in their fataawas (legal rulings) are in the opinion that it is not permissible to hijack planes, suicide bombings, public bombings and those types of things that has become associated with terrorism.[1]

Indeed, and Allah knows best, that the reason of such differences in methodology is not having a single understanding of Islam. To be specific, it is not having a single methodology of understanding the verses of the Qur'an and the texts of Hadeeth and in their practical application. Indeed this dilemma is not limited to the Bangsamoro but throughout the whole Ummah.

We have clearly pointed our in the previous issues of our column that the correct Islamic methodology is returning to the Qur'an and Sunnah built upon the understanding of the Sahabah and those who exactly followed their ways. Anyone who has corrections, comments or questions regarding this methodology should feel free to voice their view in the forum section of this website.

Qur'an and Hadeeth upon the Understanding of the Sahabah
Allah the Most High the Majestic says:

“And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger ( Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) after the right path has been shown 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![2]

Al-Hafidh Ibn Kathir says in his tafsir of this Ayah:

(And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger) refers to whoever intentionally takes a path other than the path of the Law revealed to the Messenger of Allah, after the truth has been made clear, apparent and plain to him. (And follows other than the believers’ way) refers to a type of conduct that is closely related to contradicting the Messenger. This contradiction could be in the form of contradicting a text (from the Qur'an and Sunnah) or contradicting what the Ummah of Muhammad has agreed on. The Ummah of Muhammad is immune from error when they all agree on something, a miracle that serves to increase their honor, due to the greatness of their Prophet.

The first and the best of this Ummah were the Sahabah then those who followed them, then those who followed them. The Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said:
“The best of people are my generation, then those who succeed them, then those who succeed them”[3]

The Messenger of Allah said:
"The Jews have split and divided into seventy-one sects and the Christians have split and divided into seventy-two sects and my Ummah would split into seventy-three. All of these sects will be in the fire except one." They said, "And which one is this O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "The Jamaa'ah".[4]

Shaikh Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaani rahimahullah says about this hadeeth:
This is the most popular narration if this hadeeth and it is an authentic narration. In another narrations which explains this one, the Messenger of Allah when asked about the group that would be saved, said:

"The one that adheres to what I and my Companions adhere to.[5]
A point must be made here relating to the words of the Messenger of Allah, "…and my Companions". It is clear that, had the Messenger of Allah limited himself to saying, "What I am adhering to." It would have been sufficient as an answer. Due to great wisdom, however he went further and added:"…and my Companions".

The wisdom behind this is that the Companions of the Messenger of Allah were all upon true guidance from their Lord. They learnt the Revelation which was sent down upon the heart of the Prophet, fresh and pure, just as it was revealed and before its meanings were corrupted by foreign elements and vain desires which captured the hearts of some of those who came after them. This corruption is evident in the emergence of views and thoughts contradictory to that of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah. This is why he mentioned the Companions and mentioned them along with what he was upon; for he knew that they would be true followers of him.[6]

A Practical Example: The Ruling on Intoxicants

There are four verses of the Qur'an dealing with intoxicants.
"And from the fruits of date-palms and grapes, you derive strong drinks and a goodly provision. Verily therein indeed is a sign for all people who have wisdom".[7] "They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drinks and gambling. Say: "In them there is a great sin and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than the benefit." [8] "O you who believe! Approach not as-Salat (Prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter".[9] "O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kind of alcoholic drinks [and by extension anything that intoxicates and makes a person loose sense like drugs]), gambling, al Ansab[10], and al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful." [11]

These verses tell us about what the Qur'an says about intoxicants. The first verse describes the sources of intoxicants and it does not indicate any prohibition while the last verse is clear in its prohibition. This is the proper understanding of these verses: that the prohibition of intoxicants is gradual. It was somehow discourage first by mentioning its harm and some benefits then came the prohibition of consuming it when approaching prayer, until it was finally prohibited.
Some deranged individual understood these verses to be the other way around. That it was prohibited first and when the Imaan (faith) of the Muslims became strong then they were ultimately allowed drinking it. These people believe that the Shari'ah (Law) of Allah is only applicable to the common masses who haven’t reached a certain status. They claim that a status can be achieved on which the Shari'ah would not be applicable to them anymore. This idea is not uncommon in some Muslim mystics or Sufis. How do we then properly understand these verses? How do we know which verses came first and which one abrogate the other? This can only be known by those who experience themselves the revelation of these verses (i.e. the Sahabah/Companions of the Messenger of Allah).

Imam Ahmad[12] recorded that Abu Hurairah said,

"There were three stages to prohibiting Khamr (Intoxicants). When the Messenger of Allah migrated to Al-Madinah, the people were consuming alcohol and gambling, so they asked the Messenger of Allah about these things, Allah revealed,

"They ask you about alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin and (some) benefit for men."

Until the end of the verse, The people said, "They (intoxicants and gambling) were not prohibited for us. Allah only said, "In them is a great sin and (some) benefit."

So they went on drinking Khamr until one day, one of the emigrants (Muhaajir: a Muslim who migrated from Makkah to Madinah), lead his companions in the Maghrib prayer and mixed up the verses in his recitation. Thereafter, Allah sent down a tougher statement,
"O you who believe! Approach not the Salah (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you now (the meaning) of what you utter."

Then people would drink before the time of the prayer so that they would attend the prayer while sober. A firmer verse was later revealed,

"O you who believe! Khamr, Maysir, Ansab and Azlam are an abomination of Shaitan's handiwork. So avoid that in order that you may be successful."
So they said, 'We abstained, O Lord'.[13]

It was Abu Hurairah, a Companion of the Messenger of Allah who explained these verses. Without the understanding of the Companions those who play with the verses Qur'an and Hadeeth that are possible to multiple interpretations would have succeeded. That is why the understanding of the Companions is indispensable for us to understand and apply Islam properly.

Enter Islam Completely

This kind of understanding and methodology must be applied in all aspects of Islam and not just in understanding the verses of alcohol. This should be applied in belief, in Ibaadah (worship), every day life, methodology of da'wah and rectification of the society. There are so many examples of this methodology which requires a complete separate discussion. Allah says in the Qur'an:

"O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam"[14]

This believing and implementing the Qur'an Sunnah upon the understanding of the Sahabah must be executed in all spheres of life. Those who want to make changes in Bangsamoro must take into consideration that Allah knew their predicaments and because of His Mercy has already sent solutions to it long before it happened. This solution is Islam and the methodology is also returning to the Qur'an and Sunnah built upon the understanding of the Sahabah as proven by numerous verses from the Qur'an and hadeeth. Imam Maalik rahimahullah says something similar to this: That which rectifies the first part of Ummah will rectify the last part of it." The First part of this Ummah was the Sahabah and their followers. It was by adhering to the Qur'an and Sunnah that they were rectified.

And we commonly hear people say that Islam is the complete way of life but how complete is it in their life is another matter altogether! Individuals and organizations that hopes for the rectification of Bangsamoro must think and contemplate upon the methodology by which he/she/they traversed. We see people calling to Allah and His Messenger and yet they fail to practice it themselves. Thus they make Halaal what Allah made Haraam and vice versa! Further, those who are in the 'Islamic' side seek to interpret Islam with their own methodology so much so that some of their practices are virtually alien to Islam. Thus in actuality they go against the Qur'an and Sunnah! Thus like those who are on the secular side they make Halaal what Allah made Haraam and vice versa! It is with obedience to Allah that success is granted. Think about this O Muslims, O Bangsamoro: Who can grant success except Allah?

This understanding and methodology is the not the creation of this writer or our contemporary scholars. In fact this methodology is present since the beginning of Islam as the Qura'nic verses quoted above proves as well as the narrations coming from the Messenger of Allah regarding his companions and those who followed their ways. Numerous scholars of generation to generation since the beginning until present have spoken about this methodology. Perhaps this particular point requires another discussion in the future insha-Allah.
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[1] See www.fatwa-online.com
[2] Surah An-Nisaa’ 4:115
[3] It is related by Bukharee (English Trans. Volume 5 Hadeeth 2 and 3) and Muslim.
[4] Related by at-Tirmidhee (no.2641). It was declared to be authentic by Shaykh al-Albaani in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah (no.1348).
[5] Related by al-Hathamee in Majma'uz-Zawaa'id (1/189). It was declared to be authentic by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheehul-Jaami' (52/9).
[6] The Present State of the Ummah by Shaykh Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaani. Available in www.troid.org entitled "The Sacred Salafi Methodology".
[7] Soorah an-Nahl 16:67
[8] Soorah al-Baqarah 2:219
[9] Soorah an-Nisaa' 4:43
[10] Sacrificing animals to other than Allah.
[11] Soorah al-Maa'idah 5: 90
[12] Musnad of Imam Ahmad Volume 2:351
[13] There are so many hadeeth relating to this incident. See Tafsir Ibn Kathir English translation on Soorah al Maa'idah 5:90 for a detailed discussion. Volume 3 pages 254-264. Published by Darussalam.
[14] Soorah al-Baqarah 2:208