Regarding the general term that has not been acted upon in some of its instances, is the intent that only the Companions act upon it, or is the intent the action of the Ummah?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, regarding the general term, if it has not been acted upon in some of its instances, is the action intended to be by the Companions, the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), or generally, meaning the action of the entire Ummah?
The Shaykh : All Muslims, without a doubt, not just the Companions.
The questioner : If one person acted upon it?
The Shaykh : How?
The questioner : If one person acted upon this specific instance of this general term.
The Shaykh : One person from the Companions?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : From the people of knowledge?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In that case, we act upon it, because they are the role models, whereas we are not.
The questioner : If the era of the Companions and those after them has passed, and this action was practiced.
The Shaykh : No, that is not the case, because the Companions are those who witnessed it, and they are those who applied the texts and explained them. We gave the example of taking from the beard; they are the ones who witnessed the Messenger and heard his words, so they know more than those who came after them. If the general text is acted upon in all its parts, or not, that is the matter. But this sequence is not valid. Yes.
The Shaykh : All Muslims, without a doubt, not just the Companions.
The questioner : If one person acted upon it?
The Shaykh : How?
The questioner : If one person acted upon this specific instance of this general term.
The Shaykh : One person from the Companions?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : From the people of knowledge?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In that case, we act upon it, because they are the role models, whereas we are not.
The questioner : If the era of the Companions and those after them has passed, and this action was practiced.
The Shaykh : No, that is not the case, because the Companions are those who witnessed it, and they are those who applied the texts and explained them. We gave the example of taking from the beard; they are the ones who witnessed the Messenger and heard his words, so they know more than those who came after them. If the general text is acted upon in all its parts, or not, that is the matter. But this sequence is not valid. Yes.