A Principle of Jurisprudence: Generality Encompasses All Its Individuals, with an Example.
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : Now, does generality encompass all its individuals? Does it encompass all its individuals? This is a principle of jurisprudence that I wished to address, because some contemporary scholars have established a defective principle: that generality encompasses all its individuals, or does it not? No, no. Does generality encompass all its individuals, or does it not?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Yes, exactly so. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used generality; it is comprehensive of all its individuals. He applied it as a Prophetic Sunnah principle. The Companions used to say in the tashahhud: How do you say "Peace be upon Allah"? Allah is Himself Peace, Mighty and Majestic. ... What? [Al-Hashr 59:23] How do you say "Peace be upon Allah"? Peace be upon the human being who has deficiency, whereas the Perfect One is Peace. He said: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1298Sahih (Darussalam) This indicates that generality encompasses the individual. It was withdrawn. May Allah reward you with good. It was withdrawn. May Allah keep you safe. It encompasses all individuals, it encompasses all individuals.
Likewise, when a general term comes from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), the original rule is that the Companions and the Tabi'un acted upon it. This is the original rule: when a term comes to us from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) or from the Noble Qur'an, the original rule is that the Companions acted upon it. Whoever claims otherwise must provide evidence, for we know that the Companions were the most rigorous of people in executing the commands of Allah and His Messenger. Some contemporary scholars have said: "When a general term comes to us in the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and we do not know that the Companions acted upon it, then it has no basis and is not acted upon." Glory be to Allah! It is not required of us to adhere to the command in adhering to following.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Yes, exactly so. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used generality; it is comprehensive of all its individuals. He applied it as a Prophetic Sunnah principle. The Companions used to say in the tashahhud:
Peace be upon Allah, peace be upon Jibril, peace be upon Mikail, peace be upon so-and-so and so-and-so. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: Indeed, Allah is Peace.
السلام على الله ، السلام على جبرائيل ، السلام على ميكائيل، السلام على فلان وفلان فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وآلهِ وسلم : إن الله هو السلامThe Believer, the Guardian
المؤمن المهيمنthe Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection
الملك القدوس السلامDo not say peace (salam) be upon Allah (SWT), for Allah (SWT) is As-Salam (the Source of peace; the One free from all faults). Rather say: At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibaat, as-salamu 'alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina a 'ala ibad illahis-salihin (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah.) If you say that, it will be for every righteous slave in the heavens and on earth,
لا تقولوا السلام على الله فإن الله هو السلام ولكن قولوا السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين ، فإنكم إذا قلتم ذلك فقد سلمتم على كل عبد صالح في السماء والأرضLikewise, when a general term comes from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), the original rule is that the Companions and the Tabi'un acted upon it. This is the original rule: when a term comes to us from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) or from the Noble Qur'an, the original rule is that the Companions acted upon it. Whoever claims otherwise must provide evidence, for we know that the Companions were the most rigorous of people in executing the commands of Allah and His Messenger. Some contemporary scholars have said: "When a general term comes to us in the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and we do not know that the Companions acted upon it, then it has no basis and is not acted upon." Glory be to Allah! It is not required of us to adhere to the command in adhering to following.