Benefits of the Hadith: (Were it not that I would cause difficulty for my Ummah, or for the people, I would have ordered them to use the miswak with every prayer).
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The Shaykh : This hadith is evidence for the emphasis on using the miswak with every prayer, based on his saying: Does the funeral prayer fall under this? Yes.
It contains evidence that an absolute command implies obligation, based on his saying:.
It contains evidence that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has the authority to command and prohibit, meaning without revelation. If revelation were necessary, he would have said: "Were it not that Allah would cause difficulty for His servants, I would have ordered them." There is no doubt that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) speaks based on his own ijtihad, and not everything he utters is revelation. However, when Allah approves of something he does, it becomes Shari'ah from Allah. The evidence for this is that when the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) exerted his ijtihad but it was not in accordance with the truth, Allah clarified it to him, as in His saying:[At-Tawbah 9:43] [At-Tahrim 66:1] [Al-Ahzab 33:37] May Allah send blessings and peace upon him.
So, if Allah approves of something done by His Prophet, He is pleased with it, and it is part of His Shari'ah and religion. Similarly, if the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approves of something done by a person, it becomes part of his Shari'ah and Sunnah.
It also contains evidence of the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) compassion for his Ummah.
Does this imply that if a scholar sees that something is difficult for the people, he should not order them to do it?
No, he does not leave off the command; he commands them, because anyone other than the Messenger is not a lawgiver. But he commands them and explains the facilitation, saying, for example: "If it is difficult for you, do so and so." Just as we tell a person regarding kaffarah: "Free a slave, and if you do not find one, fast two consecutive months, and if you are unable to do that, feed sixty poor people." As for remaining silent about the Shari'ah and not ordering people to do it because we see that it is difficult for them, that is an error.
The reader: And bless His servant and our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows: Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) said in the Book of Jumu'ah: Chapter on applying oil for Jumu'ah...
The Shaykh : We have read this.
with every prayer
مع كل صلاةIt contains evidence that an absolute command implies obligation, based on his saying:
I would have ordered them
لأمرتهمIt contains evidence that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has the authority to command and prohibit, meaning without revelation. If revelation were necessary, he would have said: "Were it not that Allah would cause difficulty for His servants, I would have ordered them." There is no doubt that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) speaks based on his own ijtihad, and not everything he utters is revelation. However, when Allah approves of something he does, it becomes Shari'ah from Allah. The evidence for this is that when the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) exerted his ijtihad but it was not in accordance with the truth, Allah clarified it to him, as in His saying:
May Allah pardon you, [O Muhammad]; why did you give them permission [to remain behind]? [You should not have] until it was evident to you who were truthful and you knew [who were] the liars.
عفا الله عنك لم أذنت لهم حتى يتبين لك الذين صدقوا وتعلم الكاذبينO Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful for you
يا أيها النبي لم تحرم ما أحل الله لكAnd [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him.
وإذ تقول للذي أنعم الله عليه وأنعمت عليه أمسك عليك زوجك واتق الله وتخفي في نفسك ما الله مبديه وتخشى الناس والله أحق أن تخشاهSo, if Allah approves of something done by His Prophet, He is pleased with it, and it is part of His Shari'ah and religion. Similarly, if the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approves of something done by a person, it becomes part of his Shari'ah and Sunnah.
It also contains evidence of the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) compassion for his Ummah.
Does this imply that if a scholar sees that something is difficult for the people, he should not order them to do it?
No, he does not leave off the command; he commands them, because anyone other than the Messenger is not a lawgiver. But he commands them and explains the facilitation, saying, for example: "If it is difficult for you, do so and so." Just as we tell a person regarding kaffarah: "Free a slave, and if you do not find one, fast two consecutive months, and if you are unable to do that, feed sixty poor people." As for remaining silent about the Shari'ah and not ordering people to do it because we see that it is difficult for them, that is an error.
The reader: And bless His servant and our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows: Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) said in the Book of Jumu'ah: Chapter on applying oil for Jumu'ah...
The Shaykh : We have read this.