Questions from a representative of the Al-Balad newspaper regarding issues, some of which relate to Arab nationalism
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In the month of Muharram of last year, meaning the year 1380 AH, a representative of the Al-Balad newspaper asked me about several issues, some of which related to nationalism, so I answered him with what was published in the Al-Balad newspaper.
And to complete the benefit for the readers, I thought that I should mention the questions and answers here, and this is their text:
Question : The first: What is your opinion, Your Excellency, regarding the call made by some external circles that Arab nationalism alone is the primary bond among Arabs?
The second question: What is your Excellency's opinion of the trend that appears clearly in these days to compare between nationalism and Islam, which appears in some newspapers and magazines in the Kingdom?
Question The third:Some the sincere servants Who Preachers address in and admonish them simple matters secondary in religion such as the method of shaving the head, Or the style of clothing, in When that there are matters important related to creed, that need Who These the sincere servants Who the callers to care special because they are matters important fundamental, So why your opinion Your Excellency In : this?
Question The fourth: He wishes newspaper the lands that carries Who Your Excellency advice to its readers Who various classes So why This?
The answer to the first question: It should be said: There is no doubt that the call for Arab nationalism to be the primary bond between the Arabs is a false call with no basis to support it, neither from reason nor revelation. Rather, it is a pre-Islamic, atheistic call whose proponents aim to fight Islam and escape from its rulings and teachings. One may call for it without intending this meaning, but rather calling for it out of imitation of others and good opinion of them; if he had known the truth of what is intended by it, he would have fought it and kept away from it. Everyone with the slightest knowledge of the history of the Arabs before and after Islam knows that the Arabs had no great value worth mentioning and no banner that instilled fear except through Islam. By it, they conquered the lands and ruled over the people, and by it, they were a nation whose side was feared, whose rights were respected, and whose heads were held high, until they changed, and so Allah changed them, as Allah the Exalted said: [Surah Ar-Ra'd: 11]. I do not wish to lengthen this discussion, because the newspaper cannot bear it, and the truth in this matter is clearer than the sun; no one with the slightest knowledge of the state of the Arabs and Islam doubts it. How excellent is the saying of Allah the Exalted to His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): [Surah Az-Zukhruf: 43-44], and His saying: [Surah Al-Anbiya: 10].
If the goal of the call to Arab nationalism is for the Arabs to unite, to share in their interests, and to take revenge on their enemy and drive him out of their lands, then this is not the way to this noble purpose. The only way is to return to their true religion, by which they were honored, known, and prominent in the arena, ruling over the nations, and to hold fast to its lenient teachings and wise rulings, to make it the judge in everything, to show loyalty and hostility based on it. By this, unity is achieved, interests are realized, revenge is taken on enemies, victory over them is guaranteed, and the outcome is good in this world and the Hereafter, as Allah the Exalted said in the clear revelation: [Surah Muhammad: 7], and He said: [Surah Al-Hajj: 40-41], and He said: [Surah An-Nur: 55].
The verses in this meaning are numerous and well-known. How excellent is what Malik ibn Anas (may Allah have mercy on him) said in this meaning: "The end of this Ummah will not be rectified except by what rectified its beginning." This Imam spoke the truth in this short, great word.
O Allah, rectify us, our rulers, and all the Muslims, for You are the All-Hearing, the Near.
As for the second question, the answer to it is: It should be said: Among the greatest injustices and foolishness is to compare Islam with Arab nationalism. Does nationalism, stripped of Islam, have any merits that deserve it to be placed in the rank of Islam and compared with it? There is no doubt that this is among the greatest disparagement of Islam and denial of its wise principles and teachings. How befitting is it to a sane mind to compare a nationalism that, if Abu Jahl, Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah, and their like among the enemies of Islam were alive, they would be its leaders and greatest proponents, with a noble religion suitable for every time and place, whose proponents and supporters are Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and others from the Companions, the leaders of Islam and its heroic defenders, and those who followed their path from the righteous? One cannot accept the comparison between a nationalism of this nature and these men, and a religion of this nature and these supporters and proponents, except one who is afflicted in his mind, or a blind imitator, or a bitter enemy of Islam and its Messenger.
Those who make this comparison are like one who compares dung with a pearl, or messengers with devils. Whoever reflects on this matter with insight and probes the truths and results will see that the comparison between nationalism and Islam is more dangerous for Islam than the comparison mentioned earlier. How can the comparison be valid between a nationalism whose ultimate end for one who dies upon it is the Fire, and a religion whose ultimate end for one who dies upon it is success in the nearness of the Noble Lord, in the abode of honor and the secure station? O Allah, guide us and set us on the straight path, for You are capable of all things.
The answer to the third question: There is no doubt that the guides are the doctors of society, and it is the doctor's affair to be concerned with knowing the diseases, then to work on treating them, starting with the most important, then the next most important. This is the method of the best doctors, those most knowledgeable of Allah, and those most upright in His right and the right of His servants. The Master of the children of Adam (may the best of prayers and peace be upon him from his Lord) began, when Allah sent him, by forbidding the greatest disease of society, which is shirk (associating partners with Allah) with Allah the Exalted. He did not cease, from the time Allah sent him, from warning the Ummah against shirk and calling them to tawhid (the oneness of Allah) until ten years had passed. Then he commanded prayer, then the rest of the Shari'ah. And so it is with the callers after him: they must follow his path and tread in his footsteps, starting with the most important, then the next. However, if the society is Muslim, it is permissible for the caller to call to the most important and other matters, and indeed it is obligatory for him to do so according to his capacity, because what is required is the rectification of the Muslim society and exerting one's utmost to purify its creed from the impurities of shirk and its means, and to purify its morals from what harms the society and weakens its faith.
There is no objection to his starting with other than the most important at some times, if speaking about the most important is not feasible. There is also no objection to his engaging with the most important and turning away from other than the most important, if he sees the benefit in that and fears that if he engages with both, he will fail in both. This is the affair of the reformers and the distinguished doctors; they are concerned with the ways of reform and follow the most effective and closest to the desired result. If they cannot achieve both benefits, or prevent both harms, they focus on the most important of them and engage with it to the exclusion of the other. Whoever reflects on the rules of the Shari'ah and the conduct of the Messenger (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him), and the conduct of his Rightly Guided Caliphs and the righteous Imams, will know what I have mentioned and understand how to guide people and how to rescue them from their diseases to the shore of safety. If his intention is sound and he exerts his utmost in seeking the truth, and asks his Lord for guidance to the best and most effective ways in da'wah, and consults the people of knowledge and experience regarding what is difficult for him, he will achieve success and be guided to the right, as the Exalted said: [Surah Al-'Ankabut: 69].
The fourth answer: My advice to all readers is: that they take the advice of Allah the Exalted, which He advised in His Noble Book, where He says: [Surah An-Nisa: 131]. And taqwa (mindfulness of Allah)—as the noble reader knows—is a comprehensive word. Its reality is that the servant fears the anger and punishment of his Lord by doing what Allah and His Messenger commanded and leaving what Allah and His Messenger forbade, with knowledge, faith, sincerity, love, desire, and fear. By this, he achieves happiness and a good outcome in this world and the Hereafter.
Among the things I advise readers to do, which is part of the fear of Allah, is to be careful in matters and to delay passing judgment on them until they have been studied from all angles and their meaning has been fully verified by weighing that meaning against the Shari'ah standard, which is the Book of Allah and what is authentic from the Sunnah. Whatever agrees with that standard is accepted, and whatever contradicts it is abandoned. The reader must be far removed from all excess and deficiency in his study of things and his weighing of them against the aforementioned standard, and must be free from the garments of fanaticism and desire. When he is safe from these matters and studies things with true study, sincerity, and good intention, he will succeed in finding the truth, attain correctness, and have a good outcome. How many times has haste brought calamities and problems upon its owners and others, where the days and nights pass and their effects remain? And how much corruption, destruction, and ill consequences have resulted from fanaticism and desire? We ask Allah for safety from that.
Among the things I also advise readers to do, which is of the most important aspects of the fear of Allah, is calling the servants of Allah to Allah the Exalted, enjoining one another to truth and patience upon it, cooperating in righteousness and the fear of Allah, enjoining good and forbidding evil with wisdom and good exhortation, and changing [evil] according to one's ability, as in the authentic hadith:Sahih Muslim 49a.
I ask Allah for everyone steadfastness upon the truth and safety from misleading trials, for He is the best of those asked and the most generous of those who respond, and Allah knows best.
And may Allah send prayers and peace upon His servant and messenger Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
In the month of Muharram of last year, meaning the year 1380 AH, a representative of the Al-Balad newspaper asked me about several issues, some of which related to nationalism, so I answered him with what was published in the Al-Balad newspaper.
And to complete the benefit for the readers, I thought that I should mention the questions and answers here, and this is their text:
Question : The first: What is your opinion, Your Excellency, regarding the call made by some external circles that Arab nationalism alone is the primary bond among Arabs?
The second question: What is your Excellency's opinion of the trend that appears clearly in these days to compare between nationalism and Islam, which appears in some newspapers and magazines in the Kingdom?
Question The third:Some the sincere servants Who Preachers address in and admonish them simple matters secondary in religion such as the method of shaving the head, Or the style of clothing, in When that there are matters important related to creed, that need Who These the sincere servants Who the callers to care special because they are matters important fundamental, So why your opinion Your Excellency In : this?
Question The fourth: He wishes newspaper the lands that carries Who Your Excellency advice to its readers Who various classes So why This?
The answer to the first question: It should be said: There is no doubt that the call for Arab nationalism to be the primary bond between the Arabs is a false call with no basis to support it, neither from reason nor revelation. Rather, it is a pre-Islamic, atheistic call whose proponents aim to fight Islam and escape from its rulings and teachings. One may call for it without intending this meaning, but rather calling for it out of imitation of others and good opinion of them; if he had known the truth of what is intended by it, he would have fought it and kept away from it. Everyone with the slightest knowledge of the history of the Arabs before and after Islam knows that the Arabs had no great value worth mentioning and no banner that instilled fear except through Islam. By it, they conquered the lands and ruled over the people, and by it, they were a nation whose side was feared, whose rights were respected, and whose heads were held high, until they changed, and so Allah changed them, as Allah the Exalted said:
Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ(43) So adhere to that which is revealed to you. Indeed, you are on a straight path. (44) And indeed, it is a remembrance for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.
فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِالَّذِي أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ إِنَّكَ عَلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ * وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْأَلُونَWe have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?
لَقَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ كِتَابًا فِيهِ ذِكْرُكُمْ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَIf the goal of the call to Arab nationalism is for the Arabs to unite, to share in their interests, and to take revenge on their enemy and drive him out of their lands, then this is not the way to this noble purpose. The only way is to return to their true religion, by which they were honored, known, and prominent in the arena, ruling over the nations, and to hold fast to its lenient teachings and wise rulings, to make it the judge in everything, to show loyalty and hostility based on it. By this, unity is achieved, interests are realized, revenge is taken on enemies, victory over them is guaranteed, and the outcome is good in this world and the Hereafter, as Allah the Exalted said in the clear revelation:
O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْAnd Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. (41) [And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of [all] matters.
وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ * الَّذِينَ إِنْ مَكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِAllah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًاThe verses in this meaning are numerous and well-known. How excellent is what Malik ibn Anas (may Allah have mercy on him) said in this meaning: "The end of this Ummah will not be rectified except by what rectified its beginning." This Imam spoke the truth in this short, great word.
O Allah, rectify us, our rulers, and all the Muslims, for You are the All-Hearing, the Near.
As for the second question, the answer to it is: It should be said: Among the greatest injustices and foolishness is to compare Islam with Arab nationalism. Does nationalism, stripped of Islam, have any merits that deserve it to be placed in the rank of Islam and compared with it? There is no doubt that this is among the greatest disparagement of Islam and denial of its wise principles and teachings. How befitting is it to a sane mind to compare a nationalism that, if Abu Jahl, Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah, and their like among the enemies of Islam were alive, they would be its leaders and greatest proponents, with a noble religion suitable for every time and place, whose proponents and supporters are Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and others from the Companions, the leaders of Islam and its heroic defenders, and those who followed their path from the righteous? One cannot accept the comparison between a nationalism of this nature and these men, and a religion of this nature and these supporters and proponents, except one who is afflicted in his mind, or a blind imitator, or a bitter enemy of Islam and its Messenger.
Those who make this comparison are like one who compares dung with a pearl, or messengers with devils. Whoever reflects on this matter with insight and probes the truths and results will see that the comparison between nationalism and Islam is more dangerous for Islam than the comparison mentioned earlier. How can the comparison be valid between a nationalism whose ultimate end for one who dies upon it is the Fire, and a religion whose ultimate end for one who dies upon it is success in the nearness of the Noble Lord, in the abode of honor and the secure station? O Allah, guide us and set us on the straight path, for You are capable of all things.
The answer to the third question: There is no doubt that the guides are the doctors of society, and it is the doctor's affair to be concerned with knowing the diseases, then to work on treating them, starting with the most important, then the next most important. This is the method of the best doctors, those most knowledgeable of Allah, and those most upright in His right and the right of His servants. The Master of the children of Adam (may the best of prayers and peace be upon him from his Lord) began, when Allah sent him, by forbidding the greatest disease of society, which is shirk (associating partners with Allah) with Allah the Exalted. He did not cease, from the time Allah sent him, from warning the Ummah against shirk and calling them to tawhid (the oneness of Allah) until ten years had passed. Then he commanded prayer, then the rest of the Shari'ah. And so it is with the callers after him: they must follow his path and tread in his footsteps, starting with the most important, then the next. However, if the society is Muslim, it is permissible for the caller to call to the most important and other matters, and indeed it is obligatory for him to do so according to his capacity, because what is required is the rectification of the Muslim society and exerting one's utmost to purify its creed from the impurities of shirk and its means, and to purify its morals from what harms the society and weakens its faith.
There is no objection to his starting with other than the most important at some times, if speaking about the most important is not feasible. There is also no objection to his engaging with the most important and turning away from other than the most important, if he sees the benefit in that and fears that if he engages with both, he will fail in both. This is the affair of the reformers and the distinguished doctors; they are concerned with the ways of reform and follow the most effective and closest to the desired result. If they cannot achieve both benefits, or prevent both harms, they focus on the most important of them and engage with it to the exclusion of the other. Whoever reflects on the rules of the Shari'ah and the conduct of the Messenger (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him), and the conduct of his Rightly Guided Caliphs and the righteous Imams, will know what I have mentioned and understand how to guide people and how to rescue them from their diseases to the shore of safety. If his intention is sound and he exerts his utmost in seeking the truth, and asks his Lord for guidance to the best and most effective ways in da'wah, and consults the people of knowledge and experience regarding what is difficult for him, he will achieve success and be guided to the right, as the Exalted said:
And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَThe fourth answer: My advice to all readers is: that they take the advice of Allah the Exalted, which He advised in His Noble Book, where He says:
And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And We have instructed those who were given the Scripture before you and yourselves to fear Allah
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَAmong the things I advise readers to do, which is part of the fear of Allah, is to be careful in matters and to delay passing judgment on them until they have been studied from all angles and their meaning has been fully verified by weighing that meaning against the Shari'ah standard, which is the Book of Allah and what is authentic from the Sunnah. Whatever agrees with that standard is accepted, and whatever contradicts it is abandoned. The reader must be far removed from all excess and deficiency in his study of things and his weighing of them against the aforementioned standard, and must be free from the garments of fanaticism and desire. When he is safe from these matters and studies things with true study, sincerity, and good intention, he will succeed in finding the truth, attain correctness, and have a good outcome. How many times has haste brought calamities and problems upon its owners and others, where the days and nights pass and their effects remain? And how much corruption, destruction, and ill consequences have resulted from fanaticism and desire? We ask Allah for safety from that.
Among the things I also advise readers to do, which is of the most important aspects of the fear of Allah, is calling the servants of Allah to Allah the Exalted, enjoining one another to truth and patience upon it, cooperating in righteousness and the fear of Allah, enjoining good and forbidding evil with wisdom and good exhortation, and changing [evil] according to one's ability, as in the authentic hadith:
He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه، وذلك أضعف الإيمانI ask Allah for everyone steadfastness upon the truth and safety from misleading trials, for He is the best of those asked and the most generous of those who respond, and Allah knows best.
And may Allah send prayers and peace upon His servant and messenger Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.