Teaching the Muslims (the correct) ’aqeedah does not mean that we
have judged them to be unbelievers. Rather, we teach the Muslims about ’aqeedah
in order for them to know about it thoroughly, and know what matters nullify it
and what matters are contrary to it. Hudhayfah Ibnul-Yamaan, one of the
distinguished Companions - radiyallaahu ’anhu - said:
“People used to ask the Messenger about the good, but I used to ask him
about the evil, for fear of falling into it.” [2] Likewise ’Umar Ibnul-Khattaab
(radiyallaahu ’anhu) said: “Soon the bonds of Islaam will be loosened
bit by bit, because people will enter into Islaam but will be unaware of Jaahiliyyah
(ignorant practices that Islaam opposes).” [3] Thus, when we teach ’aqeedah,
this does not imply that we have judged those whom we are teaching to be
non-Muslims. Rather, what it means is that we desire that they should be
thoroughly aware of the correct Islaamic ’aqeedah; so as to cling to it,
and to be aware of what opposes it; so as to keep far away from it. Allaah -
the Most High - said, whilst addressing His Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam:
“So have knowledge about Laa ilaaha illallaah (i.e, have
knowledge that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah), and seek
forgiveness for your sins, and for the believing men and women.” [Soorah
Muhammad 47:19]
So it is essential that a person learns and that he does not content
himself with merely saying: ‘I am a Muslim.’ Yes indeed, you are a Muslim - and
all praise is for Allaah! However, if one of you were asked as to what Islaam
means, or you were asked to explain what Islaam is, then many of you would not
be able to correctly explain this. If one of you were to be asked to explain
what are those factors which nullify Islaam, then many of you would not be able
to explain this. Thus, if a person is ignorant (of such fundamentals), it is
possible that he may fall into falsehood without realizing it. If one of you
were asked to explain the pillars of Islaam or eemaan (faith) that the
Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) explained and taught, we would
find that most people would be unable to do so. So how is it that a person
(suffices with) saying: ‘I am a Muslim,’ yet does not know these (basic)
matters!
Unfortunately, many of the du’aat (callers to Islaam) are
themselves unaware of (basic matters such as) what are the conditions for
Prayer, or unaware of the rules and regulations concerning wudoo‘
(ablution) and those matters which invalidate wudoo‘. Some of them do
not even know what matters form the arkaan (pillars) of the Prayer, or
form its waajibaat (obligations), or those matters which invalidate the
Prayer. So what Islaam are they calling to! Islaam is not merely a call, rather
it is a reality to be learnt and practiced. So it is essential to acquire sound
knowledge and understanding of the Religion. This is because a person who does
not have sound knowledge, may fall into dangers without even realizing it; just
like a person who walks down a path, but is ignorant of the fact that along
this path there is a ditch, or a hole, or even an ambush. Yet (due to his
ignorance) he ends up falling into the hole, or the ambush, without even
realizing it.
Thus it is essential to learn about Tawheed, since it is Tawheed
that is the basic foundation (of both the Religion and the correct Islaamic ’aqeedah).
Indeed, no one abstains from learning about Tawheed (and those matters
it necessitates, as well as its limits, conditions, fundamentals, clear proofs,
fruits and consequences, and those matters which increase and strengthen it,
and those that decrease and weaken it, etc.) except one of two people: [i] an
ignorant person - and the ignorant person’s [view] is not to be given any weight;
or [ii] a bigoted deviant - one who desires to avert people from the ’aqeedah
of pure Tawheed, and who wishes to conceal from the people his own false
beliefs, and those other deviant beliefs that are (falsely) ascribed to Islaam.
And this is possibly the Ease of many of those who abstain from learning about Tawheed.
Allaah - the Most High - said:
“And it is not proper for all the Believers to go out together and
fight. From every troop of them only a party of them should go forth, so that
those who remain behind may gain understanding of the Religion so that they may
(instruct and) warn their people when they return to them, in order that
they may beware.” [Sooratut-Tawbah 9:122]
Also, the Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever Allaah desires to show goodness to, He gives him the understanding of
the Religion.” [4] The meaning of this hadeeth is that whenever Allaah
does not want to show goodness to a person, He does not give him the
understanding of the Religion. So the one who says: ‘I do not need to learn ’aqeedah.’
It is as if he is saying: ‘I do not need to gain understanding of the
Religion!’ And this is said by either an ignorant person, or one who is
misguided!
