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Jamaa’ah and Imaarah (The Muslim Group and Leadership)
Shaikh Abdus-Salaam Zoud
Thursday, March 30, 2006 Register and Join our Online Community & Forums for Free.
A Great way to meet lots of muslims and learn about Islam. Definition of Jamaa’ah: Whenever the word Jamaa’ah is used in Islamic Shari’ah, it refers to the Muslim people in general. Adhering to it means that a Muslim must not come up with any ideas, words, or exercise of judgment, which goes against the consensus of the Muslim Ummah during any period of Islam. Otherwise such a person who opposes it is disobedient and becomes out of the fold of Islam as Allah Most High says:
“And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way. We shall keep him on the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination.” [An-Nisaa: 115]
Whenever the word Imaam in Islamic context is used, it refers to the leader of the Muslim in general. Following his leadership means pledging allegiance (bay ‘ah) to him, in addition to listening and obeying him in both matters of ease and hardship. Ibn ‘Umar (r.a) narrated that the Prophet said: “…and whoever dies without having pledged allegiance [to him] has died the death of ignorance.” (Muslim) Therefore it is obligatory upon a person to make bay ‘ah to the leader of the Muslims and sticking to the Muslim Jamaa’ah based on the words of the Prophet made to Hudhaifah ibn al-Yamaan: “Stick to the Jamaa’ah of the Muslims and their leader.” (Agreed Upon) And so through the passage of time, after the demise of the Prophetic period and that of the rightly guided Khilaafahs, and in addition to Muslims distancing themselves from their deen (religion / way of life), the great Jamaa’ah of the Muslims has weakened. This has left the Muslims with no general leader to lead the Muslims. Therefore, it is obligatory upon Muslims to strive in finding a leader or else they are sinful. There has not been a rightly guided Khilaafah for the Muslims (for far too long). Furthermore, the great Jamaa’ah has become small in number, however, it will continue to exist by the will of Allah. There will not be a period without its existence, and it will continue to have its leaders. The Messenger of Allah said: “A group of my ummah will continue to fight in truth, manifest till the last day. ‘Isaa the son of Maryam will descend and the leader [of the Muslims] will say: ‘Come and lead us in Salaat.’ He will say: ‘No, you are the leaders of each other…” (Muslim) And so the Khilaafah will return once again by the will of Allah, and in accordance with the way of the Prophet . Therefore it is incumbent upon the Muslims to strive with all that they have been given towards its revival. Fortunate is he, who works hard towards its establishment and believes in it. Brothers and Sisters in Islam – Sticking together as one nation is one of the requirement of the Islamic Shari’ah, and one of its obligatory requirements based on what Allah has said: “And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves…” [Aal-Imraan: 103] He, Most High, also said: “…And do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength departs, and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient.” [Al-Anfaal: 46] He also said: “You are the best of people ever raised up for mankind…” [Aal-Imraan: 110] Never will we be a nation except if we bond together on one path. Allah the Exalted said: “And do not be as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment.” [Aal-Imraan: 105] Allah also said: “Verily, those who divided their religion and break up into sects, you [O Muhammad ] have no concern in them in the least…” [Aal-Imraan: 159] All of these verses plus many others, which deal with the same issue, dictate that unity of the Ummah, in both belief and way are obligatory, and that there is no choice regarding it. The verses also indicate how disunity and division leads to failure in this life, and punishment in the hereafter. Indeed the Islamic Message has great objectives that include:
· Spreading Islam to all of mankind
All of these noble objectives cannot be achieved if the Muslims are divided and disunified.
The situation of the Muslims today is not in accordance with the requirements of the Shari’ah. Their beliefs are many after it was only one. Their ways are separated and numerous. Factors that have contributed to the separation of this Ummah include:
· Nationalism
It is these factors that have led the enemies of Islam to disgrace it and gain a better grip over the Muslims. Obligatory principles that should be adhered to for the unity of the Muslims 1. Holding fast onto the Qur’an. Having firm belief that it is the literal word of Allah. Acting upon it. Referring back to it in all matters. Referring those verses that are unclear back to those that are clear. Making it the first source of Islamic Shari’ah. 2. Holding fast to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . Making it the second source from amongst the sources of the Islamic Shari’ah. Allah Most High says: “…And let those oppose the Messenger’s commandment beware, lest some fitnah befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [An-Noor: 63] 3. Following the path of the believers. As Allah Most High said: “And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way. We shall keep him on the path that he has chosen, and burn him in hell – what an evil destination.” [An-Nisaa: 115] The Prophet said: “Indeed Allah does not unite my Ummah over Dalaalah (deviation from what is right, wrongdoing, aberration, aberrance, perversity or error).” (Tirmidhi – Deemed authentic by Sheikh Al-Albaani) 4. Referring problems and issues of uncertainty to the scholars of Islam. Allah Most High says: “Whenever there come to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people), if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly)…” [An-Nisaa: 83] 5. Carrying out actions that will bring about a Muslim leader who will have authority over the Muslims. An Imaam who will unify the Ummah and rule by the Shari’ah of Islam on the land. From amongst the evidences that indicate the seriousness of bringing about an Imaam is the actions of the companions. Leadership was the first thing the Muslims thought about immediately after the death of Prophet Muhammad . They placed it before his burial, because any delay in appointing a Muslim leader will leave the people with no authority to turn to. Thus will leave individuals to act in anyway they wish, and which will also lead them to exercise their judgment towards that which may be incorrect. Indeed this is what happened after his death. The Ansar (Helpers) gathered under the shelter area of Bani Saa ‘idah in order to appoint a leader from amongst them. Had the Muhaajiroon (immigrants) left them to do this, there would have been great harm. And thus the Muslims never gather on Dalaalah. * It is the existence of a general leader that is the major principle that will unite the Muslim Ummah, making all of the previously mentioned principles fall into place. 6. Striving towards the support and advice of the various Muslim Organisations. Many Muslim organizations have risen as a result of the fall of the Islamic Khilaafah and due to many of the rulers engaging in issues pertaining to worldly issues instead of those relating to their religion. And so due to the many rifts that have come about as a result of this, the birth of many Islamic organizations developed. Some of the reasons these organizations formed was to:
· Teach the children of Islam about their deen
The situation has reached a point where the governments have neglected defending the sanctity and rights of the Muslims and their countries. In fact the doors of their countries have opened up to the enemies of Allah for them to spread corruption. And so the Muslims have had to stand up against this themselves as result of the actions of these governments. The Muslims both past and present have taken it upon themselves and have established and developed many different types of Islamic centers that service Islam and the Muslims. Some of these organizations work openly, while others work in secret. Some operate formally and officially, and others operate informally and unofficially, in order to carry out and fulfill the objectives, purposes and aims of Islam and the Muslims.
The Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the Ijmaa’ (consensus), all call to helping towards righteousness and Taqwa (piety), in addition to working collectively for the sake of upholding the deen of Islam, and in order for the word of Allah to be the highest. It is because of this we find our Salaf-us-Saalih (pious predecessors) working within the framework of a general leader or that of a specific group during the absence of the leader or during times where he has fallen short of fulfilling his duties.
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) worked hard within the domain of an active Jamaa’ah that commanded in accordance with his commandments and fought after his consultation. And so as a result of his numerous jihads, Allah safeguarded the Islamic Ummah from the dangers that were threatening it. Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhaab
Again Sheikhul-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab (may Allah have mercy on him) established an active Jamaa’ah for the purposes of D ‘awah and Jihad. This took place after the spread of ignorance, shirk (polytheism), fornication and adultery, and after the teachings and rulings of Islam were abandoned. The end result was fruitful, in that it was able to rid the peninsula of the acts of shirk and nonsense that it was engaged in. And so once again the Shari’ah of Allah was being implemented on His land. He didn’t wait for the permission of the Khilaafah, which at that time was spreading its authority over the entire Muslim world. Indeed Allah brought to reality his motives and objectives. This is evident today, whereby we live in a state in which his fruitful Da’wah (Islamic call and propogation) and Jihad can be tasted and felt this very day. All one has to do is read carefully about the history of his da’wah, and how he transformed the Islamic world from complete ignorance to a different state all together. This would not have been possible had it not been for the Jamaa’ah established by the sheikh – May Allah have mercy on him.
Sheikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said in his book titled “Al-Siyaasah Al-Shar ‘iyyah” under the heading “The Obligation of Having Leadership”: “It is obligatory to know that leadership of the people is one of the greatest obligations of this deen…” The Messenger of Allah said: “If three people go out on a journey, then they should make one of them a leader.” (Abu Dawud) In a similar narration found in the musnad of Ahmad, the Prophet said: “It is not lawful for three people to be in a desert except that they select one of them as a leader.” (Transmitted by Abdullah ibn ‘Umar) The question that poses itself: What is the duty on the Muslims during these days which does not have an Imaam nor a Jamaa’ah? Answer: Firstly: Strive towards making this happen, if there is a way for this to achieved. or Secondly: Complete isolation if there is no possible way for this to be achieved, as will be the case towards the end of time. This will take place during times of great trials, whereby the only callers that will remain are those that will be standing at the doors of Hellfire. Anybody who obeys them will be thrown into it. Hudhaifah ibn Al-Yamaan asked the Messenger of Allah saying: “…And if they (i.e. the Muslims) do not have a Jamaa’ah nor an Imaam?” The Prophet replied: “Then abandon all of those groups, even if you could bite onto the roots of a tree until death befalls you whilst you are in that state.” (Agreed Upon)
Undoubtedly this period in which the Prophet foretold, and commanded the Muslims to go into isolation from all the people, is not referring to the time we are currently living in.
Perhaps the general Jamaa’ah of the Muslims has been torn apart, and the general Imaam (i.e. the Khalifah) has been absent from them. However, the individual Jamaa‘ah and the individual Imaam have not become absent from them. The Islamic Shari’ah makes it obligatory upon the Muslims in every place to be in a Jamaa’ah, and for them to have leaders (Imaams). This is evident in the previously mentioned hadith of Abu Hurairah collected by Abu Dawud: “If three people go out to travel, let them select one of them as a leader.” Also, in the hadith collected by Imaam Ahmad: “It is not lawful for three people to be in a desert, except that they select one of them as a leader.” This hadith is the basis for the requirement of an individual Jamaa’ah, and that it is impermissible for three Muslims to be in a barren land, or traveling, without one of them being an amir (leader) over them. And so if this is the case when traveling, and when it is about three individuals only, then the obligation of having leaders for the millions of Muslims is a far greater obligation. Sheikh Abdur-Rahmaan Abdul-Khaaliq said: “Undoubtedly, this applies by way of analogically reasoning to the Jamaa’ah of those who have migrated, living in the non-Muslim countries. Therefore, we as Muslim migrants living in the lands of the disbelievers are not permitted to remain divided. It is obligatory upon us to unite into one Jamaa’ah which has one leader. We should be learning the deen of Allah, calling others to it, and applying the previously mentioned principles. The Messenger of Allah never left Madinah without having appointed someone as a leader, keeping in mind that those who usually stayed behind most of the time were the women and the children”.
All of the textual proofs mentioned so far and others are sufficient to say that there must be a jamaa’ah and a leader for the Muslims. Many important duties are carried out through these Muslim organizations: Enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, righteous actions, fulfillment of the needs of the Muslims, and carrying out vital obligations from amongst those which are Fard Kifaayah (communal obligations). Some of these d‘awah organisations are carrying out the greatest communal obligations - Jihad for the sake of Allah, fighting the (oppressive) disbelievers. Can any person with an intellect imagine that such individuals carry out such noble and great actions without being part of an organized jamaa’ah and without a leader!
The first duty is that the establishment of a Jamaa’ah must be done purely for the sake of Allah, and in pursuit of His pleasure. The concern of every individual should be about searching for the truth and applying it, i.e. the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the Ijmaa’ (consensus). The second step Muslims must take is to try and unite all the Muslim groups into one Jamaa’ah, under one leader. This cannot take place unless the previously mentioned principles are put into action. However, numerous Muslims are living individual and scattered lives. Many of them are not members or part of an individual Da’wah or religious organization. Therefore, the goal of blending all the groups into one united Jamaa’ah is not something that will take place sometime soon. What is the benefit behind a Muslim becoming part of an Islamic organization? The answer to this question is that it is mustahab (desired). It is incumbent on the Muslim who joins a Jamaa’ah to help in the fulfillment of its requirements, and to act in a manner which will benefit the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah said: “Whosoever makes a vow to obey Allah, then he should obey Him.” In light of this statement, whoever attaches himself to a Jamaa’ah is like the one who has vowed to obey Allah. Indeed one may have committed himself to a Jamaa’ah, curbing his freedom, however, he must remember that he has committed himself to obedience, to that which is good, and jihad for the sake of Allah. Indeed such work is very meritorious and is counted from amongst the noblest of acts of worship, because the Muslims are in dire need of such work. Who makes the decisions in an individual Jamaa’ah? This should be done through consultation. Allah Most High says: “…And consult them in the affairs…” [Aal-Imraan: 159] He also said: “And those who respond to their Lord and establish salaat, and manage their affairs by mutual consultation…” [Ash-Shura: 38] It is apparent from these verses that is not lawful for a leader to impose his decision without consulting the Muslims. He is not permitted to compel his followers regarding something they disagree with. The decision must be based on the majority, and the responsibility must lie on the shoulders of the Jamaa’ah collectively. The results of a decision should be referred back to the Jamaa’ah as a whole. Know that the judgments exercised as a group are far stronger than those made individually. And so the decision of the majority should be placed over and above the decisions of individuals and minorities. If we look back at the time of the Prophet , and into the periods of the rightly guided Khalifahs, we will not find any incidents in which the decision of the companions went against that of the Messenger of Allah or that of the khalifahs. The Prophet said to Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both): “If both of you agreed on something, I would not have differed with you.” (Ahmad)
The Seerah (biography) of the Prophet is filled with examples whereby the Prophet resorted to the decision of the majority of the companions. Some of these examples include:
Finally, the Salafi Da’wah is the one that encompasses the whole of Islam: By the Grace of Allah, there is no da’wah organization which carries out the teachings of Islam than that of the Salafi Da’wah. The Salafi Da’wah is not inclined towards an individual, partisan group, or any particular group. However, it is inclined towards the teachings of the Qur’an, the authentic Sunnah, and the methodology of the Salaf-us-Saalih (pious predecessors). It is an infallible Da’wah because its evidences are from the words of Allah and His Messenger only. Without a doubt, every Jamaa’ah that works on this basis is a blessed Jamaa’ah, as long as it follows the truth, and acts in accordance with the book of Allah and the Sunnah. Likewise, every scholar who adheres to this Da’wah is blessed, and is one who is following the cream of this Ummah – the companions, the best of the taabieen, the scholars of hadith, the people of Tawheed, and the people of Ahlus-Sunnah and the Jamaa’ah. Every single one of us should look at himself. If he is part of a rightly guided Islamic Jamaa’ah, then he should praise Allah Most High. However, if he is living a life alone, isolated from the Jamaa’ah of the Muslims, then he should know that the wolves of mankind will eat him up sooner or later. To be saved from this, he should hasten towards associating himself with a rightly guided Jamaa’ah that works in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah, as understood by the pious predecessors. Through this he will be able to live a happy life, both in this life and in the Hereafter, as a result of those who will help and support him towards the obedience of Allah and the obedience of His Messenger Muhammad . We ask Allah to give us the strength to do all that which He loves and pleases Him. From IISCA.org |