Post by maruf on Feb 24, 2005 12:51:41 GMT -5
The Training of the Sahabah (raa)
Islam is the perfect ideology because it was designed by Allah (swt), the Creator. This Islamic
ideology is sent for all mankind. Since this ideology was meant for all mankind, then it must be
conveyed in a method that illustrates, and clarifies its nature, thus leaving no doubt in the minds of
humanity that Islam is the correct ideology for them. Therefore, it becomes an objective for all
Muslims to carry and convey the Islamic ideology to all the people.
This objective was very clearly understood by the Sahabah (raa). They knew that they had upon
their shoulders the responsibility of taking care of the affairs of the world. Allah (swt) gave them
the lofty role of global security.
The Prophet (saaw) created a unique generation without comparison in the history of Islam, nay, in
the entire history of humanity. This group was created from a society where its beliefs, values,
emotions and laws were non-Islamic. The Prophet (saaw) and his Sahabah (raa) were able to
challenge the Romans and the Persians, let alone the Quraysh.
The Muslims today, as did the Sahabah (raa), face the same challenge of bringing Islam back into
the world arena. However, the questions remain: How did the Prophet (saaw) create such a dynamic
group? How can we motivate ourselves to tread the footsteps of the Prophet (saaw)?
Muhammad (saaw) initially invited the people of Mecca to Islam and of those who responded to
this call he (saaw) molded their thinking and behavior. One particular place where this group met
was the house of Al-Arqam Ibn Abyl Arqam (12 years old). A place from which he (saaw) taught
them and developed their personalities (composed of thinking and behavior). He (saaw) made their
conviction in Islam firm and their awareness of the responsibility stronger.
Their new personality was formulated by addressing their thinking about the purpose of life. The
correct concepts of life and its affairs were explained to this group. The misconceptions,
superstitions, and erroneous ideas about life were removed. The Prophet (saaw) demanded from
them the complete abandonment of their old way of life prior to their entrance into the fold of Islam.
This way of thinking and reflection instilled in the Sahabah (raa) the Islamic aqeedah. This aqeedah
created a huge momentum for them to work for the deen of Islam. From then on they took the
Islamic aqeedah as a basis for their thinking and action.
The Prophet (saaw) ensured that the Sahabah (raa) accepted Islam through an intellectual manner
meaning they applied their intellect into arriving at the solid conclusion of the oneness of Allah
(swt) and the necessity for Prophets. Consequently, they realized that there is no valid authority
other than Allah (swt), no valid ideologies other than Islam, and no valid rituals or laws other than
those commanded by Allah (swt). Nothing else could dictate their life, in any respect, other than
Allah (swt). Thus, the Sahabah (raa) adopted Islam as a way of life.
Once, the aqeedah was embedded in the minds and the hearts of the Sahabah they had no hesitation
in obeying the Islamic rulings. They did not discriminate between the rulings related to wudhu or fighting in the way of Allah. More importantly, the Islamic aqeedah did not produce a defeated or apologetic mentality.
For example, the Prophet (saaw) asked the Sahabah (raa) that Quraysh had never heard the Quran distinctly read to them, and who was there who would make them listen to it?
When 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud said that he would, they [Sahabah] replied that they were afraid on his
behalf and they wanted only a man of a powerful family who would protect him from the populace
if they attacked him. He replied, "Let me alone, for Allah will protect me."
When this group of Muslims became strong and capable enough to face the society, then he (saaw)
came out leading his group to confront the Quraysh when Allah (swt) ordered him to do so.
Therefore expound openly what you are commanded and turn away from those who join false gods
with Allah. For sufficient are we unto you against those who scoff. Those who adopt with Allah
another god: but soon will they come to know.
(Al-Hijr: 94-96)
Allah 's Messenger (saaw) duly obeyed Allah's (swt) command and revealed his group to the whole
of Makkah; he emerged with this group, in a manner never witnessed by the Arabs, and together
they toured the Ka'aba declaring the Message. From that time on the Messenger of Allah (saaw)
campaigned in Makkah openly and defiantly.
Their understanding grounded well into their hearts and minds, the Sahabah (raa) took the clear
message of Islam to the society. Even with this small group of people and the intense societal
backlash the Prophet (saaw) persisted in criticizing the thoughts, emotions and systems of the non-
Islamic society of Mecca. The Prophet (saaw) and his group started engaging and interacting with
the society to show their falsehood. The Sahabah (raa) questioned the ideas carried by the society.
They questioned their idol gods, cheating in the scales of trade, their family values and ideals, etc.
While the Sahabah (raa) clearly understood this objective we are nowhere close to it. While we
have many schools and universities that teach the memorization of Quran and many masajid are
filled with shelves and shelves of Quran.Why and how has our education failed to create such
personalities?
The answer is that today our aqeedah is constructed in a very superficial manner. We accept Islam
in the same manner that Christians, Jews, and other religions believe in - by blind faith. This is a far
cry from the way the Sahabah (raa) believed in Islam - their understanding was firmly entrenched
in the sovereignty of Allah (swt). This Islamic aqeedah produced a generation that was responsible
for spreading Islam to the far corners of the world.
For instance, if we claim that Allah (swt) is the sole legislator, and yet we encourage participation
and voting in the secular and democratic systems, then a split personality is developed that is
deviant of Islam.
The Islamic ideology and in particular the aqeedah has to be given to the people in a holistic
manner. We cannot discard or compromise some parts of it.
Islam is the perfect ideology because it was designed by Allah (swt), the Creator. This Islamic
ideology is sent for all mankind. Since this ideology was meant for all mankind, then it must be
conveyed in a method that illustrates, and clarifies its nature, thus leaving no doubt in the minds of
humanity that Islam is the correct ideology for them. Therefore, it becomes an objective for all
Muslims to carry and convey the Islamic ideology to all the people.
This objective was very clearly understood by the Sahabah (raa). They knew that they had upon
their shoulders the responsibility of taking care of the affairs of the world. Allah (swt) gave them
the lofty role of global security.
The Prophet (saaw) created a unique generation without comparison in the history of Islam, nay, in
the entire history of humanity. This group was created from a society where its beliefs, values,
emotions and laws were non-Islamic. The Prophet (saaw) and his Sahabah (raa) were able to
challenge the Romans and the Persians, let alone the Quraysh.
The Muslims today, as did the Sahabah (raa), face the same challenge of bringing Islam back into
the world arena. However, the questions remain: How did the Prophet (saaw) create such a dynamic
group? How can we motivate ourselves to tread the footsteps of the Prophet (saaw)?
Muhammad (saaw) initially invited the people of Mecca to Islam and of those who responded to
this call he (saaw) molded their thinking and behavior. One particular place where this group met
was the house of Al-Arqam Ibn Abyl Arqam (12 years old). A place from which he (saaw) taught
them and developed their personalities (composed of thinking and behavior). He (saaw) made their
conviction in Islam firm and their awareness of the responsibility stronger.
Their new personality was formulated by addressing their thinking about the purpose of life. The
correct concepts of life and its affairs were explained to this group. The misconceptions,
superstitions, and erroneous ideas about life were removed. The Prophet (saaw) demanded from
them the complete abandonment of their old way of life prior to their entrance into the fold of Islam.
This way of thinking and reflection instilled in the Sahabah (raa) the Islamic aqeedah. This aqeedah
created a huge momentum for them to work for the deen of Islam. From then on they took the
Islamic aqeedah as a basis for their thinking and action.
The Prophet (saaw) ensured that the Sahabah (raa) accepted Islam through an intellectual manner
meaning they applied their intellect into arriving at the solid conclusion of the oneness of Allah
(swt) and the necessity for Prophets. Consequently, they realized that there is no valid authority
other than Allah (swt), no valid ideologies other than Islam, and no valid rituals or laws other than
those commanded by Allah (swt). Nothing else could dictate their life, in any respect, other than
Allah (swt). Thus, the Sahabah (raa) adopted Islam as a way of life.
Once, the aqeedah was embedded in the minds and the hearts of the Sahabah they had no hesitation
in obeying the Islamic rulings. They did not discriminate between the rulings related to wudhu or fighting in the way of Allah. More importantly, the Islamic aqeedah did not produce a defeated or apologetic mentality.
For example, the Prophet (saaw) asked the Sahabah (raa) that Quraysh had never heard the Quran distinctly read to them, and who was there who would make them listen to it?
When 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud said that he would, they [Sahabah] replied that they were afraid on his
behalf and they wanted only a man of a powerful family who would protect him from the populace
if they attacked him. He replied, "Let me alone, for Allah will protect me."
When this group of Muslims became strong and capable enough to face the society, then he (saaw)
came out leading his group to confront the Quraysh when Allah (swt) ordered him to do so.
Therefore expound openly what you are commanded and turn away from those who join false gods
with Allah. For sufficient are we unto you against those who scoff. Those who adopt with Allah
another god: but soon will they come to know.
(Al-Hijr: 94-96)
Allah 's Messenger (saaw) duly obeyed Allah's (swt) command and revealed his group to the whole
of Makkah; he emerged with this group, in a manner never witnessed by the Arabs, and together
they toured the Ka'aba declaring the Message. From that time on the Messenger of Allah (saaw)
campaigned in Makkah openly and defiantly.
Their understanding grounded well into their hearts and minds, the Sahabah (raa) took the clear
message of Islam to the society. Even with this small group of people and the intense societal
backlash the Prophet (saaw) persisted in criticizing the thoughts, emotions and systems of the non-
Islamic society of Mecca. The Prophet (saaw) and his group started engaging and interacting with
the society to show their falsehood. The Sahabah (raa) questioned the ideas carried by the society.
They questioned their idol gods, cheating in the scales of trade, their family values and ideals, etc.
While the Sahabah (raa) clearly understood this objective we are nowhere close to it. While we
have many schools and universities that teach the memorization of Quran and many masajid are
filled with shelves and shelves of Quran.Why and how has our education failed to create such
personalities?
The answer is that today our aqeedah is constructed in a very superficial manner. We accept Islam
in the same manner that Christians, Jews, and other religions believe in - by blind faith. This is a far
cry from the way the Sahabah (raa) believed in Islam - their understanding was firmly entrenched
in the sovereignty of Allah (swt). This Islamic aqeedah produced a generation that was responsible
for spreading Islam to the far corners of the world.
For instance, if we claim that Allah (swt) is the sole legislator, and yet we encourage participation
and voting in the secular and democratic systems, then a split personality is developed that is
deviant of Islam.
The Islamic ideology and in particular the aqeedah has to be given to the people in a holistic
manner. We cannot discard or compromise some parts of it.