Accepting the Truth
Author: Shaikh Muhammad Bin ‘Abdullah Al Imaam (may Allah preserve him)
Source: sh-emam.com
Translator: Abu ‘Abdis Salaam Siddiq Al Juyaanee
Originally posted on: www.salafyink.com
All praise and thanks belong to Allah. I testify and bear witness that nothing has the right to worshipped in truth except Allah, alone without any partners. I also testify and bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah; may the salutations and blessing of Allah be upon him, his family and companions. To proceed:
O brothers; sisters, from those things which we need to hear and speak about is the subject of “Accepting the Truth and venerating it.”
Know- may Allah safeguard and protect you- that the da’wah of Ahlis Sunnah is established upon the truth, researching it, studying it, submitting oneself to and being pleased with it, calling to it while being patient upon that which occurs during its way, and opposing that which contradicts it. It is incumbent upon us that we become like this. Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahuAllah) said,
“The truth centers around and is based upon the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) and that which he was upon as well as that which the companions (radi Allahu ‘anhum) were upon and not other than them.”
This statement of Shaikhul Islaam (rahimahuAllah) is a great principle from the principles that we must have concern for, tread upon, seek it, call to and defend it.
Thus, whoever wants to be with and upon the truth must look to where the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) was (with regards to all issues). If he/she is called to something (before acting on it) they must (first) search for the proof which came from the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam). (They must ask themselves), is this thing that I’m being called to from the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam)? (By acting upon this) am I going to be in the same rank that the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) is in? Am I going to be in the same direction as the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam)? This is (important) because if you are in a different direction from the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) this constitutes enmity, opposition, fighting against and turning away from the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam); especially if an individual intentionally chooses to be in a different direction from the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam).
So whoever wants to worship Allah with a complete, perfect and comprehensive servitude must thus be upon that which the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) was upon, not desiring anything else. They must also research and seek out that which the Salaf were upon. This is because you have those who come with false and erroneous interpretations; falsely claiming that such and such was meant, the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) was like this, this is really like that (and so on). So look to that which the Salaf As Saalih were upon. This is because they were saved from innovations and misguidance. They were firmly reared and established upon the truth, accepting it, acting in accordance to it, treading upon its way, calling to it, exerting themselves in its path and sparing no effort due to the truth.
So if an individual says, “Allah says this and the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) says that, which really means this,” ask him, “where are the Sahaabah”? Were they involved in that which you are involved in?
No doubt such a thing cannot take place without legislative knowledge. Subsequently, the one who wants to know that which the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) and the Salaf were upon, will be in dire need of knowledge. Thus, if you don’t have knowledge, return to the one who has it (and seek it from him) until you are granted the success of treading upon this great way.
Therefore, glorifying the truth and returning to it is the characteristic of everyone who is sincere, pure in intent, covetous of the truth, truly desiring it; thus placing it before oneself, wealth, close relatives, loved one, and even the most affluent men of his and of previous times.
So accept the truth, whether it is for or against you; use it to rule over yourself, your money, status and every well-trodden aspect of this life. However, with great regret, a great multitude has been prevented from treading upon this path. I don’t mean the people of innovation and misguidance for this is clearly their case because they have intentionally left the truth. (Surprisingly), some of the people of the Sunnah after the time of the Salaf, have fallen short in this regard which consequently (prevented them from) reaching the same level that the Salaf were upon. Even with this, they are still from the people of the Sunnah. However, (we, the people of the Sunnah) are incited to strive hard and to place the truth first, to the full extent of our capability and as much as we are able to.
