Explanation Of The Creed (Sharh-us-Sunnah) Points 11-15

Point 11--- May Allah have mercy upon you! Know that the Sunnah is not a matter for analogies or reasoning with examples and desires are not to be followed in it. Rather, it is just a case of affirming the narrations from Allah's Messenger ('allayhee salat wassalam), without asking how, explaining or saying: 'why?' or 'how?'

Point 12--- Debating, arguing and disputing are innovations which throw doubt into the heart, even if the person reaches the truth and the Sunnah.1

1 Allah the Most High, says:

“None dispute about the signs of Allah, except those who disbelieve...” (Ghafir 40:4)

At-Tirmidhi reports a hasan hadeeth from Abu Umaamah, who said: Allah’s Messenger (‘allyhees salat wassalam) said, “A people never went astray after being upon guidance except through disputation.” Then Allah’s Messenger (‘allayhees salat wassalam) recited this Aayah:

This they set forth to you, only by way of argument. Nay, but they are a contentious people (Az-Zukhruf 43:58)

Al-Aajurree reports in ash-Sharee’ah (p.57) that a man came ot al-Hasan (al-basree) and said, “O Abu Sa’eed! Let me debate with you about the Religion.” Al-Hasan replied, “As for me, I know my Religion. If you have lost your Religion then go and look for it.”

‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez, rahimuAllah, said, “He who allows his Religion to be open to disputing will frequently change over.” See Jaami’ Bayaanil ‘ilm (2/113).

Point 13---May Allah have mercy upon you! Know that speculative speech abou thte Lord, the Most High, is a newly invented matter and is an innovation and misguidance. Nothing is to be said about the Lord except what He, the Might and Majestive, described Himself with in the Qur`aan and what the Messenger of Allah (‘allayhees salat wassalam) explained to his Companions. So He, the Majestic, is One:

There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (Ash-Shura 42:11)

Point 14---Our Lord is the First without any ‘when’ and the Last without any end. He knows what is secret and what is more hidden. He ascended over His ‘Arsh (Throne) and His knowledge is in every place and no place is from of His knowledge.1

1 Many Aayaat of the Qur`aan and ahaadeeth of the Prophet (‘allayhees salat wassalam) affirm that Allah is above His Throne. Numerous sayings have been reported from the Pious Predecessoremphasising this important belief. See apaendix 2 (pp. 113.115).

Point 15---NO one says about the attributes of the Lord, the Most High, 'why'? except one who doubts Allah, the Blessed and Most High. The Qur'aan is the Speech of Allah, His REvelation and Light. It is not created, since the Qur`aan is from Allah and that which is from Allah is not created. This was what Maalik ibn Anas, Ahmad ibn Hanbal and the scholars before and after them said and debating about it is disbelief.1

1 The Qur`aan is the Speech of Allah, hence it is an attribute of Allah. All of Allah's attributes have been with Him eternally.

Imam maalik said, "the Qur`aan is the Speech of Allah. It is not created." Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee in Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahl is-Sunnah (no.414)

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked about one who says the Qur`aan is created, so he said, "(He is) a disbeliever." Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee in Sharh Usool i'tiqaad Ahl is-Sunnah (no.449)