Explanation Of The Creed (Sharh-us-Sunnah) Points. 26-30

Point---26 To have Faith in the descent of 'Eesaa, the son of Maryam ('alayhees salam). He will descend, kill Dajjal, marry, and pray behind the leader of the Muslims who is from the family of Muhammad ('allayhees salat wassalam) and he will die and be buried by the muslims.1

1 All of this is established in authentic ahadeeth and many of these are quoted by al-haafidh Ibn Katheer in his tafseer of verse 159 of Surah an-Nisaa`. Refer also to Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans. vol.4, no.s 657-,658) and Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans. vol.4, no.s 6924,7023).


Point---27 To have Faith that Faith (Eemaan) compromises of saying, action and beliefs. It increases and decreases. It increases as Allah wills and may decrease to the etent that nothing remains of it.1

1 al-Laalikaa'ee reports in Sharh Usool I'tqaad Ahl is-Sunnah (5/958/no.1737) that 'Abd ar-Razzaq (as-San'aanee) said, " I met seventy Shaikhs, from amongst them are: Ma'mar, al-Awzaaee, ath-Thawree, al-Waleed ibn Muhammad al-Qurashee, Yzeed ibn as-Saa`ib, Hammad ibn Salamah, Hammad ibn Zayd, Sufyaan ibn 'uyainah, Shu'ayb ibn Harb, Wakee' ibn al-Jarraah, Maalik ibn Anas, Ibn Abee Layla, Isma'eel ibn `ayyash, al-Waleed ibn Muslim and those i have not named, all of them saying: Faith is saying action, it increases and decreases."
'Abdullah ibn Ahmad reports in as-Sunnah (no.612): My father narrated to me: Abu Salamah al-Khuzaa'ee related to us, saying, "Maalik, Shareek, Abu Bakr ibn `ayyash, 'Abdul-'Azeed ibn Abee Salamah, Hammaad ibn Salamah and Hammaad ibn Zayd said: Faith is conviction declaration and action."

Al-Laalikaa'ee reports (5/959/no.1740) that "Uqbah ibn 'Alqamah said: I asked al-Awzaa'ee about Faith. Can it Increase? He said, "yes, until it becomes like mountains." I said: can it decrease? He said, "Yes, even until nothing remains of it."
Amongst the verses quoted by the scholars as proof for the fact that Faith increases are: Aayah 173 of Surah Aali-'Imraan. Aayah 4 of Surah al-Fath and Aayah 124 of Surah at-Tawbah.
Those (i.e. believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, "Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: "Allâh (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)." (Aali Imran 3:173).

He it is Who sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) into the hearts of the believers, that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith. And to Allâh belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allâh is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise. (Al-Fath 48:4).
And whenever there comes down a Sûrah (chapter from the Qur'ân), some of them (hypocrites) say: "Which of you has had his Faith increased by it?" As for those who believe, it has increased their Faith, and they rejoice. (At-Tawbah 9:124).


Point---28 The best of this Ummah after the passing away of its Prophet is Abu Bakr then 'Umar then 'Uthman. This is what is reported to us from Ibn 'umar who said, "We used to say whilst Allaah's Messenger ('allayhees salat wassalam) was amongst us: The best of people after the Messenger of Allaah ('allayhees salat wassalam) is Abu Bakr then "umar then "uthmaan. The Prophet ('allayhees salat wassalam) would hear of that and not criticise it."1 Then the best of people after them are 'Alee, Talhah, az-Zubayr, Sa'd ibn Abee Waqqaas, Sa'eed ibn Zayd, 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf and Abu 'Ubaidah 'Aamir ibn al-Jarraah. All of them were suitable to be Khaleefah. Then the best of people after them are the (rest of the) Companions of the Messenger of Allaah ('allayhees salat wassalam), the first generation amongst whom he was sent, the first Muhaajirs and Ansaar, those who prayed towards both qiblahs then the best of people after them are those who accompanied the Messenger of Allah ('allayhees salat wassalam) for a day, a month or a year or less or more than that. We ask Allaah to have mercy upon them. We mention their virtues and remain silent about any mistakes they made and we do not speak about a single one of them except favourably as the Messenger of Allaah ('allayhees salat wassalam) said, "When my Companions are mentioned then withold."2 Sufyaan ibn 'Uyainah3 said, "He who speaks a single word against the Companions of Allaah's Messenger ('allayhees salat wassalam) then he is an innovator.4

1 This is reported by al-Bukhari (5/6/no.7), Ahmad in Fadaailus-Sahaabah (no.570) and as-Sunnah 'Abdullah ibn Ahmad (pp.574-578).

2 Saheeh: Reported by at-Tabaraanee from Ibn Mas'ood from the Prophet ('allayhees salat wassalam). See Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah (no.34) of Shaikh al-Albani.

3 Shaikhul-Islaam, Sufyaan ibn 'Uyainah was a Taabi'ut-Taabi'een. He was born in 107 Hijri, in Makkah and died in 198 Hijri.

4 In the printed edition after the saying of Sufyaan there occurs: The Prophet ('allayhees salat wassalam) said, "My Companions are like stars, whichever of them you follow you will be guided." This narration is a fabrication. Refer to Silsilatul-Ahaadeethid-Da'eefah (no.58) and The Prophet's Prayer Described by Shiakh al-Albani (pp.94-96).


Point---29 To hear and obey the rulers in that which Allaah loves and is pleased with. Whoever becomes Khaleefah through the consensus of the people and their being pleased with him, then he is the 'Chief of the Believers' (Ameerul-Mu`mineen).


Point---30 It is then not permissible for anyone to spend a single night thinking that he has no Imaam over him whether he be righteous or wicked.