Explanation Of The Creed (Sharh-us-Sunnah) Points. 31-35

Point---31 The Hajj and Jihaad are to be carried out under his leadership. Jumu'ah Prayer behind them (i.e. the wicked rulers)1 is allowed and after it six rak'ahs should be prayed, splitting it into sets of two rak'ahs. This is the saying of Ahmad ibn Hanbal.2

1 'Ubaydullaah ibn 'Adiyy ibn Khiyaar reports: I went to "uthmaan, (radhiAllahu 'anhu), whilst he was being besieged and said to him: You are the ruler of the Muslims in general and you see what has befallen you. We are being lead in Prayer by a leader of insurrection and are afraid of being sinful. So 'Uthmaan said, "The prayer is the best of actoin which people do, so when the people do good deeds then do good along with them. When they do evil, avoid their evil." Reported by al-Bukhari (Eng. trans. 1/376/ch.56).

2 'Abdullah ibn Ahamd ibn Hanbal reports in his Masaail (no.446), "I asked my father how many should I pray after Jumu'ah? He said: If you wish then pray four (rak'ahs) and if you wish pray six rak'ahs, in twos, that is what I prefer and if you pray four then there is no harm." Abu Daawood reports in his Masaail (p.59), " I heard Ahmad say: (Regarding) Prayer after Jumu'ah, if one prays four, good, if one prays two, good and if one prays six, good."


Point---32 Khilaafah will remain within the Quraish until'Eesaa ibn Maryam, 'alayhees-Salaam, descends.1

1 Mu'aawiyah reports that Allah's Messenger ('allayhees salat wassalam) said, "This affair (Khilaafah) will remain with the Quraish. None will rebel against them except that Allaah will throw him down on his face, as long as they establish the Religion." Reported by al-Bukhari (Eng. trans. 9/190/253).


Point---33 Whoever rebels against a Muslim ruler is one of the Khawaarij,1 has caused dissent within the Muslims and has contradicted the narrations and dies a death of hte days of ignorance (jahiliyyah).2

1 The Khawaarij are a group who first appeared in the time of 'Alee (radhiAllahu 'anhu). They split from his army and began the grave innovation of Takfeer (declaring Muslims, rulers or the ruled, in their view guilty of major sins, to be disbelievers). The Prophet ('allayhees salat wassalam) warned against them in many authentic ahaadeeth: "The Khawaarij are the dogs of the Fire." Reported by Ahmad and is saheeh. He ('allayhees salat wassalam) also informed us that they would continue to apear until the end of this world, saying, "A group will appear reciting the Qur'aan, it will not pass beyond their throats, every time a group appears it is to be cut off, until the Dajjal appears within them." Reported by Ibn Maajah and is hasan. Refert to Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah (no.2455).

2 Refer to the hadeeth reported by ibn 'Abbaas, (radhiAllahu 'anhumma) mentioned in the footnote to point number two of the book.


Point---34 It is not permissible to fight the ruler nor to rebel against him even if he oppresses. This is due to the saying of the Messenger of Allaah ('allayhees salat wassalam) to Abu Dharr al-Ghifaaree, "Have patience even if he is an Abyssinian slave"1 and his ('allayhees salat wassalam) saying to the Ansaar, "Have patience until you meet me at the Pool."2 There is no fighting against the ruler in the Sunnah. It causes destruction of the Religion and the worldly affairs.3

1 Its like is reported by Muslim (Eng. trans. Vol.3, No's.4525, 4526).

2 Reported by al-Bukhari (Eng. trans. Vol.5, no.136) from the hadeeth of Usayd ibn al-Hudayr.

3 Hudhaifah, (radhiAllahu 'anhu) reports in a longer hadeeth that the Messenger of Allaah ('allayhees salat wassalam) said, "There will come leaders who will not follow my guidance and will not follow my Sunnah. There will be amongst them men who will have the hearts of devils in the bodies of humans," He (Hudhaifah) asked, "What shall I do O Messenger of Allaah ('allayhees salat wassalam) if i reach that?" He replied, "You should hear and obey the ruler even if he flogs your back and takes your wealth, then still hear and obey." Reported by Muslim (Eng. trans. 3/1029/no.4554).
Al-Khallaal reports in as-Sunnah (no.87) that Abu Bakr related to us, saying, " I heard Abu 'abdullaah (Imaam Ahmad) ordering that bloodshed be avoided and he strongly forbade rebellion."


Point---35 It is permissible to fight the Khwaarij if they attack the persons, property or families of the Muslims1 but if they desist and flee then they may not be chased, nor are their wounded to be killed, nor set upon, nor may those taken captive be kiilled, nor those who flee to be followed.

1 Refer to Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. trans. Vol.9, pp.49-53).