Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Baraktuh,
My dear, beloved and Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassalam) ‘s every word is golden and every action worth more than the Heavens and the Earth. However, there are some statements which are so obvious and unambiguous that the heart and mind of even the most ardent opponent has no choice but to accept and submit.
Young children play with each other, fight, quarrel, fall out and then come and complain to the adults. You ask young Abdullah:
- Did you hear or see Abdur-Rahman do this? So he says "No, I didn't but Abdur-Raheem told me so
- How would you feel if Abdur-Rahman complained about you?
- How would you feel if Abdur-Rahman made fun of your glasses or that you Thaub (Jubba) is cheap or your car is old?
They (children) get the picture straightaway and go back to playing. May my parents be sacrificed on the words of Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassalam).
2 years ago we asked Shaykh (Mufti) Zubair Dudha (HA) on the essence of Tassawuff and he (HA) replied that our Akabir used to summarise that Tassawuff is keeping your Muamallat (dealing) clean and tidy and ensuring that everyone is safe from harm.
It was explained to us to refrain from:
- Presumptions: If you have NO SOLID PROOF then whatever you have is presumption and it is HARAM. It doesn't matter how logical your thinking is or how intelligent your analysis is, its presumption and it is HARAM. Case closed, job done!
- Backbiting: To discuss a matter in a manner which is hurtful or unacceptable to someone behind their back is HARAM
- Slander: To discuss a matter which is false is HARAM
In today’s google connected world, its fairly easy to google someone, read their posts (on forums) or facebook or twitter and based on breadcrumbs build a profile and then conjecture on the person (and humiliate them). It is also fairly easy to discuss other people on email, WhatsApp group etc.
1/3rd or close of half of my life has now been spent translating, analysing and presenting the works of our (Deobandi) Akabir or answering the Fitnah of Ahlul-Batil and during investigation I do come across some disparaging material on people of Ahlul-Baatil. In fact many times people forward me this sort of material which they have "obtained" from their sources thinking that it will help me in my research.
It is against the practise of our Akabir to pry, spy, backbite, slander and make presumptuous remarks. When I was a little boy I used to look forward to Jang in Pakistan every Friday to read the column of Shaykh (Mufti) Yusuf Ludhyanwi Shaheed (RA). I used to stand in front of the house every Faj’r and just wait for the Hawker to drop the paper so I can read it.
Shaykh (Mufti) Yusuf Ludhyanwi Shaheed (RA) refuted Rawafidh (Shia), Barelwees, Jamaat-e-Islami, Hadeeth rejecters, Qadiyanees and every one whom he deemed to be “Ahlul-Baatil” but the writings of Hazrat (RA) are free from backbiting, slander, presumptions and assumptions. Hazrat (RA) was a mountain of knowledge and he used to take an issue and comprehensibly destroy it with evidence from Qur’aan and Sunnah until the reader was convinced of the error of the matter.
Shaykh Sarfaraz Khan Safdar (HA) was another one of our Akabireen who spent his entire life in the "refutation business".
The lucidity and comprehensiveness of Hazrat (RA)’s research is evident from his works. He used to take an issue and systematically destroy it until the reader was left no choice but to (Academically) submit to the power of the evidence. There was no backbiting, slander or presumptions to be seen.
These were our Akabir whose lives were spent on Sunnah.
However, Back biting, Slander, Presumptions and Spying have no part in this whatsoever.
The rules of Shariah apply online as much as they apply in person.
Next time when you see something or someone being discussed in an email or WhatsApp or being analysed by Google, stand clear from such sin because by Allah (SWT) you will be judged on it!
Follow the way of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassalam). I see many of our eager (young) brothers and sisters participating on the Internet,attempting to refute on the Internet based on emotional rhetoric, like everything else learn the rules of engagement from our Ulamah and Mashaykh.
Because if you don’t, not only you will commit sins but also cause more damage than good.
We have Ulamah who guide us to the Sunnah so spend time with them and learn how to be online, the rules of engagement are the same!