Kitaab Sharh us-Sunnah
by Al-Barbahaaree
Trans. Abu Talhah Dawud Burbank


5: Adhering to the Understanding of the Companions

May Allaah have mercy upon you. Know that the Religion is what came from Allaah, the Blessed and Most High. It is not something left to the intellect and opinions of men. Knowledge it is what comes from Allaah and His Messenger, so do not follow anything based upon your desires and so deviate away from the Religion and leave Islaam. There will be no excuse for you since Allaah's Messenger explained the Sunnah to his Ummah and made it clear to his Companions and they are the Jamaa'ah, and they are the Main Body (as-Sawaad ul-A'dham), and the Main Body is the truth and its followers.[1]

So he who contradicts the Companions of Allaah's Messenger sallallahu alaihiwasallam in any of the affairs of the Religion, then he has fallen into disbelief.[2]

NOTES

1. lmaam Ahmad reports in his Musnad (4/278) with hasan isnaad narration of Nu'maan ibn Basheer: Abu Umaamah al-Baahilee, radiallaahu 'anhu, said, "Stick to the main body (as-Sawaadul - a'dham), so a man said, "What is the 'Main Body'? So Abu Umaamah said,'This Ayah(54) in Soorah an-Noor:

"But if you turn away,he Muhammad is oniy responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you."

Ibn Mas'ood, radiallahu 'anhu, said,"The Jamaa'ah is what conforms to the truth, even if you are alone." Reported by Ibn'Asaakir in Taareekh Dimashq with a saheeh isnaad as pointed out by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Mishkaat (1/61).

2. Allaah, the Most High, did not only warn against opposing His Messenger sallallahu alaihiwasallam, but also warned against the following of any way other than that of the first Believers: the Companions, radiallaahu 'anhum, amongst whom the Qur'aan was sent down and who learned directly from the Messenger sallallahu alaihiwasallam. Allaah, the Most High says:

If anyone contends with the Messenger even after guidance has been plainly conveyed to him and follows a path other than that of the Believers (i.e. the Companions), We shall leave him in the path he has chosen and land him in Hell. What an evil refuge! (Surah an-Nisaa' (4):115)

So he who totally abondons their way and instead follows the way of the devils, like the extreme Raafidess, Baatinees and the extreme Soofees who worship others besides Allaah, then he has left the religion.

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