An examination of the issue of the ideal or idealistic example or model

The following is the translation of an Arabic article.

Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla has made every Nabi from the Anbiyaa’ (Prophets) whom He sent, the highest example or model for his people. After the death of the Prophets and the death of their miracles along with them, the Hikmah (wisdom) of Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla willed that He send our master Muhammad ﷺ and made him the seal of the Prophets. He made his miracle everlasting as long as the heavens and earth remain and made him the high model or example for all the people, during his life and after his death. Allah created the human and created within him the tendency towards perfection. He is therefore constantly striving towards elevation and towards nearing perfection. For that reason, he likes to see upon the earth an example or model to follow. Allah did not efface this tendency in a manner that would conflict with his Fitrah (nature). Rather, He designated for him an example and obliged him to follow him. That was by making our master Muhammad ﷺ the highest model for all of mankind. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّـهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّـهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ

There is certainly for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent model for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day (Al-Ahzaab: 21).

In the case where the Messenger ﷺ is no longer a living example before the people, then that drives them to seek an example that is present so as to imitate or follow him. They draw from such a model the resolve and determination to do that which is demanded or requested from them to do and they make the one who resembles the conduct of the Nabi ﷺ or the Sahaabah, may Allah Ta’Aalaa be pleased with them, the measure in respect to him being a high model or example for them. Therefore, whoever resembles the conduct of the Nabi ﷺ and the Sahaabah, is from the people of righteousness or uprightness in their view and someone like him is suitable to be a model. As for the one who’s conduct is in conflict with them, then no, he will not be taken as a model by them.

And from among them, there are those who scratch out or write off an example from their list due to the simplest of violations whilst others are lenient in respect to that and do not write him off unless his violations are numerous. This is the type of example or model that is being examined in this chapter’s discussion. That is because when the people say that so and so a person is my example or model, it means that he does not accept for himself or others except to be like the one he has taken as a high model or example.

The matter of having examples or models is like other issues which the person must subject to the Hukm Ash-Shar’iy. Is the person right when he erases people from the lists of the people of virtue, just because they have erred or sinned here and there? And is the person right who is more lenient in respect to the setting of examples and accepts some errors from himself and others and only removes such a person from the list of ideal examples if these errors were many?

The answer to that is that when idealising a model is within the limits of the tendency towards perfection, then this is a matter which Allah has made natural within the creation of the people and it is commended or praiseworthy. If such an example did not exist, then the human would not attempt to imitate anyone towards elevation ever. If, however, this idealising of a model meant that people sifted upon the idealistic basis, where they would write off those who are contrary to the ideal model and not give credence except to the one who matched the example, then this is blameworthy and indeed very dangerous. If this was to take over a particular person, then he has been taken over by the most dangerous of that which can take him away or remove him from his Deen.

That is because it is Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla who created the humans and it is He who revealed to them a Deen and made it obligatory upon them to adhere to. It is therefore He who accepts and does not accept from Zaid what he did or did not do. And it may be the most obvious of statements that it is obligatory upon the people “all of the people” to accept what Allah has accepted from other than them. That is so that they do not make themselves appear to have even greater concern than Allah for His Deen and His creation.

From the truths that are not open to discussion or debate is that Allah has specified the Anbiyaa’ (Prophets) alone from amongst mankind with Al-‘Ismah (infallibility), above the fact that he specifically chose and selected them in origin. If the possibility or capability to commit errors was not possible in respect to them, then they would not have been in need of their infallibility or protection granted to them to prevent them from sin. And if the possibility of sin was possible in respect to those whom Allah had selected and chosen specifically from the people and they were those who had the greatest Imaan, then by greater reason it is possible, on a wider scale, for this to be possible in respect to other than them. The Shar’a has established and affirmed this truth and it has been indicated to in the many Aayaat which discuss the matter of seeking forgiveness and requests that from the believers. If the matter of error (or sin) did not exist then there would be no need for seeking forgiveness and discussing it as much as it has been.

Even clearer than that is the speech of the Messenger ﷺ: “Every son of Adam errs (or sins) and the best of those who err (or commit sins) are the Tawwaabeen (those who turn regularly or often in repentance)”. The errors mentioned here means many errors or sins and it comes from the verb Khati’a, Yakhta’u, Khit’an and not from the verb Akhta’a, Yukhit’u, Khata’an. The first means the deliberate error whilst the second refers to the opposite of being right, like the one who targets a matter but does not hit it or misses it. The evidence for that is the Qawl of the Messenger ﷺ: “And the best of those who err or sin are the Tawwaabeen” and Taubah only occurs in respect to the sin and the one who commits the Khit’an a lot is called Khattaa’ (i.e. someone who often commits sin).

Therefore, the texts of the Shaari’ (Legislator) have indicated in a manner leaving no doubt that the Insaan (person) makes a lot of sins and that this is Maqbool (acceptable) to Allah, even if the person’s sins are numerous, as long as he does not persist upon the sin. Based upon this it is obligatory upon the Muslim, in obedience, to accept that which Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla has accepted from His slaves. If he does not do that and remains measuring in an idealistic manner, then he will spend his whole life searching for an ideal model to follow and never find him. That is particularly when the formation of the ideal model is based upon his own imagination, whether some of it or part of it. That is because angels do not walk upon the earth and those upon it are humans who act rightly and commit sins.

Based upon this the danger of setting idealistic models or examples is apparent because the one who does that is subject or exposed to be taken away from his Deen when he does not find within the people that which he was expecting to find. It also paralyses the person from engaging in the work as he spends his time searching for that which does not exist and does not undertake actions unless he finds a model to emulate. At the end of all of this he will never find anything other than despair and frustration.

Idealism does not assist the spread of the virtuous acts within the society. That is because the one who does not accept the sin and Taubah of others only represents a source of problems for them. The Saheeh Hadeeth from the Nabi ﷺ, which mentions within about a man who killed ninety-nine people, is well-known and it observed how when the man learned that there was no Taubah (repentance) for him, that he killed the one he asked, due to his feelings that there was no difference between killing one hundred and killing one thousand. Then when he learned that Taubah was open to him after asking another, he moved in the direction of the believers and ceased his killing. As such, the acceptance of the Taubah plays a part in the spread of the virtuous acts and goodness, whilst the opposite brings an opposite result.

This idealism also plays a part in respect to fragmenting the Ummah if it was able to take a hold over the collective. That is because the majority of its individuals would employ this idealism and naturally each would see the corruption of the other upon that basis leading to the division of the hearts and splitting apart of the people.

It is necessary to turn attention to the fact that most of the people say with their tongues that the ideal model, according to the concept of the one who searched for, is an incorrect concept. However, even though they have said that with their tongues, they nevertheless go against their statement by their actions. So, for instance, if a particular Zaid from the people committed a sin, they don’t find it enough to just remove his name from the list of the people of virtue and good, but rather they make themselves appear as if they wear the cloak of prophethood and infallibility, in exaggeration and fraudulently, as if they do not sin greater than his sin. That is because, as we have stated earlier, they in the search for Ar-Riyaa’ (i.e. to be praised by others), get taken over by it, to repel the deficiency within them and to draw fake praise and commendation amongst the people. As they are bankrupt in their own actions, then a particular Zaid from amongst the people committing a particular sin, represents a golden opportunity for them to prove themselves, in the case where the self of such a person cannot be proven through correct or valid causes (or means).

The Sahaabah, may Allah be pleased with them, understood the danger of this idealism and they would keep as far away from it as possible. They used to embrace the one who erred, exhort him and remind him in a kind and mild manner without exaggeration or seeking praise (Riyaa’). That was due to their knowledge that something even greater in sin could possible happen from them. Contraventions from them in their capacity as individuals is a well-known matter and yet despite that, these contraventions, including some which were great, did not malign the fact that they were from the people of virtue and that they were the best of generations of man, as has been verified in the speech of Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla related to them. If they were the best of generations and yet as individuals they perpetrated major sins, then the possibility of sin, by greater reason, is possible in respect to those who live in the generations which are lesser than theirs.

The correct view which must dominate over the individual within the collective, is his feeling that he is less than other than him and not better than them. That is because every individual is aware of his own flaws whilst he is not aware of what someone else may have in terms of deficiencies or flaws. As such, we see such a person viewing others as being better than him. If this viewpoint dominated over the individuals within the collective, you would inevitable see a society in which every individual strives to catch up to others from one perspective and from another perspective you would see a society that does not pounce upon the flaws of people, and if the flaw of a certain Zaid or ‘Amr was discovered, then kindness and gentleness would be dominate over the society, and they would take him by the hand so that he stands upright upon the path, without them attempting to find self-satisfaction in chiding him and exaggerating his faults.

In summary, when the person sins, whatever his situation was, it is not permissible to disavow or repudiate him unless he is insistent upon that. Judgment is not passed upon him in that his Nafs is corrupt but rather he is accounted according to the level of his sin. He is advised and taken by his hand so that he does not sin again and so that his Nafs elevates and draws as close as possible towards perfection. Whoever claims that he does not err or sin, or indeed that he does not sin much, then he is not truthful in his claim, and whoever seeks the infallible upon the face of the earth, then he will never find them through his whole life.

Therefore, whoever is taken over by idealism, has been taken over by the most dangerous of that which can take him away from his Deen, because he will never find upon the earth that which he aspires for; neither within himself nor in others. And if believes that his envisaged or conjured model exists within some people, then it will quickly become apparent to him that he is wrong when the one whom he viewed to be a model sins or errs. He will then keep moving from one model to another until he is overcome by despair whilst he will not be protected from that except by the correct concepts emanating from the Islamic Aqeedah, so that Islaam becomes his mentality by which he reasons or comprehends, and his desires proceed according to what the Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah have brought. He would then not formulate from his imagination an angelic picture of humans, because they cannot possibly be angels. He would realise that every human sins or errs and that the virtue is not negated from the one who errs. If he was to negate virtuousness or merit from the one who errs and then went to look at history and Seerah, he would find many errors and sins coming from the Sahaabah and those who followed them, which would oblige him to negate or remove the Fadl (favour, merit or virtue) from them, and in doing so he would be in opposition to the testimony of Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla in respect to them.

The stating of these words and repeating of them, as we have previously stated, is not an unprecedented art, as all the people repeat them. However, the problem lies in the practical application of this understanding or concept. So how do we pass judgement upon the one who is confirmed to us that he has lied or committed Zinaa or stole or cheated? This is the art which the Nafs has to be conditioned upon, and it represents the ground which is virtually inaccessible.

Sheikh Abu Islam Yusuf Shaqeero, Palestine

The opinions of the ‘Ulamaa in respect to the Hujjiyah of Al-Ijmaa’ and the possibility of its occurrence

This is an extract from the book Al-Waadih Fee Usool ul-Fiqh by Muhammad Hussein Abdullah.  

Most of the ‘Ulamaa and Fuqahaa and the vast majority have stated that Al-Ijmaa’ represents a Hujjah (a source of evidence and proof for the Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah) and that it represents a Masdar (source) for the Islamic legislation. However, they have differed in respect to upon whom the Ijmaa’ occurs and they have also differed in respect to the possibility of the occurrence of the different kinds of Ijmaa’. The following represents some of the opinions of those ‘Ulamaa and Fuqahaa:

1 – The opinions of Al-Imaam Ash-Shaafi’iy:

Ash-Shaafi’iy (rh) said: “Ruling (judging) is by the Kitaab and the Sunnah” and then he said: “And we rule with Al-Ijmaa’ and Al-Qiyaas”.


Al-Ijmaa’ in Ash-Shaafi’iy’s view is manifested in the Ijmaa’ of the Mujtahideen of the Ummah in a certain era. However, he did open up some discussion in respect to the possibility of it occurring due to the separation and distance between the lands, the absence of the Fuqahaa meeting together and the existence of differences amongst the Fuqahaa in every land, in addition to the absence of an agreement upon defining the attributes or description of the ‘Ulamaa who would take part in such an Ijmaa’.

It appears that the concept of Ijmaa’ was not crystallised by Ash-Shaafi’iy because he considered that the Ijmaa’ could take place in respect to that which is known from the Deen by necessity and he brought examples of that including: The four Raka’aat of Zhohr prayer and the prohibition of Khamr. This is despite these matters having been established and proven by definite evidences from the Kitaab and the Sunnah and have not been established by way of Ijmaa’ but rather transmitted to us by way of Tawaatur. Even if the whole Ummah and its Mujtahideen have agreed upon the legal legitimacy of these rulings this legal legitimacy however originated from evidences other than the Ijmaa’ as they came from the Kitaab and the Sunnah Al-Mutawaatirah.

2 – The opinion of Al-Imaam Abu Haamid Al-Ghazaaliy Ash-Shaafi’iy:

Al-Ghazaaliy took the opinion of Ash-Shaafi’iy in respect to Al-Ijmaa’ however he discussed the opinions of those who held contrary opinions. He did not permit the adoption of Al-Ijmaa’ As-Sukootiy and he accepted the Hujjiyah (evidential validity) of Ijmaa’ As-Sahaabah in addition to the Hujjiyah of the Ijmaa’ Al-Mujtahideen in every era.

3 – The opinion of Daawood Az-Zhaahiriy:

He did not take other than Ijmaa’ As-Sahaabah (rah).

4 – The opinion of Al-Imaam Abu Haneefah:


Al-Imaam Abu Haneefah (rh) said: “If the Sahaabah have held an Ijmaa’ upon a matter we submit to that and if the Taabi’een have held an Ijmaa’ we argue with them about it”. Consequently, he did not take other than Ijmaa’ As-Sahaabah.

5 – The opinion of Al-Imaam Maalik Bin Anas:

Al-Imaam Maalik (rh) accepted the Hujjiyah of the Ijmaa’ of Ahl ul-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. Maalik said: “It is a Hujjah because Al-Madinah is the source of knowledge, the place of the descent of the Wahi and it contains the children of the Sahaabah (rah). As such it is impossible for them to agree upon anything else – i.e. other than the Haqq”.

6 – The opinion of Al-Imaam Muhammad Abu Zahrah (from the recent Scholars):

Abu Zahrah said in his book ‘Usool ul-Fiqh’: “The Fuqahaa have not agreed upon an Ijmaa’ apart from Ijmaa’ As-Sahaabah. That is because their Ijmaa’ in respect to the Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah has been proven and established by way of Tawaatur. For that reason, no one has disagreed and differed in respect to their Ijmaa’. Even those who viewed the occurrence of Ijmaa’ to be a far off or unachievable matter submitted to and conceded to the Ijmaa’ As-Sahaabah”.
He then said: “And in truth, after the Ijmaa’ As-Sahaabah no other Ijmaa’ has been established upon a Mutawaatir path and as such the Fuqahaa have disputed the claims of Ijmaa’ amongst those who took and left it”.


I say that the Ijmaa’ As-Sahaabah is a Hujjah and it represents the third Daleel Ash-Shar’iy after the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. That is because their Ijmaa’ reveals and discloses a Daleel from the Sunnah in the case where the text of that Sunnah did not reach us. They knew this Daleel but did not transmit its text to us but rather transferred and transmitted the Hukm based on a Daleel through their Ijmaa’. This type of Ijmaa’ does not occur to anyone other than them from humankind because they were the ones who lived at the time the Messenger (saw). They lived with him, met with him, accompanied him, listened to him, went to battle with him and they transmitted the Islamic Deen to us from him (saw).

An examination of the issue of “Al-‘Izzah” (might and honour)

The following is the translation of an Arabic article.

Al-‘Izzah is a manifestation from the manifestations of survival or remaining in respect to the human. There is no human upon the face of the earth except that he seeks to attain it. That is because he has been created upon that as his Fitrah. It is known that what drives the human towards his conducts in this life is only his instincts and organic needs and in the case where Al-‘Izzah is from the manifestations of Al-Buqaa’ (survival or remaining), then the original position in respect to the human is that he is driven to realise it like his being driven to fulfil the rest of his instincts. Therefore, the seeking of ‘Izzah is Fitriy (natural) and there is no question about that.

However, this going forth or drive is not inevitable or certain. That is because every manifestation of survival (i.e. attached to the instincts) within the human has two faces to it. That is like generosity and stinginess which are both linked to the survival instinct for example, and bravery and cowardice which are also linked to the survival instinct. Similar to these, Al-‘Izzah (honour) and Adh-Dhillah (lowness, meekness, obsequiousness) are also linked to the matter of survival (i.e. the instinct). The original position, is that the human goes forth to realise the good manifestation. However, when the thought is absent, the Aqeedah becomes weak and the human is led by other than guidance, then his drive, in most cases, proceeds towards the ugly or bad manifestation. That is due to its ease and its harmony with what the human has been created upon in terms of his love or longing for laziness.

When the discussion is about ‘Izzah (honour and might), the human often or on most occasions distances from realising this manifestation due to the cost of proceeding in its direction in addition to what could possible arise in terms of trials and tests. For that reason, the work to generate this manifestation within the human is essential and that would happen by planting the correct thoughts based upon the correct Aqeedah, which by its nature constantly urges the realisation of Al-‘Izzah.

The manifestation of Al-‘Izzah is from the manifestations which influence the direction of the human in his life and consequently turn it upside down or around. The one seeking the ‘Izzah, in contrast to other people, is always active and always searching for that which will realise that for him, rising up against anything that brings him down or humiliates him or his Ummah, even before he has a specific viewpoint controlling his conduct. It is therefore necessary to generate the manifestation of the ‘Izzah amongst the individuals and the groups. That is because if it is not alive within them, then all of the concepts in the world will never activate or move the lowly person the distance of a single hair.

An extreme amount of care must be given to the manifestation of the ‘Izzah and to instigate or agitate it within the person via a variety of means. That is because it is like the other manifestations (of the instincts) which can be provoked and agitated with an agitation that is necessary. That is so that life flows into the Nafs of the person and accepts the thought of bringing change. Indeed, so that he strives for it rapidly regardless of what he expends in the way of that in terms of sacrifices. Whoever’s condition was like that, then discussing with him about bringing change is very easy and productive at the speed of lightning. However, if the manifestation of Al-‘Izzah was not agitated within him and the lowliness or submissiveness remained deep set in him, then the discussion with him would be unproductive.

Allah Ta’Aalaa has created the people with disparity in respect to the manifestation of the instincts amongst them just as there is disparity amongst them in respect to all of their attributes, due to the wisdom of His creation. From among them is the generous who exhibits extreme generosity and from them is the stingy who exhibits extreme stinginess, and from them there are the brave and also from theme are the cowardly and so on … All of that is by the Fitrah (i.e. creation) and it applies upon all of the manifestations (of the instincts) in respect to the human, in relation to strength and weakness. Included amongst them are Al-‘Izzah and Adh-Dhillah, which differ from one individual to the next in terms of strength and weakness.

However, despite that, Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla did not leave these manifestations to have a free rein. Rather, he sent the Messengers and regulated them with His knowledge, Subhaanahu, with a regulation or organisation dictated by His Hikmah, in a manner that does not come to the heart of a human. And so He satisfied the opposites when he made Al-‘Izzah and striving for it obligatory, and also made Adh-Dhillah (lowliness, meekness and humbleness) obligatory upon them. That was when He made it obligatory for them to manifest Al-‘Izzah with the disbelievers and Adh-Dhillah with the believers. And so He satisfied the two (instinctual) manifestations in the most amazing of manners and made the love of the life which is situated at the head of the scale of the human’s priorities, the tail of the scale in respect to the fields of Al-Jihaad … and so on.

Allah has provided the ‘Izzah with a distinguished station amongst the instinctual manifestations as it has made it obligatory to strive for and has made His pleasure rest upon the striving for it in actual practise. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:

وَلِلَّـهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

And to Allah belongs [all] honour, and to His Messenger, and to the believers (Al-Munaafiqoon: 8).

And He Ta’Aalaa said:

أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ

… Humble toward the believers, mighty against the disbelievers (Al-Maa’idah: 54).

And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Al-Islaam elevates high and nothing elevates above it”.  Even if these texts are in the “Ikhbaar” form (i.e. informing), they nevertheless establish the Talab (request) as they oblige the Muslims to strive to attain the ‘Izzah and to not close an eyelid until they have made their Deen and Ummah elevated and dominant over all else. It is therefore not Halaal (permissible) for the Muslim to abstain from striving for the ‘Izzah whatever that costs in terms of sacrifices.

It is similarly not Halaal for the Muslims to be silent over the might of the crusaders, Jews and rest of the disbelievers practised over them. It is therefore not Halaal for them to remain silent over the disbelievers whom Allah Ta’Aalaa has described as being impure and animalistic, whilst viewing them to be mightier, because they own the weapons and the Muslims don’t, they rule over the Dunyaa and the Muslim lands which they have usurped, they own the space whilst the Muslims find it hard to make a paper plane, they practise their lives in ease and comfort whilst the Muslims live in clamour, noise and fatigue …. It is not Halaal for the Muslims to remain silent in a manner that Allah has revealed to authority for. That is like the everlasting conviction that accepting and being content with the situation is the best to go on (i.e. empty of aspirations beyond that) … And what is similar to that in respect to rotten concepts which none other than those who stay back and abstain vocalise. That is because all of that is Haraam and does not lead to anything other than destruction of the Dunyaa and ones Aakhirah.

Striving to attain the ‘Izzah also means striving for change and thinking about it and is not merely a thinking related to making living more comfortable. The problem of the students of change in respect to the people, which occurs on many levels, lies in the people’s lack of feeling for the necessity of bringing change and their acceptance of the situation that they are in. That is where each of them works to save himself i.e. to remain content in a state of lowness and meekness, whilst the problem does not lie in the correctness or error of what they are presenting (i.e. to the people) in terms of ideas and visualisations. There is a great difference between the work undertaken within a society which wants to bring change (i.e. Al-‘Izzah) and the work in a society which wants the change to be brought to it. The Da’wah in the first is easy, feasible without difficult and its results are quick and dazzling, whilst in respect to the second reality, in most cases, the Da’waat (calls) fail within it and nothing benefits it apart from force.

What happened with the Messenger ﷺ is the best example of that. That is because the society of Makkah did not respond to him ﷺ; not because the Messenger ﷺ did not convince the people of Makkah and not because what he came with was falsehood, but rather because the people of Makkah did not want to bring change in origin. That is whilst the results in Al-Madinah were astounding in a record period of time and that was because the people wanted change and wanted the ‘Izzah (honour and might).

Consequently, the work to instigate and agitate the manifestation of the ‘Izzah within the people is essential because it represents an agitation for change and undertaking the Da’wah for it. If that was to happen within a particular society, it would make of the Da’wah carrier a person directing a will that is ready and present amongst the people. On the other hand, if he keeps working in a society in which its people do not want change, then he will not be much different to the one who irrigates in the water (i.e. his work will be futile).

Sheikh Abu Islam Yusuf Shaqeero, Palestine