What A Muslim should know.

(1)   Muhammad Rasūlullah had explained in details within the capacity of every individual the intended meaning of what Allah revealed to him as our Guidance.

(2)   Muhammad Rasūlullah had practically demonstrated to us within the capacity of every individual how to perform an Ibadat (act of worship).

(3)   His actions (Sunna) are not governed by Ta�awil and opinion. This reality was explained in the defeat of the Muslim army, during the battle of Uhud. However, elucidations allowed for the sake of clarity must be kept within the circles of his Sunna and not in anyway explained in a manner to confuse one or ridicule the Sunna. This field should be left alone to those with an in depth knowledge of his life history. The incident at the battle of Uhud indicated that Allah does not forgive the one who misunderstood the Sunna of the holy Prophet. This was in contrast to His forgiveness of the participants of the battle of Badr who did not act according to Qur �an 47:4, �So when you meet (in fight �Jihad in Allah�s cause) those who disbelieve, smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter, (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden�. Had the holy Prophet incorporated this verse into his Sunna (i.e. explained in his own words), Allah would not have forgiven them. Sa'ad bin Muadth who understood the maning of the verse praised by the holy Apostle when he saw sign of disgust on his face when the Muslim army was collecting the booty.

(4)    Every word should be explained with its real meaning (to fit into the Sunna of the holy Apostle) so that it shows the reality of its objective.

(5)   Every word should be explained with reference to the context of the main theme (action) of the holy Prophet.

(6)   Elucidations should be guided with reference to the Sahabas reflecting the last 10 years of the holy Prophet�s life and the life (actions) of the 4 rightly guided Khalīfas. Elucidations should not go out of the following Ahādith:

(a)   Allah the Almighty has laid down religious duties, so do not neglect them; He has set limits, so do not out pass them; He has marked certain things forbidden, so do not commit violations with regard to them; and He has said nothing about certain things, as an act of mercy to you, not out of forgetfulness, so do not go enquiring into these.

(b)   Whoever rejects my Sunna is not part of me.

(c)    A free-man associates with the one he loved.

The Sahabas also left for us how we should relate with the holy Apostle. TAen of them were assured of paradise and a wise one would certainly follow their footsteps. �Umar bin Khattāb was quoted saying:

(a)   It is not permissible for one to name something not in the manner named by the holy Prophet.

(b)   Judge yourself before you are judged and weigh your deeds according to the Sunna of the holy Prophet before the Day of Judgment. Prepare yourself for the desires of the Great Day, the Day when you will be brought to judgment, and your secret will not be hidden.

(c)    No one can establish justice except the one who stands alone and is not bald and greedy.

The pupils of the Sahabas also left behind their admonitions for us:

(a)   Rabī� bin Anas said, �It is obligatory for a believer to explain Islam as explained by the holy Prophet and to warn people as warned by him�.

(b)   Mālik bin Anas said, �As for me I am on what Allah has explained. But as for you, you are in doubt. Be with the one in doubt and argue with him�.

(c)    He also said, �There is no Fitna (enchantment) more than when one thinks that he can surpass the holy Prophet on virtues�.

(d)   Muhammad bin Sa�d Naisabūri said, �No one can get close to Allah except with Allah by complying with what His beloved one, Muhammad Rasūlullah taught and practiced. Whoever took a path to get close to Allah without following the model of Muhammad Rasūlullah has certainly gone astray, thinking that he is on the right path�[1].

(e)   Abū �Aliyu Hasan bin �Aliyu Jūzajānī said, �Among the signs of a successful (felicity) devotee is how obedience is made easy for him, his compliance with the Sunna, his association with the righteous, his etiquette and how he relates with his relations�.