Never Judge

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is adapted from a swuhbah by Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) on the 15^th December 2009. 

Divine Knowledge teaches us to know our Lord.  All Creation, even the individual parts of an atom, know their Lord, and are always in Remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.).  They glorify Him, reciting Subhanallah all the time.  Each Creation gives its highest praises and glorification to Allah (s.w.t.).  Each atom is intoxicated by awe and overwhelmed by the Glory of Allah (s.w.t.).  Mankind is drunk on alcohol, drugs and worldly pleasures.  Every creature, even ants, is glorifying Allah (s.w.t.). 

When asked on matters of religion, we should not give our opinion.  If we are not connected to Divine Inspiration; we are like wires not joined to the main socket.  So our “fatwa” is from our ego.  Awliya’ullah never speak from their opinions, they connect their hearts to the Divine, and teach what is Sent to them through Inspirations.  The awliya’ know nothing but they open the ears and eyes of their heart to accept Divine Teachings, as these are nur for those who receive them.  Only when the given answer is from Divine Inspirations, will it bring peace and satisfaction to hearts of the listeners.  There are some who question, if this is really possible.  Consider how incredible technology is today, and think - which is a more complex creation.  Man or our technological gadgets?  Allah (s.w.t.) has Created us of the highest and best form; we are far more able than such gadgets, to connect to Divine Sources. 

Salafi ‘ulama love to give their opinions, often labelling the acts of other Muslims bid’ah, shirk or kufr.  For example, they label those who do abundant dzikrullah, as performing bid’ah.  Perhaps, these so-called ‘ulama, should also label all atoms and ants as performing bid’ah too, as they, too, are glorifying Allah (s.w.t.) ceaselessly.  If only they listened to the beating of their own hearts, they would realise that it too, was reciting “Allah, Allah.”  We must be warned against the free use of kafir to label people.  We must never be like these so-called ‘ulama, who use this word freely and regularly, without fear of retribution or respect for fellow Muslims.  We should throw away this word; avoid using it, as it is a judgement of a person's faith, which we are in no position to know. 

Once, the swahabah, Sayyidina Usamah ibn Zayd (r.a.) was in the heat of battle with an unbeliever, and just as the swahabah, was about to kill the unbeliever, the unbeliever said, “as-Salamu’Alaykum” to Usamah (r.a.), who still killed him.  When the Usamah (r.a.) met Rasulullah (s.a.w.) after the battle, the Prophet (s.a.w.) asked him, why did he kill the man despite the salam that he had uttered.  Usamah (r.a.) replied that the unbeliever had given the salam, only to avoid being killed, and was not actually a true believer.  To which Rasulullah (s.a.w.) replied, “Did you cut open his heart to see his faith?”  In other words, the Prophet (s.a.w.) taught us not to judge others.  We are not able to see the secrets of their hearts’ intentions so we must accept what we see before us, and not jump to conclusions.  Even the mere recitation of the Islamic greeting, “as-Salamu’Alaykum“ by the unbeliever, made him a Muslim in the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) eyes, so how is it that Salafi ‘ulama are labelling all Muslims who do not ascribe to their ideology, as kafirun? 

We cannot simply label anyone as a kafir.  A kafir is one who openly declares his disbelief in Allah (s.w.t.).  Anyone who has taken the shahadah, and has not openly renounced it, is a Muslim.  We should never judge anyone on this matter of faith.  Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Qur’an in many places, “Allah is the Best to Judge.”  We should remember that Shaythan leads us to the fire by teaching us to be busy judging and labelling others.  None of us have a Divine Certificate guaranteeing that we are true Muslims or true mu’minin, or that we are destined for Paradise.  Instead of judging others, leave them to Allah’s (s.w.t.) Judgement and we must look after ourselves and blame our egos.  When we are all Raised on Judgment Day, we will all be busy with ourselves, and none of us will be concerned about the faults of others.  Hence, in this life, we must correct ourselves, and leave Judgement upon others, to Allah (s.w.t.), for none of us will ever know the niyyat of another’s deed, and every deed, is according to the intention.