Imaam Ahmad (d. 241H) rahimahullaah said:
"Adhere to the people of the narrations and the Sunan (Prophetic Traditions)."
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa: (11/231)
"Adhere to the people of the narrations and the Sunan (Prophetic Traditions)."
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa: (11/231)
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) rahimahullaah said:
“Indeed the religion is only established upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/367), Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.327, 480), Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.3, 127, 130), Dhamm al-Kalaam (no.327), Taareekh ad-Damishq (28/25), Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (1/338), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (9/349), Tahdheebul-Kamaal (14/463)
“Indeed the religion is only established upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/367), Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.327, 480), Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.3, 127, 130), Dhamm al-Kalaam (no.327), Taareekh ad-Damishq (28/25), Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (1/338), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (9/349), Tahdheebul-Kamaal (14/463)
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) rahimahullaah said:
“Indeed the religion is only established upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/367), Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.327, 480), Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.3, 127, 130), Dhamm al-Kalaam (no.327), Taareekh ad-Damishq (28/25), Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (1/338), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (9/349), Tahdheebul-Kamaal (14/463)
“Indeed the religion is only established upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/367), Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.327, 480), Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.3, 127, 130), Dhamm al-Kalaam (no.327), Taareekh ad-Damishq (28/25), Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (1/338), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (9/349), Tahdheebul-Kamaal (14/463)
Al-Hasan b. 'Alee al-Barbahaaree (d. 329H) rahimahullaah said:
“Upon you is to cling to the narrations and the people of narrations. And only ask them, and sit with them and take from them.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Sharhus-Sunnah al-Barbahaaree (no.91)
“Upon you is to cling to the narrations and the people of narrations. And only ask them, and sit with them and take from them.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Sharhus-Sunnah al-Barbahaaree (no.91)
Reasons Behind The Weakening Of The Religion
'Abdullaah b. Mas'ood (d. 32H) radiallaahu 'anhu said:
"The first thing that you will lose from your religion is al-Khushoo’ (reverence and humility) - and in a narration al-Amaanah (Trust) - and the last thing that you will lose from your religion is as-Salaat (the Prayer). And Indeed the handholds of Islaam will be destroyed handhold by handhold, and the women will pray whilst they are on their menses, and you will certainly follow the path of those who came before you (i.e. by imitating them exactly) as a feather of one arrow closely resembles that of another** and as one shoe closely resembles the other. You will not declare the error of their way and they will not find fault in you; until two sects will continue to be from the multitude of sects. Then one of them will say: 'What is the significance of the five (daily) prayers, surely those who came before us were indeed misguided; since Allaah the Blessed and the Most High only mentioned:
“And establish the prayer at the two ends of the day and as the night approaches.”
Therefore do not pray except three (prayers).' And the other sect will say: ‘The Imaan (faith) of the believers in Allaah is just the same as the Imaan (faith) of the Angels and there is no unbeliever amongst us or any hypocrite.’ Allaah has the right to raise them both up with the Dajjaal (the one eyed liar)."
**Translator’s Side Note: Ibn al-Atheer mentions in an-Nihayah (4/28): “Al-Qudhadh (meaning) the feathers (i.e. fletching) of an arrow.” Then Ibn al-Atheer mentions: “And in the hadeeth: 'You will certainly follow the ways of those before you like a feather of an arrow closely resembles that of another.' Meaning this is similar to when both of them (i.e. feathers of two arrows are put side by side) to be measured against the measurement of its counterpart (for uniformity) and then cut off (i.e. any excess). This example is struck for two things which are equal and not different (i.e. are similar).”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: [At-Tabaraanee in] al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer (no.8699), al-Haakim (4/469, 504) and he authenticated it and adh-Dhahabee agreed, Taareekh Baghdaad (12/79), and in al-Hilyah (1/281) from Hudhayfah (radiallaahu 'anhu) and (6/265) from Anas b. Maalik (d.32H) (radiallaahu 'anhu), and similarly in Taareekh Asbahaan (2/183).
'Abdullaah b. Mas'ood (d. 32H) radiallaahu 'anhu said:
"The first thing that you will lose from your religion is al-Khushoo’ (reverence and humility) - and in a narration al-Amaanah (Trust) - and the last thing that you will lose from your religion is as-Salaat (the Prayer). And Indeed the handholds of Islaam will be destroyed handhold by handhold, and the women will pray whilst they are on their menses, and you will certainly follow the path of those who came before you (i.e. by imitating them exactly) as a feather of one arrow closely resembles that of another** and as one shoe closely resembles the other. You will not declare the error of their way and they will not find fault in you; until two sects will continue to be from the multitude of sects. Then one of them will say: 'What is the significance of the five (daily) prayers, surely those who came before us were indeed misguided; since Allaah the Blessed and the Most High only mentioned:
“And establish the prayer at the two ends of the day and as the night approaches.”
Therefore do not pray except three (prayers).' And the other sect will say: ‘The Imaan (faith) of the believers in Allaah is just the same as the Imaan (faith) of the Angels and there is no unbeliever amongst us or any hypocrite.’ Allaah has the right to raise them both up with the Dajjaal (the one eyed liar)."
**Translator’s Side Note: Ibn al-Atheer mentions in an-Nihayah (4/28): “Al-Qudhadh (meaning) the feathers (i.e. fletching) of an arrow.” Then Ibn al-Atheer mentions: “And in the hadeeth: 'You will certainly follow the ways of those before you like a feather of an arrow closely resembles that of another.' Meaning this is similar to when both of them (i.e. feathers of two arrows are put side by side) to be measured against the measurement of its counterpart (for uniformity) and then cut off (i.e. any excess). This example is struck for two things which are equal and not different (i.e. are similar).”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: [At-Tabaraanee in] al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer (no.8699), al-Haakim (4/469, 504) and he authenticated it and adh-Dhahabee agreed, Taareekh Baghdaad (12/79), and in al-Hilyah (1/281) from Hudhayfah (radiallaahu 'anhu) and (6/265) from Anas b. Maalik (d.32H) (radiallaahu 'anhu), and similarly in Taareekh Asbahaan (2/183).
'Abdullaah ad-Daylamee rahimahullaah said:
“I heard Ibn 'Amr - radiallaahu 'anhu - saying: 'An innovation is not innovated except that it increases in loss and a Sunnah is not abandoned except that it increases in desires.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.128), Ibn Waddaah (p.44).
“I heard Ibn 'Amr - radiallaahu 'anhu - saying: 'An innovation is not innovated except that it increases in loss and a Sunnah is not abandoned except that it increases in desires.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.128), Ibn Waddaah (p.44).
'Abdullaah ad-Daylamee rahimahullaah said:
“I heard Ibn 'Amr - radiallaahu 'anhu - saying: 'An innovation is not innovated except that it increases in loss and a Sunnah is not abandoned except that it increases in desires.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.128), Ibn Waddaah (p.44).
“I heard Ibn 'Amr - radiallaahu 'anhu - saying: 'An innovation is not innovated except that it increases in loss and a Sunnah is not abandoned except that it increases in desires.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.128), Ibn Waddaah (p.44).
Hassaan b. 'Atiyyah (d. 130H) rahimahullaah said:
“Never do a people introduce in their religion an innovation except that Allaah takes away from them its like from their Sunnah and he will not return it back to them until the Day of Judgement.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Ad-Daarimee (no.98), al-Ma'rifah wat-Taareekh (3/373), Ibn Waddaah (p.44), al-Laalikaa’ee (no.129), Hilyatul-Awliyaa [of Aboo Nu'aym] (6/73).
“Never do a people introduce in their religion an innovation except that Allaah takes away from them its like from their Sunnah and he will not return it back to them until the Day of Judgement.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Ad-Daarimee (no.98), al-Ma'rifah wat-Taareekh (3/373), Ibn Waddaah (p.44), al-Laalikaa’ee (no.129), Hilyatul-Awliyaa [of Aboo Nu'aym] (6/73).
Hassaan b. 'Atiyyah (d. 130H) rahimahullaah said:
“Never do a people introduce in their religion an innovation except that Allaah takes away from them its like from their Sunnah and he will not return it back to them until the Day of Judgement.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Ad-Daarimee (no.98), al-Ma'rifah wat-Taareekh (3/373), Ibn Waddaah (p.44), al-Laalikaa’ee (no.129), Hilyatul-Awliyaa [of Aboo Nu'aym] (6/73).
“Never do a people introduce in their religion an innovation except that Allaah takes away from them its like from their Sunnah and he will not return it back to them until the Day of Judgement.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Ad-Daarimee (no.98), al-Ma'rifah wat-Taareekh (3/373), Ibn Waddaah (p.44), al-Laalikaa’ee (no.129), Hilyatul-Awliyaa [of Aboo Nu'aym] (6/73).
You Will Be Punished For Opposing The Sunnah
On the authority of Sa'eed b. Musayyib (d. 94H) rahimahullaah that he saw a man praying more than Rak'atain (two units of prayer) after the emergence of al-Fajr (i.e. time for Fajr prayer). He was making a lot of Rukoos (bowings) and prostrations in his prayer so he (Sa'eed b. Musayyib) forbade him from that. So he (the man) said: 'O Aboo Muhammad, will Allaah punish me for praying? He said: 'No, but He will punish you for opposing the Sunnah.'”
Al-Albaanee (d. 1419H) rahimahullaah said:
“This is from the wonderful replies of Sa'eed b. Musayyib (rahimahullaah ta'ala) and it is a strong weapon against the Mubtadi’ah (innovators) who regard many of the innovations as good and commendable in the name that they are Dhikr (remembrance of Allaah) and Salaah (prayer). Then they rebuke the Ahlus-Sunnah for forbidding that upon them and accuse them of forbidding the Dhikr and Salaah! Whilst in reality, they are only forbidding them from their opposition to the Sunnah in the Dhikr, the prayer and the likes of that.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Musannaf Abdur-Razzaaq (no.4755), al-Bayhaqee (2/466), al-Bayhaqee’s at-Tamheed (20/105), al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqeh (1/147), refer to al-Irwaa al-Ghaleel (2/236).
On the authority of Sa'eed b. Musayyib (d. 94H) rahimahullaah that he saw a man praying more than Rak'atain (two units of prayer) after the emergence of al-Fajr (i.e. time for Fajr prayer). He was making a lot of Rukoos (bowings) and prostrations in his prayer so he (Sa'eed b. Musayyib) forbade him from that. So he (the man) said: 'O Aboo Muhammad, will Allaah punish me for praying? He said: 'No, but He will punish you for opposing the Sunnah.'”
Al-Albaanee (d. 1419H) rahimahullaah said:
“This is from the wonderful replies of Sa'eed b. Musayyib (rahimahullaah ta'ala) and it is a strong weapon against the Mubtadi’ah (innovators) who regard many of the innovations as good and commendable in the name that they are Dhikr (remembrance of Allaah) and Salaah (prayer). Then they rebuke the Ahlus-Sunnah for forbidding that upon them and accuse them of forbidding the Dhikr and Salaah! Whilst in reality, they are only forbidding them from their opposition to the Sunnah in the Dhikr, the prayer and the likes of that.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Musannaf Abdur-Razzaaq (no.4755), al-Bayhaqee (2/466), al-Bayhaqee’s at-Tamheed (20/105), al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqeh (1/147), refer to al-Irwaa al-Ghaleel (2/236).
Al-Awzaa’ee (d. 157H) rahimahullaah said:
“It is not that Islaam will disappear but rather the People of the Sunnah will disappear until there does not remain in the land any from them except for one single man.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Kashful-Kurbah Fee Wasf Haal Ahlil-Ghurbah (no.19)
“It is not that Islaam will disappear but rather the People of the Sunnah will disappear until there does not remain in the land any from them except for one single man.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Kashful-Kurbah Fee Wasf Haal Ahlil-Ghurbah (no.19)
Al-Awzaa’ee (d. 157H) rahimahullaah said:
“It is not that Islaam will disappear but rather the People of the Sunnah will disappear until there does not remain in the land any from them except for one single man.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Kashful-Kurbah Fee Wasf Haal Ahlil-Ghurbah (no.19)
“It is not that Islaam will disappear but rather the People of the Sunnah will disappear until there does not remain in the land any from them except for one single man.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Kashful-Kurbah Fee Wasf Haal Ahlil-Ghurbah (no.19)
The Handholds Of Islaam Will Be Destroyed
He (ﷺ) said: “The handholds of Islaam will disintegrate (be destroyed), handhold by handhold, so whenever one handhold is annulled the people will hold fast to the following one. So the first from them (to go) is al-Hukam (the rule) and the last is the Prayer (Salaah)."
Explanation of the Hadeeth:
Al-Manaawee in Faydul-Qadeer (5/343) mentions:
“La-Tuntaqadanna (translated here as disintegrate) is in the passive tense meaning to become undone, a rope becomes undone (i.e. starts to disintegrate) when its intertwined twists (become untangled and) start moving freely. And the breaking down of an affair after it has been mended and corrected is its corruption and destruction."
Shaykh Ibn Baaz rahimahullaah mentions:
"The meaning of this Hadeeth is apparent and it is that the more the strangeness of Islaam increases in severity, the more there will be those who oppose it and infringe upon its handholds, meaning by that (i.e. handholds) its obligatory matters and commandments.
Just as it is mentioned in his statement (ﷺ): “Islaam began as something strange and it will return back to being something strange, so Toobaa (a tree in paradise or glad tidings) are for the strangers.” Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh.
And the meaning of his statement in the Hadeeth: "So the first from them (to go) is al-Hukam (the rule).” Its meaning is clearly apparent and it is by not ruling by Allaah’s legislation and this is what the reality of affairs is today for most of the countries that ascribe to Islaam. And it is well known that it is obligatory upon everyone to judge by the legislation of Allaah in everything and to beware of judging with (secular) laws and the (local) customs which oppose the pure legislation.”
Then Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
“And as for the statement of the Prophet (ﷺ) in the Hadeeth mentioned (earlier): “And the last is the Prayer (Salaah).” It means that many people abandon it and fail to show up for it (in congregation). And this is what the reality of the matter is today in most Muslim countries. May Allaah rectify the condition of the Muslims and that He gives them the ability to have firmness and uprightness upon His religion, and that He aids them in establishing the Prayer and to keep safeguarding it by praying at its appointed times and in congregation.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Abridged from Fataawa wa Maqaalaat of Shaykh Ibn Baaz rahimahullaah, (25/110-117)
He (ﷺ) said: “The handholds of Islaam will disintegrate (be destroyed), handhold by handhold, so whenever one handhold is annulled the people will hold fast to the following one. So the first from them (to go) is al-Hukam (the rule) and the last is the Prayer (Salaah)."
Explanation of the Hadeeth:
Al-Manaawee in Faydul-Qadeer (5/343) mentions:
“La-Tuntaqadanna (translated here as disintegrate) is in the passive tense meaning to become undone, a rope becomes undone (i.e. starts to disintegrate) when its intertwined twists (become untangled and) start moving freely. And the breaking down of an affair after it has been mended and corrected is its corruption and destruction."
Shaykh Ibn Baaz rahimahullaah mentions:
"The meaning of this Hadeeth is apparent and it is that the more the strangeness of Islaam increases in severity, the more there will be those who oppose it and infringe upon its handholds, meaning by that (i.e. handholds) its obligatory matters and commandments.
Just as it is mentioned in his statement (ﷺ): “Islaam began as something strange and it will return back to being something strange, so Toobaa (a tree in paradise or glad tidings) are for the strangers.” Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh.
And the meaning of his statement in the Hadeeth: "So the first from them (to go) is al-Hukam (the rule).” Its meaning is clearly apparent and it is by not ruling by Allaah’s legislation and this is what the reality of affairs is today for most of the countries that ascribe to Islaam. And it is well known that it is obligatory upon everyone to judge by the legislation of Allaah in everything and to beware of judging with (secular) laws and the (local) customs which oppose the pure legislation.”
Then Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
“And as for the statement of the Prophet (ﷺ) in the Hadeeth mentioned (earlier): “And the last is the Prayer (Salaah).” It means that many people abandon it and fail to show up for it (in congregation). And this is what the reality of the matter is today in most Muslim countries. May Allaah rectify the condition of the Muslims and that He gives them the ability to have firmness and uprightness upon His religion, and that He aids them in establishing the Prayer and to keep safeguarding it by praying at its appointed times and in congregation.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Abridged from Fataawa wa Maqaalaat of Shaykh Ibn Baaz rahimahullaah, (25/110-117)
The Causes Behind The Al-Fasaad (Corruption) In The World
By Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah
The statement of Allaah, the Most High:
“And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order.” [Surah al-A'raaf: 56].
Most of the Mufassiroon (scholars of Tafseer) say: (meaning) do not cause corruption and mischief in it with sinning, and propagating and calling to disobedience to Allaah - which is Mufsid (corrupting) - after Allaah had rectified and set it (i.e. the earth) in order with the sending of the Messengers, the clarification of the Sharee’ah (divine legislation), and the propagating and calling to the obedience of Allaah. For indeed the worship of other than Allaah, and supplicating to others besides Him, and ash-Shirk (associating partners) with Him is the greatest of corruption and mischief in the earth. Rather, the corruption of the earth in reality is indeed (due to) ash-Shirk (associating partners) with Allaah, and opposing His commandments. Allaah, the Most High, mentions:
“Al-Fasaad (corruption and evil) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds).” [Surah ar-Room: 41].
'Atiyyah said regarding this Aayah: “Do not disobey Allaah in the earth for Allaah will withhold the rains, and He will destroy the crops due to your sins.” More than one of the Salaf (predecessors) said: "Whenever the rains are withheld (i.e. there is a drought) then animals curse the disobedient sinners from the children of Adam, and they say: 'O Allaah, curse them for it is because of them the earth has become barren and the rains have stopped.'
And in general terms, then ash-Shirk (associating partners with Allaah/polytheism), ad-Da'wah (propagating and calling) to other than Allaah, and establishing an object of worship other than Him, or obedience and following other than the Messenger (ﷺ) is (all) from the greatest of al-Fasaad (corruption and mischief) in the earth. There is no rectification for it nor for its people except when Allaah alone is the One Who is worshipped, and ad-Da'wah (the propagating and calling) is to Allaah and not to anyone else; and obedience and following is for the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ); and anyone else then his obedience is obligatory if he commands with the obedience of the Messenger (ﷺ), and if he orders with disobedience of him then there is no hearing and obeying (in that).
For indeed Allaah rectified the earth with His Messenger (ﷺ) and with His religion, and with the ordering and commanding with at-Tawheed. And He prohibited from corrupting the earth with ash-Shirk (associating partners) with Allaah, and (He prohibited from) opposing His Messenger (ﷺ). And whoever reflects and contemplates over the matters and affairs of the world then he will find that the cause of every good in the earth is due to the Tawheed of Allaah, and worship of Him, and obedience to His Messenger (ﷺ). And every evil in the world, every Fitnah (tribulation), trial and affliction, drought and being overpowered and dominated by an enemy and other that; then the cause is due to the opposition of the Messenger (ﷺ) and supplicating to other than Allaah. And whoever contemplates over this (affair) in a thorough manner will find that this affair is as such, deep down in one’s soul and in other than it, in general and in particular. And there is neither any might nor any power except with Allaah.
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Majmoo’ al-Fataawa of Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah (15/24-25)
By Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah
The statement of Allaah, the Most High:
“And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order.” [Surah al-A'raaf: 56].
Most of the Mufassiroon (scholars of Tafseer) say: (meaning) do not cause corruption and mischief in it with sinning, and propagating and calling to disobedience to Allaah - which is Mufsid (corrupting) - after Allaah had rectified and set it (i.e. the earth) in order with the sending of the Messengers, the clarification of the Sharee’ah (divine legislation), and the propagating and calling to the obedience of Allaah. For indeed the worship of other than Allaah, and supplicating to others besides Him, and ash-Shirk (associating partners) with Him is the greatest of corruption and mischief in the earth. Rather, the corruption of the earth in reality is indeed (due to) ash-Shirk (associating partners) with Allaah, and opposing His commandments. Allaah, the Most High, mentions:
“Al-Fasaad (corruption and evil) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds).” [Surah ar-Room: 41].
'Atiyyah said regarding this Aayah: “Do not disobey Allaah in the earth for Allaah will withhold the rains, and He will destroy the crops due to your sins.” More than one of the Salaf (predecessors) said: "Whenever the rains are withheld (i.e. there is a drought) then animals curse the disobedient sinners from the children of Adam, and they say: 'O Allaah, curse them for it is because of them the earth has become barren and the rains have stopped.'
And in general terms, then ash-Shirk (associating partners with Allaah/polytheism), ad-Da'wah (propagating and calling) to other than Allaah, and establishing an object of worship other than Him, or obedience and following other than the Messenger (ﷺ) is (all) from the greatest of al-Fasaad (corruption and mischief) in the earth. There is no rectification for it nor for its people except when Allaah alone is the One Who is worshipped, and ad-Da'wah (the propagating and calling) is to Allaah and not to anyone else; and obedience and following is for the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ); and anyone else then his obedience is obligatory if he commands with the obedience of the Messenger (ﷺ), and if he orders with disobedience of him then there is no hearing and obeying (in that).
For indeed Allaah rectified the earth with His Messenger (ﷺ) and with His religion, and with the ordering and commanding with at-Tawheed. And He prohibited from corrupting the earth with ash-Shirk (associating partners) with Allaah, and (He prohibited from) opposing His Messenger (ﷺ). And whoever reflects and contemplates over the matters and affairs of the world then he will find that the cause of every good in the earth is due to the Tawheed of Allaah, and worship of Him, and obedience to His Messenger (ﷺ). And every evil in the world, every Fitnah (tribulation), trial and affliction, drought and being overpowered and dominated by an enemy and other that; then the cause is due to the opposition of the Messenger (ﷺ) and supplicating to other than Allaah. And whoever contemplates over this (affair) in a thorough manner will find that this affair is as such, deep down in one’s soul and in other than it, in general and in particular. And there is neither any might nor any power except with Allaah.
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Majmoo’ al-Fataawa of Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah (15/24-25)