Re: Final decisions
Assalamualaikum,
The scholars actually agree on most matters of fiqh (that includes everything you posted). Then why does there seem to be such a great amount of differences in fiqh among the ummah? The first reason has already been said. Another major reason is because a lot of laypeople (like us) tend to take the very small differences that do exist and argue about it as if it will determine life and death. (and there is a hadith about this affair:
Yahya related to me from Malik that Abdullah ibn Abdullah ibn Jabiribn Atik said that Abdullah ibn Umar had come to them in Bani Muawia, one of the villages of the Ansar, and said, “Do you know where the Messenger of Allah (saw) prayed in this masjid of yours?” I told him, “Yes,” and I pointed out a place near where he was. He said, “Do you know the three things for which he made dua here?” I said, “Yes.” He said, "Tell me them then. "I said, “he asked that He would not make an enemy from among the non-believers triumph over the believers and that He would not destroy the believers by bad harvests, and he was given both these things. And he asked that He would not make the believers fight amongst themselves, and that was refused.” ibn Umar said, “You have told the truth”, and he added, “Turmoil will not cease until the day of rising.” [Muwatta Imam Malik; 15/35]
As far as the hadith that the Prophet (saw) said: “Differences are a mercy to my Ummah”- this hadith is an outright fabrication
Sadly, this is the state of affairs of Muslims. But to say that in those issues which there are differences, that people should unite. This is a good thing which, however can never be done in EVERY SINGLE thing. Not every single issue will be a situation where you can make one choice or another. There are issues, however, from those small differences, where people do have a choice to unite in it. But Many people stick fanatically to their madhab, and will not budge even when shown hardcore proof that the opinion they follow is not right. The salafis today want this unity for the ummah (and so do others), and even though they might be following a madhab, they do not follow it blindly and fanatically. This is a reason why they are hated amongst many people, because many other hisbees claim that the salafis disrespect the Imams in this way. However, IF you refer to the books of the respected Imams, you will find that the salafi are actually respecting those Imams. (I will not go any deeper in this issue)
But one person did ask a scholar ‘Why is there 4 madhaahibs?’ and a lack of unity? The answer is found in this link, http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543290
Im guessing your probably still thinking, why can’t the muslims just get over their differences. It is definitely not that simple, and this disunity is a test from Allah. We should try focusing on doing our best to make our hearts soft and full with Iman and call people to unity. On this thorny path, no doubt you might be humiliated or something, but Allah tells us in the quran that he test the believers with trials and tribulations, so take note: PATIENCE REQUIRED!
Insha’allah CM, if you really want to learn about this stuff, you should take an al-maghrib class. Do you live in the U.S or canada?
AND ALLAH (SWT) KNOWS BEST