Faceup, here are my comments on wahabiat, although I believe this is a separate discussion in itself, and not appropriate for this Post.
As a muslim, I have no dispute with follower of any sect, Fiqh Jaffaria, Hanafi, Shafai or Hanbli. I even do not have any dispute with Wahabi's, but the only thing which disappoints me about Wahabis is their lack of respect toward the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Their preachings that everyone should have a DIRECT link with Allah Ta'lla, although is not wrong in itself, but the way they ignore the sunnah, and cast doubts on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which have reached us through his ahadith, is not acceptable to me.
Their whole argument about ignoring teh sunnah and the ahadith is standing on just one hadith, which is quoted out of context. The hadith is
[quote]
..and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said not to write anything about him and if someone has written anything, then it should be deleted
[/quote]
This hadith is correct, but is out of context. The tafseer for this hadith is very clear, that "In the Life of Prophet Muhamamd (PBUH)", the Prophet insisted that more prioirty be given to writing the Holy Quran, and this hadith just goes to re-emphasize the point. Years after the visaal of Prophet Muhamamd (PBUH), Imam Bukhari (Razi Allah Tallah) and thereafter six other eminent scholars of Islam, whose knoweldge is much ahead than all the members of this forum put together, spent years and years to collect sahih ahadith and to put them to regorous tests to ensure that no fake ahadith or mis-quoted ahadith are inluded in their collections.
In addition, I agree with faceup, about wahabiat attitude towards calling religious practices "bidaat" (or unaccepted innovation). I will like to quote just one refernce in this. During the khutba-e-Hajj this year 2000, the imam in his address in Arafat said something very touching, and I will like to share it with all of you
[quote]
Do not call a religious practice "bida'at". Because for someone to be able to distinguish between bida'at and true religious practice, he should be both "sahib-e-ilm" and "sahib-e-basalat". Many amongst you are sahib-e-ilm, but how many of you are sahib-e-basalat?
[/quote]
I think this is truly wonderful statement by the imam at khutba-tul-Hajj. As we all know Saudi Arabia and its rulers are followers of Wahabi teachings and for the imam to be able to say this right during the occassion of Hajj means a lot. Many of wahabi scholars are men of immense knowledge but, alas, their inner light has gone out, because they have disassociated themselves from the sunnah of the Prophet, and their hearts are devoid of the love and resepct we should all feel towards our Prophet, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The four sects of Islam are all correct as all of them have their origin and daleel in the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This alone should make us careful in how we approach any discussion on inter-sect differences.
Wahabiat is quite a recent phenomenon, which started in 20th century, and I believe it came into existence as a reaction to some of the Turk practices prevailing at that time (1900-1925). Turks, great muslims, had probably gone a over-board in their devotion and some of their actions were probably shirk or were close to shirk. But that is another discussion.
If we are a devout muslims, we must have our imaan... fear and obey Allah, as He has a right to be feared and obeyed. At the same time, we should feel love towards Allah Ta'alla, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and all his ummah.
Many a time in these forums, quite unnecessary topics are posted e.g. whether the first kalima makes Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), naooz billah, a partner with Allah. If these topics are posted by non-muslims trying to gain insight in our religion, than a logical, and informative response is all that is required.
Unfortunately, these topics and more like it, are generally posted by muslims. If the intention is to create fitna, disinformation and fasad, then let be there be la'anat on the author. If the intention is to gain knowledge on basic aqeeda and iman, by someone who was not as fortunate to have developed such basic aqaed at an early age than, ofcourse, intelligent, logical response is required by someone who can quote correct daleel.
However, in no case, should the discussion be allowed to degenarate into petty name-calling, as is, unfortunately the case in many of the serious debates in this forum. Respect for all sahaba, ahl-e-bayat, khulafa-e-Rashideen, Umahat-ul-momineen and all muslim brothers and sisters, past or present should be a second nature to all of us.
Some over-excited followers of certain sects, tend to go overboard, and discourteous in their beliefs and postings. This is a religious forum, and proper decorum and respect should be maintained at all times. Religious tolerence for differences of opinions is expected and indeed welcome, unless it is against the BASIC AQEEDA of islam.
W'llahu Alam bilsawab...
[This message has been edited by Pristine (edited September 18, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Pristine (edited September 18, 2000).]