Articles

Extremism
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 12-07-2023

Extremism

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

Islam prohibits extremism and strongly condemns it. The extremists deviate from the path and methodology of Muslims because they neglect the Sunnah (traditions) of Islam and emphasize only on its mandatories. In this regard, three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) to inquire about the worship of the Prophet (PBUH). When they were informed, they considered their worship insignificant and said: "Where are we in comparison with the Prophet (PBUH) while Allah has forgiven his past sins and future sins". One of them said: "As for me, I shall offer Salat all night long." Another said: "I shall observe Saum (fasting) continuously and shall not break it". Another said: "I shall abstain from women and shall never marry". The Prophet (PBUH) came to them and said: "Are you the people who said such and such things? By Allah, I fear Allah more than you do, and I am most obedient and dutiful among you to Him, but still I observe fast and break it; perform Salat and sleep at night and take wives. So whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me." 

 

This exaggeration in worship is considered extremism and strictness. The Messenger of Allah said: "Beware! The extremists perished." Imam Nawawi said: "The extremists are those who adopt strictness where it is not required. Being extreme and being strict are synonymous with extremism, and whoever becomes excessively strict, Allah will be strict with him." The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Do not impose austerities on yourselves and so have God imposing austerities on you; for people have imposed austerities on themselves and God has imposed austerities on them."

 

Anyone who transfers people from ease to difficulty, from spaciousness to narrowness, or from relief to distress is an extremist and a radical. This severely goes against the divine methodology because extremists move people from facilitation and ease to hardship. Allah Almighty Says (What means): "God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties." [Al-Baqarah/185].

 

Indeed, Allah has not placed upon us in this religion any hardship or difficulty and He has not imposed upon us what we cannot bear. Rather, Islam came with the Hanifiyyah al-Sahmah (Implies a generous comportment with “others” (whether others in religion, or others in humanity), so hardship is lifted from the Ummah. Allah Said (What means): "And He has not placed upon you in the religion any hardship." Sheikh Al-Shatibi (May Allah have mercy on him) said: "Know that hardship is lifted from the mukallaf (Responsible person in Islam) for two reasons: the first is the fear of being cut off from the path, hating worship and disliking the obligation." This meaning includes the fear of introducing corruption into his body, mind, wealth, or condition.

 

The second is the fear of falling short when competing with the different types of functions related to the servant, such as: his responsibility for his child and family to other tasks that come along the way. Perhaps delving into some of the work would be a distraction from them and would cut off the mukallaf from them. And perhaps he wanted to carry both parties to exaggeration in the investigation, and he was cut off from them.

 

As for the first: Allah made this blessed Shari'ah, Hanifiyyah, easy and tolerant, in which He preserved the hearts of the creation and made it dear to them. If they had acted contrary to ease, what they were charged with would have entered into them, which would not have purified their works. Do you not see that He Says (What means): "And know that among you is God’s Apostle: were he, in many matters, to follow your (wishes), ye would certainly fall into misfortune." [Al-Hujuraat/7].

 

The verse has informed us that Allah has made faith dear to us by facilitating and simplifying it, and has beautified it in our hearts by that and the sincere promise of reward for it. So, you have to perform acts that you can bear since Allah does not tire until you tire.

 

It is sad that extremists believe that extremism is the general rule and that facilitation is not part of Islam at all. They thought that their word is the final word and their opinion is the right one. Therefore, they treated people with harshness and rudeness, and they appointed themselves as guardians over Muslims, contrary to the saying of Allah The Almighty (What means): "Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." [An-Nahl/125]. Imam Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "The true jurist is the one who does not cause people to despair of Allah`s mercy and does not give them permission to commit sins."

 

However, the extremists did not follow the Messenger (PBUH) and they thought evil of people. Consequently, they described those who disagreed with them as infidels and misguided, and denied them faith and guidance. Moreover, they regarded them out of the path of the magnanimous Shari'ah and the religion of mercy. Therefore, they made taking lives and wealth lawful. This is although the Messenger (PBUH) said: "Do not revert to disbelief after me by striking (cutting) the necks of one another."

 

The solution to this crisis is not difficult since our children know that religion is applicable to every time and place, deals with religious, cultural, and sexual diversity and accepts it. This religion has embraced different peoples: Arabs, Abyssinians, Persians, and Romans; among them are white and black living as loving brothers. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab except through righteousness. Each one of them strives to excel in the universe and encourages humans to develop their creative abilities and diligent efforts, and to perform righteous deeds in this life and the hereafter.

 

Indeed, extremists have misrepresented Islam and Muslims through their harsh treatment, rude behavior, and radical ideology; misleading Islam's enemies into thinking that Islam is an extremist religion that fights against mercy and gentleness.

 

Thanks to God, Jordan had an early start in combating extremism and Takfir (Accusing Muslims of disbelief). Therefore, The Amman Message was launched clarifying the matter and warning against their harmful effects. It emphasized that one of their qualities is harshness and cruelty, and their hearts are filled with hatred and extremism, devoid of mercy and compassion, as they terrorize people through torture, killing, burning, and persecution in the name of religion. However, the religion is innocent of them since it is all about mercy and peace.

 

Therefore, we are in desperate need for enlightened and moderate scholars of Islamic knowledge who have insight into textual interpretation and understand the higher objectives of Sharia. They should prioritize sound religious discourse, abandon sectarian discourse and make clear that the system of worship and customs is not limited to the hereafter alone. In general, we are in dire need for finding diligent, earnest, and sincere individuals dedicated to their religion and homeland.

 

These truths must become the focus of scholars, writers, imams, preachers, educators, and teachers because anyone who deviates from the guidance of Allah and follows deviant opinions is seeking to sow discord. Allah, The Exalted Says (What means): "Then let those beware who withstand the Apostle’s order, lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them." [An-Nur/ 63].

 

The call of His Majesty King Abdullah II, may Allah protect him, in his meetings and directives was not limited to those individuals, but it addressed every citizen in this blessed country, urging them to feel the responsibility entrusted to them and to be vigilant in safeguarding the nation from any harm. We are in need for strong, trustworthy, knowledgeable employees who fulfill their duties without feebleness or negligence, treat all citizens with equality, justice, and sincerity and love for their brothers what they love for themselves.

 

We are in need for an honest media that carries the true message, where we only hear goodness and truth from it. Its motto is in the following verse (What means): "And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)." [Al-Isra`/36].

 

We are in need for a writer and thinker who carries responsible and kind words through constructive and purposeful criticism, advocating for goodness, wisdom, and scientific dialogue, to build a strong and cohesive nation. In contrast, we do not need a writer who throws poisoned arrows, casting doubt on the Quran and Sunnah, and criticizing Allah The Almighty in His rulings.

 

A significant role awaits us in confronting errors and corruption, instilling morals, love of the homeland, and promoting harmony, love, and unity, rejecting extremism and terrorism. We should thank Allah the Almighty for the blessing of living in a safe and secure country while people around us are facing abduction.

 

And All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

A woman died at the age of ninety. Her living children are nine: two sons and two daughters. The youngest of her grandchildren, from her son who passed away one year before her, is aged thirty-two. Are these grandchildren entitled to the obligatory bequest although they are aged thirty-two and above?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
A Muslim isn`t obligated to leave a bequest to his grandchildren whose father had passed away; rather, this act is recommended. Therefore, if he left a bequest whereby they get less than one third of the estate then Allah will reward him for that. However, if he left no bequest for them then they get nothing because their paternal uncles are alive and they are closer to the deceased and more entitled to inherit him. This is the position of the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence. However, the Personal Status Law didn`t adopt this position; rather, it gave them the same amount to which their father is entitled when alive but his father or mother are dead; provided that it doesn`t exceed one third of the estate. Therefore, we advise them (Grandchildren) to relinquish this share of the inheritance. If not, then we advise their paternal uncles to overlook the amounts taken from their shares and given to their paternal nephews. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

I`m a god-fearing woman. I`m two months pregnant but my husband insists that I have an abortion?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May Allah`s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
 
It isn`t permissible for you to abort the fetus unless it endangers the mother`s life. Therefore, try to convince your husband to change his mind and encourage him to pay us a visit. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible for a father to divide his property amongst his children except one under the pretext that he has paid for the latter`s tuition? This is knowing that his other children were given the opportunity to pursue their education but didn`t because they were educationally poor. Moreover, is he allowed to give his other children who have helped him with growing his business?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May Allah`s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
The father should be just between his children as regards gifts, in case they had similar circumstances. However, if any had a special merit, then it is permissible for the father to take that into account to be just. For example, giving his children who have helped in making his fortune and received no reward for that or giving the little ones because they haven`t taken as much as the older ones or giving the sick child who is unable to make a living. The most important thing is achieving justice. Moreover, the father is not interdicted by any of his children, and he is free to do whatever he wants with his money and Allah will call him to account as regards observing justice between his children. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible for my brother, whom I had suckled, to conclude a marriage contract between his daughter and my son?

Such marriage is impermissible since one`s nephew in this situation is considered an uncle to one`s daughter; consequently, he is the brother of her father by suckling. In such cases, the people in question should go to court to prove the suckling.