The Creed of the Salaf (Righteous
Predecessors) regarding the Noble Qur’aan – Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen
Question
60: What is the
creed of the Righteous Predecessors regarding the Noble Qur’aan?
The
Answer:
The creed of the
as-Salaf pertaining to the Noble Qur’aan is like their creed with regard to the rest of
the Attributes and Names of Allaah, and it is based upon what is proven by the Book of Allaah and
the Sunnah of His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم). And we all know that Allaah,
The One free of all imperfection, The Most High, described the Qur’aan as being
His Words, and that it is sent down from Him. So, He, Most Magnificent and Most
High, Says:
“And if anyone of the
Mushriks seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that they may hear
the Word of Allaah [the Qur’aan], and then escort him to where he can be
secure” [Qur’aan, soorat
at-Tawbah (9): 6].
And the intended by
the “Word of Allaah” here, without any doubt, is the Noble Qur’aan. And
furthermore, He, the Most High, Says:
“Verily, this Qur’aan
narrates to the Children of Israel most of that in which they differ”[Qur’aan, soorat an-Naml (27): 76].
So, the Qur’aan is the
Word of Allaah, The Most High, letter and meaning. He really Spoke it and
bestowed it upon Jibreel, the trustworthy, who then brought it down upon the
heart of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) so that he may be one of those who
warn, in the plain Arabic language.
The
Salaf also believe that the Qur’aan is a Revelation, brought down by Allaah (Azza wa Jal) upon
Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) in parts over a period of twenty
three years as necessitated by Allaah’s Wisdom. In addition, its revelation
is either original or occasional, meaning that some of it is brought down in
response to a certain occasion that necessitated its revelation, and some of it
is revealed without being due to a certain reason. Also some of it is revealed
as a narration of a past condition that occurred to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه
و سلم) and his companions, whilst some of it comes down as original
Legislations, Revealed for the first time. This is according to what has been
mentioned by the people of knowledge pertaining to this matter.
Furthermore, the Salaf
say: “The Qur’aan is in the
beginning from Allaah (Azza wa Jal), and to Him it shall return at the end of
time.” This constitutes
the saying of the Salaf regarding the Noble Qur’aan.
And it is something
well known to us all that Allaah, The Most High, described the Qur’aan with
great qualities. He described it as hakeem (wise), kareem (an honourable reciter: Noble), ‘atheem (great), and majeed (glorious). And these qualities with
which Allaah has described His Words applies to the one who holds to this Book and
works according to it openly and inwardly. So Allaah, The Most High, grants him from the glory,
greatness, wisdom, might, and authority, something that it would not be given
to the one who does not cling to the Book of Allaah (Azza wa Jal). That is why
I call upon, from this pulpit, all of the Muslims, rulers and ruled, scholars
and common people, to cling hold to the Book of Allaah (Azza wa Jal), openly
and inwardly, so that they attain the might, happiness, glory, and prevalence
in the East and West.
Source: Fiqhul ‘Ibaadaat – Understanding Worship, By Sh.
Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen (rahimahullah), Translated by Saleh as
Saleh (rahimahullaah)
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