What is heard in class about...Groups of Apostasy and Proofs from Qur'an on what Characteristics that Allaah Loves and Hates

As Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullaah

We picked up where we left off from the last class and the last verse that we're covering was Surah Ma‘idah (5:54) where Allaah states:

    “O you who believe! Whoever from among you turn back from his religion (Islam), Allaah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allaah, and never fear of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allaah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allaah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.”

We also covered some benefits from this verse:

It establishes that Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala has mentioned that there are those who will apostate after being believers and it being possible for one to apostate after being a believer.

The Ulema have mentioned that apostasy can come from 4 areas:

1. It could be a CREED or a belief that one holds which will invalidate one’s faith that cause the person to  become an apostate.

2. It could be a STATEMENT that one makes with his tongue that will cause a person to apostate.

3. It could be an ACTION that is done which can cause the person to apostate.

4. The matter of DOUBT.

There are three(3) groups of apostasy:

1. Extreme - The Khawarij - Those who declare the Muslims to be disbelievers because the committing of major sins. They are overwhelmed in the area of fear. They only look towards the verses in the Qur’an which mention  the punishment of the Hell-fire and Allaah’s wrath being severe and the likes (of these text). They do not look towards the text that mention Allaah being the Most Merciful and other than that.

     

2.   Negligent - The Mur’jiah - (1)Those who hold the position that as long as a person has faith (Eemaan) that sins will not harm them. (2)Just as acts of obedience will not benefit the individual as long as the person is a disbeliever.

The scholars (of al-Islam) have mentioned that the second statement is correct but the first statement is a statement of falsehood. Meaning that acts of righteousness will not benefit the person who is a disbeliever. As long as an individual lives upon polytheism and disbelief, it invalidates the individuals actions. As for the first statement (that sins will not harm a person who has faith), this is falsehood.

3.   Between Extremism and Negligence - Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah - Holds that Eemaan is the belief of the heart, a statement of the tongue and actions of the body parts. It increases with righteous actions (obedience to Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala)  and it decreases with sins (obedience to the shaitan). It is strengthened with knowledge and weakened with ignorance. This is from the statement of Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal (May Allaah have mercy upon him).

From the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah, we describe Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala with that which he describes himself with. We do not attribute with Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala descriptions of falsehood, deficiencies, or other than that from the evil matters that are not befitting for Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala.


Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala is independent and not in need of mankind  and we (the believers) should never think that our practice and belief of Islam is a favor to Allaah rather it is Allaah who has favored us, as He mentioned in Qur’an (47:17, addressing the Prophet):

“They regard as favor to you (O Muhammad, SalAllaahu alaihe was sallam) that they have embraced Islam. Say; “Count not your Islam as a favor to me. Nay, but Allaah has conferred a favor upon you that He has guided you to the Faith if you indeed are true.”

…and we must believe this wholeheartedly as this will be a means to humble oneself. We should be humble, well-mattered and submissive to Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala.

Those who apostate from Islam, the harm is on themselves and their apostasy does not harm Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala in the least. And a person’s righteousness is for the benefit of his on soul.

Also to understand, a changing of the people is not only for those who apostate from the deen of al-Islam, this is also for the people of sin. When Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala gives us a favor or blesses us and we do not take care of that favor, He can surely remove us and bring about people who will preserve the favor or blessing and live according to the Law of al-Islam.

Throughout the Qur’an, Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala establishes His Love for people who have certain characteristics (here are some in which this class covered):

(2:195) - “And spend in the Cause of Allah (ie. Jihad of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allaah), and do good. Truly, Allaah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers) .”

(2:222) - “ …Allaah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers).”

(3:76) - “Yes, whoever fulfills his pledge and fears Allaah much; verily, then Allaah loves those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious).”

(3:146) - : “...And Allaah love Al-Sabirun (the patient).”

(3:159) - “…certainly, Allaah loves those who put their trust (in Him).”

(5:42) - “…verily Allaah loves those who act justly.”

(and there are other ayah throughout the Qur’an describing who Allaah loves, but these were covered in this class)

The people that hold these characteristics will be the people that Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala will replace with those who fell into apostasy.

There are also ayah throughout the Qur’an on people who hold characteristics that Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala does not love:

(2:190) - “…Truly, Allaah likes not the transgressors.”

(2:205) - “…and Allaah likes not mischief (corruption).”

(2:276) - “…And Allaah likes not the disbelievers, sinners.”

(3:57)   - “…And Allaah does not like the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).

(4:36)  - “ ...Verily, Allaah does not like such as are arrogant and/or boastful.”

(5:64)  - “…And Allaah does not like the mischief-makers (those who cause corruption).”

(6:141)  - “…Verily, Allaah likes not (those who waste by extravagance).”

(8: 58)  - “…Certainly, Allaah likes not the treacherous (those who betray).”

So we see that Allaah Subhanahu wa at ala loves praiseworthy characteristics and hate evil characteristics.

If there are any mistakes that I have made in relaying this class in text form please forgive me.

These classes by our brother Abu Yusuf Khaleefa are on Paltalk (religion>Islam>What is Islam1) on Wednesdays and Sundays @ 9pm est
For previous class recordings please visit : http://whatisislam1.multiply.com

May Allaah Subhanahu wa ta ala protect us from apostasy, remove those characteristics that we have that are hated by Him and bless us with those characteristics that are loved by Him, Aameen.