Is my understanding of Islam "absolute truth"?
Regarding "Absolute Truth": We mention words representing some people, and part of the response by the virtuous brother Adnan Talafha, for scientific benefit, without naming individuals, to be an opportunity for quiet reflection for everyone.
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The statement that needs a response:
(Islam is the absolute truth. As for my own understanding of Islam, it is not absolute truth, because I am a human whose mind is limited and whose knowledge is little, and who is influenced by his whims, desires, background, environment, and many other factors.
Is your understanding of Islam absolute truth?
And is there any of the contemporary scholars or the scholars of the Salaf (predecessors) whose understanding of Islam is absolute truth?
Indeed, is there anyone other than the Messenger (peace be upon him) whose understanding of Islam is absolute truth?
Please advise me, if you please)
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Part of Brother Adnan Talafha's response:
- First: The way the question is posed is wrong and misleading. What do you mean by "my understanding" of Islam?!
For there is a certain, definitive understanding of Islam, in which there is no doubt, uncertainty, or suspicion. For example, as a Muslim, I understand that Allah is One with no partner, that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, that the Resurrection is true, that Paradise is true, and that the Fire is true. These are matters in which there is no relativity; rather, disagreement is not permissible in them, because disagreement in them revolves between faith and disbelief, and the one who opposes this understanding is not upon the religion of the Muslims. And there are speculative, relative issues subject to Ijtihad (independent reasoning), which are issues of Fiqh (jurisprudence) and branches, such as the school of thought that says it is obligatory to wipe the entire head in Wudu (ablution), and the school that says to wipe part of the head! And every Mujtahid (one who exercises independent reasoning) has a share [of reward].
So posing this question without distinguishing between what is doctrinal, fundamental, known from the religion by necessity, and agreed upon, and what is jurisprudential, subsidiary, and subject to Ijtihad... is merely a type of confusion. Rather, it is rich material for the enemies of Islam to attack the religion and make Muslims doubt, and it is one of their greatest means to legitimize removing Islam from life... so pay attention. Look at the hypocrites in the Islamic world who call themselves by various names such as (Enlightenment thinkers, Secularists, Liberals, and others). You find them always carrying this banner: (Islam is truth and there is no doubt about that, and our problem is not with Islam, but our problem is with your understanding of Islam).
Under this banner, the bonds of religion are completely undone, consensus and what is known from the religion by necessity are opposed, prohibitions and major sins are deemed lawful, and various types of disbelief and misguidance are committed. All of this is under the claim of the relativity of truth, and that we are not bound by anyone's understanding of Islam... and this is Sophistry in its most wicked forms!
We are talking about the religion of Islam in contrast to other sects and creeds; it is the absolute truth in which there is no doubt. {So rely upon Allah; indeed, you are upon the clear truth.} [An-Naml: 79]
We are not talking about jurisprudential schools within the circle of Islam, such as the four schools of thought... for the theory of relativity in truth to be proposed! So pay attention.
- Second: What is behind such a question: Is your understanding of Islam absolute truth?!
You can imagine if the people of Medina had asked this question to Mus'ab ibn Umayr when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent him to them as a caller and teacher!!
And if the people of Yemen had asked this question to Mu'adh ibn Jabal and Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari and other Companions when the Messenger of Allah sent them to them to invite them to Islam!!
And if it were asked to the Companions and the conquerors after them while they were conquering lands east and west!!
Then it is said to all of them: What you are inviting us to is your own understanding of Islam, and perhaps it is not absolute truth, until we see and hear from your Messenger personally!!
And they would have an argument for rejecting Islam and disbelieving in it!
Oh, the wonder... then how is the proof established against people?!
- Third: He asks: Is there any of the contemporary scholars or the scholars of the Salaf whose understanding of Islam is absolute truth?! Indeed, is there anyone other than the Messenger of Allah whose understanding of Islam is absolute truth?!
I say: The consensus of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) is absolute truth: {And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.} [An-Nisa: 115]
And the consensus of the scholars of the Ummah (nation) is absolute truth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Verily, Allah will not gather my Ummah on misguidance."
And what is known from the religion by necessity is absolute truth, and what is definitive in text and meaning is absolute truth).