Is Understanding of Islam "Absolute Truth"?
About "Absolute Truth": We mention some statements and part of the response by the noble brother Adnan Talaffa, for scholarly benefit, without mentioning individuals, to be an opportunity for calm reflection for everyone.
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The statement that needs a response:
(Islam is the absolute truth But my understanding of Islam is not absolute truth, because I am a human with limited intellect and little knowledge, influenced by my desires, whims, background, environment, and many other factors.
Is your understanding of Islam absolute truth?
Are there any contemporary scholars or scholars of the Salaf whose understanding of Islam is absolute truth?
Or is there anyone other than the Prophet ﷺ whose understanding of Islam is absolute truth?
I hope you will enlighten me, please)
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Part of Brother Adnan Talaffa's response:
- First: The way the question is phrased is incorrect and misleading. What do you mean by "my understanding of Islam"?
There is a certain, definitive understanding of Islam, with no doubt, no ambiguity, no doubt. For example, as a Muslim, I understand that Allah is One with no partner, that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, that the Day of Resurrection is true, that Paradise is true, and that Hell is true. These are matters with no relativity, nor is it permissible to differ in them; because differing in them revolves between faith and disbelief, and whoever opposes this understanding is not of the Muslims There are jurisprudential issues that are speculative and relative, which are the issues of jurisprudence and branches, such as the opinion of those who say it is obligatory to wipe the entire head during ablution, and the opinion of those who say to wipe part of the head! And every jurist has a share.
So, posing this question without distinguishing between what is doctrinal, fundamental, and necessarily known from the religion, and what is jurisprudential, secondary, and jurisprudential.. is a kind of confusion, but it is a fertile ground for the enemies of Islam to attack the religion and make Muslims doubt, and it is one of their greatest means to legislate the marginalization of Islam from life.. so beware Look at the hypocrites in the Islamic world who are known by various titles such as (the enlighteners, the secularists, the liberals, and others), you will always find them carrying this banner (Islam is true without a doubt, and our problem is not with Islam, but with your understanding of Islam)
Under this banner, the pillars of the religion are completely negated, and the consensus and what is necessarily known from the religion is opposed, and the prohibitions and abominations are permitted, and all kinds of disbelief and misguidance are committed, all under the pretext of the relativity of truth, and that we are not obligated to the understanding of anyone regarding Islam.. and this is the sophistry in its most blatant form!
We are talking about the religion of Islam in contrast to the sects and religions, it is the absolute truth without any doubt ﴿So rely upon Allah, indeed, you are upon the clear truth﴾ [An-Naml: 79]
And we are not talking about jurisprudential schools within the circle of Islam such as the four schools .. so that the theory of relativity of truth is raised! So beware
- Second: And what is behind such a question: Is your understanding of Islam absolute truth?!
Imagine if the people of Al-Madinah 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!!
Or if the people of Yemen had asked this question to Mu'adh ibn Jabal and Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari and others from the Companions when the Messenger of Allah sent them to call them to Islam!!
Or if it was asked to the Companions and those after them while they were conquering the lands east and west!!
Then it is said to all of them: What you are calling us to is your 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 to reject Islam and disbelieve in it!
What a wonder .. then how can the argument be established upon the people?!
- Third: He asks: Are there any contemporary scholars or scholars of the Salaf whose understanding of Islam is absolute truth? Or 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 the guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers, We will turn him to what he has turned to and burn him in Hell, and wretched is the destination﴾ [An-Nisa': 115]
And the consensus of the scholars of the Ummah is absolute truth: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: Allah does not make my Ummah agree on error.
And what is necessarily known from the religion is absolute truth, and what is definitively established and indicated is absolute truth).