The People of Desires
06-02-2008
As a Muslim, one is not permitted to follow their personal opinions, or even
what is deemed to be logical or “common sense” to the people (if it opposes the
Shari’ah).
A Muslim is one who submits to Allah, and therefore one cannot dispute the
commands of Allah and His Messenger (SAW) after accepting Islam – meaning
submission – as their way of life.
Allah (SWT) says:
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا
أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ
فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلالا مُبِينًا
“It is
not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a
matter that they should have any option (opinion) in their decision. And whoever
disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” (EMQ
al-Ahzaab, 33:36)
The Messenger Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said:
لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يكون هواه تبعا لما جئت به
“No one of
you is a believer until his desires follow what I brought (Qur’aan and Sunnah).”(Fath
al-Baari)
Every human being has desires, instincts and emotions, but the unique thing
about a Muslim is that these feelings are managed and controlled by Islam.
Following your personal opinions or desires is tantamount to following and
worshipping yourself.
Allah, the Almighty, says:
أَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَهَهُ هَوَاهُ أَفَأَنْتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ وَكِيلا
“Have
you (not) seen him who has taken as his ilaah (god) his own desire?” (EMQ al-Furqaan,
25:43)
Al-Hawaa (the desires, or one’s personal opinion) contradicts and opposes al-Wahy
(the revelation). For this reason, when a person begins to follow their hawaa
they are in fact following their own innovated ideology and god.
From thereon, whatever accords with their desires is adopted and followed, but
what opposes their desires or may bring difficulty and hardship is vilified,
condemned and disputed.
If a hundred plain evidences and proofs are presented before a person of hawaa,
he will find one way or another to reject them, either by questioning their
authenticity or seeking alternative interpretations that satisfy his desires.
If he is set upon an opinion, there is nothing one can say or do to convince him
otherwise. For example, if he is adamant about being an individual and not
working as part of a Jamaa’ah (movement) to forbid the evil of society and
establish the Khilaafah, nothing can be said or done to persuade him to fulfil
this obligation, as it goes against his hawaa (desires).
It has been reported that the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) said:
ما ضل قوم بعد هدى كانوا عليه إلا أورثوا الجدل
“A people
do not become misguided, after they were upon guidance, until they engage in
(futile) debates (discussions).”(Reported by Imaam Ahmad)
This hadeeth is very much applicable to the people of desires (Ahl ul-Ahwaa’)
today, who are more than content to sit and discuss – all day and everyday if
need be – but are never compelled to action.
Scholars on Ahl ul-Ahwaa’
Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) said:
لا تجالس أهل الأهواء فإن مجالستهم ممرضة للقلب
“Do not
sit with the people of Ahwaa’, for verily their gatherings cause sickness in the
hearts.” (Reported by Ibn Battah in his al-Ibaanah al-Kubraa)
Al-Hasan al-Basri (RH) said:
لا تجالسوا أهل الأهواء، ولا تجادلوهم، ولا تسمعوا منهم
“Do not
sit with the people of Ahwaa’ and do not argue with them and do not listen from
them.” (Reported by al-Laalikaa’ie in his Sharh Usool I’tiqaad Ahl as-Sunnah)
Abu Qilaabah (RH) said:
لا تجالسوا أهل الأهواء ولا تجادلوهم فإني لا آمن أن يغمسوكم في الضلالة أو يلبسوا
عليكم في الدين بعض ما لبس عليهم
“Do not
sit with the people of Ahwaa’, and do not argue with them, for verily I do not
feel safe that they will immerse you in their misguidance or confuse you in that
which you already know.” (Reported by ad-Daarimi in his Sunan)
There are indeed many dangers in listening to or discussing with Ahl ul-Ahwaa’.
Their eloquent speech, misconstruing of religious text and philosophical
arguments may appear to be very intriguing, but are actually deluding.
The Solution
The way to cure this disease of following one’s hawaa is by being sincere and
eager to please Allah by obeying His commands, regardless of the repercussions.
One should also avoid the people of hawaa – do not accompany them, listen to
them or enter into discussions or debates with Ahl ul-Ahwaa’.
Bear in mind the consequences of following al-hawaa, and be in the company of
righteous Muslims who are upon the correct ‘Aqeedah (doctrine) and manhaj
(methodology), and are working to establish the Deen of Allah.
Submitted by a Mujahid