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No one strays from it after me but the destroyed one." This portion of the hadith highlights the fact that the difference between true Islam and innovations is obvious for those who truly wish to see. 1 What al-Shaatibi is saying here is that if a principle is repeated often in the Quran and hadith and nowhere is this principle particularized and there is no evidence that suggests that it does not apply to every case, then it does apply to every case. An example is the principle that "no person shall bear the burden of another" which is mentioned a few times in the Quran and which is not farticularized in any verse or hadith. Hence, it is true for all situations. Al-Shaatibi, ltisaam, vol. 1, pp. 141-5. Also see his discussion on pp. 191-211. 3 He is referring to those who define bidah in such a way that it leaves the door open to their being good and bad bidah, obligatory, recommended or prohibited bidah. 4 Saalih al-Ali, "Al-Bidah Taan fi al-Deen," Majallat al-Bahooth al-Islaamiyah (Vol. 14, Dhul­ Qaadah, 1405 A.H.), p. 162. Hadith #28: "I advise you to have taqwa . . . " The teachings of Islam are clear. There is no need for mystical or esoteric instructions or teachers to explain the religion. Manyif not allinnovators have to resort to fancy or mysterious proofs in order to justify their actions because, in reality, their actions or beliefs are not justifiable from the clear Quran and sunnah. The way of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the true path of Islam, is clear, very clear. It is so clear that its night is just like its day. There are no dark or hidden aspects to it. There is no reason for anyone to be lost from its path unless, of course, he so desires to be lost from its path. Those who then choose to ignore this straight, clear path of the Prophet (peace be upon him) have only harmed themselves. Indeed, they have destroyed themselves by taking themselves to the Fire, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated in another hadith, .-: ... ... V , ,,. ... ,,.. V J .,. ... V J ಂ81 J ળǗ Y) JJǗ ਠƝ Y) ¡Ɲ ઱લ Y) "The most truthful speech is the speech of Allah. The best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The worst matters are the newly-invented matters. And every newly-invented matter is an innovation and heresy. And every heresy is a going astray. And every going astray is in the Fire."1 Recorded by Abu Daawood . . . Abu Daawood Abu Daawood Sulaimaan ibn al-Aashath al-Azdi al-Sijistaani was born in 202 A.H. He began to study at an early age and traveled to further his knowledge of hadith. He traveled to Khurasaan, Rayy, Kufa, Baghdad, Damascus, Egypt and Basra. By 221 A.H., he was in Baghdad. After that time, he spent twenty years in Tarsus. Finally, he was convinced by the ruler to move to Basra to teach there. He died in Basra in 275. Among his prominent teachers was Ahmad ibn Hanbal. One of Abu Daawood's books is Masaail al-Imam Ahmad, which is a collection of questions put to Imam Ahmad and the Imam's responses. His other teachers included Yahya ibn Maeen, lshaaq ibn Rahawaih, Uthmaan ibn Abu Shaibah, Musaddad ibn Mursarhad and Abu al-Waleed al-Tayaalisi. He was a contemporary of al-Bukhari and Muslim and learned from many of the same teachers. His students include al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasaai. 1 Recorded by al-Nasaai. According to al-Albaani, it is sahih. See al-Albaani, sahih Sunan al­ Nasaai (Riyadh: Maktab al-Tarbiyah al-Arabiya li-Duwal al-Khaleej, 1988), vol. 1 , pp. 345-346. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi Abu Daawood compiled a number of books. One of his well-known works is called al-Maraaseel, that discusses chains which have broken links. He is best known for his Sunan1 collection. This is an important collection of hadith on various fiqh topics. Abu Daawood would often make comments if there were any defects in the hadith he recorded. He presented that book to Ahmad ibn Hanbal for his review and Ahmad praised the work. 2 Other Points Related to This Hadith • Knowing the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and what is consistent with it is one of the most important matters that one must learn. It is the way of salvation. Similarly, knowing and recognizing innovations and heresies, which are on the path to destruction, is also one of the important topics to learn. One of the best ways to avoid heresies is to know them and where and how they appear. The one who does not know what is evil often falls into such evil. Many people are ignorant of this matter and fail to learn the sunnah .or recognize what are innovations and heresies. 3 Hence, they become lost without realizing it at all. Summary of the Hadith • The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to give speeches, admonitions and words of advice to his Companions.