Part 14

‘Chapter: Knowledge precedes speech and action’ and the proof is the saying of Allaah, the Most High “Know that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, and ask forgiveness of your Lord for your sins.” [surah Muhammad: 19]. So He began by mentioning knowledge before speech or action.’ (19) Know may Allaah have mercy upon you, that it is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female, to learn and act upon the following three matters: ________________________________________________________ Al Bukharee, rahimahullaah, uses this Ayah as proof for the obligation of beginning with knowledge before saying and actions, and this is a textual proof that a person must first have knowledge and then act. There is an intellectual proof to show that knowledge must precede sayings and actions, and it is that sayings and actions will not be correct and acceptable unless they are in conformity with the Sharee’ah, and a person can only be sure that his actions accord with the Sharee’ah through knowledge. However there are also some things which a person can know through his innate nature, such as the knowledge that Allaah is a single God, since this is a fact ingrained in mans nature. It does not, therefore, require a great deal of effort to teach this. But as for further and more detailed matters, then they require learning and exertion. THE FIRST: That Allaah created us (20) ________________________________________________________ The proofs for this, i.e. Allaah created us are textual and intellectual. As for the textual proofs, then they are many. From them are the Sayings of Allaah, the Might and Majestic “Allaah it is Who created you, O mankind, from clay (created Adam from clay and then produces his offspring from him) then He declared an appointed life-span, and there is (know only to Him) another determined time (until the Resurrection). Yet you still doubt about the Resurrection.” [surah al An’aam: 2] “And We created you and fashioned you.” [surah al A’raaf: 11] “And We created man (Adam) from dry clay from blackened mud.” [surah al Hijr: 26] “And amongst His signs is that he created you from clay, then you, the offspring of your father Adam, are human beings scattered upon the earth.” [surah ar Room: 20] “Allaah created man from dry clay like that of a potter.” [surah ar Rahmaan: 14] “Allaah is the creator of everything.” [surah az Zumar: 62] “And Allaah created you and your handiwork.” [surah as Saffaat: 96] “And I did not create jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me.” [surah adh Dhaariyyaat: 56] As for the intellectual proof that Allaah created us, then it is indicated in the Saying of Allaah, the Most High “Were they created by nothing, or did they create themselves?” [surah at Toor: 35] Man did not create himself, since before coming into this life he did not exist; and that which does not exist is nothing; and that which is nothing cannot create anything at all. Nor was it the case that his father or his mother or anyone from creation created him. Nor did he randomly appear without a creator to bring him into existence, since for everything which comes into existence or occurs there must be one who brings it into existence or causes it to occur. The presence of all that exists in this creation and the amazing order found in it and its harmonious structure makes it impossible that it came about randomly. This is because that which would come into existence randomly and by chance is not in principle and origin something well-ordered. This produces the certain conclusion that Allaah alone is the creator, and there is no creator, or anyone who orders and commands except Allaah. Allaah, the Most High says “Certainly creation and the Command are His.” [surah al A’raaf: 54] Its was not known that any of the creation denied the Lordship of Allaah, the One free of all imperfections and the Most High, except conceitedly, as was the case with the Pharaoh. Also when Jubayr ibn Mut’im, who was a mushrik at the time, heard Allaah’s messenger reciting Soorat at Toor when he reached the Saying of Allaah, the Most High “Were they created by nothing, or did they create themselves?! Or did they create the heavens and the earth?! Nay they have no certainty, or do they have possession of the treasures of your Lord?! Or are they the ones having power and control over the affairs?!” [surah at Toor: 35-37] Jubayr said upon hearing this “My heart almost flew, and this was when eemaan first settled in my heart.” [Reported by al Bukharee #377] And provided sustenance for us, (21) ________________________________________________________ The proofs for this in the Book, the Sunnah and the intellect are very many. As for the Book, then Allaah, the Most High says “Indeed Allaah is the sole Sustainer of His creation, the All powerful, the Mighty.” [surah adh Dhaariyaat: 58] “Say, O Muhammad, to those who associate others in worship along with Allaah: Who gives you provision from the heavens (by sending down rain) and the earth (by bringing out its produce)? Say: Allaah!” [surah Sabaa: 24] “Say, O Muhammad, "Who provides for you from the sky and from the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living?