بسم الله
الرحمن الرحيم
A Word of Advice to the Qur’aan
Schools for Women[1]
By Shaykh Dr. ‘Alee
bin Yahyaa al Haddaadee
All praises are for Allaah Who sent down the Criterion upon
His servant so that he may be a warner to the worlds.[2]
Peace and blessings be upon the one whom his Lord sent as a giver of glad
tidings, a warner and a caller to Allaah by His Permission and an illuminating
lamp;[3]
(and peace and blessings be upon) his family and his Companions who devoted
their attention to Allaah’s Book in terms of reading it, memorizing it, understanding
it and acting upon it -they achieved enormous good and great reward; And peace
and blessings be upon those who followed them precisely until the Day of
Judgement.
As for what follows:
A Muslim woman giving attention to the Book of Allaah, the Exalted, is a sign of her happiness. The Qur’aan is a mercy, a guide, a reminder, glad tidings and a cure for what is in the chests. As Allaah, the Exalted Says,
)الم ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ
لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ(
Alif-Lam-Mim. 2. This is the Book (the Qur'an), whereof there is no doubt, a
guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons
who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has
forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has
ordained)]. Suratul Baqarah 2: 1-2]
)قُلْ
مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ
مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ(
Say (O Muhammad Peace
be upon him ): "Whoever is an enemy to Jibrael (Gabriel) (let him die in
his fury), for indeed he has brought it (this Qur'an) down to your heart by
Allah's Permission, confirming what came before it [i.e. the Taurat (Torah) and
the Injeel (Gospel)] and guidance and glad tidings for the believers. [Suratul Baqarah 2: 97]
) وَلَقَدْ
جِئْنَاهُم بِكِتَابٍ فَصَّلْنَاهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ(
Certainly, We have
brought to them a Book (the Qur'an) which We have explained in detail with
knowledge, - a guidance and a mercy to a people who believe. [Suratul ‘Araaf
7:52]
)يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ
لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ
فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ(
O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your
Lord (i.e. the Qur'an, ordering all that is good and forbidding all that is
evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and
differences, etc.) in your breasts, - a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful
and unlawful things, etc.) for the believers. Say: "In the Bounty of
Allah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Qur'an); -therein let them
rejoice." That is better than what (the wealth) they amass.
[Surat Yoonus 10:57-58]
Every believing man and woman is pleased when they see the
spread of schools for women dedicated to Allaah’s Book in terms of
memorization, recitation, tajweed and tafseer.
The following points will increase the benefit of these
Qur’aan schools by Allaah’s Permission:
First Point
The need to teach the pure clear belief, Aqeedah, as it comes in Allaah’s Book, the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and as the Pious Predecessors of this Ummah were upon. Tawheed is the foundation upon which all righteous actions are based. Among the best books those responsible in the Qur’aan Schools can include in the curriculum are the concise treatises by Shaykhul Islaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdul Wahhaab, may Allaah have mercy upon him. For example, Qawaa’idul Arbaa’, Usoolus Sittah, Usool ath Thalaathah and Nawaaqidul Islaam al ‘asharah. They should be taught using the explanations of the senior scholars of this age such as the Eminent Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Baaz, the ‘Allaamah Muhammad bin Saalih bin ‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy upon them and the ‘Allaamah Saalih bin Fawzaan al Fawzaan, may Allaah preserve him, along with others who are known for the Sunnah and correct Aqeedah. If these texts are included in the curriculum, memorized and their meanings undertood according to the Aqeedah of the Salaf then this will be a protection by Allaah’s Permission from going astray and making mistakes. It will also help understand the aayaat relating to Tawheed, Aqeedah and Eemaan.
Second Point
The need to educate students to stick to the Sunnah and avoid bid’ah and newly invented matters. This is especially in terms of what is found widespread on religious satellite channels which are commonly watched by families who trust them. Among those newly invented matters are the so called ‘Islamic’ nasheed songs. In reality, they are songs that the Soofee’s introduced to rival the science of Qur’aan and the Sunnah. These songs were a means to gather large numbers of people and to convey their corrupt Aqeedah. Another example, is the misinterpretation and distortion of Allaah’s Attributes. Often these channels are not shy to invite guest speakers who are Ash’aree[4] and who misinterpret and distort Allaah’s Attributes from their correct meanings. In addition, seeking blessings from the remnants of the scholars of the sects (Soofee Turuq) such as their saliva and the water used from making wudoo. One of the most famous satellite channels hosts guests that do this openly and they schedule this for their audience and followers. So if a Muslim man or woman, does not have insight, clarity or the correct Aqeedah, they will be deceived by this bid’ah due to them trusting these ‘religious’ channels and what happens on them. They think that they are protecting the Aqeedah as well as morals and manners in their view.
Third Point:
The need to warn those responsible for the Qur’aan Schools against the dangers of terrorist groups who hide behind the guise of giving da’wah. These groups split the Muslim Society into sects, groups and parties. They train those who are influenced by them to hate and have enmity towards the Rulers and those scholars upon the Sunnah who warn against the innovation and dangers of these groups. In fact, they train them to hate the scholars and have enmity towards them if they do not clearly fear those who follow the slanderous attacks. In doing this, they follow the path of the deviant sects like the Khawaarij[5], Mu’tazilah[6] and Soofiyyah[7] who create divisions between their followers and the Scholars in order to isolate their call to themselves and present their ideas however they wish.
These groups also follow the path of the Khawaarij and
Mu’tazilah in igniting the citizens against the Rulers and beautifying khurooj
against them in the name of forbidding evil, having protective jealousy over
the religion or jihaad[8]
in Allaah’s path. They always pave the way to armed fighting of the Scholars
and the Rulers by spreading slanders about them by mentioning their faults and
mistakes; whilst hiding their virtues, good speech and actions. This continues
until their hearts are filled with hatred and it drives them after this to make
takfeer[9],
calling them disbelievers and convincing them that it is Islamically
permissible to fight against them (al khurooj).
It must be made known that warning the memorizers of the Qur’aan,
men and women, against the Khawaarij does not mean deceiving them or accusing
them from the start. Instead, it is from putting them on their guard as the earlier
Khawaarij were people who showed great dedication in memorizing the letters of
the Qur’aan and reciting it, even if it was without understanding the meanings
or rulings. So they were destroyed as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
“From the offspring of this man there will come out people
who will recite the Qur’aan continuously and elegantly but it will not exceed
their throats. (They will neither understand it nor act upon it). They would go
out of the religion (i.e. Islaam) as an arrow goes through a game’s body.” Saheeh
al Bukhaaree. Agreed upon.
This is why the Salaf wrote books about the virtues of the
Qur’aan and its people and they included the ahaadeeth warning against the
Khawaarij. Examples of those include al Fareeyaabee, an Nisaa’ee, Ibn Katheer
and Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdul Wahhaab among others. The history books mention
that ‘Umar bin al Khattaab رضي الله عنه sent ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin Muljam to the
people of Egypt to teach them the Qur’aan. He was proficient in memorizing it
and reciting it. However, 17 years after the death of ‘Umar we find him seeking
nearness to Allaah by killing the Rightly Guided Khaleefah ‘Alee bin Abee
Taalib رضي الله عنه . This was after his innate nature had
been altered and his Aqeedah deviated. This was because he did not read the
Qur’aan in a way that benefitted him and Allaah’s refuge is sought.
In the same way, these Qur’aan schools should not feel safe
from people who work there with corrupt khaarijee beliefs using it as a screen
for their plots. I have clearly seen these movements use charitable
organizations to spread their ideas and agendas. Our senior scholars and the
Permanent Committee for giving Legal Rulings and Clarifications warn against
these deviant terrorist groups, their actions, their symbols and their names.
They make the truth clear and quash the evil; and all praise is for Allaah.
The Qur’aan Schools should distribute these Fataawaa and
inform their students about them. They should encourage them to read and
understand them. This could be through competitions and motivational prizes to
spread the benefit.
Fourth Point
The need to follow the path of our scholars and leaders of our da’wah in dealing with the mistakes of the Rabbaanee Scholars who are known to respect the Book and the Sunnah as well as the knowledge of the Pious Predecessors. They showed concern in serving the Book and the Sunnah by explaining the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, making clear what was permissible and impermissible. However, they fell short in some matters of Aqeedah concerning Allaah’s Attributes and some matters of belief, etc. Examples of such scholars include Imaam Nawawee and al Haafidth Ibn Hajr, may Allaah have mercy upon them both. Senior scholars of the past and present continue to respect these scholars and make du’aa for them and ask Allaah to have mercy upon them. They do not judge them to be specific innovators, calling them disbelievers and exiting them from the fold of Islaam. Instead they recommend their writings and they study them. They teach them and they quote from them in their fataawaa and their books. They do this and as they go along they point out the slips and mistakes they made.
Fifth Point
The need to understand the Qur’aan and explain it according to the laid down principles by the Scholars of the Sunnah. This is by
1.
Tafseer, explaining the
Qur’aan by the Qur’aan,
2.
Tafseer, explaining the
Qur’aan by the Sunnah
3.
Tafseer, explaining the
Qur’aan by the Companions
4.
Tafseer, explaining the
Qur’aan based upon the language of the Arabs in which it was revealed.
There should be caution in opening the door to speaking
about the Qur’aan without knowledge under the guise of ‘tadabbur’ reflecting
upon the Qur’aan. The correct tadabbur is a branch of correct understanding. It
does not mean that a reader extracts from the aayaat what just comes into his
mind of understanding without using the strong principles and correct
guidelines. Playing around with the meanings of the Qur’aan under the banner of
‘tadabbur’ reflection has become common across social media and Allaah’s refuge
is sought. This is the result of the common folk, men and women and their likes
relying upon themselves independently to understand the Qur’aan. Shaykhul
Islaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdul Wahhaab, may Allaah have mercy upon him said in his
book ‘Fadaa’ilul Qur’aan’ ‘The Virtues of the Qur’aan’ in his chapter ‘A
Warning to those who speak about the Qur’aaan using his opinion and about what
he does not know’. Allaah says,
) قُلْ
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ(
Say (O Muhammad ):
"(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawahish (great
evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed
openly or secretly, [Suratul A’raaf 7:33]
Until the Saying,
)وَأَن
تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ(
and saying things
about Allah of which you have no knowledge." [Suratul A’raaf 7:33]
Ibn ‘Abbaas رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever speaks about the Qur’aan using his opinion (and in another narration: without knowledge) then let him take his seat in the Hell Fire.” Collected by at Tirmidhee and he graded it ‘hasan’. Jundub said, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever speaks about the Qur’aan using opinion which turns out to
be correct has indeed erred.” Collected by Aboo Daawood and at Tirmidhee who graded it ‘ghareeb’.
In conclusion, I would like to bring your attention to the
fact that the spread of schools dedicated to the Memorization of the Noble
Qur’aan in our beloved country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a sign of this
country’s great care for the Book of Allaah, the Exalted. This is not something
strange. This country is established upon the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of
Allaah’s Messenger صلى
الله عليه وسلم and the Aqeedah of the Salaf. Giving allegiance to it and
loving it. Making du’aa for the leaders and listening and obeying them in what
is correct, this is upon every citizen and especially the people of knowledge
and the people of the Qur’aan. This is due to them memorizing and knowing the
proofs of the obligation to listen and obey, and to advise the Rulers. They
know the proofs better than anyone else regarding the virtues of tawheed, the
Sunnah and the one who gives importance to them, aids them and raises their
beacon of light. The proofs are more strongly upon them and they should act upon
them even more so.
And all praises are for Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Written by Shaykh Dr. ‘Alee bin Yahyaa al Haddaadee
Assistant Professor in the Sunnah and It’s Sciences
Department (Riyadh, Imaam Saud University)
Friday 6th Muharram 1438H/7th October
2016
[1] Translated by Umm ‘Abdir Rahmaan Tara Hashim with the permission of the Shaykh. Muharram 1438/10th October 2016.
Original Arabic text
from the Shaykh’s website: www.haddady.com
كلمة إلى الدور النسائية لتعليم القرآن الكريم
[2] Translator’s Note (TN): wording similar to the aayah
in Suratul Furqaan [25 :1]
تَبَارَكَ
الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ نَذِيرًا
Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and
wrong, i.e. this Qur'an) to His slave (Muhammad ) that he may be a warner to
the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns).
[3] Translator’s Note (TN): wording similar to the aayah
in Suratul Ahzaab [33:45-46)
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ
شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
O Prophet (Muhammad)! Verily,
We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner. And as
one who invites to Allah [Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah
(Alone)] by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light (through your instructions
from the Qur'an and the Sunnah the legal ways of the Prophet ).
[4]
The Ashaa’irah are a sect who deny and distort Allaah’s Attributes.
[5]
The Khawaarij make takfeer of the Muslims and rebel against the rulers of any
age.
[6] The
Mu’tazilah make takfeer of the Muslims and rebel against the rulers. They deny
qadr. They deny Allaah’s Attributes and say that the Qur’aan is ‘created’ which
is untrue. The Qur’aan is the uncreated Speech of Allaah and His Attribute.
[7]
The Soofees worship Allaah without knowledge or proof and innovate many
practices.
[8]
Jihaad is fighting against your soul or fighting to raise the word of Allaah
under the leadership of a ruler and not individually causing chaos and killing
of innocent Muslims, women and children.
[9]
Takfeer is declaring a Muslim to be a disbeliever due to him sinning therefore
making it permissible to fight and kill him.
