Letter of Imam Malik to Imam al Layth ibn Sa’d -an superb historic perception into the Islamic etiquette of disagreement.
Of essentially the most well-known mental rivalries in Islamic historical past is the rivalry of Imam Mālik ibn Anas and Imam al-Layth ibn Sa’d. Each have been great authorized students, each based a madhab, and each have been mental powerhouses. Extra importantly, each have been males of impeccable adab and held one another within the utmost respect. Ibn al Qayyim al-Jawziyyah information some correspondence between these two nice imams in his ebook‘Ilam al-Muwaqqi’in– إعلام الموقعين عن رب العالمين للإمام ابن قيم الجوزية
Their letters are an incredible historic perception into the Islamic etiquette of disagreement. The next is a letter from Imam Mālik to Imam al-Layth:
Letter of Imam Malik to Imam al Layth ibn Sa’d- Mental disagreement
Within the identify of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
From Mālik b. Anas to al-Layth b. Sa`d.
I salute you with peace and reward Allah apart from whom there isn’t a God.
Might Allah hold us each upon His obedience in every part that we do brazenly and in secret. Might He save us each from doing something that displeases Him. On the time that I write this, I can say that I, my kids, and my household are all doing properly, might Allah be praised. I’ve learn your letter conveying that you’re properly and it pleases me to listen to how Allah has been blessing you. I ask Allah to maintain us each affluent and bless us to be grateful to Him all the time.
I understood from what you’ve gotten stated in regards to the books you despatched me that you just needed me to right them for you and ship them again to you. I’ve executed this, and I’ve made the modifications within the manuscripts in order that they’re now right, as you prefer to them. I put my seal on the ultimate web page of every corrected manuscript. The phrases on the seal are: “Allah is enough for me and He’s the most effective disposer of affairs.”
It’s all the time my pleasure that will help you and serve you in something you want, which is what you deserve. I undertook this effort at a time once I usually don’t learn, in order that that the one that delivered to me the manuscripts might get them again to you. I’ve spent the trouble on it that’s your proper and due.
My examine of the manuscripts you despatched me has inspired me to offer you some recommendation alone initiative, and I hope that this recommendation will probably be properly acquired. I had solely held again from this beforehand since you had not hitherto mentioned these items with me, not as a result of I didn’t have a very good opinion of you.
It has come to my consideration that you’re giving verdicts opposite to the follow of the group and nation the place we stay [i.e. Madinah]. You’re a main scholar, held in excessive esteem by the folks of your nation. They rely upon you and belief in what you say. Due to this, you will need to concern for your self and tread cautiously.
Allah says in His Guide: “And the primary to paved the way, of the emigrants from Mecca and the folks of Madinah, and those that adopted them in goodness, Allah is properly happy with them and they’re properly happy with Him, and He has made prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers move, whereby they may abide endlessly. That’s the supreme triumph.” [Sūrah al-Tawbah: 100]
He additionally says: “Those that hear recommendation and observe the most effective thereof, such are these whom Allah guides, and such are folks of understanding.” [Sūrah al-Zumar: 18]
The generality of individuals are however followers of the folks of Madinah. The emigration was to this metropolis. In it the Qur’an was revealed, and what’s lawful and prohibited have been declared as such. Allah’s Messenger was of their midst, and so they witnessed the revelation come all the way down to him. He commanded them and so they obeyed. He established practices for them and so they adopted him. This was the case till Allah took up his soul and selected for him to be in His presence.
Those that succeeded him have been essentially the most observant in following him of all Muslims who’ve ever been established in authority. Each time one thing got here up that they knew about, they put that data into follow. No matter they didn’t learn about they’d ask about it after which depend on their understanding and their proximity to the times of the Prophet to undertake no matter they discovered to be the strongest opinion on the matter. If somebody opposed them or confirmed them that that one other opinion on the matter was stronger or extra probably, that opinion could be deserted and the opposite could be adopted.
The Successors who got here after them had the identical method and adopted the identical Sunnahs. So if one thing is brazenly and customarily practiced in Madinah, I don’t see it as an choice for anybody to do in any other case. It is because the folks of Madinah have of their possession the inherited custom that nobody else can declare or falsely attribute to themselves.
If the folks in all of the nations have been to start out claiming: “That is the follow in our land” or “That is what folks amongst us have been doing”, their claims would haven’t any sound foundation. It will not imply what it does when the folks of Madinah say the identical factor.
Take into account for your self what I’ve written. Know that I write to you wishing solely to advise you, for Allah’s sake, in concern for you and your welfare. Learn this letter on this spirit, for in the event you accomplish that, you will notice that I’ve been as honest to you as I might probably be.
Might Allah grant us each success in obeying Him and His Messenger in all issues and below all circumstances.
Might Allah’s peace and mercy be upon you.
Written on Sunday, the ninth of Safar. ( Reblogged )
Additionally read- Ilaika, Imam Ash-Shafi’s poem on his deathbed
Extra may be learn within the ebook –Ilam al-Muwaqqi’in
