THIRD SCIENCE · FIRST CHAPTER · FIRST SECTION · Third Article
Third Article
It is informed by Qur’anic verses (āyāt) and noble hadiths (ḥadīth-i sharīf) that one should follow the Noble Beloved (the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him), find the right path through his noble sunnah (sunnah-i saniyya), and avoid and turn away from innovations (bidʿa) that arose in religious matters after his era.
O dear one! It should be known that the Truth, exalted is He, has encouraged us to follow His Messenger, to walk in the path of His religion (sharia) by following the footsteps of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and has warned everyone against innovations that do not conform to the sunnah of His Beloved, declaring in His Eternal Word:
“Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Āl ʿImrān, 3/31)
“Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away, Allah does not love the disbelievers.” (Āl ʿImrān, 3/32)
“Obey Allah and the Messenger so that you may receive mercy.” (Āl ʿImrān, 3/132)
“Allah has certainly bestowed a great favor upon the believers when He raised up among them a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although before that they were in manifest error.” (Āl ʿImrān, 3/164)
“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.” (al-Nisāʾ, 4/59)
“But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.” (al-Nisāʾ, 4/65)
“Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions!” (al-Nisāʾ, 4/69)
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.” (al-Nisāʾ, 4/80)
“And My mercy encompasses all things. So I will decree it [especially] for those who are God-conscious (muttaqī), give zakat, and believe in Our verses.” (al-Aʿrāf, 7/156)
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written [mentioned] in the Torah and the Gospel with them, he enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong, makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil, and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So those who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be successful.” (al-Aʿrāf, 7/157)
“Say: O mankind! Verily, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [He] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him so that you may be guided.” (al-Aʿrāf, 7/158)
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (al-Anbiyāʾ, 21/107)
“So let those beware who dissent from his order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.” (al-Nūr, 24/63)
“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” (al-Aḥzāb, 33/21)
“O Prophet! Indeed, We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp.” (al-Aḥzāb, 33/45-46)
“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.” (al-Aḥzāb, 33/71)
“And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” (al-Ḥashr, 59/7)
Allah, the Almighty, has spoken the truth.
The Noble Beloved (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O my community and Companions (ṣaḥāba)! My advice to you is that you fear Allah, the Exalted. Obey your leader, even if he is an Abyssinian slave among you. For those of you who live long will see many divisions. At that time, what you must do is act upon my sunnah. Hold fast to my sunnah as tightly as you would bite something with your molar teeth. You must beware greatly of matters newly introduced into religion after me. For every newly introduced matter in religion is an innovation (bidʿa), and every innovation is misguidance.” [107]
The innovation that is misguidance refers to additions or omissions in religious matters that were introduced after the era of the noble Companions (ṣaḥāba) by departing from their path. [This hadith points to the following:] Works done in religious matters in accordance with the essence of the religion (such as building minarets and madrasas, writing books, etc.) are among the praiseworthy innovations (bidʿa ḥasana).
And he said: “O my community! Be aware that this Book has been given to me, and with it something like it has also been given. Beware! Soon, wealthy people will say from their thrones and pulpits: ‘Act only according to the Qur’an. Whatever you find lawful in it, consider it lawful; whatever you find unlawful, consider it unlawful.’ Yet, what the Messenger of Allah has declared unlawful is like what Allah has declared unlawful. Beware! The flesh of donkeys is not lawful for you. The flesh of predatory animals with fangs is not lawful for you. Taking the property of dhimmīs [108] without permission is not lawful, it is a sin. If the owner has no need for it, then it is lawful. If someone is a guest to a community, the duty of the hosts is to feed him. What befits the guest is to do good to them as much as their food.” [109]
And he said: “Let me not hear that any of you, upon hearing one of my commands or prohibitions, says while reclining comfortably: ‘I do not know this; we only follow what we find in Allah’s Book.’” [110] And he said: “Does one of you, reclining comfortably, think that Allah has not made anything unlawful in this Qur’an except what He has declared unlawful? Beware! I have given many admonitions, issued many commands, and forbidden many things that are as much as the Qur’an, perhaps even more. Surely Allah has not made it lawful for you to enter the houses of the People of the Book (ahl al-kitāb) who are dhimmīs without permission, to beat their women, or to eat their fruits. As long as they pay their jizya [111], they will live among you in safety.” [112]
And he said: “The best of all words is the Book of Allah. The best of all guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace be upon him). The worst of all affairs are those newly introduced, for every innovation (bidʿa) is misguidance.” [113] And he said: “All of my community will enter Paradise, except those who refuse (those who are stubborn, not content, do not condescend).” When asked, ‘Who are those who refuse?’ he replied: “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me, he is the one who has refused.” [114] And he said: “Whoever eats lawful food and lives according to my sunnah, people will be safe from him and trust him. That person will enter Paradise.” It was said: “Are there many such people among your community in this time?” He replied: “After me, there will be only one such person in a group.” [115]
And he said: “Whoever holds fast to my sunnah and acts upon it at a time when my community is corrupted will receive the reward of a hundred martyrs.” [116] And he said: “Indeed, the religion of Islam came to the world as something strange and will depart as something strange. Glad tidings to those who rectify my sunnah after me, which people have corrupted.” [117][118] And he said: “You know best the affairs of your worldly life. Do not ask me about them. But whenever I command you regarding a religious matter, accept and uphold it.” [119]
And he said: “None of you is a believer (mu’min) until his desires and inclinations are in accordance with what I have brought of the rulings of sharia.” [120] And he said: “The tribulations (fitan) that befell the Children of Israel will surely befall my community as well. Even if among them there was someone who openly committed adultery with his mother, there will be someone in my community who does the same. The Children of Israel split into seventy-two sects. My community will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will enter Hell, except one group.” When asked which group is the saved sect, he replied: “Those who follow the path I and my Companions (ṣaḥāba) are upon.” [121]
He said to Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): “O my dear son! If you are able, spend your mornings and evenings with no hatred or malice in your heart (qalb) towards anyone. Strive to act in this way, for this is my sunnah. Whoever loves my sunnah loves me; whoever loves me will be with me in Paradise.” [122] And ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Noble Beloved (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: “We have heard and liked some of the (sacred) words of the Jews. We wish to write down some of them. Do you permit us?” He replied: “Will you fall into confusion as the Jews and Christians did, in their bewilderment and mutual anger? Surely, I have brought you this pure religion (the Pure Sharia) in such perfection that if Moses (peace be upon him) were alive, he would have nothing to do but follow me.” [123] And when Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) came to a tree between Mecca and Medina, he would take a midday nap (qaylūla) under it, and would say: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do this.”
And he said: “Whoever turns away from my sunnah is not of me.” [124] And he said: “Every deed has a zeal and aspiration. Every zeal has a period of slackening and weariness. Whoever’s slackening is in accordance with my sunnah has found the right path. Whoever’s slackening is in another direction than my sunnah is destroyed.” [125] And he said: “None of you is a believer (mu’min) until I am more beloved to him than his parents, his children, and all people.” [126] And he said: “Whoever introduces into our religion something that is not from it, it is rejected.” [127]
The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) has spoken the truth.
Poetry
1-In every deed, he would mention the Name of the All-Merciful (al-Raḥmān), that source of generosity.
He was a Prophet who praised and thanked Allah, that source of generosity.
2-He was the manifestation of grace and the source of all knowledge and forbearance.
His soul was filled with beautiful character, that source of generosity.
3-With gentleness and humility for the sake of Allah towards His creatures,
He would show kindness and beneficence to all people, that source of generosity.
4-He loved for Allah’s sake and was angry for Allah’s sake.
He was neither a friend nor an enemy for his own nafs (lower self), that source of generosity.
5-He never laughed with a loud laugh nor uttered a bad word to anything.
He was sweet-spoken and always smiling, that source of generosity.
6-He was characterized by modesty and forbearance, as well as kindness and respect.
He would not leave the supplicant in tears, that source of generosity.
7-He would accept the excuses of the guilty with forgiveness and kindness.
He was of great character, compassionate and tender, that source of generosity.
8-He did not love wealth but loved poverty, and took pride in it.
He made the poor his brothers, that source of generosity.
9-He would patch his own clothes and wear sandals.
He would visit every sick person and bring them healing, that source of generosity.
10-He would personally take care of the needs of his family members.
He would make all their difficulties easy, that source of generosity.
11-If he was invited to a meal of barley bread and lentil soup,
He would accept the invitation, that source of generosity.
12-He would ride sometimes a camel, sometimes a horse, sometimes a mule, sometimes a donkey.
Sometimes he would walk barefoot, that sultan, that source of generosity.
13-When sitting, he would either sit cross-legged, on his knees, or with one knee raised.
He possessed every kind of etiquette, both outward and inward, that source of generosity.
14-He would eat with three fingers and lick them with delight.
He would drink water in three sips, that source of generosity.
15-He loved honey, halva, pumpkin, vinegar, and tirit (broth),
But he never ate his fill of barley bread, that source of generosity.
16-Sometimes he would tie a stone to his blessed stomach out of hunger.
He would say, ‘Let not my heart (fuʾād) be disturbed,’ that source of generosity.
17-In his blessed house, fire would not be lit for months.
He would be content with dates and pomegranates, that source of generosity.
18-He loved to begin good deeds from his right side.
Whether drinking water or putting on clothes, he would hasten to do so, that source of generosity.
19-He would sleep on his right side, his face turned toward the qibla.
With every breath, he would contemplate the unseen, that source of generosity.
20-His mattress was leather, his pillow stuffed with fibers.
At night, he would sleep little, that ever-wakeful one, that source of generosity.
21-His eyes would sleep, but his heart (qalb) would never sleep, being with his Friend.
He was enamored of His beauty from pre-eternity, that source of generosity.
22-He would not speak from his own desire; all his pure speech was revelation.
He was an ocean filled with pearls of wisdom, that source of generosity.
23-His body was among the people, but his heart (qalb) was with his Friend, alone and secluded.
He would find unity in multiplicity at every moment, that source of generosity.
24-Much salat and salam be upon him, his family, and his Companions (ṣaḥāba).
He made them his friends, that source of generosity.
25-Come, O one who seeks the Truth! Forget the people, take character from the Beloved of the Truth.
For he received beautiful character freely from the Truth, that source of generosity.
In Contemporary Turkish
1-In every deed, he would mention the Name of the All-Merciful (al-Raḥmān), that source of goodness. He was a Prophet who praised and thanked Allah, that source of generosity.
2-He was the source of Allah’s grace and all knowledge. That soul was filled with beautiful character, that source of generosity.
3-With humility for Allah’s sake towards His creatures, he would treat all creation with kindness and beneficence, that source of generosity.
4-He loved for Allah’s sake, and his anger was also for Allah. He was neither a friend nor an enemy for his own nafs (lower self), that source of generosity.
5-He never laughed with a loud laugh, nor spoke ill of anything. He was sweet-spoken and always smiling, that source of generosity.
6-He was characterized by modesty and forbearance, as well as kindness and respect. He would not leave the supplicant in tears, that source of generosity.
7-He would accept the excuses of those who apologized with kindness; he was of lofty character, compassionate and forgiving, that source of generosity.
8-He did not love wealth, but loved poverty; he would even take pride in it. He would make the poor his brothers, that source of generosity.
9-He would patch his own clothes and wear sandals. He would visit the sick and pray for their healing, that source of generosity.
10-He would lovingly take care of the needs of his family members. He would make all their needs and difficulties easy, that source of generosity.
11-If he was invited to a meal consisting only of barley bread and lentil soup, he would immediately accept the invitation, that source of generosity.
12-He would ride whatever mount was available—camel, horse, mule, or donkey. He would not seek anything else, and would walk barefoot when appropriate, that sultan, that source of generosity.
13-When sitting, he would either sit cross-legged, on his knees, or with one knee raised. He possessed every kind of etiquette, both hidden and apparent, that source of generosity.
14-He would eat with three fingers and lick them with appetite. He would drink water in three sips, that source of generosity.
15-He loved honey, halva, pumpkin, vinegar, and tirit (broth). He never ate his fill of barley bread, that source of generosity.
16-Sometimes he would tie a stone to his blessed stomach out of hunger. He would say, ‘Let not my heart be hurt,’ that source of generosity.
17-In his blessed house, fire would not be lit for months. He would be content with dates and pomegranates, that source of generosity.
18-He loved to begin good deeds from his right side. Whether drinking water or putting on clothes, he would start from the right, that source of generosity.
19-When lying down, he would lie on his right side, his face turned toward the qibla. With every breath, he would contemplate the unseen, that source of generosity.
20-His mattress and pillow were made of leather and stuffed with fibers. At night, he would sleep little, that ever-wakeful one, that source of generosity.
21-Even if his eyes slept, his heart (qalb) would never sleep; he was always with his Friend. He was enamored of His beauty from pre-eternity, that source of generosity.
22-He would not speak from his own nafs (lower self); all his speech was revelation. He was a deep ocean filled with pearls of wisdom, that source of generosity.
23-While his body was among the people, his heart (qalb) was alone with his Friend. He would find unity in multiplicity at every moment, that source of generosity.
24-Much salat and salam be upon him, his Companions (ṣaḥāba), and his family. He made them his friends, that source of generosity.
25-O Seeker of the Truth! Forget the people, take character from the Beloved of the Truth. For he received beautiful character freely from Allah, that source of generosity.