Q 3: What about the following phrase, "The early scholars are men and we are men"; this daring statement means that the early scholars had their own issues of their times and we have our modern issues, do you not think that those who oppose the call to revive the Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) wrong this fundamental literature?
A: This statement implies generalization and possibility. If it means that the later generations should strive hard to support the Religion of Allah, his Shari`ah and uphold the `Aqidah (creed) and morals of the Salaf (righteous predecessors), this is right. All
Muslims should adopt the way of the Salaf in following the Book and Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) seeking rulings from both of them regarding all things and referring all disputes among people to them, acting upon Allah's Saying (Glorified be He): (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His Messenger (ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allâh (He is the ruling Judge). However, if this statement means that the modernists have the right to revive the Religion of Allah in a way that contradicts that of the Salaf with respect to the `Aqidah, morals and rulings, this is an abominable act that should not be done, for it contradicts the Saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He): And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves
Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳـﻠﻢ) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell what an evil destination! Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And the foremost to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirûn (those who migrated from Makkah to AlMadinah) and the Ansâr (the citizens of AlMadinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhâjirûn ) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allâh is wellpleased with them as they are wellpleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.
Whoever contradicts them and follows other than their way does not follow them in righteousness, so he will not be among those with whom Allah is pleased. The later generations should not oppose what the earlier scholars agreed upon unanimously. Ijma` (consensus of scholars) is truth and one of the three fundamentals that one should refer to and it is impermissible to oppose. These three are the Book, Sunnah and Ijma`. If the scholars conclude a consensus on something, they are of the victorious party that the Prophet (peace be upon him) told us about that shall remain on AlHaqq (the Truth). As for comprehending matters of religion and deciding the problems by means of Shari`ah methods in response to the new questions that face Muslims nowadays and had not been discussed by the earlier scholars,
this is right and does contradict the predecessors. The earlier and later scholars all advise to contemplate the Book, Sunnah, and derive rulings from them. Muslim scholars can practice Ijtihad regarding problematic matters in light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. This is not a new methodology unknown to the predecessors; it is a revival following the way of the predecessors and their fundamentals. In this respect, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion." Reported by AlBukhari and Muslim.He (peace be upon him) also says, "If anyone pursues a way searching after knowledge, Allah will make it easy for him to have a way to Jannah (Paradise)." Related by Muslim in his Sahih.May Allah grant us all success!