And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] abandoned.”(Qur’an 25:30)
﷽
As salamu ‘alikum warahmutallahi wabarakuth (May the Peace, Mercy of Allah and Blessings descend upon you in tranquility).
“Have you considered those who were asked to accept judgment from Allah’s Book? When they are asked to accept judgment from Allah’s Book, some of them turn their backs and walk away!” (Qur’an 3:23)
With the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All types of true and perfect praise are due to Allah, Lord, Cherisher and Sustainer of all existence. I ask that peace and blessings be upon the last and final Messenger, our Noble Prophet (saw).
Everything that is good and beneficial with in this web site, all the praise is due to Allah (swt). All of the mistakes are mine. Whom ever Allah (swt) guides no one can misguide them. Whom ever Allah (swt) leaves to stray no one can guide them.
WELCOME TO PRIMA-QUR’AN.
(VIEWS AND PERSPECTIVES FROM THE IBADI SCHOOL OF ISLAM)
The opening verses of the Qur’an sets the tone. I feel strongly that we the Muslims have gone far from the primary source of our faith, namely the Qur’an.
This website aims to achieve four primary objectives.
- As a source of information about the Ibadi school. Also known as Ahl al-Haqq wa-l istiqama (The People of Truth and Straightness) *
- To clarify the misinformation concerning the Ibadi view on various subjects.
- An English news blog on various events and happenings of concern in the English speaking Muslim community.
- To disavow the claims made by others against the truth.
What is the tone of this web site?
I would like us to take a look at the following verses of the Qur’an:
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammed], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude and harsh in heart, they would have fled from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him. (Qur’an 3:159)
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.” (Qur’an 16:125)
The example of Pharaoh.
“O eminent ones, I have not known you to have a god other than me.” (Qur’an 28:38)
“Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.” (Qur’an 20:24)
So we can see that Pharaoh has committed the highest form of sin against Allah (swt) namely the claim of divinity! Allah (swt) also says that he was a transgressor!
Nonetheless look at the way in which Allah (swt) ask Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them both) to conduct themselves while speaking with him.
“And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear Allah.” (Qur’an 20:44)
“Virtue and evil are not equal. If you replace evil habits with virtuous ones, you will certainly find that your enemies will become your intimate friends. (Qur’an 41:34)
“If Allah were to punish men according to what they deserve, He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His Servants. (Qur’an 35:45)
Allah (swt) is the Most Merciful! If Allah (swt) was to exact his justice upon us (frail humanity) he would have wiped out everyone and everything.
As one Imam has stated, “Do not look down upon others because their sins are different than yours.” How true is this? This of course does not diminish the absolute necessity for a sinner to repent, and flee to their Lord for forgiveness.
So with this being quite the lengthy preamble let it be known that I am weak and only human. It is my hope that we all could avoid sarcasm, snark, and malicious comments. It is important to realize that the goal of us all is Allah (swt).
“Verily, you (O Muhammed) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are guided.” (Quran 28:56)
If the best example the Blessed Messenger (saw) could not guide whom he liked to the truth, it would be the epitome of arrogance and futility to think that anyone of us could force another to capitulate to our position.
I think that once we recognize and respect that guidance is the sole jurisdiction of Allah (swt) we can take the ego and the ‘I‘ out of our discussions and exchanges. Because then what this becomes is a journey about truth to The Truth. It does not become about ‘you’ and ‘I’, but about us on a mutual journey of inquiry and exchange.
With that said I sincerely hope and pray that Allah (swt) would bless us with his guidance and grace. I hope that if there is something in Prima-Qur’an that is factually wrong or in error that Allah (swt) would open my heart and my eyes to accept this. It will never be my intention to misrepresent another school of thought’s understanding of Islam.
So what is Prima-Qur’an: Views and perspectives from the Ibadi School?
The Ibadi school of Islam is neither Sunni or Shi’a. The Ibadi school of Islam is the oldest legal school of all Muslims.
In fact, from our perspective the Ibadi school is not even a school. It simply is Islam as Islam presents itself.
The Ibadi school uses the Prima-Qur’an approach as a methodology when deriving proofs and evidence from the primary and secondary sources of Islam.
Prima is from the Latin word which simply means ‘First’ or ‘foremost’.
Prima Qur’an is about using the Qur’an, primarily for guidance in matters of theology, jurisprudence and spirituality.
The Ibadi school rejects any source that clashes with the teachings of the Qur’an. It is about Muslims going back to the Qur’an first. It is about Muslims looking to the Qur’an first and foremost for guidance and healing.
So no matter the disagreements that may arise between Muslims we must always start with the book of Allah (swt).
It will never make sense to start with something that is not common between parties.
The Ibadi school in Islam derives this understanding from the book of Allah (swt)
Here are some of the proofs:
“Those whom you worship beside Him are but names which you have named, you and your fathers. Allah has revealed no authority for them. The decision rests with Allah only, Who has commanded you that you worship none save Him. This is the right religion, but most men know not.” (Qur’an 12:40)
This verse is not negating the fact that Allah (swt) can and has given authority to people. It is simply stating that unless that authority is authorized by what Allah (swt) authorized it is null and void.
Another proof.
“But those who hold fast by the Book and are steadfast in prayer – verily, We will not waste the wages of those who do right.”(Qur’an 7:170)
Another proof.
“Have they not seen that We set up the land, reducing it from its borders? And Allah decides; there is no adjuster of His decision. And he is swift in account.” (Qur’an 13:41)
There is no other authority that can over ride what Allah (swt) has commanded.
“Do you not consider, [O Muhammed], those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They are invited to the Book of Allah that it should arbitrate between them; then a party of them turns away, and they are refusing.” (Qur’an 3:23)
Would it not be strange for the Jews and Christians to settle their disputes by the book of Allah and we Muslims do not do the same?
So this is in regard to our approach to disagreements within the Muslim community.
Is there another source of guidance other than the Qur’an for Ibadi Muslims?
Yes.
The secondary source of authority for Muslims is As-Sunnah. These are the words, deeds, actions, and treaties of the Blessed Messenger (saw)
In fact in the Qur’an, Allah (swt) has told us that to obey the Prophet Muhammed (saw) is just like obeying Allah (swt) .
“He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah, but those who turn away-We have not sent you over them as a guardian.” (Qur’an 4:80)
However, it is important that while both are authoritative sources in Islam, they do not, in fact, carry equal authoritative weight. Allah (swt) has complete authority over all his creation in every regard.
EXAMPLES:
“And when you said to the one whom Allah bestowed favour and you bestowed favour, “Keep your wife and fear Allah,” while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right than you fear Him.”(Qur’an 33:37)
This verse is a crystal clear example of Allah (swt) over riding a decision that the Blessed Prophet Muhammed was about to take.
Another example:
“Oh Prophet, why do you prohibit yourself from what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 66:1)
By taking a Prima-Qur’an approach the Ibadi school is quite unique. This is distinction to a Supra-Qur’an approach.
WHAT IS SUPRA-QUR’AN?
Supra is from Latin and means ‘above’ ‘over’ or ‘preceding something else’.
That is to say to put as anything as authority above or even superseding the Qur’an in matters of theology, jurisprudence and spirituality.
Supra-Qur’an is easily the position adopted by most of the world’s Muslims today. Though my wager is most Muslims have not even reflected upon this or even investigated it.
So for illustration purposes, you can see that the Qur’an and As-Sunnah are authoritative sources in Islam.
“Blessed is He who sent down the Furqan (The Filter) upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds one who admonishes.” (Qur’an 25:1)
This verse makes it clear that the Qur’an is the filter.
Another illustration to demonstrate this point is as follows:
I believe the approach of the Ibadi school can be summed up in the sublime oral tradition which has been transmitted as follows:
Harith ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, sent Mu’adh to Yemen and he said, “How will you judge?” Mu’adh said, “I will judge according to the Book of Allah.” The Prophet said, “What if it is not in the Book of Allah?” Mu’adh said, “Then with the tradition (sunnah) of the Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet said, “What if it is not in the tradition of the Messenger of Allah?” Mu’adh said, “Then I will strive to form an opinion (ijtihad).” The Prophet said, “All praise is due to Allah Who has made suitable the messenger of the Messenger of Allah.”
Source: (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1327)
For those who are interested this is a critique I wrote concerning the ‘Supra-Qur’an‘ position here:
https://primaquran.wordpress.com/2019/08/08/the-soundness-of-the-prima-quran-view/
Vital points concerning the Ibadi school’s approach to the Qur’an.
These are vital points concerning the Ibadi school’s approach to the Qur’an. We find them to be fundamental in respecting the timeless wisdom, beauty, and integrity contained within our most guarded revelation.
#1) The Qur’an is the last divinely protected revelation from Almighty Allah. It is a self evident revelation.
#2) The Qur’an is complete. We have the entire Qur’an as well as the Qur’an Allah (swt) intended for us to have.
#3) The Qur’an is inimitable.
#4) The Qur’an is not abrogated by anything, including itself.
#5) The Qur’an is created.
Prima-Qur’an endorses the Amman Message. I would highly encourage you to read it.
The ‘Amman Message’ was endorsed by scholars, and notable Muslim preachers and representatives of various Muslim theological, and juristic approaches. It states:
“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammed and his pure and noble family
- Whosoever is an adherent to one of the four Sunni schools (Mathahib) of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi`i, and Hanbali), the two Shi’i schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Ja`fari and Zaydi), the Ibadi school of Islamic jurisprudence and the Thahiri school of Islamic jurisprudence, is a Muslim. Declaring that person an apostate is impossible and impermissible. Verily his (or her) blood, honour, and property are inviolable. Moreover, in accordance with the Shaykh Al-Azhar’s fatwa, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare whosoever subscribes to the Ash`ari creed or whoever practices real Tasawwuf (Sufism) an apostate. Likewise, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare whosoever subscribes to true Salafi thought an apostate.
Equally, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare as apostates any group of Muslims who believes in God, Glorified and Exalted be He, and His Messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him) and the pillars of faith, and acknowledges the five pillars of Islam, and does not deny any necessarily self-evident tenet of religion.
Sectarianism is categorically forbidden in Islam.
“As for those who divide their religion and break up into shias (sects), you have no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” (Qur’an 6:159)
“And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them” (Qur’an 3:105)
The sectarianism has deeply divided the Muslim community. It has not allowed us to ‘think outside the box’. It does not allow us to consider the fiqh (jurisprudence) and approaches that others may take, simply because we consider them ‘the other’.
Prior to the conflict among the early Muslims, we as Muslims were known only as Muslims. There was no other distinctive appellation. However, after the civil wars among the Muslims they split into groups.
Question: What kind of Muslim are you?
Answer: Hopefully a good one Allah-Willing.
Allah (swt) has not given us as Muslims a more beautiful name other than Muslim.
“And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you “Muslims” before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation]that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people.” (Qur’an 22:78)
Question: Why do you call yourself Ibadi?
That is a good question. The fact is that Allah (swt) does not give weight to any title other than Muslim. It should be pointed out that most people who others call ‘Ibadi‘ are simply content with being called Muslims. After all it is what Allah (swt) has named us.
I personally follow the Ibadi school for several reasons which I outlined in an article here: https://primaquran.wordpress.com/2018/11/24/why-i-now-follow-the-ibadi-school/
For the purposes of Prima-Qur’an I will say that I find the Ibadi school the most honest, most cogent in regards to the history of Muslims as well as our theology and jurisprudence. I find it the most rooted in the Qur’an.
This will become apparent to the reader as you will begin to see where positions in theology and/or jurisprudence are often at odds with what Allah (swt) has ordered upon us as Muslims.
I find it the most accepting of other schools of thought with in Islam.
Prima-Qur’an: Ibadi perspectives on Islam is a dialogue with in the paradigm of Islam. We encourage Muslims to pray in all Masjids. We encourage Muslims to have fellowship with all Muslims. We encourage Muslims to trade and do business with all Muslims.
This web site is simply to give you views and perspectives from the Ibadi school that you may not readily find available in English or anywhere else.
It is simply to enlighten others on another methodology or approach that I think will be helpful to many and Allah (swt) knows best.
The purpose here is not to come along and change everything you know. This is not the purpose of Prima-Qur’an. Ibadi perspectives on Islam.
We are simply sharing our narrative. The narrative of Ahl al Haqq Wal Istiqamah
“And obey Allah and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away, then Our Messenger is responsible only for conveying the message clearly. (Quran 64:12)
“O mankind! The Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe: it is better for you. And if you disbelieve, to Allah belongs what is in the heavens and in the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Qur’an 4:170)
“Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided” (Qur’an 16:125)
I would like very much for people to be able to take something useful from this web site. If this website can be a voice for the voiceless than all praise belongs to Allah (swt).
I feel there maybe many Muslims out there struggling with their faith. It could be a particular issue in theology, or jurisprudence that has given them many sleepless nights. It could be that a person may have suffered severe emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of seemingly benign Sufi tariqah. A tariqah that demanded absolute obedience, and allegiance. This could have ended up being a severely traumatic experience for that person. Rather than being spiritually liberating, it could have been spiritually draining.
It could be that a person was confronted with a view with in the Islamic paradigm that focused so much on legalism that it left the person feeling hopelessly encumbered. ‘Islam is such a burden‘ they may feel.
It could be that some Muslims are on the verge of leaving their faith. They may well feel, ‘Well, if this is Islam than I want no part of it.’
Some Muslims are maybe so disgusting by the sectarianism and the infighting. They may ask, ‘Is there really a way through this madness?‘
Fear not! I believe that together we will discover that Islam is more vast than anyone faction with in the Islamic paradigm would have any one of us to believe.
We ask Allah to keep us humble, and sincere. Welcome to Prima-Qur’an: Ibadi perspectives on Islam. I hope that Allah enriches you by this site and that you yourselves enrich others through your contributions.
May Allah (swt) Guide the Ummah.
May Allah (swt) Forgive the Ummah.
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Salam, was interested in your article on Abu hurairah. The link can’t be found when I click on it.
Salam, try this:
https://primaquran.com/2020/06/12/an-awesome-relationship-the-shia-and-abu-huarayrah/
Should be working.
Selamun Alejkum Brother, do you have any books on how Ibadi pray. I am interested in fard and sunah prayers and also dhikr done ofter each prayer. I am doing myself comparison to see what is common to all three “ways” or “sects”.
Thank you
Maid
Walakum Salam wrwb brother if you go under the Ibadi resource section I have uploaded how we pray.
how can I get access to the ibadi hadith books
You would need to write to Ibadi scholars in Oman, Tunisia, Tanzania, Algeria, Libya, Syria where they are. Acquisition is through Arabic as these text are not readily available in other languages.
Assalamualaikum, brother. As I can read arabic, a little some book sources may help but are there online classes being held to study ibadiy creeds, fiqh and usul fiqh intensively?
And I had emailed you but your email seems not functioning.
walakum saaam wr wb. Noted on that thank you. We will try and update more resources.
hello,
Is there way to contact you brother.
Kindly provide ur email we will be in touch inshAllah.
vx4.2561@gamil.com
I have sent you an email brother.
thx,i have seen your emails.
Salam.
In your opinion, do you think listening to music is haram? Is it ever halal, for example, nasheeds or singing without instruments at weddings?
The four schools (Hanafi, maliki etc) all hold the stance that it is.
Salam
I would prefer not to give my opinion. I would prefer to transmit what is given to us in the Qur’an, and from the Blessed Messenger (saw). From what I have understood from the Grand Mufti, Shaykh Ahmad Al Khalili (hafidullah) is that music is haram.
As regards nasheeds, singing without instruments, you find this regularly in Ahl Haqq Wal Istiqamah (Ibadi) society. Nasheeds in praise of Allah (swt), and his Blessed Messenger (saw).
“The four schools (Hanafi, maliki etc) all hold the stance that it is.”
From what I recall is that it is not as black/white as saying that the four surviving schools of Sunni jurisprudence give a green light to music. I would be cautious with this assertion.
Music is a wide category and there are many types of music that one would find hard pressed to find ANY Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanafi, Hanbali scholar giving approval for.
Hope this helps!
Salamun Alaikum brother: I really appreciate your well researched articles based on Quran. I wanted to share a Quran Study and Exploration tool that I have been working on as a student trying to learn from Quran.
Among other features, it provides concordance of similar and repeating phrases under each ayah in Quran. I would appreciate it if you could take a look and provide any feedback or guidance as I am actively developing it.
quranmorphology.com
Walakum salaam warahmatullah wabarkatuh. Mash’Allah this is a very useful guide for researchers. Insh’Allah will try to include this in articles and make use of it myself. May Allah (swt) continue to reward all involved.
Jazakallahu khairan for this knowledgable resource. Please could you give me permission to publish anything I find on Prima Quran, on Academia.edu?
Please do so. Would deeply appreciate if u can put a label on any document or pdf with primaquran.com on it. May Allah (swt) bless u! 🤲🏼
Jazakallahu khairan. Inshallah will add http://primaquran..com link.
What’s your position on the Qadr of Allah?
Apparently half of you affirm Qadr and half of you deny Qadr?
Welcome Omar Salman,
As regard your question:
“Apparently half of you affirm Qadr and half of you deny Qadr?”
It does come off as a bit hostile but I will give benefit of the doubt. I would like learning to be process that goes both ways.
Could you kindly inform me how you came to this conclusion: “Apparently half of you affirm Qadr and half of you deny Qadr?”
1) Where is the information that led you to believe that half of our school affirms Qadr?
2) Where is the information that led you to believe that half of our school denies Qadr?
Perhaps by exploring this we can see what led you to this conundrum. No worries your question will be directly answered after this. We are obligated to answer such questions:
“Those who hide the clear proofs and guidance that We have revealed—after We made it clear for humanity in the Book—will be condemned by Allah and ˹all˺ those who condemn.” (Qur’an 2:159)
If you could answer these questions as this would also assist the humble efforts of this blog to clarify matters in regard to the school.
It is simply what I have heard about you from people unconfirmed rumours so I decided to ask for myself. People say half of you have the correct position on Qadr and half have a position that is very wrong to say the least.
Quran says “O believers, if an evildoer brings you any news, verify it” so I want to verify.
Of course nobody state they deny Qadr they would just “limit” the Qadr of Allah.
Al hamdulillah may Allah bless you for seeking out the truth on the matter.
Apologies if I came across as harsh.
I am not aware of any difference in our school on this matter. It is said that the Ashari have taken occasionalism from us.
We are in opposition to the position of the Mutazalites and in opposition to the Jabariyyah.
Seeing as this is a topic of interest to you I would direct you to the following:
There is a free PDF download: The Essentials of Ibadi Islam:-Valerie J. Hoffman. An Orientalist translation of Arabic Ibadi creedal text into English. This basically a translation work of: Al-Aqidah ‘l-Wahbiyya -the most relied upon by the Ibadi in the West. As well as a treatise from Shaykh ‘Abd al-Aziz al-Thamini al-Mus’abi on God’s Power and Human Acts, from Kitab Ma’alim al-Din
You will be most interested in the treatise from Shaykh ‘Abd al-Aziz al-Thamini al-Mus’abi on the matter.
That should give you an overview. Beyond that you would need acquisition of the Arabic language to read further as we currently (to my knowledge) do not have more treatment of the subject in the English language.
Assalam Alaikum Warhmatullah Wabarakatuh,
Firstly I would like to thank you for the valuable insight and information that you have shared and keep sharing may Allah reward you for all your efforts and apologise if this is not the place place this question.
I am not an excellent Arabic Speaker as I lived outside of Oman for all my life and recently came back. I am interested firstly in looking for a Tafseer of the Quran which you recommend that I can look into especially during this month of Ramadhan. If you have any sources, please share as from what I have found, the translations do not align with the translations of how us Ibadi’s view the meaning of the verses. Jazakallah Alkhair.
Walakum salaam warahmatullah wabaraktuh,
First and foremost, Ramadan Mubarak, Ramadan Kareem. May Allah (swt) accept all khayer from you in this blessed month.
As you mentioned that you are not strong in Arabic we have to inform you that unfortunately there is no good Ibadi Tafseer of the Qur’an outside of Arabic (at least that we are aware of).
We don’t even have a translation of the Qur’an in English. It is one of the many reasons why this site exist.
Assalam Alaikum,
Barakallah feek Akhi thank you for your response. If I may ask, what alternative would there be for a translation that is also correct that maybe I can start with. The Omani dialect compared to the Quran is different hence the question. I wouldn’t mind the Arabic one and would try to use other sources to translate the text.
Jazakallah Alkhair
walakum salaam warahmatullah wabarkatuh,
As you are in Oman you have access to all of the learned people.
However, for your private studies you can use any translation of the Qur’an. Possibly what would help you when using any translation of the Qur’an would be to take note of the following:
1) Who is the translator.
2) Where did he/she study?
3) What school of thought does the translator follow? Are the Sunni, Shi’a? Do they have Sufi leanings? Are they Salafi leaning?
Here are some great study tools.
https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/67/14/translations/ We like to use this allot because it allows our readers and researchers a chance to compare and contrast various translations of the Qur’an.
https://corpus.quran.com/ is another great tool because you can see how a particular word is used throughout the Qur’an. This can allow you to determine who is being more constistent in their translation and who is not.
We hope that this is helpful and we hope that in Oman you are able to sit in the circles of learning.
Jazakallah Alkhair brother this is indeed helpful. I’m constantly striving to keep up with learning the language as you knthe Arabic in the Quran in comparison to that spoken here in Oman has its similarities and differences. By the will of Allah I will one day be able to understand without leaning towards various translations.
Wa iyyakum. Al hamdulillah we, your brothers and sisters are happy to help.
Assalamu alaikum,
Can you please point me to any resource regarding the topic of whether to take ahaad hadiths in case of aqida! Like why should and should not take ahaad hadiths when it comes to aqida?
I have tried to search a lot but can not find any good writing. I can read arabic so any arabic resource will also work.
Jajakallah
Walakum salam warahmatullah wabaraktuh,
This is the book written by the hadith master, Shaykh Al Qanoubi (h)
It is called: The sharp sword in response to those who rely on single-narrator hadiths in matters of belief.
https://alsaidia.com/node/99
As-salamu alaykum
My grandparents were religious Ibadis, and although my family has been secular for many years, I want to learn about the Ibadi school of thought. Ibadism has many good arguments against Wahhabism. Your website has been a very good source for learning. Thank you very much. But I have few questions regarding this article: did early Ibadi ulemas (such as Abd Allah ibn Wahb al-Rasibi, Jabir ibn Zayd, Abdullah bin Ibad and other important figures in ibadi school) have this view that the Quran must be used as the highest criterion above all tafsir, hadith, and fatwa? Can you please provide quotations and sources from the early Ibadi ulemas in favour of this view?
Walakum salam warahmatullah wabarkatuh dear brother.
“But I have few questions regarding this article: did early Ibadi ulemas (such as Abd Allah ibn Wahb al-Rasibi, Jabir ibn Zayd, Abdullah bin Ibad and other important figures in ibadi school) have this view that the Quran must be used as the highest criterion above all tafsir, hadith, and fatwa? Can you please provide quotations and sources from the early Ibadi ulemas in favour of this view?”
These are all excellent questions.
In our recent aritcle https://primaquran.com/2026/04/05/scorched-pages-the-destruction-of-islamic-libraries-and-manuscripts-by-rival-muslim-sects-and-foreign-enemies-a-historical-survey/ what you will find is that in the history of the Islamic Ummah there were many libraries, and books and manuscripts that were burned or absolutely destroyed by rival Islamic sects.
Many of our books disappeared.
Examples being when the Fatimids burned the libraries of al-Ma‘shumah (in Tahert) or when the Abbasids invaded Oman and burned our libraries in Nizwa.
Sadly, in the history of the Muslims entire schools of jurisprudence had been lost such as: Sufyan Al Thawri, Awza’i, Al Layth ibn Sa’d and so forth.
It is also important to keep in mind that unlike the Muwatta of Imam Malik that received support from the state apparatus the Al-Jami’i Al-Sahih (Musnad Al- Imam Al-Rabii) was written by a man that was in hiding from the state apparatus.
If you notice those who remain of our school ended up in periods of kitman (concealment).
Now to your question how do we know that they put the Qur’an high above everything else? Because our doctrines and our practices confirm this. That which has been handed down from generation to generation.
If you look at our article here:https://primaquran.com/2024/11/15/ibadi-hadith-master-shaykh-al-qanoubi-on-hadith-al-thaqalyan/
You will see a quote from the Al Jami’ Al Sahih, Musnad Al Imam Ar Rabi’i (May Allah have mercy on him).
Abu Ubaida from Jabir bin Zaid from Ibn Abbas from the Prophet (saw): “You will differ after me so WHATEVER you get from me review it against the book of Allah, whatever agrees with it is from me, and whatever oppoess it is not from me.”
So WHATEVER you get from me review it against the book of Allah. If that is the case with the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw), then what about tafsir, fatwa ect?
So this means even the scholars of our school (May Allah bless them and guide us by them) no one has said that their legal verdicts and fatwa may not contain errors.
May Allah bless you our dear brother.
Dear Brother,
Thank you for your dedicated time and effort in crafting such a thoughtful reply. The historical persecution of Ibadi, Shia, and Sufi communities by Salafi/Wahhabi movements is indeed a long-known tragedy.
I find many of your arguments against the Salafi theology quite compelling. You are correct in highlighting two major issues regarding them:
Number 1: their theology is anthropomorphic.
Number 2: their theology contradicts the Quran on various aspects.
But sadly, Salafi anthropomorphist can support their position by saying, “Our position is both logical and Quranic because we see our beliefs as the main standard of interpretation, and we interpret the Quran in a way which would NOT contradict our beliefs.”
Since the salafi anthropomorphists do not openly say “I reject the quran” therefore it’s a bit difficult to accuse them without basing your argument on the following principle, let’s named this as “Principle X”.
[beginning of principle X] Interpreting the Quran to meet one’s desired aqida is haram. The Quran must be interpreted in the most honest and consistent way without imposing anything else on it, and then the honest & consistent interpretation of the Quran must be used as a filter to accept hadith, fiqh, and aqeeda. Any hadith, fiqh, or aqeeda that contradicts the Quran must be either rejected or interpreted in a way that lines up with the Quran’s most consistent & honest interpretation. [End of principle X]
Using this principle, you can show a lot of inconsistency in the anthropomorphic interpretation. For example, you mentioned in one of your excellent articles that Salafi anthropomorphists would affirm some attributes in the Quran as literal, such as “hand” and “face,” but will conveniently NOT affirm the pronoun “he” used in the Quran as “God being a male.” This is a dishonesty and inconsistency by those people.
But before I use this argument, I need to be sure that the consensus of the Ibadi ulema supports the “principle X” exactly the way i defined above. So, I request you to provide me with quotes and sources from important Ibadi ulema of past & present supporting this principle exactly. Because without this principle, anyone can claim anything to be Quranic. I can’t read Arabic, so it would be very helpful if you could translate those quotes for me.
Also please let me know the ibadi hadith scholars who considered the following hadith to be authentic.
“You will differ after me so WHATEVER you get from me review it against the book of Allah, whatever agrees with it is from me, and whatever oppoess it is not from me.”
“Thank you for your dedicated time and effort in crafting such a thoughtful reply. The historical persecution of Ibadi, Shia, and Sufi communities by Salafi/Wahhabi movements is indeed a long-known tragedy.”
In our recent article you will see that the Sunni burned the books of one another (we are not talking about Wahhabbi) we are talking about mainstream Sunni Islam. You will also see that the Shi’i burned the books of one another.
One thing that is very important is that people need to STOP making the Wahhabi movement as a scapegoat for everything that is wrong in our Ummah This in and of itself is an injustice. There are roughly 3-5 million people annuallly whom go for Hajj. This is a huge logistics task. The Saudi government
does everything it can to faciliate the pilgrims. Do you realize how much baraka and how much blessings are involved for all of them in doing this for just one person?! Let alone millions!? We are talking about the people that clean the toilets, that give directions, the guards, subhan’Allah.
You do realize that our team interacts with people on social media like X(Twitter) who call us Khawarij, who claim we killed Uthman and Ali (when the Ibadi school was not even present) and even IF it were that was those who were some thousands years ago how could you or I be pinned for this today?
That is Christian thinking! Adam (as) disobeyed Allah and you and I must suffer for it.
Next point. Do you know what Salafi people do when they go to a country or an area? They want people to learn the Qur’an! They want people to learn Arabic! They want people to know their deen. How can they be deemeed as the worst? You want to know what is actually worse then this? People who go to an area and instead of introducing you to the Qur’an and Sunnah, everything is ALI, ALI, ALI, Ali for breakfast, Ali for lunch, Ali for Dinner. Sufism it is the shaykh, the shaykh, just recite this dhikr, recite this wird. The shaykh will stand before Allah for you.
By Allah we feel that people benefit more from the Salafi then these approaches.
Which Salafi person goes to the grave and ask the man in the grave to help him and his wife have a baby? We have not encountered ANY.
“Also please let me know the ibadi hadith scholars who considered the following hadith to be authentic.
“You will differ after me so WHATEVER you get from me review it against the book of Allah, whatever agrees with it is from me, and whatever oppoess it is not from me.”
Actually it is the opposite. The task is for you or your opponets to show us the Ibadi hadith scholars who DO NOT find the above authentic.
“we see our beliefs as the main standard of interpretation, and we interpret the Quran in a way which would NOT contradict our beliefs.”
Here is a challenge for any Salafi on this Earth. Find for us just once where our Blessed Prophet (saw) after mentioning Allah’s hands, feet, or face, then followed those words with “In a way that s uits his majesty.” Just once!
Our Blessed Prophet (saw) never did. He and the majority of his companions were Arabs. We are confident that they understood their language.
Allah says (Qur’an 2:138) “صِبْغَةَ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّـهِ صِبْغَةً ۖ”
Literally translated as, ‘The colour/dye of Allah. And who is better than Allah in terms of colour’
So now they are going to tell us that Allah (swt) has a colour?
“Who took their religion as distraction and amusement and whom the worldly life deluded.” So today We will forget them just as they forgot the meeting of this Day of theirs and for having rejected Our verses.” (Qur’an 7:51)
So now are we going to say that Allah (swt) literally forgot them? If we take the apparent meaning?
“We see our beliefs as the main standard of interpretation, and we interpret the Quran in a way which would NOT contradict our beliefs.”
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said: Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him. It was related by al-Bukhari.
Source: (https://sunnah.com/qudsi40:25) Ask your Salafi friends anyone of the companions who believe when someone became a friend of Allah that Allah becomes the hearing of that person, that Allah becomes the seeing of that person, that Allah becomes the hand or the foot of that person.
Let us give you an example by English. The English word Hand. If someone says what is the definition and meaning of the word hand. If someone were to tell you it means: “The end part of a person’s arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb.” ok this is a meaning of hand.
However, if the person tells you that hand ONLY MEANS this then they are lying.
Because we can say: Can you hand me the wrench? Can you hand me the tool? I have to hand it to you Frank, that guy was very smart.
So now we understand that hand also has the additional meanings of: pick (something) up and give it to (someone) and it also has the meaning of: hold the hand of (someone) in order to guide them in a specified direction.
So are we appling taw’il when the word hand has a full range of meanings? No! We are seleciting from the range of meanings.
All languages have their idioms and expressions.
We can see majaz used in the Sunnah of the Blessed Prophet (saw) and if he used it, this is proof enough that the Arabs were aware of the usages of such words and expressions.
“But before I use this argument, I need to be sure that the consensus of the Ibadi ulema supports the “principle X” exactly the way i defined above. So, I request you to provide me with quotes and sources from important Ibadi ulema of past & present supporting this principle exactly.”
This website itself is proof and evidence that our Ulema interpret it as such. I take it from your IP address that you are in the UAE. You are right next to Oman. If you want to go and meet with the people of knowledge do let us know.
At the end of the day your job is not to convince a single one of them. The reality is that the Salafi movement is not the worse among the movements in the Muslim ummah today. Not by far!
We have groups who claim that Ali is not only Allah but that he can create thousands of Allah’s
We have groups who claim there is a Prophet after Muhammed (saw).
We have groups who claim that we do not need the Sunnah (at all).
We have groups who claim that praying five times a day (is an option for everyone), that fasting in ramadan (is an option for everyone)
We have groups who claim that Jesus (as) was not born of the Virgin Mary (peace be upon her) and that miracles do not exist at all.
How can the Salafi who pray five times a day, fast in Ramadan, do not associate partners with Allah, who do not deny miracles, who believe in the Sunnah, be worse off then these?!
May Allah guide us to what is beloved to Allah.
Brother, I apologize for my inappropriate wording in the previous reply. I agree that the Wahhabis are not the only community who practice idolatry. Many Shias also commit idolatry through the deification of Ali & other imams.
And I agree that “Wahhabis” cannot be used as a scapegoat for every problem in the Muslim community. But as you know, in order to refute both Wahhabis & Shias, the principle which you call “prima Quran” should be used, i.e., “Quran as the first criterion/filter” and “the interpretation of hadith & fatwa using Quran as a standard.” And also the principle of rationality (interpreting the Quran in a rational way).
Your articles have always used these two methodologies to refute anthropomorphists & Ali worshippers. But I need to know if authoritative Imams of Ahl al-Istiqama (Ibadi) of past & present times support these two principles: the Prima Quran principle and the rationality principle.
Imagine I am debating the anthropomorphists and the Ali-worshipping Shias and I use the “Prima Quran” principle to refute any hadith or fatwa they bring up to support their anthropomorphic or Ali-worshipping position. But they respond to me by showing the saying of an Ibadi Imam who rejected the Prima Quran principle or the principle of rationality. In that situation even if i can refute them i won’t able to base my argument on the ibadi school of thought.
So I am asking because I want to ensure before debating the anthropomorphists & the Shias that such a situation does not happen.
I understand you cannot find quotations from early founding fathers of the Muhakkima theological school, but I request you to show me quotes from the Ibadi ulema from the oldest time available who support these two principles. And also, additionally, quotes from modern Ibadi ulema would be very helpful as well.
Your first comment to us contained the following statement:
“My grandparents were religious Ibadis, and although my family has been secular for many years, I want to learn about the Ibadi school of thought. Ibadism has many good arguments against Wahhabism. Your website has been a very good source for learning.” This was April 4th.
You said in a follow up post: ” I can’t read Arabic, so it would be very helpful if you could translate those quotes for me.” April 13.
Then we get this.
“So I am asking because I want to ensure before DEBATING the anthropomorphists & the Shias that such a situation does not happen.” This is April 21st.
This is from our observation does not add up.
How does one go with in the span of two weeks from wanting to learn the Ibadi school to debating with Salafis and Shi’i?
If you are convinced of the Ibadi school, the best way for you to learn is NOT from this website. It is from and at the HANDS of the Imams, Shyookh and Alims themselves. This is first.
However, the only reason you need to be debating is because you yourself are uncertain about your positions and views. If you are uncertain. Keep searching. You are free.
If youu are convinced of the school where is it a mandate that you must debate those people? You do not have to debate them at all. Nor do you have to debate Athiest, Jews, Hindus, Christians. That is not a mandate for you at all.
“Imagine I am debating the anthropomorphists and the Ali-worshipping Shias and I use the “Prima Quran” principle to refute any hadith or fatwa they bring up to support their anthropomorphic or Ali-worshipping position. But they respond to me by showing the saying of an Ibadi Imam who rejected the Prima Quran principle or the principle of rationality. In that situation even if i can refute them i won’t able to base my argument on the ibadi school of thought.”
There are hundreds and thousands of Ibadi scholars. Is it possible that your opponents find something in one of their writings they can use against you? Yes it is possible.
But then again this brings to the nature of debates. This is more then often not done to ascertain the truth at all. Debating becomes about the ego, performance, putting others down and lifting yourself high.
Did you know the Blessed Prophet (saw) did not debate even once! Even they tell you he “debating” the Christians of Najran. Ok tell us then about this debate. What is the format who spoke first who spoke second what was the rebuttal period like and closing remarks?
It was the event of the mubahala (mutual cursing). Does this sound like a debate to you?
This is why we do not do debates, with Christians, or Jews, or Atheist, or people who say that vegetarianism is the best diet, or any of the Muslim sects.
The best approach for any sincere seeker for the truth is to ask Allah for guidance. Read and reflect. Take the time you need to consider the merits and strengths of what was presented to you.
Really. Can you imagine if someone said you have 2 and 1/2 hours to select a wife, your life partner. What is this?
You have 2 1/2 hours to select a home that you may wish to settle in for the rest of your life. What is this?
You are not expected to settle matters of marriage and residence in a two and 1/2 hour format why must things even greater and weighter than those be decided in such a time frame?
We will repeat to you the information we gave to you last time. We can do no better.
At that point you either do not get the point being made to you or there is some feeling that we are liars. If we are liars then we and this website can benefit you nothing. What can liars possibly benefit you?
As regard the point we present it again.
:https://primaquran.com/2024/11/15/ibadi-hadith-master-shaykh-al-qanoubi-on-hadith-al-thaqalyan/
You will see a quote from the Al Jami’ Al Sahih, Musnad Al Imam Ar Rabi’i (May Allah have mercy on him).
Abu Ubaida from Jabir bin Zaid from Ibn Abbas from the Prophet (saw): “You will differ after me so WHATEVER you get from ME REVIEW IT against the book of Allah, whatever agrees with it is from me, and whatever oppoess it is not from me.”
So WHATEVER you get from ME REVIEW IT against the book of Allah.
If that is the case with the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw), then what about tafsir, fatwa ect?
Did the Prophet (saw) say that WHATEVER you get from him (that which people claim is transmitted from him) to REVIEW IT against the book of Allah? Yes he (saw) said that.
So, how can it be then if that is the case for the Prophet (saw). What is the principle in our Ibadi school that says, a fatwa from one of our scholars, a particular commentary, a particular tafsir can go against the book of Allah?
There are only two things you should concern yourself with (in genuine discussion with other Muslims) NOT DEBATES as you SHOULD be focused on learning the school.
But in genuine sincere discussion two points.
1) Someone will bring a hadith in relation to aqidah. We do not accept lone narrator reports (ahad hadith) for matters that pertain to certainty.
2) We do accept lone narrator reports (ahad hadith) for matters that pertain to fiqh or jurisprudence. So if someone brings to you something that seems to clash with what we say or do then insh’Allah you bring to our scholars.
At the end of the day you follow the evidence.
Lasty, this website is a humble effort solely on a volunteer basis. We do not request funding. Eveything you see here is free and not behind a paywall. One does not have to buy exspensive books from brill other places that may cost one hundreds of dollars that they simply do not have.
This is a meager effort on our behalf. May Allah (swt) accept it from us.