Interesting discussion with a shaykh from Oman today.

“And they claim, “None shall ever enter paradise unless he be a Jew” – or, “a Christian”. Such are their wishful beliefs! Say: “Produce an evidence for what you are claiming, if what you say is true!” (Holy Qur’an 2:111)

 

Very interesting discussion with a shaykh from Oman today.

“We do not know the right path from sects, names, or scholars. We know the right path based upon the agreed upon and shared book of the Holy Qur’an. Islam is a religion of proofs and evidences.”

The thing that shocked me is how quickly he went straight to the Qur’an with ayat after ayat from the Qur’an. I have never encountered this.

Usually Muslims will tell me what the hadith says or what the Imams have said. This Imam went straight to the Qur’an and was just pouring it on.

He first quoted this:

“And they claim, “None shall ever enter paradise unless he be a Jew” – or, “a Christian”. Such are their wishful beliefs! Say: “Produce an evidence for what you are claiming, if what you say is true!” (Holy Qur’an 2:111)

The Shaykh said: This was the standard given to the Prophet (saw) himself when measuring the truth. Do we think this standard has changed when other Muslims make claims?

Than he quoted:

“And never will be pleased with you the Jews and the Christians until you follow their religion. Say, “Indeed, the Guidance of Allah, it is the Guidance.” And if you follow their desires after what has come to you of the knowledge, not for you from Allah any protector and not any helper.” (Holy Qur’an 2:120)

Than he quoted:

“And We dispersed them as separate communities all over the earth; some of them were righteous, and some of them less than that: and the latter We tried with blessings as well as with afflictions, so that they might mend their ways.” (Holy Qur’an 7:168)

He continued….

“Successors replaced them afterward who inherited the Book, taking on the show of this lowly place and saying: ´IT WILL BE FORGIVEN US.´ If a show like it were give them (again), they would accept it. Was not an agreement concerning the Book accepted by them: that they would tell nothing but the Truth about God? They studied what was in it. A home in the Hereafter is better for those who do their duty – do they not use their reason?” (Holy Qur’an 7:169)

He paused and said, “It will be forgiven us’ and he mentioned about people who take light the threat of the punishment and the hell fire and they just say, “It will be forgiven of us.”

Than he kept reading:

“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.” (Holy Qur’an 7:170)

He paused and said, “Hold fast by the Book” and than he said, “We do not have a problem with Muslim, Bukhari and these hadith books but no hadith, no person can ever go against the Qur’an!”

Than he went to this verse:

“You have no say in this affair to decide whether He will relent towards them or He will punish them: they are wrongdoers.” (Holy Qur’an 3:128)

The decision is not upon the Prophet Muhammed (saw) who will be forgiven or punished.

Than he quoted:

“Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scriptures? Yet when they are invited to the Book of Allah to settle their disputes, some of them turn away heedlessly.” (Holy Qur’an 3:23)

“Simply because they claim, “The fire will most certainly not touch us for more than a limited number of days”: and thus the false beliefs which they invented have [in time] caused them to betray their faith.” (Holy Qur’an 3:24)

Than he paused and said who’s belief is it that the hell fire is only for a few number of days?

I said it is the Aqidah of the Jews according to these verses. He said yes and than quoted:

“Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that you may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember ) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.” (Holy Qur’an 3:28)

He elaborated upon this verse that we don’t take our theology from the Jews and Christians when we have our theology given to us from the Holy Qur’an.

He than said any “tahleem’ ?? not sure the word, or anything that goes against the Qur’an we hold fast to the book of Allah (swt).

He than quoted:

“This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.” (Holy Qur’an 2:2)

He than explained to me about the word or term ‘Kafir’.

The shaykh said, all mushriks are kafirs but not all kafirs are mushriks.

The shaykh said , This is a problem a big problem the Khawarij believe all Kafirs are Mushriks , where as we the Ahl Istiqaama (the Ibadi) we do not believe this.

He said there are 5 terms to be aware of.

1) Kafir
2) Fasiq
3) Fadl /Fujr (I was not clear on this term).
4) Dhulm, Dhalim
5) Mujir Mujrimoon (plural)

We had to cut sure as I had to prepare myself for the Friday Prayers.

This conversation was short but jam packed filled with beneficial knowledge.

I cried the moment he started to quote the Holy Qur’an and than again and again and again ayat after ayat after ayat…..