Introduction to Traditional Islam
What is “Traditional Islam”? We must not confuse this concept with what the Salafis claim to be traditional Islam.
Traditional Islam, specifically Sunni Islam, has existed since the Prophet (S)’s time up until now. One thing that I would like to note is that this Islam has not always looked the same, but has always followed the same principles and ideas. The reason for it not having always looked the same is simple, it was meant to evolve and change with the times. Only the outward form of Islam changed or evolved, the inward nature and state of Islam has forever remained constant.
In fact, this argument can be applied to all faiths that preceded Islam, stating that their inner states were all identical. (If you wish to know more about this idea, continue reading here)
The religion of our father Adam, was what? Monotheism. The religion of Abraham was what? Monotheism. The religion of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad were what? Monotheism. You can easily look at Islam, Christianity, and Judaism as different versions of the same thing. For example, Judaism is Coke Zero, Christianity is Diet Coke, and Islam is Coke Classic. Feel free to reorganize the relationships I described, I just like Coke and I am Muslim, it made sense to do it this way. Is it clear what is being said?
I am confident I won’t get too many arguments with the above.
Traditional Islam recognized this completely. Hence why Christians and Jews living in Muslim lands were allowed to govern themselves according to their creed. There was no concept of compelling people into following “Islamic” law. So this nonsense about “Sharia Law” is just that... Nonsense.
Now, if we accept that Muslims and Islam allowed for concessions to non-Muslim communities, like our brothers and sisters from Christianity and Judaism, then it should be easier to accept the varying groups forming amongst Muslims. It was dictated in the Prophet (S)’s hadith that we would be splintered into many groups. Yet, he also said that a difference of opinion amongst the scholars of his Ummah would be a blessing for us. What does this mean? It means we are allowed to follow the interpretation of a scholar that suits us.
As a practicing Muslim, you are not obligated to stick to one Madhab, in fact, if you are intelligent and knowledgeable enough, you are allowed to take from the different madhabs what suits you. You can be Hanafi, but in regards to what meat you eat (whether it’s Zabiha or from the People of the Book) you can choose to be Shafi’i. This is not wrong, yet many will feel the need to tell you that is wrong. Sure, for you it is wrong, for me it is not, simply because I understand what I am doing and following the example of bona fide Islamic scholars.
Also, one significant part of Islam and Islamic history that today is often overlooked is Tasawwuf. What is Tasawwuf, you ask? Tasawwuf is Mysticism, Spiritual Discipline. The practioners of Tasawwuf are often referred to as Sufis. Tasawwuf, or Sufism, is an integral part of Islamic tradition and has accounted for many of the accomplishments of our Ummah in recent and past history. It only became seen as heretical with the rise of the fanatical Wahabi/Salafi movement in Saudi Arabia. Otherwise, there was great honor and prestige to be considered a Sufi, even if you were a Fakir, a beggar or poor mystic, people knew your feet were strictly on God’s path and your heart in His hands.
Ibn Taymiyyah, the great Hanbali scholar that Wahabis often derive their ideas from before they mutilate it, was himself not opposed to Sufism. In fact, it is thought that he himself was part of a Sufi Order or Tariqah.
You can’t take part of what someone says and ignore the rest, which is a talent of the Wahabis. It makes no sense.
Traditional Islam, specifically Sunni Islam, has existed since the Prophet (S)’s time up until now. One thing that I would like to note is that this Islam has not always looked the same, but has always followed the same principles and ideas. The reason for it not having always looked the same is simple, it was meant to evolve and change with the times. Only the outward form of Islam changed or evolved, the inward nature and state of Islam has forever remained constant.
In fact, this argument can be applied to all faiths that preceded Islam, stating that their inner states were all identical. (If you wish to know more about this idea, continue reading here)
The religion of our father Adam, was what? Monotheism. The religion of Abraham was what? Monotheism. The religion of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad were what? Monotheism. You can easily look at Islam, Christianity, and Judaism as different versions of the same thing. For example, Judaism is Coke Zero, Christianity is Diet Coke, and Islam is Coke Classic. Feel free to reorganize the relationships I described, I just like Coke and I am Muslim, it made sense to do it this way. Is it clear what is being said?
I am confident I won’t get too many arguments with the above.
Traditional Islam recognized this completely. Hence why Christians and Jews living in Muslim lands were allowed to govern themselves according to their creed. There was no concept of compelling people into following “Islamic” law. So this nonsense about “Sharia Law” is just that... Nonsense.
Now, if we accept that Muslims and Islam allowed for concessions to non-Muslim communities, like our brothers and sisters from Christianity and Judaism, then it should be easier to accept the varying groups forming amongst Muslims. It was dictated in the Prophet (S)’s hadith that we would be splintered into many groups. Yet, he also said that a difference of opinion amongst the scholars of his Ummah would be a blessing for us. What does this mean? It means we are allowed to follow the interpretation of a scholar that suits us.
As a practicing Muslim, you are not obligated to stick to one Madhab, in fact, if you are intelligent and knowledgeable enough, you are allowed to take from the different madhabs what suits you. You can be Hanafi, but in regards to what meat you eat (whether it’s Zabiha or from the People of the Book) you can choose to be Shafi’i. This is not wrong, yet many will feel the need to tell you that is wrong. Sure, for you it is wrong, for me it is not, simply because I understand what I am doing and following the example of bona fide Islamic scholars.
Also, one significant part of Islam and Islamic history that today is often overlooked is Tasawwuf. What is Tasawwuf, you ask? Tasawwuf is Mysticism, Spiritual Discipline. The practioners of Tasawwuf are often referred to as Sufis. Tasawwuf, or Sufism, is an integral part of Islamic tradition and has accounted for many of the accomplishments of our Ummah in recent and past history. It only became seen as heretical with the rise of the fanatical Wahabi/Salafi movement in Saudi Arabia. Otherwise, there was great honor and prestige to be considered a Sufi, even if you were a Fakir, a beggar or poor mystic, people knew your feet were strictly on God’s path and your heart in His hands.
Ibn Taymiyyah, the great Hanbali scholar that Wahabis often derive their ideas from before they mutilate it, was himself not opposed to Sufism. In fact, it is thought that he himself was part of a Sufi Order or Tariqah.
You can’t take part of what someone says and ignore the rest, which is a talent of the Wahabis. It makes no sense.
Written by Abu Fulan - February 2, 2012