The line in the sand - Part 5

 

Integration follows Allah’s warning in Quran that the Jews and Christians will never be satisfied with you, the Muslim, unless you follow their way of life. You pray, you fast, you give charity, you perform pilgrimage, so surely you cannot follow their way?

This is how they see it anyway and they surely want you to give up on your beliefs. However, Islam, being a complete way of life and that the role of the Muslim, as one who submits to Allah, is to establish the good and forbid the evil. That is a huge analysis on its own and a course that, if not yet designed, then must be presented to all of us. Earlier, we mentioned dress-code which should also include the term tabarruj. Many people who will claim to be hijabi’s are, in fact, not hijabi’s because they do not fulfil the criteria. Yet they still remain the target of non-Muslims and specifically, Islamophobes. Are the males in the clear concerning their dress-code? Hint: have you seen a male bowing or prostrating in prayer while their back (the awrah) is exposed? This is but an example. Are these examples an indication that, in some way, Muslims are sinful in these aspects and incline to practices conflicting with Allah’s laws? Does not the honey that satan has placed before you, then grow tentacles? How much more do Muslims imitate non-Muslims, and then look for loopholes to do so? Music? Besides listening to it, attending concerts, promoting it, being well versed in the lyrics while, by their actions, taking Quran for a joke.

Marriage: the path to it, the preparation for it and understanding the rights of husband and wife. Do you not find, very often, that people quote non-Muslims on the rights of the spouses while what is quoted is contrary to Islam? Have we crossed that line in the sand? The list of transgressions is ever growing. Of the biggest problems that beset us, is pride. What are the reasons for this? On the one hand, we can and must question this, but, on the other hand, it is not necessary to wait to find all the answers and then get into a state of analysis paralysis. Rather, the simple answer is that a simple question must be asked: “Am I Muslim?”. From this will spring forth other simple questions and answers. Islam is easy. What does it entail to be a Muslim? What is the purpose of life (on earth)? From where do I take my knowledge? And a few more questions like that. Those with pride will justify clinging to every deviating path, at the head of which is a satan. Those who humble themselves before Allah, will strive to follow our illustrious leader, teacher and guide, sent by Allah Almighty. We make no apologies for being Muslim and holding firmly onto the rope of Allah and being a follower of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Reflect and connect with true guidance. Unlearn and relearn. Imbibe the knowledge that will grant success, in this world and beyond. Be constantly aware of that line in the sand that you stay on the path of guidance. Ditch pride to the extent that people might mock you for not being fashionable, for not being with it or even for not being traditional. Act only for Allah’s sake and always call to His guidance in the best manner possible.

See next: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-line-in-sand-part-6.html

See previous : https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-line-in-sand-part-4.html

The Line in the sand - Part 4

 

The Pope of the Roman Catholic Church has passed on. The first Jesuit Pope. At eighty-eight years old, it seems natural for someone to die seeming in good health just before then. Allah gives life and Allah takes life and, indeed, Allah knows best.

The line in the sand dictates that Muslims stick firmly to this line and avoid the deviating lines which has a satan at its head. So, what is deviation? What will save you? It is time to unlearn old things and learn the true knowledge. The world landscape is changing but Muslims have been dragged in so deep into this mischievous system, that is hard to see right from wrong. Muslims applaud other Muslims who have reached senior positions in many fields across the globe and spectrum. The applause many times because of blinkers. Career, title and position are important – or so you have been taught. Society, duped over generations, laud your achievements. Yet, here we are, a weak and divided ummah. So why have you studied and what are you contributing? Shall we join the dots and see that your achievements join the dots of the miscreants instead of breaking them? How did our education system – globally – come about? Is our education designed to suit those that have designs to oppress us? Are we currently oppressed? What is your understanding of oppression? There is work to be done to join the dots. Time is running out though, for you to save yourself and your family from the fire. At least, let us die on true eemaan and may we leave pristine Islam as our legacy to your offspring.

As for saying “rest in peace”, then that is not something that a Muslim says. What we say is that Allah shower the deceased with His mercy and grant him/her entrance into paradise. Who is eligible for paradise? It is in our speech and action that we follow Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  as our teacher and example. Doing this is part of the rectification of ourselves and inclining to the obedience to Allah and His messenger, Muhammad ﷺ. The bottom line is that our education and what flows from it, must be for the sake of Allah. Allah is the Provider, Nourisher and Sustainer and upon Him we depend. Let not the wealth be a rope around our necks, rather let it be our wings to paradise. The doctor or his medication does not cure, Allah cures. Hence let our dependence be on Allah and medicine only be the means. Shall I stop for now? Follow Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and earn the love of Allah and who better to love you than Allah. Peace will descend upon you. Following other than this path will invite stress, fear and much misguidance. Every deviation from the straight path has a satan at its head. And deception is a key tool of satan.

Reflect. Unlearn and relearn. My aim is merely to remind and create some awareness. You must learn from reputable sources. Be constantly aware of that line in the sand that you stay on the path of guidance. Pray for me as I pray for you. I will endeavour to touch on the end times in another post at another time, if there is interest in-sha-Allah.

See Next:  https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-line-if-sand-part-5.html

See previous : https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-line-in-sand-part-3.html

 

 

The line in the sand - Part 3

 

One of the features of modern society is good careers with good remuneration. This is followed by acquiring a house and a car on debt. How much of obedience to Allah and His messenger ﷺ  is in this or is there a greater chance of disobedience? No judgement rather let’s reflect, and where needed, change for the good.

In previous posts, we highlighted the dangers of banks and their control over society. Much of this is deeply rooted in the system that evolved rapidly over the last century and a bit. Within that system is something called education which needs a moment on which to reflect. We pay tribute to teachers because, in essence, it is a noble profession. However, there are certain subjects and/or topics within subjects which need attention and serious attention. You dismiss it at your own peril and likely too that of your children and grandchildren and generations to come. Darwinism? What is that? Why do the children learn this? Sexual education with all its tentacles? Then the seemingly innocent subject called “economics”. What really is this about? And what impact does economics have on politics, on society and the environment? Remember, in previous posts, you were encouraged to join the dots and see how things fit together. Let us use a methodology. Let’s say you take dajjal (antichrist) as a reference point as to the worst the world can be at any time. Then look at the evils that dajjal and his followers will perpetrate. If then, you track back to where we are now, then it seems pretty close, doesn’t it? Of course, Allah knows best. You can almost want to excuse, but you cannot, that other “scholar” for claiming that Gog and Magog have been released. Alas, they were not yet released upon the world. Now what part of the world will play a big role at the time of Dajjal and just before then? Have you heard of the malhama? (A subject for another day). Nevertheless, the Middle East is certainly a place of interest and more precisely, Palestine. We may say Bilad-ash-Shaam because that will cover the whole area from Syria to Palestine.

What is currently happening in Palestine? Who runs big pharma? Which companies are you inclined to boycott? Have you heard of the World Economic Forum (WEF) – who and what are they? Who was heading it until a few days ago? And who is heading it now? And who said: “Water is not a right”. Ladies and gentlemen – are you into joining the dots?

 

See part 2: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-line-in-sand-part-2.html

 

See part 4: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-line-in-sand-part-4.html

The line in the Sand - Part 2

 

Studying history, Islamic history, will outline, at least, the matters that deeply affect us today and how that came about. Belief, your eemaan (faith in Allah) is the most important blessing. The hadith says that a time will come when holding onto your faith will be like holding onto a hot coal (research the hadith, learn more about it and reflect upon it).

Perhaps it is an opportune time to reflect on the first lot of concerning matters. Allah tells us in Quran about a refrain of the disbelievers when they said words to the effect that they follow only what they found the fathers doing. They follow tradition or incorrect beliefs. So do you say “we always did it like this” or “I was taught this way”, rather than “what does Allah and His messenger ﷺ say”. This issue does reflect on matters of belief because it means that with the right belief you will always strive to “obey Allah and His messenger ﷺ ”. Tradition and culture is, of course, permissible, if it is in no way contradicting the pristine teachings of Islam. Upon reflection, one of the lessons that probably everybody can take from this is that you have to unlearn certain things. Your obedience to Allah and His messenger ﷺ  is paramount. Many have spent twelve years or more at school and then at tertiary educational institutions. How much of that knowledge is sound and how much must be discarded? Take a moment to reflect. These posts will not do justice to the many changes you and I have to contemplate and make to unlearn, relearn and improve. The most important thing is to strive to do your utmost and learn to join the dots. That one dot of honey satan put on that sheet has tentacles and how many strayed since.

That brings us to a hadith which states that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ drew a line in the sand and then drew other lines off it, warning us that at the head of every line (that deviated off the main line) is a satan. What else is of immediate concern to us, some of which look right but is in error? Dress-code, both male and female: how much do you imitate others, extravagance, calling yourself hijabi when indeed it does not conform to proper standard. Careers and jobs – which jobs are haram or working for which companies are prohibited? What about politics? What about allegiances? What about charity? What about social events?  And the list goes on.

This is about jihad-un-nafs (the struggle within yourself to correct yourself for Allah’s sake). How are we going to contribute to the rectification of the ummah when we are in need of correction ourselves? When then will the ummah be ready to take its rightful place as envoys of Allah on this earth? While you are busy rectifying yourself, you need to learn to join the dots and avoid a relapse because of satan’s and his cohorts’ incessant attempts to remove you from the obedience of Allah.

See part 1: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-line-in-sand-part-1.html

 

See part 3: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-line-in-sand-part-3.html

The line in the sand - Part 1

 

“Water is not a right”. Reflecting on the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and imbibing the lessons from it, it was nothing short of a miracle. Of course, Christians may attempt to make the same or a better comparison to Prophet Yeshu (commonly known as Jesus) – peace be upon him - except that they deify him.

Once Yeshu – on whom be peace – is deified, the whole perspective changes. This is because Allah, God created the world and all that was before Yeshu and after him. Just from a time perspective, that is an incredibly long time. However, the message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was delivered over a period of twenty-three years. This note has little, if anything, to do directly with Christianity although it may be important enough for all to have a good read. The message of Islam, the first verses revealed in a barren place called Makkah, transformed the world in every sphere to the degree that the scientific contributions (from Muslims after the demise of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) are the foundations of much of the modern-day science. It is through the eyes of historians that you see the steps to the pitiful state of Muslims today. History, though, is a boring subject and many cannot see any reason to study it. Yet Allah, in Quran, teaches us history. Why? The message brought by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ transformed the world and its landscape in one generation. This is phenomenal. Today, if there was a chance to correct the condition of the Muslims, it will take at least two generations. Today we have the complete Quran, and we have the sunnah while it took twenty-three years for the Quran to be revealed during which time the transformation happened too. What is it that Muslims must change when there is wealth, position (across the board, all over the world) and still be adherents to Islam?

The subject is big. It took twenty-three years for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to deliver the message from Allah. This message was delivered to the best of generations. How do we compare to this generation and, considering your answer, do you really think that this subject can effectively be covered in twenty-three years for us? The most important lesson we can take is that Allah did not reveal the first word “iqra” (read, rehearse, study, recite) except that it probably should have its greatest impact on the last of generations, if I am allowed to say something to this effect. Surely, this word does not refer to the trivial posts on social media in which you so regularly and eagerly engage.

The meaning is deeper. It needs concentration and focus. And home much of the truth are you prepared to share, or to ask questions to get a good understanding, rather than much of the superficiality that is prevalent today. What does the opening line of this post have to do with anything?

 

See part 2: The Cape Muslim Dialogue: The line in the Sand - Part 2

Blow the Trumpet - Part 5

 

Things are not always what the seem. Although for the most part, you can only act on what is apparent, know the deception is ever growing.

Trade wars! Tariff hikes to make America great. Only, that it will have such a devastating impact that nothing can trump a knock-out blow like that. Is that the story or the diversion? Is it really purely economic? In truth, with greed being the order of the day, economics certainly have a role to play. Will Europe tumble before they engage in a suicidal war with Russia? Or is this really the diversion to cause more mayhem in the Middle East, Palestine being the focal point. The rate of diversions and distractions is more mind boggling than a game of Tetris. This game is not all that stimulating apparently and there are simpler games to stimulate the brain. Perhaps, the lack of engagement might be a reason for many being clueless. Of course, Muslims are exhorted to reflect deeply on the signs of Allah in Quran that the heart may find rest or rather, contentment. Being unmindful and oblivious are certainly not traits for which anyone would sign up. The single biggest step for Muslims is to free Masjid-ul-Aqsa. If you study history, then you will know that in 1187CE, Salahuddin conquered Jerusalem. Trace his path to it and there will be important clues. Muslims lands have been colonised and there is no modern day Salahuddin leading the charge. That does not cause Muslim to lose hope and be in despair. Focus. The tariff war is a diversion or stepping stone to something bigger. There is controlled opposition on every front, even those that may be so open and are considered as leaders. No, don’t fall for being suspicious of everyone, but be wary, for if any leader strays, he is replaceable. The main task is to be informed, to learn to join the dots and to be vigilant.

On a side note (which really needs to be an important topic on its own), is to re-look at your engagement with the financial markets, starting with banks. Learn ways to protect yourself from a global financial meltdown and/or for you to lose your freedom. Joining the dots might give you the clue. The main point to realise is that man was created to manage the affairs of this world as representatives of Allah. And who can be a representative of Allah and who is disqualified? Therein lies your answer on how to tread the way ahead.

It is not about MAGA for indeed the answer to that is that you will be on the winning team when you know and submit that Allah is the Greatest. Don’t be distracted but focus on your role as defined by Allah. The starting point, in the weak state that we are, is to make dua, to boycott those who fund atrocities and to learn to join the dots.

See previous part: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/blow-trumpet-part-4.html

Blow the Trumpet - Part 4

 

The world economy appears to be in tatters as tariff hikes will create trade wars, recessions and even collapse of economies. It is time to buckle up and cut the extravagance and luxury. Is Palestine not enough of an example of how even aid is blocked while the aid is available. That situation is a strong and important lesson for us.

Those people have been schooled in patience and their eemaan is strong. Had that happened to you, what will be your situation. Indeed, eemaan is key. And what is eemaan? The chaos created through these tariff hikes is orchestrated, just like they orchestrated much of what we experienced on the world stage and, in fact, locally. Debt is a burden, but it is part of the system that debt is spread far and wide. That raises the point of the role of banking. Look at the history of banking and who has been running banking forever and a day? Ah yes, the same people. So, did debt free you or enslave you? And you believe it is purely just economics? Perhaps you are right, but can you define economics and from where did you get your definition? The dust of that evil, usury, has reached us all. Being engaged in it is the norm and you will, no doubt, argue that we cannot get away from it. However, does it mean that you now have to follow the purveyors of this system in their manner of trade and dealing? Is it not true that many people are more concerned about what they leave, materially, in their will than the eemaan of their children. So, it comes back to understanding that the most important thing, nay the only thing, that will benefit you is eemaan.  Sadly, your pension fund would have taken a beating over the last few weeks. Besides that, governments are always keen to get their hands on your pension. The drawing board to correct things are ever waiting. Had there been a greater focus on eemaan, then this post would not have been necessary, and solutions, methodologies and understanding would have been clear. While there has been some attempt to correct matters, it is not even the tip of the iceberg. A note on banking for a moment, is that it is pure exploitation, of the highest order, where the customer carries the risk for a tiny fraction of what the bank makes.

Join the dots and you will find the same people are running the show and you are included in the system. Eemaan means that you act for the sake of Allah and, most certainly, His system is the system of success. What is success for you?

See previous part:  https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/blow-trumpet-part-3.html

 see next part: The Cape Muslim Dialogue: Blow the Trumpet - Part 5

Picture courtesy of  https://www.rfi.fr

 

 

Blow the Trumpet - Part 3

 

There has never been a case that masajid (plural of masjid meaning mosque) were closed except in the year 2020CE. In annotating the year as CE and not AD is part of eemaan. Who will reflect on this? It is long overdue to call a spade a spade.

In 1948 saw the creation of a state in occupied Palestine. Many will call it a “z i o n ist” state. So, they differentiate between Jews and Zionists. That is another discussion, but far beyond this post. What is clear though that the same people (and their ilk and offspring) who created this state, also had the run of the show in the United States of America and elsewhere. Did they have a hand in the creation of the UN and its various structures? Which country gets the most aid from the USA? Who supplies them with weapons, etc? Do you have an inkling of who these people are? Now what if the same people run industries like big pharma? Who benefits most from the “medical” emergency of 2020? Do you see a connection? Are they not the same people? Did these people cause you to close the masajid? Did you distance yourself even from close family, like your parents? If you look to Palestine – especially now, can you see that what is transpiring there because of these people who can destroy you and your family? The most important thing that will benefit you is your eemaan. Is eemaan not that we worship Allah alone, knowing that He is our Lord, the Nourisher, Cherisher, Provider and Healer, amongst His many attributes? Is eemaan not to forsake and disbelieve in anyone or anything else?

The time to join the dots is long overdue. While some have seen the error in their ways concerning this point, the subject is pretty much taboo in our society, except by going with the official narrative. People get on platforms shouting for Palestine while at the same time adhering to the protocols of the very same people inflicting great harm on the Palestinians. This brings us, briefly, onto the subject of boycott. While Muslims, at best, are enacting the weakest form of eemaan when it comes to seeing a wrong and then enjoining the right, by making dua, there is opportunity to do a little more. How about watching what we spend in assisting the killing of Palestinians? How about concerning yourself with restricting yourself a little. Muslims have just fasted by abstaining from even halal (permissible) food during daylight hours. How about fasting from products that is not essential to you in the least, products for which there are replacements or product that you can live without, products to which you are addicted only and not essential? And if you can do more, then do more, or will you remain heedless?

While on the subject of economics, it looks dire for world economics at present. Fasting should have taught us much, and the main lesson is Allah-consciousness. Look at the field of economics and see if and how it aligns to Islam. Being Allah-conscious will make you aware because of your strong eemaan, being conscious of what pleases Allah and striving to do so.

See previous part 2: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/blow-trumpet-part-2.html

 See next part: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/blow-trumpet-part-4.html

Picture courtesy of  https://scitechdaily.com

Blow the Trumpet - Part 2

 

The enemy has long since infiltrated the religion of Islam and set about causing corruption and conflict. The people of the book have done so to their own religion. The key to checking ourselves is to review and assess our beliefs.

Bearing proper belief and adherence to Quran and Sunnah in mind, we know that correct adherence was ever weakening over the course of time. However, the need for a unified ummah, lead by a caliph, remains important.  The least semblance of caliphate was eradicated just over a century ago while the enemies of Islam were working on this for an extremely long time. Casting our minds back in history, to the time of Sayyidina Umar (Allah be pleased with him), the second caliph, then Islam spread far and wide. Today that same area that he ruled has been broken down into smaller countries, each ruling itself without any accountability to a central leader. Therein lies a major weakness. These countries did not materialise by itself and come into being except that disloyal Muslims sided with the enemy against the Caliph. Don’t mind my description of these people and have your say. The soul of Islam was sold for a penny (is this life better than the next?). No caliphate and no real further attempts to create a caliphate. The masters were pulling the strings and slowly the Muslim world regressed, further than ever before.

The creation of I*s-r-a eel on the stolen land after the massacre of the Palestinians was the ultimate insult to Muslims – without exception. This happened while these newly-formed countries were part of the newly-formed United Nations Organisation. And what is the United Nations Organisation? The most important part of understanding this organisation is to see what eemaan entails and then know that it is the antithesis of eemaan. Therefore, every organ that it spawned needs to have a similar label. Of course, good people, oblivious of the evil of the UN intent, were/are working on the ground in many a country and doing good work. Yet, it is tainted by mere association.

It is your eemaan that will save you and grant you passage into paradise. Part of eemaan in to disbelieve in taghut which means that you place no faith in organisations like the UN and you actually reject it as having any legitimacy. Does not Allah tell us that “You are the best nation evolved for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah”

See previous part : https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/blow-trumpet-part-1.html

See Next part: The Cape Muslim Dialogue: Blow the Trumpet - Part 3

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Blow the Trumpet - Part 1

 

It is long overdue that you call a spade a spade. Wisdom is required though and that is sadly lacking. Rhetoric is the order of the day as if you are living in end times.

The economic upheaval, caused by one who blows the trumpet, with a false tune ,while thinking he is trumping everyone. This, though, is organised chaos. This seemingly rogue president has been let loose on the world causing the gold price to share the jittery sentiments. The end goal is control. Yet it won’t be Trump. He has merely been set loose to create chaos which includes the Palestinian issue. How much further they will provoke Iran into a war? Well Iran is not innocent in that affair but so too neither the colonised Arab countries. Something has got to give, but the aim is Agenda 2030 and world domination. The world has been on the brink for a while now but, with no let up, it is slipping ever further into the abyss.

Wisdom dictates that you join the dots. That is not that easy a task overall, but some things are so apparent that only the heedless will miss it. The most important point for a Muslim is, without doubt, their eemaan (faith in Allah). This must be premised in the way Allah ordained it that you worship none but Allah and that you disbelieve in anything or anyone else. Allah is the sovereign. You must, in no way, commit partnership with Allah like giving Allah’s attributes to other than Allah. Having conviction on this and dying upon this belief will be your entry into paradise. Islam is against oppression in any form. It matters not whether the oppressed is Muslim or not, but that such oppression must be opposed. The organs and institutions created over the last century were not for freedom, justice and peace. It was, and is, about world domination. Then see who was behind this and how these institutions came into being. Know your history. As boring as what you think it may be, many of the answers lie in looking at recent history (last century and a bit) and joining the dots. You can go back further to get a more in-depth understanding.

The first thing for a Muslim is to assess his belief and understand what it entails. Had Muslims been firm in their eemaan, the way it ought to be, not the way Non-Muslims wish to portray Muslims, then much of the world would have been different.

 See - part 2 The Cape Muslim Dialogue: Blow the Trumpet - Part 2

Picture courtesy: https://leadthechange.bard.edu

Blind following of misguidance - Part 7

 

Cultish behaviour, amongst Muslims, has become far more pronounced than ever before. This forum is not the place to make takfeer (pronouncing someone to have left the faith of Islam) of anyone and no one should rush to do so anyway. However, the ongoing calling to the correct path is necessary.

The details of proper belief must be learnt from credible teachers. Titles may have value, but it is not enough. Again, when learning about the transmission of knowledge, you will find that character was one such factor that was highlighted as a key part of etiquette. This is a subject in itself. But how will those who are ignorant know this when they incline not to true knowledge? Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught mainly matters of aqeedah in the first thirteen years of his prophethood. Today, some people get into others subjects without having gained sufficient knowledge of aqeedah. The flip side of it is that those who are effectively the cult leaders, love the attention they get while some of them know the truth. This group of people will surely get more rope in the trespass. The call, in any way, to attach any attribute, which is solely Allah’s, to any of His creation is blasphemous. This is the true understanding of blasphemy. To call out anyone, specifically those who have public platforms, for their incorrect belief is important to safeguard the eemaan of many.  Slander is when you speak a lie against someone while they are, of course, not guilty of it. No preacher can claim innocence to his flock, as in a disclaimer, if he makes statements in public. You speak the truth and must stand by your statement. If, however, you made a mistake, you correct it and not leave it to the laymen. And if, another scholar corrects you, you accept and move forward with humility. Arrogance is unbecoming of anyone, let alone the one claiming to be a scholar.

Those who are in a cult do not actually realise they are in a cult. This is much like a drug addict will not initially realise that they are addicted. The truth is not like that because it allows your to differentiate between good and bad while you are in a lucid state.

 

 

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/blind-following-of-misguidance-part-6.html

 

 

Picture courtesy https://www.verywellmind.com

 

 

Blind following of misguidance - Part 6

The predominant reason for people falling into misguidance is their lack of grounding in aqeedah (belief). When a scholar makes a mistake, then because you understand that they are not infallible, you don’t have to necessarily hold them accountable. I use the word “necessarily” only as a qualification that not all mistakes can be overlooked without it being important to correct it.

Great scholars of the past have made mistakes, but when it comes to mistakes of belief then you have to be a little wary. More so when someone repeats those type of mistakes. When mistakes in aqeedah are not questioned, and you carry on as normal, then this is when you can call such a group a cult. A cult: a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object. So, therein lies a danger for those not well grounded in belief.

Every scholar has its limits in knowledge to the extent that grand imams like Imam Malik bin Anas who often would answer “I do not know” to questions even though he had such a high stature. Actually, it is through his knowledge and his accompanied diligence and humility that he gained that rank. Today, everyone has answers for everything, and their knowledge is less than a drop in the ocean of true scholars. The view of the great imams was always that if I say something which is not in conformity with an authentic hadith, then my understanding is null and void and you must take the authentic hadith. Another point that is important is how, from a knowledge (transmission) point of view, we arrived here. This is an important point because, in short, there is a chain (of transmitters, narrators, teachers) that preserved knowledge for us. Any scholar, worth his salt, will know this and not belittle this. Such a person is lacking. Yet, it is cultish behaviour to not be teachable on the truth but hang onto every dear word of your sheikh.

The primary sources of information are Quran and Sunnah. These cannot be disputed except by the ignorant who lack understanding and have issues in belief. The influence of orientalists has caused some to question or belittle hadith. However, this is in itself a core aqeedah issue which can be decisive whether or not you are within the fold of Islam.

 

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/01/blind-following-of-misguidance-part-5.html

 

See next:    The Cape Muslim Dialogue: Blind following of misguidance - Part 7

    

Picture courtesy https://konouzeg.com