The Importance of Prioritizing the Quran and Sunnah Over Human Opinions
PROHIBITION OF OBEYING ANYONE IN WHAT CONTRADICTS THE RULING OF ALLĀH AND HIS MESSENGER (ﷺ)
Ibn ‘Abbās (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) said:
“Stones are about to rain down upon you from the sky: I say to you: “ALLAH’S Messenger (ﷺ) said…” and you reply: “But Abu Bakr and ‘Umar said…?”¹
Because obedience is a form of worship, it is not allowed to obey anyone be he man or jinn unless it conforms with obedience to ALLĀH and HIS Messenger (ﷺ). This is why Ibn ‘Abbas (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) repudiated those who, when they were informed that the Prophet(ﷺ) had pronounced upon a matter, objected that Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq and ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may ALLĀH be pleased with them both)² had said something different, thus, in effect, preferring the opinions of these two pious Companions over the Revelation of ALLĀH (ﷺ).
This incident allegedly occurred during a discussion about Hajj in which Ibn ‘Abbās mentioned something which he had heard from Muhammad, the Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ). Ibn ‘Abbas warned them of ALLAH’S approaching punishment and HIS Anger for those who preferred the opinions of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (may ALLĀH be pleased with them) to the guidance of ALLAH’S Messenger (ﷺ).
In view of this, what may be said of those who prefer the opinions of lesser men over the Book of ALLĀH and the Sunnah of HIS Prophet (ﷺ).
1. While according to a number of scholars of Hadith, this is a weak narration, its meaning is correct.
2. Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq and U’mar Ibn Al-Khattab: Two close friends of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the first and second Caliph respectively, after his death. They were among the most knowledgeable and pious of the Companions.
3. Such as those who, when confronted with a Prophetic Hadith say: “Yes, but our Shaikh says…” or: “Yes, but in our mazhab (i.e. school of Islamic jurisprudence)…”
BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THIS NARRATION
- Evidence of the virtue of Ibn ‘Abbas and his excellent understanding of religious matters.
- That no opinion which contradicts the Qur’an and Sunnah is to be given heed, no matter from whom it emanated.
- he obligation to be angry for ALLĀH and HIS Messenger’s sake.
{Kitābu at-Tawhīd Explained || Page 231-232}