Holding Fast to the Jama’ah

Arfajah ibn Shuraih Al-Ashja’i (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “I saw the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) on the pulpit addressing the people, and he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Shaytaan is with the one who splits away from the Jama’ah, running away with him.‘” [An-Nasaa’i no. 4020 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Saheeh]

Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that ‘Umar delivered a Khutbah to us at Al-Jabiyah and said: “O you people! Indeed I have stood among you as the Messenger of Allaah stood among us, and he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Adhere to the Jama’ah, and beware of separation, for indeed Shaytaan is with one, and he is further away from two. Whoever wants the best place in Paradise, then let him stick to the Jama’ah.” [At-Tirmidhi no. 2165 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Saheeh]

The best place in Jannah – is in the center of it. [Sharh Kitaab Ash-Shihaab page 69]

Ibn Mas’ood (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “The Jama’ah is what conforms to the truth even if you are alone.” [Reported by Al-Laklakaa’i in Sharh Usool I’tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah, page 160. Al-Albaani authenticated it in Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh no. 1/61]

Abu Shamah (Rahimahullaah) said: “When the command to follow al-Jama’ah comes, it means following the truth and those who adhere to it, even if there are only a few who follow it and those who contradict it are many, because the truth is what the first Jama’ah during the time of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Sahabah were upon, and we do not look at the big number of those who invented and went astray after them.” [Al-Baa’ith alaa Inkaar Al-Bidaa’ wal-Hawaadith pages 19-20]

Islam encourages Jama’ah (being in a group/congregation) in all its various forms because Jama’ah (company/groups) repels the Shaytaan:

  • Congregation during Salaat
    Abu Ad-Dardaa’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as saying: “If three men in a village or in the desert make no arrangement for Salaat in congregation, Shaytaan must have certainly overcome them. So observe Salaat in congregation, for the wolf eats up a lone sheep that is far from the flock.” [An-Nasaa’i no. 847, and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan]Ibnul-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) commented: “In this Hadeeth is a proof of the obligation of Salaat in congregation, and the Istidlal (the proof for it) is such that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has informed about the Shaytaan’s overcoming them due to them abandoning Salaat in congregation, which includes Adhaan, Iqamah and Salaat. If the Jama’ah was Mandoob (a recommended act), then the person would have had a choice between observing it and abandoning it, the Shaytaan would not overcome him because of his abandonment of its aspects.” [As-Salaat and the verdict of who abandons it, page 99]
  •  Traveling in a Group
    The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A single rider is (accompanied by) Shaytaan and two riders are (accompanied by) two Shaytaan. Three riders form a group.” [Abu Dawoud no. 2607, and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan]
  • Sitting Together during Gatherings
    Jabir ibn Samurah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) came to us and saw us (sitting) in circles. He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) remarked: ‘How is it that I see you in separate groups?’” [Muslim no. 430]Abu Tha’labah Al-Khushani (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “Whenever the people encamped during the journey, they would disperse in the mountain passes and valleys. The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) noticed this and he said: ‘Your act of scattering in the mountain passes and valleys is from Shaytaan.’ After that, the people kept so close together that it used to be said that if a cloth were spread over them, it would cover them all.” [Abu Dawoud no. 2628 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Saheeh]Al-Allamah Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) said: “If this kind of separation, which is casual and common, is from the work of Shaytaan, then how about separation in the Deen and in the greatest pillar of Islam like Salaat?!… Isn’t that from Shaytaan? Surely it is, but many people do not know/understand, ‘Surely in this is a reminder for whoever has a mindful heart and lends an attentive ear.’ [Surah Qaaf (50:37].” [Jilbaab Al-Mar’ah Al-Muslimah, page 211]
  • Gathering for Food
    Wahshi ibn Harb (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Companions of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) complained: “O Messenger of Allaah! We eat but we are not satisfied.” He said: “Perhaps you eat separately.” They replied: “Yes.” He said: “Gather together for food and mention Allaah’s Name, He will bless you in it.” [Abu Dawoud no. 3764 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Hasan]

Allamah Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) said: “It is really sad that you see many Muslims and especially those who are influenced by the Western and European culture, Shaytaan has been able to sneak some of their wealth – not with aggression but by their own choice – it is because of their ignorance of the Sunnah or their lack of consideration for it. Do you not see them dispersed on their dining tables? And each one of them eats by himself – without a necessity – on a separate plate – the person next to him does not share from his plate contrary to what is mentioned in the Hadeeth above.” [Silsilah As-Saheeha no. 3/394-395]

Source:

? Qutoof Daaniyah by Shaikh ‘Abdul-Hadee Wahbi

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