The first generation of Prophetic followers (r) was a generation that understood practically the importance of translating understanding into action. Islam for that generation was a “way of life,” a set of general and 

specific principles with practical value possessed of the power to guide action and thought in all its dimensions.

The term “ilm” in the scholarly tradition is properly understood as understanding that is acted upon. The scholarly tradition has captured the essence of the knowledge linking it to understanding and action in the world of men. Knowledge simply defined is to act upon one’s understanding. If we look at the method of the Companions in their study of the Qur’an it becomes apparent that they aimed to ground their action in understanding through study and study aimed at action. We can say that at an individual level that they sought personal perfection through action but they were not left to pause and focus solely on the development and growth of the individual. Prophetic guidance forged individuals possessed of integrity into a group, a jam’ah.

So that now we have a understanding of what knowledge meant to the early generation and what was the role personal piety in relation to group effort. The notions of ilm, jam’ah and action were real concepts in the early generation not theoretical constructs.  

The way of the Companions is the way of knowledge, jam’ah, and action these are manifestations of sound understanding and practice. Their relative absence is an indication of a deficiency in understanding or practice. Whereas their absence in total in a distortion in understanding and deviation in practice. There can be no claim to sound understanding and practice if knowledge, jam’ah and action are absent in toto from our communities. A sound understanding of Islam demands that building takes precedence to destroying, unity takes precedence to disunity, and understanding takes precedence to ignorance. Ignorance, destruction, disunity and lack of action upon knowledge are signs of deviation from the Prophetic way (sunnah).

The Qur’an is translated as saying:

“ And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided (Ali’ Imran 103).”

Imam Bukhari (r) narrated with his chain of transmission on the authority of Abu Musa:

The Prophet said, “A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other.” The Prophet then clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced (while saying that). (Bukhari)

Imam Bukari (r) narrated with his chain of transmission on the authority of Sahl bin Sad:

Once the people of Quba fought with each other till they threw stones on each other. When Allah’s Apostle was informed about it, he said, “Let us go to bring about reconciliation between them.” (Bukhari)

Knowledge, unity and action are the three pillars of revival when they are present the Sunnah is manifest and when they are absent either ignorance or deviation is manifest. Knowledge must lead to Jam’ah and Jam’ah to action this was the way of the Companions, the Sunnah.

 Allahu Al’am

 

Author: Abul-Hussein

Produced by: altranslators, 2010