27- LOVING SINNERS ( F A S I K S )

KEYWORDS:

Bidat: Made up corrupt beliefs or deeds which are introduced into the religion after the time of our Prophet.

A person who openly commits prohibited action (Haram) is called "Fasik" and the prohibited action is called "Fisk." The worst "Fisk" is to commit oppression (Zulm). Because, it is carried out openly and also involves the rights of individuals. The meanings of 57th and 140th verse of the chapter of "Al-i Imran" of the Qur'an are the following, "Allahu ta'ala does not love oppressors 'Zalims'." The following is reported in a hadith, "Praying for a tyrant so that he may have a long life comes to mean desiring rebellion against Allahu ta'ala." Someone asked Sufyan as-Sawri, may Allahu ta'ala be pleased with him, whether he should give water to an oppressor (Zalim) in the dessert who was in a state of destruction. Sufyan instructed him not to give any water. If an oppressor obtained his home through force without paying for it (Gasb), then entering that home is forbidden. Anyone who shows humility to a non oppressing sinner (Fasik) will lose two-thirds of his religion. One should understand the gravity of the situation of a person who shows humility to an oppressor from the above sentence. It is a sin to kiss the hand of the oppressor or to bend down in front of him. These would be permissible (Jaiz) for a just person (Adil). Abu Ubayda bin Jarrah, may Allahu ta'ala be well pleased with him, kissed the hand of Hadrat Umar, may Allahu ta'ala be well pleased with him. Visiting and staying in the house of a person who earns most of his money by forbidden means is not permissible. Praising such a person with words or by any other act is forbidden. It would only be permissible to go by him in order to save oneself or someone else from his oppression. While in his presence, one must not lie and praise him. If one thinks that he might accept advice, one may advise him. If a tyrant visits someone, then it would be permissible (Jaiz) for him to get up in order to meet him. But it would be better if one does not get up in order to show ugliness of his oppression and value (Izzat) of the religion. If the conditions permit, one may advise him. It is always better to stay away from the tyrants and oppressors. In a hadith it was communicated, "While talking to a hypocrite 'Munafiq', do not say my master!" Showing respect to a disbeliever or saying phrases like, "My master" or greeting him respectfully causes disbelief.

Whoever rebels against Allahu ta'ala is called a sinner (Fasik). Those who causes others to rebel and cause spreading of "fisk" is called a "Fajir". The sinner who is known as committing forbidden actions (Harams) should not be loved. Loving those who spread Bidat and those who are known for oppressing others is a sin. One hadith reports, "While people have the power to stop the 'Fisk' of a sinner 'Fasik', if no one stops him, Allahu ta'ala will punish all of them in this and in the next world." Umar bin AbdulAziz, may Allahu ta'ala be well pleased with him, said, "Allahu ta'ala does not punish others when someone commits forbidden actions 'Harams' but when some of them commit forbidden actions openly and others observing them do not stop them then, He will punish all of them." Allahu ta'ala revealed to prophet Yusha, peace be upon him, the following, "I will punish 40,000 pious and 60,000 sinners from your community." Yusha replied, "Oh my Lord! Sinners deserve the punishment but what is the reason for punishing the pious?" Allahu ta'ala answered, "They did not get angry with those whom I get angry with. They ate and drank together!" If doing Amr al-maruf to persons who deviated from the right path and to oppressors will cause instigation and cause problems to one's self, to his family members and to the Muslims in general then it should not be done. In such instances, not loving him through the heart would be enough. The same also applies to sinners, i.e., not to love those who commit forbidden actions openly (Fasiks). It is necessary to advise them in a soft-spoken manner with soft and sweet words.

If a person performs worships and also commits forbidden actions openly, i.e., commits "Fisk," he will be labeled according to the actions he does the most. If both of his actions are equal, he should be loved because of his performance of his worships and he should not be loved because of his "Fisk." Anyone who causes others to commit "Fisk" will be stopped by the government officials.

[A person who loves a "Murshid" and is working to earn the love of Allahu ta'ala is a pious person (Salih). The one who already earned that love is a "Wali." Those "Walis" who strive for other persons to earn that love are called enlighteners (Murshids). The basis of Islam are three. Namely, knowledge (Ilm), practice (Amal), and sincerity (Ikhlas). Islamic knowledge (Ilm) is of two parts: religious knowledge and scientific knowledge. Religious knowledge does not come down like a pear falls down from the tree to one's head. It is learned from the words, actions, behaviors or writings of a real enlightener (Murshid). When doomsday (Qiyamat) approaches, the real enlightener won't be found anywhere and ignorant, lying, the sinner (Fasik) religious men of authority will increase in number. They won't strive to earn love of Allahu ta'ala instead they will work to earn money, ranks, posts, and fame. They will approach to wealthy individuals and to the persons who occupy ranks and posts. One should read the books of the famous "Ahl as-sunna scholars" in order not to be tricked by these type of persons and in order to win the eternal happiness.]