Bai'yah - The Basis for organization of a Revivalist Party in Islam
by Dr. Israr Ahmad
In the name of Allah, the
Beneficent, the Merciful
Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Islam! The topic of my lecture this evening is The
Importance, The Nature, and The Basis for Organization of a Revivalist Party in
Islam, with Special Reference to the Institution of Bai‘yah.
All of you are well aware that I am, basically and essentially, a student of the Holy Qur’an, and, in addition, since I also try to share with others whatever understanding I gain from the Holy Book, you can also call me a teacher or a tutor of the Qur’an.
The Relevance of Sunnah
However,
I am going to base today’s lecture primarily on some traditions of Prophet
Muhammad (SAW), and only secondarily on Qur’anic verses. Why so? Let me explain
this by giving you an example.
Every
Muslim is cognizant of the importance that the Holy Qur’an attaches to the “establishment
of Salat.” Although we
find that all
the essential constituents
of Salat — including
qayam, ruku‘, sajdah,
wudu, and tayummum
— are mentioned
in the Qur’an,
a systematic scheme of performing the Salat cannot be derived from these
scattered references. We have no other option but to go to the Sunnah of
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for guidance, because it is only there that we would
find the various parts of Salat joined and arranged in a manner that can be
described as a systematic pattern.
Similarly,
the subject of Organized Revivalist Struggle in Islam cannot be dealt with
satisfactorily without resorting to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Even
though we find the different elements and constituents of this subject
scattered in different places throughout the Holy Qur’an, we still need the
Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) if we are to have a complete and full view of the
concept of Organization in Islam.
To be continued....
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