Question

Is the following narration authentic and what is the meaning?

لن يزال لله نصحاء في الأرض من عباده يعرضون أعمال العباد علي كتاب الله فإذا وافقوا حمدوا الله و إذا خالفوه عرفوا بكتاب الله ضلالة من ضل و هدى من اهتدى فأولئك خلفاء الله

Answer

Imam Shatibi (rahimahullah) has cited this narration on the authority of Imam Ibn Waddah (rahimahullah) who has recorded this narration as the statement of Hasan Al Basri (rahimahullah). The narration should be be quoted as such.

(Al I’tisam, pg. 46)

Explanatory translation:

Allah Ta’ala always has well wishers from among his bondsmen in this world. They compare the actions of Allah’s bondsmen to the Quran. If the actions of Allah’s bondsmen are in conformity to the Quran, they praise Allah in approval. If their actions oppose and contradict the Quran, then they recognise and distinguish by means of the Holy Quran the misguidance of the misguided ones and the guidance of the rightly guided.

Imam Shatibi (rahimahullah) has cited this narration in the foreword of his book “Al I’tisam” under the discussion of innovations and the importance of abstaining from innovations.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar