Should I Become an Ibadi Muslim

:::note[Description]

Question:

Should I consider becoming an Ibadi Muslim? - An explanation of Ibadi Islam, its differences from Sunni and Shia traditions, and considerations for conversion. :::

Answer:

You stated the following :

“….I feel like having much ties with Sunni Islam, but then again, I’m more liberal and have no problems with Jews and Christians….”

“… I also believe religion cannot be used as an excuse for war and violence ….”

“… I also don’t agree with Wahhabism and Salafism….”

All along you are speaking about what you think or feel but we need to remmeber that as per Islam the evidence from islamic scriptures has more value than anyones thoughts which may arise based upon his intellect or feelings.

Advice To Those who put their Intellects above the Evidences

Imam Ibnul-Qayyim Al-Jawzi (rahimahullaah) said:

quote:

And using the intellect in opposition to the evidences is the basis of all evil in the world. And it opposes the call of the Messengers (‘alaihim u salaam) in every way. This is because they (the Messengers) called toward putting forward the revelation over one’s opinions and intellects, and those who opposed them did opposite to this. The followers of the Messenger put the revelation over the opinions and intellect, and the followers of Iblees (Satan; may Allaah curse him) - or a subsitute from his substitutes - put the intellect over the evidences.

Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Kareem Ash-Sharastani (rahimahullaah) said in his book Al Milal Wa Nihal:

quote:

Know that the first doubt that was put forward was the doubt of Iblees, and the basis of this was putting opinion before an evidence, and in his choosing desire over obedience. And his pride because of the material he was created from - which was fire - over the material which Adam (‘alaihi salaam) was created from - clay. And from this, many other doubts came thereafter.

Also, The point you should note is that Allah states in the Quran (what means):

Whoever contends with and contradicts the Messenger after guidance has been clearly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that of the Faithful Believers, We shall leave him in the Path he has chosen and land him in Hell, what an evil destination! [An Nisa 4:115].

Allah (T) said (what means): Say [Mubammad]: If you really do love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Al-Imran 3:31].

Allah did confer a great favor upon the believers when He sent a Messenger (i.e., Muhammad (S)) from amongst themselves reciting unto them His signs (i.e., the Quran) and purifying them (from sins and ignorance by adopting his way) and instructing them in the Book (the Quran) and Wisdom (the Sunnah) while before they had been in manifest error. [Al ‘Imran 3:164].

Allah says (what means): Indeed in the Messenger of Allah is a beautiful pattern of conduct to follow for anyone whose hopes lie in Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah abundantly. [Al-Ahzab 33:21].

And: So if they believe as you believe (the companions of the Messenger (S)), they are indeed on the right path. [Al-Baqarah 2:137].

He it is who has sent forth His Messenger with [the task of spreading] guidance and the religion of truth, in order to make it prevail over all [false] religion, however hateful this may be to those who ascribe divinity to aught but Allah. [As-Saff 61:9]

The Prophet (S) said, Adhere very closely to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided successors after me; bite on to it with your molar teeth, and beware of the newly invented matters. [Authentic; recorded by Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidthi. Whenever there is a difference of opinion, a true Salafi refers matters to Allah and His Prophet (S), acting in accordance with the ayah:

If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day, that is better and more suitable for final determination [An-Nisa 4:59].

He gives precedence to the Word of Allah and of His Prophet (S) over the opinion of anyone else, in according with the ayah: Believers! Do not put your opinions forward ahead of Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily Allah is All-Hearing and All-Knowing. [Al-Hujurat 49:1].

The Messenger (S) said: A group from my Ummah (nation or community) will always be aided with victory as they continue to persevere upon the Truth; they will not be harmed by those who abandon them or those who oppose them. [Recorded by Muslim].

And he (S) said: This Ummah will split into seventy three parties, all of which will go to Hell - except for one party: the one which will follow the same path as what I and my companions are following today. [Authentic; recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidthi, and others]. In one report he (S) described this Saved Party as: … except for one party, which is the Jama’ah.

Hence it is not left to our whims or inclinations to chose a particular group - rather we need to follow Islam as per Quran & Sunnah and stick to the understanding of the Sahabas and their followers.