Virtues of Islam
Allah Almighty says: {Anyone who seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.} [1] [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 85] He Almighty also says: {This is My straight path; follow it and do not follow other ways, lest they lead you away from His way. This is what He commands you, so that you may become righteous.”} [2] [Surat al-An‘ām: 153]
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Anyone who innovates something in this matter of ours [Islam] that is not part of it will have it rejected.” [3]
“Whoever does any action that is not a part of this matter of ours [Islam] will have it rejected.” [4]
In another Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Everyone of my Ummah will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” It was said: ”Who would refuse, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: ”He who obeys me shall enter Paradise, and he who disobeys me has indeed refused.” [5]
As narrated in the Sahīh (authentic) collection, ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The most hateful people to Allah are of three types: he who deviates in the Sacred Mosque; he who seeks to introduce into Islam something typical of the Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic period); and he who unjustly seeks to shed somebody’s blood without any right.” [6] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri] The word "Jāhiliyyah" is applicable to any general or specific conduct of certain individuals; be that part of Christianity, Judaism, Paganism, or anything else that contradicts what the messengers preached.
As narrated in the Sahīh collection, Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Be straightforward, O community of reciters, for you have gone far ahead of others. And so, if you deviated right or left, you have gone far astray.”
It is reported that Muhammad ibn Waddāh would enter the mosque and stand at the circles of learning and deliver a short sermon. He once said: “Ibn ‘Uyaynah related to us from Mujāhid from Ash-Sha‘bi from Masrūq that ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd said: 'Every year is certainly followed by a worse one. I do not mean that a year is more prosperous than another nor a leader is better than another. Rather, I am referring to the passing of your scholars and most pious people. Then, there emerge people who evaluate things based on their own opinions, and so Islam will be ruined and broken.'”
{Then if they argue with you, say, “I have submitted myself to Allah, and so have those who follow me.”} [7]
As narrated in the Sahīh collection, ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Islam is to testify that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, perform prayers, pay Zakah, fast the month of Ramadan, and peform Hajj to the Sacred House if you have the means for that.” [8]