The Fate Of Those Who Seek Guidance From Other Than The Holy Qur'an

The Holy Qur'an says:

"And he whose sight is dim to the remembrance of the Beneficent, We assign unto him a devil." (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:36)

In another Verse the Almighty Allah says:

"And We reveal the Scripture unto thee as an exposition of all things." (Surah An-Nahl, 16: 89)

Zaid b. Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) told that Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) got up among them one day at a watering-place called Khumm to address them. He (the Holy Prophet) praised and extolled Allah, gave a warning and a reminder, and then said, "To proceed: You people must understand that I am just human. My Lord's messenger will soon come for me and I shall answer his summons, but I am leaving among you the two important things, the first of which is Allah's Book which contains guidance and light, so study it and follow its commands closely.” Then when he had urged attention to Allah Book and commended it he said, "Also my family. I remind you of your duty to Allah to care for my family."

In another version the words are: “Allah's Book is Allah's rope; he who follows it has guidance and he who abandons it is in error." Muslim transmitted it.

Sahih Muslim transmitted a tradition on the Authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: Whenever Allah's Apostle used to deliver a sermon he always started it with the following words:

"The best book is Allah's Book and the beat practice is the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah he upon him). The worst affairs are innovations and every innovation is misleading."

Sa'id Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he (the Holy Prophet) recited it regularly for a long time. The Companions requested Allah's Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to tell them about it whereupon the Almighty Allah revealed the following Verse:

"Alif Lam Ra. These are Verses of the Scripture that maketh plain." (Surah Yusuf, 12: 1)

Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) recited it for a period.

Ibn Abi Hatim reported on the authority of Mas'udi who on the authority of Qasim reported: When the Companions (Allah be pleased with them) felt boredom they requested the Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to say something. Whereupon the following Verse was revealed:

"Allah hath (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent." (Surah Az-Zumar, 39: 23)

When the Companions again felt weariness they made a similar request to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Almighty Allah revealed the following verse:

"Is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to Allah's reminder." (Surah Al-Hadid, 57:16)

'Ubaid transmitted it on the authority of certain Tabi'in (the followers of the Companions of the Holy Prophet). It proves that whenever the Companions (Allah be pleased with them) sought guidance from Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) through his tradition, he (the Holy Prophet) guided them by the Verses of the Holy Qur'an.

Mu'adh Ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) used to tell the people sharing his company daily: Allah is the Best Judge. The incredulous people were destroyed. Many mischiefs will arise after you. Wealth will be in affluence. The Holy Qur'an will be opened. Believers, hypocrites, women and children will recite It. It is just possible that someone of them might say: "I read the Holy Qur'an." I think that they will not believe me unless and until I innovate a new thing. Avoid innovations because every innovation is misleading. Protect ourselves from the erroneous attitude of the wise. Sometimes even a hypocrite speaks the truth. Accept the right thing wherever you find it. The truth is a beacon light. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Baihaqi reported on the authority of 'Urwa Ibn Zubair that Hadrat 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) decided to record ahadith. The Companions (Allah be pleased with them) objected to it because it was a period of revelation of the Qur'an. Then Hadrat 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) observed Istikhara for a month and afterwards said: "I remember a people before you who wrote books and depended upon them. They neglected the Book of Allah. I will not intermingle Allah's Book with anything."