Muhammad (SAW) & consulting others (‘shura’) in making decisions. Consulting others (‘shura’) and having the ability to work with others would help us to socialise better in every level such as our immediate family, our extended family, our neighborhood and our society (Ummah’). More importantly, it would help us grow our characters, spirituality and our relationship with our Creator.
With the name of Allah most Beneficient ever Merciful
In comparison, we today have lost the ability to socialise and interact with others.We divided into sects, mosques are being built next to one another, people are having difficulty in finding a marriage partners and those that do marry, will most likely end up divorced. Our social structures are falling apart.
Islam teaches that we should always consider our options, think carefully and consult with others before making a decision because this would most likely result in one making a more informed choice and it would, most likely, produce the best outcome.
So important is consultation that the 42nd sura is so named (‘As shura’) and the verse pertaining to ‘shura’ is: “…and those whose affairs are (decided by) mutual consultation (shura),…shall have their reward from Allah.” Al Quran 42:38
It is this concept of consultation that was partly responsible for the success of Islam. To consult others is an order from Allah Subhanatallah.
“(O Prophet!) consult them in matters (of administration), and when you are determined (after due consultation), put your trust in Allah. Verily, Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.” Al Quran 3:159
Note, our religion is complete and consultation only applies to matters such as, who shall we appoint as the leader of our religious organization or how shall we run our ‘maddressas’ (schools) and so forth. On a domestic level, we must consult with our spouses and others if we are having domestic issues long before going into divorce.
So powerful is this consultation process that it is stated in ibn Khatir that: “The Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ is immune from error when they all agree on something, a miracle that serves to increase their honour, due to the greatness of their Prophet. p 1152. This guarantee of attaining a solution through consultation is also mentioned in the Holy Quraan.
On the same page of ibn Khatir it states that to disregard the consensus of the ummah is to disregard Allah, The Exalted and the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him.
Now, the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, is the final messenger of Allah. His vision and insight was flawless yet he consulted others so as to teach us. When he was having domestic issues he consulted with others and asked his wife to consult with her father.
The benefits of consultation can best be appreciated when we study an example. When the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, was considering how to gather the Muslims for prayer then he consulted with his companions and they made different suggestions such as ringing a bell, blowing a horn etc. and one of them finally came up with the idea of pronouncing the “azaan” which was inspired to him by way of a dream.
Sometimes the companions of our Holy Prophet Salalahu Alayhe Wasallam presented a different view and advised him otherwise and he would listen to them sometimes and follow their advice.
When an agreement was breached by the non-Muslims at Hudabiyyah, “the Prophet, peace be upon him, asked them if they should attack the idolaters and Abu Bakr (RA) disagreed, saying, “We did not come here to fight anyone. Rather, we came to perform `Umrah. “The Prophet agreed.” Ibn Khatir.
This is being humble especially for a leader and humility is what Allah loves. Pride and arrogance is what He most dislikes.
There are many such hadith where the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, and even the Caliphs after him consulted with others. They consulted on matters of war, judgement and even religious teachings.
The caliphs always consulted an advisory body which consisted of four learned men. It is therefore important that everyone in our community or more importantly, those that have a leadership role in our Mosques and organisations, to consult with others and to heed their advice.
As human beings we would always be in some sort of leadership position, either as a member of a religious organisation, a sporting club or at the very least, but most importantly, we will most likely be a parent in charge of bringing up our children.
We should not be dictators, bulldozing over everyone to bolster our own egos but we should follow the example of our Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, by humbly consulting others, even if it is something personal.
Children may express their views and sometimes their views are better. When Hazrath Dawood (AS) gave a decision then his son Hazrath Sulaimaan (AS) disagreed and gave a better decision which he, Hazrath Dawood (AS), accepted. (AI Quran 21:78)
If the child is wrong then this is a golden opportunity for the parent to educate them. This is meaningful interaction that would build good relationship with the children. They would learn to think more carefully in future.
There is absolutely nothing to lose when we consult others but there is a lot that can be gained. It is not degrading to listen to and follow the suggestions of others if they are more appropriate. On the contrary this is the sign of a knowledgeable, wise, sincere person.
Even in personal matters the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, consulted his companions: “On the day of Ifk, (i.e. the false accusation), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to them, “O Muslims! Give me your advice about some men who falsely accused my wife (A’ishah). By Allah! I never knew of any evil to come from my wife. And the accused whom they accused is he from whom I only knew righteous conduct, by Allah!” The Prophet ﷺ also asked` Ali and Usamah about divorcing A’ishah.” Ibn Khatir
Mutual consultation is the basis on which the Muslim community and the Muslim state was built by the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, and therefore this should also be the basis on how we run our lives, our mosques and religious organisations.
Our mosques and religious organisations should not be about prayer only but it should be a means of galvanising the Muslims together through consultation. A proper constitution, annual elections, monetary transparency, regular meetings and meaningful discussions and programs should be the order of the day for this is what it will take to bring the community together.
A mosque or a religious organisation should therefore not belong to a person but it must belong to the Muslim public at large. As individuals: If we are not involved in social or religious matters then we should get involved because this is also a means of serving our Creator and thinking of Him.
As Imaams and trustees we must welcome suggestions and take them seriously because this would encourage people to be a part of that community. We must not be egotistical dictators that respond in such a way that people leave the community.
Consultation in personal matters can help us resolve conflicts like the way the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, resolved his conflict with his wife. In the times we live in, divorce is the order of the day and if we resort to consultation then this problem would not be as it is today.
In all matters we have to have an open mind and be able to listen to others and understand what they say. We must not have pride to cover up our faults with stupid arguments but, if needs be, we must be able to admit to our faults and rectify them. In doing this, we not only better ourselves but we would be able to resolve our conflicts.
Who we choose to consult with and who we choose as arbitrators or religious leaders is important. They must be wise, learned, upright, kind, good Muslims who would strive towards reaching an amicable solution and not people that just want to have their own way even if they are wrong.
“But if you apprehend a breach between the two (-a man and his wife) then appoint one arbiter from his people and one arbiter from her people; if the two have a mind to effect reconciliation, Allah will bring it about between them. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” AL Quran 4:35
As Muslims we should follow our religious scriptures and this should be the criterion for us in choosing which way we should be doing things.
In the process of consultation, instructions and guidelines from the Holy Quran take precedence over the Hadith and if we do not find guidelines in them then only can we use our discretion.
So if we are involved in consultation and someone quotes the Holy Quran then that should be followed without question. If there are no guidelines in the Holy Quran and someone quotes a hadith to back up his input then that should be followed.
Lastly, after we have duly consulted with others and gave it our ‘best shot’ we need to then put our trust in Allah Subhanatallah for He is the best to guide.
The benefits of consultation:
1 In the process of consultation there are also spiritual benefits. It’s about having to and learning to control our egos. We will not have our own ways and instead we will have to listen to someone else.
This ability to consult and to follow the outcome of the consultation grow us into sincere, just people because, not always will our ideas and suggestions be the best. Consultation therefore builds in us these noble qualities.
2. Different suggestions are important because we will then have more information and be able to therefore make a better, more informed choice and the outcome would thus be better.
3. Everyone present has a say and this gave them an opportunity to bond together and cementing a brotherhood in Islam is important.
4. This process also prompts people to think and it also gives them an opportunity of being involved in their religious affairs in a way other than just formal prayer.
5. When people are consulted, then they feel good, they feel that they are an important part of the community and this is important in building the ‘Ummah’. (Team building)
6. When people are treated in this manner then they would take a greater interest in communal affairs in future.
7. When affairs are determined by consultation then no one can do things to advance their own selfish; personal agendas because everyone has a say.
Consultation therefore ensures that the community’s best interests are placed above any one individual’s interest and this is an important part of what Islam is all about; creating peace and well-being in society.
8. When we choose people to be our leaders then we must choose people that can consult. Consultation is therefore the basis of a free, just society.
9. When one person makes a decision then it is like one weak thread of a rope but when several people consult and make a decision then it is like several threads bound together to form a strong rope. When one person makes a decision then the onus rests upon him to produce the results but when many people are involved in the decision making process then they will all try to make the decision work and this is the recipe for success.
This was the theme for the 2015 Anjuman-e-Waris-e- Mohammedi campaign to create awareness about the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his teachings.
Peace and salutations be upon Allah’s Messengers who are responsible for guiding humanity throughout time. Ameen.
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi.
The Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi was founded by Dr/Hakim Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah RA (lovingly known as Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saab RA).
Author: Mohamed Hassan Gaffoor WhatsApp; +27 84 910 1486