Question:
As salaam alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu,
In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is reported than when the Prophet (sallallahu aleyhi wasallam) warned Hudhayfa (radiallahu anhu) of people calling to the gates of Hellfire, he (sallallahu aleyhi wassallam) warned to stick with the Jama’a and their Imam. When asked about when there is no Imam, The Prophet (sallallahu aleyhi wassallam) said “Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite (eat) the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.”
I would like to request that the Shaykh present what the major commentators have said on this hadith, particularly the last part.
Jazakallah khayr.
Answer:
Alaykum Salam,
“It means hold fast to whatever is conducive to patience and gives you strength while isolating yourself from them, even through what is almost unfit for one to hold on to: ‘bite on the root of a tree’ is a euphemism for facing duress and hardship.” (Tawrabishti, Sindi, Qari)
“Its meaning is permanency… It expresses extreme thirst, as the roots of the tree have some coolness in them.” (Qadi Iyad)
“Those sects without imam are the Khawarij…. Meaning, stay away from people without seeking any ulterior purpose and so until you die, for it is better for you.” (Ibn Battal)
“They are those that deviate from the path of Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jamaa.” (Qari)
“A number of the Companions stayed isolated in deserted places at the times of dissension. Imam Ahmad said: ‘In times of dissension there is no harm in staying isolated.'” (Ibn Rajab)
Hajj Gibril Haddad
