Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) dispatched Hazrat Mu’aaz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to Yemen, he asked him, “What procedure will you adopt when passing decisions in the affairs of the Muslims?”
Hazrat Mu’aaz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied: “I will decide in accordance to the Qur’aan.”
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then asked him: “If a law is not found in the Qur’aan, what will you do?”
He replied, “I will refer to the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).”
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then questioned him: “If the ruling is not found in the Ahaadith, what will you do?”
He replied: “I will employ my ability of reasoning (Ijtihaad) in reaching a conclusion.”
Upon hearing this, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “All praise be to Allah who inspired the messenger of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (Hazrat Mu’aaz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)) with the correct guidance.” (Sunan Tirmizi #1327)
The purpose for Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) questioning Hazrat Mu’aaz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in the above manner was so that the people may realise his capability and have confidence in him. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) desired that the people of Yemen should refer their Deeni matters to Hazrat Mu’aaz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and thereafter they should follow his decision without any reservation.
