Martyr of the Niche

Prophet Muhammad said:  (when a religious scholar dies, a rift in Islam has taken place which would not be plugged till doomsday.)

A grand scholar and a titan of thoughts like Dr. Al Buti had a giant stature in Islam and a commanding presence who spent his life disseminating the divine message of Islam, reminding people to submit to Allah do`s and don’ts in order to be on the straight path because it would lead to the ultimate bliss in life and the hereafter.

His stances with regard to the war on Syria were conspicuously evident from the very beginning where he professed his opinions against the vociferous demonstrations of the mob that instigated revolt and subversion.

He adjured all people to be coherent and maintain a sang-froid stand in order to thwart the machinations of those hirelings who aim at fragmenting the nation in smithereens. He also called upon the intelligentsia and savants to embrace to the mainstream and immaculate religion of Islam since Syria is the cradle of civilizations and religions.

 

 He stressed that there is no other country like Syria where all people combine wisdom, compassion and sagacity. Therefore, he always reiterated: “Do not let these mobs mislead you because the righteous path is not through the street mobs.”

The late Imam Al Buti always called upon all people from all walks of life, whether they were rulers and ruled to cling to the orders and commands of Allah whereby Allah will guard the nation, and all people should rally their efforts to fend off the common and arch enemy of the Arabs and Muslims which is Israel. People should not be disoriented and veer off the right course but to march forward to liberate Al Aqsa mosque, the occupied Golan and all other occupied territories.

The Imam was a constant observatory of the mammoth conspiracy against the nation when he explained that what was happening is a war by proxy where the enemy can hit its targets without jeopardizing its sons, shedding their blood or expending materiel.

He always reminded the people of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saying:

(After my time, do not become wrongdoers and resort to killing each other.)

The Imam had a brilliant sagacity and foresightedness towards reforming the society where he said that building a robust, solid and impervious country is just like erecting a pyramid beginning with the pedestal upwards and each block of which represents the classes of the society cementing the people`s interests and coexistence.

 Tectonic structure requires the renunciation of all dissimilarities to create a hermetically sealed façade of the nation. With gradual progress in building this pyramid, we can reach the top and be able to face up to all outside challenges.

 He also delivered advices to the preachers explaining that changing gear from preaching to political work would make the preacher lose righteousness but breeds ruthlessness and distract the preacher from fulfilling his genuine task in straightening the self and teaching Sharia Laws. 

 He cited examples of some diverse Islamic movements that vied to be at the helm where some of them failed due to the contradictions of principles, while others managed to get there trudging to achieve the required message.

The Imam called for the disambiguation of jihad and how the colonizers try to manipulate it by falsifying and cloaking its human trait by depicting appalling and harrowing images using hirelings and thugs to manifest it in a macabre manner.

He highlighted the Sharia rule which says: “fending off malice far outweighs benefits.”

With regard to the relation with the ruler, his vision was based on the Quran  and the Sunna concerning listening and obeying in addition to advising and counselling in comport with the teachings of prophet Muhammad saying:

“After my time, there will be preachers who do not follow my path nor my Sunna, men having devilish hearts in human physique. Huzaifa asked the Prophet: what should we do then? The Prophet replied by saying that you are required to follow the ruler and listen to him attentively unless there was a flagrant violation of Allah orders.”  

Dr. Al Buti viewed that it is necessary to supplicate Allah to help the ruler and to bestow upon him righteousness and sure footedness because the nation will be good when the ruler is good too.

The Imam categorically refused opposing the ruler, quoting the Prophet wordings:

“When you disapprove something of the emir, you have to be patient, but whoever opposed the emir and died later, his death will be a pre Islamic one.”

Up to the time of his assassination, Dr. Al Buti clung to his path depending on two joists:

-Pleasing Allah at all times and be wary of his surveillance.

-Sticking to constants and religious contexts and acting upon them with an intellectual mindset to seek and favor the general interest irrespective of proponents or opponents.

 It may hold true what the writers said that would have bearing on the ongoing events in the world today:

“ At times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

Dr. Muhammad Ramadan Al Buti, may he rest in peace, will be always remembered as the martyr of the pulpit and niche.

Mamoun Abdin