As a member of his ummah, each and every one of us must study our beloved prophet and his sunnah. We need to understand well why he is the beloved prophet of Allah, the leader of all prophets. We have to instill his love in our hearts. Once we get to know him, it will be impossible not to love him. Those who had seen him would say, "I never seen anybody more lovable like him before and after him." Those who get to know him will have the similar thoughts.

Once a Muslim gets to know the Prophet, he follows the sunnah of the prophet. He studies the hadith books and applies what he learns into his life. He becomes a "Hadith Muslim."

You may wonder what other kinds of "Muslims" there are. Well, there is the "Contemporary Muslim." He calls himself a Muslim, yet he does not act like one. He neglects all of the obligatory duties and commits all types of offenses. Nevertheless, he every now and then says, "Alhamdulillah, I am a Muslim." He does not see the good and the wisdom in the orders of Allah, and he criticizes the good deeds and practicing Muslims. He keeps telling "there is no need to do that" for many things that Muslims are supposed to carry out. It originates from ignorance. Allah and his Prophet knows why there is a need to carry out certain deeds. If they ordered, there must be a good reason behind it.

"Do not drink alcohol!"

"Alright. I will not."

"Cover your body!"

"Sure."

"Pray regularly!"

"Yes, I will."

"Do not utter lies!"

"I shall not."

The "Hadith Muslim" follows the orders of Allah and His prophet. He does not disobey. The "Contemporary Muslim" finds excuses not to obey the orders and comes up with new interpretations; still, he claims to be a good Muslim. May Allah correct him.

There are other kinds of Muslims out there. For instance, "Muslim in Bid'a" or "Innovation Muslim." Some people stray away from the sunnah thinking that they are doing something better. For instance, some avoid eating olives in brine or feta cheese. One of them even made a funny statement: "Do not eat honey!" He is not aware that honey has been praised by Allah in the Qur'an: (Fîhi shifâ-un lin-nâs) "There is a cure for people in honey." It is also recommended by the Prophet. It is wholesome source of nutrition, including various minerals that would keep the body up and running.

One who suggested not to eat honey explained the reason behind it: "The bee goes to every kind of flower no matter in whose field the flower is grown. It will get the nectar from the flowers without the permission of the owner of the land. That would make the honey unlawful." Alas! The fields, the flowers, the bees and everything else belong to Allah. The bees are servants of Allah, so are we. If Allah has praised the honey in the Qur'an and if the Prophet recommended it, why should we ban it? This is an extreme act, an innovation, a bid'a.

Some do not eat meat. Our beloved Prophet did. In the Surah Yâsin, Allah SWT states that it was created for people. He made the meat lawful. Some animals were made to provide rides. How can you criticize or ban something that Allah made it lawful?

We witness some people who go to extremes by following their limited knowledge and reasoning or Satan's whispers. We call them "Muslim in Bid'a." Those deeds that are not in the essence of Islam, innovated later and contradicting the Sunnah of the Prophet are bid'a, hence not acceptable.

When people are left alone, they will wander in the wilderness and get lost. They will be confused. Spiritually, they start worshipping false deities and idols. Some could worship mountains, animals, cows, snakes, and even sexual organs. There is a sect in India that practices that kind of worship. Satan instills in them a false logic to make them go astray. Some people worship Satan thinking that if they worship Satan, they will not be harmed. On the contrary, Allah states that Satan is a clear enemy of mankind.

May Allah keep us on the path of the Prophet, and make us "Hadith Muslims." May Allah be pleased with you all.

As-Salâmu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakâtuh.

June 9, 2000 -- AUSTRALIA