The basics of Islam

How to learn Islam?

Imam al-Ajurri said:

“In the time of the Prophet (salAllah Aleyhi Wa salam), people came from Arab tribes and distant villages. Small groups in every town and village accepted Islam and learned what was obligatory for them. Then, they returned to their tribes, taught them Islam and the faith in accordance with what the Prophet (salAllah Aleyhi Wa salam) had taught them. Moreover, they taught people the lawful and the unlawful. Those who had learned from the Prophet (salAllah Aleyhi Wa salam) explained to their people that the Prophet (salAllah Aleyhi Wa salam) had told them such and such a thing.

Allah said [approximate translation of the verses]:

“Believers do not have to leave all their homes. Why shouldn't a few men from each clan come to learn about religion, so that they can, on their return, warn their people so that they are on their guard. (Surah 9: Repentance, verse 122.)

This indicates, and Allah knows best, that whenever these people went to the Prophet (salAllah Aleyhi Wa salam), they accepted Islam and learned their religion. He (salAllah Aleyhi Wa salam) encouraged them to memorize the Sunnah if they could, so that they would return to their families and teach them what they had learned from him (salAllah Aleyhi Wa salam).

MuslimLife Editions