Allah’s Promise to Protect His Religion
Allah Almighty has promised to safeguard His religion. In the realm of material means, the group of hadith scholars (muhaddithin) was granted the ability to serve this cause with love and devotion to the Book and Sunnah. From the pursuit of knowledge to the compilation of hadith, this group played a prominent role in narrating the texts of the Book and Sunnah with authentic chains and preserving their true meanings and interpretations.
The noble verse: «إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ» (“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its guardian”) — finds its practical explanation in the efforts of the scholars of Islam to protect hadith. As a result, religious texts have reached us through sound chains of transmission and with the interpretations of the righteous predecessors.
Imam al-Nasa'i was an essential link in the chain of hadith scholars. Along with preserving and compiling hadith, he made significant contributions to the science of al-jarh wa al-ta'dil (narrator criticism and validation). His efforts also played a vital role in transmitting the understanding of hadith according to the methodology of the pious predecessors. He conveyed correct Islamic beliefs to the Ummah, which is why the usefulness of Sunan al-Nasa'i is undeniable. Due to his promotion of the creed of the Salaf and his refutation of innovations, he was honored with titles such as “Imam of the Religion” and “Imam of the Muslims,” as previously mentioned in the cited statements above.
The scholars with whom Imam al-Nasa'i's leadership in hadith was mentioned were not only experts in hadith and jurisprudence, but also leading guides in matters of belief and methodology. They were defenders of the Sunnah and eradicators of bid'ah (innovation). In scholarly terminology, he was titled “Sahib al-Sunnah” (Champion of the Sunnah), which scholars have equated with being an Imam in religion. In summary, Imam al-Nasa'i was also a guiding figure in the realm of Islamic beliefs. Following in the footsteps of his teachers, he openly professed correct Sunni beliefs and included such issues in his works.
