Imaam Muhammad bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [May Allah have mercy on him] said: “I encourage my brothers, especially the students of knowledge, to be eager to understand the meaning of the noble Qur’aan, because indeed the noble Qur’aan was revealed [as a guide for the people in their acts of ] worship – by reciting it and contemplating on its meaning.
Allaah [The Most High] said: “[This is] a blessed book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.”” Fatawa fil Aqeedah 2/838
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Questioner asked Shaikh Ubaid [may Allaah preserve him]: The questioner says: Assalaamu alaykum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuhu. We hear a statement from some of the Mashaayihk of Ahlus Sunnah: ‘’This man is from the people of Bidah’’; is it understood that he is a Mubtadi [an innovator] or not?’’
Answer: What I have knowledge of is that this statement has two applications according to Ahlus Sunnah. The first of them and it is what is meant in most cases is that he is a Mubtadi [an innovator]. He knows the truth but he is an obstinate person. He refuses [truth], but not deviation; he knows the Sunnah, but refuses to follow it and [follows] Bidah. He commits Bidah whilst knowing that it is bidah.
The other meaning is that this man is a person upon innovation-meaning: He commits bidah even though he is not an innovator, because what we know regarding the methodology of Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaaa’ah is that they do not declare any specific person an innovator until the proofs are established against him.
[Source: Al-Haddul Faasil Bayna Mu-aamalah Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Ahl Al-Baatil 60. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]
Imaam Muhammad bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [May Allah have mercy on him] said: “I advise my Muslim brothers to have [a strong] desire to [act upon] the affirmed Sunan of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and leave that which has not been affirmed; for indeed the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi wasallam] did not leave off anything that is needed by his Ummah [nation] in their worldly affairs and affairs of the afterlife; rather he made it known.”
Shaykh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee (May Allah have mercy on him) said:
“The safe path is to believe that the Salaf of this ummah are more knowledgeable, wiser, safer [from error, deviation etc] and had a greater understanding than those who came after them. And there is no safety for one who comes after them except if he follow their way.”
Shaykh Rabee bin Hadee Al-Madhkali [May Allah preserve him]:
Allaah [Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala] said:
‘And when it is said to them, “do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “we are but reformers”.’
Every sinner and every corruptor in earth does not tell the people that he is a corruptor; rather indeed he tells them, “I am a rectifier” and he claims that he is guiding the ummah to rectification.
The knowledge of Tawheed is the noblest aspect of knowledge without exception. It is the most virtuous and perfect. By way of it the hearts are nurtured upon a sound creed. By way of it, moral character is purified and deeds are perfected. The subject matter of Tawheed is based on the following:
To study what is obligatory to affirm for Allaah regarding His perfect Attributes and lofty descriptions, and that which makes it impossible to either describe Allaah with deficient and blameworthy attributes, or likening Him to others.
To study that which establishes the fact that Allaah alone brought about all things into existence and that He does whatever He wills-whatever He wishes will take place and whatever he does not wish cannot take place.
Likewise, studying what is obligatory regarding belief in the Messengers, their qualities and the rights due to them, and what is forbidden with regards to violation of such rights.
Belief in the Books revealed to the Messengers and in that which Allaah has stated about Himself, and that which His Messengers stated regarding the events of the past and the future.
Belief in the last day, recompense, reward and punishment, the paradise and hell fire, and that which is stated and connected to these affairs.
These are the general affairs of this lofty affair of knowledge. Indeed the Qur’aan has explained these affairs with a profound explanation and clarified it in a manner that is not equal to [its explanation and clarification] in the other revealed books.
Al-‘Allamah Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhali (Hafithahullah) said:
“Search for a believing friend, For indeed he will assist you upon Allah’s obedience and he will motivate you towards goodness and he will warn you against evil and you will not acquire anything from him except goodness”
Al-Allaamah Rabi’ Bin Hadee Al-Madhkali [may Allah preserve him] said:
“O brothers! It is obligated on you to be steadfast- [both] in times of severe poverty and when afflicted with ailments; in times of hardship and ease, especially in times of fitan [trials and tribulations].”
Muqaal Naseehah Wadiyah Liman Yahtrim As-Salafiyyah
Al-Allaamah Rabi’ Bin Hadee Al-Madhkali [May Allah preserve him] said :
“If we are to devote ourselves in confronting the difficult affairs, such as the bid’ah [innovations brought into the religion] and other than them, then it is obligated on us to adhere to that which the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and his rightly guided Caliphs were upon. We distinguish -by way of that- between guidance and misguidance, [between] truth and falsehood, and [between] Sunnah and bidah.
Al-Majmoo Ar-Ra’iq Min Al-Wasayah Wazahdiyah Waraqaaiq – page 395
Al-Allaamah Rabi’ bin Hadee al-Madkhalee [may Allaah preserve him] said:
“Salafiyyah and the path upon the cannot be actualised until it is distinguished from the [path of] the people of Innovation and illegal Partisanship- inwardly [in one’s heart] and outwardly [through one’s actions].”
