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A Timely Reminder As We Witness The Divergent Ideologies, The Trials and Tribulations, Bloodshed and Severe Differing In Our Era

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Security cannot be [established] properly except by way of two affairs: Implementation of Allaah’s Laws and obedience to the rulers. Indeed, the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] clarified this [affair] which is needed by a Muslim in his [or her] life. Irbaad Saariyah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: ‘’The Messenger of Allah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] gave us an admonition after the morning prayer-an admonition that made our hearts fearful and our eyes tearful. So, a man said: ‘Indeed, is this a farewell sermon, so what do you advise us?’ He said, ‘I enjoin on you to have Taqwa of Allaah and that you listen and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave [becomes your ruler]; for indeed he among you who lives long enough will see many differences. So, beware of newly invented matters [in the religion] because indeed it is misguidance. And whoever among you witnesses that, then it is obligated on him to adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khulafaa- adhere to it with your molar teeth.’’ [Reported by Ahmad 3/126]

Indeed, this hadeeth establishes the foundations of security in Islaam and they are: Firstly: Taqwallaah [Fear of Allaah (The Most High)] based on its complete and comprehensive meaning. Secondly: Obedience to the rulers [in what is good]. Fear of Allaah rectifies a Muslim’s relationship with Allaah, his neighbours and everything around him. And in the absence of Allaah’s Sharee’ah, destruction and depravity will occur. Indeed, Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] warned the one who abandons His Sharee’ah and disobeys His Messenger:

وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ

And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad) which they (its people) used to do. [16:112]

By listening to the rulers and obeying them [in good], all the affairs of the person’s life in his society will be a state of normality. Listening to the rulers and obeying them [in good] is included in the subject matter of Taqwa [fear of Allaah]. Al-Hasan Al-Basri  [rahimahullaah] used to say: ‘’Indeed, Al-Hajjaaj is the punishment of Allaah; so do not repel the punishment of Allaah with your own hands. Rather you must submit and show humility because Allaah] The Most High] said: [وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْعَذَابِ فَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ – And Indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allaah) with submission to Him.’’ [23:76]

Talq Bin Habeeb (rahimahullaah) used to say: Guard against fitna through Taqwa; so, it was said to him, “Summarize (the meaning) of Taqwa for us.’’ He said, ‘’It is to act in obedience to Allah, with a light from Allah (i.e. Eemaan) and hoping for Allaah’s Mercy. And that you abandon disobedience to Allah with a light from Allah and fearing the punishment of Allah. [Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah 11/33 and Ibnul Mubaarak in Az-Zuhd 473]

So, you find a person who knows what security is and his understanding regarding it increases due to fear of Allaah, and he is eager to obey the rulers [in good]; but when he falls short [in Taqwa], his perception of security becomes deficient. When Taqwa is actualised, he will receive the promise Allaah has mentioned [in Surah An-Noor]. Allaah said:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [24:55]

Indeed, it is known that the religion cannot [be established] without a Jamaa’ah and there cannot be a Jamaa’ah without a leader, and there cannot be a leader except through listening to him and obeying [him in what is good]. An absence of obedience to the ruler and putting oneself before him is one of the greatest causes of corrupting the land and the people, and turning away from the path of guidance and uprightness. Al Hasan Al Basri [rahimahullaah] said: ‘’By Allaah! The religion cannot be established except by way of rulers even if they commit tyranny and oppression, due to the many affairs that Allaah rectifies through them more than what they corrupt.’’

Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah] said: ‘’There is [good and great advantage] in the worldly life when rulers are obeyed. And by way of it [i.e. obedience to the rulers], the beneficial affairs related to the livelihood of the people are established and they utilise them as an aid through which they manifest their religion and obey their Lord.’’

Disobedience to the rulers and putting oneself before them through fighting or other than that [is tantamount] to disobeying Allaah and His Messenger, and an opposition to that which Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah were upon – the pious predecessors. [Read more on this link: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/ ]

Source: An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa-il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin Nushi War’irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ pages 11-14: By Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool [hafidhahullaah]. slightly paraphrased

Every Qualified And Upright Mujtahid Receives Reward, But The Figureheads of Bidah Stir Up Discord And Call It Ijtihaad – [A Hadeeth About Ijtihaad And a Statement of Shaikh Rabee Regarding The So Called Ijtihaadaat of Ahlul Bidah]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Amr bin AI-Aas [radiyallaahu anhu] narrated that he heard Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] saying, “If a Mujtahid gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct, he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, even then he will get a reward.
[Bukhari Number 7352]

Few Masaa’il From This Hadeeth

[1] A Mujtahid is not deprived of reward.

[2] The judgement of a non-Mujtahid is different from that of a Mujtahid. Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] said that the one who speaks about the religion without knowledge and out of ignorance, then indeed he has lied and sinned. The one who intentionally speaks to oppose the truth, he is threatened with entry into the fire of hell, as opposed to the affair of the one who speaks based on permissible Ijtihaad, for indeed he strives, fears Allaah as much as he is able, desires to seek knowledge as much as he was able, speaks for the sake of Allaah, knows the stronger proof and speaks based on that. This person is given two rewards if he is correct; but if he is mistaken, he receives one reward.

[3] A Mujtahid can be correct or mistaken. [Reg 1]

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee [hafidha-hullaah] said:

We do not say that there are people of ijtihaad amongst ahlul bidah because they are followers of desires, and Allaah and His Messenger have testified to this. The misguided innovator stirs up discord and errs, and then says to you, ‘This is ijtihaad’. When Hikmatiyaar and the misguided parties [in Afghanistan] murdered Shaikh Jameel Ur-Rahmaan, they said: “This is ijtihaad.” They [ahlul bidah] do not fall into an affair of misguidance or a calamity except that they say, “This is ijtihaad.”  This is [tantamount] to diluting Islaam, falsehood, misguidance, bidah and confounding truth with falsehood, when the mistakes of the [true and qualified scholars of ijtihaad]- for which they are rewarded- are placed at the same level with innovation, about which the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] declared to be destined for the hell fire. [Ref 2]

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[Ref 1] Source: Al-Arba’oona Hadeethaa Fee Usoolil Fiqh. pages 32-33. By Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool [hafidhahullaah]. slightly paraphrased

[Ref 2]Source: Ajwibatul Allaamatush Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee Al Madkhalee Alaa As-ilah Abee Rawaaha Al-Manhajiyyah page: 20. abridged

 

False labels- be it Abu Khadijites, Abu Hakimites etc – Will Not Distract Our Salafi Teachers In The West From Refuting The People of Baatil & Dalaal – By The Tawfeeq of Allaah – Whenever Necessary

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

After stating that which the student of knowledge should begin his call, such as Tawheed, Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baz [rahimahullaah] then said:

Then after that the student of knowledge is very eager not to hide anything he knows.  He is eager to clarify the truth and refute the opponents of the Religion of Islaam.  He is neither lackadaisical nor does he seek to escape.  He is always manifesting due to his endurance.

So when the opponents of Islaam appear with that which obscures and defames Islaam, he brings forth refutation against them by writing, and by word of mouth, and other than that. He is neither lackadaisical nor does he say, ”these affairs are for other than me”, rather he says, ”it is for me, it is for me”. Even if there are other scholars, he still fears that the affair will slip away.

So he is constantly salient and does not seek to escape, rather he comes forward at the appropriate time in order to aid the haqq, and refute the opponents of Islaam by writing and other than it…by means of the radio, or the newspapers, or TV, or through any means he can.

He also does not hide what he has of knowledge, rather he writes, gives khutbah and refutes the people of innovation and other than them amongst the opponents of Islaam, with what Allaah has bestowed upon him of strength, in accordance to his knowledge and with that which Allaah has made easy for him.

Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which WE have sent down, after WE have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allaah and cursed by the cursers.  Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed).  These, I will accept their repentance.  And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.

[Surah Al-Baqarah’ Aayah 160]

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Source: The Responsibilities of the Student of Knowledge (pages: 15-16). slightly paraphrased

 

[8] Series: Ahaadeeth Related to Uloom Al-Qur’aan – [Hadeeth Narrated By Abu Dhar Regarding The Fact That The Messenger Clarified All Affairs Needed By The Ummah Until The Day of Judgement]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Abu Dharr [radiyallaahu anhu] said: “Allaah’s Messenger [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] did not even leave a bird flapping its wings in the sky except that he mentioned to us knowledge regarding it.
[Reported by Imaam Ahmad in Al-Musnad 21439 & it is a Hasan Hadeeth]

 

Few Masaa’il Derived From This Hadeeth

[1] Indeed, the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] clarified everything that the Sahaabah needed in relation to knowledge of that which is going to take place in future. Al-Mugheerah Ibn Shu’bah [radiyallaahu anhu] said: “Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stood amongst us for a long time and then informed us about what will take place in his Ummah until the Day of Judgement. Some of us remembered it, and some of us forgot it.
[Report Imaam Ahmad in Al-Musnad 18224 & it is Saheeh Li- Ghayrihee]

 

[2] The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] clarified everything that was unknown to the Sahaabah regarding the meanings of the [Aayaat of the] Qur’aan.

 

[3] The different levels of the Sahaabah in relation to their knowledge of the Messenger’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] Ahaadeeth.

 

[4] Knowledge regarding the different levels of the Mufassireen.

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Source: Arba’oona Hadeethaa Fee Uloomil Qur’aan’ page 97. By Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool [hafidhahullaah]

Verify, Contemplate And Ask The Scholars Before Speaking, For Indeed Sometimes The Transmitters Harbour Evil Intentions Or Are Genuinely Mistaken! – A Brief Reminder By Shaikh Uthaymeen

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestowed of Mercy

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said:

Verification is one of the most important affairs, if not the most important. Verifying what is transmitted from others is an important affair, because sometimes the transmitters harbour evil intentions, so they transmit – intentionally and deliberately – that which will tarnish the reputation of the one they transmit from. And sometimes they do not harbour an evil intention, but they understand something in a manner that is opposite to what is intended by it.
Therefore, it is obligatory to verify. So, when the proof [sound source] of the transmission is established, then the one from whom the statement was transmitted is engaged in a discussion [or his statement is examined] before a judgement is passed to [establish] as to whether it is a mistake or not. That is because it may become clear to you – by way of discussion [or observation] – that the one from whom the statement was transmitted is correct.
And if not, then what is [well] known is that if a person were to immediately pass a judgement merely based on what he hears, he will transmit things [i.e. statements, views, opinions etc] from some of the scholars – those considered to be the beacons of [Sharee’ah] knowledge – that which the souls will dislike; but when one verifies, contemplates and attaches himself to the Shaikh [or has close contact with the Shaikh], he [i.e. the Shaikh] will make the affair clear for him.
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Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 75-76.
abridged & slightly paraphrased

A Faa’idah Related to Aayah Ninety ‘Surah An-Nahl’ -[By Sh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh (hafifhahullaah)]

Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone – Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed.


An Acknowledgement of The Respect Owed To The Upright Scholars And Students of Knowledge

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] said: They [i.e. (the upright) scholars and teachers] are the mediators between the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and his Ummah with regards to propagation of his religion and clarification of his sharee’ah. Had it not been for these ones, the people would have been like cattle. They are the ones who guide the Ummah in the fundamental and subsidiary affairs of their Religion. They return them to the rulings pertaining to the rights and dealings that are incumbent upon a person to fulfil, just as they return them to the affairs related to acts of worship. Through them, the Book and the Sunnah are established; truth is distinguished from falsehood, guidance is distinguished from misguidance, the lawful is distinguished from the unlawful, good is distinguished from evil, and [sound] rectification is distinguished from corruption.  They are of varying ranks, in accordance with what they establish of knowledge, teaching and benefit- great or small. They have great rights [to be fulfilled] by the ummah and are possessors of a lofty status.

Therefore, the people must have love and respect for them. They must recognise their excellence and virtue, and thank them greatly. They are to supplicate for them in private and public, and seek nearness to Allaah by having love for them and praising them. They are to proclaim their excellence; guard the hearts [from harbouring evil against them] and [prevent] the tongues [from] insulting them, for this would tarnish their excellence. [End of quote] [Ref 1]

Shaikh Uthaymeen’s [rahimahullaah] explanation in Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm:
Beware of the disease of the despots: (pride) [1]; for indeed pride, avarice and [blameworthy] envy were the first [sins] Allaah was disobeyed with. [2] So raising yourself above your teacher is pride [3]; and being arrogant towards the one who benefits you from amongst those who are below you [in knowledge] is pride; [4] and your falling short in acting upon knowledge is a sludge of pride and an indication of being deprived of [well-being]. [5]

[1] The Prophet said: Pride is to reject the truth and mock at the people.

[2] This refers to shaytaan’s behaviour when he was commanded to prostrate to Aadam, but pride prevented him from doing so. He refused and was haughty.

[3] Raising oneself can either be by way of the tongue [i.e. speech] and it can also be by way of sentiments [feelings, attitude, behaviour etc]. He [i.e. the student] might be walking with his teacher, whilst swaggering and saying: I did this and I did this.

[4] Likewise, being arrogant towards the one who is below you in knowledge is pride. This also occurs from some of the students. If someone below him in knowledge informs him of something, you find him arrogant and does not accept.

[5] We ask Allaah for wellbeing because from the types of pride is to not act upon the knowledge one knows. [Ref 2]


Ref 1: Source: Noorul Basaa-ir Wal Albaab Fee Ahkaamil Ibaadaat Wal-Mu-aamalaat Wal Huqooq Wal Aadaab, page: 57-58′ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Ref 2: Source: Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 38-40′ by Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah]. abridged & slightly paraphrased

Some Reasons Behind The Sinful Silence of Many of The Obstinate Rabble Rousers and Stooges of The Hizbiyyoon-[Freeing Themselves From The Deviated Leading Figureheads of Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth Uk -In Speech and Action – Is a Difficult Affair!]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Bringing Down The Leading Figure Heads Is A Difficult Affair

Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool [may Allaah preserve him] said:

This is how some of the people justify their stances towards Bidah and its people.  So whenever Bidah occurs from one of those people with fame, he refrains from exposing the bidah of that famous person and refrains from warning against him, [whilst claiming]  that to bring down the leading figure heads is a difficult affair.

This is a false justification from different angles.  From them:

[1]Men are known by way of the truth and truth is not known by way of men.  Know the truth and you will know its people.  This [figurehead] opposed the truth, agrees with ahlul bidah and utters their statements, therefore he is not upon truth and it is obligatory to warn against his falsehood.

[2]The obligation [in relation to this affair] is to give advice, enjoin good and forbid evil.  His fame is brought to an end due to his bidah- as a warning and sincere advice to the Muslims, so that they do not fall into the falsehood he has fallen into.

[3]Truth is above everyone and from the well-known statements in that regard is [the statement]: ‘’So and so is beloved to me, but the truth is more beloved to my heart than him.’’

Therefore, when you wilfully incline towards such and such a person and keep quiet about his bidah, you have given him precedence over the truth and raised him above it. And what is there after truth except misguidance!  So regarding this [stance of yours], you have given precedence to this person -who describe as a leading figure- over the truth and thus you fall into misguidance.

[4]This saying [i.e. it is difficult to bring them down etc] is in opposition to the way of the pious predecessors, [for] they used to speak about the people.

[5]The application of this statement is in opposition to the clear methodology established by the pious predecessors with regards to acquiring knowledge, and that is: ‘Indeed this knowledge [of the sharee’ah] is Religion, so look to the one you take your religion from.’’ Therefore, how about your situation with a man from whom you take Hadeeth, Tafseer, Aqeedah and Fiqh? Do you either keep quiet about the bidah he has [based on your] claim that speaking against the leading figure heads is a difficult affair, or do you speak about him and his innovation- making his affair well known as a warning and advice, so that the people are not deceived by him and his bidah? There is no doubt that what is obligatory is to give clarification, otherwise your silence is a fraud and deception against the Muslims. And perhaps you will be the cause of his bidah and and misguidance being spread amongst the people due this [silence of yours].

[6]The reality of this statement [i.e. it is hard to bring them down] is itself an application of the manhaj of Muwaazanaat [Ref 1].  It [i.e. Muwaazanaat] is a false methodology that ruins and dilutes the Religion, whereas the truth is clear and sublime.  And within this [Muwaazanaat] is termination of the truth and disappearance of its people, except that which Allaah wills.

[7]This statement [i.e. it is hard to bring them down] embraces illegal partisanship. It [embraces] love and hate for the sake of the one being described as a leading figure head.  He [i.e. this figure head] is made a basis for love and hate in replacement of the truth, and this [attitude] is from the characteristics of those people who follow the satanic paths- those who call their adherents to the hell fire.

[8]This statement [i.e. i.e. it is hard to bring them down] is not from the manhaj of the pious predecessors, for we have not heard the likes of this statement stated about anyone from the Imaams of the Salaf, and all good is found in following the pious predecessors and all evil is found in the bidah of those who came after.

[9]What is a leading figurehead in your view? In your view, how did this man become one of the leading figure heads?  Who is it that has either clarified for you or him that he is a leading figure head?  O my brother, a person should know his limitations.  It has been reported in an authentic hadeeth from Iyaad Bin Himaar that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘Allaah revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one is haughty towards another person nor oppressive towards another person.’

[10]The lowering of a man or being raised is something in the hands of Allaah, and He [The Most High] alternates it how He pleases and it is not in our control.

Fulfil the obligation you have been commanded and that is to clarify the truth; disapprove evil and warn against the bidah of this figure head.  If he accepts the [truth], humbles himself, returns to the [truth] and repents to Allaah, then Allaah will raise his status if He [The Most High] wills because Allaah raises one who humbles himself in His presence. But if he oppresses and transgresses, then this man is from Ahlul Bidah; [so] how can you shed tears for him and that he has been degraded?! Glorified Be Allaah and Free is He from all imperfections, weaknesses and faults!

[Source: Ibaaraat Moohimah’ pages 53-55’ abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Ref A: See articles about the bidah of Muwaazanaat:  http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ12&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

A Response To The Statement: Do Not Seek After The Mistakes of The People- [By Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool [may Allaah preserve him] said:

This statement is reiterated by some people when warning reaches them from one of the scholars or a student of knowledge against innovated statements [or views] that have occurred from some of the people, or when informed about mistakes committed in knowledge; so you find that his face becomes red, his [behaviour] changes and he says, ‘’Do not scrutinise the beliefs of the people and do not seek after mistakes.’’ The reality is that this statement is truth by way of which falsehood is intended in this particular instance.

Firstly: The right place to [make this statement] is when one seeks after secrets and hidden affairs that have neither manifested nor are there any factual evidence to substantiate that. The place [where this statement cannot be uttered] is  when innovation appears from one of [the people] or when one of them calls to falsehood, since there is a difference between that which is manifested and that which is either concealed and unknown or there is no indication to [affirm the affair].

Secondly: This statement of theirs will lead to the abandonment of warning against mistakes, innovation and falsehood, and the common people will be beguiled; rather even some of the students of knowledge will become heedless of this situation.

Thirdly: Was the speech of the Salaf in relation to warning against innovation and the people of falsehood not [carried out] from the angle of warning against false beliefs, innovations and affairs that are in opposition to the Sunnah?  So, how can it be said, ‘do not scrutinise the beliefs and mistakes of the people’ to a person who either warns against an innovation that has been manifested or points out a mistake committed by an individual?

Fourthly: Scrutinising the beliefs of the people by way of interrogation and trial as the Khaleefah Mamoon did with regards to the belief that the [Qur’aan is created], then this is an innovation that is warned against.  [However] to make a clarification and [issue] warning against an innovation that is propagated by some people, unveiling the falsehood of the callers to falsehood and warning against them, this is not from that [type of scrutiny that is disapproved].

Fifthly: Those who blame the one who unveils the [affairs] of the people of falsehood and issues warning against them, then it is either that they reject innovations or do not reject them!  If they reject innovation, point out mistakes and falsehood, and warn against them, then indeed they have pursued the right course by the Will of Allaah [The Most High]’ but why would they disapprove of those who take their place in renouncing innovation?! And if they do not warn the people against falsehood, then this [i.e. behaviour or stance of theirs] is not from the methodology of the Salaf and it suffices as a rebuke against them.

Sixthly: It has been reported in Durar As-Saniyyah [1/33] that the Imaam, the Mujaddid, Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] said: I hold that the people of innovation are to be boycotted and their affair is to be made known until they repent.  I pass judgement against them based on what is apparent and I leave their secrets [or hidden] affairs to Allaah.  And I believe that every newly invented matter in the Religion is an innovation.

This [statement of Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] is the statement of a Salafiy Athariy [i.e. a true follower of the Salaf and the authentic narrations] that emanates from the statement of Umar Ibnul Khattaab [radiyallaahu-anhu] when he said:

”People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of a Divine Inspiration during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle but now there is no longer any more (new revelation). Now we judge you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will trust and favour the one who does good deeds in front of us, and we will not call him to account about what he is really doing in secret, for Allah will judge him for that; but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.’’ [Saheeh Bukhaari; Vol 3; Hadith Number:2641]

So examine the statement of Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] when he said: ”I judge [ahlul bidah] based upon what is apparent” and examine the statement of Umar Ibnul Khattaab [radiyallaahu-anhu] when he said, ”But we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.”  Then examine the [affair] of that person who disapproves of one who warns against ahlul bidah and exposes their falsehood- claiming that ]this warning against ahlul bidah] is tantamount to [blameworthy] scrutiny of the Aqeedah of the people.  Is this [statement of his] correct? Glorified and Exalted You are, O My Lord!  Is not judgement passed against the people except through what is apparent?! This principle affirmed by Al Faarooq, Umar Ibnul Khattaab [radiyallaah-anhu] is utiliseed in in warning against a person of innovation when he manifests his innovation.

The Stance of Imaam Ahmad towards Daawood Ibn Ali Al- Asbahaanee

Daawood Ibn Ali Al-Asbahaanee came to Saaleh Ibn Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal with whom he used to have a good relationship.  So he [Daawood] spoke to Saaleh Ibn Imaam Ahmad to make it easy for him to meet his father. So Saaleh approached Imaam Ahmad [i.e. his father] and said: A man asked me to bring him to you.

Imaam Ahmad said: What is his name?

Saaleh replied: Daawood.

Imaam Ahmad said: Where is he from?

Saaleh replied: He is from the people of Asbahaan.

Imaam Ahmad said: Has he being [involved] in fabricating anything?

At this point: Saaleh refrained from describing Daawood to his father [Imaam Ahmad].  So he [Imaam Ahmad] did not stop enquiring about Daawood until he knew who he was.  Then he said: Muhammad Bin Yahyaa An-Naysabooree wrote to me about this [Daawood] saying that he [Daawood] claims that the Qur’aan is something that was brought into existence [i.e. created], so do not bring him near me.

Saaleh said: O my father! he [Daawood] has negated and renounced this [statement].

Imaam Ahmad replied: Muhammad Bin Yahyaa is more trustworthy than him.  I do not give you permission to bring him to me.

O my brother! Contemplate upon the stance of Imaam Ahmad.  He is the Imaam of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah in his adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and the narrations of the Sahaabah; so did he use to scrutinise the beliefs of the people and seek after their mistakes?!  So examine his [above conversation with his son Saaleh] as well as the statement of Umar Ibnul Khattaab mentioned earlier, ”But we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.”

Therefore, the statement of Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] is certified by the statements of the Rightly Guided Khaleefah Umar Ibnul Khattaab [radiyallaahu-anhu] and that of Imaam Ahmad Bin Hanbal [rahimahullaah].


[1] Source: ‘Ibaaraat Moohimah’ pages 66-69. slightly paraphrased]

[Whoever Does Not Make Tabdee of a Mubtadi is a Mubtadi Himself]! – Unveiling The Fraudulent Claims of The Rabble Rousers and Stooges of The Hizbiyyoon Who Claim That The Salafiyyoon Apply This Statement Unrestrictedly

Inn The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Whoever does not make Tabdee of a Mubtadi is himself a Mubtadi!

Shaikh Rabee [may Allaah preserve him] stated:

It is not correct to apply this principle unrestrictedly because it maybe that he is unaware of the Bidah committed by that person, therefore he refrains from declaring him an innovator due to Wara [apprehensive fear]. [1] Why should you declare him an innovator? [i.e. why should you declare him an innovator when it is the case that he is unaware of the bidah of that Mubtadi or refrains from making Tabdee out of apprehensive fear].

But if he knows the innovator, [i.e. knows that such a person is upon bidah due to which the evidence was established against him], loves him and allies with him, then he is a Mubtadi.  This is the distinction in this affair – he knows that that person is a Mubtadi but he aids him and wages war against Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah, then he is a mubtadi without a doubt. As for a person who does not know that such and such person is a Mubtadi, he is not to be declared an innovator.

[As for] you  [i.e. the scholar or student of knowledge who is qualified to make Tabdee] – the one who studied the affair of [that person] and you know that he allies with a Mubtadi, puts him in a favourable position, wages war against Ahlus Sunnah for the sake of that Mubtadi and for the sake of this falsehood, this person is a Mubtadi; misguided.

As for the person who does not know that indeed such and such person is a mubtadi, then advise him and clarify for him [i.e. with clear unambiguous proofs until he understands] that such person is a mubtadi. So unless he ceases [i.e. refrains from defending this mubtadi after understanding the evidences], then put him with his companion – the mubtadi. [Source: Awnul Baari 2/891..slightly paraphrased & abridged]


[1]Translation of the tern [Al-Wara -Apprehensive fear] was taken from one of Ustaadh Amjad Rafiq’s [may Allaah preserve him] articles.