Skip to main content

Month: March 2024

[7] Salaf aspired to see that one closely examines his character

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “I find that the majority of Muhadditheen and students of hadeeth focus on acquiring hadeeth with the closest chain of transmission from the Prophet and gathering authentic Ahaadeeth on a specific subject in religion. On the other hand, most jurists concentrate on the science of debate and gaining an advantage. How can the heart be softened only through these pursuits?! Indeed, the pious predecessors aspired to see that a righteous individual should examine his character and guidance and not only give consideration to knowledge he has acquired, as his character and upright guidance are the fruits of his knowledge. Therefore, in order to soften their hearts, the students of Hadeeth and Fiqh should also study the lives of the pious predecessors and those pious ones who sufficed with the necessities of this life and abandoned those things which one can do without. Books have been compiled on the lives of well-known figures such as Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Sufyaan Ath-Thawri, Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham, Bishr Al-Haafiy, Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Ma’roof, and others among the scholars.

An Excerpt from ‘Saydul khaatir’ Page 171. Daar Ibn Rajab. 1st edition 2003

[6] Salaf’s reprimand against hasty and over-confident youth

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Abdullah Bin Ahmad [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: I heard my father [Imam Ahmad – may Allah have mercy upon him] being asked: “Why did you not hear a lot (of hadith) from Ibrahim Bin Sa’d [may Allah have mercy upon him] and indeed he did stay next to you in the house of Amarah?” He said: “We attended his gathering once and he narrated to us. When the second session was held, he saw youth putting themselves forward (or speaking) before the elders, so he became angry and said, ‘By Allah! I will not narrate for a year’. He died and did not narrate (thereafter)”.

Siyar A’laam An-Nubula 11/317

[5] Salaf’s lofty manners in the presence of their elders and contemporaries

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Ibn Abbas stood up next to Zaid Bin Thabit [may Allah be pleased with both of them] and held the stirrup of his riding beast. Zaid said to him, “Step aside, O cousin of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]”. Ibn Abbas said to him, “This is what we do for our scholars and elders”. (1)

Salamah Bin Kuhail [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “Ash-Shabi and Ibrahim An-Nakha’i [may Allah have mercy upon upon both of them] never sat together except that Ibrahim remained silent, and  both of them were Taabi’een”. (2)


(1) Al-Muntadhim Fee Taareekh Al-Muluk Wal Umam 5/215

(2)Taareekh Dimashq 25/367

[4] Salaf’s – (teachers and their outstanding senior students) – amazing respect for each other

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Muhammad Ibn Raafi said: I was with Ahmad (Imam Ahmad) and Ishaq in the company of Abdur Razzaaq when the day of Eidul Fitr arrived, so we went out with Abdur Razzaaq to the Musalla and with us were many people. When we returned, Abdur Razzaaq invited us to lunch, then he said to Ahmad and Ishaq, “Today I saw something strange from both of you. You did not say the Takbir”. Ahmad and Ishaq said, “O father of Abu Bakr! We were waiting for you to say the Takbir so that we could say the Takbir, but when we saw that you did not say the Takbir, we refrained”. Abdur Razzaaq said, “I was waiting for both of you to say the Takbir so that I could say the Takbir”.

Siyar A’laam An-Nubula a 9/566

Food for thought for those youth whose books and audio tapes not only isolates them from the study circles of their elders and contemporaries, but also makes them feel entitled  to strange or weak opinions and gives them the courage to argue against elder students when they are told to restrain their egos and adhere to the unambiguous knowledge based proofs.

والله المستعان

[2] Salaf honoured the teachers, especially their elders

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Marwazi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Abu Abdillah [Imam Ahmad – may Allah have mercy upon him] used to be from those who honoured his fellow Muslim brothers the most and those who were older than him. One time, Abu Hammam [may Allah have mercy upon him] came to him on a donkey, so he held the stirrup of the riding beast for him. I witnessed him doing the same for the eldest Shaikhs”.

Al-Aadaab Ash-Shar’iyyah 1/416

[1] Salaf honoured the teacher and distanced from behaviour that compromise his status in the gatherings

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Idris Bin Abdul Karim said: “Salamah Bin Aasim said to me: “I want to hear Kitaab Al-Adad from khalaf”. I said, “Khalaf?” He said: “Let him come”. When Khalaf entered, he tried to make Salamah sit in the teacher’s place, but he refused, and said: “I will not sit except in front of you”. Then he said, “This is the right of learning”. Khalaf  said to him: “Ahmad Ibn Hanbal came to me to listen to the narrations of Abu Awanah, so I tried make him sit and transmit, but he refused and said: “I will not sit except in front of you. We are commanded to be humble in the presence of the one from whom we learn”.

Al-Jaami Li-Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi Wa Aadaab As-Saami 1/198

[1] “He has a large number of followers on social media” or “Many people retweet him”

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan [may Allah preserve him] stated: A large number of people around a person is not proof that such a person is virtuous because some of the Prophets were only followed by a few people. “A Prophet will come on the day of judgment with a few followers and a Prophet will come with no followers”. [Bukhaari 5705]. Therefore, does this mean that such a Prophet is not virtuous? Absolutely not! A person does not look at the large number of people who are present because the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said to Ali, “If Allah gives guidance to a single man through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels”. [Bukhaari 3009] [1]

The Shaikh also stated: Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah are not harmed by those who oppose them. If you are with them- all praise is due to Allah, they are pleased with this because they want good for the people. If you oppose them, you cannot harm them and due to this the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]said, “There will not cease to be a group of my Ummah who will be manifest upon the truth- not harmed by those who forsake them until the command of Allah comes to pass (i.e. the day of judgment) whilst they are upon the (truth)”. The one in opposition does not harm except himself. What is given consideration is not the large numbers; rather what is given consideration is to agree with the truth, even if a small number of people were upon it. And even if in some eras there is only one person (upon truth), he is the one upon truth and he is the Jamaa’ah. The Jamaa’ah does not necessitate large numbers; rather the Jamaa’ah is what is in agreement with the truth – in agreement with the Book and the Sunnah, even if those upon it are few. However, if many come together upon truth, then – all praise is due to Allaah- this is strength; but if the majority oppose it (i.e. the truth), we side with the truth even if only a few are upon it”. [2]

Imaam Abu Shaamah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “When the command to adhere to the Jamaa’ah (the main body) is (mentioned), then the intent behind it is to adhere to the truth, even if those who follow it are few and those who oppose it are numerous. That is because the truth is that which the first Jamaa’ah was upon- the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and his companions [may Allah be pleased with them]- and one does not give consideration to the numerous people of falsehood”. [3]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: Let every Muslim be careful of being deceived by the great numbers [of people upon such and such idea, view, belief, way of life, etc], whilst saying, “Indeed, the people have become such and such, and have become accustomed to such and such, so I am with them”. This is a great calamity, for indeed many people of the past were destroyed due to this [i.e. blindly following the majority]. Therefore, O sensible one! It is obligated on you to examine yourself; take account of yourself and adhere to the truth, even if the people abandon it. Beware of what Allaah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّه ِ -And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. [Surah Al An-aam Ayah 116]

And Allah [The Most High] said: [ وَمَآ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ-And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly]. [Surah Yusuf Ayah 103] [4]

Al-Allaamah Muqbil Bin Haadee Al-Waadi’ee may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “If numbers are the scale by way of which you judge, then the majority are mostly blameworthy; and if persuasive speech and eloquence is the scale by way of which you judge, then indeed Allah described the Munaafiqoon that they have tongues that utter beautiful speech. Allah said: [وَإِن يَقُولُواْ تَسۡمَعۡ لِقَوۡلِهِمۡ – And when they speak, you listen to their words]. [Surah Al-Munaafiqoon. Ayah 4]

Therefore, what is given consideration is that one knows the people of truth by their characteristics – that they call to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, and companions], and they neither desire reward from the people nor seeking to be thanked. [5]


[1] An Excerpt from ‘I’aanah Al-Mustafeed Bi-Sharhi Kitaab At-Tawheed’ pages 97-98 Publisher: Ar-Risaalah Publishers 1st edition 1428AH (Year 2007). Slightly paraphrased

[2] An Excerpt from ( لمحة عن الفرق الضالة )– pages 14 -15

[3] Al-Baa’ith Alaa Inkaaril Bid’ah Wal-Hawaadith’ page 22

[4] An Excerpt from ‘Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/ 412-416

[5] قم المعاند – 2/547

Some Views of Zionism’s Crackpots: [Yair Netanyahu, Ehud Olmert, Eli Yishai, Bezalel Smotrich, Tally Gotliv, Ben Gvir Itamar, Lehi, and Arieh King]

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَإِذَا قُلۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡدِلُواْ وَلَوۡ ڪَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰ‌ۖ

And when you testify, be just, even if (it concerns) a near relative. [1]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allah preserve him] stated: When you testify by way of a statement to judge between people, differentiate between them in a discourse, and speak regarding matters and circumstances, be just in your speech, adhere to truthfulness regarding those you love and those you hate, be fair and do not conceal what needs to be made clear because it is forbidden and tantamount to injustice to divert (from justice and fairness) when speaking against the one you hate. [2]

When Elon Musk visited the Zionists in Palestine recently, he expressed his thoughts about the blueprint for prosperity after the current conflict ends. He said, “And then the second thing is to change the education so that a new generation of murderers is not created”. [End of quote]

First, no rational person would support Hamas or any other group that attacks some of the defenceless civilians and non-combatants under Netanyahu’s Zionist/Far-right government, if this comment was made in light of such transgression. Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allah preserve him] stated: “We condemn everyone who opposes the Divine Legislation by killing innocent civilians, including non-combatant men, the elderly, women, children, priests, monks, and the likes, no matter who they are, Muslim or non-Muslim, whether ISIS, al-Qaeda, Hamas, Boko Haram or Benjamin Mileikowsky, the IDF, Settlers, and their likes. Our condemnation is on the basis that such actions are unjust and oppose Divine Legislation and not because of the race or ethnicity or religion of the perpetrators, and thus we are able to maintain moral consistency and integrity”. https://abuiyaad.com/a/amalekite-genocide-doctrine-gaza

Second, no group needs more education than the Zionist supporters of Netanyahu’s Zionist/far-right regime, given their inclination towards mass murder and racism, as well as their justification of transgressions committed under the guise of self-defence. Recently, Zionist Netanyahu quoted the abrogated Hebrew Bible and the destruction of Amalak to try and justify the murder of defenceless women and children in Gaza. Read here: https://abuiyaad.com/a/amalekite-genocide-doctrine-gaza

Netanyahu’s son, Yair Netanyahu, stated on Facebook in 2018: “There will not be peace in here until 1. All the Jews leave the land of Israel. 2. All the Muslims leave the land of Israel. I prefer the second”.

When rebuked for this vile arrogance, he increased in arrogance saying, “Why are people who have been calling for years to evacuate the settlers and establish a Palestinian state free of Jews shocked by this post?” When Facebook deleted his post, he shared a screenshot of the original post and rebuked them, saying: “thought police”. He was then blocked for 24 hours over his violation of Facebook’s community guidelines.

 

In 2006, the Zionist Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, “Israeli lives are worth more than Palestinian ones”.

The Independent Newspaper

 

In 2012, the Zionist Interior Minister Eli Yishai said, “The goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages. Only then will Israel be calm for 40 years”.

 

In 2021  the Zionist far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “You are here by mistake because Ben Gurion didn’t finish the job and throw you out in 1948”.

The times of Israel

 

Female Zionist, Tally Gotliv – a Zionist lawyer, politician, and a member of the Knesset for the Likud party of Zionist Netanyahu- stated recently on X (twitter) regarding retaliation: “Jericho Missile! Jericho Missile! Strategic alert. Before considering the introduction of forces. Doomsday weapon! This is my opinion. May God preserve all our strength”.

 

Ben Gvir Itamar- a Zionist lawyer, far-right politician, the Minister of National Security since 2022, a member of the Knesset, and leader of Otzma Yehudit – stated on X (Twitter): “As long as Hamas does not release the hostages, the only thing that needs to enter Gaza are hundreds of tons of explosives from the airforce, not an ounce of humanitarian aid”

Indeed, whoever carries out research will neither forget nor become oblivious to the fact that the conflict since 1948 stems from the Zionist movement and the consequences of its paramilitary actions in Palestine. This situation was established in part because of Zionist terrorist groups like Lehi, Haganah, and Irgun. These terrorist groups were responsible for the Nakba, the migration of the Palestinian people from their homeland, as well as sabotage, and attacks on civilian infrastructure, railways, and airfields. Furthermore, these terrorist groups and their commanders assimilated into the Zionist state when it declared independence. In addition to the Palestinian people, the British Mandate in Palestine was the target of these terrorist attacks. As one of the first significant acts of terrorism in the Middle East’s modern history, the King David Hotel bombing in Jerusalem in 1946 was a prime example. Therefore, the priority must be to educate and deradicalise Zionists and their adherents because, before their rise to power, Jews and Muslims coexisted despite the latter’s practice of a path that is considered abrogated in the Sight of Allah.

Recently, Zionist Arieh King, deputy mayor of Jerusalem, stated in a deleted tweet regarding some Palestinian non-combatant males detained by the Zionist army for interrogation to determine their Hamas affiliation:

There is no need to comment on his statement that the arrested non-combatant Palestinians are subhuman because we know who is behaving like spotted hyenas on a rampage and slaying nearly over 30000 Palestinians at present, including children. However, we will comment on both his statements referring to those non-combatants as ants and his statement “To protest the memory of Amalek, we will not forget.”

Indeed, even the ants during the time of Prophet Sulayman [peace be upon him and his father] knew that they would not be oppressed. Allah says:

وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيۡمَـٰنَ جُنُودُهُ ۥ مِنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِ وَٱلطَّيۡرِ فَهُمۡ يُوزَعُونَ
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوۡاْ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمۡلِ قَالَتۡ نَمۡلَةٌ۬ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمۡلُ ٱدۡخُلُواْ مَسَـٰكِنَڪُمۡ لَا يَحۡطِمَنَّكُمۡ سُلَيۡمَـٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُ ۥ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكً۬ا مِّن قَوۡلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوۡزِعۡنِىٓ أَنۡ أَشۡكُرَ نِعۡمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٲلِدَىَّ وَأَنۡ أَعۡمَلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا تَرۡضَٮٰهُ وَأَدۡخِلۡنِى بِرَحۡمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

And there were gathered before Sulaiman (Solomon) his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forwards). Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: “O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not.” So he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech, and said: “My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves.” [Surah An-Naml. Ayaat 17-19]

The ant sought an excuse for (Sulayman’s) army if they would have harmed its colony because they were unaware of their presence, and it blamed its colony if they failed to take safeguards by not entering their dwelling place. Sulaymaan [peace be upon him] smiled as a result of this because it is something that should amaze and make someone smile. [3] The ant knew Sulaymaan’s affair and that of his army, exalted Sulaymaan’s authority, and excused them if they crushed its colony because that would have occurred unintentionally. Sulaymaan heard the ant’s speech and understood it, so he smiled due to being amazed by the ant’s eloquence, advice, and fine expression. [4]

Indeed, this is only one of the Prophets’ and Messengers’ remarkable manners. They never intended to hurt anyone; rather, even those small animals (the ants) were assured that Prophet Sulayman [peace be upon him] and his subjects would not harm them intentionally- neither in speech nor deed. Compare this to the attitude of Zionists, who make a speech calling for mass murder and then launch a purposeful bombing campaign to kill thousands of noncombatant Palestinians, whilst certain that the innocent victims will include thousands of children. Compare how the ant advised its colony to enter their dwellings to avoid being unintentionally harmed by Prophet Sulaymaan’s army to how the Zionist army tells non-combatant Palestinians to relocate to this or that area for safety, then conflict begins in the same area they designated as a safe-haven. As a result, Elon Musk must remember that Zionists require more education and deradicalization than anyone else.

As for Mr. King’s statement “To protest the memory of Amalek, we will not forget”, this link contains its appropriate response. https://abuiyaad.com/a/amalekite-genocide-doctrine-gaza

 

Read articles by Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allah preserve him]:

Professor of Jewish Studies David J Wasserstein: How Islam Saved the Jews

https://abuiyaad.com/a/how-islam-saved-jews

The Just and Kind Dealings of the Prophet (ﷺ) with the Jews
https://abuiyaad.com/a/prophet-dealings-jews


[1] Translator: Shaikh Abu Iyaad. NobleQur’an

[2] An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah’ 2/279-282)

[4] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi

 

[22] Seeking to Discredit Scholars of Ahlul Athar! [“We will not blindly follow Al-Fawzaan to abandon Hijaab”]

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Mad’khalee [may Allah preserve him] said: It has become common nowadays to reject scholars’ statements (i.e. their sound verdicts) by using statements whose apparent meaning is sound, but those who utter them intend falsehood. “I do not blindly follow”, despite that you find him to be ignorant, lacks understanding in religious matters, and is among those who are greatly in need of Taqlid and following the scholars. There is an ignorant person who needs to make Taqlid. [I] It is incumbent on him to make Taqlid of the scholars. The student of knowledge can determine the correctness of a particular scholar through evidence and then follow that person based on evidence. This is a step higher than Taqleed but below the level of the Mujtahid. Some individuals may claim, “I don’t follow blindly,” but in truth, he is an ordinary person, an evildoer, or a malicious person trying to discredit scholars and distance people from them through these cunning ways. Therefore, the youth should be cautious lest they fall into the trap of these fools – those who speak ill of the scholars in such a heedless manner.

“I do not blindly follow such and such”. We say to him “Who commands you to blindly follow if you are a student of knowledge?! However, if that scholar about whom you say, “I do not blindly follow him” has truth with him, would it be permissible to reject the truth through this illusion which you call Taqleed and intend falsehood by way of it?! I warn the youth against this despicable behaviour. It has become rife amongst the common people and prevents them from good manners, (sound adherence to) religion, and (good) character. [1]

Indeed, Bid’ee, Muhammad Hijaab’s deviation from the right path is clear, so only one who is duped or a foolish person would ignore the evidence-based proof regarding his corrupt beliefs and deeds. Read: Muhammad Hijab, the Falasifah, Mutafalsifah and Jahmiyyah: Laying the Foundations for the Dīn of the Philosophers and Jahmites:

https://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/fespl-muhammad-hijab-the-falasifah-mutafalsifah-and-jahmiyyah.cfm

https://abukhadeejah.com/muhammad-hijab-revilement-of-sahabah-ahlus-sunnah/

As for his vile mockery of Al-Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) or any other upright scholar, his wrongful actions can be summed up in the following poem:

يُخاطِبُني السَفيهُ بِكُلِّ قُبحٍ
فَأَكرَهُ أَن أَكونَ لَهُ مُجيبا
يَزيدُ سَفاهَةً فَأَزيدُ حِلماً
كَعودٍ زادَهُ الإِحراقُ طيبا

The fool addresses me with every repugnant (expression etc), but I hate to be a respondent, so he increases in foolishness and I increase in forbearance, just as Oud increases in good smell when burnt.

——————————————–

[I] Read: The Prohibited and Permissible Forms of Taqlid

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060005&articlePages=1

The Methodology of the Salaf Concerning Ijtihad and Taqlid
http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060001&articlePages=1


[1] An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm pages 61-62. Slightly paraphrased

Clarity is essential when it comes to the statement: “An indication that a person has been forsaken by Allah is when they involve themselves in matters that are not relevant to them.”

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

From Abūī Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) who said: The Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) said, “From the excellence of a man’s Islām is his abandonment of that which does not concern him.” [1]

Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Umari [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “If a servant of Allah keeps away from the doubtful matters due to fear of falling into the forbidden and ruining one’s hereafter, he will abandon what does not concern him and will concern himself with what concerns him”.  [2]

Umar Bin Abdul Azeez [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Whoever makes his speech reckon with his actions, then his speech in that which does not concern him will be little”. [3]

 

The Above Admonition Should Be Placed In Its Appropriate context

Allah [The Most High] says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۖ لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ مَنْ ضَلَّ إِذَا اهْتَدَيْتُمْ ۚ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the right guidance no hurt can come to you from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allah, then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do] [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayah 105]

Meaning: Strive to rectify and perfect your souls and keep them firm upon the straight path because if you are righteous, you will not be harmed by the one who deviated from the straight path and is not guided to the upright religion; rather he only harms himself.  (However), this does not indicate that a servant (of Allah) is not harmed if he abandons enjoining good and forbidding evil, and is negligent towards it because his guidance will not be complete except through fulfilling what is obligated to him with regards to enjoining good and forbidding evil.  Yes, if he is (genuinely) unable to stop evil with his hand and his tongue, but rejects it in his heart, then indeed he will not be harmed by the misguidance of others. [4]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him] was asked: “Is enjoining good and forbidding evil by the hand obligated to all Muslims, or is it for only those in authority and their deputies?

Stopping evil is obligated to all Muslims according to their ability because the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: “Whoever sees evil, let them stop it with their hand; if not able, then with their tongue, and if not able, then with his heart and that is the weakest of Imaan”. [Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi & others] However, stopping evil with the hand must be based on ability and should not result in greater corruption or evil. People should not stop something with their hands anything they are not authorised to stop.  If they do so, it will result in more evil and great corruption between them and the people, and between the people and the state. [5]

 

Teachers and Students Must Enjoin Good and Forbid Evil, and There Can Be No Illegal Partisanship on Any Matter

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

ﻭﻟﻴﺲ ﻟﻠﻤﻌﻠﻤﻴﻦ ﺃﻥ ﻳﺤﺰﺑﻮﺍ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱ
ﻭﻳﻔﻌﻠﻮﺍ ﻣﺎ ﻳﻠﻘﻲ ﺑﻴﻨﻬﻢ ﺍﻟﻌﺪﺍﻭﺓ ﻭﺍﻟﺒﻐﻀﺎﺀ،
ﺑﻞ ﻳﻜﻮﻧﻮﻥ ﻣﺜﻞ ﺍﻷﺧﻮﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﻌﺎﻭﻧﻴﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ
ﺍﻟﺒﺮ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻘﻮﻱ ﻛﻤﺎ ﻗﺎﻝ ﺗﻌﺈﻟﻰ
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الإثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ
وليس لأحد منهم أن يأخذ على أحد عهداً بموافقته على كل ما يريده وموالاة من يواليه ومعاداة من يعاديه،بل من فعل هذا كان من جنس جنكز خان وأمثاله الذين يجعلون من وافقهم صديقاً واليا، ومن خالفهم عدوَّا باغيا، بل عليهم وعلى أتباعهم عهد الله ورسوله بأن يطيعوا الله ورسوله ويفعلوا ما أمر الله ورسوله ويحرموا ما حرم الله ورسوله ويرعوا حقوق المعلمين كما أمر الله ورسوله، فإن كان أستاذ أحد مظلوماً نصره، وإن كان ظالماً لم يعاونه على الظلم بل يمنعه منه كما ثبت في الصحيح أنه قال:
(انصر أخاك ظالماً أو مظلوماً. قيل: يا رسول الله: أنصره مظلوماً فكيف أنصره ظالماً؟. قال تمنعه من الظلم فذلك نصرك إياه).
وإذا وقع بين معلم ومعلم أو تلميذ وتلميذ أو معلم وتلميذ خصومة ومشاجرة لم يجز لأحد أن يعين أحدهما حتى يعلم الحق، فلا يعاونه بجهل ولا بهوى، بل ينظر في الأمر، فإذا تبين له الحق أعان المحق منهما على المبطل سواء كان المحق من أصحابه أو أصحاب غيره، وسواء كان المبطل من أصحابه أو أصحاب غيره، فيكون المقصود عبادة الله وحده وطاعة رسوله واتباع الحق والقيام بالقسط
قال تعالى
يا أيها الذين آمنوا كونوا قوامين بالقسط شهداء لله ولو على أنفسكم أو الوالدين والأقربين، إن يكن غنياً أو فقيراً فالله أولى بهما، فلا تتبعوا الهوى أن تعدلوا وإن تلووا أو تعرضوا فإن الله كان بما تعملون خبيراً

It not allowed for the teachers to initiate (illegal) partisanship between the people and do that which would cause enmity and hatred between them; but rather they should be brothers who cooperate upon righteousness and piety, as Allaah [The Exalted] says: [وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ – Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa [virtue, righteousness and piety]; but do not help one another in sin and transgression]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayah 2]

It is not allowed for anyone of them to receive a pledge from anyone to be in agreement with him in everything he wants – having allegiance to the one he is allied to and enmity against the one he harbours enmity, and whoever does this is similar to Genghis Khan and his ilk (in this affair), who take as their loyal friends the one in agreement with them and the one who oppose them as a rebellious enemy; rather it is obligated on them and their followers (i.e. the teachers) to fulfil the covenant of Allah and His Messenger by obeying Allah and His Messenger, doing that which Allah and His Messenger have commanded, declare unlawful that which Allah and His Messenger have declared unlawful, and preserve the rights of the teachers in the manner commanded by Allah and His Messenger. So, if one’s teacher is oppressed, he should help him; but if the teacher is the oppressor, he should not aid him in his act of oppression; rather he forbids him from it, as it has been established in the authentic books of hadeeth that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari 2444]

If an argument and dispute occur between a teacher and another teacher, or between a student and another student, it is not permissible for anyone to help one of them until he knows the truth – neither to aid him based on ignorance nor desires; rather he examines the affair, so if the truth becomes clear to him, he helps the one who deserves to be helped (due to him being upon the truth) against the one upon error – regardless whether the one who deserves to be helped is one of his companions or the companion of someone else, or whether the one upon error is one of his companions or the companion of someone else. Therefore, the aim is only to worship Allah alone, obedience to Allah’s Messenger, adherence to truth, and establishment of justice. Allah [The Exalted] says:

يا أيها الذين آمنوا كونوا قوامين بالقسط شهداء لله ولو على أنفسكم أو الوالدين والأقربين، إن يكن غنياً أو فقيراً فالله أولى بهما، فلا تتبعوا الهوى أن تعدلوا وإن تلووا أو تعرضوا فإن الله كان بما تعملون خبيراً

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 135] [6]

Dangers of a brotherhood devoid of enjoining good and forbidding evil

Al-Allaamah Saalih al Fawzaan [may Allah preserve him] said: When punishment descends on the disobedient ones, it touches both the righteous and the wicked, except the one who rejects evil. Indeed he (the one who rejected evil) will be saved. As for the one who did not reject evil, he will be destroyed even if he is a righteous person. He will be destroyed along with those who are destroyed, just as what took place with Ashaabus Sabt (those who violated the Sabbath). Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] did not mention anything concerning those who kept quiet (i.e. those who refrained from rejecting evil); rather He only mentioned those who forbade evil. As for the second group, those who said: [ وَإِذۡ قَالَتۡ أُمَّةٌ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ لِمَ تَعِظُونَ قَوۡمًا‌ۙ ٱللَّهُ مُهۡلِكُهُمۡ أَوۡ مُعَذِّبُہُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدً۬ا‌ۖ – Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?] (Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 164), Allaah kept quiet about them (i.e. those who made this statement), no information is given regarding whether they were either amongst the destroyed or those saved. What is apparent is that they were amongst the destroyed.

Allah says:
لُعِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُ ۥدَ وَعِيسَى ٱبۡنِ مَرۡيَمَ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ بِمَا عَصَواْ وَّڪَانُواْ يَعۡتَدُونَ
ڪَانُواْ لَا يَتَنَاهَوۡنَ عَن مُّنڪَرٍ۬ فَعَلُوهُ‌ۚ لَبِئۡسَ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَفۡعَلُونَ

Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Daawood and Eesaa, son of Maryam. That was because they disobeyed (Allaah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from evil which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayaat 78-79]

After the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] recited this statement of Allah, he said, “The reason being cursed was because they did not forbid one another from evil which they committed. So Allah cursed all of them”. He said, “‘By no means, I swear by Allah, you must enjoin good and forbid evil, prevent the wrongdoer, bend him into conformity with what is right, and restrict him to what is right, or Allaah will mingle your hearts together and curse you as He cursed them”. [Abu Dawud] [7] [End of quote]

Human perfection
https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2023/12/15/the-pinnacle-of-human-perfection-is-attained-through-four-qualities/

Finally, any opinions held by individuals that such and such affairs do not concern me or others must be supported by clarity rather than mere assertions. Similarly, asserting that a particular individual is unfit to judge a matter cannot be based solely on unfounded claims; instead, it should be accompanied by clear justification. Furthermore, what may not concern or impact us in specific or general situations may still be relevant to others. Therefore, before making broad statements and attempting to apply them universally, it is important to thoroughly examine and specify the issue at hand, or the very least, offer guidance on the most appropriate course of action if it is believed that the current approach is incorrect. Lastly, when it comes to general statements that may seem reasonable but require clarification, they should either be critically questioned based on the circumstances or else they may lead to confusion and ambiguity. And Allah knows best.


[1] https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/12/interest-in-the-beneficial

[2] Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page:117

[3] Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page: 122

[4] Tafsir As-Sadi

[5] Fataawa Ibn Baaz 8/208

[6] Majmoo Al-Fataawaa. 28/15-17

[7] The Means To Safety For The Ummah. page 5