Reflections from some statements of Al-Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali [27 of 80]

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

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).

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 Allah [The Exalted] said: [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]. [Al-Ma’idah. 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.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari 2444] [End of quote] [1] [paraphrased]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, commented on the above statement as follows: “Today, this is almost absent among the Islamic groups. With great regret, he (the individual) aids his brother, whether they are oppressors or victims, following a methodology reminiscent of (a trait of) pre-Islamic ignorance. Without a doubt, this is a well known issue. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we repent to Allah, and return to the truth that our Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, nurtured us upon, which Allah wants for us- to be lovers of truth and its helpers. [2] [paraphrased] [End of quote]

Then Shaikh al-Islam, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

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
يقال: لوى يلوي لسانه، فيخبر بالكذب، والإعراض أن يكتم الحق، فإن الساكت عن الحق شيطان أخرس، ومن مال مع صاحبه سواء كان الحق له أو عليه فقد حكم بحكم الجاهلية، وخرج عن حكم الله ورسوله.
والواجب على جميعهم أن يكونوا يدا واحدة مع المحق على المبطل فيكون المعظم عندهم من عظمه الله ورسوله، والمحبوب عندهم من أحبه الله ورسوله، والمهان عندهم من أهانه الله ورسوله، بحسب ما يُرضي الله ورسوله، لا بحسب الأهواء، فإنه من يطع الله ورسوله فقد رشد، ومن يعص الله ورسوله فإنه لا يضر إلا نفسه.
فهذا هو الأصل الذي عليه الاعتماد، وحينئذ فلا حاجة إلى تفرقهم وتشيعه قال – تعالى -: ﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا لَسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ ﴾
وقال – تعالى -: ﴿ وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا وَاخْتَلَفُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَتُ وَأُوْلَيْكَ
لمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴾ [آل عمران : ١٠٥) . اهـ كلام ابن تيمية – رحمه الله – .
وقال – تعالى -: ﴿ وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا وَاخْتَلَفُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَتُ وَأُوْلَيْكَ
هُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴾ [آل عمران : ١٠٥] . اهـ كلام ابن تيمية – رحمه الله –

If an argument and dispute occurs 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 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] said:

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. [An-Nisaa. 135]

It is said [لوى يلوي لسانه – twists (or diverts) his tongue, thus gives information based on lies and turns away to conceal the truth, for indeed, the one who remains silent in the face of truth is akin to a mute devil. Whoever aligns himself with his companion (merely based on attachment and not for the sake of truth), whether the truth favours them or not, he has judged by the standards of (a trait) of pre-Islamic ignorance, thus stepping outside the judgement of Allah and His Messenger (in this matter). It incumbent upon all of them to unite in support of the one upon truth against the one upon falsehood. The one exalted to them is the one whom Allah and His Messenger have exalted and the one who is beloved to them is the one whom Allah and His Messenger love (i.e. due to the truth he upholds); and the one who is degraded is the one whom Allah and His Messenger have degraded (i.e. due to being upon falsehood), determined based on what pleases Allah and His Messenger, rather than personal desires, for indeed, whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger is rightly guided, while those who disobeys Allah and His Messenger harm only themselves.

This is the fundamental principle that is firmly adhered to. Therefore, there is no need for their division and sectarianism. Allah, the Exalted, states: [إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا لَسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ – Indeed, those who have divide their religion and become sects, you have no concern with them in anything]. [Al-An’am 109]

Allah said: [وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا۟ وَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتُ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ – And do not be like those who divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And for them is a great punishment] [Al-Imran: 105] [3] [Paraphrased] [End of quote]

Al-Allamah Rabee Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, commented on the above statement as follows:

فيجب على كل مسلم أن يفتش نفسه، فقد يميل إنسان إلى صاحب الحق لهوى، فقبل أن يتبين له الحق يتمنى أن يكون فلان هو المنتصر بالحجة أو غيرها، فتميل نفسه لأنه فلان، ولو كان على الحق لا يجوز أن يوجد هذا الميل،
فيقول: إذا وجد هذا الميل ولو مع صاحب الحق يكون من حكم الجاهلية، وهذا أمر لا يخطر بالبال عند كثير من الناس
فيجب على المسلم أن يراقب الله في القضايا المختلف فيها، وأن يكون قصده فقط معرفة الحق سواء مع هذا أو مع ذاك.
ومن هنا يقول الشافعي: إذا دخلت في مناظرة لا أبالي إذا كان الحق مع صاحبي أو معي
فلا يبالي، ولا يتمنى أن يكون الحق معه، بل يتمنى أن يكون مع صاحبه وأن تكون النصرة له، هذا هو الخلق العالي، وهذا هو الدين المستقيم.
نسأل الله أن يجعلنا وإياكم من هذه النوعيات المنصفة الباحثة عن الحق البعيدة عن الهوى وعن أساليب الجاهلية.
فالذي يلزمنا معشر الإخوة أن نفتش أنفسنا فمن وجد في نفسه شيئًا من هذا المرض فعليه أن يتدارك نفسه، ويُقبل على العلاج الناجع، ويبحث دائما عن الحق؛
لينجو بنفسه من وهدة التعصب الأعمى الذي قد يؤدي إلى الشرك بالله – تبارك وتعالى – أو يؤدي إلى الضلال الخطير

It is obligated to every Muslim to self-reflect, as one may be inclined towards a person who possesses the truth due to personal desires, thus before the truth becomes clear, he might wish for a particular individual to prevail through proofs or other matters, so his soul inclined because he (i.e. the one he inclines towards) is so and so. Even if they are upon truth, it is not permissible that such inclination is present. If this inclination exists, even whilst he is with the person upon truth (or the rightful claimant), it reflects a judgement based on a (trait) of pre-Islamic ignorance. This matter does not often cross the minds of many people.

It is obligated to a Muslim to be closely mindful of Allah in matters of differing opinions, and his sole intention should be acquaintance with the truth, regardless of whether it is possessed by this or that one. Regarding this particular matter, Ash-Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “When I enter into a debate, it does not matter to me whether the truth is with the one am debating or with me”. He does not care, nor does he wish for the truth to be on his side; instead, he wishes that that it is with his companion and becomes a support for him. This is noble character and upright (adherence) to the religion. We ask Allah to include us among these just ones, the seekers of truth, and are far from desires and the ways of pre-Islamic ignorance. O brothers! What is obligated to us is to self-reflect. Whoever finds in his soul something of this disease, it is incumbent upon him to take immediate action and adopt the effective treatment, and consistently pursue the truth, in order to safeguard himself from blind loyalty, which can lead to Shirk, or grave misguidance. [4] [Paraphrased] [End of quote]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي

وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ

وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Sahih Muslim. 2720] [5]

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

[2] at-Ta’assub Adh-Dhameem Wa Aatharuhu 48-52

[3] Majmoo Al-Fatawaa 28/15-17

[4] at-Ta’assub Adh-Dhameem Wa Aatharuhu 48-52

[5] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2020/12/29/o-allaah-rectify-my-religion-for-me-which-the-safeguard-of-my-affairs-a-tremendous-supplication/