No Frantic Search for Replacements Or Successors

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

The best of the people are those living in my generation, then those who will follow the latter, and then those who come after them. Then there will come after them people who will be treacherous and will not be trustworthy. They will bear witness without being asked to do so, and they will vow, but will never fulfil their vows, and fatness will appear among them.” [Al-Bukhari. 6695]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

They give false testimony, act treacherously and deceitfully. They behave in a very sinful manner and follow evil desires, except those whom Allah safeguards amongst the Taa’ifatul Mansoorah [i.e. the aided group of Muslims upon the straight path] – those whom Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] praised. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to acquire knowledge for the sake of Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] and act upon it. Ignorance is a deadly disease, and knowledge is a weapon that will destroy you if you do not act upon it, and Allaah’s refuge is sought. [1]

Imam Al-Barbahari, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said: 

May Allah have mercy upon you! Examine the speech of everyone you hear from in your time in particular. Then do not act in haste and do not enter in anything from it until you ask and see: Did any of the Prophet’s Companions speak about it, or did any of the scholars? If you find a narration from them about it, cling to it, neither go beyond it for anything nor give precedence to anything over it, thus fall into the Fire. [end of quote]

Pay very close attention to the fact that the senior scholars of this era, such as Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, Imam Al-Albani, Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, Al-Allamah Muhammad Aman Al-Jami, Al-Allamah Ahmad Bin Yahyah An-Najmi, Al-Allamah Zaid Bin Hadi, Al-Allamah Ubaid Bin Abdillah Al-Jabiri, Al-allamah Muqbil Bin Hadi, Al-Allamah Taqiyuddeen Al-Hilali, Al-Allamah Salih Al-Luhaydan, and others, have left behind a clear legacy based upon the clear Manhaj and manners of the Salaf.

There is no confusing the passing away of scholars with the disappearance of their methodology. Therefore, we give paramount importance to observation and careful deliberation, for there can be no room for haphazard actions that leave a person vulnerable to every new personality on account of a perceived vacuum in leadership. Such a vacuum can be dangerously filled through desperation, premature elevation, intellectual fickleness, manufactured successors and methodological inconsistency. In this regard, adhere to the path of the Salaf, as has been clearly elucidated through the legacy of the senior scholars – of our era – who have passed away, as well as those senior scholars who are still alive: Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad and Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh. We are not looking for replacements. Rather, senior scholars are still alive. As for anyone else considered a Shaikh in Ilm, whether justifiably or unjustifiably, we have a measure by which to assess this. Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“I have met the Mashayikh; their circumstances were different and their stations of knowledge varied. The most beneficial of them for me in companionship was the scholar who acted upon his knowledge, even though there were others more knowledgeable than him”. [2]

Al Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked:

If you are a beginner in adhering (firmly) to the religion, how can you distinguish between a caller to the truth from the one who calls to Fitna? And Allah’s refuge is sought?”

Response: There are scholars, I mean, whose trustworthiness, truthfulness, and sincerity is recognised Insha’Allah, such as Shaikh Ibn Baz, Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen, Shaikh Al-Fawzan, and other scholars in every city. So, a scholar whom you find (firmly) adhering to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, read to him and consult him regarding matters of differing. Read, and then read to him from the book Al-Milal. Study this particular issue, and you will come to understand many things. If you are a student of knowledge, you may gain many things through your own reading, while seeking Allah’s help, then seeking the assistance of the people of knowledge, truthfulness and virtue, while turning to Allah, The Blessed and Most High, in supplication, saying in this turning of yours to Allah:

اللهم رب جبريل وميكائيل وإسرافيل فاطر السماوات والأرض أنت تحكم بين عبادك فيما كانوا فيه يختلفون اهدني لما اختلف فيه من الحق بإذنك إنك تهدي من تشاء إلى صراط مستقيم

O Allah! Lord of Jibraa’eel, Meekaa’eel, and Israafeel, Creator of the heavens and the Earth, The Knower of the seen and the unseen. You judge between Your slaves regarding which they differ. Guide me to the truth regarding that in which there is differing, by Your Will. Verily, You guide whomever you will to the straight path. [Sahih Muslim 770] 

Whoever (sincerely) intends to seek the truth will reach it, insha’Allah. So be sincere to Allah and be truthful, and you will come to recognise the truth as opposed to falsehood, insha’Allah, after adopting the likes of these means. [3] 

[1] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2026/10/07/the-gravity-of-false-treacherous-testimony-and-the-virtue-of-truthful-conscientious-forthright-testimony/

[2] Saydul Khaatir. page 138

[3] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2026/11/11/al-allamahs-rabees-brief-advice-for-those-new-to-practising-the-religion/