[7] The Illusion of Quietism

October 2, 2026 | Abdullah Jallow | Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da’wah – Calling To Islam, Featured, Methodology – ‘Manhaj’, Morals and Manners – ‘Akhlaaq’, Refutations, Worship – ‘Ibaadah’

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Throughout this series, we have addressed those who lie and others who try hard to divide Salafiyyun into different groups: the quietists, the politicos, the Jihadists, and the Madkhalists. However, since this series focuses on quietism, it is important to note that Salafiyyun do not stay silent even among themselves when someone goes against the sound principles of Salafiyyah. Instead, they enjoin good and forbid evil. Regarding this matter, Shaikh Fawwaz, may Allah preserve him, explained how Salafi scholars handle speaking out against those whose actions oppose the Salafi methodology. He said:

فالتاريخ القريب يشهد أن العلماء لم يكونوا على درجة واحدة من الصبر في جميع القضايا، ولم يتركوا الانحرافات الكبرى دون بيان، بل كانوا يبادرون إلى الإنكار عند الحاجة، كل بحسب اجتهاده وتقديره للمصلحة والمفسدة، والأمثلة على ذلك كثيرة، وسنكتفي بعرض بعض الأمثلة فقط:
معلوم أن العلماء لم يصبروا على المصعفقة كثيراً؛ بل حذروا منهم لما عاثوا في الدعوة فساداً، كما أنهم لم يصبروا على هاني بن بريك لما أظهر نواياه الخارجية ضد ولاة الأمر في اليمن، وحتى في فتن سابقة كان بعض العلماء يحذرون من بعض المنحرفين، ويصبر عليهم آخرون.
فمسألة الصبر على المخالف مسألة اجتهادية تقديرية تختلف باختلاف الأحوال والأشخاص والآثار المترتبة، وليست قاعدة جامدة تُطبق في كل زمان ومكان دون نظر……..

Recent history testifies to the fact that scholars have not been upon the same level with regards to patience in all issues, nor have they overlooked great deviations without providing clarification. Instead, they took the initiative to denounce such deviations when necessary—each of them based on their Ijtihad and evaluation of the benefits and harms. The examples of this are many and we will suffice with some (as follows).

It is well known that the scholars did not patiently wait for an extended period with regards to the Mas‘afiqah; rather, they warned against them when they caused corruption in the Dawah.

Similarly, they did not patiently wait regarding Hani Bin Burayk when he manifested his Kharijite-like motives (intentions) against the rulers in Yemen. Even during earlier Fitan, some scholars warned against the deviants, while others were patient with them.

Thus, the subject with regards to exercising patience with the Mukhalif is a subject of Scholarly Ijtihad and evaluation that varies based on different circumstances, the individuals involved, and the potential effects, and it is not a fixed principle that is applied in every time period and place without examination….. [1] [end of quote]

Based on the statement above, there are no quietists, even those who did not speak. This is because everyone had a clear stance whether they spoke or not during the Fitan. Therefore, quietist definitely does not apply to people just because they keep quiet in public as we understand—as Shaikh Fawwaz explained—that during earlier periods of Fitan, “some scholars spoke out against those who deviated, while others showed patience with them.” These are people who neither support the Mukhalif nor help him oppress others. Even in the UK, during different times of Fitan, some students of knowledge stood together with scholars to challenge the Mukhalifun, while others remained quiet but neither appeased the persistent Mukhalif nor kept him company; rather, while their praiseworthy stance was well known in private- through their companionship and the principles they continued to propagate which opposed the path of the Mukhalif, they also employed pragmatic temporary non-intervention, strategic disengagement, or instrumental indifference. So there’s no quietism happening here. When you hear this term from a Hizbi or orientalist, understand that they mean harm, but when you hear it from any Salafi, be absolutely sure that he’s not talking about those with a clear position, even when they’re not speaking out—as opposed to those who praise the Mukhalif, appease him and vilify his victims.

[1] A Paraphrased Excerpt. Source: Shaikh Fawwaz al-Madkhali’s Telegram Channel]