Author: Abdullah Jallow

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

When should we employ gentleness and when should we employ harshness in Dawah to the path of Allah, and in (our) dealings with the people?

Response: The initial approach (or the basis) with regards to Dawah is gentleness, softness, and wisdom. This is the basis (or initial approach) regarding it. May Allah bless you, however, if you find someone who is obstinate, does not accept the truth, you establish proof against him and he rejects (it), then you may employ a rebuttal. If you possess (political) authority (and) this person is a caller, you discipline him with the sword, which could lead to execution (in Islamic law) if he persists in spreading corruption.

There are among the scholars – from the various schools of Islamic jurisprudence – who hold that this person is more severe in corruption than highway robbers. Therefore, he is advised, and proof is established against him, if he refuses, then the Hakim Al-Shar’ee (i.e. the one recognised as the legitimate ruler in the Shariah) may embark upon punishing him, which maybe through imprisonment, exile, or execution.

May Allah bless you, indeed, they (i.e. the Scholars) issued the judgement of execution against Jahm ibn Safwan and others, Bishr al-Mareesee, and other than them; among them (i.e. those officially executed) were Ja’ad ibn Dirham. This is the ruling of the scholars against those who obstinately persist in spreading their Bidah. And if Allah benefits him (with guidance) and he recants, this is what is sought after. [1]

A Lengthy Clarification

قال السائل: هنالك من يتهم الدعوة السلفية في زماننا هذا بالشدة، وأنه ينبغي على الدعاة اللين مع أهل البدع، فهل هذا الكلام صحيح، وكيف يكون الرد عليهم؟ علماً بأن الزمان غير الزمان والرجال غير الرجال، جزاك الله خيراً.
قال الشيخ ربيع -حفظه الله تعالى-:
هذا الأسلوب -رمي السلفيين بالشدة- ما هو بالأمر الجديد، إنما هو قديم.
فمن زمان أحمد بن حنبل ومن قبله ومن بعده إلى يومنا هذا، لا يستطيع أهل الباطل أن يقاوموا أهل الحق إلا بالتشويه.
والتشويهات كثيرة، ليست الشدة فقط، التشويهات كثيرة، وما رميهم بالشدة إلا من خواطر كثيرة.
طبعاً سيرمونهم بأنهم خوارج، ويرمونهم بأنهم مجسِّمة، وأنهم مشبِّهة، وكل فريق يرميهم بما يناقض عقيدته الفاسدة.
فالجهمية: يسمونهم مشبهة ومجسمة لأنهم يثبتون صفات الله تعالى الواردة في كتابه وسنة نبيه -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يثبتونها على الوجه اللائق لله تبارك وتعالى.
والخوارج والمعتزلة: يرمونهم بأنهم مرجئة.
والروافض: يرمونهم بأنهم نواصب لأنهم ما يغلون غلوّهم في آل البيت، وهكذا.
يعني يا أخي الحبيب يرمونهم بالشدة وبالعمالة وبالجاسوسية وبأنهم علماء حيض ونفاس، إلى آخر الخبائث الخبيثة التي يوجهها دعاة الشر ودعاة الباطل والضلال.
فما على السلفيين إلا أن يمضوا في تبيين دعوتهم إلى الله على بصيرة.
وفي نفس الوقت عليهم أن يتحلوا بالأخلاق العالية من الصبر والحلم والحكمة، وسائر الصفات الطيبة النبيلة التي تتواءم مع هذه الدعوة العظيمة.
ومع ذلك فليوطنوا أنفسهم على الصبر على ما يقال فيهم وليجعلوا من الأنبياء ومن سلفهم من أئمة العلم والهدى أن يجعلوا منهم أُسوة
والقرآن ذكر لنا عن أعداء الأنبياء أنهم رموهم بالكذب، ورموهم بالسحر، ورموهم بالكهانة، ورموهم بالجنون، رموهم بأشياء كثيرة، فعلى الداعي إلى الله المخلص لله عز وجل أن يجعل لنفسه من هؤلاء الأنبياء ومن سلك نهجهم من أئمة الإسلام يجعل منهم أُسوة، إذا كان أولئك على علو منازلهم ومكانتهم العظيمة لم يسلموا من هذه الاتهامات وهذه الطعون فكيف نسلم نحن الضعفاء المساكين
والأجر على قدر النّصَب
وأشد الناس بلاءً الأنبياء ثم الأمثل فالأمثل
وإذا أحب الله قوماً ابتلاهم
وَلَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَانْتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَ بَعْضَكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ
وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَهَدَى النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا
بدون سبب، بيده سبحانه وتعالى، ولكن أراد أن يبتلي الناس بعضهم ببعض، فمن نجح بهذا الابتلاء وهذا الامتحان رفع الله درجته وأكرمه الله في الدنيا والآخرة
وقد يفشل كثيرٌ من الناس وتخور قواهم فيستسلم، إما أن يسكن فيخلد إلى الأرض، وإما أن ينحرف كما يحصل لكثير من الناس، فهؤلاء فاشلون تجاه هذا الابتلاء
فنسأل الله تبارك وتعالى أن يجنبنا وإياكم أسباب الفشل وأسباب الهزيمة
فإنها والله معركة بين الحق والباطل أشد -واللــهِ- من المعارك العسكرية، فالحرب النفسية التي تُشَنُّ في هذا العصر على دعاة السلفية لا نظير لها
لأنه تعددت وسائل الإعلام، واتسعت دائرتها في مشارق الأرض ومغاربها، ووجد من شياطين الإنس في هذا العصر ما أظن أن يوجد نظيرهم في وضع الخطط في محاربة المنهج السلفي وأهله
ما أظن سبق مثله -يعني- إلى قرونٍ موغلة في القدم -كما يقال- لأن هناك تفنن الآن في المكايد وفي الخطط والكذب والإشاعات وفيما يقال بما يسمى الإعلام الخبيث
وقد قال أحد أساطين الإخوان
-وهو سعيد حوى –
كان من كبار الإخوان وألَّف مؤلفات كثيرة تخدم هذا المنهج الفاسد، وكانوا يعظمونه ووصل إلى درجة كبيرة عندهم، ثم حصل بينهم اختلاف
[…سقط في الشريط…]
ولا يبلغون ما يبلغ الإخوان المسلمين
وقد جاء بعدهم القطبيون ويقال لو اجتمعت هذه الجهات المذكورة الآن مع الإخوان المسلمين، ما يبلغون ما يبلغه القطبيون من النيل من أهل السنة من تشويههم
ولكن لابد من الصبر
فنسأل الله تبارك وتعالى أن يهديهم أو يكف بأسهم، وأن يعلي كلمته، وأن ينصر دينه إن ربي لسميع الدعاء
قال قارئ الأسئلة: جزاك الله خيراً، يا شيخ جاء في السؤال أيضاً بعبارةٍ أخرى: هل المبتدع في زماننا هذا يعامل معاملة المبتدع في الزمن الأول لاشك أن زمان الإمام أحمد غير زماننا في أيامنا هذه؟
أجيب بأن دين الله ما يتغير ويتلون بحسب تغير الناس وتلونهم، دين الله هو دين الله، ودعوة الله هي دعوة الله
والتعامل في عهد الرسول -صلى الله عليه وسلم- وفي عهد أحمد وفي عهد ابن تيمية وابن عبد الوهاب وفي بعد ذلك كلها تنطلق من كتاب الله وسنة رسول الله منهجهم واحد
لكن يُحتاج إلى من يطبق هذا المنهج ويعرف كيف يتعامل مع أهل البدع في ضوء الكتاب والسنة
فأهل البدع لابد من التحذير منهم وكشف عوارهم، وبيان ضلالهم من أوجب الواجبات وأفرض الفرائض، الذي يقولون اختلف الحال واختلف الوقت يريدونك أن لا تتكلم على أهل البدع
لأن الأحزاب هذه خاضعة لقيادات بدعية ضالة، فأنت حينما تتكلم في قياداتهم الضالة تطعن فيهم هم، فيريدون أن تسكت، فلا تضلك هذه الوسائل
ويقولون: كان أحمد… وكان ابن تيمية… يحرفون كلام هؤلاء، ويحرفون مقاصدهم.
كل هذا لإسكات أهل السنة وإلقامهم الحجارة -كما يقال- ليسكتوا عن قياداتهم، وقد بذلوا كل الجهود لإسكات أهل السنة
ولكن ما على أهل السنة إلا أن يشمروا عن ساعد الجِد في إعلاء كلمة الله ونشر السنة وإظهارها ودحض البدعة بكل ما يستطيعون، في كل بلد، لا بد من البيان للناس
والتفريق بين الحق والباطل، والهدى والضلال، والسنة والبدعة، هذه الأمور التي لا يريدها أهل البدع وأهل التحزب المقيت، المتسترين مكراً وكيداً باسم السلفية
فإنهم لبسوا السلفية بقوة ليتمكنوا من سحقها، لهذا ترى هؤلاء يلاحقون الدعوة السلفية وشبابها في كل مكان ليسحقوها ويقيموا على أنقاضها مناهجهم البدعية الفاسدة. وهذا شيء ملموس.
وعلى كل حال فالكلام في أهل البدع لابد منه، والتحذير منهم لابد منه، وهو جهاد
وقد قالوا في زمان أحمد
(جهاد أهل البدع) أو قالوا
(الذب عن السنة أفضل من الضرب في السيوف)، وابن تيمية في عهده شمَّر عن ساعد الجد، بذل من الجهود ما فاق به كثيراً من أئمة الإسلام قبله
فإنه واجه بدعاً كثيرة، فواجهها بكتاب الله وسنة رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- ودحضها وقمع أهلها مع حلمه وعلمه وحكمته
فمن بيان الحكمة ومن حق العلم أن تميز بين الحق والباطل والهدى والضلال والسنن والبدع
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ
فالأنبياء واللهِ جاهدوا وناضلوا لإخراج الناس من الظلمات إلى النور، والعلماء ورثة
الأنبياء، فلابد من الجهاد والتشمير عن ساعد الجد لإنقاذ الناس من الظلمات إلى النور

وأقول لهؤلاء المساكين
والله لأهلُ السنة لأنصحُ الناس وأحرص الناس على ما ينفعهم في دينهم ودنياهم
وإن من يريد إسكات أهل السنة فإنه والله هو الذي يضر بالأمة، هو الذي يخونها، هو الذي يغشها
هو الذي لا يبالي، أَدَخَلوا في أعماق النار؟ سلموا أو لم يسلموا؟

أما أهل السنة والله فلا يريدون للناس إلا الخير، ولا يريدون لهذه الأمة إلا أن تسلك طريق نبيها -صلى الله عليه وسلم- وصراطه المستقيم ليدخلوا الجنة أو من شاء الله تبارك وتعالى منهم
فأهل السنة إذا جاهدوا وناضلوا، لا لشيء وإنما لهداية هؤلاء ولتقديم ما ينفعهم في دينهم ودنياهم، والذين يحامون أهل البدع والله هم أعداؤهم، هم الذين يضرونهم ويحولون بينهم وبين الحق الذي يمكن أن يأتيهم عن طريق دعاة أهل السنة
فكيف اختلف الزمان عن زمان أحمد؟
زمان أحمد كان يجوز الكلام في أهل البدع والتحذير منهم والآن لا يجوز؟
بيِّنوا ماذا تريدون؟
ما الذي تريدون من هذا القول؟
هل تريدون ألا نبين للناس الحق؟
وألا نحذرهم من الضلال وألا نحذرهم والبدع
وألا نعلمهم العقائد الصحيحة والمناهج الصحيحة؟
ماذا تريدون بيِّنوا لنا؟

الكلام فيه تلبيس وفيه إجمال، بارك الله فيكم.
ولهذا كما أُؤكد لكم أنهم لا يريدون الكلام إطلاقاً في رؤوس البدع والضلال.
ومن هنا أنشأوا منهج الموازنات بين الحسنات والسيئات بعدما يئسوا من سكوت أهل السنة، فأنشأوا منهج الموازنات حتى تمدح أئمتهم وتثني عليهم، ثم بعد ذلك تتكلم بما عندهم من الخطأ.
رغم أنوفهم، هم مرغمون لا يريدون أن تقول أخطاء سادتهم، لكن إذا كان لابد من الكلام فـ وازن
وشرعوا في دين الله ما لم يأذن به الله، وحرموا ما أوجده الله من تبليغ رسالة الله ونصح المسلمين وتحذيرهم مما يضرهم في دينهم ودنياهم، حرموا هذه الأشياء
فكانوا بذلك أشد جنايةً على الإسلام ممن يسمونهم بالطواغيت ويحاربونهم ليصلوا إلى الكراسي، نعم

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, was asked:

Some accuse the Salafi Dawah in our time of being harsh, and that it is incumbent upon the callers to be gentle with the people of Bidah. Is this correct, and what should be the response to them whilst bearing in mind that the time at present is different from the previous one and men in this time are different from previous men? May Allah reward you with good.

Response:

This behaviour -attacking the Salafis of harshness – is not new, but rather it is an old affair. From the time of (Imam) Ahmad ibn Hanbal, before and after him to this day, the people of falsehood cannot confront the people of truth except through misrepresentation (distortion). There are many misrepresentations (distortions), and not only (the false accusation of) harshness. The misrepresentations are many, and their accusation of harshness is nothing but one of many thoughts. Surely, they will accuse them of being Khawarij, Mujassimah, and Mushabbihah. Every (deviant) group accuses them (Salafis) of something by way of which the deviant group’s corrupt creed can be disapproved.

The Jahmiyyah call them Mushabbihah and Mujassimah because they affirm Allah’s Attributes that are in His Book (i.e. The Qur’an) and the Sunnah of His Prophet [may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] and they affirm them in the manner that is befitting for Allah [The Blessed and Most High]. The Khawarij and Mutazilah accuse them of being Murji’ah, and the Rafidah accuse them of being Nawasib because they do not exaggerate in the manner they exaggerate the status of the Prophet’s family and so on. Meaning, my beloved brother, that they accuse them of harshness, (that they are the government) stooges, and spies, and that they are scholars whose knowledge is restricted to rulings on menstruation and postpartum, and other evil accusations that are presented by the callers to evil, falsehood and misguidance. So, there is nothing else other than that Salafis carry on explaining their call to the path of Allah with clear-sightedness. At the same time, they must have lofty manners such as patience, forbearance, wisdom, and other good and noble qualities that are compatible with this great Dawah. Alongside this, they train themselves to exercise patience while encountering what is said about them, and let them take as their role models the Prophets, those who have preceded them (in Islam), and the Imams of knowledge and guidance.

The Qur’an mentioned to us regarding the enemies of the Prophets that they accused them of lying, sorcery, soothsaying, insanity, and they accused them of many things. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the one who calls to Allah’s path- the one who is sincere to Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] – that he takes as his role model these Prophets and whoever follows their path among the Imams of Islam. When it is the case that despite their lofty statuses they were not spared from these accusations and verbal abuse, then how can we, the weak and poor (in knowledge and faith), be spared?! “Reward (for a deed is given) according to the level of exertion”, “The people put to trial the most were the Prophets, then the next best, then the next best”. Allah says:

وَلَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَانْتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَ بَعْضَكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ

And if Allāh had so willed, He could have punished (and destroyed) them (without you). But (He commanded you to fight against them) in order to test some of you with others]. However, He wants some people to be a test for others (based on His Perfect Knowledge, Wisdom, and Justice), so whoever succeeds in this test and trial, Allah will raise his rank and honor him in this world and the Hereafter. Indeed, many people may lose courage, lose their strength, and lose heart – either snuggle, [ فيخلد إلى الأرض – and then cling to the earth (i.e. preoccupied and diverted by the things of the worldly life)] or deviate as happens to many people. These people lose courage in the face of this affliction.

Therefore, we ask Allah [The Blessed and Most High] to keep us and you away from the causes of losing courage and the causes of defeat. By Allah, it is a battle between truth and falsehood that is more severe than military battles. The psychological war being waged in this era against Salafi callers (to Islam)is unparalleled. Because the media outlets have multiplied, and their arena has expanded in the east and west of the earth, and the presence of the devils among humankind in this era, I don’t think one can find their equal in plotting to wage war against the Salafi methodology and its adherents. I don’t think anything similar to it has preceded centuries ago – as it has been stated -because at present there is art in plotting, scheming, lies, rumours, and what is said by what is referred to as the malicious media.

Sa’eed Hawaa, one of the distinguished personalities of the “Muslim Brotherhood (Sect)”- one of the senior (figureheads), who wrote many books that served this corrupt methodology, and they used to hold him in high regard until he reached a great status among them; then a disagreement arose between them… [what comes after statement is missing from the audio]

Then the Qutbists came after them, and it is said that if these mentioned orientations (or groups) gathered with the Muslim Brotherhood (Sect), they would not achieve what the Qutbists have achieved in attacking Ahlus Sunnah with regards to misrepresenting (or distorting the true methodology of Ahlus Sunnah), but one must exercise patience. [Allah says]:

[إِنَّما يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسابٍ – Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning]. [Surah Az-Zumar. Ayah 10]

We ask Allah [The Blessed and Most High] to guide them or stop their enmity, and that Allah Exalt His statement, and support His religion. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplications.

The reader of the questions said: May Allah reward you with good. O Shaikh! It is also stated in the question with another expression (as follows): Is the Mubtadi [Footnote a] in our era treated as the Mubtadi in the earlier era (because) there is no doubt that the era of Imam Ahmad was different from this present era of ours?

Response: The religion ordained by Allah does not change and varies based on people changing and adopting different (ways, orientations, views, etc). The religion ordained by Allah (remains as) the religion ordained by Allah, and Allah’s call (remains as) Allah’s call. The dealings during the era of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], in the era of Imaam Ahmad, Shaikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, and Shaikhul Islam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab, and thereafter, all emanate from Allah’s Book (The Qur’an) and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger. Their methodology is one, but there is a need for someone to apply this methodology and know how to deal with Ahlul Bidah in the light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

Ahlul Bidah must be warned against, their faults (attributed to the religion) exposed, and their misguidance clarified. This is one of the most obligated obligations and prescribed duties. What they say that the situation is different and that times are different is that do not want you to speak about Ahlul Bidah because these (deviated) parties (groups) are submissive to innovated, misguided leaderships (or leaders), so when you speak about their misguided leaderships (or leaders)- criticising them, they want you to remain silent. Therefore, do not be led astray by these tactics. They say (i.e. claim) that Ahmed was (such and such), Ibn Taymiyyah was (such and such)- distort their speech and objectives. All of this is to silence Ahlus Sunnah and address them with a speech that will make them dumbfounded to make them keep quiet about their leaders, and indeed, they have made every effort to silence Ahlus Sunnah. But all that Ahlus Sunnah has to do is roll up their sleeves and strive to raise the word of Allah, spread the Sunnah and manifest it, and refute Bidah with everything they can do in every country. It is necessary to clarify these affairs for the people, such as differentiating between truth and falsehood, guidance and misguidance, and Sunnah and Bidah, which the people of Bidah and the proponents of abominable partisanship do not want- those who hide behind the term Salafiyyah through plotting and stratagem.

Indeed, they seek to distort Salafiyyah with great force so that they can crush it. That is why you see these people pursuing the Salafi call and its youth everywhere to crush it and establish on its ruins their innovated, corrupt methodologies. This is something tangible. In any case, it is necessary to speak about Ahlul Bidah, warning against them is necessary, and it is Jihad. They (i.e. the scholars) said in the time of Imaam Ahmed, “Jihad against Ahlul Bidah” or they said, “Defending the Sunnah is better than striking with swords (in Jihad)”. Ibn Taymiyyah – during his era – rolled up his sleeves and exerted himself in a manner that surpassed many of the Imams of Islam before him because he encountered many Bidah, so he confronted them with Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], refuted them and restrained their proponents together with his forbearance, knowledge, and wisdom. From those affairs related to the clarification that is based on wisdom and the rights of knowledge is the distinction between truth and falsehood, guidance and misguidance, Sunnah and Bidah. Allah says:

[وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ – (And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it]. [Al-Imran. Ayah 187]

I swear by Allah, the Prophets strove and stood up to remove the people out of darkness (and entered them) into light, and scholars are heirs of Prophets (in knowledge, religion, guidance, etc). Therefore, it is necessary to strive and roll up the sleeves to rescue the people from the darkness (and enter them into) light (i.e. by the permission of Allah). I say to these Masaakeen [i.e. these people who are very needy in their understanding and stances] that I swear by Allah that Ahlus Sunnah are the most sincere advisers and the most eager regarding what will benefit the people in their religion and their worldly affairs. I swear by Allah that whoever wants to silence Ahlus Sunnah is one who harms, betrays, and deceives the Ummah. He is the one who does not care whether the people are entered into the depths of the fire, or whether they are saved or not. As for Ahlus Sunnah, I swear by Allah that they only want good for the people, and they only want this Ummah to follow the path of their Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] and his straight path to enter Paradise or whoever Allah wills to enter into Paradise. When Ahlus Sunnah strives and stands up for (the truth), it is not for anything, but to guide these people and present what will benefit them in their religion and worldly affairs, and by Allah those who defend Ahlul Bidah are enemies of the people. They are the ones who harm them and prevent them from the truth that can reach them through the callers (to Islam) among Ahlus Sunnah.

So, how does our time differ from the time of Imaam Ahmed?! In the time of Ahmed, it was permissible to speak about Ahlul Bidah and warn against them, but now it is not permissible?! Clarify what you want! What do you want from this statement? Do you want us not to clarify the truth for the people, and that we do not warn them against misguidance, and Bidah, and that we not teach them the correct beliefs and correct approaches? What do you want? Clarify for us. There is deception and generality (that needs explanation) in this speech, may Allah bless you. This is why, as I emphasised to you, they do not want – at all -speech directed at the figureheads of Bidah and misguidance. Hence, they initiated the methodology of Muwaazanaat after they lost hope that Ahlus Sunnah would not remain silent. They initiated the methodology of Muwaazanaat to praise their leaders (of Bidah and misguidance), and thereafter speak about their mistakes. Despite being (rightfully) disgraced, they are unwilling and do not the mistakes of their leaders to be mentioned, but if you must speak, then speak based on counterbalancing (i.e. Muwaazanaat). They institute in the religion ordained by Allah that which Allah has not allowed, and forbid what Allah has established about propagating Allah’s Message, the advice to be given to Muslims, and to warn them against what would harm them in their religion and worldly affairs. They forbid these affairs, thus they commit a greater crime against Islam than those whom they call Tawaagheet (false gods) and fight them to gain access to the seats of (political) leadership.

Paraphrased: An Excerpt from the Shaikh short commentary on (الجواب الكافي) by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. Audio number 2

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

One of the plots and deceptions employed by Shaytan is to entice a servant of Allah towards sinful behaviour by using good manners, friendliness, and cheerfulness, thus, a person is approached in this manner by someone whose evil he cannot escape except with a smirk, frowning and turning away from him. The enemy (Shaytan) makes it fair-seeming to him to approach this person with a warm demeanor, a pleasant countenance, and charming words, thus establishing a bond with him. However, once he desires to distance himself from this person, he finds himself incapable of doing so. The enemy (Shaytan) persists in his efforts until he attains his objective, thus, he cunningly manipulates a servant of Allah through the guise of good behaviour and a pleasant countenance. Hence, the scholars (who possess) knowledge regarding the (ailments, weaknesses, and strengths) of the heart advised that one should turn away from the advocates of Bidah- neither greeting nor displaying a friendly demeanor towards them, and instead meeting them with a frown and turning away. [2]

The Stance of As-Salaf As-Saalih [The Pious Predecessors] Against Ahlul Bidah

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said, “Do not sit with the people of desires, because indeed it causes sickness of the heart”. [3]

Sallam Ibn Abee Mutee, may Allah have mercy upon him] said: A man from the people of (vain) desires said to Ayyoub As-Sakhtiyaanee, “O Abaa-Bakr! I want to ask you about some statement”. Ayyoub walked away and started gesturing with his finger, saying, “Not even half a statement”. [4]

Shu’aib, may Allah have mercy upon him, narrated: I said to Ibn Seereen, “What is your view with regards to listening to the people of (vain) desires (i.e. ahlul bidah)?” He said, “We neither listen to them nor honour (them)”. [5]

Imam Fudayl Ibn Iyad said, “Whoever sits with a person of bidah has not been given wisdom”. Al-Allaamah Salih Al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him, commented on this statement, saying, “He (i.e. the one who sits with a person of bidah) is deprived of wisdom, and wisdom is understanding of the religion ordained by Allah. The one who sits with ahlul bidah is deprived of understanding of the religion as punishment for him”. [6]

[1] متى نستعمل اللين ومتى نستعمل الشدة في الدعوة إلى الله وفي المعاملات مع الناس؟ – العلامة الشيخ ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي

متى نستعمل اللين ومتى نستعمل الشدة في الدعوة إلى الله وفي المعاملات مع الناس؟

[2] Ighatha al-Laf’fan 1/140

[3] Reported by: Imam Al-Aajuree in Ash-Shari’ah 1/453

[4] Reported by Imam Al-Aajuree in Ash-Sharee-ah 1/440

[5] Siyar A’laam an-Nubulaa 4/611

[6] It’haf al-Qaaree Bitta’liqat Alaa Sharh As-Sunnah Lil Imam al-Barbahaaree. 2/318