The following article is regarding an event that occurred relating to an individual upon Sufism who was charitable to the people, Shaikh ibn ul-Uthaymeen رحمه الله was asked:
Questioner: “There is a man upon one of the paths of Sufism and he carries out some innovations, [the issue however is] that this man aids in the establishment of charitable work, so if someone like him is refuted for his innovation and it [the refutation of him] becomes widespread between the people, he will cease to aid the people of righteousness and goodness [in charity], so what is your opinion oh Shaikh?”
Shaikh: “Is this man influential in his da’wa?”
Questioner: “Yes Shaikh, he calls to his innovation.”
Shaikh: “In that case, which is more severe; poverty or misguidance?”
Questioner: “Misguidance.”
Shaikh: “Misguidance is more severe, so it is obligatory if this man is a caller and influential [in his innovation] that he is warned against, even if he stops his charitable work – for indeed that is depriving himself of reward if he does – as for leaving him to misguide the servants of Allah in order to obtain via that [i.e. silence upon him] a dirham or two…this is not possible.”
Yahyah Ibn Awn (rahimahullaah) said: I entered upon Ibnul Qisaar [i.e. visited Ibnul Qisaar (rahimahullaah)] along with Sahnoon (rahimahullaah) whilst he (Ibnul Qisaar) was ill. So he (Sahnoon) said (to Ibnul Qisaar): ”what is this restlessness?” He (Ibnul Qisaar) said: ”Death and the meeting with Allaah.” Sahnoon said to him: Do you truthfully testify to (belief) in the Messengers, the resurrection, the reckoning, the Paradise and the hell fire, and that the best of this Ummah is Abu-Bakr and then Umar, and that the Qur’aan is the speech of Allaah and it is not created, and that Allaah will be seen on the day of judgement and that He ascended over the Throne, and that you do not rebel against the Muslim Rulers with the sword even if they are oppressive? He (Ibnul Qisaar) said: ”By Allaah, certainly.” So He (Sahnoon) said to him: ”Die if you wish.” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 12/68]
Many questions often arise regarding those who take interest, whether it be a father or brother or friend, and whether it is permissible to accept gifts or money from them, the following is the answer of Shaikh Rabee’ حفظه الله to this issue taken from his explanation of “Sharh as-Sunnah of al-Imam al-Barbahaary”:
Q: “What is the ruling on taking gifts from a man who has wealth from interest?”
A: “Do not take it, [and actually] the scholars have mentioned details regarding haraam [unlawful and impermissible] wealth generally, interest based or otherwise. If the majority of his wealth is halaal [lawful and permissible] then take from him…they [the scholars] said the ruling is upon the majority. If the majority is halaal, then take it [gifts etc] from him, and you can seek to take a loan from him, and you can deal with him in his wealth on affairs of this nature. However, if the majority of his wealth is haraam then it is not permissible for you to take anything from him, neither gifts nor food nor anything”.
(عون الباري ببيان ما تضمنه شرح السنة للإمام البربهاري ص784)
Questions often arise regarding taxation and payment of it; the following is a question posed to Shaikh al-Fawzan on the issue:
Q: “I live in a country that takes taxes from us, and unfairly, so is it allowed for me to pay them using interest money?”
A: “Why are you involved in interest in the first place?! Are you engaged in taking interest so you can pay the taxes! This is not permissable, this is haraam. If they compel you to pay taxes then pay them – and return your affair and complaint to Allah – and the sin is upon them, you need to free yourself from punishment [i.e additional fines etc in the case of non-payment], you are compelled to pay the taxes. As for involving yourself in interest and then saying you wish to pay the taxes with it!?… [then this is] cleaning an impurity with another impurity! This is not permissible”.
Indeed Nad’dhaam, Abu Hudhayl and other than them amongst the enemies of the Sunnah have passed and the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallal-laahu alayhi-wasallam) has remained white and pure, and their mockery of it has not harmed it (i.e. the Sunnah). And the contemporary enemies of the Sunnah will die and the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi- wa-alaa aalihee wasallam,) will remain; because Allaah has guaranteed its preservation. So He (The Most High) said:إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ— Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)’’ [15:9]
The following is paraphrased from the speech of Shaikh Mohammad Amaan al-Jaamy رحمه الله تعالى regarding the issue of Mount Rahma and the common belief that the mountain must be climbed on the day of ‘Arafah.
“So it is upon the Pilgrims to avoid climbing the mountain and crowding around it so their precious time is not wasted in that which does not benefit them, rather in it is harm [i.e. wasted time in attempting to get to it and climb it as well as the crowding etc when that time should be used in supplication], instead it is correct for the Pilgrims to spread out across ‘Arafah as they please without specifying a particular location”.
The Shaikh then goes on to mention the names of Mount Rahma:
“They have mentioned several names for this mountain:
1- “Mount Rahma” [Mount Mercy] and this is the most famous of the names and possibly the most recent one.
2- “Mount Supplication” [Mount Du’a]
3- “Al-Qurain” as some of the commoners refer to it as.
4- “Ilaal” and that is from one of the oldest names of it.
I have attempted to discover the reasoning behind it being called “Mount Rahma” and I checked various resources and asked various People of Knowledge, however I did not find a sufficiently satisfying answer, and so I leave the issue as a matter of research. However, I do feel some discomfort with this name, since mercy is not restricted to the mountain and the one who claims that must bring forth his evidence. Similarly, supplication on that day is not specific to the mountain, rather Mount Rahma is like any other part of ‘Arafah in that regard. The mercy of Allah and His freeing of slaves from the Fire is general to all individuals wherever they stand within ‘Arafah on that day.
The reason why I researched this issue is because of what we have witnessed ourselves from some Pilgrims in terms of actions that are resembling the acts of Jaahiliyyah [ignorance]…in fact for many Pilgrims the idea amongst them has become that the point of ‘Arafah is actually to have to climb the mountain. That is since many have mistakenly understood that the name “Mount Rahma” must indicate that the mercy of Allah only descends upon the Mount on that day.”
Translator’s note: A fine example of why success lies within the Sunnah and not in opposing it, consider how many hours of the blessed day of ‘Arafah are put to waste pushing through crowds and making an attempt to climb the mountain, as well as the fatigue that arises from such activity possibly impacting upon the remainder of the Hajj rites, all of which diverts the servant from supplication and indeed vastly reduces the available time on that Day before sunset, Allahul Musta’an.
