In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imam Al-Barbahaaree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Know that leaving the correct path occurs in two ways. Firstly, a man strays from the correct path intending nothing but good, so his error is not to be followed since it leads to destruction. Secondly, a man who deliberately opposes the truth and acts contrary to the Pious ones who came before him, is astray, leading others astray, a rebellious devil within the Ummah. It is a duty upon those who know of him to warn the people against him and to explain his condition to them so that no one falls into his innovation and is destroyed.
Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him], commented:
The first man leaves the (correct path) without the intending (to do so), rather he intended good, but followed other than the path of good. Striving (alone) is not sufficient, and even if the person has a righteous intention and a good aim, that has be (based) upon the correct path. Thus, this (person) is considered mistaken and whoever agrees with him and follows his error will be destroyed, because this is a path of destruction – even though the (person) did not intend to leave (the correct path); rather his quest was (to reach something) good. This is the state of many who initiate newly invented matters in the knowledge of creed. This is not permissible, and they should not adhere to it. The person is not upon correctness. Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, said:
And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path]. [Al-An’am. 153]
Therefore, we reject any path that exits us from the Straight Path even if the one who (calls) to it aims for good and has a good intention. We do not follow him in that while he continues upon his error, eventually leading to destruction, because whoever abandons the correct path in his journey and takes a path of ruin will be destroyed.
As for the second person, it is the one who intends to leave (the correct path). He knows the truth and that what he embarks upon is falsehood, but he intends to leave the truth with the intention of misguiding the people. So, the intention of the first (person) is to bring about benefit for the people, but he did not follow the correct path. The second (person) intended to misguide the people and turn them away from the correct path. Therefore, this one is a devil because the devils take the people away from the Straight Path. (Allah informs us that) Iblees said:
لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Surely, I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path]. [7:16]
He intends to turn them away from it towards the deviated paths. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, gave us an example when he drew a straight line and drew other lines on its sides, he then said about the straight line, “This is the path of Allah” and he said about the other lines, “These are the other paths, and on each path is a devil calling to it”. This is a clear example that agrees with what the Shaikh (i.e. Imam Al-Barbahaaree) has stated here. Therefore, the one who takes the people away from the Straight Path (and directs them) to the innovated paths of the innovators (in religious matters) is not one who intends good for them; rather he intends destruction for them. He is a devil – a devil amongst the Jinn or the people. It is obligated to us to be more careful of this (second person) than the first one because this one (i.e. the second) intends to misguide the people.
“He is astray, leading others astray, a rebellious devil”.
Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzaan stated:
He is misguided and misguiding others- a rebellious devil, a rebel intending to turn the people away from the Straight Path.
“It is a duty upon those who know of him to warn the people against him and to explain his condition to them so that no one falls into his innovation and is destroyed”.
Al-Allamah Saalih Al-Fawzan commented:
It is not permissible to keep quiet about this one who abandons the truth intentionally; rather it is obligatory to unveil his affair and uncover his vileness until the people are warned about him. It is not to be said that the people are free to hold views, freedom of speech and respecting the views of others, as said at present with regards to respecting the views of others. The matter is not about views, (rather), the matter is about Ittibaa. Allah has outlined a clear path for us, and He told us to adhere to it, when He stated:
وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوه
And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it’ [6:153]
If any person comes to us and wants us to leave this straight path, firstly we reject his statement. Secondly, we clarify and warn the people against him and we do not keep quiet about him; because if we keep quiet about him, the people will be deceived by him, especially if he is an eloquent person with (skillful) writing and education, because the people will be deceived by him and will say, “This one is competent, this one is from the thinkers” as is taking place today. Therefore, the matter is very dangerous. And with regards to this, is a (justification) to refute the one in opposition, as opposed to what those who say, “Abandon the refutations, leave the people, everyone has his views and have respect for him”. Through this (so-called) respect for the views and freedom of speech, the Ummah will be destroyed. The Salaf did not keep quiet about the likes of these people; rather they exposed and refuted them due to their knowledge of the danger upon Ummah. We do not keep quiet about their evil; rather what Allah has revealed must be clarified, otherwise, we will be from those who conceal the truth- those about whom Allah said:
Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers] [2:159]
The matter is not limited to the innovator, rather it is extended to the one who keeps quiet about him (i.e. the one who deliberately keeps quiet while being aware about him). Rebuke and punishment (i.e. warning) are extended to him because it is obligatory to clarify.
An Excerpt from It’haf Al-Qaaree Bit-taleeqaat Alaa Sharh As- Sunnah Lil-Imam Al-Barbahaaree 1/110-115. Slightly paraphrased
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Sufyan Ath-Thawree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Whoever lends an ear to a person of Bidah has left the protection of Allah and is entrusted to it”. (i.e. the bidah)
Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, said:
The narration about fleeing from ahlul bidah and not to sit with them, nor to accompany them has preceded, therefore, whoever accompanies them and listens to their statements and does not reject them, will be destroyed alongside them. It is not permissible for you to lend an ear to them while saying, “I am a believer with strong Iman and I am well acquainted with the Aqeedah, and they cannot have an effect on me”. This is self-deception – trial for the people, because being distant and not listening to their false statements is safety. As for lending your ear to them, you will become worthy of being put to trial alongside them.
And regarding Sufyan’s statement: “And is entrusted to it”.
Al-Allamah Salih Al Fawzan commented:
(This is) because Allah safeguards the one who seeks safety from Him, while the one who listens to bidah is worthy of being put to trial through it. He is entrusted to it and is removed from the Protection of Allah. [Source: It’haaf Al-Qaaree. 2/316-317]
Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Sufyan Ath-Thawree is one of the Imams of the Sunnah and illustrious figures of guidance. He may have derived this speech from the Messenger’s warning against sitting with evil people that would inevitably cause harm and lead to dangerous consequences. Whoever opposes the Messenger’s warning has exposed himself to evil and is entrusted to himself. It is said to the one who lends an ear to ahlul bidah, “Do not do this because indeed the Messenger forbade and warned you; the pious predecessors forbade and warned you about sitting with ahlul bidah and acquiring (knowledge) from them”.
So, once you say, “By Allah! I read, I listen, take truth and abandon falsehood”, similar to the well known principle at present though which many youth – who were following the path of the pious predecessors- have been made into a laughing stock; they came to them with this vile – corrupt – principle, saying, “Read from the books of Ikhwaan (1), the books of Tableegh (2), the books of ahlul bidah, Sufism (3) and the Rawaafid (4), accept the truth (from them) and abandon the falsehood. He (i.e. the one who reads etc) is a Miskeen (poor in his knowledge, resolve etc) – neither knows truth nor can distinguish between it and falsehood, thus, he approaches falsehood, considers it to be truth and accepts it; approaches truth, considers it to be falsehood and rejects it, and strays. Allah entrusts this person to himself, because had he adhered firmly to the Sunnah, listen to the Messenger’s guidance, the stance of the Messenger’s companions and the pious predecessors, preserves the good he has – meaning the Sunnah, he would have been saved; but he became deceived so Allah entrusts him to himself due to this self-deception and self-importance which some people embark upon. He depends on himself and considers himself a leader in knowledge, while he is an ignoramus, thus, he falls into the traps of people of misguidance- quickly deviates and become one of the people of misguidance because Allah forsakes and entrust him to himself.
And due to this, we say: the one who is not safe from falling into the traps of the people of misguidance, it is obligated to him to avoid the books of the people of bidah and (avoid) sitting with them, because indeed the Messenger warned against sitting with them and the pious predecessors warned against sitting with them, rather they held a consensus to boycott and ostracise them – not to expose oneself to them and their call, except the one who is well established in knowledge, the one with ability to establish the proof against them while being cautious, warning against sitting with them and not to incline towards them.
As for the weak – the Miskeen – who is shaken by the light wind and it makes him fall (i.e. the one who cannot repel the doubts of ahlul bidah), it is obligated to him to preserve the good that Allah has bestowed on him, because nothing can be equal to safety.
The one who has the ability and experience – able to call to the path of Allah with wisdom and persuade the people of falsehood, he embarks upon calling them, while not being in agreement with them, not sitting with them and flattering them; but rather he should be a Mujahid, a caller to the path of Allah, a sincere adviser, enjoining good and forbidding evil. This is one who embarks upon calling the people of falsehood (to truth) and clarifies the truth to them, then (if) one is guided, alhamdulil laah; but if not, he has established the proofs which Allah has obligated to the inheritors of the Prophets (i.e. the scholars) to establish.
The Prophets were callers to the path of Allah, they invited the unbelievers to (the truth) and called the sinners (to the truth), and you are one of the inheritors of the Prophets, therefore, call these (people) and establish the proofs against them, but we do not say that this task is for everyone – that every Tom, Dick, and Harry intermingles with ahlul bidah and advise them; rather we say that this is for the people of knowledge, those well established in knowledge, the strong ones. As for those other than them – the ignoramuses and the ones with weak personalities, we warn and tell them to be on guard against the outcomes that descend on the one who is deceived by himself, thus, he becomes one from ahlul bidah and misguidance. By Allah we know people from different Arab and Islamic countries who used to be upon good, then they were captured by this trick- meaning, read, read, take the truth and reject falsehood, and was not seen thereafter except that he was from the villains of ahlul bidah, waging war against ahlus sunnah, defending the people of falsehood. We ask Allaah for wellbeing. [Source: Awn Al-Baaree Bi-Bayaan Maa Tadammanahu Sharhus Sunnah Lil-Imaam Al-Barbahaaree. 2/ 970-972. slightly paraphrased]
Al-Fudayl Ibn Iyaad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“Whoever sits with a person of bidah has not be granted wisdom”.
Al-Allamah Rabee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
The one who sits with ahlul bidah and incline towards them, there is no doubt that he is dim-witted and on the opposite side of wisdom. Sitting with ahlul bidah is dangerous, and we have mentioned to you several times the hadeeth: “The parable of good company and a bad company is only that of a seller of musk and a blacksmith”. (5) This is an urge (by way of a command) from the Messenger that one sits (with) the righteous – those who are free from misguidance and bidah, those who call to good, command good and forbid evil – warn against falsehood. These are ones to be accompanied, you will benefit from them in matters of sound creed, sound methodology, authentic narrations and (acquire) abundant good. As for ahlul bidah -and Allah’s Refuge is sought, you will find corrupt creed with them, fabricated narrations, baseless narratives and other calamities, which is the reason behind the deviation of many of those people who oppose the (sound Salafi Methodology).
By Allah, it is not appropriate for some scholars to sit with the people of desires because it may be that he has some knowledge, but shaky and weak in personality, thus, he strays through falsehood. By Allah, there is an example of this in history about a people who diverted from the truth (in some matters) even though they had knowledge. Among them was Al-Bayhaqi who was affected by Ash’ariyyah (6) and Abdur Razzaaq who was affected by at-Tashayyu (7)…many among them; rather many of those who were swept away by bidah, the reason was nothing else other than reading the books of ahlul bidah and sitting with the people of misguidance, thus many people in the Islamic societies deviated due to this intermingling, sittings, reading and what is similar to that.
When Ahlus Sunnah listened to their scholars, Allah protected them from being swept away by ahlul bidah, but when the scholars or some of the scholars fell short (or failed to act as required), authority lost, and the people became deceived by people of bidah and misguidance, the Islamic world was swept away by bidah. In the last century, ilhaad, Zandaqah, (8) communism, Baathism and secularism appeared, the people intermingled and strayed. The who intermingled with the heretics became a heretic, the one who intermingled with the callers to socialism became a socialist, the one who intermingled with the baathists became baathist, the one who intermingled with the Rawafid became Rafidi (9), the one who intermingled with the Soofiyyah became a Sufi, the who intermingled with the groups of illegal partisanship became an adherent to illegal partisanship (10) and so on. Had they held onto the likes of this Prophetic and Salafi guidance, Allah would have protected them, but they embarked upon error, so Allah entrusted them to themselves. [Awn Al-Baaree 2/ 2974-975]
Al-Allamah Salih al Fawzaan, May Allah preserve him, stated:
It is forbidden to visit the Mubtadi [an innovator in religious matters] and to sit with him, unless it is for the (purpose) of advice and rejection of what he is upon. This is because keeping his company has an evil effect and leads to spreading his enmity (i.e. his misguidance) to others. It is obligatory to warn against them and their evil if it becomes impossible to prevent them from practicing bidah. And if not, it is obligated to the scholars of the Muslims and those in charge of the affairs of the Muslims to prevent and restrain the Mubtadi’ah from their evil. This is because the danger they pose to Islam is great. It must be known that the nations of disbelief encourage the Mubtadi’ah to spread their bidah and aid them upon that to create divergent paths (i.e. disunite the word of the Muslims and create sects that are in opposition to the singular path of the pious predecessors in creed and Methodology). In this is termination of Islam and distortion of its image. And Allah knows best. We ask Allah to aid His Religion and make His Word Uppermost, and forsake the enemies. [Source: An Excerpt from “Al Irshaad ilaa Sahih Al-Ittiqaad War Raddu alaa Ahli Ash-Shirki Wal Ilhaad. Page 455]
1: http://www.ikhwanis.com/index.cfm
2: What are the core mistakes of the Tablīghi Jamā’at? They claim that they do not promote grave worship and other innovations. How is going out to the people for da’wah wrong? https://abukhadeejah.com/mistakes-tablighi-jamaat/
3: The Origin of Early Sufism Is From Basrah, Iraq: http://www.ibntaymiyyah.com/articles/dgfil-the-origin-of-the-sufis-is-from-basrah-iraq.cfm
“The Reality of Sufism: It’s Beginnings and Rise in the Muslim Ummah.” – Lessons in Aqīdah and Da’wah of Shaikh Sālih al Fawzān lecture by Abu Khadeejah: https://www.salafisounds.com/the-reality-of-sufism-its-beginnings-and-rise-in-the-muslim-ummah-lessons-in-aqidah-and-dawah-of-shaikh-salih-al-fawzan-lecture-by-abu-khadeejah/
4: The Devil’s Deception Of The Rāfidah Shī’ah — Know Their Beliefs From Their Own Source References: https://abukhadeejah.com/the-devils-deception-of-the-raafidah-shiah/
5: “The parable of good company and a bad company is only that of a seller of musk and a blacksmith”. The seller of musk will give you some perfume, you will buy some, or you will notice a good smell. As for the blacksmith, he will burn your clothes or you will notice a bad smell”. [Al-Bukhaari 5534 and Muslim 2628]
6: http://www.asharis.com/creed/
7: Tashayyu: Listen here – By Al-Allamah Muqbil Bin Hadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, regarding why Imam Abdur Razzaaq, may Allah have mercy upon him, was affected by something Tashayyu:
أما عبدالرزاق الصنعاني -رحمه الله- فقد دخل عليه شيء من التشيع، وقد قيل له: من أين لك هذا؟ مع أن أستاذيك أصحاب سنة؟ فقال: أتى إلينا جعفر بن سليمان الضبعي، وكان ذا هدي وسمت حسن فتأثرنا به فدخل علينا شيء من التشيع، ولم يبلغ به الحال إلى أن يتنقص الأئمة والخلفاء الراشدين والصحابة، بل هو سني من أهل السنة.
وقد جاء في ترجمة عبدالرزاق أنه قال في كلام عمر أنه قال: لفاطمة: جئت تطلبين ميراثك من أبيك وقال للعباس: جئت تطلب ميراثك من ولد أخيك. فقال عبدالرزاق: أنظروا إلى هذا الأحمق لم يقل: جئت تطلبين ميراثك من رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم-.
فينظر هل ثبت عن عبدالرزاق أم لم يثبت، فإن ثبت فهو يعتبر خطأ لا يجوز أن يتبع عليه، وقد قال الإمام الذهبي: أن عمر تكلم بهذا الكلام بناء على قسمة الفرائض أن شخصا مات عن ابنة وعن عم، فما لكل واحد منهما؟ ولم يقصد أن يتنقص رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم- بأنه ليس نبيا ولا رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم-.
وأما الحاكم فقد جاء عنه بعض الانزواء وبعض الانحراف عن معاوية -رضي الله عنه-، وقد قال أبوطاهر عن عبدالله بن محمد الهروي أبي إسماعيل أنه قال: إمام في الحديث لكنه رافضي خبيث.
وقال أيضا كما في «العلل المتناهية» لابن الجوزي وقد ذكر حديث الطير أو حديثا غيره وذكر ابن الجوزي ما فيه من الضعف، ثم ساق بسنده إلى أبي طاهر المقدسي وهو محمد بن طاهر عن شيخه قال: لا يخلو الحاكم إما أن يكون جاهلا فهذا لا يؤخذ عنه العلم وإما أن يكون كذابا دساسا، وهذا أيضا لا يؤخذ عنه العلم.
والحق أنه لا يثبت لا ذا ولا ذاك، فالحاكم ليس بجاهل، عرفنا هذا من ترجمته، وعرف العلماء منزلته الرفيعة كما في «سير أعلام النبلاء» وفي «تذكرة الحفاظ» وفي «الإرشاد» للخليلي، فهو إمام متفق على جلالته.
فالحاصل أن بهما شيئا من التشيع لا يخرجهما إلى الرفض كما قال الحافظ الذهبي عند أن ذكر هذا الكلام عن أبي إسماعيل الهروي، قال: إن الله يحب الإنصاف ما الرجل برافضي ولكن به شيء من التشيع.
وقال المعلمي في «التنكيل» عندما ذكر كلام أبي إسماعيل الهروي: إمام في الحديث رافضي خبيث، قال المعلمي: لعل السجعة هي التي حملت قائلها إلى أن يقول ما قال. وما أشبهها بما كتب الصاحب بن عباد إلى قاض (بقم) -وهي بلدة كانت سنية ثم أصبحت رافضية- فكتب الصاحب بن عباد:
أيها القاضي بقم قد عزلناك فقم
فلما وصلت إلى القاضي تذكر ذنوبه ماهو الذي فعله؟ فلم يجد أنه أذنب ولا فعل شيئا، فقال: والله ما عزلتني إلا السجعة.
وأما عكرمة فقد رمي برأي الخوارج وليس بالقدر، فإن الذي رمي بالقدر هو قتادة، وقد دافع عن عكرمة الحافظ ابن حجر وبرأه وذكر في «فتح الباري» في الكلام على سبب نزول قول الله تعالى: ﴿إن الذين توفاهم الملائكة ظالمي أنفسهم قالوا فيم كنتم قالوا كنا مستضعفين في الأرض قالوا ألم تكن أرض الله واسعة فتهاجروا فيها فأولئك مأواهم جهنم وساءت مصيرا﴾ أنه قيل لعكرمة وقد سأله شخص: أأخرج مع هؤلاء الذين يخرجون؟ أي: للقتال، والقتال بين مسلمين، فقال له عكرمة: لا تخرج، ثم استدل بهذه الآية أي: لا تكثر سواد أهل الباطل ولا تخرج. قال: في هذا دليل على أن عكرمة لا يرى رأي الخوارج.
8: ilhaad: ilhaad: “Complete ilhaad” is to turn away from Islam completely and that is Major ilhaad, which exits a person from the fold of Islam, such as the ilhaad committed by communists, the idol worshippers and those similar to them. And Minor ilhaad does not exit a person from the Religion of Islam, such as turning away from some actions. Allah (The Most High) said:
And whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong, him We shall cause to taste a painful torment. For further details, see link: https://www.ajurry.com/vb/forum/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A8%D9%80%D9%80%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%80%D9%80%D8%A7%D9%85/13722-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%88%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%81-%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%9F?t=13326
Zandaqah: Heresy
9: The Devil’s Deception Of The Rāfidah Shī’ah — Know Their Beliefs From Their Own Source References: https://abukhadeejah.com/the-devils-deception-of-the-raafidah-shiah/
10: Illegal Partisanship: To initate an idea that opposes the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, (establish) allegiance and enmity based upon it, this is illegal partisanship, even if is not initiated under an organisation. [Source: Kash As-Sitaar page 19-20 by al-Allamah Rabee, may Allah have mercy upon him]
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
A’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did something and allowed his people to do it, but some people refrained from doing it. When the Prophet learned of that, he delivered a sermon, and after having praised Allah, he said, “What is wrong with such people who refrain from doing a thing that I do? By Allah, I know Allah better than they, and I am more afraid of Him than they.” [Al-Bukhari 6101]
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Verily, Allah loves for you to take His concessions, just as He loves you to fulfill the things He has obligated.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban 354]
Unjustified Pursuit of Concessions and Odd Matters
Ibrahim Ibn Abee Ablah (died 152AH – may Allah have mercy upon him) said, “He who carries the odd affairs of knowledge carries a lot of evil”. [1]
Abdur Rahmaan Bin Mahdi (died 198AH – may Allah have mercy upon him) said, “The one who pursues the odd affairs of knowledge cannot be an Imam in knowledge”. [2]
Imam ash-Shaatibee, may Allah have mercy upon him] stated regarding the attitude of unjustified pursuit of concessions, “This arises from following one’s desires. Desire leads to a ‘too easy going attitude’ and the pursuit of concessions for oneself and others. So, you see him (i.e. such person) adopting that for himself or passing that judgment for his relative or friend, which he would not do for another person, due to the desire of that relative and friend”. [3]
He, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “If a Mukallaf [i.e. the sane one who has reached the age in which the obligations of the Shariah are obligated to him or her] seeks after concessions in the Madhabs in every affair that is difficult for him and every statement that agrees with his desires, then he will remove himself from the firm handhold of piety and persist upon the pursuit of desires”. [4]
He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also stated regarding the attitude of the unjustified pursuit of concessions: “This arises from following one’s desires. Desire leads to a too easy going attitude and the pursuit of concessions for oneself and others. So, you see him adopting that for himself or passing that judgment for his relative or friend, which he would not do for another person due to the desire of that relative and friend”. [5]
He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said: “If a Mukallaf [i.e. the sane one who has reached the age when the obligations of the Shariah are obligated on him or her] seeks after concessions in the Madhabs in every affair that is difficult for him and every statement that agrees with his desires, then he will remove himself from the firm handhold of piety and persist upon the pursuit of desires”. [6]
“f desires enter (a person), it leads to following the ambiguous matters out of being eager to prevail and become victorious through establishing excuses in issues related to difference of opinion (or differing); but rather it leads to splitting, disharmony, enmity, and hatred due to the different desires and lack of (sound) agreement; however, the Shariah came to curtail (vain) desires completely. If some of the premises of the evidence were not established except through desires, it would not result except in following desires and that is contrary to the Shariah, and opposing the Shariah is not fr of the Shariah at all. Therefore, following desires concerning what one may regard to be adherence to the Shariah is tantamount to misguidance.”. [7]
Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:
It is obligated to you to adhere to evidence and not (seek) concessions. Some of the pious predecessors said: “Whoever pursues concessions may fall into Zandaqah (hypocrisy or disbelief). Every Mad’hab contains some errors- some mistakes from some of its followers or from the Imam to whom it is attributed, who may have erred in some narrations or some hadiths were hidden from him. Therefore, a student of knowledge should not chase after concessions. If there is a difference of opinion on an issue and it is not one about which there is consensus, there are treatises among the people of knowledge, and the student of knowledge should (diligently) search for evidence and examine the more compelling statement or the one supported by stronger evidence, then he takes that which is established based on evidence and he does not chase after concessions. [8]
Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:
The facilitation of ease is what aligns with the essence of the religion. From this, we know that when two scholars differ in their opinions and it is not clear which view carries greater weight, neither in terms of evidence nor derivation of proofs, and both are reputable scholars in their knowledge and trustworthiness and the evidence is not clear as well as the derivation of proofs, yet they hold differing views—one being more stringent than the other—whom should we follow? The response: We should follow the easier option and it is said (we follow) the more stringent one, as it is deemed more cautious. However, this statement requires further examination, as the most cautious approach would be what aligns more with the Shariah and the easier option would be what aligns more with the Shariah. [9]
He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:
The jurists -may Allāh have mercy upon them, defined Muru’ah [manliness, sense of honour, honourable behaviour] in the Book of Testimonies, stating: “Doing what beautifies and adorns (a person’s character), while avoiding what may tarnish one’s character or reputation. This definition is general. Anything that beautifies and adorns you in the eyes of the people, and serves as a reason for praise for you, is considered Muru’ah, even if it does not fall under acts of worship. And everything opposite of this is contrary to Muru’ah. [10]
Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] was asked about those who follow the legislated Islamic concessions?
He replied: The religion is an Amaanah- an amaanah between the slave and his Lord. It’s obligatory that he fulfils it (the religious duties) as Allah and his messenger have commanded. Whoever performs the obligations, refrains from the prohibited affairs, (does) that which he is able from the Mustahabbaat (recommended deeds) and abandons the Makroohaat (disliked actions), this is the Amaanah between the slave and his lord. The concessions are only allowed when there is a need and necessity (to utilise) them. Utilise them in accordance with necessity- with a need for the concession. Just like the sick person combines between two prayers, performs Tayyamum if he cannot use water for purification and doesn’t fast in Ramadhaan (i.e. when travelling etc), and a traveler shortens the prayers. This is a religious concession used at the time of its requirement. As for using concessions in other than their correct place (i.e. situation), then this is not permissible. Allah did not permit that for him (in such situation). Indeed He (Allaah) only placed the concessions at specified times and situations, and they are not used in other than these (times and situations). Therefore, it is obligated to the Muslim that he fears Allah and that he establishes that which Allah has obligated to him. [11]
Reminder to Those Youth You Have Gone to Study And Are Teachers or Will Be Teachers In Future InShaAllah
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“The loftiest ambition in pursuit of knowledge is to acquire knowledge from the Qur’an and the Sunnah- to be granted understanding by Allah [i.e. blessed to acquire sound knowledge and act upon it] and through the Sunnah of the Messenger, and acquaint oneself with the boundaries of the revelation [i.e. neither going into excess nor being lackadaisical]. And the most baseless ambition of the students of knowledge is to confine their ambitions in following the bizarre affairs and that which has neither occurred nor has it been revealed, or acquainting (oneself) with the differences of opinion and pursuing the statements of the scholars, whilst having no ambition to acquaint oneself with what is correct among those statements. Little is there to benefit from the knowledge of these people”. [12]
Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:
We have decided to explain the book “Hilya Talib Al-Ilm” after consultations and suggestions from our students at the central Masjid. This is because if a student of knowledge lacks virtuous character, then there is no benefit in his pursuit of knowledge; instead it is obligated to a person that whenever he acquires knowledge of something related to virtuous deeds or acts of worship, he (strives) to implement it. If he does not do so, then he and the ignorant person will be the same; rather, the ignorant person may be in a better position because he deliberately abandons it unlike the ignorant person. This is because the ignorant person may act if he knows unlike the one who knows yet does not follow. Therefore, I urge both myself and you to embody virtuous manners, patience, perseverance, forgiveness, and kindness to the best of our abilities. This is besides the great advice – fear of Allāh – about which Allāh says:
And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allah, and keep your duty to Him. [An-Nisa 131] [13]
Al-Allaamah Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee, ay Allah have mercy upon him] said, “And know that some of the sincere ones fall into error by the will of Allah as a trial for others, as to whether they will follow the truth and abandon his speech, or be deceived by his virtuousness and lofty (status)? He (i.e. this sincere scholar) is excused; rather he is rewarded for striving to reach the correct verdict and his intention to reach good, and he is not degraded. However, the one who follows him (out of being) deceived by his great (status) without turning towards the real evidences in Allah’s Book (i.e. the Qur’an) and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he is not excused; rather he is upon a great danger”. [14]
[1] Siyar A’laam An-Nubula 6/324
[2] At-Tamheed 1/64 by Ibn Abdil Barr
[3] Al-Muwaafaqaat. 5/84
[4]Al-Muwaafaqaat. 3/123
[5] Al-Muwaafaqaat. 5/84
[6] Al-Muwaafaqaat. 3/123
[7] Al-Muwaafaqaat 5/221
[8] Paraphrased:
عليك أن تأخذ بالدليل، لا بالرخص، قال بعض السلف: من تتبع الرخص؛ تزندق، كل مذهب يكون فيه بعض الأغلاط، بعض الأخطاء من بعض أتباعه، أو من الإمام الذي هو منسوب إليه أنه غلط في بعض الروايات، وأنه خفي عليه بعض الأحاديث، فطالب العلم لا يتتبع الرخص.
وإذا كان في المسألة خلاف، ما هي بمسألة إجماع، فهناك رسائل بين أهل العلم، فطالب العلم يتحرى الدليل، وينظر في أقرب القولين، أو الأقوى للدليل، فيأخذ بما قام عليه
والمَرُوءَةُ حَدَّهَا الفقهاء . – رحمهم الله – في
كتاب الشهادات، فقالوا هي: فِعْلُ ما يُجَمِّلُهُ ويُزَيِّنُهُ، وَاجْتِنَابُ مَا يُدَنَّسُهُ وَيُشِيةٌ
وهذه عبارة عَامَّةٌ ، كُلُّ شَيْءٍ يُجَمِّلُكَ عِنْدَ النَّاسِ، وَيُزَيِّنُكَ وَيَكُونُ سَبَبًا للثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْكَ
فهو مَرُوعَةٌ، وإن لم يكن مِنَ العِبادات، وكلُّ شيء عَكْسُ ذلك فهو خلاف المروءة
[11] Translated by Abu Aa’isha Amjad Khan. http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/13751
[12] An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id. Page 99
[13] Paraphrased:
فقد قَرَّرْنَا شَرْحَ كتاب «حِلْيَةُ طَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ»، بعد مُشَاوَرَةٍ واقتراح الطلبة لدينا في الجامع؛ وذلك لأنَّ طالب العلم إذا لم يَتَحَلَّ بالأخلاقِ الفَاضِلَةِ فَإِن طَلَبَهُ لِلْعِلْمِ لا فائدة فيه، لكن يَجِبُ على الإنسان كُلَّمَا عَلِمَ شَيْئًا مِن الْفَضَائِلِ أو العِبَادَاتِ أن يقوم به، فإذا لم يفعل فهو والجاهل سواءٌ، بَلِ الْجَاهِلُ أَحْسَنُ حَالًا منه، لأنَّه تَرَكَ الفَضْلَ عن عَمْدٍ بخلاف الجاهل، ولأنَّ الجاهل رُبَّمَا يَنْتَفِعُ إِذا عَلِمَ،
بخلاف من عَلِمَ ولم يَنتَفِعُ .
فلهذا أحثُّ نفسي وإِيَّاكُمْ على التَّحَلي بالأخلاقِ الفَاضِلَةِ، وَالصَّبْرِ والمُصَابَرَةِ، والعفو والإحسان، بقدر المستطاع، هذا بقطع النظر عن الوصية الكبرى، وهي الوَصِيَّةُ بتقوى الله – عز وجل، التي قال الله – تعالى – فيها
وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ
In The Name of Allāh, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
It is necessary to bring together the disparager and the disparaged, the refuter and the refuted, and to seek judgment in the (presence) of the scholars. It is not permissible to pass judgement on the refuted and disparaged person in absentia:
This is one of the Shubuhaat (1) of Adnan Ar’ur, when he used to demand (or request) from Shaikh Rabee, may Allāh have mercy upon him, to seek judgement (together with him) in the (presence) of Al-Allamah Al-Uthaymin, may Allāh have mercy upon him, concerning the Mukhaalafaat and Dalaalaat (2) for which he was criticised. He used to falsely accuse the scholars – who denounced him due to the observations they made regarding his falsehoods – that they pass judgment on him in absentia, meaning before Al-Muhakamah (i.e. that in order to make a judgement against him, both him and his opponent must be present in the presence of a scholar), and according to him, this is not permissible.
Al-Allamah Rabee Al-Mad’khali, may Allāh have mercy upon him, was asked, as found in his treatise “Dar Baghi Adnan” about this Shubha (3): “What is your opinion regarding Adnan’s speech as follows: ‘Among the matters that are universally agreed upon by the nations- Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians – is that during judicial rulings and judgement, it is incumbent to hear from both parties. It maybe that he did not intend this, maybe he did not desire it, maybe it is a slip of the tongue, maybe it is a Shami expression which is different from a Saudi, maybe it is a Maghribi expression which is different from a Mashriqi. (4) When a man rejects Niyyah [i.e. intention which is a requirement in acts of worship] in Islam, then a judgment is issued without hearing the other side, (leading to accusations of) disbelief; how is (this) disbelief? Meaning, what is its ruling (i.e. the ruling on rejecting Niyyah in islam)? A disbeliever! So how can one judge, be pleased with and accept that a person has rejected Niyyah in Islam merely based on a phone call from an unknown person. Masha-Allah, masha-Allah, (is this) based on knowledge and piety; masha Allah, based on understanding?! Someone on the phone from Europe is talking about a well-known person who is a pioneer in Dawah and lives among them, so what prevented them from verifying this issue?
Al-Allamah Rabee, may Allāh have mercy upon him, replied:
Indeed, we are profoundly flabbergasted by this man’s hotchpotch in his speech about the scholars, his belittling of them and his self-aggrandizement in this instance. We are profoundly flabbergasted that he conflates judicial rulings with fatwas, so, at times considering their responses as fatwas and at other times as judicial decisions. This is a strange hotchpotch and an atrociously flawed argument on his part. Sadly, he has placed himself in the position of mentoring senior scholars- members of the Council of Senior Scholars- who have devoted their lives to knowledge, fatwas, and judiciary rulings. They know what is required of them when a questioner asks them questions and when they issue rulings. In any case, it can be understood from his speech (i.e. Adnan) regarding judicial rulings that it is not permissible to issue rulings on someone who is absent under any circumstances.
This speech is false. There are numerous situations where a judgment can be made on a person who is absent and it is not a condition that he should be present, nor is a judge obliged to hear from both parties. This matter is well-established and its proof is that Hind bint Utbah said to the prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, “Indeed, Abu Sufyan is a stingy man and he does not give us what suffices me and my children, can I take from his wealth?” He (i.e. the prophet) said: “Take from his wealth that which suffices you and your children”. [Al-Bukhari 5364 and Muslim 1714]
He did not say: “Where is Abu Sufyan? Where is he, bring him to me so that he hears this speech?” Allāh’s messenger, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, passed a judgement on him while he was absent. He allowed this woman – the wife of Abu Sufyah – to take from his wealth even without his consent. This is a ruling on an absent person. In the Mad’habs of Ahmad, Shafi’i, and Malik, and other than them among the scholars of the Ummah, is that in matters regarding the rights of the people and mutual dealings, it is permissible to make a judgement on the one who is absent.
Here, I reference what Al-Bukhari has stated. He said: “Chapter: Judgment on the one who is absent” with his chain of narration to Urwah, from Aisha that Hind said to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, “Indeed, Abu Sufyan is a stingy man and I am in need from his wealth”, so he said: “Take what suffices you and your children in a reasonable manner”. Al-Hafidh (i.e. Ibn Hajr) said about the statement “(Judgement) on the one who is absent”, meaning, (concerning) the rights of the children of Adam, but not Allāh’s rights, based on the consensus (of the scholars that this applies) even if evidence is established against an absent person regarding theft, for instance, financial judgments that is other than the judgment of cutting the hand. Ibn Battal said: “Malik, Al-Layth, Al-Shafi’i, Abu Ubaid, and others have permitted judgments on the absent person”.
Ibn Abd al-Barr said: “the comprehensive nature of judicial rulings in lawsuits”. Judgment can be made against an absentee with regards to rights, mutual dealings, debts, and all rights, with the exception of real estate because no judgement is made about it, except if the person’s absence is prolonged and it harms his opponent. If this becomes the case, a judgement is made. This is the Mad’hab of Malik. When it is the case that it is permissible to pass a judgment on a dead person, judgement on an absent person is even more permissible. Also, in the Mad’hab of Imam Ahmad, judgement on an absent person is permissible”. The author of “Al-Mughni” reported a difference of opinion on this matter, then he (concluded that what) carries more weight is the permissibility (of passing judgement on an absent person) and he used as evidence the hadith of Aa’isha in the story of Hind, while also pointing out contradictions in Abu Hanifa’s stance.
Adnan neither knows the value of the scholars nor the value of knowledge, nor does he know the conditions of Fatwa. Despite this, he behaves arrogantly towards the scholars and makes them the most ignorant people. So, all the nations make it a condition with regards to judicial rulings and lawsuits that the judge should hear from both parties; all the nations, in Adnan’s view, are acquainted with this, Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians, while these scholars are ignorant of these matters that are known to the nations of disbelief.
Then the questioner said: May Allāh protect you. What is your view on his earlier statement where he said that perhaps it wasn’t intended that way, it could have been a slip of the tongue, or that the expression might differ between Syrian and Saudi dialects, or even between Moroccan and Eastern expressions, thus, one passes a judgement without hearing the other side in the matter of disbelief. How can that be considered disbelief, meaning, when a man rejects the Niyyah in Islam?
Shaikh Rabee- may Allāh have mercy upon him – responded: This man has elevated himself and his speech to a status unprecedented by anyone else. Scholars listen to the speech of a scholar or someone other than him, clarifies for him that it is a mistake, and then criticises. (For instance), one narrates a hadith and makes a mistake, he (another person) says: “So and so has made a mistake, so and so has misperceived, so and so makes a lot of mistakes, so and so narrates munkar hadith”. He does not summon this narrator and say: “Maybe you intended such and such; inform me of what you intended, perhaps you intended such”. (Rather), he passes judgement on his speech that it is an error. He reads a book, then finds an error in it, he authors volumes to debate this scholar regarding what he considers as mistakes, and none says that (one uses) this method mentioned by Adnan.
Ash-Shafi’i engaged in discussions with Malik and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, the companion of Abu Hanifa, regarding statements they made and rulings they issued. No one said to him: “Why did you approach Muhammad ibn al-Hasan or why did you not engage in discussion with Malik during his lifetime. Why? Why? Why?” No one says this, except the ignorant and the dull-witted who utter the likes of this speech, and put forward such objections. The Salaf used to critique people regarding their beliefs, their statements, and their actions, and they considered this as part of enjoining good and forbidding evil. They would issue fatwas based on the statements they received, and no one says they did not summon the speaker and say, “What did you intend, this or do you intended such and such”.
An Excerpt from Juhud Al-Allamah Rabee Al-Mad’khali Fee Naqd Shubuhat Al-Hizbiyeen An Manhaj An-Naqd Inda Ahli As-Sunnah As-Salafiyyeen 165-170. Compiled by Shaikh Ahmad Az-Zahrani, may Allah preserve him.
[1] Shubuhaat: doubts or ambiguities that are made to resemble truth but are falsehood in reality
[2] Mukhalafaat: deeds, beliefs, or methodologies that are opposition to what is right in the divine legislation. Dalaalaat: deeds, beliefs or methodologies that are tantamount to misguidance in religious practice.
[3] Shubhah: the singular of Shubuhaat
[4] Shaam: includes countries like Syria, Lebanon, Palestine etc. Maghrib: includes Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia etc. Mashriqh: includes Egypt, Sudan, etc
O you who believe! Answer Allah and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart. And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered. [8:24]
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
This Ayah comprises some affairs and one of them is that a beneficial life is only attained through obedience to Allah and His Messenger, therefore, whoever does not submit to this call (of Allah and His Messenger) will have no life (upright guidance), even though he has a life similar to that of the most despicable animals (i.e. eats, drinks and fulfils desires whilst devoid of the sound faith that enables a person to distinguish between guidance and misguidance).
A real and good life is the life of that one who answers the call of Allah and His Messenger- outwardly and inwardly. They are those who are alive (with sound faith in this life), and even if they have passed away (their righteous example remains). As for others besides them, they are dead (with hearts devoid of sound faith), even if their bodies are alive. This is why the one with the most perfect life amongst the people is the one with the most perfect response to the call of the Messenger because there is life (upright guidance) in everything he calls to. Therefore, whoever missed a portion of it will miss a portion of life and there is life in accordance with his response to his call.
[لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ -To that which will give you life].
Mujaahid, may Allah have mercy upon him, “Meaning, the truth”.
Qataadah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Meaning, this Qur’an in which is life (upright guidance), safety and protection in the life of this world and the hereafter”.
As-Sa’dee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Meaning, Islam. They were given life (upright guidance) by way of it after being dead (completely misguided) through disbelief”.
Ibn Ishaaq, may Allah have mercy upon him, said that Urwa Bin Zubayr, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Meaning, through Jihad, Allah gave you might after they had been subdued, made them powerful after being weak and protected against your enemy after being overpowered by them”.
All these interpretations are of a singular reality, and that is to fulfil what the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, conveyed – outwardly (deeds) and inwardly (sound belief in the heart).
Al-Farraa’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “If you are called to that which gives life” means when you are commanded to perform Jihad against your enemy. He intends that the believers become strong through Jihad, and if they were to abandon Jihad their authority would become weak and their enemy would gain an advantage over them. Jihad is one of the greatest of affairs by way of which they are given life in the worldly life (enabled to establish and follow the upright religion), in the Barsakh (life of bliss in the grave) and in the Hereafter (a life of bliss in paradise). As for the worldly life, their power and domination over their enemy is by way of Jihad. [Footnote a] And regarding the Barsakh, Allah said:
Think not of those who are killed in the Way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision].[Surah Al-Imran. Ayah 169]
As for in the Hereafter, indeed the share of the Mujaahideen and Shuhadaa with regards to life and bliss would be greater than that of others besides them. Due to this, Ibn Qutaybah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said regarding Allah’s statement:[لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ -To that which will give you life] means “martyrdom”. Some of the Mufassiroon said that it means “Paradise” because it is the abode of the eternal good life. The Ayah includes all these affairs because Iman, Islam, the Qur’an and Jihad give the hearts a good life (upright guidance) and perfect life in Paradise, and the Messenger is a caller to Iman and Paradise, therefore, he is a caller to life in the life of this world and the Hereafter.
The life of the body enables a person to be conscious of what benefits and harms, so he chooses that which benefits over what harms him. When deprived of this, he is affected by pain and weakness. Due to this, the life of the sick person, the grief-stricken, the one afflicted with anxiety, distress, fear, poverty and humiliation is inferior to the life of the one protected from that. The life of one’s heart and soul enables a person to distinguish between truth and falsehood, between misguidance and guidance, so the person chooses the truth and not its opposite. This life benefits him with the strength to distinguish between benefit and harm in affairs of knowledge, intent and action; benefits him with the strength of Imaan, intent, love for the truth and the strength to abhor falsehood. Therefore, self-consciousness, discernment, love and aversion are (judged in accordance with) what one possesses of this life (of the heart and soul), just as the body that is alive is (judged in accordance with) its self-consciousness and perception of what is of benefit and what brings about pain.
The (first affair) is regarding the life of the body and the (other one) is about the life of the heart. The discernment of the heart ceases when the life of the heart. Even if it possesses an aspect of discernment, it will not have the strength by way of which it chooses what benefits over harm. And just as the human being cannot have life (physically) until the Angel blows the soul into him – because prior to this, he was lifeless; also, is the life of his soul and heart until the Messenger conveys to him the revelation. Allah said:
And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Roohan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will.
[Life of the body begins] through the angel sent by Allah to blow the soul into a person and [life of the heart through upright guidance is made possible through] the advent of the human Messenger. So, whoever receives the Rooh [i.e. the soul] brought by the Angel Messenger and the Rooh [i.e. revelation conveyed by the human Messenger] will receive two types of life. The one who receives the Rooh [soul], but not the [other Rooh (the revelation conveyed by the human Messenger)] will receive one type of life and miss the other. Allah said:
Is he who was dead and We gave him life and set for him a light whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness from which he can never come out?
Therefore, he is given both light and life, just as the one who turns away from the (Qur’an and Sunnah) receives both death (a misguided heart) and darkness (misguidance). Ibn Abbaas [may Allah be pleased with him and his father] and all the Mufassiroon said that such a one [i.e. the one who is guided] used to be an unbeliever, so Allah guided him.
And regarding Allah’s statement:
وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ
And set for him a light whereby he can walk amongst men.
This includes a number of affairs and one of them is that he walks amongst the people with light, whilst the people are in darkness, therefore, his example and theirs is like that of a people who got lost during nightfall and could not find their way, whilst he had light whereby he could walk in the road, and could see as well as see what he is to be cautious of. The second affair is that he walks amongst them with his light, so they borrow from it due to their need for it. The third affair is that he walks with his light on the day of judgement on the bridge of As-siraat, whilst the people of Shirk and Nifaaq remain in the darkness of their Shirk and Nifaaq.
And know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart. And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered.
The first explanation of this statement is that it is well known that Allah is the one who intervenes between the believer and disbelief, between the disbeliever and Imaan, between the people of obedience and their disobedience to Him, and between the people of disobedience and their obedience to Him. This is the saying of Ibn Abbaas and the majority of the Mufassiroon.
The second explanation is that Allah is close to the heart of the human (i.e. by His All-Encompassing Perfect knowledge) and no secret is hidden from Him. This was mentioned by Al-Waahidiy from Qataadah. It appears that this statement (reported from Qataadah) is more in conformity with the context because the basis of this Istijaabah [i.e. responding to the call of Allah and His Messenger] is by way of the heart. A bodily response is of no benefit without the response of the heart because Allah comes between a person and his heart and knows whether the person has responded to Him with his heart or hides the opposite of that.
With regards to the first statement (i.e. the statement of Ibn Abbaas and the majority of the Mufassiroon), it is the fact that if one turns away from (responding to the call of Allah and His Messenger), he will not be safe and thus Allah comes between him and his hearts as a punishment because he abandoned (this response) after the truth had been explained and made clear. So, he will be like what (has been mentioned) in the statement of Allah:
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Everyone who opposes the Methodology of the Prophet and His Sunnah (a) is considered part of the misguided groups. Unlawful Partisanship does not require (specific) conditions; Allah referred to past nations as unlawful partisanship groups, and He referred to the Quraysh as an unlawful partisanship group when they united and allied with various groups. They did not have an organisation or anything, thus it is not a condition to be an organisation in order to be (classified) an unlawful partisanship group. However, if this group organises itself, it increases in evil.
Blind (bigoted) allegiance to a specific thought (or idea) that contradicts Allah’s Book and the Messenger’s Sunnah, and (establishing) allegiance and enmity based on it, this is unlawful partisanship, even if not organised.
To adopt a deviant thought (or idea) and gather people around it, this is an unlawful partisanship group, regardless of whether it is organised or not. To adopt a deviant thought (or idea) and gathering people around it, this is an unlawful partisanship group, regardless of whether it is organised or not. As long as they unite for a cause (or behind someone) in opposition to the Quran and Sunnah, this is an unlawful partisanship group. The disbelievers who waged war against the Prophet did not have the organisational structure present today; nevertheless, Allah referred to them as unlawful partisanship groups. How is this so? It is because they banded together for falsehood and fought against the truth. (Allah says):
كذبت قبلهم قوم نوح والأحزاب من بعدهم وهمت كل أمة برسولهم ليأخذوه وجادلوا بالباطل ليدحضوا به الحق
The people of Nuh (Noah) and the confederates after them denied (their Messengers) before these, and every (disbelieving) nation plotted against their Messenger to seize him, and disputed by means of falsehood to refute therewith the truth. [Ghafir Ayah 5]
They are referred to as unlawful partisanship groups due to forming groups. Quraysh gathered the tribes of Ghatafan, Qurayza, and various other tribes, but they were not organised in the form of an organisation. They came together and Allah referred to them as unlawful partisanship groups, thus the Surah (regarding their affair) was named “Surah Al-Ahzab.” Were those unlawful partisanship groups organised (i.e. under an organisation)? It is not a condition that an unlawful partisanship group has to be organised (or under an organisation). If it believes in a false idea – argues, disputes, and allies for the sake of it, this is an unlawful partisanship group. Should this (commitment) become more structured (organised or under an organisation), with the mobilisation of wealth etc, it would undoubtedly deepen its unlawful partisanship and become one of the astray groups. And Allah’s refuge is sought. (1)
Listen to Hizbiyyah Is Not From Salafiyyah By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah – may Allah preserve him.
(a) Shaikh Rabee: Establishment of Proof in Declaring a Person to be an Innovator https://abukhadeejah.com/shaikh-rabee-establishment-of-proof-in-declaring-a-person-to-be-an-innovator/
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“The over-stringent ones are destroyed”.
Imam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: The over-stringent ones are those who look too deeply (into affairs) and are excessive- those who exceed the Hudood (prescribed legislated Shariah boundaries) in their statements and actions”. [1]
Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said that:
This applies to both speech and actions, and that in most cases some people in this state may become self-amazed and arrogant. [2]
The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“Beware of Ghuluw (extremism exaggeration, or excessive zeal) in religion, for those who came before you were destroyed due to extremism in religion”. [3]
Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“Ghuluw is the act of exceeding the limit in something, by either praising or criticizing (dispraising) something beyond what it truly deserves, and similar actions.” [4]
Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“A person must have (sound) comprehensive fundamental principles to which the branches of a subject matter are referred back to in order to speak based on knowledge and justice; then he knows how those branches of the subject matter are established (or the way in which they are impacted by the sound comprehensive principles), otherwise, he will remain upon lies and ignorance in the branches and upon ignorance and oppression in the comprehensive fundamental principles, thus great corruption occurs”. [5]
Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
When it is the case that the (true) followers of the Prophets are people of knowledge and justice, then the speech of the people of Islam and the Sunnah about the disbelievers and people of bidah is to be (carried out) with knowledge and justice, and not conjecture and the soul’s desire. And due to this, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Judges are three types; one will go to Paradise and two to Hell. A man who knows the truth and judges based on it will enter paradise; a man who knows the truth but judges based on the opposite of it will enter the fire, and a man who judges for the people based on ignorance will enter the fire”.
And when it is the case that the one who judges between the people in (matters) of wealth, blood [i.e. murder cases etc] and honour will enter the hell fire if he is not a just scholar, then what about the one who passes judgements without knowledge, such being the case with ahlul bidah, on religions, the fundamental principles of Iman, affairs of knowledge related to Allah, His Names, Attributes and Actions, and the lofty affairs of knowledge?!” [6]
An Example of Those People of Knowledge Whose Knowledge Had An Effect On Them
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.
I met Abdul Wahhab Al-Anmaatee, who adhered to the principles of the pious predecessors. Backbiting was not heard in his gatherings (a) nor did he seek any reward for sharing hadith. Whenever I read to him the hadiths related to Raqaa’iq, he would weep and his tears would flow continuously. As a young person at that time, his weeping profoundly affected my heart. He embodied the characteristics of the scholars whose descriptions we had heard in the reports.
I met Abu Mansur Al-Jawaaleeqee, who was notably quiet and very meticulous in his speech. Even when asked about a clear matter, which some of his young students would quickly answer, he paused to ensure accuracy. He fasted and kept quiet a lot. I benefited from these two men more than I benefitted from others. I understood from this situation that guidance through action is more effective than verbal instruction. The truly impoverished one is the person who spends their life acquiring knowledge without applying it, missing out on the pleasures of this world and the goodness of the hereafter, ultimately proceeding as one bankrupt in deeds with strong proofs against him. [7]
Respect all the scholars and benefit from them, but seek out the most elderly and senior scholars
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
As the (true) followers of the Prophets are characterised by their knowledge and commitment to justice, therefore, the discourse of the adherents of Islam and the Sunnah regarding disbelievers and those who engage in bidah must be grounded in knowledge and justice, rather than conjecture and desires. Due to this, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated, “There are three types of judges; one will enter Paradise, while two will enter the fire. A man who knows the truth and judges accordingly will enter Paradise; a man who knows the truth yet judges contrary to it will enter the fire, and a man who judges for the people based on ignorance will enter the fire”. When it is case that one who adjudicates matters of wealth, life, and honour is (threatened with) entry into the fire for failing to be a just scholar, then, what about the one who renders judgments without knowledge, particularly ahlul bidah, who address issues of faith, the core tenets of Iman, and knowledge regarding Allah, His Names, Attributes, and Actions, as well as other profound matters of knowledge. [1]
This article serves as a brief response to the assertions made by David Ben-Basat, who sought to articulate his understanding of the distinctions between Sunni and Shia, at least as reflected in this above post of his at the Jerusalem Post. However, it is imperative to emphasise that a more fitting title would be “the Distinction Between Islam and the Beliefs of the Rafidah”. This distinction arises from the fact that the tenets and practices of the Rafidah religion diverge significantly from those of Islam.
David stated: The conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims remains one of the central features shaping the political and religious dynamics of the Middle East.
Rooted in Islamic history since the 7th century, this divide has evolved into a broad political and ideological battle, exploited by regional powers such as Iran and Turkey to extend their influence, fueling clashes between the two sects. Islam is divided into two main branches: Sunni Muslims, who make up about 85% of the Islamic world, and Shia Muslims, who represent around 15%. [end of quote]
Response: The conflict between Islam and the religion of the Rafidah was first initiated by Abdullah Bin Sabah, a Jew from Yemen. Shaikh Shamsuddeen Al-Afghani, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:
The enemies of Islam, recognising their inability to eradicate this religion (Islam), strategically infiltrated it with disbelieving agents- individuals who masqueraded as Muslims, aiming to sow confusion, trials, and tribulations, while promoting polytheism by elevating the status of the righteous and venerating their graves (through beliefs and practices) not sanctioned by Allah. Consequently, the Ummah faced trials stemming from the schemes of Abdullah Bin Saba, who asserted that Ali Ibn Abee Talib, (the Prophet’s cousin), deserved worship alongside Allah. The followers of Abdullah Bin Saba became known as the Saba’iyyah, and later as the Rawaafid (Shiites), Ismaaliyyah (Shiites), Nusayriyah (Shiites), among others within the Baatiniyyah sect. [Footnote a] They engaged in the veneration of graves and their occupants, constructing places of worship and shrines at these sites. Through such actions, they revived the corrupt practices of those (particular) Jews, Christians, and idol worshippers who strayed from the true path of the Prophets of Allah. This illustrates how the worship of graves emerged within this Ummah through the practices introduced by the Rawaafid (Shiites). [2] Read: http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/articles/bmfjr-a-brief-overview-of-the-doctrines-innovated-by-abdullah-bin-saba-al-yahudi-which-became-the-foundational-beliefs-of-the-sects-of-the-shia.cfm
Al-Allamah Muqbil Bin Hadi Al-Wadi’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
The Saba’iyyun are the companions of Abdullah Bin Saba, who said to Ali, “You are.. you are”- meaning, “You are the deity”. Hafidh Adh-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Abdullah bin Saba was from the extremists amongst the heretics- misguided and misguiding others”. Ibn Asakir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “He was originally from Yemen- a Jew who manifested Islam, travelled around the Muslim lands to turn them away from obedience to their leaders and to bring about evil between them, and he entered into Damascus for that reason”. Abu Ya’laa, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported in his Musnad from Al-Jalaas who said, “I heard Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, saying to Abdullah Bin Saba, “Indeed, there will be thirty liars at the approach of the hour and you are one of them”. Abdullah bin Saba had followers and they were called the Saba’iyyun. They believe that Godhead is with Ali. Indeed Ali burnt them with fire during his Khilaafah. And do not think that the followers of Abdullah Bin Saba have perished, (rather) there is that leader of misguidance -khumeini, who displays (so called) jealousy for Islam, yet he destroys its pillars. Some of the ignorant ones among the Ikhwan al-Muslimoon were deceived by Khumeini, and they used to mention him on the pulpits; but when the Book titled: Jaa’a Dawrul Majoos appeared, they were shaken. They kept quiet and did not praise Khumeini. Perhaps the Muslims will take a lesson from the story of Abdullah Bin Saba and be warned against the machinations and filth of the Rafidah because their call is based on deception.[3]
Furthermore, the assertion that Islam is bifurcated into two primary branches is fundamentally erroneous. The essence of the religion remains unified; guidance stands apart from misguidance, and truth is clearly delineated from falsehood. Therefore, any notion of division within the faith is unfounded. It is, in fact, those who have strayed from the righteous path who have caused fragmentation. Conversely, those who faithfully adhere to the authentic teachings of Islam remain united in their belief and methodology. It is imperative for those who have deviated from the true teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah to renounce their misguidance and return to the path of truth. Thus, anyone who innovates into the religion is rebutted and he is guilty of splitting. Al-Allamah Zaid Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali [may Allah preserve him) said:
The innovator in religious matters is the cause for the splitting, because splitting is connected to innovation in religion and unity is connected to the Sunnah. The obligation of refuting an opposer of the truth is not lifted from the scholar due to anticipation of harm, unless it is harm he is not able to bear, so (in this case) Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. The earth is not devoid of people of knowledge who will carry out refutation against an innovator in religious affairs and one who opposes the truth”. [4] For further insights on the various sects, please read below:
David said: Conservative Sunni rhetoric often regards Shias as heretics and even infidels, citing accusations like those against Aisha, the wife of the prophet Mohammed, of betrayal and attributing superhuman qualities to Shia imams, elevating them to a status comparable to that of the prophet himself. [end of quote]
Response: It is essential to recognise that dismissing the judgments against the Rafidah as mere rhetoric is a grave error, rooted in either misguidance or ignorance. These judgments are not mere expressions of persuasive language or the artful manipulation of words; they do not stem from the superficial techniques employed by rabble-rousers, demagogues, ideologues, or Zionists, nor do they represent eloquent discourse devoid of substance. Such a characterisation is more fitting for those who have introduced innovations into the sacred teachings of the Prophets, subsequently deriving their conclusions from these alterations. This path is reminiscent of those who strayed from the righteous ways of the noble Prophets Musa and Isa, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them, as well as those who have introduced erroneous beliefs and practices, including the Rafidah and the Khawarij. Rhetoric, therefore, is more aptly associated with these groups than with the judgments rendered by the upright scholars of Islam, which are firmly anchored in the infallible verses of the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Furthermore, David’s stance raises questions about his honesty; he is either misrepresenting Ahlus Sunnah as those who unjustly accuse the Rafidah or he is exercising unnecessary caution due to his lack of understanding of Rafidah beliefs, leading him to label valid refutations as rhetoric and accusations. Regardless of David’s intentions, if the Rafidah come across his statements, they might either appreciate his assistance in their Taqiyyah or regard him as poorly informed. The Rafidah are well known for disparaging Aa’Isha, may Allah be pleased with her, and their contempt for most of the Prophet’s companions, all while deifying the Prophet’s family—a belief innovated for them by the Yemeni Jew Abdullah Bin Saba. [Footnote c]
David stated: Sunni conservatives base their views on classical fatwas, such as those by 13th-century theologian Taqi al-Din Ibn Taymiyyah, who declared Shias/Shi’ites to be more heretical than Jews, Christians, and idolaters, likening them to the Crusaders and Mongols of his era. These ideological differences have spiraled into political struggles, with each side vying to dominate the region’s key states. [end of quote]
Response: David’s statement clearly highlights his ignorance of the topic at hand. Indeed, scholars who lived centuries before Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him and all of them, denounced the Rafidah and labeled them as heretics. Some even went so far as to declare the Rafidah as disbelievers, asserting that their beliefs are deemed apostasy, polytheism, and disbelief according to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Since Abdullah Ibn Saba concocted the beliefs and methodology of the Rafidah, the erudite scholars from each generation prior to Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah have confronted the Rafidah. Here are some significant examples.
Alqamah Ibn Qays An-Nakha’i [62AH], may Allah have mercy on him, a student of the Sahabi Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
Indeed, this Shia sect has exaggerated in their veneration of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, just as the Christians have exaggerated in their veneration of Jesus, son of Mary, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.” [5]
Talhah Ibn Musarraf [112 AH], may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“The women of the Rawaafid are not to be married, nor are their sacrifices permissible to eat, for they are people of apostasy.” [6]
Imam Malik Ibn Anas [179AH], may Allah have mercy on him, stated:
“Those who insult the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, do not have a share or portion in Islam.” [7]
Imam Malik also said:
“Whoever insults the companions of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has no right to the spoils of war. Allah, the Exalted, said:
[للفقراء المهاجرين الذين أخرجوا من ديارهم وأموالهم يبتغون فضلاً من الله ورضواناً – (And there is also a share in the booty) for the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes and their properties, seeking the bounty of Allah and His pleasure]. These are the companions of Allah’s Messenger who emigrated with him. Then Allah said: [والذين تبؤوا الدار والإيمان- And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the faith]. These are the Ansar. Then Allah further stated:
[والذين جاءوا من بعدهم يقولون ربنا اغفرلنا ولأخواننا الذين سبقونا بالإيمان – And those who came after them, say, “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethen who have preceded us in Faith].
The spoils of war are for these three groups. Therefore, whoever insults the companions of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, does not belong to any of these three groups and has no right to the spoils. [8]
Imam Abu Yusuf, may Allah have mercy upon him, the student of Imam Abu Hanifah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I will not pray behind a Jahmi, nor a Rafidi, nor a Qadari.” [9]
Imam Ash-Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“I have not seen anyone among the people of vain desires more deceitful in their claims or more prone to false testimony than the Rāfidah.” [10]
Imam Muhammad Ibn Yusuf Al-Firyabi [212AH], may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“I see the Rāfidah and the Jahmiyyah as nothing but heretics.” [11]
Imam Al-Qasim Ibn Sallam [224AH], may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“I have interacted with people and engaged with the scholars of theological rhetoric, yet I have never encountered a group more repugnant, more despicable, weaker in argument, or more foolish than the Rawaafid. During my tenure as a judge in the border regions, I expelled three individuals from among them: two Rawaafid and one Jahmi, asserting that individuals like you should not reside among the inhabitants of the borders.” [12]
Imam Ahmad Ibn Yunus [227AH], may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“We do not consume the sacrifice of a man who is a Rafidi, for in my view, he is an apostate.” [13]
Imam Abu Zur’ah Ar-Razi [264 AH], may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“If you see a man disparaging any of the companions of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, know that he is a heretic. This is because for us the Messenger is truth and the Qur’an is the truth. The Qur’an and the Sunnah have been conveyed to us by the companions of Allah’s Messenger. Those who seek to undermine our witnesses aim to invalidate the Book and the Sunnah, and it is more appropriate to disparage them; they are indeed heretics.” [14]
Abdur Rahman Ibn Abi Hatim, said that he inquired of his father, Abu Zur’ah, regarding the path of the Sunnah and the beliefs which the scholars have encountered in all regions. Among their remarks was: “Indeed, the Jahmiyyah are disbelievers, and the Rafidah have rejected Islam.” [15]
Imam Al-Barbahari [329AH], may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“Be aware that all deviant beliefs are reprehensible, leading to violence. The most despicable and heretical among them are the Rāfidah, the Mu’tazilah, and the Jahmiyyah, for they seek to lead people towards negation (of Allah’s Attributes) and heresy.” [16]
Imam Ibn al-Jawzi [597], may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“The excessive veneration of the Rāfidah for Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, led them to fabricate numerous hadiths extolling his virtues, many of which are detrimental and offensive to him. They have also introduced various jurisprudential opinions that are innovations in religion that contradict consensus. In numerous issues, which would require extensive elaboration, they have violated the consensus, and Satan has deceived them into fabricating these claims without relying on authentic sources or sound analogical reasoning. The repugnant (beliefs and practices) of the Rāfidah are too numerous to count.” [17]
The above are very few verdicts of the scholars, including the students of the Sahabah, throughout various generations that oppose the heretical Rafidah before the time of Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah. Therefore, David ought to have conducted his research with integrity or chosen to avoid revealing his ignorance, as the adage states: “Silence beautifies the scholar and hides the ignorance of the ignoramus.”
David said: IRAN, AS the Shia stronghold, sees itself as the ideological leader of Shia Muslims worldwide. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, it has sought to expand its influence by creating a “Shia crescent” that includes Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. However, Iran’s heavy investment in supporting Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite regime in Syria has largely gone to waste, undermining its efforts. [end of quote]
Response: The term Shia Muslim remains a myth until the reality is established. Thus, we’ll quote a clarification by Al-Allamah Rabee in that regard. The Shaikh was asked: Our Shaikh, may Allah preserve you. The questioner says: What is the ruling on the common people of the Rawafid and how do we deal with them?
The Shaikh replied: The questioner differentiates between the common people and other than them. This is a good approach. The common people who neither speak ill of the wives of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, nor do they declare the companions to be disbelievers, nor do they believe that the Qur’an is distorted; however, they have some Rafd [i.e. beliefs of the rafidah] and some hatred for the companions without declaring them disbelievers and what is similar to (these deeds), these ones are misguided innovators in religious matters and we do not declare them disbelievers. (But) whoever joins their heretics in declaring the companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to be disbelievers, speaking ill of the wives of Allah’s Messenger, and the filthy belief that the Qur’an has been distorted, and that there is an addition and deficiency in it, this (person) is a disbeliever similar to the disbelievers of the Yahud and Nasara. There is no distinction between their common people and their scholars (in this affair).
Then the Shaikh was asked: How do we deal with them? He replied: Answer: If dealing with them is with regards to a worldly affair—business transactions and what is similar to that— it is permissible to trade with a Jew, a Christian and a Rafidi. However, as for co-operating with them in issues of religion, no. [وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٲنِۚ – Do not help one another in sin and transgression. [5:2] Instead, their scholars and callers are boycotted and they are warned against. [18]
It is evident, upon careful consideration of the preceding facts, that the so-called Islamic revival in Iran under Khomeini was, in truth, a mere Rafidah revolution. This upheaval elevated the Rafidah and their beliefs, which diverge significantly from true Islam. Khomeini and his fellow Rafidah leaders can be characterized as disbelievers and heretics. Allow me to elaborate:
Ayat Al-Shaytan Khomeini: Seeking Aid From the Dead (And Stones and Mud) Is Not Shirk
