In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah (The Most High) said: [وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ – And mix not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know (the truth)]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Ayah 42]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Allah forbade us from mixing truth with falsehood, thus leading to concealment of the truth. Mixing truth with false is by mixing the two until one of them is confused with the other. This is forgery and deceit by way of which what is made apparent is the opposite of what it is in reality. Likewise, when the truth is confounded with falsehood, the culprit manifests falsehood in the image of truth and speaks with a statement that carries two meanings- a correct meaning and a false meaning, so the listener is under the illusion that the speaker intends the correct meaning, whilst he (i.e. the speaker) intends the corrupt meaning. [1]

This Ayah and its explanation by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim expose the true nature of this pseudo-researcher. He brings up the topic of Takfeer (ex-communication) while discussing Takfeeri groups like ISIS and others, who do engage in false Takfeer. However, he wrongly associates Sunnism with Jihadism, terrorism, suicide bombing, and false Takfeer. He stated, “Sunni jihadism has been characterized by transnational terrorism, suicide bombing, and ex-communication”.

Firstly, it has been previously stated in part 1 that the term Sunni cannot be merely used to describe anyone who claims to be a Sunni because being considered Sunni is not solely based on displaying certain characteristics of the Sunnah. Imaam Al-Barbahaaree [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: It is not permitted for a man to say, “So and so is a person of the Sunnah” until he knows that he combines the characteristics of the Sunnah, so it is not said of him, “A person of the Sunnah” until he combines all the Sunnah. Al-Allamah Saalih Al-Fawzan [may Allah preserve him] said: “The characteristics of the Sunnah are creed, knowledge, and adherence to the (path of the) As-Salaf As-Salih (the pious predecessors). But if there is nothing in him except a single trait of the (sunnah), he is not regarded to be from Ahlus Sunnah based on a single characteristic or one thing, then what about the one who has nothing from that? [2]

Therefore, simply identifying oneself as a follower of Sunnah does not necessitate that one has distanced himself from the deviant factions that go against the teachings of the Sunnah, rather, “Identifying with Islam is a way to distinguish oneself from the adherents of other religions, identifying with the Sunnah is a way to distinguish oneself from Bidah and the Shiites, and identifying with Salafiyyah is a way to distinguish oneself from the Innovated Dawah Methodologies, which are followed by the followers of various deviant groups.” [3] A man asked Imaam Abu Bakr Ibn Ayyaash [may Allah have mercy upon him], “Who is the Sunni?” He replied, “A Sunni is the one when the Ahwaa (innovations in religion) are mentioned (i.e. criticised), he does not become angry due to any of that”. [4]

Indeed, it is well-known to the true adherents of the Sunnah that the factions of Bidah, which wrongly associate themselves with Sunnism solely due to their non-Shiite beliefs, vigorously uphold their religious innovations in the religion. This category encompasses ISIS and similar groups. Hence, how can someone who truly comprehends this truth attribute Jihadism, terrorism, suicide bombing, and the erroneous Takfeer of the Khawaarij to Sunnism or the Sunnah?

Secondly, concerning Takfeer, we affirm what Allah and His Messenger have stated regarding the various designations assigned to individuals. Al-Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan [may Allah protect him] said:

Allah created both Jinn and mankind and bestowed upon them the inherent capacity to recognise Tawheed, surrender to Him, and worship Him alone. Nevertheless, some embraced this belief, while others did not. Allah says:
[هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ فَمِنكُمۡ ڪَافِرٌ۬ وَمِنكُم مُّؤۡمِنٌ۬‌ۚ – He it is Who created you, then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers].

Shaytaan and the proponents of evil wish them disbelief and evil, but Allah wishes them Imaan and well-being. Allah [The Exalted] says:

يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَكُمۡ وَيَہۡدِيَڪُمۡ سُنَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ وَيَتُوبَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ۬
وَٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ وَيُرِيدُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلشَّہَوَٲتِ أَن تَمِيلُواْ مَيۡلاً عَظِيمً۬ا

“Allah wishes to make clear (what is lawful and what is unlawful) to you and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise. Allaah wishes to accept your repentance, but those who follow their lusts, wish that you (believers) should deviate tremendously away from the Right Path”.

And as a result, Allah sent the Messengers, revealed the Scriptures, and established His Proofs. Consequently, some individuals choose to embrace the truth and have faith, while others opt to reject the truth and embrace disbelief. Allah has indeed distinguished between believers and unbelievers in both this life and the hereafter, and He has forbidden the two groups from being considered equal. Moreover, Allah has outlined recompense and judgment for each group in this life and the hereafter. He has assigned unique names to each group, such as Mumin for the believer, Kaafir for the disbeliever, Barrun for the righteous, Faajir for the evildoer, Mushrik for the polytheist, Muwahhid for the monotheist, Faasiq for the sinner, Munaafiq for the hypocrite, Mutee’un for the obedient one, and Aasee for the disobedient one. Furthermore, Allah has prohibited that these distinct identities and attitudes are equated. Allah says: [أَمۡ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱجۡتَرَحُواْ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن نَّجۡعَلَهُمۡ كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ – Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds?!]

Allah says: [أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلۡفُجَّارِ – Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, as Mufsidoon (those who associate partners in worship with Allah and commit crimes) on earth?! Or shall We treat the Muttaqoon (the pious ones), as the Fujjaar (criminals, disbelievers, wicked, etc)?!]

That is to say, we have not made them equal since doing so would not comport with Allah’s justice.

Should we abandon the terms Kufr, Shirk, Kuffaar, and Mushrikeen mentioned in the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Islamic creed? This would go against Allah and His Messenger, and it would violate the teachings of the Book and Sunnah. If we change the true meanings of these terms, we would be aligning ourselves with those who distort the teachings of our Lord and the practices of our Messenger. What justification is there for such an act? Is it to appease the unbelievers? As long as we hold onto our faith, the non-believers will never be satisfied with us. Allah says:

[وَدُّواْ لَوۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءً۬‌ۖ – They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another)]. [5]

Furthermore, concerning Takfeer, the upright scholars of the Ummah – both past and present – are well-versed in the established principles, unlike the proponents of Bidah who follow the ways of the khawaarij while falsely claiming to adhere to Sunnism or Salafiyyah. It is imperative to study the knowledge-based clarifications on Takfeer authored by the esteemed Salafi students of knowledge [may Allah protect them].

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/downloads/pdf/MNJ090006.pdf

http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ09&articleID=MNJ090004&articlePages=1

https://abukhadeejah.com/but-isis-dont-make-takfeer-so-why-do-you-label-them-as-khawaarij/

https://abukhadeejah.com/no-muslim-leaves-islam-unless-he-does-something-that-nullifies-it/

https://www.kharijites.com/kj/index.cfm

https://www.takfiris.com/takfir/index.cfm

Thirdly, it is important to remind Hasan Hasan that every sect of Bidah, including ISIS, inevitably intertwines elements of truth and falsehood. Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allah preserve him] stated: “All sects of Ahlul Bidah gather truth and falsehood, deny the truth that is with the other sect of Bidah and believes in that which they possess of falsehood. Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ قَالُواْ نُؤۡمِنُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا وَيَكۡفُرُونَ بِمَا وَرَآءَهُ ۥ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّ مُصَدِّقً۬ا لِّمَا مَعَهُمۡ

And when it is said to them (the Jews), “Believe in what Allah has sent down,” they say, “We believe in what was sent down to us.” And they disbelieve in that which came after it, while it is the truth confirming what is with them]. [Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 91]

That is because they initiate a Bidah, mix it with what the Messengers brought, split their religion, and become sects, so there’s truth and falsehood within every group amongst them. They deny the truth that is with the other group and believe in the falsehood that is with them. This is the state of affairs of all the people of Bidah because with them there is truth and falsehood, so they split their religion and become sects. Every sect denies the truth that is with the other sect and believes in the falsehood that is with them, such as the Khawaarij and Shia. [6]

In conclusion, it is undeniable that Hasan Hasan made a grave mistake by wrongly associating Sunnism with Jihadism, terrorism, suicide bombing, and the false Takfeer propagated by the proponents of Bidah who hide behind the terms Salafiyyah and Sunni. His actions serve as a reminder of the intellectual struggle faced by those who fail to accurately distinguish between Ahlus Sunnah and Ahlul Bidah, resulting in a dangerous mixture of truth and falsehood. Furthermore, they wrongly affirmed certain affairs for Ahlus Sunnah that should not be affirmed, while also unjustly criticising the Sunnah for things that should not be criticised. Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madkhali [may Allah preserve him] said:

After speaking about those who make Takfeer based on falsehood [I] amongst the different factions of the Jahmiyah [II], the Khawaarij [III], the Rawaafid and the Qadariyyah [IV], and the reason behind such Takfeer, Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated, “On the opposite side of these people who make Takfeer based on falsehood, there are people who do not know the creed of Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah as it should be, or they know some and are ignorant of some. And perhaps what they know of it, they do not clarify for the people, rather they conceal it. Neither do they forbid Bidah nor censure ahlul bidah and punish them; rather, perhaps they would censure speech related to the Sunnah and the fundamental principles of the religion – completely – and would not differentiate – in that – between what Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah say [i.e. adherents to the sound Prophetic Sunnah and sound unity] and what ahlul bidah wal furqah say [i.e. the proponents of innovation in religious affairs who split (disunite due to their opposition to the correct path)], or they would affirm all their differing Madhabs [creeds, paths] like how the scholars would affirm the different opinions related to affairs of Ijtihaad about which difference of opinion is justified. [V] This path has overwhelmed many of the Murji’ah, some of the jurists, those pursuing the path of asceticism, and the philosophers, just as it has overwhelmed – first and foremost – many of the people of desires and rhetoric. Both these paths are perverted, outside the Book [i.e. The Qur’an] and the Sunnah”. [End of Quote]

After quoting the above statement of Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi said, “I say, may Allah have mercy on Ibn Tamiyyah. Indeed, he clarified the situation of the people of his era and those before them, then what if he saw the situation of many amongst the Al-Jamaa’aat Al-Hizbiyyah Wal-Bid’iyyah [The Groups of Illegal Partisanship and Bidah [VI] who ascribe themselves to Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah and take cover behind them – in particular – to promote their falsehoods! What if he saw them whilst they have definitely gathered between the Madhabs [creeds paths] of the two groups- the khawaarij and those who follow their way in pronouncing Takfeer in the subject matter of Al-Haakimiyyah [VII] and the way of the Mur’jiah [VIII] in the manner they approach the affair of people who are upon the big and numerous innovations in religious affairs, and equating innovation in religion to those affairs of the religion in which Ijtihaad is justified, whose people are rewarded alongside a refutation against their mistakes! In the view of these people, the leaders of Misguidance and Bidah are like the Imams of Guidance and Sunnah. [IX] [7]

Finally, Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyah said, “Rather what is obligatory is to clarify that which Allah sent His Messengers with and (revealed) in His Books, propagate that which the Messengers brought from Allah and fulfill the covenant which Allah took from the scholars. Therefore, it is obligatory to know that which the Messengers brought, believe in it, propagate it, call to it, strive with it, weigh up all that which the people embark upon – [statements, actions, religious fundamentals and subsidiary issues about the apparent actions of the Limbs and affairs related to actions of the heart]- under the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, neither following desires [through] customs, a school of law, a religious order, a leader or a predecessor, nor following conjecture through a weak hadeeth or corrupt analogy, regardless whether it is an analogy that offers some degree of certainty or not, or blindly following someone who it is not obligated to follow his statement and action because Allah -in His Book – has censured those who follow conjecture and that which their souls desire, whilst they abandon following that which came to them from their Lord of Guidance”. [8]

To be continued InShaaAllah

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Footnote I:
What is Takfeer? Read here by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah: https://abukhadeejah.com/no-muslim-leaves-islam-unless-he-does-something-that-nullifies-it/

Footnote II
Who are the Jahmiyah? https://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/xiyvh-the-first-deniers-of-allaahs-speech-a-chain-of-evil-narrators.cfm

Footnote III
https://abukhadeejah.com/isis-in-iraq-syria-ibn-kathir-died-774-ah-if-the-khawaarij-ever-gained-strength-in-iraq-and-syria-there-would-be-mass-killing/

Footnote IV:
Who are the Rawafid and Qadariyyah? https://abukhadeejah.com/the-devils-deception-of-the-raafidah-shiah/ http://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/hxnhe-the-splitting-of-the-muslim-ummah-part-3.cfm

Footnote V:
What is Ijtihaad: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/tolerated-differing-and-impermissible-differing-in-islaam/ ]
Amr bin Al-Aas [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] saying, ‘’If a Mujtahid gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct, he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, even then he will get a reward.’’ [Bukhari Number 7352]

Few Issues From This Hadeeth

[a] A Mujtahid (a scholar who strives to reach a judgement) is not deprived of reward. [b] The judgement of a non-Mujtahid is different from that of a Mujtahid. Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said that the one who speaks about the religion without knowledge and out of ignorance [is guilty of] lying and sinning. The one who intentionally speaks to oppose the truth is threatened with entry into the fire of hell, as opposed to the affair of the one who speaks based on permissible Ijtihaad, for indeed he strives, fears Allaah as much as he is able, desires to seek knowledge as much as he was able, speaks for the sake of Allaah, knows the stronger proof and speaks based on that. This person is given two rewards if he is correct; but if he is mistaken, he receives one reward. [c] A Mujtahid can be correct or mistaken. [Arba’oona Hadeethaa Fee Usoolil Fiqh. pages 32-33]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee said, “We do not say that there are people of ijtihaad amongst ahlul bidah because they are followers of desires, and Allaah and His Messenger have testified to this. The misguided innovator stirs up discord and errs, and then says to you, ‘This is ijtihaad’. When Hikmatiyaar and the misguided parties [in Afghanistan] murdered Shaikh Jameel Ur-Rahmaan, they said: ‘This is ijtihaad.’ They do not fall into an affair of misguidance or a calamity except that they say, “This is ijtihaad.” This is [tantamount] to diluting Islaam, falsehood, misguidance, bidah and confounding truth with falsehood, when the mistakes of the [true and qualified scholars of ijtihaad]- for which they are rewarded- are placed at the same level with innovation, about which the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] declared to be a path that will lead to the hell fire”. [Ajwibatul Allaamatush Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee Al Madkhalee Alaa As-ilah Abee Rawaaha Al-Manhajiyyah. page 20]

Footnote VI: What is Hizbiyyah – illegal partisanship: Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi al-Mad’khali [may Allah preserve him] stated, “Bigoted partisanship for a certain idea that contradicts the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Messenger, and allegiance and hostility based on it, this is Tahazzub [illegal partisanship]. Even if it is not carried out by an organisation, this is still Tahazzub. Regardless of whether it is carried out within an organisation or not, coming up with wrong ideas and rallying support for them constitutes a Hizb”. [An Excerpt from “Kash As-Sitaar” pages 19-20. Question number 8]

Footnote VII: What is Al-Haakimiyyah?
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ07&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

Footnote VIII: Who are the Murji’ah?
http://www.sahihalbukhari.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=GSC&subsecID=GSC05&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

Footnote IX:
Read this article by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh: http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/series/the-false-comparison-between-hadith-giants-ibn-hajar-an-nawawi-and-20th-century-ignoramuses.cfm
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/shaikh-rabees-advice-on-interacting-with-ahlul-bidah-in-the-west/

[1] An Excerpt from Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol 1, page 124. slightly paraphrased]

[2] It’haaf Al-Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharhis Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree. 2/275-276

[3] Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin Nus’hi Wal Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah pages 45-46

[4] Sharh Usool Al-I’tiqaad Ahlis Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah 1/72

[5] An Excerpt from Al-Bayaan Li-Akhtaa’i Ba’dil Kuttaab. 2/177-180

[6] Al-Mukhtaaraat Al-Bahiyyah Min Kutub Shaikhil Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah. Pages 280-281

[7] An Excerpt from “Al-Mahajjatul Baydaa Fee Himaayatis Suunatil Gharraa Min Zallaati Ahlil Akhtaa’i Wa Zayghi Ahlil Ahwaa” 117-118

[8] Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/467-468