Part 1: A Brief Rebuttal Against a Nigerian Journalist Called Chika Oduah And Her Ilk- [Those Seeking to Defile The Term ‘Salafism’ By Attaching It to The Kharijites of Boko Haram]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy, and May Allaah’s Peace and Blessings be Upon Our Noble Messenger, His Family and Companions. To proceed:
Imaam [rahimahullaah] stated that one should beware of kadhib [lying], for indeed it corrupts one’s ability to illustrate information based on what it should be in reality; corrupts one’s ability to illustrate information and his ability to teach the people. The liar portrays what is non-existent as something present and what is present as something non-existent. He portrays truth as something false and falsehood as something true; portrays good as evil and evil as good, so this corrupts his conception and knowledge, which then becomes a punishment upon him. Then he portrays what is not true to the one deceived by him – the one inclined towards him- and thus corrupts his conception and knowledge. The soul of the liar turns away from the existing reality -inclined towards what is non-existent and gives preference to falsehood. And when his conception and knowledge is corrupted, which is the basis of every wilful chosen deed, his deeds become corrupt and are marked by lies, and thus those deeds would emanate from him just as lies emanate from the tongue. He neither benefits from his tongue nor his deeds. This is why lying is the basis [or foundation] of immorality, just as the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Indeed lies lead to immorality [or wickedness] and indeed immorality [or wickedness] leads to the fire. [Bukhaari 2606/2607]
Firstly, lies emerges from the heart and then on the tongue, so it corrupts it; then it transfers to the limbs and corrupts its actions, just as it corrupts the statements of the tongue. So, it prevails over his statements, deeds and state of affairs; corruption becomes deeply rooted in him and its disease leads to destruction if Allaah does not grant him cure with the medication of truthfulness, which uproots it [i.e. lying] from its original source. This is why the basis [or foundation] of all the deeds of the hearts is based on truthfulness, and the basis of their opposites – such as showing off, self-amazement, pride, being glad [with ungratefulness to Allaah’s Favours], conceitedness, boastfulness, insolence, weakness, laziness, cowardice, disgrace and other than them- is lies. The origin of every righteous deed- whether carried out in private or public- is based on truthfulness; and the origin of every corrupt deed – whether carried out in private or public- is lies. Allaah punishes the liar by preventing him from those affairs that will bring him well-being and benefit, and He rewards the truthful one by granting him the ability to attain the beneficial affairs related to the worldly life and afterlife. There is nothing similar to truthfulness with regards to the manner in which it brings about the affairs of well-being in this life and the next, and there is nothing similar to lying with regards to the manner in which it corrupts and harms one’s worldly affairs and the afterlife. [Al-Fawaa’id’ pages 202-203. paraphrased]
Firstly: We make it very clear that rebutting the erroneous views, wild speculations, misconceptions, lies and slanders of those who are misguided in their analysis regarding Salafiyyah – misguided writers, demagogues, ideologues and ill-informed journalists – cannot justify – in any way – violence against them; rather rebuttal against Chika Oduah and her ilk is solely carried out to repel misconceptions. May Allaah guide them to what is correct Aameen.
Secondly: In an article written by Chika Oduah on 9th July 2020, she stated, “Since the 90s, a man called Mohammed Yusuf had been travelling around Nigeria’s north-east, preaching against western influences. Yusuf subscribed to a radical, militant strand of the conservative Sunni branch of Islam known as Salafism. In his sermons, he attacked boko (meaning secular education) and deemed it haram (sinful). By 2001, Yusuf had a devoted group of followers, known as Yusufiyya, and people started referring to his ideology as Boko Haram”.
Therefore, let us remind ourselves once again regarding what Salafiyyah is, so that none is misled by Chika Oduah’s ill-informed analysis and her attempt to ascribe the blood thirsty and ignorant kharijites of Boko Haram [may Allaah guide them or protect us from their evil] to Salafiyyah. The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: The Jews divided into seventy-one sects, the Christians divided into seventy-two sects and this Ummah will divide into 73 sect. All of them are in the fire except one. So he was asked, “Who are they [i.e. the saved sect] O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “Those upon that which I and my companions are upon”.
On the authority of Abu Najeeh al-Irbaad ibn Saariyah [radiyallaahu-anhu] who said: The Messenger of Allah [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] gave us an admonition by which our hearts were filled with fear and tears came to our eyes. So we said, “O Messenger of Allah! It is as though this is a farewell admonition, so advise us.” He said, “I command you to have taqwa (fear) of Allah, and to listen and obey [your leader], even if a slave were to become your leader. Verily he among you who lives long will see great controversy, so you must keep to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the Khulafa ar-Rashideen (the rightly guided caliphs). Cling to it firmly [literally: with your molar teeth], and beware of newly invented matters [in the religion], for verily every bidah (innovation in the religion) is misguidance.”
Boko Haram are a splinter group of the Khaarijites – a deviant sect known for their ignorance, erroneous and ambiguous interpretation of the divine Islamic texts as well as bloodshed, and Salafiyyah is free from them. They are a splinter group from the Kharijite innovators, such as Al-Qaida, ISIS, Al-Shabab etc.. links http://www.kharijites.com/kj/ http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
Therefore, what ill-informed Chika Oduah and her ilk fail to realise is that neither are people ascribed to Salafiyyah and the Sunnah until they gather all its traits, nor does Salafiyyah have a so called Radical, Militant Strand. And in order to understand this affair, one must read this article written by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/a-response-to-western-academics-who-categorise-salafis-into-quietists-politicos-and-jihadists-and-why-this-is-a-false-categorisation/
Imaam Barbahaaree [rahimahullaah] 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. Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] commented on the above statement of Imaam Barbahaaree saying: Do not give recommended to a person and a praise of him, except based on knowledge, lest the people become deceived by your praise of him, whilst he is not what (you have stated about him). So when his real affair and path is clear to you, his knowledge and steadfastness; then you can give him recommendation. As for giving out praise and recommendation whilst not knowing of anything about him, then this is a dangerous recommendation through which the people will be deceived by this person. Had only those who give commendations to the people stopped at that (i.e. put it in its proper place), then they would not give recommendation, except for one who fulfils the conditions of (receiving) recommendation because recommendation is a ‘Witness’; so, if the recommendation is not correct it will be a false witness.
And concerning the statement of Imaam Barbahaaree: ‘until he knows that he combines the characteristics of the Sunnah’ Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan commented on the above statement saying: The characteristics of the Sunnah are to be in Creed, Knowledge and adherence to the Salafus Saaleh. But if there is not in him except a single characteristic of the (sunnah), then he is not judged to be from Ahlus Sunnah on the basis of a single characteristic or one thing, so what about the one who does not have anything from that? [End of quote: It-haaful Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharhis Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree, Vol: 2, page:275-276]
Thirdly: After knowing this affair, then it is neither befitting Chika Oduah nor those afflicted with her wild misconceptions to attribute Salafiyyah to Boko Haram or describing it with statements such as, “Radical, Militant Strand of The Conservative Sunni Branch of Islaam known as Salafism”, rather this would be tantamount to slander, deception and fraud. See following articles: What is Salafism? https://www.abukhadeejah.com/what-is-salafism-and-salafiyyah/ Allaah Warns Against Extremism And Negligence By Abu Hakeem: https://www.salafisounds.com/allaah-warns-against-extremism-and-negligence-by-abu-hakeem/
Visit: Salafis.com
Welcome to Salafis.Com! There is much talk regarding Salafis and Salafiyyah in books, journals, the press and various other media. The “Salafi Way” is not something new, invented or innovated. By definition, it is the pure Islaam which the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) held onto. When the sects foretold by the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) appeared, those who took knowledge from the Companions began to verbally express the obligation of holding onto the way of (السلف الصالح), “The Righteous Predecessors.” From such statements is the saying of Imaam al-Zuhree (d. 124H), “Adhere to the tracks of the Salaf, even if the people reject you. And beware of the opinions of men, even if they beautify it for you with speech.” Hence, Salafiyyah is not a later innovation. Salafis are the target of sectarian bias and bigotry for many factions, from them the Raafidah, Soofiyyah, Kharijites and Takfiris, the blind-followers of the madhaahib, Secularists, Modernists and many others. As such there is a lot of propaganda in the field which is unfortunately entered into what is claimed to be “objective research”. To make matters more confusing is the presence of numerous orientations falsely ascribing to Salafiyyah despite their deviations from it in their foundations and methodologies. Many of the takfiri, Khariji groups make this false ascription. This adds another layer of confusion to anyone wanting to research and understand Salafiyyah, and leads to Salafis being wrongly attributed with the iniquities of the Takfiris and Kharijites. In light of all of these realities, this website aims to provide relevant information and critical evaluation and analysis of the various views and opinions that are being scattered in books, journals, blogs, websites, audios and videos in relation to “Salafis” and “Salafiyyah“. http://www.salafis.com/index.cfm
Therefore, whoever reads and understands what has already preceded, he or she will have no doubt that Salafiyyah has nothing to do with the ideology and methodology of Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Qaida, Ikhwaan Al-Muslimoon, Hamas and other deviant groups. However, if Chika and his ilk persist upon their ill-informed analysis regarding what Salafiyyah is, then there’s nothing else one can say except the fact that they have given precedence to ignorance, slander and fraud over knowledge and justice in this affair, and may Allaah guide them to what is correct in all their affairs Aameen.
Fourthly: As for the militant secularists and atheists, then they are well known for their deliberate attempts to misconstrue the meaning of Salafiyyah because it is the only authentic creed that uproots their disbelief. Allaah (The Most High) said: [يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ – They want to extinguish Allaah’s Light with their mouths (i.e. the Qur’an, the pure Islamic monotheism and the guidance Allaah sent Muhammad with) but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers hate (it). [Soorah At-Tawbah: Ayah: 32]
Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said: They want to extinguish that which Allaah sent His Messenger with of guidance and the religion of truth, merely by way of their arguments and fabrications; so their example in this (instance) is that of one who wants to extinguish the light of the sun or the moon by way of blowing at (them) and this (person) can never achieve this. [End of quote: See Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdeeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Imaam as-Saa’di (rahimahullaah) said: The light of Allaah is His Religion (i.e. the religion Allaah chose for mankind), which He sent the Messengers with and (for which) He revealed the Books. Allaah called it light, because it gives light in the (midst) of the darkness of ignorance and the false religions because it is knowledge of the truth and action upon truth. And that which is other than it, is its opposite. [End of Quote: see Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]
Allaah [Glorified be He and Free Is He from all Imperfections] said:
وَكَذَٲلِكَ جَعَلۡنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِىٍّ عَدُوًّ۬ا شَيَـٰطِينَ ٱلۡإِنسِ وَٱلۡجِنِّ يُوحِى بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ زُخۡرُفَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ غُرُورً۬اۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُۖ فَذَرۡهُمۡ وَمَا يَفۡتَرُونَ
And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies- Shayaateen (devils) among mankind and jinns, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it, so leave them alone with their fabrications.’ [6:112]
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: Allaah [Glorified be He] stated that they aid one another in opposing the command of the Prophets with what some of them inspire others of adorned speech, so that the gullible and feeble-minded people are misled by it. He [The Most High] stated the reason behind a perpetrator’s [adorned speech] and the reason why it is accepted by the people; then He [The Most High] mentioned [in ayah 113 Al-An’aam] the effects it has on those ignorant souls. When those souls incline towards such adorned speech and become pleased with it, they carry out what it calls them to do -in speech and action. Therefore, ponder upon these verses and the sublime meanings they convey, for they clarify the roots of false principles and alert a person against them. And if you ponder upon the statements of the people of falsehood, you will indeed find them clothed with expressions and presented in a good light with sophisticated terms, which are quickly accepted by those deprived of sound discernment-to the extent that the wicked sinners would give [good] names to the greatest types of wicked deeds. [Source: An Excerpt from As-Sawaa-iq al-Mursalah of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim: 2/438). Slightly paraphrased]
Imaam as-Sa’di [rahimahullaah] said: Allaah [The Most High] stated in consolation to His Messenger Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], that this is the way things are. We have appointed for you enemies who reject your call, wage war against you and are envious towards you.
[يُوحِى بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ زُخۡرُفَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ غُرُورً۬اۚ – Inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion]- meaning: beautifying the falsehood they call one another to, and adorning it with expressions until they make it appear in the finest image, so that the foolish and stupid ones are deceived by it, and those who neither understand the reality of things nor their (real) meanings are made to comply with it; rather they are amazed by beautified statements and distorted expressions, so they believe that that which is truth is falsehood and that which is falsehood is the truth.
He [rahimahullaah] also said: And from the Wisdom of Allaah in appointing enemies for the Prophets and supporters of falsehood calling to it, is so that the slaves are faced with trials and tests in order that the truthful one is differentiated from the liar, the one of sound intellect from the ignorant one, and the one with insight from the blind one. [Source: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kalaam Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseeri Kalaam Al-Mannaan. slightly paraphrased]
Allaah [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)]. Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: Allaah forbade (us) from mixing truth with falsehood, and thus leading to concealment of the truth. Mixing truth with false is by mixing the two until one of them is confused for 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 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 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. [Source: An Excerpt from Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol 1, page 124. slightly paraphrased]
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] also said: When a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types: Distorting words and distorting meanings. Distorting words is when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word or omitting something from it, or substituting it with something else- to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended by it, just as the Yahood [i.e. those Yahood who disbelieved in the Prophet & hated him] used to distort words when giving Salaam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum)]. This is one type of distortion. The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording; giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know its unintended meaning; or dropping other meanings intended by it etc. [An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah). Vol 1. Page 300-303. Slightly paraphrased]
Finally: We make it very clear once again that rebutting the erroneous views, wild speculations, misconceptions, lies and slanders of those who are misguided in their analysis of Salafiyyah – misguided writers, demagugues, ideologues and ill-informed journalists – cannot justify – in any way – violence against them, rather rebuttal against Chika Oduah and her ilk is solely carried out to repel misconceptions, misguided analysis and haphazard conclusions. May Allaah guide them to what is correct Aameen.
And Allaah knows best
