The Difference between Advising and Condemning – Ibn Rajab

AUTHOR: Imaam Zayn-ud-Deen Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbalee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a complete translation of the classical treatise “Al-Farq baynan-Naseeha wat-Ta’yeer”[The Difference between Advising and Condemning] of Imaam Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbalee, may Allaah have mercy on him. The source used for this translation was the Daar ‘Ammaar publication.

In this treatise, Imaam Ibn Rajab discusses some of the manners and etiquettes of differing amongst Ahlus-Sunnah, explaining the distinction between advising and condemning. This is since these two things are often confused for one another. So the author goes into depth explaining the characteristics of sincere advice and condemnation. This treatise also lays down some guidelines for Ahlus-Sunnah in their criticisms and refutations. It should be noted, as the author states, that this treatise only applies to Ahlus-Sunnah, and as for the innovators and people of desires, then these guidelines do not apply to them.

In recent times, Shaikh Rabee’ Al-Madkhalee has provided an explanation for some of the important points covered in this book in a two-part lecture which was later transcribed and can be downloaded for free from his website http://www.rabee.net.

Quotes from the Book:

“Therefore, refuting weak (erroneous) opinions and clarifying the truth with regard to what opposes it, based upon sound evidences, is not from what these scholars detested. Rather, it was from that which they loved and for which they commended and praised those who did it. So it does not enter into the realm of backbiting at all. But suppose there is someone that hates to have his error, which contradicts the Sunnah, exposed. In this case, there is no consideration given to his hatred for that, because hating to manifest the truth – if it is in opposition to the opinion of a man – is not from those matters that are praiseworthy. Rather it is an obligation on the Muslim to love that the truth be made manifest and that the Muslims (in general) are aware of it, regardless of whether it is in conformity or in opposition to his (personal) view.”

“Therefore, these characteristics are the characteristics of the Jews and the hypocrites. And it is that someone outwardly displays a saying or an action, while presenting an image in which he appears to be upon good. Yet his intention in doing that is to accomplish an evil goal. So he is praised for what good he has made manifest outwardly, while accomplishing by it, the evil goal he has kept hidden inwardly. And he basks in the praise he receives for that which he has outwardly portrayed as being good, which is in fact evil on the inside, and he is happy that his evil hidden objective has been achieved. So his benefit is perfected for him and his scheme is carried out effectively by this deception!!”

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Articles Extracted from this eBook :

Advising is Linked to Secrecy while Condemning is linked to Publicizing – Imam Ibn Rajab

The recompense of one who spreads the evil deeds of his believing brother and seeks after his faults – Imam Ibn Rajab

Magnificent Points of Advice for those who have turned to the Way of the Salaf – Ahmad Ash-Shihhee

AUTHOR: Abu ‘Abdillaah Ahmad bin Muhammad Ash-Shihhee
TRANSLATED: Isma’eel Alarcon
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

Magnificent Points of Advice for those who have turned to the Way of the Salaf

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The following articles are extracted from the above eBook

Praise and Thank Allaah for the Blessing of Guiding you to the Methodology of Salaf-us-Saalih – Ahmad ash-Shihhee

Seeking Knowledge is the Foundation for the Correctness of your Repentance – Shaykh Ahmad ash-Shihhee

Do not take Knowledge except from one who is known to be upon the Sunnah – Ahmad Ash-Shihhee

The Need for Returning to the Senior Scholars with regard to the Important Issues – Ahmad ash-Shihhee

Begin by Learning the Fundamentals of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah

Provisions for the Caller to Allaah – Shaykh Uthaymeen

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen [Died 1421H]
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah.Com
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a translation of a small booklet titled Zaad ad-Daa’iyah IlaaAllaah (Provisions for the Caller to Allaah) by Imam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him. The original source for this booklet was a lecture he gave that was later transcribed and printed. This booklet can be downloaded for free on-line at the Imaam’s website http://www.binothaimeen.com.

In this book, Imaam Ibn Uthaimeen expounds on six characteristics that everyone who takes on the task of da’wah must have. These characteristics are provisions that every Caller must equip and prepare himself with before embarking on dawah. Therefore we stress that this treatise be taken as a required reading for all those who are involved in da’wah activities, especially in the English speaking lands of the West.

We ask Allaah to make this e-book a beneficial source of knowledge and a reminder to our brothers and sisters who are active in calling to Allaah.

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Articles extracted from this e-Book:

The Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah concerning the Companions – Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbaad

AUTHOR: Shaikh ‘Abdul-Muhsin bin Hamad Al-‘Abbaad
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah.Com
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a translation of a small treatise entitled ’Aqeedatu Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah fis-Sahaabat-il-Kiraam (The Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah concerning the Companions) written by Shaikh ‘Abdul-Muhsin Al-‘Abbaad. The source for this treatise was an article the Shaikh wrote for the Islamic University of Madeenah Newsletter (Issue 2 of their fourth year) Shawaal 1391H. This article was distributed together with a transcribed lecture from the Shaikh entitled “Sending Salaat on the Prophet” in a booklet published by the Islamic University of Madeenah.

In this brief presentation, Shaikh Al-‘Abbaad, one of the senior scholars and a Muhaddith in Saudi Arabia, may Allaah preserve him, outlines the proper belief a Muslim should have with regard to the Companions, and that is of moderateness.

So the Muslim should not go to either extreme of being fanatical towards individuals amongst the Companions or being lenient and heedless about the rights they deserve. Rather, it is upon the believer, the adherent of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, to have love and respect for all of them, as well as to acknowledge their virtues and refrain from mentioning their errors and mishaps. The Shaikh presents the material in a concise but educational manner, quoting numerous ayaat, ahaadeeth and statements of the Salaf.

Quotes from the Book:

“The madh-hab of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah concerning the Companions is that of moderateness between the two ends of extremism and heedlessness. It is moderateness amidst the extremist fanatics who elevate the esteemed ones amongst them to a level that is only befitting for Allaah or for His messengers and moderateness amidst the heedless and harsh ones who belittle and revile them. So they are in the middle between those who are excessive and those who fall short – they love all of them and put each one of them in the due place that they deserve, with fairness and justice. So they do not elevate them to a level they don’t deserve, nor do they belittle them, taking away what they are worthy of. Their tongues are moist with mentioning them only in good, according to what is befitting for them. And their hearts are filled with love for them.“

“And whatever disputes and differences that occurred between (some of) them, that can be authentically confirmed, we hold that they were Mujtahideen in that regard – either they were correct and will receive one reward for their Ijtihaad and one reward for being correct, or they were wrong and will receive just one reward for their Ijtihaad while their error will be forgiven. They were not infallible since they were human beings. At times they were correct and at times they erred. But how much more were they correct as compared to others being correct, and how fewer were their errors as compared to the errors of others? And on top of this, they will receive Allaah’s forgiveness and contentment.”

“These are five examples from the sayings of the Salaf As-Saalih (righteous predecessors), which demonstrate what we are obligated to believe in with respect to the best of creation after the Prophets and Messengers. One thing we must understand is that defaming these chosen and unique individuals is equal to defaming the Religion itself, since it was none other than them who passed the Religion down to those who came after them. And we already mentioned the words of Abu Zur’ah, in which he said: ‘The only ones who brought this Qur’aan and Sunan (plural of Sunnah) to us are the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger. (So) they only wish to disparage and demolish our witnesses so that they can nullify the Book and the Sunnah, whereas they are more deserving of being disparaged for they are the heretics (zanaadiqah).'”

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Short Articles extracted from this book:

Benefit : All of the Companions (Sahabah) of Allaah’s Messenger are Trustworthy – Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin al-Abbad

The madh-hab of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah concerning the Companions is that of moderateness between the two ends of extremism and heedlessness – Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin al-Abbad

Refraining from (speaking about) the differences that occurred between Companions – Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbaad

Maintaining Pure Hearts And Tongues Towards The Companions Of Allaah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) – Ibn Taymiyyah

Benefit: Defaming the Companions is equal to Defaming the Religion itself – Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin

The Correct Belief and what Opposes It – Imaam ibn Baaz

AUTHOR: Imaam ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillaah bin Baaz
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a translation of a short yet highly beneficial treatise from Imam Ibn Baaz called Al Aqeedat-us-Saheehah wa maa Yudaaduhaa (The Correct Belief and what Opposes It). The Arabic source for this translation can be found on Imaam Ibn Baaz’s web site at http://www.binbaz.org.sa.

In this treatise, Imaam Ibn Baaz. may Allaah have mercy on him, outlines the Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah with regard to Eemaan (Faith), Tawheed, Worship, and Allaah’s Names and Attributes in a concise and informative manner. He divides his discussion into six sections basing iron the six pillars of Eemaan (Faith), which are: Belief in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and Divine Pre-Decree.

At the end of the treatise, the Imaam presents ten of the most significant things that nullify and invalidate a person’s Islaam, basing that on the famous treatise of Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdul-Wahhaab known as The Nullifiers of Islaam.”

This treatise is an excellent resource for new and beginning Muslims to learn about the fundamentals of their Religion in a brief and simple manner. It is for this reason that we chose this essay, hoping that it may be of benefit to those whom it reaches.

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The Full content of the Book below :

INTRODUCTION

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. All praise is for Allaah alone, and may the peace and blessings be upon the one after whom there is no messenger, as well as his family and Companions.

To Proceed:

Since having the correct belief is the foundation and basis of the Religion of Islaam, I felt that it should be the topic of this lecture.

It is well known from the religious texts of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah that a person’s statements and actions are only considered valid and acceptable (by Allaah) if they are produced as a result of having the correct belief. So if one’s beliefs are not correct, he invalidates whatever statements and actions branch out from it, as Allaah says:

“And whoever rejects Faith (Eemaan), then he has nullified his good deeds, and in the Hereafter, he will be from among the losers.” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 5]

And Allaah says:

“And it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad) and to those before you that: If you mix partners in worship with Allaah, your good deeds will surely be cancelled out, and you will indeed be from the losers.” [Surah Az-Zumar: 65]

The verses (from the Qur’aan) bearing this same meaning are many. The clear Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His trustworthy messenger, may the best of his Lord’s peace and blessings be on him, indicate that the Correct Belief can be summed up in:

Faith in Allaah, His Angels, His (revealed) Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and the Divine Pre-Decree, the good and the bad of it. So these six things form the foundations of the Correct Belief, with which Allaah sent down His mighty Book, and with which Allaah sent His messenger, Muhammad, peace and blessings be on him.

Everything that one is obligated to have faith in from the matters of the Unseen, as well as everything that Allaah and His Messenger have informed of branch out from these six foundations. The proofs for these six foundations in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah are many.

Among them is the saying of Allaah:

“Righteousness (Birr) is not that you turn your faces towards the east and the west (in prayer), but rather righteousness is (for) the one who believes in Allaah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Books and the Prophets.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 177]

And the saying of Allaah:

“The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers – all of them believe in Allaah, His Angels. His Books and His Messengers. (And they say): We make no distinctions between any of His Messengers.” [Surah AlBaqarah: 285]

And His saying:

“O you who believe! Believe in Allaah and His Messenger and the Book that was revealed to His Prophet and the Scripture that was revealed in the past (before him). And whoever disbelieves in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day has gone far astray.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 136]

And His saying:

“Don’t you know that Allaah knows all that is in the heaven and on the earth? Verily, it is all (written) in the Book (Preserved Tablet). Verily, that is easy for Allaah.” [Surah AlHajj: 70]

As for the authentic ahaadeeth that indicate these foundations, then they are many. Amongst them is the famous authentic hadeeth reported by Muslim in his Saheeh in which ‘Umar bin AlKhattaab (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that (the angel) Jibreel asked the Prophet about Eemaan (Faith). So he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied to him: “Eemaan (Faith) is to believe in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in Divine pre-Decree, the good of it and the bad of it.” This hadeeth was transmitted by AlBukhaaree and Muslim from Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu).

These are the six foundations from which everything a Muslim is obligated to believe in originates, whether it be with respect to Allaah, the Day of Judgement, and anything else from the Unseen (Ghaib).

FIRST: FAITH IN ALLAAH

Faith in Allaah entails: Believing that He is the only true God that has the right to be worshipped apart from everyone else, due to His being the Creator of the servants (i.e. humans/jinn), the One who is kind to them, the Grantor of their sustenance, the All-Knower of their inner and outer actions, the One who is All-Able to reward those who obey Him and punish those who disobey Him. Allaah created these two species (the Jinn and mankind) for the purpose of this worship, as He says:

“And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not seek any provision from them nor that they should feed Me. Verily, Allaah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, Most Strong.” [Surah Adh-Dhaariyaat: 56]

And He said:

“O you who believe! Worship your Lord who created you and those before you in order that you may gain Taqwaa (fear and dutifulness to Allaah). He is the One who made the earth a resting place for you and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (i.e. rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. So do not set up rivals with Allaah while you know (that only He is to be worshipped).” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 22]

Allaah sent Messengers and revealed Scriptures to clarify this truth and call to it and to warn from what opposes it, as He says:

“And we have indeed sent to every nation a Messenger (saying): Worship Allaah alone and avoid the false deities.” [Surah An-Nahl: 36]

And He says:

“And We did not send any messenger before you except that We revealed to Him: No one has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me.” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa: 25]

And He says:

“(This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected and then explained in detail from One (Allaah) who is All-Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things): (Saying) worship none but Allaah. Verily, I (Muhammad) am unto you from Him a warner and a bringer of glad tidings.” [Surah Hood: 1-2]

The reality (meaning) of this worship is to: Single Allaah out in everything that the servants worship Him with, such as supplication, fear, hope, prayer, fasting, sacrificing, making oaths and all the other types of worship with full submission, whilst fearing (His Punishment) and hoping (for His reward), having complete love for Him, and humbling oneself to His Grandness.

A large part of the noble Qur’aan was revealed concerning this great principle (i.e. worship), such as Allaah’s statement:

“So worship Allaah, making the worship sincerely for Him alone. Verily, to Allaah belongs the pure (sincere) religion (i.e. worship).” [Surah Az-Zumar: 2-3]

And His statement:

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him.” [Surah Al-Israa: 23]

And His statement:

“So call upon Allaah, making your worship purely for Him alone, even though the disbelievers may hate it.” (Surah Ghaafir: 14]

And in the two Saheeh collections, Mu’aadh reported that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The right Allaah has over His servants is that they worship Him alone and not ascribe any partners to Him.”

Having Faith in Allaah also entails believing in everything that He has ordered and made obligatory upon His servants, such as the five outer pillars of Islaam, which are:

1. Testifying that there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah
2. Establishing the Prayer
3. Giving the Zakaat
4. Fasting in Ramadaan, and
5. Making the pilgrimage (Hajj) to the Sacred House of Allaah, for those who are able to perform it.

This goes as well for the other obligations that have come with the pure legislation.

The most important and greatest of these (five) pillars is: Testifying that there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah.

Testifying that there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah requires that worship be performed purely for Allaah alone, and negates it from everyone else besides Him.

This is what is intended by the statement Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah, for it’s meaning is: There is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah. So everything that is worshipped besides Allaah, such as a human being or an angel or a Jinn or anything else, then they are worshipped wrongfully. The One who is worshipped truthfully is Allaah alone, as He says:

“That is because Allaah, He is the Truth (only true God), and what they invoke on besides Him is falsehood.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 62]

We have explained previously that Allaah created the two species (Jinn and mankind) for the purpose of this great principle, and that He commanded them with it, sent His messengers because of it and revealed His Books for it. So think about this and reflect on it much so that it could become clear to you what a majority of the Muslims have fallen into from manifest ignorance of this fundamental principle such that they worship others along with Allaah and direct His sole rights to other than Him, may Allaah aid us!

Faith in Allaah also entails: Believing that Allaah created all that exists and manages and administers all of their affairs, through His Knowledge and Ability, as He wills. And it entails believing that He is the Owner of this world and the Hereafter, and the Lord of all of the worlds, there being no Creator besides Him or Lord like Him. He sent Messengers and revealed Scriptures to rectify the servants and to call them to that which contains their salvation and success in the current life as well as the Hereafter. And it entails believing that He has no partner in all of that, as He says:

“Allaah is the Creator of everything, and He is the Guardian of all affairs.” [Surah AzZumar: 62]

And He says:

“Indeed your Lord is Allaah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then rose over the Throne (in a manner that befits His Majesty). He covers the night with the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) are subjected to His Command. Surely, to Him belongs the Creation and the Command. Blessed be Allaah, Lord of all that exists.” [Surah Al-A’raaf: 54]

Faith in Allaah also entails: Believing in Allaah’s Perfect Names and Attributes, which have been mentioned in His mighty Book and authentically reported on His trustworthy Messenger, without distorting their meanings (tahreef), denying them (ta’teel), describing their manner (takyeef) or making similarities to them (tamtheel). Rather, they must be left in the manner they were reported without describing how they are, whilst believing in the great meanings they carry, which are descriptions of Allaah. It is obligatory to describe Him with them (i.e. these Names and Attributes) in a manner that befits Him without allowing for His creation to resemble Him in any of His Attributes, as Allaah says:

“There is nothing like Him in comparison and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.” [Surah Ash-Shooraa: 11]

And He says:

“So do not put forth similarities to Allaah. Verily, Allaah knows and you know not.” [Surah An-Nahl: 74]

This is the Creed and Belief of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, from the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger and those who succeeded them upon goodness. And this is what Imaam AbulHasan Al-Ash’aree, may Allaah have mercy on him, reported in his book “Al-Maqaalaat ‘an As’haab-il-Hadeeth wa Ahlis-Sunnah”, as did other scholars.

Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “Az-Zuhree and Mak’hool were asked about the verses regarding Allaah’s Attributes, so they replied: ‘Leave them as they have been reported.’”

Al-Waleed bin Muslim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “Maalik, Al-Awzaa’ee, Al-Layth bin Sa’ad, and Sufyaan Ath-Thawree were asked about the texts that were reported concerning Allaah’s Attributes, so they all said: ‘Leave them as they have been reported without describing how (they are).’”

Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “We used to say, while the Taabi’oon (Successors of the Companions) were present and abundant, that Allaah is above His Throne and that we believe in what has been stated in the Sunnah regarding His Attributes.”

When Rabee’ah bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan, the teacher of Maalik, was asked about Allaah’s rising over His Throne, he replied: “The Rising is not (something) unknown and how it is done is incomprehensible. From Allaah is the Message and upon the Messenger is to openly convey it, and upon us is to believe in it.”

And when Imaam Maalik was asked about it, he said: “The Rising is well known, how it is done is unknown, believing in it is an obligation and asking concerning it is an innovation.” Then he said to the questioner: “I do not consider you to be anything but an evil man.” And he put someone in charge of him and he was cast out, Something with the same meaning was also reported on the Mother of the Believers, Umm Salamah (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa).

Imaam Abu ‘Abdir-Rahmaan ‘Abdullaah bin Al-Mubaarak, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “We know our Lord as being above His heavens and over His Throne, apart from His creation.”

The statements of the Imaams regarding this subject are many and cannot all be quoted in this small treatise. Whoever wants to come across many of these narrations should refer to what the scholars of the Sunnah wrote regarding this topic, such as the book “As-Sunnah” of Imaam ‘Abdullaah, son of Imaam Ahmad, the book “At-Tawheed” of the noble Imaam, Muhammad bin Khuzaimah, the book “As-Sunnah” of Abul-Qaasim Al-Laalikaa’ee At-Tabaree, the book “AsSunnah” of Abu Bakr Ibn Abee ‘Aasim, as well as the response that Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah wrote to the people of Hamaa (i.e. ‘Aqeedah Hamawiyyah), which is a tremendous response containing many benefits. In this treatise, he, may Allaah have mercy on him, explains the Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah and quotes many of their statements, as well as religious and intellectual evidences for the authenticity of what Ahlus-Sunnah believes and the falseness of what their opponents believe.

The same goes for his distinguished treatise “At-Tadmuriyyah”, for in it he goes into depth clarifying the Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah based on their textual and logical proofs, and refuting the opponents with arguments that manifest the truth and invalidate the falsehood for anyone amongst the people of knowledge who examines it with a pure intention and a genuine desire for learning the truth.

Anyone that opposes Ahlus-Sunnah in what they believe regarding the subject of Allaah’s Names and Attributes no doubt will fall into opposing the textual and logical evidences while having clear contradictions in everything that he affirms and negates.

But as for Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, then they affirm for Allaah what He has affirmed for Himself (from Names and Attributes) in His noble Book or what His Messenger Muhammad has affirmed for Him in his authentic Sunnah without tamtheel (i.e. resembling them to someone else’s names and attributes). And they negate and remove Him from resembling His creation in any way, in such a manner that is free from ta’teel (i.e. denying the Names and Attributes). So they have been saved from contradictions, while acting upon all of the proofs.

This is the way of Allaah with regard to he who accepts the truth that the Messengers were sent with, expends all of his efforts in that, and sincerely asks Allaah to grant him the truth and make the correct view apparent to him, as He says:

“Nay, We fling the truth against falsehood, so it destroys it, and behold, it is vanished.” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa: 18]

And He says:

“And no example or similitude do they bring to you (in order to find fault in you or the Qur’aan), except that We reveal to you the truth (against that similitude) and the best explanation (thereof).” [Surah Al-Furqaan: 33]

In his famous Tafseer, while speaking about the statement of Allaah: “Indeed your Lord is Allaah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then rose over the Throne” [Surah Al-A’raaf: 54], Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy on him, stated some excellent words on this subject, which we would like to quote here due to their great benefit:

He, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

“People have many views with regard to this subject and this is not the place to go into that. But rather, with regard to this topic, (I say that) we traverse the way of the pious predecessors: Maalik, Al-Awzaa’ee, Ath-Thawree, Al-Layth bin Sa’ad, Ash-Shaafi’ee, Ahmad, Ishaaq bin Raahawayh, and other Muslim Imaams from the past and present…” – which is to leave them as they have been reported without describing their manner (takyeef), making resemblances to them (tashbeeh), and denying them completely (ta’teel).

And the thoughts that present themselves to the minds of those who give Allaah’s Attributes similitudes is negated from Allaah, for indeed nothing can resemble Allaah from His creation. There is nothing like Him in comparison and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. Rather, the matter is as the Imaams have stated, amongst whom was Na’eem bin Hamaad Al-Khuzaa’ee, the teacher of Al-Bukhaaree, who said:

“Whoever likens Allaah to His creation has committed disbelief. And whoever denies what Allaah has described Himself with has committed disbelief. There is no tashbeeh (likening to the creation’s attributes) in what Allaah and His Messenger have described Him with. So whoever affirms for Allaah what has been stated in the clear verses and authentic reports, in the manner that befits Allaah’s majesty, while negating all deficiencies from Him, has embarked on the path of guidance.”

SECOND: FAITH IN THE ANGELS

This entails believing in them generally and specifically. Therefore, the Muslim must believe that Allaah has angels, which He created to obey Him. And He described them as being honorable servants who do not precede Him in speech and act on His Command.

“He knows what is before them and what is after them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa: 28]

They are of many types, amongst them are those who are entrusted to hold the Throne, and amongst them are those who guard Paradise and Hell. And amongst them are those who are entrusted to record the deeds of people.

Specifically, we must believe in those angels that Allaah and His Messenger have mentioned by name, such as Jibreel, Mikaa’eel, Maalik, the gatekeeper of Hell, and Israafeel, the angel in charge of blowing the Trumpet. He (Israafeel) has been mentioned in several authentic ahaadeeth. It is authentically reported in the Saheeh that ‘Aa’ishah (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The angels were created from light, and the Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire. And Aadam was created from what has already been described to you.” [1] Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh.

THIRD: FAITH IN THE REVEALED BOOKS

We must believe generally that Allaah revealed books to His prophets and messengers in order to explain His right and to call to it, as Allaah states:

“Indeed, We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Book and the Balance in order that mankind may establish justice.” [Surah Al-Hadeed: 25]

And He says:

“Mankind was once one nation (upon polytheism) so Allaah sent prophets bearing good news and warning, and with them He sent down the Book in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 213]

And we must believe, in specific and detailed terms, those books that Allaah has mentioned by name, such as the Torah (Tawraat), the Gospel (Injeel), the Psalms (Zaboor) and the Qur’aan. The noble Qur’aan is the best amongst them and the final revelation. And it is that which supercedes all of them and confirms them. And it is the Book that all of the (Muslim) nation is obligated to follow and to judge by, along with what is authentically reported in the Sunnah from Allaah’s Messenger. This is since Allaah sent His Messenger, Muhammad, as a messenger to everyone from the two species (i.e. Jinn and mankind), and He revealed this Book to him so that he could judge them by it. He also made it a cure for the hearts, a source of explanation for everything, and a guide and a mercy to the believers. This is as Allaah states:

“And this (Qur’aan) is a blessed Book, which We have revealed, so follow it and be dutiful (to Allaah) so that you can receive (His) mercy.” [Surah Al-An’aam: 155]

And He says:

“And We revealed to you (O Muhammad) the Book (i.e. the Qur’aan) as an explanation for everything, a guide and a mercy and glad tidings for the Muslims.” [Surah An-Nahl: 89]

And He says:

“Say (Muhammad): O mankind! Verily, I am the Messenger of Allaah sent to all of you (by) the One to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. No one has the right to be worshipped except Him. It is He who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allaah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet (i.e. cannot read or write), who believes in Allaah and His revelations, and follow him so that you may be guided.” [Surah Al-A’raaf: 158]

The verses bearing this meaning are many.

FOURTH: FAITH IN THE MESSENGERS

One must believe in the messengers both in general and in detail. This means, he must believe that Allaah sent to His servants messengers from among them, bringing glad tidings (of Paradise) and warning (of the Hellfire) and calling them to the truth. So whoever answered their call, achieved success and whoever opposed them, failed and will regret.

The last and most virtuous of them is our prophet, Muhammad the son of ‘Abdullaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), as Allaah says:

“And We have indeed sent a messenger to every nation, (saying to them): ‘Worship Allaah and stay away from the false deities.’” [Surah An-Nahl: 36]

And Allaah says:

“Messengers as bearers of good news and warners – In order that mankind should have no excuse (i.e. proof) against Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers.” [Surah AnNisaa: 165]

And Allaah says:

“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but rather he is the Messenger of Allaah and the Seal (last) of the Prophets.” [Surah Al-Ahzaab: 40]

All the prophets whom Allaah named or for whom it is authentically reported that Allaah’s Messenger mentioned by name, we must believe in him according to the detailed and specific manner, such as Nooh (Noah), Hood, Saalih, Ibraaheem (Abraham) and so on, may Allaah bestow the best and purest of His peace and blessings on them and on our Prophet.

FIFTH: FAITH IN THE LAST DAY

As for having faith in the Last Day, then it entails believing in everything that Allaah and His Messenger have informed of concerning what will occur after death, such as the trial of the grave, and the punishment or pleasure that will occur in it. It also includes what will happen on the Day of Judgement such as grief and severities, the placing of the Bridge and the Balance, the accounting (of deeds) and their recompense, and the distribution of the records of deeds to the people. There will be those who will receive their book of deeds on their right hands and those who will receive their book of deeds on their left hands or from behind their backs.

It also entails believing in the Fountain, which will be given to our Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and believing in Paradise and Hell, and (believing) that the believers will see their Lord and that He will talk to them, as well as whatever else has been mentioned in the noble Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger.

So one is obligated to believe and have faith in all of this, in the manner in which Allaah and His Messenger have explained to us.

SIXTH: FAITH IN THE DIVINE PRE-DECREE

As for having faith in Allaah’s Divine Pre-Decree, then this entails believing in four things: First: That Allaah already knows what has occurred and what will occur. And He knows the conditions of His servants, and He knows their provisions, their life spans, their deeds and other affairs of their lives. Nothing of this remains hidden to Him, as He says:

“Verily Allaah is knowledgeable of everything.” [Surah Al-Mujaadilah: 7]

And He says:

“That you may know that Allaah has power over all things, and that Allaah encompasses everything with His Knowledge.” [Surah At-Talaaq: 12]

Second: That Allaah has recorded everything that He has pre-decreed and ordained to occur, as He says:

“We know that which the earth takes of them (i.e. their dead bodies), and with Us is a Book preserved.” [Surah Qaaf: 4]

And He says:

“And all things We have recorded in a Clear Book.” [Surah YaaSeen: 12]

And He says:

“Know you not that Allaah knows all that is in the heaven and on the earth? Verily, it is all in a Book (Preserved Tablet). Surely that is easy for Allaah.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 70]

Third: Believing that what He wills is put into effect and carried out. So whatever He wills comes to be and whatever He doesn’t will, will not come to pass. Allaah says:

“Verily, Allaah does what He wills.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 18]

And He says:

“Verily His Command is that when He desires something, He says to it: ‘Be’, and it is.” [Surah YaaSeen: 82]

And He says:

“And you cannot will unless it be that Allaah Wills, Lord of all that exists.” [Surah AtTakweer: 29]

Fourth: Believing that He created everything that exists, there being no Creator besides Him and no Lord other than Him, as He says:

“Allaah is the Creator of everything, and He is the Guardian of all affairs.” [Surah AzZumar: 62]

And He says:

“O mankind! Remember Allaah’s Favor upon you! Is there a creator besides Allaah that provides for you from the heaven and the earth? There is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Him, so how can you turn away (from Him)?” [Surah Faatir: 3]

So having Faith in the Divine Pre-Decree entails believing in these four things, according to Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, contrary to those amongst the innovators who reject some of the above.

What also falls under Faith in Allaah is: Believing that Faith (Eemaan) is speech and action, which increases with obedience (i.e. good deeds) and decreases with disobedience (i.e. sins), and that it is not permissible to declare anyone among the Muslims a disbeliever due to any sin, besides Shirk and disbelief, whether it be fornication, stealing, dealing in interest, drinking intoxicants, disobeying the parents or any of the other major sins, so long as one does not deem these sins to be permissible. This is based on Allaah’s statement:

“Verily, Allaah does not forgive that partners be ascribed to Him (Shirk), but He forgives what is less than that to whom He wills.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 116]

And it is also based on what has been authentically reported in the numerous ahaadeeth from the Prophet that: “Allaah will extract from the Hellfire whoever has in his heart an atom’s weight of Faith.”

Faith in Allaah also entails loving for the sake of Allaah and hating for the sake of Allaah, as well as making allegiance for the sake of Allaah and making enmity for the sake of Allaah. So the believer loves and befriends the believers, and he hates and has enmity towards the disbelievers.

At the head of the believers of this ummah are: the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). So Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah love and befriend them and believe that they are the best of people after the prophets, due to the Prophet’s statement:

“The best of generations is my generation, then those that come after them, then those that come after them.” [Its authenticity is agreed upon]

And they hold that the best among the Companions was Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, then ‘Umar AlFaarooq, then ‘Uthmaan Dhun-Noorain, then ‘Alee Al-Murtadaa, may Allaah be pleased with all of them. And after them (in excellence) comes the remaining ten Companions who were given the glad tidings of Paradise, then the rest of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with all of them.

And they refrain from whatever disputes occurred between the Companions, believing that they were Mujtahideen in that regard, therefore whoever amongst them was correct got two rewards whereas whoever was wrong got one reward. And they love the members of the household of Allaah’s Messenger who believed in him, thus showing allegiance to them. And they show allegiance to the wives of Allaah’s Messenger, the Mothers of the Believers, and are pleased with all of them.

And they free themselves from the way of the Rawaafid (Raafidees), who hate and revile the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger and who go to extremes with regard to the members of the Prophet’s Household, raising them above the status Allaah gave them. And likewise they free themselves from the way of the Nawaasib (Naasibees) who disparage the members of the Prophet’s Household with words and actions.

Everything that we mentioned in this brief treatise regarding the Correct Belief, that Allaah sent His Messenger Muhammad with, is the Creed of the Saved Sect, Ahlus-Sunnah walJamaa’ah, which the Prophet spoke about when he said: “There will not cease to be a group from my ummah victorious upon the truth. Those who break away from them will not be able to harm them, until the Order of Allaah comes.”

And he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Jews split into seventy-one sects and the Christians split into seventy-two sects. And this ummah will split into seventy-three sects – all of them will be in the Hellfire except one.” So the Companions said: “Which one is it O Messenger of Allaah?” He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Those who are upon the likes of that which I and my Companions are upon.” This refers to the Creed that one is obligated to abide by, remain steadfast upon, and be cautious of what opposes it.

As for those who deviate from this Creed and those who follow its opposite, then they are of several types: Amongst them are those who worship idols, statues, angels, awliyaa (pious worshippers), Jinn, trees, stones, etc. These people have not answered the call of the messengers. On the contrary they have opposed and rejected them, as Quraish and other Arab tribes did with our prophet Muhammad. They would ask their deities to grant their needs, cure their ill and defeat their enemies, and they would offer sacrifices and make vows to them.

So when Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbade them from this and ordered them to sincerely worship Allaah alone, they found this strange and rejected it, saying: “Has he made (all) the gods into one God? This is truly a strange thing!” [Surah Saad: 5]

So he did not stop from calling them to Allaah and warning them from Shirk, and from explaining to them the reality of what he was calling to, to the point that Allaah guided those among them whom He guided. Afterward, scores of people entered into the Religion of Allaah and so the religion of Allaah become triumphant over all the other religions after an extensive call and long Jihaad from Allaah’s Messenger, his Companions and those who followed them in goodness. Then the conditions changed and ignorance prevailed over a majority of the creation to the point that a large portion of them turned back to the Religion of the Days of Ignorance, by going to extremes with regard to the prophets and pious worshippers, by supplicating to them, seeking assistance from them and performing other forms of Shirk. And they didn’t know the meaning of Laa Ilaaha IlaaAllaah, the way the disbelieving Arabs (during the time of the Prophet) used to understand it, and we seek Allaah’s aid!

This Shirk has not stopped spreading amongst the people even to this time of ours due to the overwhelming magnitude of ignorance and the long distance of time that has passed since prophethood.

The argument that these contemporary people use as proof is the same argument that those in the past used, which is their saying:

“These (idols) are our intercessors before Allaah” [Surah Yoonus: 18] and

“We only worship them so that they can bring us closer to Allaah.” [Surah Az-Zumar: 3]

Allaah has invalidated this argument and clarified that whoever worships other than Him, whoever it may be, has ascribed partners to Him and disbelieved, as Allaah says:

“And they worship besides Allaah (false deities) that can neither harm them nor benefit them, and they say: ‘These (idols) are our intercessors before Allaah.’” [Surah Yoonus: 18]

So Allaah refuted them saying:

“Say: ‘Are you informing Allaah of something He doesn’t know in the heavens and the earth? Far removed and High above is He from the partners they ascribe to Him!’” [Surah Yoonus: 18]

So Allaah explains in these verses that worshipping others besides Him, such as prophets, pious worshippers or anyone else, is considered major Shirk, even if those who commit it may call it by another name. Allaah says:

“Those who take others as supporters besides Allaah say: ‘We only worship them so that they can bring us closer to Allaah.’” [Surah Az-Zumar: 3]

So Allaah refuted them by saying:

“Verily Allaah will judge between them concerning that which they differed on. Verily, Allaah does not guide he who is a liar, a disbeliever.” [Surah Az-Zumar: 3]

So He clarified by this that their worship of others besides Him, be it through supplication, fear, hope and so on is in fact disbelieving in Him. And He denied their statement that their gods would bring them closer to Him.

From the ideologies of disbelief that contradict the authentic Creed and oppose what the messengers came with is:

What the atheists of this era believe in, such as the followers of Marx, Lenin and others who call to atheism and disbelief, regardless of whether they call that socialism, communism, ba’athism or any other name, for indeed from the base principles of these atheists is the belief that there is no god and that life is only (based on) matter. And from their principles is to reject the Day of Final Return, Paradise, Hellfire, and to disbelieve in all of the religions. Whoever examines their books and studies what beliefs they were upon will come to know that with full certainty. No doubt this belief is in contradiction to all of the heavenly revealed religions and leads its followers to the worst of fates in this world and the Hereafter.

And from the beliefs that are in opposition to the truth is that which some of the Baatinees and Sufis believe in that some of those whom they call awliyaa (saints) share with Allaah in His administration, and that they manage the affairs of the world. They call them Aqtaab, Awtaad, Aghwaath and other names that they have devised for their (false) gods. This is from the vilest forms of Shirk committed with regard to Allaah’s Lordship, and it is worse than the Shirk (polytheism) that was performed during the Days of Ignorance of the Arabs. This is since the disbelievers among the (first) Arabs did not commit Shirk with regard to Allaah’s Lordship, but rather they would only ascribe partners to Allaah in His worship. And their Shirk would occur during times of ease only. But as for times of distress and dire need, they would worship

Allaah sincerely, as Allaah says:

“And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allaah, making their Faith pure for Him alone. But when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.” [Surah Al-‘Ankaboot: 65]

As for Allaah’s Lordship, they used to acknowledge that it belonged solely to Allaah alone, as He says:

“And if you were to ask them who created them, they would surely say ‘Allaah.’” [Surah Az-Zukhruf: 87]

And Allaah says:

“Say: ‘Who provides for you from the heaven and from the earth?’ Or ‘Who has power over hearing and sight?’ And ‘Who brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living?’ And ‘Who administers all of the affairs?’ They would surely say: ‘Allaah.’ Say: ‘Will you not then fear and be dutiful to Him?’” [Surah Yoonus: 31] The verses bearing this same meaning are many.

As for the contemporary polytheists, they have surpassed the first polytheists in two things:

First: Some of them ascribe partners to Allaah in His Lordship

Second: They commit Shirk (polytheism) in times of comfort and in times of distress, as can be understood by the one who mixes with them, examines their conditions and looks at what they do at the gravesites of Al-Husayn, Al-Badawee and others in Egypt, and at the gravesite of Al-‘Eidroos in ‘Aden, Al-Haadee in Yemen, Ibn ‘Arabee in Syria, Shaikh ‘Abdul-Qaadir AlJilaanee in Iraq, and all the other gravesites that the common folk have gone to extremes about and to which they have transferred many of Allaah’s sole rights. How few are those who forbid them from this and explain to them the reality of Tawheed, which Allaah sent our prophet Muhammad and the messengers before him with. So verily to Allaah we belong and verily to Him we will return!

We ask Allaah to return them to what is correct and to place many callers of guidance amongst them and that He grant the Muslim leaders and scholars the ability to wage war against this Shirk (polytheism), verily He is the All-Hearer, the All-Encompassing. And from the beliefs that oppose the Correct Creed with regard to Allaah’s Names and Attributes are the beliefs of the innovators from the Jahmiyyah and the Mu’atazliah, as well as those who follow their way, which is that of negating Allaah’s Attributes, denying His Attributes of perfection, and describing Him with attributes of non-existence and inanimateness. Far removed is Allaah from their views!

What falls under this category are those who negate some of Allaah’s Attributes while affirming others, such as the Ash’arees, for indeed those Attributes that they do affirm necessitates the same thing that they are fleeing from with regard to the Attributes that they negate and whose evidences they misinterpret. So because of this, they have opposed the textual and logical proofs and fallen into clear contradiction. But as for Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, they affirm all the Names and Attributes that Allaah has affirmed for Himself or that His Messenger Muhammad has affirmed for Him, in a perfect manner. And they make Him free from resembling His creation in any way, without resorting to complete denial (of His Attributes). So they act upon all of the textual evidences, not distorting them or rejecting them. Thus they saved themselves from the contradictions that others fell into, as we have explained previously. This is the path of salvation and prosperity in this world and in the Hereafter. And it is the Straight Path, which the predecessors and Imaams of this ummah treaded upon. And (know) that the last part of this (Muslim) nation will not be rectified except with that which rectified its first part, and that is: Following the Qur’aan and the Sunnah and abandoning what opposes them.

THE NULLIFIERS OF ISLAAM

Know O Muslim brother that Allaah has obligated all of His servants to enter the fold of Islaam, to hold tightly onto it and to beware of those things that oppose it. And He sent His Prophet, Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), to call the people to that, informing us that whoever follows him is guided, whereas whoever turns away from him is astray. In many ayaat (verses) of the Qur’aan, He has warned us about the things that cause one to apostate as well as all the rest of the types of Shirk (polytheism) and Kufr (disbelief).

The scholars, may Allaah have mercy on them, have mentioned in their chapters on the “Ruling of the Apostate”, that a Muslim may apostate from his Religion through various types of Nullifiers (of Faith), which cause his life and wealth to become permissible (for taking) and which causes him to leave from the fold of Islaam.

And from the most dangerous amongst them and those that occur most often are ten nullifiers [2] that we will mention to you in the following lines, in a summarized manner, so that you may beware of them and warn others about them, hoping that Allaah will protect and safeguard us from them. We will also mention a few short clarifications after them.

First: Shirk (associating partners) in the worship of Allaah.

Allaah says:

“Verily, Allaah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him in worship (Shirk), but He forgives what is less than that to whom He wills.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 116]

And He says:

“Verily, the one who mixes partners in worship with Allaah (Shirk), then Paradise has been made forbidden for him and his final abode will be the Hellfire. And the wrongdoers will not have any helpers (in Hell).” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 72]

What falls into this is supplicating and invoking the deceased, seeking assistance from them, as well as making oaths to them and offering sacrificial animals to them.

Second: Whoever places intermediaries between himself and Allaah, asking them to intercede on his behalf, and relying on them, has committed disbelief according to the unanimous agreement of the scholars.

Third: Whoever does not hold the polytheists to be disbelievers, or has doubts about their disbelief or considers their ways and beliefs to be correct, has committed disbelief.

Fourth: Whoever believes that some guidance other than that of the Prophet’s (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is more complete than his guidance and that someone else’s judgement is better than his judgement, such as those who prefer the judgement of the Tawaagheet (pl. of Taaghoot; false deities/religions) over his judgement, then he is a disbeliever.

Fifth: Whoever hates something that the Messenger came with, even though he may act on it, has disbelieved, based on Allaah’s saying:

“That is because they disliked what Allaah sent down, so He nullified their (good) deeds.” [Surah Muhammad: 9]

Sixth: Whoever mocks or ridicules any part of the Messenger’s Religion or its rewards or punishments has committed an act of disbelief. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement: “Say: ‘Was it Allaah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuses, you have disbelieved after having had faith.” [Surah At-Tawbah: 65-66]

Seventh: Sorcery, which includes magic spells that causes a person to hate (sarf)[3] or love (‘atf)[4] someone/something. So whoever performs it or is pleased with it being done, has committed disbelief. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:

“And neither of these two (angels) would teach anyone until they had first said to them: ‘We are only a trial (for the people), so do not commit disbelief.’” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 102]

Eighth: Supporting and assisting the polytheists against the Muslims. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:

“And whoever amongst you takes them (i.e. the disbelievers) as allies and protectors then he is indeed from among them. Verily, Allaah does not guide a wrong-doing [5] people.” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 51]

Ninth: Whoever believes that it is permitted for some people to be free of (implementing) the Sharee’ah (revealed laws) of Muhammad (i.e. Islaam), then he is a disbeliever, according to Allaah’s statement:

“And whoever seeks a Religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted from him and in the Hereafter, he will be from among the losers.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 85]

Tenth: Turning away from Allaah’s Religion, not learning it or implementing it (is an act of disbelief). The proof for this is Allaah’s saying:

“And who does more wrong6 than he who is reminded7 of the ayaat (signs/verses) of his Lord, then turns away [8] from them. Verily, We shall extract retribution [9] from the criminals.” [Surah As-Sajdah: 22]

There is no difference, with regard to (committing any of) these nullifiers, between the one who jokes, the one who is serious or the one who does so out of fear. However, the one who commits them due to being coerced (is excused). All of these (ten) matters are from the gravest in danger and from those that most often occur. So the Muslim must beware of them and fear from these acts befalling him.

What falls into the Fourth Nullifier are those who believe that the man-made laws and constitutions that the people have legislated are better than the Sharee’ah (laws) of Islaam. Or those who believe that it is not correct to implement the Laws of Islaam in the twentieth century.

Or that this is a cause for the backwardness of the Muslims.

Or that it is limited to only playing a part in the relationship between the servant and his Lord and that it should not interfere in the other affairs of life.

What also falls under this fourth category are those who hold that carrying out Allaah laws, such as cutting off the hand of a thief or stoning a guilty adulterer is not befitting for this modern era.

What also falls under this category are those who believe that it is permissible to rule by other than the Laws of Allaah (Sharee’ah) in matters of interactions, penal laws and so on, even if he doesn’t believe that it is better than ruling by the Sharee’ah. This is since by doing this, he will be making lawful that which Allaah has made forbidden, according to the unanimous consensus (Ijmaa’).

Anyone that makes lawful that which Allaah has prohibited from the matters that one is required to know by necessity, such as fornication, alcohol, interest and ruling by other than Allaah’s Laws, then he is a disbeliever according to the Ijmaa’ (unanimous consensus) of the Muslims.

We seek refuge in Allaah from those things that bring about His Anger and painful Punishment. May the peace and blessings be on the best of His creatures, Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Footnotes:

[1] Translator’s Note: This means: What has been described to us already in the Qur’aan, as Allaah says: “He created man (Aadam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery.” [Surah Ar-Rahmaan (55): 14]

[2] As mentioned by the Shaikh and Imaam, Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, and other scholars, may Allaah have mercy on all of them.

[3] Sarf: A Magic act done in order to turn a person away from what he desires, such as turning a man away from loving his wife to loving another.

[4] ‘Atf: A Magic act done in order to turn a person towards something that he does not desire, using satanic methods (to achieve it).

[5] Dhaalimoon (wrong-doing people) here means the disbelievers.:

[6] Meaning: “There is no one that does more wrong…”

[7] Tadh-keer (Reminder) means: “Admonishing and drawing one’s attention to something that must be called to mind.”

[8] I’raad (turning away) means: “Refraining from and turning one’s back on.”

[9] Intiqaam (revenge/seeking retribution) means: “Responding with severity against something that had been done prior.”

Sufficiency in Creed (Lum’at-ul-‘Itiqaad) – Imaam Ibn Qudaamah

AUTHOR: Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisee [died 620H]
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a translation of the classic treatise Lum’at-ul-‘Itiqaad (Sufficiency in Creed) of the great Imaam, Abu Muhammad Muwaffaq-ud-Deen Ibn Qudaamah AI-Maqdisee, may Allaah have mercy on him.

In this book, Imaam Ibn Qudaamah presents the Creed of the Salaf as is the custom of the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah in every century — to preserve the authentic Creed by way of writing it down in books and spreading it So this Creed became well known amongst the scholars and studied in the gatherings of knowledge. In fact the treatise continues to be studied and reviewed by students of knowledge throughout the world.

This book was explained in recent times by Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-Uthaimeen and assigned for study by the Board of Educational Institutes in Saudi Arabia. All footnotes and hadeeth verifications were extracted in abridged form from Ashraf bin Abdil-Maqsood’s checking of Imaam Ibn Al-Uthaimeen’s explanation of ‘Sufficiency in Creed’

We ask Allaah to make this treatise a benefit for the students of knowledge to study and acquire understanding of their Religion.

[Download the PDF Book Here]

Read the Book Below:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. The Speech of Allaah
3. The Qur’aan is the Speech of Allaah
4. The Believers will see their Lord on the Day of Judgement
5. The Divine Decree and Ordainment of Allaah
6. Eemaan (Faith) is Speech and Action
7. Faith in Everything that the Messenger informed of
8. Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets

INTRODUCTION

All praise is due to Allaah, the One praised in every tongue (i.e. language), the One worshipped in every era. There is not a place that is free of His Knowledge nor does one affair preoccupy Him over another. He is far beyond any equals and rivals, as well as being free of any wife or children. His Decree is carried out in all of His servants. No intellect can derive an example of Him with its pondering, nor can any heart attempt to depict Him.

“There is nothing whatsoever like Him (in comparison). And He is the AllHearer, the All-Seer.” [Surah Ash-Shoora (42): 11]

To Him belong the best of Names and the most honorable of Attributes.

“The Most Gracious (Allaah) rose over the Throne (in a manner that suits His majesty). To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil. And if you speak aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden. Allaah! None has the right to be worshipped except Him. To Him belong the best of Names.” [Surah TaHa (20): 5-8]

His knowledge encompasses everything. He subjugates all creatures by His Honor and Rule. And His knowledge and mercy engulf everything.

“He (Allaah) knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them (in the Hereafter) but they will never encompass anything of His knowledge.” [Surah TaHa (20): 110]

He is described by what He has attributed to Himself in His Magnificent Book and upon the tongue of His honorable Prophet.

We are obligated to believe in and to welcome with submission and acceptance everything that is mentioned in the Qur’aan or that is authentically reported on the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) concerning Allaah’s Attributes. And we must abandon opposing it (which is done) by radd (rejection), ta’weel (distortive misinterpretation), tashbeeh (comparison) and tamtheel (representation). As for what appears unclear from that, then we are obligated to affirm its wording and not oppose it’s (literal) meaning. We are to return the precise knowledge of it to the One who stated it and we entrust it upon the one who transmitted it, following the example of the ones who are deeply endowed with knowledge, those whom Allaah has praised in His manifest Book, saying:

“And those who are firmly grounded with knowledge say: ‘We believe in it (the Qur’aan); the whole of it (clear and unclear verses) is from our Lord.’” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan (3): 7]

And He says, dispraising the one who seeks the ta’weel (hidden meaning) of the unclear verses of His revelation.

“As for those in whose hearts there is deviation, they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking fitnah (mischief) and seeking for its ta’weel (hidden meanings), but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allaah.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan (3): 7]

Thus Allah has placed the aspect of seeking after the hidden meanings (ta’weel) as a sign of deviation. And He has placed it at the same level of seeking after mischief, in the dispraise of it. Then He placed a barrier between them and that which they aspire and He cuts off their ambitions from what they seek after, by saying:

“But no one knows its hidden meanings except Allaah.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan (3): 7]

Concerning the hadeeths: “Verily, Allaah descends to the lowest heaven” and “Verily, Allaah will be seen on the Day of Judgement” and what is similar to these ahaadeeth, Imaam Abu ‘Abdillaah Ahmad bin Hanbal (rahimahullaah) said:

“We believe in them and we attest to their verity, without saying how and without ascribing a (fixed) meaning for them. Nor do we reject any part from them. We know that whatever the Messenger came with is the truth. We do not reject what Allaah’s Messenger came with, nor do we describe Allaah with more than He has described Himself, without limits.

Allaah says: ‘There is nothing whatsoever like Him (in comparison). And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.’ We say as He has said. We describe Him with what He has described Himself and we do not transgress that. The description of those who (attempt to) describe Him, cannot grasp Him. We believe in the Qur’aan, all of it, its clear verses as well as its unclear verses. We do not reject any of His Attributes due to a discomfort (that we may perceive towards it). We do not transgress the Qur’aan and the Hadeeth. And we have no knowledge of how to understand them, except through the affirmations of the Messenger and the confirmation of the Qur’aan.” Imaam Abu ‘Abdillaah Muhammad bin Idrees Ash-Shaafi’ee, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “I believe in Allaah and in what has been reported concerning Allaah, upon what was intended by Allaah. And I believe in the Messenger of Allaah and in what has been reported concerning the Messenger of Allaah, upon what was intended by the Messenger of Allaah.”

This is the way that the scholars of the past and present have followed, may Allaah be pleased with them. They all unanimously agreed on acknowledging, accepting, and affirming what has been mentioned in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) concerning the Attributes, without turning towards the use of ta’weel.

We have been commanded to follow their way (the Prophet and his Companions) and to be guided by their example. And we have been warned of the newly invented matters and we have been informed that they are from among the things that lead astray. The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khaleefahs (who will come) after me. Bite onto it (i.e. the Sunnah) with your molar teeth and beware of newly invented matters.

For indeed, every newly invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a misguidance.” [1]

‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) said: “Follow (the Sunnah) and do not innovate! For you have been sufficed.” [2]

‘Umar bin ‘Abd-il-‘Azeez (rahimahullaah) said something with the meaning:

“Stop where the people have stopped! For, indeed, they stopped upon receiving knowledge. The clear evidences would suffice them and they were the strongest at manifesting it. If there were any addition (to the Religion), they would be most likely to have done it (first). So if you say: it was introduced after them, then no one introduces into it except for he who opposes their guidance and desires other than their example. They have described from it what was enough and they have spoken concerning it what has sufficed. What is above them is excessiveness. And what is below them is inadequacy. Some people have fallen short of them and so they have drawn away. And others have transgressed them and so they became extreme. But indeed, they were between these two, upon a straight guidance.”

Abu ‘Amr Al-Awzaa’ee (rahimahullaah) said: “Stick to the narrations of those who came before you (man salafa), even if the people reject you. And beware of the opinions of men, even if they beautify them for you with their speech.”

Muhammad bin ‘Abd-ir-Rahmaan Al-Adarmee (rahimahullaah) said to a man who was speaking of an innovation and calling the people towards it:

“Did the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan and ‘Alee have knowledge of it or did they not have knowledge of it?” He said: “They did not have knowledge of it.” He said: “So something which they had no knowledge of, you know!?!” The man said: “Then I say that they did have knowledge of it!” He said: “Was it sufficient for them that they not speak about it nor call the people towards it, or was it not sufficient for them?” The man said: “Of course it was sufficient for them.” He said: “So something which was sufficient for the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Khaleefahs is not sufficient for you!?!” So the man refrained (from his call) and the Khaleefah, who was present there, said: “May Allaah not suffice the one who is not satisfied by what they found sufficient.”

Similarly, whoever does not feel content with what was sufficient for the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), his Companions, those who followed them in righteousness, the Imaams that came after them and those deeply endowed with knowledge, regarding reciting the verses on (Allaah’s) Attributes, reading the reports about them and leaving them the way they came (i.e. were reported), then may Allaah not suffice him.

Among what has been revealed in the verses concerning Allaah’s Attributes, is:

“And the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honor, will remain forever.” [Surah Ar-Rahmaan (55): 27]

And His saying: “Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched.” [Surah AlMaa’idah (5): 64]

His statement in which He informs us that ‘Eesaa bin Maryam said:

“You know what is in my inner-self, though I do not know what is in Your Self.” [Surah Al-Maa’idah (5): 116]

His statement: “And your Lord comes…” [Surah Al-Fajr (89): 22]

His saying:

“Do they then wait for anything other than that Allaah should come to them.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 210]

His statement:

“Allaah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.” [Surah Al-Maa’idah (5): 119]

His saying:

“Allaah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him.” [Surah AlMaa’idah (5): 54]

His statement concerning the disbelievers:

“And the Anger of Allaah is upon them.” [Surah Al-Fath (48): 6]

His statement:

“That is because they followed that which discontented Allaah…” [Surah Muhammad (47): 28]

And His saying:

“But Allaah disliked their being sent forth.” [Surah At-Tawbah (9): 46]

From the Sunnah is the statement of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):

“Our Lord, may He be Blessed and Exalted, descends to the lowest heaven every night.” [3]

His (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement:

“Your Lord is amazed by the youth who does not possess childish manners.” [4]

And his (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying:

“Allaah laughs at two men – one of whom kills the other, then they both enter Paradise.” [5]

We believe in this and what is similar to it, from that which has an authentic chain and reliable reporters. We do not reject it nor do we negate it. Nor do we change its meaning with something that contradicts what is literally apparent from it. We do not compare it to the attributes of the creation nor by (using) the naming schemes of the innovators. And we know that Allaah, Glorified and Exalted, has no equal or comparison.

“There is nothing whatsoever like Him (in comparison). And He is the AllHearer, the All-Seer.” [Surah Ash-Shoora (42): 11]

Everything that is imagined by the intellect or pondered in one’s thoughts, then Allaah is contrary to that. Another example is His saying:

So Allaah revealed:

“But they give preference to others over themselves, even though they had a need for it.” [Surah Al-Hashr (59): 9]

“The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.” [Surah TaHa (20): 5]

And His statement:

“Do you feel secure that He, who is above the heavens…” [Surah Al-Mulk (67): 16]

And the statement of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):

“Our Lord, Allaah, who is above the heavens! Sanctified be your Name.” [6]

And his (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying to the slave girl: “Where is Allaah?” She said: “Above the heavens.” So he said: “Free her, for indeed, she is a believer.” Maalik bin Anas, Muslim and other scholars have reported this hadeeth.

The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to Husayn (bin ‘Imraan): “How many gods do you worship?” He said: “Seven. Six in the earth and one above the heavens.” He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said “Who is it that you hope in and fear (most)?” He said: “The One that is above the heavens.” He said: “Then abandon the six and worship the One who is above the heavens, and I will teach you two supplications.” So he accepted Islaam and the Prophet taught him to say: “O Allaah, Grant me guidance and save me from the evil of my self.” [7]

What was reported in the previously revealed books, concerning the signs of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions, is that: “They prostrate on earth while claiming that their god is above the heavens.”

Abu Dawood reported in his Sunan that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed what is between one level of heaven and (another) level of heaven is a distance of such and such…” He continued until he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned: “And above that is the Throne. And Allaah, the One free of all defects, is above that.” [8]

This and what is similar to it is from what the Salaf, may Allaah have mercy on them, have unanimously agreed on reporting and accepting. And we do not incline towards rejecting it (radd), nor toward distorting its meaning (ta’weel), nor towards making comparisons to it (tashbeeh), nor towards likening it (tamtheel).

Imaam Maalik bin Anas (rahimahullaah) was questioned once, and it was said to him: “O Abu ‘Abdillaah! (Allaah says): ‘The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.’ How does He rise?” So he (rahimahullaah) responded: “The Rising (Al-Istiwaa) is not something unkown. How (it is done) is incomprehensible. Believing in it is an obligation. And asking concerning it is an innovation.” Then he put someone in charge of the man and he was thrown out. [9]

THE SPEECH OF ALLAAH

From the Attributes of Allaah is that He speaks with a speech that is pre-existent. He causes whomsoever He wills to hear it. Moosaa heard it from Him without there being any intermediary. Jibreel heard it, as well as whomever He permits from His angels and messengers. He, the One free from all defects, will speak to the believers in the Hereafter and they will speak to Him. He will grant them permission and they will visit Him. Allaah says:

“And to Moosaa, Allaah spoke directly.” [Surah An-Nisaa (4): 164]

And Allaah says:

“He (Allaah) said: ‘O Moosaa, I have chosen you above men by My messages, and by My speaking (to you).’” [Surah Al-A’araaf (7): 144] And He says: “Those messengers! We preferred some of them over others; to some of them Allaah spoke (directly).” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 253]

And He says:

“It is not for any human being that Allaah should speak to him unless (it be) by Revelation, or from behind a veil.” [Surah Ash-Shuraa (42): 51]

And He says:

“And when he came to it (the fire), he was called by name: ‘O Moosaa! Verily, I am your Lord!’” [Surah TaHa (20): 11-12]

And Allaah says:

“Verily, I am Allaah! None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me, and establish the prayer for My Remembrance.” [Surah TaHa (20): 14]

It is not permissible for anyone to say this (last ayah) except Allaah.

‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) said: “When Allaah speaks through revelation, the inhabitants of the heavens hear His Voice.” He reported this on the Prophet. [10]

‘Abdullaah bin Anees (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah will gather the creatures on the Day of Judgement, naked, barefoot, uncircumcised and not having anything with them. He will then call them with a voice that those who are far as well as those who are near will be able to hear: ‘I am Al-Malik (the King). I am Ad-Dayyaan (the Recompenser).’” [11]

In some narrations, it mentions that: One night Moosaa saw the Fire and it overthrew him so he became frightened from it. Then his Lord called to him: “O Moosaa!” So he responded quickly, being familiar with the voice: “Here I am to serve you! Here I am! I hear Your voice but I do not see Your place (i.e. where you are). Where are You?” He said: “I am above you and in front of you and on your right and on your left.” So he realized that this attribute did not befit anyone except Allaah. He (Moosaa) then said: “You are just as You say, my Lord. Do I hear Your speech or the speech of one of Your messengers (angels)?” He said: “No, rather My speech, O Moosaa.”

THE QUR’AAN IS THE SPEECH OF ALLAAH

From the Speech of Allaah, is the Glorious Qur’aan. It is the plain Book of Allaah and His firm rope. It is His straight path and the revelation of the Lord of the universe. The most honorable spirit (Jibreel) brought it to the heart of the best of messengers, in a clear Arabic language. It was revealed and not created. From Him it began and to Him it will return.

It consists of precise chapters, clear verses, and letters and words. Whoever recites it and does so properly (with ‘Iraab), he will have ten good deeds for every letter he recites. It has a beginning and an end, and it consists of sections and parts. It is that which is recited by the tongues, memorized in the hearts, listened to by the ears, and recorded in the scriptures (masaahif).

In it are verses that are clear and ambiguous, that which abrogates and those that are abrogated, those that are specific and those that are general, and those that contain obligations and prohibitions.

“Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or behind it. (It is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allaah).” [Surah Fussilat (41): 42]

“Say: If mankind and jinn were to gather together to produce the likes of this Qur’aan, they would not produce the likes thereof, even if they helped one another.” [Surah Al-Israa (17): 88]

This is the Arabic Book of which the disbelievers said concerning it: “We will never believe in this Qur’aan.” [Surah Saba (34): 31]

And some of them said:

“This is nothing but the words of a human being!” [Surah Al-Mudaththir (74): 25]

So Allaah said:

“I will cast him into the Hellfire.” [Surah Al-Mudaththir (74): 26]

Some of them said that it was poetry, so Allaah said:

“And We have not taught him (i.e. Muhammad) poetry nor is it suitable for him. This is only a reminder and a plain Qur’aan.” [Surah YaaSeen (36): 69] Thus, when Allaah denies that it is poetry and confirms that it is a Qur’aan, there should not remain any doubt for the one possessing intellect, that the Qur’aan is that Arabic Book which is composed of words, letters and verses. This is because if it were not so, then they (disbelievers) would not have claimed that it was poetry.

Allaah, the Mighty and Sublime, says:

“And if you (disbelievers) are in doubt concerning what We have sent down (i.e. the Qur’aan) to Our slave (Muhammad), then produce a chapter the like thereof and call your witnesses besides Allaah.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 23] It is not right for Him to challenge them with producing something that they neither know nor understand (i.e. it is words and letters, which they know).

Allaah says:

“And when Our clear verses are recited unto them, those who hope not to meet Us, say: ‘Bring us a Qur’aan other than this, or change it.’ Say (O Muhammad) ‘It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow that which is revealed unto me.’” [Surah Yoonus (10): 15]

This confirms that the Qur’aan is (made of) verses, which are recited unto them (i.e. the disbelievers).

Allaah says:

“Nay, but they are clear verses that are preserved in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge.” [Surah Al-‘Ankaboot (29): 49]

And He says after having sworn upon it:

“This is indeed an honorable Qur’aan. In a Book well guarded (i.e. Al-Lawh-ulMahfoodh), which none can touch, except the purified (i.e. the angels).” [Surah
Al-Waaqi’ah (56): 77-79]

And Allaah says:

“Kaaf-Ha-Ya-‘Ayn-Saad” [Surah Maryam (19): 1]

“Ha-Meem. ‘Ayn-Seen-Qaaf” [Surat-ush-Shooraa (42): 1]

He commences twenty-nine chapters of the Qur’aan with individually separated letters. The Prophet (sallAallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever recites the Qur’aan and recites it properly, there will be ten good deeds for him, for every letter from it. And whoever recites the Qur’aan and recites it improperly, there will be one good deed for him for every letter.” [12]

And he (sallAallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Read the Qur’aan before there comes to you a people who will throw forth its words as fast as an arrow (shoots out), yet it will not pass their throats. They will hasten its reward and not delay it.” [13]

Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (radyAllaahu ‘anhumaa) said: “To make ‘Iraab of the Qur’aan (recite it properly with all its rules) is more beloved to us than to memorize some of its letters.” [14]

‘Alee (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) said: “Whoever disbelieves in one letter from it, then he has disbelieved in all of it.” [15]

The Muslims (i.e. scholars) have unanimously agreed on the number of chapters (suwar), verses, words and letters of the Qur’aan. There is no disagreement amongst the Muslims (i.e. scholars) concerning the disbelief of one who denies a chapter (surah), verse (ayah), word, or letter from the Qur’aan, which has been agreed on. There is a clear decisive proof in this that it is (made of) letters.

THE BELIEVERS WILL SEE THEIR LORD ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

The believers will see their Lord in the Hereafter with their own eyes and they will visit Him. He will speak to them and they will speak to Him. Allaah says: “(Some) Faces on that Day will be shiny and radiant. Looking at their Lord (Allaah).” [Surah Al-Qiyaamah (75): 22-23]

And He says: “Nay! Surely, they (evildoers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day.” [Surah Al-Mutaffifeen (83): 15]

If Allaah is screened from these people (disbelievers) during a state in which they are in discontentment this indicates that the believers will see Him while being in (the opposite) a state of pleasure. If this were not so, there would be no distinction between the two.

The Prophet (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) said: “Indeed, you will see your Lord, just as you see this moon. There is no difficulty in your seeing it.” This is an authentic hadeeth that has been agreed upon. [16]

This statement is a comparison between one manner of seeing with another manner of seeing. It is not a comparison between what is being seen and something else that is being seen, for indeed, Allaah has neither comparisons nor equals.

THE DIVINE DECREE AND ORDAINMENT OF ALLAAH

From the Attributes of Allaah, is that He does whatsoever He wants. Nothing comes to pass, except by His desire (Iraadah) and nothing escapes His Will (Mashee’ah). There is nothing in this world that escapes from His Preordainment (Taqdeer) and nothing comes to pass except with His Administration (Tadbeer). There is no one that can go around the Preordainment (Qadar) that has been recorded for him. Nor can one transgress the limits of what has been decreed for him in the Written Tablet (Al-Lawhul-Mahfoodh). He wills all that the creation does. Had He made them infallible, they would not disobey Him, and had He willed that they all obey Him, they would surely obey Him. He created the creation and their actions, and He preordained their provision and lifespans. He guides whom He wills by His wisdom. Allaah says:

“He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21): 23]

Allaah says:
“Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainment).” [Surah Al-Qamar (54): 49]

And He says:
“He has created everything, and so He has assigned its Preordainment.” [Surah Al-Furqaan (25): 2]

And He says:

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves, except that it is (written) in a Book (Al-Lawh-ul-Mahfoodh) before We bring it into existence.” [Surah Al-Hadeed (57): 22]

And He says:

“And whoever Allaah wills to guide, he opens his breast (i.e. heart) to Islaam. And whoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast (i.e. heart) closed and constricted.” [Surah Al-Ana’aam (6): 125]

Ibn ‘Umar reported that Jibreel asked the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) what Eemaan was, so he responded: “To believe in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and Al-Qadar, the good of it and the bad of it.” So Jibreel told him: “You have spoken truthfully.” Reported by Muslim [17]

And the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I believe in Al-Qadar, the good of it and the bad of it, the sweet of it and the bitter of it.” [18]

One of the supplications that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught AlHasan bin ‘Alee and which he himself used to supplicate with during the Qunoot of
Witr, was: “And save me from the bad of what You have ordained.” [19]

We do not use the Qadaa and the Qadar of Allaah as an excuse for us to abandon following His commandments and avoiding His prohibitions. Rather, we are obligated to believe in and know that with Allaah lies the proof (eliminating all excuses) by His revealing of the Books and His sending of the Messengers. Allaah says:

“In order that mankind shall have no excuse (i.e. proof) against Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers.” [Surah An-Nisaa (4): 165]

We know that Allaah, High and Exalted, did not command or forbid except that which can be acted upon or abandoned. He did not force anyone to commit acts of disobedience nor did He compel anyone to abandon obeying Him. Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Allaah has not given any soul a responsibility, except that He has given it the ability (to carry out that responsibility).” [Surat-ul-Baqarah (2): 286]

And Allaah says:
“So fear Allaah as much as you are able to.” [Surah At-Taghaabun (64): 16]

And Allaah says:
“This Day every person will be recompensed for what he earned. There will be no injustice (upon anybody in their judgement) on that Day.” [Surah Ghaafir (40): 17]

This indicates that every servant possesses actions and things he earns – he will be recompensed for his good deeds with reward and for his bad deeds with punishment. This will occur by the Divine Execution (Al-Qadaa) and Decree (Al-Qadar) of Allaah.

EEMAAN IS SPEECH AND ACTION

Eemaan (Faith) is a statement of the tongue, an action of the limbs and a belief of the heart. It increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience. Allaah says:

“And they were commanded not, except that they should worship Allaah alone, making the Religion sincere to Him, and establish the prayer, and give the Zakaah. And that is the right religion.” [Surah Al-Bayyinah (98): 5]

So He has placed the worship of Allaah, the sincerity of the heart, the establishment of prayer and the giving of Zakaah, all as being from the Religion (i.e. Eemaan). The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Eemaan consists of more than seventy branches. The highest of them is to testify that La ilaaha illa Allaah (None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah). And the lowest of them is removing a harmful object from the road.”

So he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) placed speech and action as part of Eemaan (Faith). Allaah says:

“As for those who believe, it has increased their Eemaan.” [Surah At-Tawbah (9): 124]

And He says:
“In order that they may grow more in Eemaan (Faith), along with their (present) Eemaan.” [Surah Al-Fath (48): 4]

The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever says: ‘Laa Illaaha Illaa Allaah’ and he has in his heart Eemaan, the weight of a wheat grain, or a mustard’s seed or an atom, he will be extracted from the Hellfire.” Therefore he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has placed Eemaan at different levels.

FAITH IN EVERYTHING THAT THE MESSENGER INFORMED OF

We are obligated to have Faith in everything that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) informed us about and in what has been authentically attributed to him through reports, whether we witnessed it or it was hidden from us. We know that it is a reality and the truth. This is the same with regard to whether we comprehend it or we do not comprehend it. We do not go beyond the outer actuality (i.e. literalness) of its meaning, such as the hadeeth concerning the Israa and the Mi’raaj.[20] It occurred while the Prophet was awake and not in a dream, for indeed the Quraish denied it and considered it something incredible. And they did not used to deny dreams.

Another example of that, is when the angel of death approached Moosaa in order to take his soul. He (Moosaa) struck him and gouged his eye, so he returned to his Lord who gave him his eye back.

Another example of that: are the signs of the Hour, such as the emergence of the Dajjaal, the descent of ‘Eesaa bin Maryam, who will then kill him, the coming out of Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj, the emergence of the Beast, the rising of the sun from the west, and all that is related to this from what has been authentically reported. [21]

The punishment and pleasure of the grave are true. The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would seek refuge from it (the punishment) and he commanded that it be done in every prayer.

The trial of the grave is true. The questioning of Munkar and Nakeer is true. The resurrection after death is true, and that will occur when Israafeel blows on the trumpet.

“And behold from the graves they will come out quickly to their Lord.” [Surah YaaSeen (36): 51]

Mankind will be gathered on the Day of Judgement, barefoot, naked, uncircumcised, and having nothing with them (i.e. possessions). They will stop at the final place of standing, until our Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) intercedes for them and Allaah, Blessed and Exalted, reckons with them (i.e. judges them). The Balances will be set up, the records will be distributed and the pages containing the deeds of each individual will be dispersed into the right hands and the left hands.

“Then as for him who will be given his record in his right hand, he surely, will receive an easy reckoning. And will return back to his family in joy! But whoever is given his record behind his back (or in his left hand), he will invoke (for his) destruction. And he shall enter a blazing Fire and made to taste it’s burning flames.” [Surah Al-Inshiqaaq (84): 7-12]

The Balance (Al-Meezaan) has two scales and a tongue, with which it will weigh the deeds.

“Then those whose Balances (of good deeds) are heavy, they are the successful. And those whose Balances (of good deeds) are light, they are those who lose their own selves, in Hell will they abide.” [Surah Al-Mu’minoon (23): 102- 103]

Our Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) will have the Fountain (AlHawd) on the Day of Judgement. Its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. Its drinking vessels are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Whosoever drinks a serving from it, will never thirst again after that.

The Bridge is true. The righteous ones will cross it and the evil ones will fall from it. Our Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) will intercede for the members of his ummah who have entered the Hellfire due to their major sins. Thus they will be

extracted from it due to his (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) interceding (for them), but only after having been set ablaze and burned to ashes and charcoal. Then they will enter Paradise due to his intercession.

There will also be interceding done by the rest of the prophets, believers and angels. Allaah says:
“And they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21): 28]

The intercession of the interceders will be of no avail to the disbelievers. Paradise and the Hellfire are two creations that will not cease to exist. Paradise is the abode of the close friends of Allaah, while the Hellfire is the place of punishment for His enemies. The inhabitants of Paradise will abide therein (i.e. Paradise) forever. “Verily, the sinful evildoers will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. (Their torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” [Surah Az-Zukhruf (43): 74-75]

Death will be brought in the form of a sturdy ram and slaughtered between Paradise and Hellfire. Then it will be said: “O inhabitants of Paradise! Eternity for you and no (more) death! And O inhabitants of Hellfire! Eternity for you and no (more) death!” [22]

MUHAMMAD, THE SEAL OF THE PROPHETS

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the seal of the Prophets and the leader of those sent by Allaah. The Eemaan (Faith) of a servant is not valid until he believes in his message and bears witness to his prophethood. Mankind will not be judged on the Day of Judgement except with his (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) intercession. And no nation will enter Paradise, until his nation has entered it first.

He is the possessor of the banner of praise, the most praiseworthy station (almaqaam-ul-mahmood) and the flowing Fountain (Al-Hawd). He is the leader (Imaam) of the prophets, their spokesman and the one who holds their intercession. His (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) nation is the best of nations and his Companions are the best of those who accompanied prophets, may the peace of Allaah be upon them. The best of the Prophet’s ummah was Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, then ‘Umar Al-Faarooq, then ‘Uthmaan Dhun-Noorain, and then ‘Alee Al-Murtadaa. May Allaah be pleased with all of them. This is due to what has been reported on ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Umar that he said: “We used to say, while the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was alive: ‘The best of this nation, after its Prophet, is Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmaan, then ‘Alee.’ This would reach the Prophet and he would not oppose it.” [23]

It is authentically reported on ‘Alee that he said: “The best of this nation after its Prophet is Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar. And if I wanted to, I would have named the third.” [24]

Abu Ad-Dardaa reported that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The sun does not rise nor does it set upon anyone better, after the prophets and the messengers, than Abu Bakr.” [25]

He (Abu Bakr) was the most deserving of the Khilaafah from all of the creation, after the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), due to his merits, his precedence, and also due to the Prophet’s preference of him to lead the prayer over all of his Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them. It is also due to the unity in agreement of the Companions upon his precedence and giving the oath of allegiance to him. And Allaah would not have united them in agreement upon something erroneous.

Then after him was ‘Umar, due to his merits and Abu Bakr’s empowering it to him. Then ‘Uthmaan due to the preference of him by the members of the governing council. Then ‘Alee due to his merits and the unanimous agreement of the people of his time on it.

These are the rightly guided Khaleefahs. They are the ones about whom the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khaleefahs (who will come) after me. Bite onto it (the Sunnah) with your molar teeth.”

The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Khilaafah after me will endure for thirty years.” [26] The last part of it occurred with the Khilaafah of ‘Alee, may Allaah be pleased with him.

We bear witness that the ten (individuals) will be in Paradise, just as the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) bore witness to it, when he said: “Abu Bakr is in Paradise. ‘Umar is in Paradise. ‘Uthmaan is in Paradise. ‘Alee is in Paradise. Talha is in Paradise. Az-Zubair is in Paradise. Sa’ad is in Paradise. Sa’eed is in Paradise. ‘Abd-ur-Rahmaan bin ‘Awf is in Paradise. Abu ‘Ubaydah Ibn AlJarraah is in Paradise.” As for everyone else whom the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has testified will be in Paradise, then we bear witness to that (as well). This is reflected in his statement: “Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn are the (two) leaders of the youth in Paradise.”[27] And his statement to Thaabit bin Qays: “Indeed, he (Thaabit) is from the inhabitants of Paradise.” [28]

We do not ascertain for anyone from the people of the Qiblah (i.e. Muslims) that he will be in Paradise or the Hellfire, except for he whom the Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has ascertained it for. However, we wish well for the good-doer and we fear for the evildoer.

We do not declare anyone from the people of our Qiblah (Muslims) a disbeliever due to a sin nor do we cast him out of the fold of Islaam based on a deed. We hold that Hajj and Jihaad are everlasting along with the obedience to every leader, whether he is righteous or evil. In addition, praying behind them (in congregation) is permissible.

Anas (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Three things are from the essence of Eemaan: Refraining from (harming) anyone who says: ‘Laa Ilaaha Illaa Allaah’. We do not declare him a disbeliever due to a sin (he may have committed) nor do we cast him out of Islaam due to an action. The Jihaad is everlasting from the time that Allaah sent me to the time when the last part of my ummah fights the Dajjaal. Neither the oppression of a tyrant nor the justice of a righteous leader nullifies it. And (the third is) the belief in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainment).” Abu Dawood reported it. [29]

From the Sunnah is: Loyalty to the Sahaabah, love for them, mentioning their good qualities, and asking Allaah to grant them mercy and to forgive them. And (also) refraining from mentioning their bad qualities and what they differed in, believing in their virtues and acknowledging their superiority. Allaah says:

“And those who came after them say: ‘Our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in Faith. And put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed.’” [Surah Al-Hashr (59): 10]

And Allaah says:

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And those who are with him are severe against the disbelievers, while being merciful among themselves.” [Surah Al-Fath (48): 29]

The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not revile my Companions, for indeed if one of you were to give in charity, the equivalent of mount Uhud in gold, it would not reach a mudd (handful) of one of them, nor even half of it.” [30]

From the Sunnah is: Being content with the wives of Allaah’s Messenger, the Mothers of the Believers, and the pure ones free from every type of evil. The best of them were Khadeejah Bint Khuwailid and ‘Aa’isha Bint As-Siddeeq, whom Allaah absolved from guilt in His Book. She is the wife of the Prophet in this world and the next. Whosoever discards her from what Allaah has absolved her from, has disbelieved in Allaah, the Most Great.

Mu’awiyah is the (maternal) Uncle of the Believers and one of those who wrote down the revelation of Allaah. He was one of the Khaleefahs of the Muslims, may Allaah be pleased with him.

From the Sunnah is: Hearing and obeying the Muslim leaders and the Khaleefahs (Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen), the righteous from among them as well as the evil. This is so long as they do not command us with disobedience to Allaah, for indeed, there is no obedience to anyone if it involves disobedience to Allaah.

It is obligatory to obey: Whoever is given the Khilaafah while the people agree and are pleased with him, as well as (to obey) the one who fought against the people till he became the Khaleefah and was proclaimed “Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen.” Opposing him, revolting against him and sowing the seeds of dissension amongst the Muslims against him is forbidden.

And from the Sunnah is: Making Hijrah from (i.e. Boycotting) the People of Innovations and separating oneself from them, abandoning arguing and disputing in the Religion, not looking into the books of the innovators and giving attention to their speech. And every newly invented matter in the Religion is an innovation.

Anyone who attributes himself with something other than Islaam and the Sunnah is an innovator, such as the Raafidah, the Jahmiyyah, the Khawaarij, the Qadariyyah, the Murji’ah, the Mu’atazilah, the Karaamiyyah, the Kilaabiyyah and those similar to them. These are sects of misguidance and groups of innovation. May Allaah grant us refuge from them.

In respect to an Imaam, concerning the (differing in the) subsidiary issues of the Religion, such as the four madhaahib (schools of thought), then it is not blameworthy. For indeed, differing in the subsidiary issues of the Religion is a mercy and those who differ in it are praiseworthy in their differing, and will be rewarded for their Ijtihaad. Their differing is a vast mercy and their agreement is a conclusive evidence. We ask Allaah that He protect us from innovations and fitnah and that He cause us to live upon Islaam and the Sunnah. And (we ask) that He make us from among those who follow the Messenger of Allaah when alive, and that He resurrect us in his company after death, by His Mercy and His Grace, Ameen.

This is the last of the Creed – all praise is due to Allaah, alone. And may Allaah send His peace and blessings upon our leader Muhammad, his family and his Companions.

Footnotes:

[1] An authentic hadeeth transmitted by Ahmad in his Musnad (4/126-127), Abu Dawood in his Sunan: Book of Adhering to the Sunnah (no. 4607) and At-Tirmidhee in his Sunan: Book of Knowledge (no. 2676). Ibn Maajah reported it in the introduction to his Sunan (no. 42 & 43) as did Ad-Daarimee in his Sunan (1/44) and Ibn Hibbaan (no. 102 of Al-Mawaarid). Al-Haakim (1/97), Ibn Abee ‘Aasim in As-Sunnah (pg. 17, no. 20,29 & 30), AlBayhaqee in Dalaa’il-un-Nubuwah (6/541) and Ibn ‘Abd-il-Barr in Jaami’ Bayaan-il-‘Ilm wa Fadlihi (1/222) also reported it. Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Al-Jaami’-us-Sagheer (2/346) as well as his takhreej (checking) of As-Sunnah by Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (pg. 29-30).

[2] An authentic narration reported on Ibn Mas’ood by Ad-Daarimee (no. 211), At-Tabaraanee in Al-Kabeer (no. 8870), Al-Bayhaqee in Al-Madkhal (no. 204), and Ibn Wadaah in Al-Bid’a wan-Nahee ‘anhaa (pg. 10), Abu Khaithama in Al-‘Ilm (no. 54) and others.

[3] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: Book of Tahajjud (no. 1145) and Saheeh Muslim: Book of the Traveler’s Prayer (no. 758) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah.

[4] A weak hadeeth reported by Ahmad (4/151), Ibn Abee ‘Aasim in As-Sunnah (571), Abu Ya’laa (1479), AtTabaraanee in Al-Kabeer (17/309), Al-Qadaa’ee in Musnad ash-Shihaab (576), Tamaam Ar-Raazee in his Fawaa’id (1287) and Al-Bayhaqee in Al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (pg. 600). Al-Albaanee declared it weak in AdDa’eefah (no. 2426). Allaah’s Attribute of Amazement is still affirmed by the hadeeth reported in Saheeh AlBukhaaree (no. 4889) from Abu Hurairah about the guest. The Prophet said: “Allaah was indeed amazed at – or He laughed at – this man and this woman (who did a good deed by providing food for the Prophet’s guest).”

[5] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: Book of Jihaad (no. 2826) and Saheeh Muslim: Book of Leadership (no. 1890) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah.

[6]Abu Dawood reported this hadeeth and in its chain is Ziyaadah bin Muhammad. Al-Bukhaaree said that his hadeeth are rejected (munkar).

[7] A weak narration reported by Ibn Qudaamah in Al-‘Uluww (19). And from that path of narration, it was mentioned by Adh-Dhahabee in his Al-‘Uluww Lil-‘Alee-il-Ghafaar (23, 24).

[8] A weak hadeeth reported by Ahmad (1/206-207), Abu Dawood (4723), At-Tirmidhee (3320), Ibn Maajah (193) and many others. Al-Albaanee graded it da’eef in his checking of As-Sunnah by Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (no. 577) as did Al-Arna’oot in his notes to Al-‘Aqeedat-ut-Tahaawiyyah (2/365).

[9] An authentic narration reported by Ibn Qudaamah in Al-‘Uluww (104), Adh-Dhahabee in Al-‘Uluww (pg. 141- 142), Abu Nu’aim in Al-Hilyah (6/325-326), ‘Uthmaan bin Sa’eed ad-Daarimee in Ar-Radd ‘alal-Jahmiyyah (55), Al-Laalikaa’ee in Sharh Usool ‘Itiqaad Ahl-is-Sunnah (664), Abu ‘Uthmaan in ‘Aqeedat-us-Salaf (24-26) and others.

[10] An authentic hadeeth reported on Ibn Mas’ood in mawqoof form (as his saying), as well as in marfoo’ form (as a saying of the Prophet) in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree, At-Tawheed of Ibn Khuzaimah and Sunan Abee Dawood.

[11] A good (hasan) hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh (1/173), (13/453) and in his book Al-Adab-ulMufrad (970). The hadeeth was also reported by Ahmad in his Musnad (3/495), Al-Bayhaqee in Al-Asmaa wasSifaat (pg. 78-79), Ibn Abee ‘Aasim in As-Sunnah (pg. 514) and Al-Haakim in Al-Mustadrak (2/437/574-575) who authenticated it, and Adh-Dhahabee agreed. Al-Albaanee said in his checking to As-Sunnah (514): “It is an authentic hadeeth.”

[12] A very weak hadeeth reported by At-Tabaraanee in Al-Awsat as is stated in Majma’-uz-Zawaa’id (7/163) on the authority of Ibn Mas’ood who said: “The Messenger of Allaah said: ‘Recite the Qur’aan pronouncing it properly (with ‘Iraab), for indeed whoever recites the Qur’aan and pronounces it properly will have ten good deeds. And ten evil deeds of his will be expiated and he will be raised ten levels.’” Al-Haythamee said of it: “In its chain is Nuhshal and he is rejected (matrook).” Nuhshal is Ibn Sa’eed bin Wardaan Al-Wardaanee. Ishaaq Ibn Raahawaih declared him a liar.

[13] An authentic hadeeth reported by Ahmad (5/338), Abu Dawood (831) and Ibn Hibbaan (1876 of Al-Mawaarid). Its chain of narration is saheeh as has been stated by Al-Albaanee in As-Saheehah (259). Ibn Qudaamah also mentioned the hadeeth in Al-Burhaan (pg. 35-36) from the report of Sahl bin Sa’ad.

[14] This is an extremely weak narration reported by Ibn Al-Anbaaree in Al-Waqf wal-Ibtidaa (1/20) with the wording: “Some ‘Iraab (pronouncing properly) of the Qur’aan is more pleasing to us than memorizing some of its letters.” Its chain is da’eef jiddan (very weak) for there is weakness and a break in its chain, according to Badr AlBadr’s notes to Lumu’at-ul-‘Itiqaad (19).

[15] Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah (10/513-514) and Ibn Jareer (At-Tabaree) in his Tafseer (56).

[16] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: Book of the Times of Prayer (no. 573) and Saheeh Muslim: Book of Masjids and Places of Prayer (no. 633) from the hadeeth of Jareer bin ‘Abdillaah.

[17] Saheeh Muslim: Book of Faith (no. 1) and it is also found in the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah in Saheeh AlBukhaaree (no. 50) and Muslim (no. 5)

[18] The chain of this hadeeth is weak. It is reported by Al-Haakim in Ma’arifatu ‘Uloom-il-Hadeeth (31-32) and from that path of narration, by Al-‘Iraaqee in his Sharh of Al-Ulfiyyah (pg. 327), from the path of Yazeed ArRaqaashee on the authority of Anas bin Maalik.

[19] An authentic hadeeth reported by Ahmad (1723), Abu Dawood (1425-1426), At-Tirmidhee (464), An-Nassaa’ee (3/248) and Ibn Maajah (1178) and its chain is saheeh. Ahmad Shaakir (rahimahullaah) authenticated it in his notes to Sunan At-Tirmidhee.

[20] See the hadeeth of Al-Bukhaaree (no. 3207) and Muslim (no. 164) from the report of Anas bin Maalik on the authority of Maalik bin Sa’sah.

[21] Refer to An-Nihaayah of Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) and Al-Idhaa’ah of Sideeq Hasan Khaan (rahimahullaah) for this.

[22] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: Book of Commentary of Surah Maryam (no. 4730)

[23] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: Book of the Virtues of the Companions (no. 3655). And in another wording found in AlBukhaaree (no. 3697), it states: “During the lifetime of the Prophet, we used to not put anyone equal to Abu Bakr, then (the same was with) ‘Umar, then (the same was with) ‘Uthmaan. Then we left the (remaining) Companions of the Prophet alone, not distinguishing between any of them.”

[24] An authentic narration reported by Ahmad in his Musnad (1/106 & 110) and his son ‘Abdullaah in his Zawaa’id (1/10620110 & 127). Ibn Abee ‘Aasim also reported it in the book As-Sunnah (1201) and Al-Albaanee authenticated it in his checking of As-Sunnah (2/570)

[25] A hadeeth with a weak chain of narration reported by Ahmad in Fadaa’il-us-Sahaabah (135), Ibn Abee ‘Aasim in As-Sunnah (1224) and Abu Nu’aim (3/325) from the hadeeth of Abu Ad-Dardaa. Refer to the comments on this narration found in the checking of Fadaa’il-us-Sahaabah of Imaam Ahmad with the notes of Wasiyullaah bin Muhammad bin ‘Abbaas (1/152-153).

[26] An authentic hadeeth reported by Abu Dawood (4646-4647), At-Tirmidhee (2226) who declared it hasan, AnNasaa’ee in Fadaa’il-us-Sahaabah (52) and Al-Haakim (3/71 & 145) who authenticated it, and Adh-Dhahabee agreed. Refer to Al-Albaanee’s As-Saheehah (459) for a tremendous discussion on it as well as a refutation against those who claim it to be da’eef.

[27] Al-Albaanee authenticated it in As-Saheehah (796), saying: “For the most part, the hadeeth is authentic, without any doubt about it. Rather, it is mutawaatir as has been stated by Al-Manaawee.”

[28] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: Book of Virtues (no. 3613) and Saheeh Muslim: Book of Faith (no. 119) from the hadeeth of Anas.

[29] A weak hadeeth reported by Abu Dawood (2532) and Abu ‘Ubayd Al-Qaasim bin Salaam in his book AlEemaan (pg. 47). Its chain is weak for in it is Yazeed bin Abee Nushba and he is unknown as is stated in AtTaqreeb. Al-Mundhiree graded its chain weak in his abridgement to Sunan Abu Dawood (3/380) for this reason.]

[30] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: Book of the Virtues of the Companions (no. 3673) and Saheeh Muslim: Book of the Virtues of the Companions (no. 2541) from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree.

The following articles are extracted from the above book:

Faith In Everything That The Messenger Informed Of – Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisee

Lessons on Fasting, Taraaweeh and Zakaat – Shaykh Uthaymeen

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a complete translation of the booklet Fusool fis-Siyaam war-Taraweeh waz-Zakaat (Lessons on Fasting, Taraaweeh and Zakaat) written by Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him. The source used for this on-line publication was the version of the book available on binothaimeen.org.

In this treatise, Imaam Ibn Al-Uthaimeen discusses various topics concerning Ramadaan, such as fasting, the Taraaweeh prayer and Zakaat-ul-Fitr. He also includes two sections on Zakaat and those who are entitled to receive it since it is the custom of many people to give out their yearly Zakaat during this blessed month of Ramadaan.

The author presents the material broken down into eight short lessons, including proofs and evidences for his points. At times, he goes into detail regarding some issues and gives the correct scholarly opinion with regard to them.

We hope that this treatise can benefit the English speaking Muslims as we are now well into the month of Ramadaan for this year.

[Download PDF eBook Here]

The below articles are extracted from this book:

The Night Prayer in Ramadaan – Imaam Al-Albaanee

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

All praise be to Allaah, before you is a complete translation of the booklet “Qiyaamu Ramadaan” (The Night Prayer in Ramadaan) of Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee, may Allaah have mercy on him. The source used for this translation was the seventh edition of this book published by Dar Ibn Harm in 1997. This shows the tremendous benefit of this book and the great effect it had on the Muslim ummah, such that it underwent several printings and was spread throughout the Muslim lands.

The treatise was revised and updated after its initial printing. Thus the second edition contains more updated information and reference, and all subsequent editions maintained the same format as the second edition.

The book’s introduction consists of a counter-refutation of those who replied to Al-Albaanee’s book Salaat at-Taraaweeh, namely Shaikh ‘Abdullaah AI-Ansaaree. But the main core of the book contains a point-by-point discussion on the Night Prayer during Ramadaan, as well as the benefits and rulings of itikaaf. This books serves as an abridgement to Imam Al-Albaanee’s larger treatise Salaat at-Taraaweeh.

[Download the PDF eBook Here]

The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer – Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a translation of the beneficial treatise of Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, “Shuroot as-Salaat wa Arkaanuhaa wa Waajibaatuhaa.” [The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer]

In this short treatise, Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, may Allaah have mercy on him, briefly outlines the nine conditions for the acceptance of one’s prayer, as well as the fourteen pillars and eight requirements of the prayer, mentioning some of their proofs and evidences from the Book and the Sunnah.

A condition is something that is required before the commencement of prayer in order for it to be valid. “The pillars are that which if one fails to perform any of them out of forgetfulness or intentionally, his prayer is rendered invalid because of his abandoning it. The requirements are that which if one fails to perform any of them intentionally, his prayer is rendered invalid due to his abandoning it, but if he leaves any of them due to forgetfulness, he is obligated to perform the (extra) prostrations for forgetfulness.”

The author also lists the conditions, obligations, requirements and nullifiers of wudoo (ablution). The translator has provided a quick reference guide as an appendix listing each of these points, as well as footnotes with hadeeth references and other comments gathered from several sources of this treatise.

Quotes from the Book:

“The things that nullify (nawaaqid) the ablution are eight: (1) Whatever comes out from the two private parts; (2) Any foul impure substance that comes out from the body; (3) Loss of consciousness (i.e. sleep/insanity); (4) Touching a woman with sexual desire; (5) Touching one’s private part with the hand, whether it is the frontal or rear (private part); (6) Eating the meat of camels; (7) Bathing a deceased person; and (8) Apostating from Islaam, may Allaah protect us from that!”

“The pillars of the prayer are fourteen: (1) Standing, if one has the ability to do so; (2) The opening Takbeer; (3) Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah; (4) Bowing; (5) Rising from Bowing; (6) Prostrating on all seven limbs; (7) Erecting oneself from it; (8) Sitting between the two prostrations; (9) Remaining tranquil (i.e. not rushing) during all of these pillars; (10) Maintaining the same sequence; (11) the Final Tashahhud; (12) Sitting for it; (13) Sending Salaat on the Prophet; and (14) the (final) two Tasleems.”

[Download the PDF Book]

Al-Qaradaawee on the Scales – Naasir bin Hamad Al-Fahad

AUTHOR: Naasir bin Hamad Al-Fahad
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book: 

This is a translation of a small booklet titled: “Al-Qaradaawee fil-Meezaan” [Al-Qaradaawee on the Scales] compiled and prepared by Naasir bin Hamad Al-Fahd and published by Maktabah Asad as-Sunnah, Egypt (2nd Edition).

This small pamphlet provides a glimpse into some of the peculiar and strange opinions of the well known Dr. Yoosuf Al-Qaradaawee so that the Muslims could be aware of his reality. If it were not for his widespread fame throughout the Muslim and non-Muslim lands, there would be no need for treatises such as this, let alone detailed books, which have also been authored about him by various authors.

However, for the sake of advising the Muslims and warning them from the dangerous views and philosophy of this individual, these books and treatises were written – this pamphlet being one of the smaller abridged ones. This e-book is in no way meant to be a definitive source or a comprehensive refutation. Rather, the main goal intended here is to provide the readers with a glimpse of some of Al-Qaradaawee’s outlandish views and statements, which prove his remoteness from knowledge and the way of the true scholars.

We ask Allaah to make this treatise a source of guidance for the Muslims and a means for them to avoid deviation and misguidance and all those who call to it.

Excerpts from the Book: 

“He said about the Christians: ‘All of the issues that exist between us are common. We are all sons of one country – our destiny is one…our nation is one…I say about them that they are our Christian brothers…but some people condemn me for this…How can I say that they are our Christian brothers when Allaah says: ‘Verily the believers are only brothers?’…yes, we are believers but they too are believers from another perspective.’”

“As for the Raafidah, who inherited the beliefs of the Mu’tazilah and added more grotesque and bizarre views to it of which the least of them is enough to associate them with the likes of Abu Jahl, then you find him defending them and fraternizing with them. In fact, he even regards inciting any conflicts with them as an act of treachery against the ummah. And he considers their cursing of the Companions, their distortion of the Qur’aan, their beliefs that their Imaams are infallible, and their pilgrimage to the gravesites among other things as ‘marginal oppositions to Creed.’”

He said in quote: ‘Unfortunately, I am in my seventies and I go to America to participate in Islamic conferences, but the lectures in these conferences are held with the women on one side and the men on another side. So sternness has overcome the organizations there and they have forced customs on the western community itself to the point that they have followed the stricter views whilst abandoning the more favorable views. So this has resulted in men having their own gathering place apart from the gathering place of women.’”

“You will find that the elder figures and prominent members of the Ikhwan-ul-Muslimoon group do not allow one single hair to grow on their faces. And this is even though everyone knows that this person is from the Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen – I mean by this (especially) the national security forces. So therefore, the issue (of shaving) is not that of someone who is fearful and afraid of being targeted, rather it is a matter of flattering the secular community and presenting the Ikhwani version of Islamic moderation!!! Did you not see their most recent caller, ‘Amr Khaalid, and how he always appears clean-shaven, charming the crowds and demolishing what Ahlus-Sunnah have built, since when confronting the low ones among them, they are faced with the argument: ‘Are you better than ‘Amr Khaalid?!’ As for those from the Ikhwan-ul-Muslimoon that do grow a beard, then it is only a light circular set of hairs around the face – the trademark of the Ikhwan and the practice of Hasan Al-Bannaa, not that of the Prophet! [Written by the Publisher]”

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Selected Examples from the Characteristics of the Extremist Khawaarij – Aadil bin ‘Alee Al-Furaydaan

About the Book: 

This is a complete translation of the small booklet “Al-Masaa’il-ul-Muntaqaat min Sifaat al-Khawaarij-ul-Ghulaat” [Selected Examples from the Characteristics of the Extremist Khawaarij] compiled and prepared by a student of knowledge, ‘Aadil bin ‘Alee Al-Furaydaan, and reviewed and examined by Shaikh Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan and Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Al-Khumayyis.

In this treatise, the author briefly touches upon the definition, history, and characteristics of the Khawaarij, one of the first and most dangerous sects in Islamic history whose effects and ideologies continue to exist up to today and will remain until the Final Hour. The majority of the treatise is dedicated to outlining the major and distinguishing attributes of the Khawaarij, which the author counts at 58.

It is important to study and be aware of these attributes so that one may avoid characterizing himself with them and thus fall into the ranks of the Khawaarij. This is from the perspective of learning evil in order to avoid it. And it is also beneficial since today, the ways and ideologies of the Khawaarij are prevalent, as can be seen in terrorist acts, suicide missions, assassinations and political strife. So by understanding the characteristics of the Khawaarij, the reader will be able to identify the perpetrators of such crimes, acknowledge their remoteness from Islaam and the fact that they are indeed from the extremist Khawaarij.

Excerpts from the Book: 

“The word Khawaarij is the plural of Khaarijee, and that refers to a person that removes himself from the obedience of the true ruler, outwardly proclaims opposition to him and incites the people against him.”

“If someone (1) outwardly proclaims rebellion against the Muslim rulers or (2) holds Muslims to be disbelievers due to major sins, apart from Shirk, or (3) justifies the views of the Khawaarij and considers it permissible to shed the blood of Muslims in the name of Jihaad in the Way of Allaah and in the name of changing an evil, then these are all factors for identifying the Khawaarij.”

“‘Alee tried to convince ‘Aa’ishah, Talhah and Az-Zubair of the pressing importance of first declaring allegiance to the ruler and then to seek retribution for the murder of ‘Uthmaan. The matter finally became resolved in their mutual agreement to that. However, on the following day, the callers to mischief mobilized their forces and began skirmishes and clashes on both sides. So the peace-makers from both groups thought that the other group had deceived the other, and fighting broke out. The battle that ensued, which later came to be known as the Battle of the Camel, ended with the death of Talhah, Az-Zubair and ten-thousand members from each group.”

The Fifteenth Characteristic: They go to extremes in worship. So they perform acts of worship to the extent that those who see them become amazed with them and they become amazed with themselves. [As-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (no. 945) from the hadeeth of Anas bin Maalik] Ibn ‘Abbaas said: ‘And I have not seen a people that are stricter in their exertion (of worship) than them. Their hands are like the calluses of camels and their foreheads are marked due to the traces of prostration.’ [Majma’-uz-Zawaa’id (6/240)]”

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The Following short articles are extracted from this eBook:

Origins of Khawaarij – Aadil bin ‘Alee Al-Furaydaan

Attributes and Characteristics of Khawaarij – Aadil bin ‘Alee Al-Furaydaan

Debating the Concepts of the Jamaa’at at-Takfeer – Imaam Muqbil

AUTHOR: Imaam Muqbil bin Haadee Al-Waadi’ee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book: 

This is a translation of the small treatise titled “Hiwaar ma’a Jamaa’at at-Takfeer” (A Debate with the Jamaa’at at-Takfeer) by Imaam Muqbil bin Haadee Al-Waadi’ee, may Allaah have mercy on him. The source used for this e-book was the treatise that is found within Imaam Muqbil’s book Fadaa’ih wa Nasaa’ih (pg. 168-186) [Dar-ul-Haramain: 1st Edition; 1999]

In this treatise, Imaam Muqbil refutes the false concepts of the Takfeeri Jamaa’at, a group that was founded in Egypt by a man named Shukree Mustafaa, and which later spread to other Muslim countries. Their beliefs revolve around declaring Muslims to be disbelievers, hence the name Jamaa’at at-Takfeer, declaring the leaders infidels and actively calling the people to revolt against the Muslim governments and anyone that supports them. Even though Mustafaa was executed in 1978, the false concepts of his group have still managed to creep into the hearts of many Muslims today.

This treatise is especially important, since it deals with the beliefs of those who in recent times call to rebellion, revolution, terrorism and those who seek to spread instability in the Muslim lands as well as throughout the world.

Quotes from the Book: 

“The best remedy for them is to seek knowledge. As for one of them remaining ignorant and not knowing anything about the Arabic language, and then he says: ‘We are men and the Companions are (also) men’, then yes, you are men and the Companions, too, are men. However, the difference between you and the Companions is like the difference between the heavens and the earth.”

“Who is it that the Jamaa’at at-Takfeer preys on? They prey on those individuals who have enthusiasm and zeal for their Religion based on ignorance. The founder of the Jamaa’at at-Takfeer, which has appeared during these recent times, was Shukree Mustafaa Al-Misree, who used to be part of the Bankrupt Brotherhood (Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen). Then he experienced great trials in prison and was hardened along with a group of individuals. The governments (at that time) strove hard to disunite the Muslims. So this group would call themselves the Jamaa’at-ul-Hijrah (The Party of Withdrawal). This Shukree Mustafaa used to have some knowledge and he would challenge the faculty of the Azhar University to debate with him, but the Azharees would be afraid due to two reasons: First: All that many of them had to offer was a scanty portion of knowledge of Hadeeth and knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah. So they were either only strong in their knowledge of Grammar or their knowledge of Fiqh. Second: They feared that if they beat him, he and his group (Jamaa’at) would come to them at night and kill them. As a result of this, the group grew and spread. So it originated in the Jamaal ‘Abdun-Naasir Prison and then spread to Sudan and to the lands of the Sacred Precincts (Makkah and Madeenah), inconspicuously, and to Yemen, openly. Jamaa’at Ansaar-us-Sunnah rose against them in Sudan after we said that there were some individuals from the Jamaa’at at-Takfeer amongst them. So they feared that people would hear this speech and therefore not support them anymore.”

“So the one who these Takfeeris prey on is the individual who has lots of zeal for the Religion based on ignorance. I challenge all of them – the Egyptians, Sudanese, Yemenis, Kuwaitis and Algerians among them to bring forth one scholar from amongst them. And they claim that they strive hard to have a scholar amongst their ranks! We seek refuge in Allaah from any scholar agreeing with your Da’wah, for he would then be one of the dogs of the Hellfire on the Day of Judgement, and he would shoot out from the Religion just as an arrow shoots out from the hunted game.”

“This is how Ahlus-Sunnah is, may Allaah preserve them – they are the ones who confront the people of falsehood, such as the Jamaa’at at-Takfeer. Don’t think that I am condoning the other groups, for I consider them to be the product of ignorance and calamities caused by the enemies of Islaam in order to split up the ranks of the Muslims. So I say to the Jamaa’at at-Takfeer: You must repent to Allaah and ask the people of knowledge (when you are unaware of matters), as Allaah says in His Noble Book: ‘So ask the People of the Reminder if you don’t know.’ [Surah An-Nahl: 43] This is since if you were to ask one of them what’s your proof on raising the hands in prayer, you would find him saying: ‘I don’t know.’ Or if you were to ask him what’s your proof for prostrating on the seven limbs, he would reply: ‘I don’t know.’ But yet after all that, he puts himself in charge of declaring Muslims to be disbelievers! So take things easy, you small ignoramus! How can you put yourself in charge of declaring Muslims to be disbelievers?? By doing this, you would be assisting the Communists, the Ba’athees, the Naasirees and the governments, rather, the enemies of Islaam, in splitting up the ranks of the Muslims. Then you would just dwindle away (and be forgotten) like Shabeeb, Naafi’ bin al-Araq, ‘Imraan bin Hattaan and other heads of the Khawaarij. So the ignorant ones melt way, but the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger remains and continues.”

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The following short articles extracted from the above eBook:

Some Questions and Answers related to Jamaa’at at-Takfeer – Shaykh Muqbil

Returning a Reply to the one who Requested me not to Print my Book – Shayikh Ahmad Najmee

AUTHOR: Shaikh Ahmad bin Yahyaa An-Najmee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah.Com
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a traanslation of the small booklet Radd-al-Jawaab alaa man Talaba Minnee ‘Adam Taba’il-Kitaab (Returning a Reply to the one who Requested me not to Print my Book) by Shaikh Ahmad bin Yahyaa An-Najmes, may Allaah preserve him.

The original source for this booklet was a letter Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmee sent to Shaikh ‘Abdullaah bin Jibreen in response to a letter he received from the latter requesting him not to print his book Mawrid-ul-Adhb az-Zulaal, which is a valuable work consisting of about 300 pages and provides an in-depth analysis and refutation of the deviant groups, Jamaaat at-Tableegh and Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimoon.

This magnificent book was published in 1418H with forewords from Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan and Shaikh Rabee‘ bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee. The letter was also later published and distributed, in order to refute those who misuse Shaikh Ibn Jibreen’s erroneous  stances regarding Hasan Al-Bannaa and the Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimoon as a means to attack the Salafi Da’wah and create disunity amongst its ranks. May Allaah reward Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmee for the sincere advise, valuable work and exposition of the deviations of Hasan Al-Bannaa that he produces in this treatise.

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Read the Book Below:

Returning a Reply

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, Bestower of Mercy

From Ahmad bin Yahyaa An-Najmee to my brother and loved one for the sake of Allaah, a member of the Committee of Religious Verdicts (Daar-ul-Iftaa), Shaikh ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Al-Jibreen:

As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh. To Proceed:

I am in receipt of your kind letter written on 4/11/1418H as well as your valuable gift, which was copies of your precious books, may Allaah reward you with good, bless you, guide you and me and protect you and me from the evils of our souls. And since I am thanking you for the gift, I also thank you for your advice and for your openness, if only they were put in their proper place, since a Muslim is only obligated to accept the advice if that person’s advice implicates an incorrect understanding or an erroneous statement. So I apologize and ask your forgiveness beforehand if I state something in this discussion that you may interpret as being or having in it that which hurts your feelings. So I say:

You stated in your letter concerning my book “The Pure and Pleasant Spring containing criticisms of the beliefs and actions of some of the Methodologies used in Da’wah”:[1] “I was delighted by this splendid title … (up to where you said) … but when I reached the ninth chapter, I encountered that which I didn’t expect…” I felt saddened upon reading your letter that such a thing would emanate from the likes of someone with your standing, in terms of knowledge and status. Why did you not continue reading it in order to find out if what I had written in it was the truth or falsehood? So if it were true you would then support it, acting on the statement of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the prophet of guidance and the messenger of mercy, when he said: “Assist your brother whether he is oppressing or being oppressed.” It was said: “A person can help him if he is oppressed but how can he assist him if he is oppressing others?” He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Impede him or prevent him from oppressing (others).”

And if what I had written in it were false, you would then assist me by clarifying the truth to me with proofs and evidences. And I would have been ready to accept that from you and to thank you and supplicate for you, because you would have saved me from a sin and a wrong that I would have fallen into. But this is on the condition that this criticism would be detailed with clear proofs and decisive evidences, which would clarify to me my error. But as for you reaching the ninth chapter and then abandoning reading the rest of it and thereafter launching an all-out attack without proofs, then I can never accept this from you or agree with you on it.

As for your saying that the title pleased you and that you decided to read the whole book, stating: “I was delighted by this splendid title such that I set out to read the entire book. However, in the beginning of it, I found beneficial subjects regarding Calling to Tawheed and the methodologies employed in Da’wah. But when I reached the ninth chapter, I encountered that which I didn’t expect from the likes of you, such as attacks on the personality of Hasan Al-Bannaa. And you unleashed great anger against him”, then I say:

First: Allaah, the All-Knower of what is seen and unseen, knows that I did not intend to attack the honor of anyone, not Hasan Al-Bannaa or anyone else. This is especially since I know that on the Day of Judgement people’s rights will be recompensed with the taking of good deeds (from others’ scales) and the giving of bad deeds (to others’ scales).

Second: You know that mentioning the bad qualities a person has in him is permissible if it is done for a beneficial reason, and this is from the allowable forms of backbiting. The proof for this is what the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told Faatimah bint Qays when she came to him seeking advice on who to marry. He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “As for Mu’aawiyah, then he is utterly broke, he has no money. And as for Abu Jahm, then he beats his wives. Instead, marry Usaamah.”

And he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) consented with Hind bint ‘Utbah’s statement concerning (her husband) Abu Sufyaan that he was: “A stingy man who doesn’t give me enough money for me and my children.”

And he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said concerning a man who sought permission to enter his home: “What an evil brother of his family he is.”

Third: You also know that the Scholars of Hadeeth spoke against those narrators who had in them that which necessitated that their reports be rejected and declared weak. So they issued such statements as: “So and so is a liar”, “So and so is a fabricator”, “He narrates from reliable reporters that which is not found in their narrations”, “So and so has weak memory”, “So and so make many errors”, and “So and so is heedless.”

They did this out of sincerity to Allaah, His Messenger and the Muslims, and in order to defend the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger from having what isn’t part of it enter into it. This was such that when it was said to one of these scholars: “What will you do when these people – meaning those whom he spoke against and criticized – come to you on the Day of Judgement disputing with you (i.e. seeking their right)?” He responded: “That all of these people be my opponents (on the Day of Judgement) is more beloved to me than that the Messenger of Allaah be my opponent on the Day of Judgement.”

So because of this, they spoke out against the criticized narrators without any hesitancy and they considered that as being the best of their deeds, which they hoped would be stored for them and wished would be rewarded.

Fourth: You stated in your book “The Lone (Ahaad) Reports in the Prophetic Hadeeth” in the fifth chapter on “Efforts of the Scholars in Preserving the Hadeeth” (pg. 30), and you were correct in what you said that:

“2. Investigating the Conditions of the Reporters and Researching their Status in Hadeeth and their Qualification for conveying it: They took it upon themselves to speak out against them, from the aspect of sincerity to the ummah, since they were entrusted for conveying something from the affairs of the Religion that had a ruling in it. And they distinguished this aspect as being separate from the general forbiddance of backbiting, due to what it contained from overall benefit to the ummah.”

This is the view of all of the people of knowledge from the scholars of Fiqh and Hadeeth, without exception, may Allaah reward them with good. You will see in what follows that I only spoke against Hasan Al-Bannaa and those who follow his group in order to sincerely advise the ummah. And I am not praising myself, as Allaah knows all that we conceal and reveal and nothing is hidden from Him whether it is in the the heavens or the earth.

Fifth: Please think, what is the reason that caused me to speak against this man who died while I was still in my adolescence? [2] He didn’t shed any of my blood or destroy my honor, nor did he take any of my wealth. So what is it that caused me to speak out against him when he didn’t transgress against me personally in any way? If I had spoken against him without him having previously oppressed me or not due to some religious benefit, just speaking against him for the sake of it, then I would be an oppressor and a transgressor and Allaah would take his right from me.

Sixth: We are afflicted in this time of ours with methodologies of Da’wah that have come to us from abroad,[3] which turn the eyes away from Major Shirk and allow it to spread. The greatest of these in terms of self-corruption and corrupting of others is the methodology of the Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen for it indeed brainwashes the minds of the youth who are raised upon its way, transforming them into revolutionists, takfeeris, terrorists and khawaarij. The proofs for this are many, the most significant of them being the own acknowledgement of this by those who bombed the upper part of Riyadh – ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ‘Athaam and his cohorts. So this is what caused me to write about him (i.e. Hasan Al-Bannaa) and his group, before the story of this bombing occurred.

Seventh: Concerning your saying that when you reached the ninth chapter, you encountered that which you didn’t expect from me, such as attacking the personality of Hasan Al-Bannaa, and that I unleashed great anger against him and that I took his words to mean what he didn’t intend, my response to this is:

If you had read the entire book with impartiality, you would have known that I made clear what this methodology and its founder have in them from opposition to the Islamic Legislation and the Creed of the Salaf. He is the one, according to his own brother’s acknowledgement, who would boastfully say, and this is widely circulated in the books of his party:

“Allaah raised and scattered (all) the existence and what it contains
So if you desire to attain His perfection
Then everything in the universe if you realize it
is non-existent, specifically and generally.”

So if you think that I understood from his words that which he didn’t intend, then please interpret for me what this statement of his contains religiously and intellectually, other than wahdat-ul-wujood.[4]

And Secondly: He is the one who would recite the following poetry: “May the Divine (Allaah) bless the light (i.e. Muhammad) that appeared to the creation and so he surpassed the (light of the) sun and the moon This beloved one (i.e. Muhammad) along with his loved ones has attended And pardoned everyone of what they did and will do (of sins).”

Interpret these verses with an interpretation that this wording contains other than that of Major Shirk, as in his statement “And pardoned everyone of what they did and will do (of sins)” and other than that of a lie against Allaah’s Messenger, as in his statement: “This beloved one (i.e. Muhammad) along with his loved ones has attended”, as well as what these words contain from affirming the lies of the Sufis who say that the Prophet attends their innovated gathering, which is nothing else but the celebration of the Prophet’s Birthday.

Third: Explain to me his praise for Al-Mirghanee, who was well known for wahdat-ulwujood with an explanation that would please Allaah and His Messenger and then the believers other than that he was pleased with wahdat-ul-wujood and praised those who held that view.

Fourth: Explain to me the statement he made to the Associated Press: “There is no religious enmity between us and the Jews” with an explanation pleasing to Allaah and His Messenger and then the believers other than the fact that he was flattering the Jews and Christians by lying on Allaah, His Messenger and the Religion of Islaam.

Fifth: Explain to me why he attended the gravesite of Sayyida Zaynab (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa) on the occasion of the yearly migration, and why he didn’t mention the Shirk that occurred there nor forbid it, even though he saw people making Tawaaf around the grave and asking the one buried in it requests that only should be made to Allaah? Explain that to me in a way that pleases Allaah and His Messenger, and then the believers, other than that it was because he was pleased with Major Shirk and that he permitted it with himself and in his methodology.

Sixth: Explain to me why he would walk to the graves of Ad-Dasooqee and Sinjar on foot, 20 kilometers going and (another) 20 kilometers returning, with an explanation pleasing to Allaah and His Messenger and then to the believers other than that it was because he was either performing a polytheistic form of visitation or an innovated form of it.

Seventh: Explain to me why he strived to unite the Sunnees and the Raafidees with an explanation pleasing to Allaah and His Messenger and then the believers, other than that it was because he was ignorant of what the Raafidah were upon from innovations and deviations or that he was lenient towards them and their deviations and sacrificed the Islamic Creed for the sake of pleasing them.

Eighth: Explain to me how he could combine between opposing factors in the description of his Da’wah (Call), (stating) that it was a “Call to the Salaf, a Path upon the Sunnah and a Sufi Reality.” Is it possible that these opposing factors can be united? Is it possible to unite Sufism and Salafiyyah and to unite Sufism and the Sunnah? Trying to combine between these two is like trying to mix water with fire!

Ninth: Explain to me the ten pillars of his ba’yah (pledge of allegiance) with an explanation pleasing to Allaah and His Messenger and then the believers, other than that he brought a new legislation to the Da’wah.

Tenth: Explain to me why he took the bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) from people who bay’ah was binding on other than that it was because he was disobeying Allaah and His Messenger and introducing new laws into Islaam, which neither Allaah nor His Messenger gave permission for.

Eleventh: Explain to me why he made obedience to him, which he placed as a condition in his bay’ah, as something obligatory to be carried out immediately and without any reservations, even though according to Islaam, obedience is restricted by two things:

1. It must be with regard to something good, and
2. It is dependent upon one’s ability.

So isn’t this legislating a law into the Religion, which neither Allaah nor His Messenger authorized?!

Twelfth: Explain to me why he limited Islaam to just twenty principles or why he gave these principles the ultimate importance with an explanation that Allaah and His Messenger, and then the believers would be pleased with, other than that it was because he introduced a new legislation into Islaam.

Thirteenth: Explain to me why he said Tafweed was the madh-hab of all of the Salaf without exception, with an explanation pleasing to Allaah and His Messenger and then the believers, other than that it was because he was ignorant of the madh-hab of the Salaf regarding Allaah’s Attributes or because he forged a lie against them stating that the Salaf would believe in the meaning (of the Attribute) but return knowledge of how the attribute was to Allaah.

Lastly, I say: If you can interpret and explain these statements of his, which I just mentioned, with explanations that do not contradict the Religion and do not leave from the fold of what is contained in the wording, then I rightfully deserve your comment of me understanding from his words that which they don’t contain. And if you are unable to do that, then it becomes clear that you lied on me and slandered me with this statement. And know that I will not seek my right from you, even if your wronging of me becomes manifest, except before Allaah on the Day of Judgement. However I will place between you and I the noble Shaikh, ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillaah bin Baaz, Chief Muftee of the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia), head of the Committee of Senior Scholars, and head of the Committee for Religious Research and Verdicts, as well as his deputy, Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillaah Aali Shaikh, and Shaikh Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan, Shaikh ‘Abdullaah Al-Ghudayyaan and Shaikh Saalih Al-Atram to read the ninth chapter of the book from its beginning to end. So if they find that I have misinterpreted Al-Bannaa’s words in a way that they were not intended then they shall pronounce me guilty, and if they find that the one who stated this wronged me and slandered me with this statement, then they will find him guilty.

As for your statement that I took my anger out on him, then Allaah knows that I didn’t write what I wrote except to clarify the truth and to advise the people. This is what I hope for and I am not praising myself nor am I purifying my soul from sin:

“Verily the soul commands to evil except for those whom my Lord has mercy on. Verily, my Lord is Most Forgiving, Bestower of Mercy.” [Surah Yoosuf: 53]

And if there was some anger on my part, then Allaah knows that it was only for His sake. This is since, it can hardly be imagined that I would be angry for my own sake towards a man that didn’t oppress me in any way, along with there being great distances and time-spans between him and I. And indeed I ask Allaah, may He be Glorified, to make my deed sincerely for His Face, intending to please Him by it, and to not make any part of it for the sake of anyone from His creatures. Verily, he is the All- Hearer, the One who responds to invocations.

As for your saying that you encountered that which you didn’t expect from me, then did you find that I disobeyed Allaah and His Mesenger and opposed the Religion of Islaam by clarifying the truth that I did? Didn’t Allaah take a covenant from the People of the Scripture that they would convey the truth to the people and not conceal it? Isn’t this covenant that He took binding upon us? Didn’t the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) take this covenant from his Companions when giving the bay’ah (pledge), as is stated in the agreed upon hadeeth of ‘Ubaadah bin Saamit, where he said: “And (we pledge allegiance to you) that we will speak the truth wherever we may be and not fear the blame of the blamers?” Doesn’t Allaah curse those who conceal the truth in His Book, as He states:

“Verily, those who conceal what We have revealed from the clear proofs and the guidance after We clarified it to the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allaah and cursed by the cursers. Except for those who repent, rectify matters and clarify. These people, I will accept their repentance, and I am the Acceptor of Repentance, the Bestower of Mercy?” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 159-160]

Isn’t refuting those who oppose the mandates and laws of the Religion an obligation upon the people of knowledge? So if they fall short of this necessary obligation and someone fulfills this task, the obligation is removed from the rest. And from the rights he has over others is that they should supplicate for success for him and thank him after thanking Allaah in a good and nice manner, and not that he be confronted with accusations and bad thoughts about him.

Didn’t the Salaf carry out this order and fulfill this obligation, thus authoring numerous books, the likes of which cannot be counted, refuting the innovators from the time of the Taabi’een to this time of ours, and they still continue to do this?

Didn’t you, O Shaikh, write two books refuting the people of innovation, the first of which is the book “Akhbaar-ul-Aahaad”, in which you refuted the Mu’tazilah and whoever holds their views, and the second of which is your book “Al-Faa’iq fir-Raddi ‘alaa Mubaddil-il-Haqaa’iq?”

And, by the One of whom there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Him, I truly love a man who defends the religion, protecting it and shielding it, and who refutes those who enter into it that which doesn’t belong to it. However, I don’t know why some of the Mashaayikh, may Allaah guide them, have swerved away from the truth, when they know (better), instead rebuking the one who rises to fulfill this obligation, calling him a criminal, transgressor and an oppressor! And yet on the other hand if this evil were to affect anyone else, the world would be in an uproar and huge commotion. But when it affects the Religion, violating it and oppressing its right, the whole world is peaceful and forgiving! Would we be giving justice to the Religion and fulfilling its right this way, or would we be violating it, disregarding it and neglecting its characteristics, especially if what was affected from it was its foundations, principles and fundamentals, such as Tawheed when it is demolished by Major Shirk, and the Sunnah when it is destroyed by innovations, and the truth when it is ruined by falsehood? So at this point, do you hold that we should remain silent? No, by Allaah! Unless some of us rise to fulfill this right, since it is a collective obligation. And as for the one who fulfills this obligation (of refuting innovation), he has a huge reward and a grand recompense with Allaah, the Mist High, the All-Able, as has been stated just now.

As for your statement that for the past forty years you received news about him from noble scholars such as Shaikh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq ‘Afeefee, Shaikh ‘Abdur- Rahmaan Ad-Dawsiree, Shaikh ‘Abdullaah bin Humaid and Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz, and that they praised his Da’wah and mentioned his positive effects and they examined news of him, then I say:

First: As for the Mashaayikh you mentioned, then you probably asked them before they were aware of what is well known today about his condition.

Second: Perhaps during that time news about the outer appearance of his Da’wah reached them. Many people are deceived by the outer appearance of his Da’wah even up to today, because they do not know this (Ikhwaanee) methodology well enough since they didn’t read about it during those times.

Third: If they didn’t say anything against him, then this was because they weren’t aware of any of the mistakes he made. So they had a right to refrain (from speaking against him) if this was the case.

Fourth: But as for now, then it has been made clear and manifest that there are many errors in his Da’wah. And “The one who preserved it is a proof against the one who didn’t preserve it.” This is a principle that is well known amongst the Muhadditheen, and acting on it with regard to this matter is an obligation.

Fifth: As for Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz, who is the only one who remains alive from them,[5] then he knows what they are upon and there is no doubt about this. He responded to a question related to the movement of the Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen founded by Hasan Al-Bannaa, in which the questioner said: “Noble Shaikh, the movement of the Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen entered the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia) some time ago, and they became active amongst the students of knowledge. What is your opinion with regard to this movement and to what extent do they comply with the methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah?”

He responded by saying: “The movement of Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen has been criticized by specialized scholars because they do not have any enthusiasm with regard to calling to the Tawheed of Allaah and rejecting Shirk and rebuking innovations. And they have specific methods, which are made deficient by their lack of efforts to call to Allaah and their lack of guiding towards the correct Creed, which Ahlus-Sunnah wal- Jamaa’ah are upon. So it is upon the Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen to give importance to the Salafee Call to the Tawheed of Allaah, and to reject the worship of graves, the devotion to the deceased and the seeking assistance of those buried in the graves such as Husayn or Badawee and so on. This is what I wanted to convey.” [6]

Did you hear, O brother in Islaam, what Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz said, may Allaah prolong his life? So why won’t you say similar to what he said concerning the Da’wah of the Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen and what it contains from oppositions to the methodology of the Salaf as-Saalih. By this, you would be aiding the truth, removing an evil and advising the ummah.

As for your statement that they would mention his positive effects, then if any of the Mashaayikh you mentioned, with the exception of Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz, stated that he had positive effects, then he has been deceived just like you. However, what seems apparent from your words is that you are convinced that he had positive effects, therefore I must ask you the following questions, which I hope you can answer clearly and truthfully. So I say:

1. Is it from his positive effects that he was silent about the polytheistic worship that the people committed at the gravesites and tombs present in Egypt and that he didn’t forbid it, as if it had been sent down definitively from the heavens in verses recited?

2. Was from his positive effects the partisanship and division that he left behind amongst the ummah?

3. Is it from his positive effects that he established the Call to the Khilaafah and abandoned the Call to Tawheed, which all the messengers called to?

4. Is it from his positive effects that he caused the youth to hate the leaders and the scholars and prepared them to overthrow the present (Muslim) countries in order to establish a Khilaafah, which they claim will be opposite to them?

5. Is it from his positive effects that he brought about the false ascription of faults and blemishes on the leaders and the scholars, which his followers do, claiming afterward that these leaders are not fit for ruling and that the scholars are only flattering them?

6. Is it from his positive effects that he transformed the youth and placed them in positions in Da’wah while they were ignorant?

7. Is it from his positive effects that he instituted giving bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) to common people whilst abandoning those who rightfully deserve the bay’ah, such as the rulers?

8. Is it from his positive effects that he called to the coming together of the Shi’ees and the Sunnees? What is meant by coming together, is that each group should refrain from criticizing any of the beliefs of the other groups, so that the first group can come closer to the second group.

9. Is it from his positive effects that he claimed that the Salaf would commit Tafweed, designating the meaning of all of Allaah’s attributes (back to Allaah)?

10. Is it from his positive effects that he said: “There is no religious enmity between us and the Jews” which means that the Jews are our brothers?

11. Is it from his positive effects that he said: “We will work with one another in that which we agree on, and overlook from one another that which we differ on” which means that we should nullify the acts of commanding good and forbidding evil, which Allaah described the believers with, while praising them, in His saying:

“You were the best nation brought forth for mankind – commanding towards good and forbidding from evil and believing in Allaah” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 110] and other ayaat?

12. Is it from his positive effects that he gathered together people whose beliefs differed and whose convictions varied? So this person is a Sunnee and that person is a Shi’ee. This person is a Sufi and that person is a Jahmee. This person is an Ash’aree and that person is a rationalizing Mu’tazilee and so on and so on. And he claimed that they are all brothers because they say Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah Muhammad Rasoolullaah!

13. Is it from his positive effects that he revived innovations, amongst which was the innovation of celebrating the Prophet’s Birthday and his attending a gathering for it?

14. Is it from his positive effects that he claimed that the Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) attended his gathering, blessed it and forgave the sins of those present?

15. Is it from his positive effects that he was immersed in Sufism, having passion and affection for it?

16. Is it from his positive effects that he limited Islaam to twenty principles, making that binding upon his followers?

17. Is it from his positive effects that he made the conditions of bay’ah ten and that he obligated conditions that are not found in the Book of Allaah or in the Sunnah of His Messenger?

18. Is it from his positive effects that he made blind obedience a condition for the bay’ah, where he said: “By obedience I mean that the command should be carried out and executed immediately in times of hardship and in times of ease, in things pleasing and in things detested. This is because the levels of this (Ikhwaanee) Da’wah are three…(up to where he said about the second level, which is the level of Formation)…Organizing the da’wah in this level is to be carried out purely in a Sufi way from the spiritual standpoint and militarily from the practical standpoint.” [7]

Hearing and obeying is obligatory to the one in authority. However it is constrained by two restrictions:

First: It must be obedience with regard to something good. So there is no obedience to be given if it entails disobedience to Allaah.

Second: It must be in those things that a person is able to do, therefore he is not required to do what he is unable to. The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would instruct his Companions to only obey in what they were able to.

19. Is it from his positive effects that he attended the gravesite of Sayyidah Zaynab (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa) on the occasion of the annual gathering, and did not reject one word of the Shirk that took place there? On the contrary, he would advise and encourage the attendees to purify their souls and hearts from spite and malice!

20. Is it from his positive effects that he allowed Coptic Christians to enter his organization, making them supporters of his Call? Did any of the callers ever do this?

21. Is it from his positive effects that he established an assembly for Muhammad ‘Uthmaan Al-Mirghanee, who is well know for his belief in wahdat-ul-wujood, praising him and saying in this gathering: “Indeed, we the gathering of Ikhwaan owe the Mirganee leaders pure affection and a warm welcome?”

22. Is it from his positive effects that he would go to public assemblies from the first night of Rabee’-ul-Awwal to the 12th of Rabee’-ul-Awwal in which he would recite a chant that consists of Major Shirk:

“May the Divine (Allaah) bless the light (i.e. Muhammad) that appeared to the creation and so he surpassed the (light of the) sun and the moon This beloved one (i.e. Muhammad) along with his loved ones has attended And pardoned everyone of what they did and will do (of sins).”

23. Is it from his positive effects that he and his associates would travel three hours on foot going and three hours returning in order to visit the graves of the elite among the Husaafee Shaadhilee Order? But if it is said that his intention behind visiting was for purposes related to the Sunnah (i.e. to remind himself of death), then we say that it is not permissible to set out on a journey to them.

24. Is it from his positive effects that he would chant the following verses, which clearly indicate wahdat-ul-wujood:

“Allaah raised and scattered (all) the existence and what it contains
So if you desire to attain His perfection
Then everything in the universe if you realize it
is non-existent, specifically and generally.”

25. Is it from his positive effects that he claimed that Tawassul, which is the greatest of ways that people fall into Shirk, is from the subsidiary issues, which should not be given importance?

Lastly, I ask you, by Allaah, are these things that I have just listed above in these numbers in agreement with the Religion or in contradiction to it?

And I ask you, by Allaah, a third time: Is the one who clarifies the truth to the people and defends the Creed considered erroneous and a criminal who deserves to be censured, reprimanded, incriminated and told that your books should not be printed?

As for your statement that they excused him from the errors he committed, then I say:

First: What are the errors that should be excused – aren’t they those that are made in subsidiary issues, which stem from Ijtihaad? So are the errors committed by Al- Bannaa on subsidiary issues, such that they can be excused? And is Al-Bannaa from the people of Ijtihaad whose status should be preserved? Who are his teachers whom he studied religious knowledge under?

Second: Errors made in matters of Creed are not excused based on the unanimous agreement of the scholars from Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. And the books that they wrote refuting the innovators during every era and every location, which are too many to be counted, from the time of the Taabi’een to our present time, bears witness to this.

Third: The Mashaayikh you mentioned are from Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, and if they knew of Al-Bannaa’s contradictions against the Religion in fundamental issues and matters of Creed, they would not make excuses for him.

Fourth: As for your saying that they excused him, then this is an allegation on your part. So if you have with you something that confirms this, then present it. This only applies to you with respect to those who have passed away. But as for Shaikh ‘Abdul- ‘Azeez [8] then he is still alive and his stance regarding them (i.e. Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen) is well known. And he is our Imaam and our role model, and we know from the Shaikh that he refutes every error that he hears or learns of even if the one who commits it may be far away and even if the error is in relation to subsidiary issues. So how many errors has he refuted – they are too many to be taken into account. And if they were to be counted, then it would be long. And if it is possible, I will write to him asking:

“There is a person that claims that you have excused Hasan Al-Bannaa for the errors in Creed that he made, so is this correct?”

Fifth: Even if we assume that someone from Ahlus-Sunnah excused him for what he committed from errors in Creed, then his opinion of excusing him is to be considered as irregular and in contradiction to what Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah are upon.

Sixth: As for the one who excused him, did he say that he can’t be refuted? If he said that he can’t be refuted, then he has aided the innovators and troublemakers who seek to deviate others by it.

As for your saying: “And they found in his words that which makes it known that he is a Mukhlis (sincere), Muwahhid (affirmer of Tawheed)”, then I say:

As for his being sincere (mukhlis), then no one can know this except Allaah because sincerity is something hidden, which only Allaah has knowledge of. It is stated in the authentic hadeeth: “Actions are only base don’t heir intentions, and indeed every person will have only that which he intends.” [9]

And in the hadeeth of Abu Moosaa: “Whoever fights so that the Word of Allaah could be the highest, then it (his fighting) was for the sake of Allaah.” And in the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood reported by Ahmad: “Perhaps a person may be killed between two groups and Allaah only knows his intention.”

And in the hadeeth of ‘Ubaadah: “Whoever fights not intending anything except recognition, then he will have what he intends.”

And in the story of the (brave) man who would follow and kill with his sword every pagan he encountered (during a battle), and the Companions were amazed by him and said: “No one amongst us has profited today like so and so has profited.” So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “He is from the inhabitants of the Hellfire.” So a man followed him the next day (while the battle continued), and found him fighting (with polytheists). When he had suffered many wounds, the man placed the tip of his sword on his upper chest and fell on it, thrusting it in him and thus killing himself. The man (who followed him) then went to the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said: “I bear witness that you are the Mesenger of Allaah.” He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Why is that?” He said: “That man about whom who said what you said yesterday killed himself.” So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Rise, O Bilaal, and announce to the people that no one shall enter Paradise except a believing soul, and that Allaah will indeed aid this religion by an evil man.”

The important point here is that sincerity is something hidden, which no one has knowledge of except Allaah.

As for you saying that he is a Muwahhid,[10] then this is a testimony and a commendation for him on your part that Allaah will question you about. It is obligatory for you to think carefully before sending out such commendations – where they put in their proper place or not? I don’t know if perhaps this is due to ignorance on your part of what Al-Bannaa fell into from Shirk, his disregard for those who committed it, as well as their polytheistic rituals, and his accepting them as members in his methodology. He is the one who said during the innovation of the Prophet’s Birthday:

“This beloved one (i.e. Muhammad) along his loved ones has attended And pardoned everyone of what they did and will do (of sins).”

This means that the Messenger of Allaah attends their gathering, blesses it and pardons and forgives them! So I ask is this Shirk or not, O Shaikh?! And is the one who says such a statement and chants it a Muwahhid?! Is the one who takes the bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) in accordance with the Husaafee Shadhilee (Sufi) order a Muwahhid?! Have you come to know that the Sufis are Muwahhids and that they call to Tawheed, or that they commit Shirk and call to polytheism and innovation? Are you aware that Sufism is built upon Shirk and that it weaves its thread and fabric from polytheism and innovations?! Did you know that Hasan Al-Bannaa used to walk by foot, 20 kilometers going and the same distance returning, every Friday, to visit the graves of the (deceased) high members of Sufism, like Ad-Dasooqee, Sinjar and their likes? Is the one who does this a Muwahhid? O Shaikh, fear Allaah and know that you have severely damaged and violated your Tawheed by testifying that those upon Shirk (polytheism) and Bid’ah (innovation) are Muwahhideen. So repent to Allaah and turn to Him before time runs out.

Indeed, the true Caller who was a Muwahhid was Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil- Wahhaab, may Allaah have mercy on him, as well as those who treaded upon his methodology and followed his way from the scholars and the leaders from his time and the time of the Ameer, Muhammad bin Sa’ood up to this day of ours. May Allaah have mercy on those of them who passed away and preserve those of them who remain living.

And also the Shaikh, ‘Abdullaah bin Muhammad Al-Qar’aawee, who spread Tawheed throughout the southern areas (of Saudi Arabia) with the help of the late king, who went by the nickname of “The Falcon of Arabia”11 and who brought most of the areas of the (Arab) peninsula together under his sovereignty, uniting them under his rule, and cleansing them of aspects of polytheism and innovation. And he was followed in this by his noble children, may Allaah have mercy on those of them who passed away and may He preserve those of them still living.

I ask you, by Allaah, O Shaikh, if a person were to ask you: “What do you say concerning an individual who participated in a procession from the first of Rabee’-ul- Awwal to the twelfth of Rabee’-ul-Awwal and happily chanted verses of poetry, which I mentioned previously, amongst which was:

“This beloved one (i.e. Muhammad) along with his loved ones has attended And pardoned everyone of what they did and will do (of sins)?”

Will you make a ruling on him, that he is upon Shirk or Tawheed? What would be your answer?

And if you were asked about a man who endured the hardship of traveling by foot every week the distance of twenty kilometers to the Sufi gravesites and then the same distance returning, how would you judge this individual? Would you say that he is a Sunnee or an innovator, and would you say that he is a Muwahhid or a Mushrik?

So fear Allaah man and return to the truth, and repent to Allaah for indeed He accepts the repentance. Do not misguide the people, especially the students of knowledge, by defending the innovators. This traveling that Hasan Al-Bannaa and his associates would do every week is not free from three possibilities:

1. Either they intended to supplicate to those buried in the graves, which is Major Shirk and takes one out of the Religion, or

2. They intended to supplicate to Allaah while at these gravesites, which is an innovation, or

3. They intended to visit the graves as part of the Sunnah (i.e. to be reminded of death). However this couldn’t be achieved except by setting out on a journey, and setting out on a journey to make the lawful visitation of the graves, is an innovation. So based on this, the one who does it is either a polytheist or an innovator.

As for your statement: “Allaah granted benefit through his Da’wah and guided many people”, then:

What benefit came about for them? Is having disregard for Major Shirk and being silent about those who perform it, such as the deviants and the innovators considered a benefit? Is keeping silent about evil and not forbidding it – which stems from the principle that Hasan Al-Bannaa instituted: “We will work together in that which we agree on and pardon one another in that which we disagree on” – is this a benefit. Are those who are calling to the Khilaafah and who have abandoned calling to Tawheed, which was the way of all the messengers, a benefit?!

Is intending to destroy the present (Muslim) states and revolting against them, even if those who govern them are Muslims and rule by Allaah’s Legislation, establishing the penal laws, a benefit?

Rather, the Da’wah (Call) of the Ikhwaan (Al-Muslimoon) only destroys the youth and doesn’t benefit them, and it only corrupts them and doesn’t rectify them. As for your statement that you didn’t stop hearing him being praised in gatherings and his books being read until about seven years ago when the brothers turned against him and degraded his rank, then I say:

Is this a proof for him? If someone praises his methodology or praises him, who doesn’t know what is in his methodology from destructive ideologies and what he had from vile errors, this is not a proof for him or a scale determining the correctness of his methodology.

You know as well, deep down inside, that this is not a proof, and that they only praised him when they were misled by the general outer appearance of his methodology. But when they came to realize what he was upon, they rebuked it and censured him. and they had every right to do what they did.

O Allaah, You indeed know that we do not intend to disparage anyone nor to speak out against anyone, rather we only intend to clarify the truth and to warn the youth and the students of knowledge from the methodologies that consist of innovations and deviations. And we are only pointing out to them the errors in them so that they may not be deluded by them, entering into them and missing the path of truth, thus being misguided and misguiding those who come after them.

As for them having degraded his rank, then this is not correct. Rather they said about him what was conveyed to them with statements established in their sources, mentioning the names of the books and their page numbers. So are they degrading his rank when they relate these quotes to convince the youth that this methodology is erroneous because it contains truth and falsehood and mixes that which is correct with that which is wrong? This is like someone who drinks from water with impurities and dirtiness, and next to him is a person who drinks from water that is pure and free from pollution. Which of these two would you love most to drink from? So by doing this are they degrading or destroying his status?

I say: No, then again no. Rather, the heavens and the earth were not established nor were the messengers sent nor were the divine books revealed except to establish the truth and suppress the falsehood and to command the good and forbid the evil. So if the universe is void, or more appropriately, if the earth is void of one who will establish the truth for the sake of Allaah and those who command good and forbid evil, the earth will earn Allaah’s wrath and His punishment will descend. What indicates this is Allaah’s statement:

“And when the Word is fulfilled against them, we shall bring out from the earth a Beast for them to speak to them because mankind believed not with certainty in our ayaat (signs).” [Surah An-Naml: 82]

Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree, may Allaah be pleased with them, said: “When they stop commanding good and forbidding evil, (Allaah’s) Discontentment becomes binding upon them.”

Concerning the part “when the word is fulfilled”, ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood said: “It will be when the scholars die, knowledge goes away and the Qur’aan is raised up (to Allaah).”

I say: It is clear from this that commanding good and forbidding evil prevent torment from descending and Allaah’s Displeasure of His servants from being mandated.

And what falls into commanding good and forbidding evil is refuting the errors in Creed made by those who pronounce that, whoever they may be and wherever they may be. Would you like that the people of truth remain silent about clarifying it (i.e. the truth) and hold back from purifying it from that which is not part of it mixing and entering into it? Never! This will never be, by the Will of Allaah, so long as there are men to carry the Hadeeth and there is room for speech and there is force and strength for the truth and its people, who in doing this hope for Allaah’s Contentment.

As for your saying: “And they imposed themselves over him without there being anything mandating that he be specified (apart from others), for there were other more famous books that were worse that his books. And there are other leading figures, both dead and alive, that are more deviant than him”,

then I say: First: All praise be to Allaah who caused you to speak the truth even though you weren’t aware of it, for you have acknowledged that there is evil in his books, as well as deviation in his methodology and history. How close in resemblance is your statement O Shaikh to the speech of the people of innovation in terms of contradiction, so reflect!!

Second: The obligation on the scholars is to clarify to the people, according to the extent of their ability, what they are unaware of and to distinguish the truth from falsehood.

Third: We have been afflicted by this methodology in our very own lands and so it has corrupted the minds of our children. So now they reject the compassionate father, the affectionate friend and the educating teacher. And they do not take the advice of the advisor or the criticism of the critic unless he is a member of their party. So they resemble those who Allaah spoke about in His saying:

“And do not believe (in anyone) except he who follows your religion.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 73]

And they say: “Do not believe anyone except the people of your group.” So this makes it necessary that one speak out against this methodology and its founder, as well as its offshoots, such as the Suroorees and the Qutubees. This is the reason that caused it (i.e. Ikhwaanee Manhaj) to be specified because it has spread amongst us and extended throughout our lands and regions. And it has corrupted the minds of our youth turning them into revolutionaries, takfeeris and terrorists.

So there is nothing strange if the Salafee students of knowledge rebuke this methodology and spread the errors it has in it, in order to uphold the truth, advise the people, seek nearness to Allaah and make Jihaad in His Cause:

“Verily We will not cause the reward of one who does a good deed to be lost.” [Surah Al-Kahf: 30]

As for your saying: “They have specifically chosen him and his books out of other well known books that are far worse than his books and callers, dead and alive, that are more deviant than him”, then I say:

I have already explained to you the reason for this. Also, along with this is the fact that the Salafees, all praise be to Allaah, do not remain silent with falsehood for they have refuted all of the deviant sects, past and present, old and new, as much as they were able to.

In this time, I specifically mean our noble teacher and our unique great intellectual and our sincere and dignified scholar, Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillaah bin Baaz, may Allaah preserve him, grant him success and aid him, then the Committee of Senior Scholars after him, may Allaah grant all of them success, assist them with every good and aid them against every evil. So whoever flips through the fataawaa of Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz, whose number has reached seven volumes, will realize that he has written many refutations against the people of falsehood, with all of its components and all of their factions.

And this goes as well for what has been written from verdicts and refutations in the magazine of Islamic Research of the Committee of Senior Scholars, may Allaah reward them with good and bless their time

The point is that your statement: “Many of the brothers have imposed themselves over him without there being anything mandating that he be specified (apart from others), for there are other more famous books that were worse that his books. And there are other leading figures, both dead and alive, that are more deviant than him” means that they should not be refuted. This is a statement that is not put in its proper place. May Allaah forgive you and us and rectify our affairs and yours. This, O Shaikh, isn’t the way the arguments of the scholars are. On the contrary, their proofs were in affirming what the texts of the Book and the Sunnah, according to the understanding of the Salaf of the ummah, affirmed and negating what they negated.

Therefore, O brother in Islaam, if you hold that refuting Hasan Al-Bannaa and the people of his group from those who wallowed in Sufism and idolatry, entered innovations into the Religion and legislated into it that which Allaah and His Messenger didn’t legislate. If you consider that refuting these people and clarifying what their methodology consists of from falsehood and deviation – if you consider that to be a violation against the members of this methodology and its founder, then we have no control over guiding others, however it is upon us to supplicate to Allaah to remove from you this strange ideology and this false understanding that has deprived you and confused matters for you. And at the same time we fear that this ideology causes you to enter into the ranks of those whom Allaah spoke of when He said:

“And whoever opposes the Messenger after the guidance was made clear to him and follows a way other than the Way of the Believers, We will turn him to what he has chosen and land him in Hell – what an evil destination.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 115]

Know that supporting the people of falsehood and defending them is not from the Way of the Believers, especially if they are polytheists or innovators, whose innovation leads to disbelief or sin. So I advise you and ask Allaah for you, O brother in Islaam, that you return to the truth and to supporting it. And I ask Allaah that He allow you to see it (i.e. the truth) and that he remove the veil that is before your eyes.

This is my advice to you, and it is the advice of every Salafee that loves good for you and fears for you the consequences of this foreign ideology and erroneous understanding. And with Allaah lies the success, to him I place my reliance and to Him I repent.

As for your statement: “Therefore I advise you O Shaikh to withhold your tongue and your pen from attacking this Caller, whom Allaah granted benefit by”,

I say: What a great advice this is, if only it were put in its proper place. This is a valuable gift for the one who wishes to preserve his Religion by it. However, you advised me not to advise, so is this a proper advice? So in reality it is only preventing good and hindering from the Path of Allaah. So fear Allaah, O Shaikh ‘Abdullaah [12], and return to the truth. By Allaah, of whom there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, there is not one percent of doubt in my heart that would lead me to undo what I have done. Rather, I hold that this is obligatory on me, since I have come to know about this man and his methodology that which entitles me to advise others and to clarify the observations made against this methodology, out of sincerity for the students of knowledge who have been deceived by them, in order to fulfill Allaah’s right over me that I defend the Religion of Islaam and to protect the Tawheed and preserve its honor as the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did.

As for your statement where you advised me to not attack the honor of this Caller, I say:

In your opinion, what has more right to be defended and protected – Tawheed and the authentic Creed, the Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah or the honor of Hasan Al- Bannaa? Didn’t Allaah order us to fight the polytheists and the disbelievers for the sake of the Creed? Allaah says:

“And fight them until there is no more fitnah and the Religion is for Allaah.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 193]

The word fitnah has been interpreted here as Shirk. Didn’t Allaah permit the termination of the lives of the disbelievers and the polytheists, the imprisonment of their women and children and the taking of their wealth as booty for the Muslims due to the Creed? Shouldn’t this be permitted for one who commits Major Shirk, agrees with those who perform it, and introduces innovations into the Religion as well as laws that have not been legislated?

Shouldn’t this be permitted against his honor, for the purpose of clarifying the truth to those who have been deceived by this man and his methodology?

Rather, by Allaah of whom there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the obligation upon me and you and all of the seekers of knowledge is that aiding the Religion and exposing the truth must take precedence over everything in this world, out of obedience to Allaah, establishing His right, aiding his Religion and defending the beliefs of the Muslims from deceptions. And with Allaah lies the success.

As for your statement in which you advised me to not print my book, then:

First: I consider this to be hindering from the Way of Allaah on your part. This is because I hold this book as being one of the best of my good deeds since I aided the truth by it, preserved the honor of Tawheed with it and defended the authentic Creed through it. I hope that I have done this sincerely for Allaah’s sake, establishing His right and defending the sanctuary of His Religion, but I am not freeing myself from shortcomings and errors. And I ask Allaah to forgive me, for indeed whatever deed an individual performs, he is prone to deficiencies and shortcomings.

Second: I consider this to be an abandonment of the truth from you, a siding with the people of falsehood on your part and support for them. This is enough as an offense against the Religion and then against those who carry it, those about whom Allaah said:

“And who is better in speech than he who calls to Allaah and does righteous deeds and says: ‘I am from the Muslims.’” [Surah Fussilat: 33]

Third: I heard that some of the hizbees (partisans) buy the books that criticize and speak against their party in large amounts and then burn them. So what is the difference between one who burns my book after it’s printed and one who tells me not to print it?

Fourth: I consider this to be from interfering in other people’s affairs in order to prevent the spread of good. And it states in the hadeeth: “From the goodness of a person’s Islaam is that he abandons what doesn’t concern him.”

Fifth: If I printed it and the people disseminated it, then I would be printing a book that affirms Tawheed and censures Shirk, that affirms the Sunnah and censures Innovation, and that affirms the truth and censures falsehood. So it would be an obligation on you to request the expeditious printing of the book, in order to aid Tawheed, the truth and the Sunnah. However, you have done the opposite and instead requested me not to print the book. And by doing this, you are supporting the people of innovations and partisanship wrongfully against the people of Tawheed and the Sunnah, the followers of the way of the Salaf.

So seek forgiveness from Allaah and repent to Him before your life passes and comes to an end. For by Allaah, neither this person nor that person will be able to benefit you before Allaah (on the Day of Judgement). Rather, the only thing that will benefit you is your standing up for the truth and your support for it and its people. And Allaah is the only One whom we ask that He guide us and you to the truth and to supporting it and its people. And He is the only One whom we seek refuge in from vain desires and misguidance.

As for your warning me against printing the book out of fear for me that it will ruin my reputation, then I say to you:

Know that the ruining of one’s reputation comes only due to supporting falsehood and speaking it or doing it. And I, thanks to my Lord, have not committed any falsehood and nor have I supported the people of falsehood in order that my reputation would be ruined in front of the believers, who are Allaah’s witnesses on His earth. Rather, I have performed the truth and supported the truth, which I hope I will be rewarded for by Allaah and due to which I will be considered honest amidst the people.

As for the people of falsehood, then I am not concerned about my reputation with them. I ask Allaah the Most Great, Lord of the Noble Throne, to protect me from their evil and to save me from their plots. And I will continue to pursue my printing and distribution of the book, if Allaah wills, relying upon Allaah in whose Hand lies the forelock of all His slaves.

Was-Salaam ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh.

Footnotes:

[1] Translator’s Note: This tremendous book written by Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmee was written and published in the same year as this letter (1418H). It is about 300 pages long and contains an in depth analysis of the two most popular deviant methodologies in the field of Da’wah today, that of the Jamaa’at at-Tableegh and the Ikhwaan-ul- Muslimeen. The book has introductory commendations from Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan and Shaikh Rabee’ Al- Madkhalee, may Allaah preserve all of them.

[2] Translator’s Note: Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmee was born in 1346H and was around 22 years old when Hasan Al- Bannaa was shot and killed in Egypt on 2/12/1949 (1368H).

[3] Translator’s Note: He means by this outside of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

[4] Translator’s Note: The belief of wahdat-ul-wujood is a deviant Sufi concept that entails the belief that Allaah and His creation are one existence. Thus there is no distinction between Creator and creation.

[5] This treatise was written during the lifetime of Shaikh Ibn Baaz, may Allaah have mercy on him

[6] In a magazine Shaikh An-Najmee has.

[7] From Majmoo’at Rasaa’il (Collection of Essays) of Al-Bannaa; Risaalah at-Ta’aaleem (pg. 268)

[8] He is referring to Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz, may Allaah have mercy on him.

[9] An “agreed upon” hadeeth from the narration of the Commander of the Believers, ‘Abu Hafs, ‘Umar bin Al- Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him.

[10] Translator’s Note: The word Muwahhid comes from Tawheed. Consequently it means someone who abides by the mandates of Tawheed, which means worshipping Allaah alone without any partners, and shunning all forms of Shirk.

[11] The “Falcon of Arabia” was King ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Aali Su’ood, may Allaah have mercy on him.

[12] He is referring to Shaikh ‘Abdullaah bin Jibreen.

“There is no ‘Itikaaf except in the Three Mosques” – Shaykh Muhammad Wassaabee

AUTHOR: Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab Al-Wassaabee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This book is a complete translation of a small booklet entitled: Eedaah-ud-Dalaalah fee Takhreej wa Tahqeeq “Laa ‘Itikaaf Illaa fil-Masaajid ath-Thalaathah¡¨(Clarifying the Evidence in Referencing and Verifying the Hadeeth: “There is no ‘Itikaaf except in the Three Mosques”) printed by Dar-ul-Athaar, San’aa in 2003H.

In this brief discussion, the author, Shaikh Muhammad bin ¡¥Abdil-Wahhaab Al-Wasaabee, presents the references and grading of the hadeeth: “There is no ‘Itikaaf except in the Three Mosques” through a discourse on the hadeeth’s narrators and sources. He also alludes to points of benefit drawn from the discussion on the verification of the hadeeth and presents the readers with advice concerning ‘Itikaaf.

‘Itikaaf is an important topic, especially in this month of Ramadaan, due to the many blessings and rewards contained within it. The matter of it being legislated in just the three mosques, i.e. Masjid al-Haraam in Makkah, Masjid an-Nabawee in Madeenah and Masjid Al-Aqsaa in Jerusalem, or in every mosque in which the Jumu’ah Prayer is established is an issue that has long been in debate. However, through the presentation of the evidence in this treatise, it is hoped that the readers may gain insight on the correct position with regard to this tremendous act of worship. It is also hoped that this book will aid the one who reads it into preserving and abiding by this sacred practice of Islaam, by which one¡¦s heart grows attached to the masjid and the servant dedicates himself entirely for a specified amount of time to the service and worship of His Lord.

About the Author: Shaikh Muqbil bin Haadee Al-Waadi¡¦ee said in his introduction to the book: “As for the author of these three treatises, then he is Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab – the teacher of Tawheed and Fiqh, and of good manners, abstinence and piety; the compassionate educator; the caller to Muslim unity; the warner against repulsive partisanship; the one who is extremely patient with poverty and difficulties, and the one who is wise with regard to the field of Da’wah (Calling to Allaah). He loves the predecessors (i.e. Salaf) of this ummah and hates the innovators – each one according to the form of his innovation.”

Quotes from the Book: “In the report of Sa¡¦eed, there occurs the wording: “…or a congregational masjid.” This addition has not been mentioned by those who reported it in marfoo’ form or those who reported it in mawqoof form. Yes, the addition occurs in some of the paths of narration from Ibraaheem bin Yazeed An-Nakha¡¦ee. However, you have already read that the path of narration from Ibraaheem bin Yazeed is broken.”

“When a Companion states: “Such and such is from the Sunnah…”, the hadeeth takes on the ruling of being raised to a statement of the Prophet. This has been agreed upon in the books on Principles of Hadeeth. So based on this hadeeth, ‘Itikaaf is therefore permissible in every masjid in which the Jumu’ah prayer is established. However, performing it in the Three Mosques is better and more complete.”

“The summary of this study is that ‘Itikaaf is prescribed in every masjid in which the Jumu’ah Prayer is established. However, performing it in one of the Three Mosques is better and more perfect. This was the favored opinion of our teacher, the great scholar, the Muhaddith, the Faqeeh, Abu ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Muqbil bin Haadee Al-Waadi’ee, may Allaah have mercy on him.”

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Khutbat-ul-Haajah (The Sermon for Necessities) – Imaam Al-Albaanee

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah E-Books
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This book is a complete translation of “Khutbat-ul-Haajah” (The Sermon for Necessities, which the Messenger of Allaah would teach his Companions). The source used for the translation was the 2001 Maktabah al-Ma’aarif Edition.

This book is one of the famous works of Imaam Al-Albaanee written about 50 years before his death and having a profound impact on the Muslim ummah. This was such that through his effort, this once-forgotten and almost-abandoned Sunnah was able to be revived. Many people from the time of its publication to this very day have begun to implement this khutbah in their lectures, sermons, books, articles, and ceremonies. So may Allaah reward the author with the best of rewards.

We hope that this translation provides a glimpse into the wealth and ocean of knowledge of Imaam Al-Albaanee as well as give the readers a detailed understanding of the prescription of this blessed khutbah and some points of benefit related to it.

All footnotes are from the author unless otherwise noted. There is one large footnote at the end which was added by the original publishers, Maktabah al-Ma’aarif in their recent edition. Translation of the meanings of Allaah’s verses were taken from the Dar-us-Salam Noble Qur’an translation with slight adaptations and alterations.

Excerpts from the Book: 

“On the day of my marriage to my second wife, which took place after some months had passed since the death of my first wife, Umm ‘Abdir-Rahmaan, may Allaah have mercy on her, one of the brothers offered to give the wedding sermon, stating that many times he had felt its benefit and effect whenever he would give it. So I said to him: ‘I have no objection. However, I would like to give my opinion on it, so show me the sermon.’ After reviewing it, I found that, generally, there were no problems with it, even though I did make some corrections to it, such as removing certain weak ahaadeeth and putting authentic ones in their place. However, the most important change I made, in my opinion, was the incorporation of Khutbat-ul-Haajah (Sermon for a Necessity) as its introduction, which is the sermon that the Messenger of Allaah would teach his Companions. This was after I researched its paths of narrations and wordings from the various books of the purified Sunnah.”

“The wisdom behind this differentiation is clear. And it is because the Prophet is not in a position in which it could be understood from his words that he intended something unbefitting to Allaah’s Lordship and Worship. This is contrary to others, since that may be understood from their speech (whereas it is not the case with his speech). This is why he ordered us to avoid doubtful matters and to be clear in one’s intentions, based on the fundamental principle found in his statement: ‘Leave that which makes you doubt for that which doesn’t make you doubt.’

“It has become clear to us by way of the collection of afore-mentioned ahaadeeth that all sermons should be commenced with this sermon, regardless of whether these sermons occur during marriage ceremonies, the Friday Prayer or any other occasion. So it is not specific to just the marriage ceremony as some people think. In fact, in some narrations of the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood, it clearly shows this, as was seen previously. What further supports this is the actions of the righteous predecessors (Salaf as-Saalih), for they would commence their books with this sermon as was the case with Abu Ja’far At-Tahaawee, may Allaah have mercy on him, who stated in the introduction of his book Mushkil-ul-Athaar: ‘And I begin with what he ordered us to begin our necessities with, in that which has been reported on him with chains of narration that I will mention afterward, if Allaah wills: Verily, all praise is due to Allaah…’

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Condemning the Practices of those who claim Sufism – Imaam Ibn Qudaamah

AUTHOR: Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisee [Died 620H]
TRANSLATED: isma’eel alarcon
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a translation of a small booklet titled Dhammu maa ‘alayhi Mudda’oo at-Tasawwuf (Condemning the Practices of those who Claim Sufism) by Imaam Abu Muhammad Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisee, may Allaah have mercy on him.

The booklet was published by Maktab al-Islami and is a short treatise containing a fatwa (religious verdict) from this great scholar of the seventh century on some of the practices that those who ascribed themselves to Sufism were upon in those days, and still are upon till this day.

The fatwa generally focuses on musical instruments and singing, which were practices the Sufis performed, taking it as part of the religion and using that as a means of drawing nearer to Allaah. The Shaikh has filled his response With Quranic verses, prophetic ahaadeeth and narrations from the Salaf.

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Articles extracted from this e-Book

Alleviating Grievances in Describing the Condition of the Strangers – Ibn Rajab

AUTHOR: Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbalee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This book is a translation of a short treatise entitled “Kashf-ul-Kurbah fee wasfi Haali Ahlil-Ghurbah[Alleviating Grievances in Describing the Condition of the Strangers] written by the great Imaam, Al-Haafidh Zayn-ud-Deen Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbalee, may Allaah have mercy on him.

In this treatise, Ibn Rajab discusses the topic of the “Strangers”, listing the many ahaadeeth of the Prophet reported about them. They are given this name because they will be strange during the Last Days, due to their adherence to the Sunnah and to the Way of the first Muslims, the Salaf As-Saalih. So just as those who first accepted Islaam at the hands of Muhammad were considered strangers to their families and close ones, then indeed, those who adhere to the Sunnah in the last Days, when innovations and misguidance are rampant and widespread, will also be considered strangers to their families and close ones, not to mention the disbelievers.

It must be noted that Ibn Rajab uses several weak ahaadeeth in this treatise, which have been pointed out. Also, towards the end of his treatise, he begins to divert from the topic by going deep into the issue of inner strangeness, sometimes focusing on aspects that have no basis in Islaam, such as talk about wajdkhulwah and so on. These were Sufi concepts that were prevalent during his time. Consequently, the last pages of the treatise, which included several quotes and lines of poetry, were left out from this translation. However, the omission of this last part of the book does not detract from the overall meaning and intended theme of the treatise, and Allaah knows best. For the most part, the treatise is of great importance and is often referenced by the scholars, and that is what we hope to convey to the readers. All footnotes were added by the translator based on research and the use of several sources. We ask Allaah to accept this work as a sincere act and that He place it in our scale of good deeds on the Day of Judgement. And we ask that He benefit all the Muslims generally with it

Quotes from the Book:
“So when the Prophet was sent forth and began calling to Islaam, his call was not answered at first instance except by a few from each tribe. And those that did accept his call feared from their tribes and families lest they should be subjected to extreme punishment. And they would suffer while being patient with that for the sake of Allaah. Due to their weakness, the (first) Muslims would be frightened by every opposing force and they would flee for the sake of their Religion to far-off lands as was shown when they migrated twice to the land of Abysinnia, and then when they migrated to Madeenah. And there was from among them, he who was tortured for the sake of Allaah and he who was killed. So those who entered into the fold of Islaam, back in those days – they were the strangers. Then Islaam spread after the Hijrah to Madeenah and its followers became victorious over every group. After that, the people entered into the Religion of Allaah in multitudes. And Allaah perfected the Religion for them and completed His favor upon them. Then the Messenger of Allaah died, and the Muslims were upon the utmost level due to their firm adherence to their Religion. They were powerful and dominant, and they continued to be upon this condition during the times (i.e. khilaafah) of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. Then the Devil unleashed his evil plot upon the Muslims and discord fell between them. And the trials of Doubts (Shubuhaat) and Desires(Shahawaat) became widespread. These two evils did not stop increasing at all until the plan of the Devil was established and the majority of the creation obeyed him.”

“Concerning the statement of the Prophet: ‘Islaam began as something strange and will return to being strange, as it began’, Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee (rahimahullaah) said: ‘As for this, then it does not mean that Islaam will go away, rather it means that Ahlus-Sunnah will go away, up to the point that there will not remain any from them in a land except one person.’”

“Based on this understanding, there can be found much praise in the statements of the Salaf for the Sunnah and their describing it as being strange, and describing its adherents and followers as being few. Al-Hasan Al-Basree (rahimahullaah) used to say to his companions: ‘Oh Ahlus-Sunnah! Be gentle with one another, and may Allaah have mercy on you, for indeed, you are from amongst the fewest of people.’ Yoonus bin ‘Ubayd (rahimahullaah) said: ‘There is not a thing more strange than the Sunnah. But what is stranger than it, is the one who knows it.’ Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (rahimahullaah) said: ‘Treat Ahlus-Sunnah kindly, for verily, they are strangers.’”

“And from the words of Ahmad bin ‘Aasim Al-Andaakee, who was one of the biggest scholars at the time of Sulaymaan Ad-Daaraanee, was: ‘Indeed, I have reached from all the times, a time when Islaam has returned to being strange as it began. In it, the description of truth has returned to being strange as it began. If you were to turn to the scholar, you would find him being tested with the love of this worldly life and the love for honor and authority. And if you were to turn to the worshipper, you would find him ignorant in his worship, deceived and fallen victim to his enemy Iblees (i.e. the Devil). He has mounted to the highest levels of worship while being ignorant of how to perform them so how can he be at that level? And the rest of the people are from among the ignorant followers, simple-minded and quick to follow a way, as if he were a wolf looking to steal a sheep, or a hungry lion, or a fox on the prowl. This is the description of the people of your time from the carriers of knowledge and the Qur’aan and the callers of wisdom.’ This was the description of the people of his time. So how much has the situation increased and the crisis become greater after it. Indeed, it has reached a point that would have never been thought of nor imagined!”

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Following articles were extracted from this book:

The Status of the Sunnah in Islaam – Imaam Al-Albaanee

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a translation of a booklet titled Manzilat-us-Sunnah fil-Islaam (The Status of the Sunnah in Islaam) of Imaam Muhammad Naasir-u-Deen Al-Albaanee, may Allaah have mercy on him. The source for this booklet was a lecture he gave in Doha, Qatar during the month of Ramadaan, 1392H. The talk was later transcribed and published. This book can be downloaded in Arabic at sahab.org.

This treatise clarifies the position of the Sunnah in Islaam, in that it bears the same status as the Qur’aan when it comes to deriving religious rulings and laws. So one cannot possibly understand and implement the Qur’aan in the absence of the Sunnah, rather they go hand in hand. Imaam Al-Albaanee gives several examples for this.

The author then goes on to explain what is meant by Sunnah in his discussion, in that it refers to only the authentic Sunnah, and not the weak and fabricated hadeeth. This is a very important treatise, defining a key principle of the Salafi Manhaj, which consists of following the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, along with the understanding of the Salaf (i.e. Sahaabah, Taabi’een, Atbaa’ at-Taabi’een). This treatise is also a refutation of the deviant groups that rely on the Qur’aan alone, such as the Qur’aaniyoon, etc.

Quotes from the Book:

“It is unfortunate that there can be found some contemporary tafseer writers and authors that have taken the view of making permissible what has been mentioned in the last two examples, such as the permissibility of eating predatory animals and wearing gold and silk, relying upon the Qur’aan (as proof) only! In fact, there can be found in this present time a group that call themselves the Qur’aaniyoon, who interpret the Qur’aan according to their desires and intellects, without seeking assistance for that in the authentic Sunnah. Rather, the Sunnah, according to them, is subordinate to their desires. So whatever part of it conforms to their desires, they affirm it, and whatever doesn’t conform to their desires, they throw behind their backs (rejecting it).”

“From what has been stated previously, it becomes clear that there is no way for anyone, even if he be a scholar of the Arabic Language and its disciplines, to understand the noble Qur’aan, without seeking assistance in that from the Prophet’s Sunnah in speech and action. This is since he will never be more knowledgeable of the language than the Companions of the Prophet, those who the Qur’aan was revealed to in their language. And (at that time) the language was not blemished with the errors of the non-Arabs and the slang of the common people, but in spite of that, they still erred in understanding these previously mentioned ayaat, when they relied on their knowledge of the language only.”

“In summary: It is an obligation upon all of the Muslims to not differentiate between the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, with regard to the obligation of accepting both of them together and establishing Laws based on both of them. Indeed this is the guarantee that will prevent them from drifting to the right and the left, and from returning to deviation.”

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The below articles are extracted from this eBook:

Sunnah refers to that is authentically reported on the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم – Shaykh Al Albaani

It is obligatory for one to look for the ruling in the Sunnah, even if he thinks that it exists in the Qur’aan – Shaykh Al-Albaani

The Misguidance of those who are satisfied with the Qur’aan over the Sunnah – Shaykh Al-Albaani

The Need for the Sunnah in order to Understand the Qur’aan – Shaykh al Albaani

Knowledge of Arabic is not sufficient for understanding the Qur’aan – Shaykh al Albaani

Rectifying False Notions on an Important Issue – Shaykh Saalih bin ‘Abdil-‘Azeez As-Sindee

AUTHOR: Saalih bin ‘Abdil-‘Azeez As-Sindee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah.Com
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

In this treatise, the author dispels many of the false claims and accusations that are spread and circulated about Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab died 1206H] by using the Imaam’s own testimony from statements he made in his writings. The author brings seven of the most popular misconceptions that surround Imaam Ibn Abdil-Wahhaab and his da’wah and refutes them through the words of the Imaam, as has been recorded in his writings and collected by reliable sources into compilations.

By doing this we clearly see the Imaam’s position with regard to these fundamental issues based on his own testimony and not having to rely on someone else’s explanation in his defense. We hope that through this treatise, those who have doubt about Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab and his call, can gain clarity about the true state of affairs and not listen to the lies and slander of his opponents who seek and strive to discredit the tremendous efforts of this great reformer.

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Rectifying False Notions on an Important Issue [PDF]

Read the Book Below:

INTRODUCTION

For many years and long decades now, there has been much talk and debate going on about Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) and his da’wah between those who agree and those who disagree, and those who accuse him and those who defend him.

But anyone who looks at the words of those who oppose the Shaikh, those who attach all kinds of accusations to him, will find that their words are void of any proof. This is since there can’t be found any basis for what they claim either in his statements or in his books. Rather, they are just allegations mentioned by those in the past and repeated by those in later times, nothing more.

I think a fair and just person would only agree that the best and most correct way to find out the truth about him would be by returning to and taking from the main source (i.e. the Shaikh himself).

So the books of the Shaikh are present and his words are preserved. And by looking into them, one can find out the truth or falsehood of what is being spread about him. And as for the claims that are void of evidences then they are just a mirage and not real.

In these following pages, I will present brief excerpts from the speech of Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, using quotes from him, which I relied on from the trustworthy books that have collected all of his statements. And I have not added anything to them except for arranging them in order.

These quotes consist of responses from the Shaikh himself against the most popular accusations that his opponents launch against him, in which he asserts the opposite of what they claim. I am certain that, by Allaah’s Guidance, these responses will suffice in clarifying the truth to those who seek it.

As for those who reject the Shaikh and oppose his Da’wah, those who spend their time spreading falsehood and circulating lies, then I say to them: Lie against your own selves for indeed the truth is clear and indeed the Religion of Allaah is victorious, and the sun shines bright, one cannot cover it with his hands.

So here is the speech of the Shaikh, which disproves these claims and refutes all of your accusations. So if you have some speech from him that contradicts it then bring it out in the open and do not conceal it. And if you can’t do this, and you will not be able to do it, then I counsel you with one piece of advice: That you stand up for Allaah, free from every vain desire or bigotry, and ask Him sincerely to show you the truth and to guide you to it. Then reflect on what this man said – did he bring forth something better than the Speech of Allaah and the speech of His Messenger?

Then reflect a second time: Is there any other way to salvation than speaking the truth and believing in the truth? So if the truth becomes clear to you, then return to your guidance and go back to the truth, for that is better than lingering upon falsehood. And to Allaah return all the affairs.

THE REALITY OF THE DA’WAH OF SHAIKH MUHAMMAD BIN ‘ABDIL-WAHHAAB

It is proper to begin this discussion by relaying some brief words from Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, may Allaah have mercy on him, in which he explains the reality of what he was calling to, far removed from the dark clouds of propaganda that his opponents have placed as an obstacle between many people and that Da’wah. He said:

“I say, and to Allaah belongs the Praise and the Blessing, and all might is by Him, that my Lord has guided me to a Straight Path, an upright religion, the pure monotheistic way of Ibraaheem, and he wasn’t from the polytheists. And I, all praise be to Allaah, do not call to a madh-hab (way) of Sufism or (a madh-hab) of a Fiqh scholar or a speaker or one of the Imaams that they magnify.

On the contrary, I call to Allaah alone and with no partner. And I call to the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger, which he advised the first part of his ummah and the last part of it to abide by. And I hope that I will not reject the truth if it comes to me. In fact, I call on Allaah, His angels and all of His creation to bear witness that if one of you brings one word of truth to me that I should accept it immediately and throw against the wall everything that opposes it, from the statements of my Imaams, with the exception of Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) for indeed he doesn’t speak anything but the truth.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/37-38]

“And I, all praise be to Allaah, am a follower (muttabi’) and not an innovator (mubtadi’).” [Mu’allafaat ash-Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab: 5/36]

“The correct representation of the affair is that I say: No one should be supplicated to except Allaah, alone and with no partner, as Allaah says in His Book: ‘So do not call unto anyone along with Allaah.’ [Surah Al-Jinn: 18] And He said about the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):

‘Say: It is not in my power to cause you harm or to bring you to the Right Path.’ [Surah Al-Jinn: 21] So this is the Speech of Allaah, which the Messenger of Allaah mentioned to us and counseled us with. And this is what stands between me and you, for if he mentioned something besides this, then it is a lie and a slander.” [Ad-Durar as- Saniyyah: 1/90-91]

THE FIRST ISSUE: THE SHAIKH’S BELIEF WITH REGARD TO THE PROPHET

The Shaikh is charged by his enemies with terrible accusations related to his belief concerning the Prophet. These accusations are as follows:

First: That he didn’t believe he was the last of the Prophets. This is what is claimed (!), but yet all the books of the Shaikh are filled with a refutation of this misconception and they testify that this claim is a lie. Some examples are:

“I believe that our Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is the seal (last) of the prophets and messengers. And the Eemaan (Faith) of a servant (person) is not valid unless he believes in his messengership and bears witness to his prophethood.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/32]

“So the most prosperous of creatures and those who will have the greatest blessing and highest level are those who are foremost in following him (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and in conforming with him in knowledge and action.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 2/21]

Second: That he violates the right of the Prophet and doesn’t give him the position he deserves. In order to find out the reality of this claim, I will quote some of his statements in which he clearly asserts what his belief is with regard to the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):

“Because Allaah wanted His Tawheed to be supreme and His Religion to be completed and because He wanted His Word to be the highest and the Word of the disbelievers to be the lowest, He sent Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the last of the prophets and the loved one of the Lord of creation. So he did not cease to be known throughout every generation, being mentioned in the Torah of Moosaa and the Gospel of ‘Eesaa, until Allaah brought forth that pearl from between the tribes of Kinaanah and Zahra.

So he brought him out during a period of time that was void of messengers, and guided him to the most upright of paths. So he had signs and indicators that proved his prophethood before he was even sent forth (with the message), which amazed the people of his time. And Allaah brought him up in a good manner. That’s why he was the noblest, the best mannered, the nicest neighbor, the most lenient and the most truthful in speech amongst his people. This was such that his people would call him ‘Al-Ameen’ (The Trustworthy One), because of what Allaah gave him from righteous conditions and praiseworthy characteristics.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 2/19, 90]

“He is the chief of the intercessors, possessor of the most praiseworthy station, and Aadam as well as those besides him will be under his banner.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/86]

“The first of the messengers was Nooh, and the last and most virtuous of them was Muhammad.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/143]

“He clarified with the most profound of clarifications (i.e. the Religion) and he completed and finalized it. He was the most sincere of creatures towards the servants of Allaah, and he was compassionate and merciful to the believers. He conveyed the message and fulfilled the trust, and he made true Jihaad in the Cause of Allaah. And he worshipped Allaah until certainty (i.e. death) reached him.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 2/21]

Likewise, he (rahimahullaah) mentioned that one of the benefits derived from the Prophet’s statement: “None of you truly believes until I become more beloved to him than his father, his son, and all of mankind” is the obligation of loving him above loving one’s self, family and wealth. [Kitaab at-Tawheed: 108]

Third: They claim that he rejected the Prophet’s intercession. The Shaikh responds to this misconception by saying:

“They claim that we reject the Prophet’s intercession. Far removed is Allaah from imperfections, this is a great slander. Rather, we bear witness before Allaah that the Messenger of Allaah is the intercessor and possessor of the praiseworthy station. We ask Allaah, the Most Generous, Lord of the Mighty Throne, that He allow him to intercede for us and that he resurrect us under his banner.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/63-64]

“No one rejects the Prophet’s intercession except for the people of innovation and misguidance. However, the intercession will not occur unless permission is granted first (by Allaah) and He is pleased with it, as Allaah says:

‘And no one will intercede except for he whom He is pleased with.’ [Surah Al- Anbiyaa: 28]

And He says:

‘Who is it that will intercede in His presence except by His permission.’ [Surah Al-Baqarah: 255]” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/13]

The Shaikh explains the reason why this false claim was spread about him:

“These people, when I mentioned to them what Allaah and His Messenger, as well as the scholars from all the groups, stated about the obligation of making the worship solely for Allaah and the prohibition of resembling the People of the Scripture who came before us in the aspect of taking their priests and rabbis as lords besides Allaah, they said to us: ‘You have degraded the status of the prophets, righteous people and the awliyaa (friends of Allaah)!’” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 2/50]

THE SECOND ISSUE: THE PROPHET’S HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS

From the many accusations directed at the Shaikh is that he didn’t love the members of the Prophet’s Household and that he violated their rights. The response to this is that what is claimed is in contradiction to the true state of affairs. In fact, he, may Allaah have mercy on him, fully acknowledged the right that they had of being loved and honored, and he abided by it. In fact, he would even rebuke those who didn’t abide by this, as he said:

“Allaah has obligated certain rights for the members of the household of Allaah’s Messenger, which they have over the people. So it is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon their rights thinking that to be part of Tawheed. Rather this is from extremism. The only thing we reject is honoring them for the sake of the (false) claim that they have the right to be worshipped, as well as honoring those who claim this.” [Mu’allafaat ash-Shaikh: 5/284]

Whoever reflects on the life and history of the Shaikh will realize the truthfulness of what he stated here. It is enough to know that the Shaikh named six of his seven children with names from the Prophet’s Household, may Allaah be pleased with them: ‘Alee, ‘Abdullaah, Husayn, Hasan, Ibraaheem and Faatimah. This is a clear proof of the great love and respect he had for them.

THE THIRD ISSUE: THE WONDROUS OCCURRENCES OF THE AWLIYAA

Some people spread around that Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab denied the extraordinary occurrences (karaamaat) of the awliyaa (close friends of Allaah). What disproves this false claim is that the Shaikh has clearly affirmed in several places of his Creed the opposite of what is spread around about him concerning this issue. An example of this is the statements he makes in some of his speech in which he explains his belief and creed:

“And I affirm the karaamaat (wondrous occurrences) of the awliyaa.” [Ad-Durar As- Saniyyah: 1/32]

I wonder how the Shaikh can be accused of such a claim when he is the one who described those who deny the wondrous occurrences of the awliyaa as people of innovation and misguidance, when he said:

“And no one rejects the wondrous occurrences of the awliyaa except for the people of innovation and misguidance.” [Ad-Durar As-Saniyyah: 1/32]

THE FOURTH ISSUE: TAKFEER

From the greatest of misconceptions that are spread about the Shaikh and his followers is that they declare the general masses of Muslims to be disbelievers (i.e. takfeer), and that they claim that marrying them is not valid except for those who are part of them or those who join their group.

The Shaikh has refuted this misconception in numerous places, amongst them are: “The statement that we declare the Muslims to be disbelievers generally is from the lies of the enemies who wish to prevent people from this Religion. So we say: ‘Glorified and far removed are You (O Allaah), this is a tremendous slander!’ [Surah An-Noor: 16]” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/100]

“They have ascribed to us various lies, and so the fitnah has increased. Amongst these lies are: Spreading slander, which any sane person would be shy to transmit, not to mention be fooled by. An example of this is what you have mentioned that I deem all people to be disbelievers except for those who follow me, and that I claim that marrying them is not valid! How strange that such a notion could enter into the mind of a sane person! Would a Muslim say such a thing?! I absolve myself before Allaah from this claim, which only emanates from one with deficient intellect and no understanding. So may Allaah curse the people of evil and false objectives.” [Ad- Durar As-Saniyyah: 1/80]

“The person I deem to be a disbeliever is the one who knows the Religion of the Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), but then after coming to know it, turns to reviling it and forbidding the people from it and making enmity with those who adhere to it. This is the person that I declare to be a disbeliever. And the majority of the ummah (i.e. Muslims), all praise be to Allaah, are not like this.” [Ad-Durar As-Saniyyah: 1/73]

THE FIFTH ISSUE: THE WAY OF THE KHAWAARIJ

There are some people who accuse the Shaikh of being upon the beliefs of the Khawaarij, those who declare Muslims disbelievers because of sins. The response to this from the words of the Shaikh is as follows: He, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “I do not testify for any of the Muslims that he is in Paradise or the Hellfire except for those who Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) testified it for. However, I wish well for the good-doer and I fear for the evildoer. And I do not deem anyone amongst the Muslims to be a disbeliever due to a sin, nor do I extract him from the fold of Islaam.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/32]

THE SIXTH ISSUE: TAJSEEM

What is also spread about the Shaikh is that he was a mujassim, i.e. that he likened Allaah’s attributes to the creation’s attributes.[1]

The Shaikh has mentioned his belief concerning this aspect, and he is far removed from the lies his opponents accuse him of. He says:

“From the Belief (Eemaan) in Allaah, is that one believes in what Allaah has described Himself with in His Book and upon the tongue of His Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), without committing tahreef (distortion) or ta’teel (denial). Rather, he must believe that there is nothing equal to Allaah and that he is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. So he must not negate what Allaah described Himself with, nor should he distort the words from their true state, nor should he deny His Names and Attributes, nor should he say how Allaah’s Attributes are or resemble them to the creation’s attributes. This is because Allaah has no equals or rivals or similars, nor can He be compared to His creation.

Indeed Allaah is the most knowledgeable about Himself and about others, and He is the most truthful in words and the best in speech. So He has removed Himself from what His opponents from the people who commit takyeef and tamtheel have described Him with, and from what those who commit tahreef and ta’teel have negated from Him, as He says:

‘Far removed is your Lord, the Lord of Glory and Might, from what they ascribe to Him, and peace be on the Messengers. And all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all that is created.’ [Surah As-Saafaat: 180-182]” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/29] “It is well known that ta’teel is the opposite of tajseem, and those who commit this (ta’teel) are enemies of those who commit that (tajseem). The truth lies in between these two (extremes).” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 3/11]

THE SEVENTH ISSUE: OPPOSING THE SCHOLARS

Some people say that Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab opposed the rest of the scholars in what he called to, not turning to their statements or relying on their books. Rather, he introduced something new and brought forth a fifth madh-hab. The best person to clarify the reality of this issue is the Shaikh himself. He (rahimahullaah) said:

“We are blind followers of the Book and the Sunnah and the righteous predecessors of this ummah, as well as what is relied on from the opinions of the four Imaams: Abu Haneefah An-Nu’maan bin Thaabit, Maalik bin Anas, Muhammad bin Idrees and Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allaah have mercy on all of them.” [Mu’allafaat ash-Shaikh: 5/96]

“So if you hear that I have issued a ruling on something that does not conform with the unanimous agreement of the scholars, then reject my opinion.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/53]

“If you claim that the scholars are upon something different than what I am upon, then here are their books present.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 2/58]

“I challenge the follower of Abu Haneefah with the opinions of the old Hanafee scholars and also the followers of Maalik, Shaafi’ee and Hanbal with the opinions of the previous scholars of each madh-hab, who are relied upon.” [Ad-Durar as- Saniyyah: 1/82]

“In summary, the thing that I forbid is when one believes that someone other than Allaah can do things that it is not possible for anyone to do except Allaah. So if I said something to this effect from myself, then accuse me of that, or in a book you find, which doesn’t adhere to this, then accuse me with that also. Or if I quoted it from the people of my madh-hab, then accuse me of that. But if I stated it based on the Command of Allaah and His Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and based on what the scholars in every madh-hab have unanimously agreed on, then it is not appropriate for a person who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to reject it due to the people of his time or the people of his country or because most of the people in his time reject it.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/76]

CONCLUSION

To conclude this discussion, we present two pieces of advice from the Shaikh:

First: For those who strive against this da’wah and its followers, conspiring against it and attaching all kinds of accusations and falsehoods to it, the Shaikh says to these people:

“I remind those who oppose me that the obligation upon the people is to follow what the Prophet counseled his ummah with (i.e. the Sunnah). And I say to them: The books are with you. Look in them and do not take any of my speech. However, when you come to know the words of Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that are in your books then follow it even though most of the people oppose it…Do not (unconditionally) obey me or anyone else except for the command of Allaah’s Messenger, which is found in your books. And know that nothing can save you except for following Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). This worldly life is temporary and it is not proper for someone with common sense to be forgetful about Paradise and Hell.” [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/89-90]

“I call those who oppose me to four things: Either the Book of Allaah or the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger or to the Ijmaa’ (consensus) of the scholars. And if he refuses this then I call him to a mubaahalah.” [2] [Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah: 1/55]

Second: To those who are confused about this matter, the Shaikh says: “You must constantly supplicate to Allaah and humble yourself before Him, especially during the times in which the invocations are answered, such as: the last part of the night, the last portion of the prayer and after the Adhaan.

And you must also use the supplications reported in the texts, especially the one that has been reported in the Saheeh, that he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would say: ‘O Allaah, Lord of Jibraa’eel, Mikaa’eel and Israa’eel, Originator of the heavens and the earth, All-Knower of the Hidden and the Apparent, You will judge between Your servants in those matters which they differed on. Guide me in that which is differed on from the truth, by Your Will. Verily, You guide whom You will to a Straight Path.’

You must be persistent in saying this supplication before the One who answers the call of the distressed when he calls, and the One who guided Ibraaheem to oppose all of the people. And say: ‘O teacher of Ibraaheem, teach me.’

And if you find difficulty in opposing the people, then reflect on Allaah’s statement: ‘Then we placed you upon a Legislation from Our Command, so follow it, and do not follow the vain desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing before Allaah.’ [Surah Al-Jaathiyah: 18-19]

‘And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allaah’s Path.’ [Surah Al-An’aam: 116]

And reflect on the Prophet’s words found in the Saheeh: ‘Islaam began strange and it will return to being strange as it began’ and his (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement: ‘Verily Allaah will not snatch away knowledge…’ and his statement: ‘Stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khaleefahs who come after me’ and his statement: ‘And beware of newly invented matters, for indeed every innovation is a misguidance.’” [Ad-Durar As-Saniyyah: 1/42-43]

“And if it becomes clear to you that this is the truth in which there is no doubt, and that it is an obligation to spread it amongst the people and to teach it to the women and men, then may Allaah have mercy on the one fulfills his duty, repents to Allaah and acknowledges this to himself, for indeed a person who repents from a sin is like one who has no sin at all. May Allaah guide us and you and our brothers to that which He loves and is pleased with, and peace be on you.” [Ad-Durar As-Saniyyah: 2/43]

May Allaah send His peace and blessings on His slave and messenger, our prophet and loved one, Muhammad, as well as His family and all of his Companions.

Footnotes:

[1] Translator’s Note: Tajseem comes from the word jism (body), and it literally means to make something into a body. This is the term applied when someone gives anthropomorphic (i.e. human-like) qualities to Allaah, by saying His hand is like my hand, and His seeing is like my seeing, etc.

[2] Translator’s Note: A Mubaahalah is when two people who are in opposition to one another come together to invoke Allaah’s curses on the one who is lying and upon falsehood between the two disputants.

Ten Guidelines for Obtaining Knowledge – Shaykh Abdullaah Adh-Dhufairee

AUTHOR: ‘Abdullaah bin Salfeeq Adh-Dhufairee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This book is a complete translation of a small booklet entitled: “Ar-Rakaa’iz-ul-‘Ashar Lit-Tahseel-il-‘Ilmee” (Ten Guidelines for Obtaining Knowledge) printed by Daar-ul-Minhaaj, 1st Edition, 2003.

In this short treatise, the author ‘Abdullaah bin Salfeeq Adh-Dhufairee, presents concise advice to the seekers of knowledge in the format of ten simple guidelines. These guidelines cover characteristics and etiquettes that a student of knowledge should adorn himself with in order to obtain knowledge.

The treatise has been introduced and praised by Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmee, one of the elder scholars in Saudi Arabia, thus indicating its importance and benefit.

Excerpts from the Book:
“The greatest form of dutifulness (Taqwaa) to Allaah is making one’s intention purely for the sake of Allaah. As for the one who seeks knowledge for the sake of showing off, then apart from being a loser in this world, he will also be punished for this in the Hereafter as has been reported in the hadeeth about the three people who will be dragged on their faces into Hell, amongst whom will be a man who sought knowledge so that it could be said: ‘He is a scholar’ and such was said about him.”

“An upright heart comes about through awareness of Allaah and knowledge of His Names, Attributes and Actions. It also comes about by way of reflecting on His signs and creations, and by pondering on the Qur’aan. An upright heart also comes about due to one constantly prostrating (in prayer) and frequently observing the night prayer.”

“One of the ways that help in motivating a person to seek knowledge is: Reading the biographies of the scholars, as well as their patience and endurance in the face of trials. This also includes reading about the journeys they undertook for the sake of acquiring knowledge and obtaining Hadeeth.”

Download the Book in PDF Format

The following articles are extracted from this book :

Humbling Oneself before Allaah and asking Him to grant Knowledge – Shaykh Abdullah adh-Dhufairee

An Upright Heart : One of the Keys for Obtaining Knowledge – Shaykh Abdullaah Adh-Dhufairee