Scholar: ´Allâmah Sâlih bin Fawzân al-Fawzân
Date: 1427-11-19/2006-12-10
Reference: Darulhadith.com
Translation & video: aFatwa.com (site not exists now)
Question: Does the one that listens to the cassette tapes of Ahl-ul-Bid’ah or reads their books in order to know what they believe fall into sitting with innovators?
Shaykh al-Fawzân: It is as sitting with them or maybe even worse. But if he is learned and armed with knowledge and listens to them or reads their books to refute them and warn against them, it is okay.
However, were he not to have knowledge and insight and wants to read them or listen to them, it is not allowed. It will get stuck into his head and he has nothing to repel it with. It is not allowed for him to listen to them if he cannot defend himself against these poisons and evilnesses.
The Salaf And Their Position Towards The People of Innovation And Desires – Imaam al-Laalikaa’ee (d.418 H)
Source: Sharh Usool ul-I’tiqaad (Eng. Trans. by Dawud Burbank)
AUTHOR: Shaikh Rabee’ bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com
Excerpt from the forthcoming Al-Ibaanah Publication “The Methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah in Criticizing Individuals, Books and Groups”, may Allaah facilitate it!
About the Book:
This is a translation of a chapter from the book “Manhaj Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah fee Naqd-ir-Rijaal wal-Kutubi wat-Tawaa’if” (The Methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah in Criticizing Individuals, Books and Groups) written by Shaikh Rabee’ Al-Madkhalee. This book has been highly praised and recommended by the scholars, and has become a classical work in its own time.
In this book, Shaikh Rabee’ Al-Madkhalee clarifies the correct methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah with regard to criticizing, explaining its foundations and principles and relying on the various statements of the Salaf (predecessors) to support his points. The book is primarily geared towards refuting a false concept that has crept into the Muslims’ ideologies and slogans in recent times, which is the principle of Muwaazanah. This principle dictates that when someone criticizes a person, book or group, he is obligated to also mention the good qualities of that person, book or group along with his criticism. By doing this one would be creating a balance and thus applying “fairness”, hence the term Muwaazanah, which means to make a balance, which in this case means a balance between the good and the bad aspects.
AUTHOR: Jamaal bin Fareehaan Al-Haarithee
SOURCE: His book: Lam ad-Durr al-Manthoor (pg. 47-49)
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com
Chapter 15: The People of Innovations are worse than the People of Sins
[134] Abu Moosaa said: “That I live next to a Jew and a Christian, and monkeys and pigs, is more beloved to me than that if I were to live next to a follower of desires (i.e. deviant), who will spread disease to my heart.” [1]
[135] Yoonus bin ‘Ubaid said to his son: “I forbid you from fornicating, stealing and drinking alcohol. But if you were to meet Allaah having committed these (sins), that would be more beloved (to me) than if you were to meet Him with the views of ‘Amr bin ‘Ubaid or the followers of ‘Amr.” [2]
O Virtuous Shaykh, with what do you advise us during this time (in) which trials (fitan) have increased and the people of innovation have become widespread and the death of the scholars? (are increasing)
Answer:
I advise you with the first thing (which is) to have taqwa of Allaah and increase in your supplication to Allaah that He keeps us and you firm upon the religion and that He protects us and you from the evils of trials (fitan).
Then I advise you with seeking knowledge from the people of knowledge and the diligence in seeking knowledge, because one will not fall into trial (fitna) with Allaah’s permission (only) if he has the correct knowledge. But if you don’t have the correct knowledge, maybe you will fall into trial (fitna) while you are not aware (of it) and (while) you don’t know it is trial (fitna). It is upon you to seek knowledge from the people of knowledge and do not become lazy upon seeking knowledge whatever is possible for you.
A beautiful and comprehensive explanation delivered by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ramzaan al-Haajiree (May Allah Preserve Him) expounding on the guidance of the Companions in dealing with the people of innovation. Herein the Shaykh presents some lofty benefits and salient points of contemplation from the hadith of Ibn Mas’ood and the people in dhikr circles, thus clarifying the approach of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah regarding the people of innovation.
This treatise was translated and compiled by Abu Afnaan Muhammad ‘Abdullah (May Allah Preserve him) with the explicit permission and approval of Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ramzaan al-Haajiree.
An excerpt taken from the chapter:The Person of Innovation in The Religion is Not Granted The Success To Repent
“Can a person of bid’ah come back? (The answer is) he sees himself as being upon the truth and the correct position, and believes that he is getting closer to Allah by practicing these forms of bid’ah. For this reason, the person of bid’ah is not granted success to make repentance.Why is this? This is because he does not consider himself as being wrong in the first place, unlike the person who engages in sins. Because the latter, even while he is engaging in sins or acts of disobedience, he knows within himself that he is doing something wrong, he wants to make repentance. However, the person who is upon bid’ah believes that he is doing a righteous action (bringing him closer to Allah), so how can he make repentance?”
Download EBook: The Guidance of The Companions with Regards To The People of Innovation by Shaykh Muhammad Bin Ramzaan al-Haajiri
The Shaykh (May Allaah preserve him) is well known to the major scholars and studied with several of them, including Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Hadi al-Madkhalee and Shaykh ‘Ubayd al-Jaabiree (May Allaah preserve them). He is highly recommended, specifically, by Shaykh Rabee’ al-Madkhalee (May Allaah preserve him). TheShaykh delivered an extremely beautiful lecture full of athaar (narrations from the salaf). He expounded on many of the signs and characteristics of the people of innovation.
Throughout history, the ways of the people of innovation has been apparent to the scholars of Ahl Sunnah wal Jama’ah; however, in our time, the ability to distinguish haqq (truth) from baatil (falsehood) has become unclear to most muslims, especially since many of the innovators and deviant groups use clever ways to penetrate the hearts and minds of the people of the Sunnah, like labeling themselves with praiseworthy descriptions such as salafi, athari and ahl-hadeeth etc., when they are the furthest from the methodology of the salaf-us-saalih (righteous predecessors). Alhamdulillah we have the people of knowledge, who have not been deceived by these tactics but have the insight into the tell tale signs of the people of innovation. With the aid of our scholars, who equip us with the necessary tools to recognize these people, we can steer clear of their misguidance and be on guard against their infiltration amongst our ranks. The noble Shaykh Khalid ibn Dhawi adh-Dhufayree (May Allaah preserve him) elaborated on several of their characteristics and exposed some of their deceptive ways. The Shaykh detailed some of the major signs of the people of innovation, as their signs are plenty, with a focus on the more apparent groups and personalities from amongst the people of innovation, like the khawarij and their spokesmen in our recent times ‘Abdullaah Azaam and Sayid Qutb. MayAllaah, Al-Haqq show us the truth and make it easy for us to follow it and show us the falsehood and make it easy for us to distance ourselves from it.
Wa Billaahi Tawfeeq
Wa SallAllaahu wa Sallaama wa Barak ‘alaa Nabiyanna Muhammad wa ‘alaa ‘Alyhi wa Sahbyhi wa Sallam
Bismillaah wa -Alhamdulillaah wa Salaatu wa Salaam ‘alaa Rasulillaah ‘amma ba’d
On Tuesday 15th January, 2013, Muwahhideen Publications hosted a LIVE tele-link lecture with Shaykh Khalid adh-Dhufayree (May Allaah Preserve Him), who is from the mashaayikh of Kuwait.
This lecture event was translated LIVE into English.
The Shaykh commenced his lecture by stating, the fact that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) frequently warned against bid’ah (innovation in the religion) in all of his sermons is indicative of the extreme danger of innovation, which is from the reasons of annihilation and destruction. The Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was keen on ensuring the guidance of his ummah and from the care he had for his nation is that he never left a single door that leads to goodness except that he encouraged going to it and never left a door of evil except that he warned us form going towards it. From the greatest of those evils that have become widespread in this ummah and have caused great confusion to many people are bid’ah (innovation in the religion) and ahwaa (desires)
The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gave us foundational principles on how to deal with the people of innovation, desires, differing and sects with their various waves. Whether they are from the ancient sects that endured like the Jahmiyyah, Mu’tazilah, Ash`aris and other than them; or likewise, the modern day groups like the Ikhwaanis, Tableeghis, Takfirees and Qutbis; all of them are innovated sects.
Shaykh adh-Dhufayree (hafidhahullaah) then went on to mention some ahadeeth where the Prophet(sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) warned against bid’ah; and he has shown us the way to escape and survive innovations, which is to beware of them, warn against them, avoid them and their people and to refrain from mingling with the people of innovation.
So boycotting ahlul bid’ah is from the greatest foundations in the religion that will continue to preserve the deen of a Muslim and protect him from the evil of the people of innovation and misguidance. This principle has been clarified in the Book of Allaah, and the Salaf were keen on establishing it.
Our Shaykh then proceeded to narrate a wealth of athaar (narrations) from the Salaf concerning intermingling with ahlul bid’ah wal ahwaa. He said that the people of bid’ah actually scheme and plot against Ahlus Sunnah, so they enter into our ranks with the intention of misguiding us and begin by talking about the Sunnah then gradually introduce their innovation. So it behoves a man of the Sunnah, a Salafi to be intelligent and insightful in recognizing these approaches by the people of innovation and desires.
He continued by stating that there is consensus of the Salaf, in all ages of the ummah, about boycotting and warning against ahlul bid’ahwal ahwaa due to the eminent danger in mingling with them. Furthermore, Shaykh adh-Dhufayree (hafidhahullaah) clarified that our Salaf did not only warn against innovations but the innovators as well because surely innovations do not spread on their own; they need marketers. So if the innovators are warned against, boycotted and refuted, the innovations that they carry will surely weaken and die. However, in our times a people have emerged with a misguided and false principle, which maintains that you can warn against the innovation but not the innovator which is in total opposition to the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the consensus of the Salaf.
Our Shaykh went on to quote the statements Ahlul ‘Ilm concerning sitting with and keeping the company of the people of innovation and earnestly advised us to flee from them. He continued that one should fear misguidance for himself, so it is obligatory to be as distant from the people of innovation as possible and we must beware of them, warn against them and not praise them. And from the greatest ways of remaining firm is to turn to Allaah, asking Him for steadfastness upon the deen and to leave off intermingling with ahlul bid’ah.
In clarifying this pertinent issue of the perils of intermingling with the people of innovation, Shaykh Khalid adh-Dhufayree (hafidhahullaah) went into much detail by abundantly quoting our Salaf regarding this topic. A must listen for the seeker of Truth.
Wa Billaahi Tawfeeq
Wa SallAllaahu wa Sallaama wa Barak ‘alaa Nabiyanna Muhammad wa ‘alaa ‘Alyhi wa Sahbyhi wa Sallam
The People of Innovation are of Two TypesShaykh Saalih ibn Sa`d as-Suhaymee (hafidhahullaah)
Shaykh Saalih ibn Sa`d as-Suhaymee hafizahullaah in his taped explanation of Sharhus-Sunnah with regard to the point that the people who depart from the Truth are one of two people, said,“Yes, this is a precise categorisation from the Shaykh, rahimahullaah. The innovators are indeed of two categories, because the Shaykh, as you know, throughout his whole book, his focus is upon the innovators.
And from them there is a category who actually want the Truth, but he does not attain it. Just like the people of thikrwho we mentioned a short while ago (the same incident of those people in the masjid who were doing an innovated form of thikr which `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood criticised). Those who said to Ibn Mas`ood, radiyAllaahu’anh, ‘We only intend the Truth.’ However, how many people there are who intend the Truth, but do not attain it.
“Whoever intends the Truth, he should seek it from its correct place. And the Truth does not come about through venerating individuals, nor through flashy words, nor by having a majority. It only comes about through ittibaa`, following the Truth, following the first generations, the generations of the Companions and the Taabi`een and proceeding upon their methodology. So the like of this person (the first person, he strays into innovation but he only intends the Truth) is destroyed if he does not come back and seek the Truth with its proof from the correct place.
However his danger is less than the danger of the second category of the people. And perhaps his harm will be restricted to himself, meaning the one who intends the Truth but he seeks it not in the correct way. So he slips and innovates and falls into innovation, and the judgement upon him will be in the light of how severe his innovations are. It may be of the level of something less or it may be something major or it may be something which takes him out of Islaam, but his danger will be less.
And your advising him should be between you and him, if you know that he is not a caller to innovation and that he does not propagate innovation. Then you should come to him privately and you make clear to him the correct path, so that he can follow it. You make clear to him the methodology of the Ahlus–Sunnah wal–Jamaa`ah. You don’t make his affair open. You don’t mention him upon the minbars. You don’t mention him as being a person with criticism. Rather you direct him and give him sincere advice.
So if this type of person is how he is, then maybe be one day, by the permission of Allaah, he will turn back. And even if he stays upon his innovation, then he does not represent a great danger to the people (he doesn’t call to this innovation). However what is obligatory is that you strive to give him advice and clarify and give him correct, constructive direction.
“As for the second category of people, those who are obstinate, those who do so deliberately with pride, they commit innovation, obstinately, deliberately. The more you forbid him, the more he increases in his error until he becomes a caller to innovation. Therefore the Salaf used to reject the narrations of an innovator, who was a caller to innovation and not accept them, rather they would reject them and warn against him and against his innovation. So the like of this person, you must make his affair clear and warn against him. And if he has written a book, he is refuted with a book. If he has a tape, he is refuted with a tape. If he gives speeches, he is refuted in speeches. The people are warned against his evil. ”
Then after some speech the Shaykh said finishing, “So this second type, who is indicated by the author here, he is the most dangerous of people for this nation. Therefore it is obligatory to warn the people against him and to draw attention to their evil and to warn the nation against their evil. ”
Translated by Abu Talhah rahimahullaah
Sharhus Sunnah – Lesson 11
“…calling to the sword, meaning [calling] to fitnah.
So the fighting that came about between the Muslims, the splitting of their unity, it only came about due to the people of desires — from Mu’tazilah and Khawārij and other than them, the people of desires. They are the ones that caused fitnah.
The Mu’tazilah, Khawārij, Rawāfid, and other than them. The trials and tribulations did not come except from them. It was not caused except by them.
Who killed ‘Uthmān, may Allah be pleased with him? Who killed Alī Bin Abī Tālib, may Allah be pleased with him? Who ignited the fitnah between the Muslims after that other than the people of desires.
Who incited Al-Ma’mûn and those who came after him to subject Ahl-Sunnah to trials? To the point that they pulled their (Ahl-Sunnah’s) Imām, Ahmad Bin Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, and they beat him and imprisoned him. [Who] other than the people of desires.
Who imprisoned Shaykh Al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, to the point that he died in prison, may Allah have mercy on him. [Who] except the people of desires.
So we must be careful from them, because in the end, their evil leads to the tearing of the unity of the Muslims and [leads] to revolting against the Muslim ruler and to the separation of the community of Muslims, so that they become sects and factions instead of being one Ummah. Na’am”
Class 44 of Lessons on Tawhid – from Dar-ul-Hadith, Dammaj, Yemen
by Shaikh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab al-Wasabi (may Allah preserve him).
TRANSLATION OF THE TEXT IN AL-QAWL-UL-MUFEED FEE ADILLATIT TAWHEED:
Du’aah Ilaa Bid’atihim (Caller to the innovation).
Ghayr Du’aah Ilayhaa (Those who do not call to it).
See Hadee as-Saaree of al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar (rahimahullaah) page 385.
EXPLANATION OF THE TEXT BY SHAYKH AHMED AL-WASAABEE (HAFIDHAHULLAAH):
Shaykh Ahmed mentioned that the majority of the scholars are upon this division of the people of innovation:
those who call to their innovation and
those who do not call to their innovation.
And it is mandatory upon us that we take caution from both categories. And the first category of people are more hazardous to the general people than the second category. And even the second category, those who do not call to their innovation, then caution must still be taken from them, for verily a person can be fooled by a particular persons’ statements and actions, because even though he may not be calling to his innovation directly and explicitly, but his actions and deeds are calling to his innovation, and this is very harmful to the slaves of Allaah, and they must take caution from this. And from the way of the Salaf was that they used to have complete caution from all types of people of innovation.
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