Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) – rahimahullaah – said in Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (15/330),
Statement of Ibn Taymiyyah from Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (15/330).
“And knowledge about the conditions of the people comes through the testimonies of people at times and through al-Jarh wat-Ta’deel at times and through testing and trial at times.”
Important Note:
Before moving into the rest of the article, we recommend that the reader peruse, “Testing Individuals by their Love or Hatred of Ahlus-Sunnah,” since it contains several examples of the Salaf speaking about testing people with love for the Scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah and hatred for the heads of innovation. The series of statements from the Salaf was derived mainly from Jamaal Ibn Furayhaan al-Haarithee’s collection, Lammud-Durril-Manthoor, which has received critical acclaim from Scholars such as Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H), Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan and Saalih Ibn ’Abdul-’Azeez aalush-Shaykh, along with supplementary material from other works. However, this series will deal specifically with applying this principle of Ahlus-Sunnah in our times.
In the second part of this series, Shaykh ’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn Yahyaa al-Bura’ee sheds light and elaborates upon how to apply the principle of testing people through prominent Scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah. Specifically, he discusses the differences in testing people through the likes of Shaykh Ibn Baaz (d.1420H), Shaykh al-Albaanee, Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee and Shaykh Muqbil Ibn Haadee (d.1421H) – and the different circumstances surrounding each of these Scholars. Additionally, he uncovers the schemes of the hizbiyyeen with regards to this test by expounding upon an insightful statement from Shaykh ’Ubayd Ibn ’Abdullaah al-Jaabiree. So let us proceed to the explanation of the Shaykh…
Shaykh ’Abdul-’Azeez al-Bura’ee Expounds upon Applying the Principle of Testing Individuals by their Love or Hatred of Ahlus-Sunnah in Present Times – Along with an Uncovering the Schemes of the Hizbiyyeen Towards the Salafee Scholars:
The noble Shaykh, ’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn Yahyaa al-Bura’ee – hafidhahullaah – was asked about testing people by individuals, is it from the manhaj of the Salaf, or not?
So he answered,
“There is confusion that has occurred with regards to this affair amongst some of the students of knowledge. And the reason for that is the manner of dealing with this affair. So some of them evoke within their minds an erroneous manner of dealing with this affair. So they say, ‘This is not correct,’ and he has a specific image in his mind. As for viewing this affair from its foundation, then testing people by individuals is an affair that was known amongst the Salaf.
أضحى ابن حنبل فتنة مأمونة…..وبحب أحمد يعرف المتنسك
وإذا رأيت لأحمد متنقصًــا…..فاعلم بأن ستوره ستهتـك
Ibn Hanbal sacrificed and proved trustworthy during the fitnah (trial, tribulation),
And it is with the love of Ahmad that the devout individual becomes known.
And when you see someone belittling Ahmad,
Then know that his disgraceful secret shall be exposed.
Yes. So the people used to test others with the love of Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d.241H). So if someone loved Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, then he was a Sunnee. Likewise, there were others besides Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, I believe al-Mu’aafaa Ibn ’Imraan, [1] people tested others with him in some of the lands.
In any case, there is no problem in permitting this affair. However, who is the person that is being tested? And who is the person with him he is being tested? Yes, who is the person with him he is being tested?
This – may Allaah bless you – is considered enough of an answer to the question: testing the people by individuals is considered from the manhaj of the Salaf. However, a problem remains: Who is the individual by whom others can be tested?
Then I say: in this era, who is the individual by whom others can be tested? It is incumbent upon the students of knowledge and the mashaayikh to take note of this affair. So sometimes they look at a person of small status and they say that this is the one with whom the people must be tested. No, it is not necessary. It is not necessary that he have vast knowledge and he does not need noble status and does not need to be the most knowledgeable person upon the face of the earth. It is not necessary. Yes, because you want to issue a ruling upon a person by the love of so and so and by the absence of love for so and so.
So for example, it is not right to test the people by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) – ’alayhi rahmatillaah. This is not due to any deficiency in him. So that which I hold, that will get me closer to Allaah, is that there was no one nobler than Shaykh Ibn Baaz during his lifetime – rahmatillaahi ’alayhi.
Due to that, may Allaah bless you, I was in awe of a statement that was said by Shaykh ’Ubayd al-Jaabiree. He said concerning Shaykh Ibn Baaz, “Shaykh Ibn Baaz is revered by Ahlus-Sunnah and feared by the people of innovation.” This is a very important affair, because if you were to test a person by such an individual, such that if he loves him you love him and he if he hates him you hate him, then the people of innovation falsely manifest love for Ibn Baaz. Rather, the Soofiyyah and some of the Shee’ah prayed the funeral Prayer over him in absentia and they did not dare to revile him.
And the hizbiyyoon in the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia) defend Ibn Baaz publicly and their speech outwardly demonstrates love for him. So if I were to love everyone who openly manifested love for Ibn Baaz, I would have to love the innovators. Does anyone from amongst the Surooriyyeen in Yemen and other than Yemen dare to revile Ibn Baaz? No! Rather, they praise him.
So due to this, if you were to make Ibn Baaz a trial for the people, it would mean that you would love those who were deserving of blame. And this affair is clear. However, the likes of Shaykh Rabee’ is correct to be used as a trial for the people, because no one dislikes him except an innovator. No one dislikes him, except an innovator. This is clear and the history of that is apparent.
Amazing book of Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan
With regards to Shaykh al-Fawzaan there is some further elaboration needed. If you were to ask about him in general, some of the innovators would defend him and they would mention him with goodness and they would praise him. However, if you were to elaborate upon his affair by saying, ‘O so and so! What is your view about the book, al-Ajwibatul-Mufeedah, by Shaykh al-Fawzaan?’ No one loves this book, except a Sunnee, and no one accepts this book, except a Sunnee.
How many times did Abul-Hasan (al-Ma‘ribee) sway from right to left and quote a fatwaa from here and a fatwaa from there and a fatwaa from there? And he was never able to even mention this book upon his tongue at all. And take another look! O brothers, the affair of this book is amazing. Do you recall that he quoted from the book, al-I’tisaam of ash-Shaatibee (d.790H)? Did you hear him quote from it? Did you hear him quote from as-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ’Aasim (d.287H) or ’Abdullaah Ibn Hanbal (d.290H), or from Sharh Usool I’tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah of al-Laalikaa‘ee (d.418H)? Along with this, his students would immerse themselves in Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa of Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) due to the fact that Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah speaks with abundant speech, which is good for clipping and clipping from it and one can present the speech outside of its true context, up until Ibn Taymiyyah is presented to you as a completely different person.
The point is that the book of Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan is good to test people with. However, with regards to Shaykh al-Fawzaan in general, do not think that an innovator will praise him and then you will love an innovator at that point because he outwardly manifests love for al-Fawzaan.
Shaykh Muqbil (d.1421H) – ’alayhi rahmatillaah – is good for testing the people with, because we have not seen an innovator, except that he dislikes him, except that he dislikes him. And if you find a man, who is a proponent of innovation, mentioning Shaykh Muqbil with goodness, then this man does not know Shaykh Muqbil. He does not know Shaykh Muqbil. Yes.
And likewise, there is Shaykh al-Albaanee (d.1420H) – ’alayhi rahmatillaah – the innovators had no love for him. Yes. These individuals – may Allaah bless you – are the mashaayikh, the Scholars, the noble Scholars. However, the innovators despise them because they expose the innovators. And Allaah aided Shaykh Ibn Baaz – ’alayhi rahmatillaah – by granting him victory up until the people of the east and the west revered him. And Allaah placed this reverence in the eastern and western regions of the earth. This was from Allaah the Mighty and Majestic. This was arranged by the Lord of the worlds. This is a very important elaboration. I hope that Allaah will benefit the listeners through it.
Fine, if Allaah so wills. In any case, the affair is as you have heard. The affair is as you have heard. And the issue is apparent with regards to the companions of Abul-Hasan (al-Ma‘ribee). Indeed, the boundaries have been defined and the paths have been pointed out, so there is no ambiguity remaining. May Allaah bless you. End of the Shaykh’s words.
Endnotes:
[1]: Here the author is referring to the statement of the Imaam, the Haafidh, Hibatullaah al-Laalikaa‘ee (d.418H) – rahimahullaah – who said: Ahmad Ibn ’Ubayd informed us, Muhammad Ibnul-Husayn informed us that Ahmad Ibn Zuhayr said: I heard Ahmad Ibn ’Abdullaah Ibn Yoonus saying, ‘Test the people of Mawsil with Mu’aafaa Ibn ’Imraan. So if they love him, then they are Ahlus-Sunnah, and if they hate him, then they are people of innovation. Likewise, the people of al-Koofah are to be tested with Yahyaa.” Refer to Sharh Usoolul-I’tiqaad (no. 58) of al-Laalikaa‘ee.
The Excellence of the Scholars of the Salaf in Safeguarding the Religion:
Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d.241H) wrote in his famous work, ar-Radd ’alal-Jahmiyyah waz-Zanaadiqah (p. 55-56) of the Daaruth-Thabaat print, 1st edition, 1425H, some introductory words that are repeated often in Salafee gatherings up until today,
Famous introductory words of Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d.241H)
“All praise is for Allaah who, in every age and intervals between the Prophets, raises up a group from the people of knowledge, who call the misguided to guidance and patiently bearing ill-treatment and harm. With the Book of Allaah, they give life to the dead, and by Allaah’s Light they give sight to the blind. How many a person killed by Iblees have they revived. How many people astray and wandering have they guided. How beautiful their effect has been upon the people, and how vile the people have been towards them. They expel from the Book of Allaah the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant-ones – those who uphold the banner of innovation and who unleash the fitnah (trial and discord), who differ about the Book, oppose the Book and agree to oppose the Book. Those who speak about Allaah and His Book without knowledge, and who argue about what is ambiguous in the Book, and deceive the ignorant with such ambiguities. So we seek refuge in Allaah from the fitan (trials and discord) of the misguided-ones.”
Refutation upon the Jahmiyyah and the Heretics – Imaam Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Hanbal (d.214H)
Imaam Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee (d.1417H) and al-’Allaamah Rabee’ Ibn Haadee Have Safeguarded the Ummah in Modern Times Against the Plots of the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen:
This is a phenomenon we continue to see from the Scholars in our times. Truly, a modern-day example of such Scholars can be found in the likes of Shaykh Muhammad Amaan Ibn ’Alee al-Jaamee (d.1417H) – rahimahullaah – and Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee – hafidhahullaah.
“And the fitan (trials, tribulations) have not ceased to overcome the Muslims, from the callers to fitan and those who split up the Muslims, up until there emerged in these times a dangerous da’wah, a dangerous and political da’wah. It is the da’wah of the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen.
It emerged in the Arab world and manifested political work and set out to expose the rulers. And it began to wage war against the authorities and it did not give any importance to al-’aqeedah (belief, creed), up until it squandered the beliefs of the Muslims and up until it split up their unity and it allied itself with the Raafidah of Iran. And they joined hands with the polytheists. Rather, with the Jews and the Christians.
It is a wicked da’wah. It is a da’wah that has split up the Muslims in every Arab and Islaamic country. However, Allaah fore-ordained Scholars who would stand in opposition to these false and innovated orientations. So Allaah fore-ordained Rabbaanee Scholars [1] who would expose and lay bare these wicked political orientations. From them was our Shaykh, al-Imaam, al-’Allaamah Muhammad Amaan Ibn ’Alee al-Jaamee (d.1417H) – rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa – from the land of Africa. So the Religion does not recognize an Arab, or an African, or a white person, or a black person. However, the Religion recognizes the one who holds fast to the Book and the Sunnah. So Allaah aids him and raises him in esteem. So Allaah brought about victory through the da’wah of this Scholar and Allaah exposed the reality of the da’wah of al-Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen; this political da’wah, which split up the Muslims and brought about revolutions in the name of change.
Likewise, there emerged our Shaykh, Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee – hafidhahullaah – who exposed this wicked da’wah, this political da’wah, which opposes the Book and the Sunnah, and which opposes what the Companions (radiyallaahu ’anhum) were upon, and which opposes what the Salaf were upon. They (i.e. the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen) call to political work and they do not give importance to ’aqeedah and Tawheed. And they form alliances with the Raafidah and Iran and they fight Ahlus-Sunnah and Islaam in the name of Islaam and Jihaad, as they claim. [2] So Allaah exposed their plots and the common-folk became aware of the danger that this group poses, let alone the Scholars, and let alone the students of knowledge and the teachers.
So this is how Allaah disgraces the people of innovation and exposes them. And Allaah fore-ordains sincere and truthful Rabbaanee Scholars who hold fast to the Book and the Sunnah. So Allaah has made manifest at the hands of these Scholars the faults of these groups and He has exposed their realities and their political aims, which split up the Muslims.” [3]
Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee Defends his Shaykh, Imaam Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee (d.1417H) and Testifies to His Mastery of ’Aqeedah:
“It is obligatory to subdue the people of innovation. And it is obligatory to publicize their affair and to warn against them. This is what our Salaf used to do.” – Shaykh Muhammad Amaan Ibn ‘Alee al-Jaamee (d.1417H)
A questioner said in the midst of his question, “So you find them speaking about the callers to Salafiyyah, to the extent that one of them who studies the books of ’aqeedah in this country mocks Shaykh Muhammad Amaan saying, ‘’aqeedah, ’aqeedah!!!’ They mock Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee and they praise Suroor from atop the pulpit saying that he is Zaynul-’Aabideen. And he is the one whom Shaykh Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) said about his speech concerning ’aqeedah that this speech is apostasy from Islaam and this book must be torn up. [4] And they praise such a caller.”
Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee answered,
“With regards to those youth who ridicule him, by Allaah I have not tasted the sweetness of ’aqeedah in Tawheedul-Asmaa‘ was-Sifaat especially, except at the hands of this man: Shaykh Muhammad Amaan. By Allaah he was familiar with it and he presented it exceptionally. And by Allaah, if those who are mocking him were to get the opportunity to study under him, it would be nobility and an honour for them. By Allaah, I have not seen anyone better in studying the ’aqeedah, or anyone like this man in presenting it. And I have gone to those who were more knowledgeable and older than him. However, by Allaah, I have not seen anyone like this great man, he had mastered the presentation of the ’aqeedah. So these ones are ridiculing him?!”
Major Scholars of Our Times Have Testified to Shaykh Rabee’s Acumen in Refuting Ideologies and Orientations that are Foreign to the Salafee Manhaj:
Shaykh ’Alee Ibn Yahyaa al-Haddaadee – hafidhahullaah – said,
“During one of Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee’s blessed visits to the city of Riyadh – may Allaah protect it – I accompanied Shaykh Rabee’ along with a groups from the students of knowledge, and from them was the Shaykh’s son: Dr. Muhammad Ibn Rabee’, the former professor at the Islaamic University. So we visited the noble Shaykh, Saalih al-Atram – rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa – in his home. Indeed, Shaykh Saalih greeted Shaykh Rabee’ with a great reception. And the discussion centered around various topics.
However, I will never forget the praise that Shaykh Saalih had in that gathering for Shaykh Rabee’. He said words to the effect, “We did not used to know these manaahij (methodologies), except after reading your books.” [5]
The collected works of Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee
Shaykh Abul-’Abbaas ’Aadil Ibn Mansoor – hafidhahullaah – commented upon the statement of Imaam Ibnul-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H), “No Salafiyyah and no Ikhwaan. The obligation is for all of the Muslims to be upon one ’aqeedah.” He said,
“There is no hizb (party) named Salafiyyah and no hizb named al-Ikhwaan and no hizb named at-Tableegh. So we turn the statement of the Shaykh against them. And the Shaykh did not mean ad-Da’watus-Salafiyyah and he did not intend the Salafee manhaj. Due to this, one day the Shaykh made a statement about Shaykh Rabee’ that I have not heard him say about anyone else. Ibnul-’Uthaymeen was an Imaam in knowledge, an Imaam in zuhd (asceticism), an Imaam in fiqh (jurisprudence) and an Imaam in referring back to the truth. The rulers used to visit Ibnul-’Uthaymeen and they would sit in his gathering and drink coffee with him, like any other individual from the people. And he had those clear affairs that have been documented and witnessed, but despite that, on the day that he was asked about Shaykh Rabee’, after knowing that Shaykh Rabee’ was a true Salafee and not part of a hizb proclaiming itself as Salafiyyah, what did he answer? He said, “The likes of Shaykh Rabee’ is asked about me and I am not to be asked about him.” [6]
Endnotes:
[1]: The Rabbaanee Scholar is one possessing deep knowledge and who acts in accordance to his knowledge and teaches it to others in accordance to their level. Refer to Fathul-Baaree (1/214) of al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr (d.852H). Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) said, “The Salaf were agreed that a Scholar does not deserve the title of Rabbaanee until he recognises and knows the truth, acts upon it, and teaches it to others. So whosoever has knowledge, acts upon it, and teaches this knowledge to others, is considered from the Rabbaaniyyeen.” Refer to Zaadul-Ma’aad fee Hadee Khayril-’Ibaad (p. 11) of Ibnul-Qayyim.
[2]: Imaam Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee (d.1420H) said, “I say therefore that it is not correct to say that the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen are from Ahlus-Sunnah, because they wage war against the Sunnah.” This can be heard on the 356th cassette of the Silsilatul-Hudaa wan-Noor series, entitled, “Hiwaar ma’a Ahad Atbaa’ Muhammad Suroor”, at approximately 24 minutes and 51 seconds into the recording.
[3]: Taken from a Friday sermon delivered by Shaykh ’Abdullaah adh-Dhufayree on the 20th of Rabee’ul-Awwal 1434H.
[4]: The questioner is referring to when the statement of Muhammad Suroor Zaynul-’Aabideen was presented to the noble Scholar.
Shaykhul-Islaam ’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn ’Abdullaah Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) – rahimahullaah – was asked in the audio cassette, Aafaatul-Lisaan, “The author of the book, Manhajul-Anbiyaa‘ fid-Da’wah ilallaah, “Indeed, I have perused the books of ’aqeedah. So I found that all of them are dull and dry, because they are texts and rulings.” So what is your opinion concerning this speech?
The Shaykh answered,
“This is a grave error. All of them are dull and dry!!! I seek refuge with Allaah. The sound ’aqeedah is not dull and dry. It is, ‘Allaah said,’ and ‘His Messenger said.’ If he described the Qur‘aan and the Sunnah as being dull and dry, then this is apostasy from Islaam. We ask Allaah for protection.
This dryness is in turning away from the Religion of Allaah the Exalted, this is dryness. Turning away from the Religion of Allaah and not acting upon the Sharee’ah of Allaah is called dryness. Additionally, it is called extremism. The dull and dry one is the one who turns away from the Religion of Allaah. The one who writes about ’aqeedah and teaches the people the correct ’aqeedah and whatever the Salafus-Saalih were upon, this one is not dull and dry. This is the manhaj of the Prophets. This is the manhaj of the Prophets in calling to Allaah and in clarifying the correct ’aqeedah and warning against whatever opposes it. This statement is weak and wicked.”
He was then asked, “Is it permissible to sell this book?”
He replied,
“If this statement is in the book, then it is not permissible to sell it. It is obligatory to tear it up if this statement is within it. We hope from the writer of the questions that he shows us if it is being sold or not.”
Before moving into the rest of the article, we recommend that the reader peruse, “Testing Individuals by their Love or Hatred of Ahlus-Sunnah,” since it contains several examples of the Salaf speaking about testing people with love for the Scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah and hatred for the heads of innovation. The series of statements from the Salaf was derived mainly from Jamaal Ibn Furayhaan al-Haarithee’s collection, Lammud-Durril-Manthoor, which has received critical acclaim from Scholars such as Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H), Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan and Saalih Ibn ’Abdul-’Azeez aalush-Shaykh, along with supplementary material from other works. However, this series will deal specifically with applying this principle of Ahlus-Sunnah in our times.
