In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Dispenser of Mercy

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Office of the Presidency of Islamic Research and Legal Verdicts

The Office of the General Mufti

From ‘Abdul-’Azeez bin ‘Abdullah Ibn Baaz, to the respected and honourable sons from the callers to Allah – Glory be to Him – in the country of Kuwait, may Allah assist them in that which contains His Pleasure, and increase them in knowledge and Imaan, Ameen.

Salaamun ‘Alaikum wa-raHmatullahi wa-barakaatuhu, to proceed.

Your beneficial letter dated 7th of Rajab 1416 AH has reached me, may Allah reach you to the rope of guidance and the ability. And all that you have mentioned in it [the letter] was known, particularly what you mentioned regarding the book of ash-Sheikh Rabee’ bin Haadi Madkhali, and what he mentioned regarding his eminence ash-Sheikh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ‘Abdul-Khaaliq, and what you also mentioned about his eminence ash-Sheikh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ‘Abdul-Khaaliq, and his vigour in ad-Da’watis-Salafiyah and your criticism of what his eminence ash-Sheikh Rabee’ bin Haadi mentioned about him.

It is my view that you, and his eminence ash-Sheikh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ‘Abdul-Khaaliq, should continue in Da’wah to Allah – Glory be to Him – upon the Manhaj of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah with enthusiasm in that, and encouragement of all the callers amongst you to adhere to the Madhhab of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, and conducting the Da’wah to Allah – Glory be to Him – upon what is evident from the Book of Allah – the Mighty and the Majestic – and the Sunnah of His Messenger – upon him be the Salaah and Salaam – while being heedful of what Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah has mentioned and maintained, by following the companions of the Messenger of Allah – may the Salaah of Allah and Salaam be upon him, and may He be pleased with them – and the ones who followed their methodology, like the Imaams: Maalik, al-Awzaa’i, ath-Thawri, Ibn ‘Uyainah, Ibn al-Mubaarak, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, ash-Shaafi’i, Ibn Khuzaimah and others besides them from the Imaams of Sunnah – May Allah have mercy upon them. And upon the methodology, those who came after them from Ahlus-Sunnah, like Sheikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah and his student Ibn al-Qayim, al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer, and those who came after them from the Imaams of Sunnah, like ash-Sheikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab and his students, and his followers from Ahlis-Sunnah, and to turn away from whatever besides it.

And it [similarly] includes bringing about unity, to aid the Sunnah, to cooperate upon righteousness and piety, and to enrage the people of innovation, to halt them at their limits, and to expose their false madhaahib [pl. of Madhhab], that are contradictory to that which is evident from the Book and the Sunnah and the Manhaj of the Salaf of the Ummah. May Allah guide you all to the right path, and may He bless you in your struggle, may He increase you in your understanding of His religion, may He aid with you His party and the callers to Him, and may He humiliate the enemies of Islaam through you, indeed He is the most Generous and the most Bountiful.

And as for ash-Sheikh Rabee’, then I shall write to him and advise him Inshaa`Allah. We ask Allah for ourselves, you and him, guidance and forgiveness from [all] possibilities of going astray due to trials, and [we ask Allah for] the ability to [do] all good, indeed He is the most Generous and the most Bountiful.

Was-Salaamu ‘Alaikum wa-raHmatullahi wa-barakaatuhu

General Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

And the Head of the Council of Major Scholars

And the Office of the Presidency of Islamic Research and

Legal Verdicts

Fatwa No.: 1928/خ Dated: 11/9/1416 AH

Arabic Text:

من عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز إلى حضرة الأبناء الكرام من الدعاة إلى الله ـ سبحانه ـ في دولة الكويت، وفّقهم الله لما فيه رضاه، وزادهم من العلم والإيمان، آمين .
سلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته .
أمّــا بـعــد :
فقد وصلني كتابكم الكريم المؤرّخ في : 7 رجب 1416هـ، وصلكم الله بحبل الهدى والتّوفيق .
وجميع ما ذكرتم فيه كان معلومـًا، ولاسيّما ما ذكرتم عن كتاب الشيخ : ربيع بن هادي مدخلي، وما ذكره حول فضيلة الشيخ : عبد الرحمن عبد الخالق، وما ذكـرتم ـ أيضـًا ـ عن فضيلة الشيخ : عبـد الرحمن عبـد الخالق، ونشـاطه في الدعـوة السلفيّة، وانتقادكم ما ذكره عنه فضيلة الشيخ : ربيع بن هادي .
والذي أرى هو : الاستمرار منكم، وفضيـلة الشيخ : عبد الرحمن عبد الخالق في الدعوة إلى الله ـ سبحـانه ـ على منهج أهل السنّة والجماعة، والنّشاط في ذلك، وتشجيع جميع الدعاة لديكم على التزام مذهب أهل السنّة والجماعة، والسـير في الدعــوة إلى الله ـ سبحانه ـ على ما دلّ عـليـه كـتاب الله ـ عــزّ وجـل ـ وسنّة رسـوله محـمد ـ علـيـه الصلاة والسلام ـ، مع العناية بما ذكره أهل السنّة والجماعة وساروا عليه اتّباعـًا لأصحـاب رســول الله صلّى الله عـلـيه وسـلّم ورضي عنهم ومَن سار على منهجهم كالأئمّة : مالك، والأوزاعي، والثوري، وابن عُيينة، وابن المُبارك، وأحمد بن حنبل، والشّافعي، وابن خُزيمة، وغيرهم من أئمّة السنة -رحمهم الله- ،وعلى منهج مَن جاء بعدهم من أهل السنة كشيخ الإسلام ابن تيمية، وتلميذه العلاّمة ابن القيم، والحافظ ابن كثير، ومن بعدَهم من أئمّة السنّة كالشيخ : محمد بن عبد الوهّاب، وتلاميذه، وأتباعه من أهل السنّة، والإعراض عمّا سوى ذلك .
وفي ذلك : جمع الكلمة، ونصر السنّة، والتعاون على البرّ والتقوى، وإغاظة أهل البدع، وإيقافهم عند حدّهم، وإيضاح مذاهبهم الباطلة المخالفة لما دلّ عليه الكتاب والسنّة ومنهج سلف الأمّة .
سدّد الله خُطاكم جميعـًا، وبارك في جهودكم، وزادكم من الفقه في دينه، ونصر بكم حزبه والدّعاة إليه، وأذلّ بكم أعداء الإسلام، إنّه جوادٌ كريم .
وأما الشيخ ربيع فسأكتُب إليه وأنصحه إنْ شاء الله .
نسأل الله لنا ولكم وله الهداية والعافية من مضلاّت الفتن، والتوفيق لكل خير إنّه جواد كريم .
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته .

مفتي عام المملكة العربيّة السعوديّة
ورئيس هيئة كبار العلماء وإدارة البحوث العلميّة والإفتاء
فتوى رقم : 1928/خ ، التاريخ : 11/9/1416هـ

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Q: The groups and sects that are present today, I mean: al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun, Jamaa’at at-Tabligh, Jama’at Ansaar as-Sunnah al-Muhammadiyyah, al-Jam’iyyah al-Shar’iyyah, the Salafis, and those called al-Takfeer wal-Hijrah…These and other groups are all present in Egypt. My question is, what should be the position of the Muslim towards them? Does the following hadith of Hudhayfah apply to them: “So avoid all those groups, even if you have to bite on to the root of a tree until death reaches you in that state”? It was reported by Muslim in the Sahih.

A: All of these groups have with them truth and falsehood, and error and correctness. Some of them are closer to the truth than others and contain greater good and wider benefit than the other. You must cooperate with all of them in the good that they have with them, and advise them in the matters you deem incorrect. And leave that which causes you doubt for that which does not. And with Allah lies success. And may Allah send salutations and peace on our Prophet Muhammad, His Family, and His Companions.

The Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
President ________________ Vice President ________ Member ___________________ Member
Abdul-Aziz bin Baz _____ ‘Abdur-Razzaq Afifi __ Abdullah ibn Ghudayan __ Abdullah ibn Qu’ud

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Shaikh Ahmad Bazmool said: And the issue that follows is that the Salafi youth should know that asking the scholars and relaying to them the conditions of the callers is not from searching for the mistakes (of one’s brother). Rather it is from taking knowledge from its people and from commanding the good and prohibiting the evil. Therefore, if a person becomes known and matters which conflict with the way of the Salaf become apparent from him it is obligatory to ask and leave the clarification of such a person’s condition to the scholars so that others would not deviate.

المسألة التي تليها هي

أن يعلم الشباب السلفي أن سؤال العلماء وتبليغهم عن أحوال الدعاة ليس من باب تتبع العورات ولا الزلات بل هو من باب أخذ العلم من أهله وباب من الأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر فإذا ظهر شخص وظهرت منه أمور مخالفة للسلف فلابد من بيان حاله للعلماء وسؤالهم عنه حتى لا يزل غيره من النا

http://musamills.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/informing-the-scholars-about-callers/

Very interesting remarks. If you cross Abu Khadijah and friends, they will report you to their noble flag carriers of Jarh wat-Ta’deel, as they recently reported a brother for “taking his wife to the movies”!

This is quite rich given the “serial marriage” antics (amongst other shameless behavior) many members of the Elite Salafi Club get up to!

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As a result of the partisanship rampant in Madkhali ranks, it is common to make sweeping assumptions that all Muslims are deviants except for the handful of members who ascribe to their cult. This psychological complex can be termed “the Saved Sect Syndrome”, as it results from a very ignorant misuse of the hadith of the 73 sects. Al-Madkhali’s followers seem to think that the keys to membership of “the Saved Sect” lie in their hands, and consequently, the only “Salafis” are those rubber-stamped by them.

Hence, it is common to find from them questions such as the following:

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=10853&sortby=desc

Cigdem.Dal	11-02-2010 @ 7:45 AM Notify Admin about this post
Ummu Abdillaah Cigdem bint Najaati (Perth, Australia)
Member Posts: 14 Joined: Nov 2006	بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم as salaamu alaikum, We also know of another brother in Melbourne and two more in Sydney, wal hamdu lillaah.  But still no da3awah centre that we are aware of nor a masjid. Umm Abdillaah
Dardan	04-23-2010 @ 2:57 PM Notify Admin about this post
Abu Maryam Dardan bin Saadri al-Albanee (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
Member Posts: 64 Joined: Nov 2007	http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=9&Topic=7294 http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=28&Topic=8184 Abu Maryam Al-Albanee
Dardan	04-04-2010 @ 5:49 AM Notify Admin about this post
Abu Maryam Dardan bin Saadri al-Albanee (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
Member Posts: 64 Joined: Nov 2007	As Salamu Alaykum There are four brothers in Perth, 3 in Brisbane and one in Sydney which are known to be upon the Aqeedah and Manhaj of Salafus-Salih. We do not know of any Salafi daa’ee in Australia, May Allah strenthen us. Abu Maryam Al-Albanee

Read the following article by the late Sh. Muhammid Jamil Zino concerning the signs of the Saved Sect and decide for yourself, “Do Madkhali’s followers reflect these qualities?!”

http://www.allaahuakbar.net/scholars/jameel_zeeno/saved_sect.htm

THE SAVED SECT

By Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Jameel Zainoo (1)

1. Allaah says: “And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e., this Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves.” Surah Aali-`Imraan [3:103]

2. And He says: “And do not be among the polytheists. Of those who split up their religion and became sects, each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.” Surat-ur-Room [30:31-32]

3. The Messenger of Allaah said: “I counsel you to have Taqwaa of Allaah and to hear and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave were to command you. For, verily, whoever amongst you lives (to grown old), he will see many differences. So stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khaleefahs. Cling tightly onto it and hold onto it with your molar teeth. And beware of newly invented matters. For, indeed, every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a thing that leads astray, and everything that leads astray is in the Hellfire.” 2

4. And he also said: “Indeed those from before you from the People of the Book divided into seventy-two groups. And, indeed, this group (Muslims) will divide into seventy-three. Seventy-two groups will be in the Hellfire and one of them will be in Paradise. And it is the Jamaa’ah (group).” 3

And in another narration, he said: “Everyone of them in the Hellfire, except for one group that which I and my companions are upon.” 4

5. Ibn Mas’ood said: “The Messenger of Allaah drew a line for us and then said: ‘This is the Straight Path of Allaah.’ And he drew lines on the left and right of it, and then said: ‘These are paths of which there is not one except that there is a devil upon it calling towards it.’ Then he recited the statements of Allaah 5: ‘And verily, this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and do not follow (other) paths for they will separate you away from His path.” 6

6. Shaikh ‘ Abd-ul-Qaadir Al-Jeelaanee Rahimahullaah said: “As for the saved sect, then they are the Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. And there is no name for Ahl-us-Sunnah except for one and that is Ashaab-ul-hadeeth (those who stick to the hadeeth).” 7

7, Allaah, has commanded us to hold tightly onto the Glorious Qur’an, and to not be like the polytheists who divide their religion into sects and parties. And the honorable Messenger has informed us that the Jews and the Christians have divided into many sects, and that the Muslims will divide into more sects than them. And that these groups will subjected to the  entrance into the Hellfire due to their deviation and their distancing away from the Book of their Lord and Sunnah of their Prophet. He also informed us that one saved sect from among them will enter Paradise, and it is the Jamaa’ah (group), those who cling tightly onto the book of Allaah and the authentic Sunnah, and the actions of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah.

O Allaah! Make us from among the members of the Saved Sect and give victory to the Muslims so that they may be from among them.

THE METHODOLOGY OF THE SAVED SECT

1. The Saved Sect is upon the methodology that the Messenger was upon in his life and the methodology of his companions after him. And that was (the following of ) the Glorious Qur’an which Allaah revealed unto His Messenger, and that which he explained to his companions by way of the ahaadeeth (narration’s) that have been authentically reported on him. And he commanded the Muslims to hold tightly onto the two, by his saying: “I left upon you two things of which you will never go astray after them: The Book of Allaah and my Sunnah. They will never be separated until they return to me at the Haud (the Pond).” 8

2. The Saved Sect returns to the Words of Allaah and the words of His Messenger at times of differing and controversy, acting upon the statement of Allaah, the Most High: “And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it back to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is more suitable for final determination.” Surat-un-Nisaa’ [4:59].

And He also says: “But no, by your Lord, they can have no Eemaan (Faith), until they make you (O Muhammad) a judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” Surat-un-Nisaa’ [4:65].

3. The Saved Sect does not put the speech of anyone before the speech of Allaah and His Messenger, acting upon the statement of Allaah: “O you who believe! Do not be forward in the presence of Allaah and His Messenger and fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” Surat-ul-Hujuraat [49:1].

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “I fear that rocks from the heavens are about to descend upon you. I say to you: The Messenger of Allaah said, and you say: Abu Bakr and ‘Umar said.”

4. The Saved Sect gives importance to the Tawheed of Allaah. And that is the singling out of Allaah in terms of His worship, seeking of assistance, supplication at times of hardship and ease, scarifies, oaths, reliance, and other than that from the types of worship. It is the foundation by which the only correct Islaamic state can be established. And there is no doubt that the Shirk (association of partners with Allaah) that is currently present in the Islaamic states should be eradicated. This is because it is one of the requirements of Tawheed. Thus, victory will not come to any group that disregards Tawheed and does not oppose shirk and its types.

5. The Saved Sects revives the Sunnah of the Messenger in their act of worship, behavior and lifestyles. And due to this, they become strangers among their own people, as the Prophet has informed us would happen with his words: “Indeed Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange as it began. So Toobaa is for the strangers.” 9
And in one narration, he said: “So Toobaa 10 is for the strangers those who correct others when the people have become corrupt.” 11

6. The Saved Sect does not become fanatical with the words of anyone, except for the words of Allaah and His Messenger, the one protected from sins and who do not speak from his own desire. As for other than him from among mankind, no matter how high his degree may be, then he is prone to error and sin. This is due to the statement of the Messenger: “Everyone of the tribe of Adam sins. And the best of the sinners are the ones who (constantly) make repentance.”12

Imaam Maalik Rahimahullaah said: “There is no one after the Prophet except that you may take and abandon from his statements, except the Prophet.”

7. The Saved Sect are the people of Hadeeth, of whom the Prophet said: “There will not cease to be a group from my ummah, dominant upon the truth. The ones who abandon them will not be able to harm them, until the decree of Allaah comes.” 13

A poet said: “The people of hadeeth are the people of the Prophet.”

8. The Saved Sect honors and respects the Scholars of Islam and they do not go extremities in following anyone among them. Rather, they take the understanding from the Qur’an, the authentic Sunnah and from all of the scholars statements as long as they are in agreement with the authentic narration’s and these are in agreement with their words. This is up to the point that they advise those that follow them to take from the authentic texts and to abandon any statement that opposes it.

9. The Saved Sect commands the good and forbids the evil. And so they forbid the evil of the innovator and the destructive groups that divide the ummah and innovate into the religion and into the Sunnah of the Messenger and his companions.

10. The Saved Sect calls the Muslims towards holding fast to the Sunnah of the Messenger and his companions until victory is prescribed for them and enter Paradise by the bounty of Allaah and the intercession of the Messenger after haven been given the authority to do so by Allaah.

11. The Saved Sect declares the evil of the conventional man-made law system which forces mankind to oppose the ruling system of Islam. They call the people to rule by the Book of Allaah which was revealed to aid mankind in this world and the next. And Allaah knows best what is correct for them. His rule is established and does not change through the course of days. And it is correct for the people of all times. There can be no honor for he Muslims except in their return to the studying of Islam, individually or in groups or through the governments, in accordance to Allah’s statement: “Verily, Allaah will not change the condition of a people, as long as they do not change it themselves.” Surat-ur-Ra’ad [13:11].

12. The Saved Sect calls the Muslims to the Jihaad in the way of Allaah and it is an obligation upon every Muslim who is capable and in the means of doing it. And the Jihaad should be in the following ways:

A. Jihaad with the tongue and the pen. This is done by calling the Muslim as well as others to the correct form of Islam   and the Tawheed of Allaah free from any form of Shirk such as that which has become widespread in many of the Muslim lands. And which the Messenger of Allaah informed us would occur admits the Muslims, by his saying: “The Hour will not be established until a tribe from my ummah joins the polytheists and until a tribe from my ummah worship idols.” 14

B. Jihaad with the wealth. This is done by giving money for the spreading of Islam and the publication of books of Da’wah calling towards the correct views. It should be done by the distribution of wealth to the authors who will then assists those, whose hearts are from among the weakest of Muslims so that it may strengthen them. It should be done by the manufacturing and the purchasing of weapons and equipment for the Mujaahideen  (those who fight for the sake of Islam), and other necessary things such as food, clothing and things of that sort.

C. Jihaad with the body. This is done by fighting and joining in the battlefield for the purpose of giving victory to Islam, so the words of Allaah can be raised high, and so the words of the disbelievers can be put low. The Messenger  has indicated these types of Jihaad, in His statement: “Wage Jihaad (fight/struggle) against the polytheists with your wealth, yourselves and your tongues.” 15

THE SIGNS OF THE SAVED SECT

1. The Saved Sect are the fewest among people. The Messenger supplicated for them with this statement: “Toobaa is for the stranger: A people who rectify (themselves and others) among people who are in much evil. Those who disobey them are greater in number than those who obey them.” 16

The Glorious Qur’an has informed us of them. Allaah, praising them, Says: “But few of My slaves are grateful.” Surah Saba’ [34:13].

2. The Saved Sect are the ones who a majority of the people hold as enemies. They are trodden upon and insulted by being given bad names. Consequently, they take the example of the Prophet of whom Allaah has spoken about, when He said: “And  so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies; shayaateen (devils) among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion.” Surat-ul-Ana’aam [6:112].

And this was the case with our Messenger. His people would call him a “magician” and a “liar” when he would call them to worship and believe in only Allaah, even though, before that they used to call him the “truthful” and the “trustworthy”.

3. Shaikh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez Bin Baaz Rahimahullaah was asked concerning the Saved Sect, so he responded: “They are the Salafiyoon and everyone who follow the footsteps of the Salaf-us_Saalih (The pious predecessors; the Prophet his companions and everyone who follows their methodology).”

These are some of the methodologies and signs of the Saved Sect, I will talk some more, in later chapters of this book, on the Aqeedah (belief/creed) of the Saved Sect, who are also known as the Victorious Group, so that we may be upon their Aqeedah, if Allaah wills.

WHO IS THE VICTORIOUS GROUP?

1. The Messenger of Allaah said: “There will not cease to be a group from my ummah dominant upon the truth. Those who abandon them will not be able to harm them until the Decree of Allah comes.” 17

And he said: “If the people of Shaam become corrupt, then there is no good in them. And there will not cease to be a group from my ummah that will be victorious. Those who abandon them will not be able to harm them, until the Hour is established.” 18

2. Ibn Al-Mubaarak Rahimahullaah said: “To me, they are Ashaab-ul-hadeeth.” 19

3. Al-Bukhaaree Rahimahullaah reported that ‘Alee Ibn Al-Madeenee said: “They are Ashaab-ul-hadeeth.”

4. And Ahmad Ibn Hanbal Rahimahullaah said: “If the victorious group is not the Ashaab-ul-hadeeth, then I do not who they are.”

5. Imaam Ash-Shaaf’iee Rahimahullaah said that Ahmad Ibn Hanbal gave a speech and said: “You are more knowledgeable of hadeeth than I am. So if a hadeeth comes to you, that is authentic, then inform me of it until that becomes my opinion, regardless of whether it be from Hijaaz, Koofah or Basrah.”.

1. Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Jameel Zainoo is one of the contemporary scholars of Islaam. A student of Shaikh Al-Albaanee Rahimahullaah, he has written many valuable works on Islaam. This article is taken from a book containing a collection of short essays written by him which entitled “Essays on Islaamic Issues.” Another group of his essays from this book have been translated into English and collected in a book entitled “The Pillars of Iman and Islaam” published by Maktaba Dar As-Salam. This present article has been translated by Ibn Al-Arkaan.

2. An authentic hadeeth reported by Abu Dawood and others.

3. A hasan hadeeth recorded by Imaam Ahmad and others.

4. Sunan At-Tirmidhee; It was declared hasan by Shaikh Al-Albaanee in Saheeh Al-Jaami’: no 5219.

5. Surat-ul-Ana’aam [3:153].

6. An authentic hadeeth recorded by Ahmad and An-Nasaa’ee.

7. Al-Ghunyah.

8. Al-Albaanee has authenticated this hadeeth in Saheeh Al-Jaami’.

9. Saheeh Muslim.

10. It is said that Toobaa means something good. Allaah mentions this word in Surat-ur-Ra’ad of His final revelation ” Those who believe and do righteous deeds, Toobaa is for them and a pleasant destination.” Commenting on this ayah, Ibraaheem An-Nakha’ee said that it means good is for them. Qatadah said: “When a man says Toobaa for  you it means you have attained something good. “Ikrimah and Mujaahid say that Toobaa means Paradise. It is also said that Toobaa is a tree in Paradise which the Prophet spoke of when he said: “Verily, there is a tree in Paradise under the shadow of which a rider can travel for a hundred years without covering (the distance) completely.” [Saheeh Muslim]

11. Reported by Ad-Daanee and Al-Albaanee said it was saheeh.

12. A hasan hadeeth reported by Imaam Ahmad.

13. Saheeh Muslim.

14. An authentic hadeeth reported by Abu Dawood and its meaning can be found in Saheeh Muslim.

15. Related by Abu Dawood and it is saheeh.

16. A saheeh hadeeth reported by Imaam Ahmad

17. Saheeh Muslim.

18. Recorded by Ahmad and it is saheeh

19. What is meant by Ashaab-ul-hadeeth are those who stick meticulously to the narration’s and the text of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. It does not refer to, as some might think, a people who restrict themselves to hadeeth only. Rather, Allaah calls His Qur’an by the word hadeeth in numerous ayaat in the Last Revelation (see 77:50, 52:34 and 45:6) Therefore the term Ashab-ul-Hadeeth, as known to the scholars of the past and present, referred to the Muslims who clung onto the text of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. It also refers to the scholars of hadeeth; those who study the science of hadeeth.

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The following are some characteristics of the Hizbi methodology:

1. Their severe attacks against te scholars and sincere du’at, seeking to drop them “off the Manhaj” and declare them “Qutbis”, Hizbis”, “Takfiris”, etc.
2. They are deep in partisanship and they call to it under the slogan of Salafiyyah.
3. A knee-jerk reaction to all views that conflict with their ahwa and the principles that they call to
4. They sense that most people – to say nothing of the learned amongst them – consider their views strange.

As a result of this false principle and their extreme application of it, they end up contradicting the Manhaj of the Salaf for critiquing others and passing judgment on them. In fact, their methodology is in clear conflict with the principles employed by Shaykh al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah in his writings and fatawa, may Allah have mercy on him, to pass judgment about innovators. This is even though their opponents are not innovators; they are from Ahl as-Sunnah! You can judge for yourself by comparing his principles with the reality of their unjust refutations against their brothers from the Du’at and scholars whom they have attacked without any justification except following Hawa and the desires of their diseased souls.

The Principles of Shaykh al-Islam for Passing Judgment Against the Innovators

These principles are drawn from the book of Dr. Ahmad al-Hulaybi, Usul al-Hukm ‘Alal-Mubtadi’ah ‘Inda Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (The Principles for Passing Judgment on Innovators in the View of Ibn Taymiyyah), published by Dar al-Fadilah:

1. Seeking excuses for the people of piety and virtue any time they fall into innovation out of Ijtihad, and interpreting their problematic statements in the best light possible. (Abul-Hasan al-Ma’ribi was declared a heretic by Rabee al-Madkhali for espousing this principle)
2. When a Mujtahid errs – whether in fundamental or subsidiary issues – he should not be deemed sinful. Even more so, he should not be declared deviant or a disbeliever.
3. Excusing the innovator on account of his ijtihad does not mean consenting to the innovation he fell into, or permitting others to follow him in it. It is obligatory to rebut his innovation if needed while maintaining proper adab.
4. Not passing judgment on the one who fell into innovation that he is from Ahl al-Ahwa’ wal-Bida’ or having enmity for him on its account, except if the innovation is well-known to the scholars of the Sunnah and severe.
5. No one who has fallen into error in creed or something else can be judged to be doomed for certain, nor can any group be judged for certain to be from the Seventy-Two Astray Sects unless its error is severe.
6. Caution must be exercised in regards to studying the state of a person who has done something that results in kufr or fisq before judging him to be a kafir or fasiq, lest he be judged kafir or fasiq without establishing hujjah against  him.
7. Efforts should be made to bring the hearts together and to unify the ranks. Care should be taken not to let differences in secondary issues of Aqidah, etc. be a cause for breaking the bonds of brotherhood and loyalty and animosity (al-wala’ wal-bara’) between Muslims.
8. Being just in mentioning the praiseworthy and blameworthy qualities of the innovators, accepting the truth that they have, and rejecting their falsehood.

These principles are in agreement with the balanced methodology of this Ummah which Allah has made “a middle nation” (ummatan wasatan) This is the methodology of the Salaf as-Salih… but do they have any Salaf?!?

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When parties (ahzab) become numerous in the Ummah, then do not give allegiance to a particular party (hizb). Many groups appeared from an early time, such as the Khawarij, the Mu’tazilah, the Jahmiyyah, and the Rafidah. In recent times, there has appeared the Ikhwanis, the Salafis, the Tablighis, and the like. Put all these sects to the side and look forward, and that is what the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم guided us to when he said, “Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs.” There is no doubt that the obligation of all Muslims is to adhere to the madhhab of the Salaf, not to ascribe to a particular party called “the Salafis”. It is obligatory on the Islamic nation that it follow the madhhab of the Salaf al-Salih, not that it have partisanship (tahazzub) to those called “the Salafis”, for there is the path of the Salaf and there is a group called “the Salafis”. What is required is to follow the Salaf.”

- ibn Uthaymin, Sharh al-Arba’in al-Nawawiyyah, Hadith no. 28, pp. 308-309.

Therefore, beware, dear brother, of seeking to follow “the Salafis” at the cost of following the way of the Salaf. Beware of making your goal to appease “the Salafis” by ignoring the real teachings of the Salaf or throwing them behind your back.

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Some of the noble salafi brothers from America requested from me that I present a true picture to Sheikh Rabee’ Ibn Hadi Al Madkhali of what happened with our brother for the sake of Allah, Shadeed Muhammad. To present it truthfully and honestly while knowing that Allah is watching over me. So Allah granted me the opportunity on Sunday night on the 6th of Sha’ban in the year 1431 H, I sat with the Sheikh and vividly clarified to him the reality of the situation and his response was as follows:

Sheikh Rabee’ said:

“It is imperative for this brother to repent to Allah and to be sincere to Him in doing so as well as being sincere in his returning to the truth while rectifying his heart and actions as well as those who he is responsible for. If this is not the case, then he is not appropriate to give da’wah in such a state. But if he repents and returns and remains steadfast upon the strait path and this is witnessed from him by the likes of Abu Muhammad Al Maghrabi and the brothers at SP, they witness him return to what is correct and while he is upright and abandons his love for being in the forefront and desiring the chair (i.e. sitting in front of the people) because his love for being in front of the people and being in the forefront causes the scholars to have doubt about him.

So if the sincererity of his repentance is witnessed by trustwothy brothers, as I have mentioned and they see him as someone qualified to be benefitted from, then and only then should he be assisted with the people benefiting from his knowledge, if he has knowledge and along with this, it is imperative for him to do so upon the understanding of the salaf (i.e. the Pious Predecessors) with evidences from the book of Allah and Sunnah of His Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihis wa salam).”

Abu Alee Ahmed Ibraaheem
Rawdah Publications

This whole public tawbah culture initiated by SPUBS and their Shuyukh has made a real mockery of the sacred act of worship that is Tawbah.

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Questioner:
- The first question – and both questions are taken from his book “Fi Thilal al-Quran”, the author of the book mentioned in “Fi Thilal al-Quran” in the beginning of the surah “TaHa” that “The Quran is a natural phenomenon like the phenomenon of the Skies and the Earth”. What is your opinion about these words, considering the fact that he used the word “like” (kaf al-tashbih), O Shaykh?

Shaikh answered:
- My brother! We have said more than once that Sayyid Qutb – rahimahullah – was not a scholar, he is a man of literature, a writer and he is not knowledgeable of terminologies related to Islamic Shari’a, especially the words related to the Salafi Aqida. That’s why it’s not appropriate that we spend so much time on his words, because he was not a scholar, a scholar in a meaning that we intend , i.e.a scholar of Quran and Sunnah upon the minhaj of the righteous salaf.

Many of his expressions are… I mean literary, rhetorical expressions. His expressions are not academic expressions, much less Salafi expressions. They do not belong to this category.

And we do not hesitate to reject such expressions and this comparison; the least that can be said is that he does not mean that is the Speech of Allah literally – as is the doctrine of Ahl as-Sunnah – and he does not mean that it is the Speech of Allah figuratively – as in the doctrine of the Mu’tazila… -

It is just eloquent, poetic speech…
But I don’t think we should linger too long on such words, but we just explain that using such expressions is not allowed in Shari’a. They do not express what is the author’s belief regarding the Noble Quran, i.e. is it literally the Speech of Allah or not?! That is what i believe and that is the answer to your first question.

Questioner:
- The second question – and it’s from the same book – and it’s in the beginning of Surah Naba’, or to be more correct: it’s in the introduction to Surah Naba’; where he said about the Qur’an: that it is “musical waves”!!!

Shaikh al-Albani said:
- The same answer!

Questioner:
- O Shaikh! It leads us to some questions: we see in the works of some writers or some who are considered scholars…

Shaikh al-Albani interrupts:
- Sorry! Before you continue–what did you understand from his word “waves” ? Does it refer to the speech issuing from Allah or from Jibreel – peace be upon him – or it’s from our Noble Prophet? You cannot deduce from it the first nor the second nor the the last!!! That’s why I tell you: These are eloquent poetic words and it doesn’t inform about the author’s belief and what he intended… Such is the reality of many writers when they write, they write literary, eloquent speech which does not give you a true reality…OK, continue…

Questioner:
- With these words from you, o Shaikh – barakallahu fikum – we see many writers and students of knowledge – and there are even people who are versed in the field of hadith – they are affected by his minhaj…

Shaikh al-Albani:
- And what is his minhaj? Has he got a minhaj?

Questioner:
- Yes, and it is to be influenced by the writings of Abul-Ala al-Mawdudi…he cites his words, in many places, like in his book “al-’Adala al-’Ijtimaiyya” and his book “at-Taswir al-Fani fil-Quran”…

al-Albani:
It’s a literary style and not an academic style…

Questioner:
-No, he has a special minhaj regarding takfir! He called the whole Islamic nation a nation of Jahiliyya and he regarded them as kuffar, especially in his book “al-’Adala al-’Ijtimaiyya”…and al-Zirikli, the author of the book “al-A‘lam” mentioned about him the same. He had this minhaj and it’s calling the ummah a naton of Jahiliyya, he considered all the people around him ignorant and now many of the youth are affected by this minhaj and they began calling to his books and they call to his beliefs and to all his writings. And what is your opinion about that, o Shaikh??
al-Albani:
- We think that this man was not a scholar and this issue ends here! What do you want more than that???? If your so covetous of me to make takfir upon him and I’m not from those who make takfir, and your not one of them either…But what do you want???? It’s sufficient for a muslim who is fair and rightful to treat everyone justly, as Allahu Ta’ala said: “”And withhold not things justly due to men, nor do evil in the land, working mischief.” The man is a writer, enthusiastic about Islam as he understood it. But firstly this man was not a scholar and his book “al-’Adala al-’Ijtimaiyya” is amongst his earliest books. When he wrote this book he was just a man of literature, not a scholar. But the reality is that he developed a lot while he was in jail and he wrote some books which seem as if they were penned by a salafi, and not by him…But I believe that being imprisoned develops some souls and awakens the conscience of some people. He wrote some books and the titles in these books are sufficient: “La ilaha illa Allah, minhaj al-hayah” (la ilaha illa Allah, a methodology for all of life)…
But if he didn’t make a distinction between “Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah” and “Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah”, it doesn’t mean that he had not understood “Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah” and “Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah”, but he considered these two a single entity…it means that he was not a faqih and not a scholar and he was not able to properly express the meanings found in the Qur’an and Sunnah because he was not a scholar.

Questioner:
- O shaikh, don’t you think that with all this influence and all these things that he wrote, we should refute him?

Shaikh al-Albani:
- Yes, he should be refuted, but with clear guidance, not with zeal..he should be refuted and it’s important. Refutation of one who errs is not limited to a person or personalities. Every person who make mistakes when he writes about Islam with innovated methods and without bases from the Quran and Sunnah and our righteous salaf and four imams that are followed, should be refuted.
But it doesn’t mean that we become hostile to him…and that we forget all his good qualities!!! It’s sufficient that he is a Muslim and he is an Islamic writer – as much as he understood from Islam as I said earlier – (unclear words) …and he was killed for his calling to Islam and those who killed him were enemies of Islam (i.e. Gamal Abdul-Nasser and his government).

Audio clip here:

http://www.islamgold.com/rmdata/136_Albani_Sayed_qotob.rm

Arabic Text

السؤال الأول- وكلا السؤالين واردة من كتاب ( في ظلال القرآن)- ذكر صاحب كتاب (في ظلال القرآن)، في أول سورة (طه)، بأن القرآن ظاهرة كونية كظاهرة السماوات والأرض..

فما رأيكم في هذا الكلام، مع أنه صادر بكاف التشبيه يا شيخ؟؟

فأجاب الشيخ: محمد ناصر الدين الألباني-رحمه الله-:
نحن -يا أخي- قلنا أكثر من مرة أن سيد قطب- رحمه الله- ليس عالماً، وإنما هو رجل أديب ، كاتب، وهو لا يُحسن التعبير عن العقائد الشرعية الإسلامية، وبخاصة منها العقائد السلفية، ولذلك فلا ينبغي أن
ندندن حول كلماته كثيراً، لأنه لم يكن عالماً، بالمعنى الذي نحن نريده؛ عالماً بالكتاب والسنة، وعلى منهج السلف الصالح.
فهو في كثير من تعابيره، يعني تعابير إنشائية..بلاغية.. وليست تعابير علمية، وبخاصة تعابير سلفية..ليست من هذا الباب..
فنحن لا نتردد باستنكار مثل هذا التعبير، وهذا التشبيه، أقل ما يُقال فيه: أنه لا يعني أنه كلام الله حقيقة- كما هو عقيدة أهل السنة والجماعة..أو أنه كلام الله مجازاً- كما هو عقيدة المعتزلة-..
كلام خطابي شعري..
لكن أنا لا أرى أن نقف كثيراً عند مثل هذا الكلام، إلا أن نُبيِّن أنه كلام غير سائغ شرعاً، وغير معبِّر عن عقيدة الكاتب للقرآن الكريم، هل هو كلام الله حقيقة أم لا ؟ هذا الذي أعتقده، وهذا هو الجواب عن السؤال الأول.

السؤال الثاني- وهو في نفس الكتاب- وذلك في بداية سورة ( النبأ)، أو بالأصح: مقدمة سورة ( النبأ) ، قال عن القرآن، وكلمة في القرآن، أنه( تموجات موسيقية)؟؟

فقال الشيخ الألباني-رحمه الله-: نفس الجواب.
فقال السائل: هذا يقودنا يا شيخ إلى بعض التساؤل: نرى في كثير من كتابات بعض الكتّاب، أو من المنتسبين للعلم..
فقال الألباني-رحمه الله-: عفواً قبل ماتكمّل، ماذا فهمتَ أنت من قوله: تموجات؟؟ هل هو يعني الكلام الصادر من رب العالمين، أم هو من جبريل-عليه السلام-، أم من نبينا الكريم؟؟ ما تفهم لا هذا ولا هذا
ولا هذا !!.. ولذلك أنا بقول: كلام خطابي شعري، لا يُنبي عن رأي الكاتب وماذا يعنيه.. هكذا الحقيقة أكثر الكتّاب عندما يكتبون، يكتبون عبارات إنشائية خطابية، لا تعطي حقائق كونية واقعية.. طيّب كمّل.

فقال السائل: مع قولكم هذا يا شيخ-بارك الله فيكم- نرى كثير من الكتّاب، أو من طلاب العلم الذين تأثروا حتى بمنهج المحدثين، أو لهم مثلاً في علم الحديث، أو في علم بعض الأمور تأثروا بمنهجه..
فقال الشيخ الألباني-رحمه الله-: وما هو منهجه؟ وهل له منهج؟
فقال السائل: نعم، وهو التأثر بكتابات أبو الأعلى المودودي، في كلماته ،كثير من الكلمات، مثل كتابه(العدالة الاجتماعية)، وكتابه( التصوير الفني في القرآن)..
فقال الشيخ الألباني-رحمه الله-: هذا أسلوب أدبي، ليس أسلوباً علمياً.
فقال السائل: لا، هناك منهج خاصة في التكفير؛ تجهيل الأمة، وتكفيرها، وخاصة في كتاب( العدالةالاجتماعية).. وذكر عنه أيضاً صاحب كتاب: ( الأعلام) للزركلي، ذكر عنه هذا، وأنه كان –يعني- اتخذ
هذا المنهج وهو تجهيل الأمة بكاملها، تجهيل كل مَن حواليه، فتأثر بهذا المنهج كثير من الشباب الآن ،فأصبحوا يدعون لكتبه، ويدعون لآرائه، ولجميع ما كتبه، فما رأيكم يا شيخ في هذا؟؟
فقال الشيخ الألباني-رحمه الله-: رأينا أنه رجل غير عالم وانتهى الأمر!! ماذا تريد- يعني- أكثر منهذا؟!! إن كنتَ تطمع أن نكفِّره، فلستُ من المكفّرين، ولا حتى أنتَ أيضاً من المكفّرين..
لكن ماذا تريد إذاً؟؟!! يكفي المسلم المنصف المتجرِّد أن يُعطي كل ذي حق حقه، وكما قال تعالى:\” ولا تبخسوا الناس أشياءهم ولا تعثوا في الأرض مفسدين\”. الرجل كاتب، ومتحمس للإسلام الذي يفهمه، لكن الرجل أولاً ليس بعالم، وكتاباته (العدالة الاجتماعية) هي من أوائل تآليفه، ولما ألّف كان محض أديب، وليس بعالم، لكن الحقيقة أنه في السجن تطوّر كثيراً، وكتب بعض الكتابات كأنها بقلم سلفي ليست منه.. لكن أنا أعتقد أن السجن يُربّي بعض النفوس، ويُوقض بعض الضمائر، فكتب كلمات، يعني يكفي عنوانه الذي يقول: (لا إله إلا الله، منهج حياة)، لا إله إلا الله منهج حياة.
لكن إذا كان هو لا يفرِّق بين توحيد الألوهية، وبين توحيد الربوبية، هذا لا يعني أنه لا يفهم توحيد الربوبية، وتوحيد الألوهية، وأنهما يجعلهما شيئاً واحداً.. لكن يعني أنه ليس فقيهاً، وليس عالماً، وأنه لا يستطيع أن يُعبّر عن المعاني الشرعية التي جاءت في الكتاب وفي السنة، لأنه لم يكن عالماً.

فقال السائل: ألا ترى –ياشيخ- مع هذا التأثر وهذه الأمور التي كتبها ، أن يُرد عليه؟
فقال الألباني- رحمه الله-: نعم يُرد عليه، ولكن بهدوء وليس بحماس..يُرد عليه، وهذا واجب.. ليس الرد على المخطيء محصوراً بشخص أو أشخاص.. كل من أخطأ في توجيه الإسلام بمفاهيم مبتدَعة، وحديثة ولا أصول لها في الكتاب ولا في السنة، ولا في سلفنا الصالح، والأئمة الأربعة المتبَعين؛ فهذا ينبغي أن يُرد عليه..
لكن هذا لا يعني أن نعاديه.. وأن ننسى أن له شيئاً من الحسنات!!
يكفي أنه رجل مسلم، ورجل كاتب إسلامي- على حسب مفهومه للإسلام كما قلتُ أولاً-،[غير واضح] وأنه قُتل في سبيل دعوته للإسلام، والذين قتلوه هم أعداء الإسلام..

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