The Wise Silence, Patience, & Deliberation of the Scholars in Extinguishing the Flames of Strife
‼️Important Note:
(1.) I merged this advice and a few others I hadn’t yet posted into one article because they are so similar.
(2.) The reason for posting these sorts of advices is to highlight the dire need of inculcating character on an individual level and how noble Islamic character shields against all sorts of problems caused by Shaytan in our homes and communities. It is not in response, directly or indirectly, to any specific incident or situation in any community or country.
That is not my lane or purview.I have no involvement whatsoever in anything of the sort.
I am merely trying to spread the speech of the noble scholars who are our leaders and role models in all affairs, especially sensitive situations such as those mentioned below:
Shaykh ‘Arafāt bin Hasan al Muhammadī (حفظه الله ورعاه) recently posted a beautiful advice needed by Salafis worldwide to remedy increasingly common problems leading to division; he said:
"فَانْظُرُوا إِلَى الْفِتَنِ الَّتِي مَرَّتْ بِهَا السَّلَفِيَّةُ فِي الْعَالَمِ كُلِّهِ، مَا أَكْثَرَ هَذِهِ الْفِتَنَ
So look at the tribulations that Salafiyyah has gone through around the world. How many are these tribulations!
وَمَا نَنْتَهِي مِنْ فِتْنَةٍ إِلَّا وَيَأْتِي الْأَعْدَاءُ وَيَزْرَعُونَ فِتْنَةً أُخْرَى
As soon as we end one tribulation, the enemies come and plant another one.
مَا تَهْدَأُ الْأُمُورُ إِلَّا وَيَأْتِي مَنْ يُقِيمُ لِأَهْلِ السُّنَّةِ شَخْصًا مِنْ بَيْنِ أَظْهُرِهِمْ حَتَّى يُصَارِعَهُمْ فَيَشْغَلَهُمْ
As soon as matters calm down, someone comes and raises a person from among the people of Sunnah to fight them and distract them.
فَنَكُونُ عُقَلَاءَ، لَا نَزِيدُ الْفِتَنَ حَطَبًا وَاشْتِعَالًا. عِنْدَ الْفِتَنِ يَنْبَغِي الْهُدُوءُ، السُّكُوتُ، عَدَمُ الْخَوْضِ، الرُّجُوعُ إِلَى أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ، تَطْبِيقُالْعَدْلِ؛
So let us be wise and not add fuel to the fire of tribulations. During tribulations, it is necessary to be calm, silent, avoid getting involved, refer to the people of knowledge, and apply justice.
لِأَنَّهُ يَحْصُلُ مِنَّا الظُّلْمُ، يَحْصُلُ مِنَّا التَّجَاوُزُ. وَلَا يَخْفَى عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَنَّ مِنْ أَنْبَلِ الْأَخْلَاقِ الَّتِي نَادَتْ بِهَا الرُّسُلُ الْعَدْلُ
Because we end up committing injustices and exceeding limits. It is not hidden from any Muslim that among the noblest morals advocated by the messengers is justice.
كُنْ عَادِلًا مَعَ خَصْمِكَ، فَضْلًا أَنْ تَكُونَ عَادِلًا مَعَ نَفْسِكَ، مَعَ أَهْلِكَ، مَعَ جِيرَانِكَ. قُلْ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ، وَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ. وَالنَّبِيُّعَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ ضَرَبَ أَرْوَعَ الْأَمْثِلَةِ فِي الْعَدْلِ، عَدْلُهُ لَا نَظِيرَ لَهُ
Be just with your adversary, let alone be just with yourself, your family, and your neighbors. Speak the word of truth and give everyone their due rights. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, set the finest examples in justice, his justice has no equal.
وَمَا تَحْصُلُ الْفِتَنُ وَلَا التَّجَاوُزَاتُ إِلَّا بِسَبَبِ عَدَمِ الْعَدْلِ. النَّاسُ تَتَسَاهَلُ وَيَظُنُّ أَنَّ هَذَا هُوَ الْمَنْهَجُ السَّلَفِيُّ
Tribulations and transgressions only occur due to a lack of justice. People become lackadaisical and think that this is the Salafi methodology.
النُّصُوصُ جَاءَتْ تُبَيِّنُ أَنَّكَ لَوْ حَقَّقْتَ الْعَدْلَ فَتَحْصُلُ لَكَ الطُّمَأْنِينَةُ فِي نَفْسِكَ وَالِاسْتِقْرَارُ. وَلِهَذَا انْظُرُوا كَيْفَ يَحْصُلُ فِي الْفِتَنِاضْطِرَابٌ شَدِيدٌ، تَجِدُ شَبَابَنَا فِي اضْطِرَابٍ: هَذَا يَتَكَلَّمُ وَهَذَا يَجْرَحُ وَهَذَا يَطْعَنُ وَهَذَا يَكْتُبُ وَذَاكَ يَسُبُّ وَذَاكَ يَسْتَعْجِلُ،فَيَقَعُونَ فِي الظُّلْمِ وَفِي الْجَوْرِ
The texts clarify that if you achieve justice, you will attain peace and stability within yourself. Therefore, look at how severe the turmoil is during tribulations. You find our youth in turmoil: this one speaks, that one criticizes, this one attacks, that one writes, that one curses, and that one hastens, falling into injustice and oppression.
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ سَكَتُوا وَتَأَنَّوْا، وَلَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ قُلْتُمْ مَا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَنْ نَتَكَلَّمَ بِهَذَا سُبْحَانَكَ هَذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ، فَلَا تَخُوضُوا فِيمَا لَاتَعْلَمُونَهُ
If only they had remained silent and patient, and had said, 'It is not for us to speak about this. Exalted are You; this is a great slander.' So do not delve in what you do not know.
اللهُ يَقُولُ: "وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ". فَعَلَى طَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ أَنْ يَتَحَرَّى الْعَدْلَ، لَا تَمِلْ عَنْ هَذَا الْحَقِّ لَا فِي كَلِمَةٍ وَلَا فِيخَبَرٍ وَلَا فِي شَهَادَةٍ وَلَا فِي حُكْمٍ. وَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلْ فِي الْأَحْكَامِ وَلَا تَتَطَرَّفْ مَعَ طَرَفٍ حَتَّى تَسْمَعَ وَتَعْرِفَ
Allah says: 'And when you speak, be just, even if it concerns a close relative.' Thus, a seeker of knowledge must strive for justice, not deviating from the truth in word, news, testimony, or judgment. Do not hasten in judgments or be extreme with a party until you hear and understand.
وَأَنَا أُخَاطِبُ الْعُقَلَاءَ مِنْ طُلَّابِ الْعِلْمِ، أَمَّا الصِّغَارُ وَالْعَوَامُّ فَأَقُولُ لَهُمْ لَا تَتَدَخَّلُوا فِي هَذِهِ الْأُمُورِ، لَا تَزِيدُوا الْفِتَنَ حَطَبًاوَاشْتِعَالًا
I address the sensible among the students of knowledge; as for the young and the general public, I tell them not to interfere in these matters, do not add fuel to the fire of tribulations.
وَالنَّبِيُّ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَّمَنَا كَيْفَ نَفْعَلُ وَكَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ. مَا هَلَكَتِ الْأُمَمُ السَّابِقَةُ إِلَّا بِسَبَبِ هَذَا
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, taught us what to do and how to act. Previous nations perished only because of this.
وَكَثِيرٌ لِلْأَسَفِ مِمَّنْ يَسْتَعْجِلُ فِي هَذِهِ الْفِتَنِ يَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ سَيَضْرِبُ سَهْمًا لِنَفْسِهِ فَيَكُونُ مِنَ الشُّرَفَاءِ أَوِ الرُّؤَسَاءِ الَّذِينَ سَيَكُونُونَمَرْجِعِيَّةً لِإِخْوَانِهِ أَوْ لِبَلَدِهِ أَوْ لِأَصْحَابِهِ
Unfortunately, many who hasten in these tribulations think that they will earn a position of honor or leadership, becoming a reference point for their brothers, their land, or their associates.
يَا مِسْكِينُ! تَعَوَّذْ بِاللهِ مِنَ الْفِتَنِ، وَخُذْ مُصْحَفًا وَخُذْ أَحَادِيثَ رَسُولِ اللهِ وَاحْفَظْهَا وَرَاجِعْهَا. خِيرًا لَكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَاتْرُكْ هَذِهِالْأُمُورَ الْكَبِيرَةَ لِأَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ، هُمْ الَّذِينَ يُحْسِنُونَ كَيْفَ يَتَصَرَّفُونَ
O poor one! Seek refuge in Allah from tribulations, take the Mushaf and some Hadith of the Messenger of Allah, memorize them and review them. That would be better for you; leave these major matters to the people of knowledge, they are the ones who know how to handle them.
أَلَا تَرَى أَنَّ الْعَالِمَ يَسْكُتُ فِي الْفِتَنِ فِي أَوَّلِهَا لِأَنَّهُ يَعْرِفُ أَنَّهُ إِذَا تَكَلَّمَ سَتَكُونُ كَلِمَتُهُ قَدْ وَصَلَتْ إِلَى الشَّرْقِ وَالْغَرْبِ، وَيَعْمَلُ بِهَامَنْ يَعْمَلُ، فَيَتَأَنَّى وَيَتَأَنَّى حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ الْوَقْتُ الَّذِي يُبَيِّنُ فِيهِ هَذِهِ الْفِتْنَةَ مَعَ أَنَّهُ أَدْرَكَهَا مِنْ أَوَّلِهَا
Do you not see that the scholar remains silent during the initial stages of tribulations because he knows that if he speaks, his words will reach the east and the west, and people will act upon them, so he waits and waits until the right time comes to explain the tribulation, even though he understood it from the beginning.
لَكِنْ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَا يُعْلَمُ يُقَالُ، لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَا يُعْلَمُ يُقَالُ. اجْعَلُوا هَذِهِ الْقَاعِدَةَ فِي آذَانِكُمْ: لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَا يُعْلَمُ يُقَالُ. وَالْأُمُورُ إِنَّمَاتَسْتَقِيمُ بِالتَّأَنِّي وَبِالصَّبْرِ وَبِالْعَدْلِ
But not everything known is said, not everything known is said. Keep this rule in your minds: not everything known is said. Matters only settle with patience, deliberation, and justice.
أَقِمِ الْعَدْلَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ وَفِي طُلَّابِكَ، وَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْعَدْلِ، فَسَتَجِدُ ثَمَرَاتِ ذَلِكَ، وَهِيَ ثَمَرَاتٌ حَسَنَةٌ
Establish justice in your household and among your students, judge between them with justice, and you will see the good fruits of that.
وَاقْرَأُوا قَوْلَ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: "يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ، إِنْيَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا، فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوَى أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا
Read the words of Allah, the Exalted: 'O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives, whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just.'
هُوَ تَرْكُ الْعَدْلِ إِنَّمَا يَكُونُ بِسَبَبِ الْهَوَى، فَيَعْلَمُ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ أَنَّ الْهَوَى سَيْطَرَ عَلَيْهِ، فَيَخْبِطُ خَبْطَ عَشْوَاءَ فِي أَحْكَامِهِ وَيَتَدَخَّلُ فِيمَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ
Abandoning justice is due to desires, and a man knows from himself that desires have taken over him, causing him to make erratic judgments and meddle in matters that do not concern him.”
Additional Benefit
Shaykh Ali Al-Wasifi (رحمه الله) wrote a beautiful advice about handling internal disagreements & disputes:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.. أَمَّا بَعْدُ
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.. As for what follows:
فَقَدْ بَدَا عَلَى السَّطْحِ فِي هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ بَعْضُ الْمُنَاوَشَاتِ وَالْمُسَاجَلَاتِ فِي بَعْضِ مَسَائِلِ الْخِلَافِ.. الْخَفِيَّةِ وَالظَّاهِرَةِ.. بَيْنَ بَعْضِالدُّعَاةِ وَطُلَّابِ الْعِلْمِ، وَقَدْ ظَهَرَ لِي بُذُورُ وَقِيعَةٍ وَخُصُومَةٍ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهَا ضِرَامٌ بَيْنَ الأَفَاضِلِ.. أُحَذِّرُ مِنْهَا
Recently, some skirmishes and debates have surfaced on certain issues of disagreement.. both hidden and apparent.. among some callers and students of knowledge, and I have noticed seeds of discord and conflict that might soon ignite among the honorable.. I warn against this.
وَأُوَجِّهُ نَصِيحَةً لِإِخْوَانِي الْمُتَابِعِينَ لِتِلْكَ الْقَضَايَا، وَلَا سِيَّمَا الْعَامَّةِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَتَأَصَّلُوا فِي طُرُقِ الْبَحْثِ وَالنَّظَرِ.. لَا تَفْتَحُوا عَلَىأَنْفُسِكُمْ أَبْوَابَ الْفِتَنِ، الَّتِي تَشْغُلُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللهِ تَعَالَى، وَعَنْ دِينِهِ
I direct this advice to my brothers who follow up on these issues, especially the general public who have not been grounded in the methods of research and examination.. Do not open the doors of tribulations upon yourselves, which distract you from the remembrance of Allah and His religion.
وَأَقُولُ لِإِخْوَانِي الْمَشَايِخِ إِنَّ الْجَرْحَ وَالتَّعْدِيلَ أَمَانَةٌ وَعَدْلٌ وَضَبْطٌ وَعِلْمٌ بِحَقِيقَةِ الْخِلَافِ وَالْمُخَالِفِ، لَيْسَ فِيهِ هَوَى وَلَا انْتِقَامٌ لِلنَّفْسِ
And I say to my fellow sheikhs that criticism and evaluation (Jarh wa Ta'dil) is a trust, (requiring) justice, precision, and knowledge of the reality of disagreement and the dissenter. It does not involve desires or personal retribution.
فَإِيَّاكُمْ مِنَ النَّظَرِ فِي مَسَائِلِ الْخِلَافِ بِشِدَّةٍ أَوْ تَعَنُّتٍ أَوْ تَسَرُّعٍ، بَعِيدًا عَنِ الْعِلْمِيَّةِ وَالْمَنْهَجِيَّةِ، الَّتِي تَمَيَّزَ بِهَا أَئِمَّةُ السَّلَفِ رَضِيَاللهُ عَنْهُمْ،
So, beware of addressing issues of disagreement with harshness, stubbornness, or haste, far from the scholarly and methodical approach that distinguished the Imams of the Salaf, may Allah be pleased with them.
وَلَا بُدَّ مِنْ سَرْدِ الأَدِلَّةِ وَالْبَرَاهِينِ مَعَ الصَّبْرِ الْجَمِيلِ، قَبْلَ تَنْزِيلِ الأَحْكَامِ عَلَى الْمُخَالِفِينَ. وَلَا بُدَّ مِنْ مُرَاعَاةِ الْعُذْرِ بِالْجَهْلِ،وَضَعْفِ الْفَهْمِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ، وَقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَتَغَيُّرِ الزَّمَانِ.
There must be evidence and patience before passing judgments on dissenters, and consideration of ignorance, weak understanding and capacity, the loss of scholars, and the changing of the times.
كَمَا أُحَذِّرُ بَعْضَ الْمُتَسَرِّعِينَ مِنَ السِّبَابِ وَالشَّتَائِمِ، وَأَقُولُ لَهُمْ هَذَا أُسْلُوبُ الْحَمْقَى وَالْعَاجِزِينَ..
I also warn against those who hastily resort to reviling and insults, and I tell them that this is the way of fools and the incapable..
فَلَا تَرُدُّوا الْبِدْعَةَ بِالْبِدْعَةِ، وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْبَاطِلِ بِالْبَاطِلِ، وَإِنْ تَسَافَهُوا عَلَيْكُمْ، وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالسُّنَنِ وَالْآثَارِ. أَدُّوهَا كَمَا نَزَلَتْ،وَاحْمَدُوا اللهَ تَعَالَى عَلَى الْمُعَافَاةِ، وَانْصَرِفُوا
Do not respond to innovation with innovation, nor argue with the people of falsehood with falsehood. If they act foolishly towards you, adhere to the Sunnah and the narrations. Follow them as they were revealed, thank Allah for your safety, and leave.
وَقَدْ أَمَرَنَا اللهُ تَعَالَى بِجِدَالِ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ، قَالَ تَعَالَى: "وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ" الْآيَةُ. فَكَيْفَ بِجِدَالِ إِخْوَانِنَا الْمُسْلِمِينَ
Allah has commanded us to argue with the People of the Book in the best manner, as He said: "And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best" [Qur'an 29:46]. So how about arguing with our Muslim brothers?
وَأَقُولُ فِي نِهَايَةِ الْمَطَافِ: الْجَرْحُ وَالتَّعْدِيلُ لَهُ أَهْلُهُ وَخَاصَّتُهُ، وَهُمْ أَهْلُ الْعِلْمِ بِالرِّوَايَةِ وَالدِّرَايَةِ، وَلَيْسَ لُعْبَةً فِي يَدِ السُّفَهَاءِوَالْعَامَّةِ مِنَ النَّاسِ، الَّذِينَ يُدْخِلُونَ بِهِ فِي الدِّينِ وَالسُّنَّةِ وَالسَّلَفِيَّةِ مَنْ يَشَاءُونَ، وَيُخْرِجُونَ مَنْ يَشَاءُونَ
In conclusion, I say: Criticism and evaluation have their people and specialists, who are knowledgeable in narration and comprehension, and it is not a game in the hands of fools and the general public, who include whoever they wish in the religion and the Sunnah and Salafiyyah, and exclude whoever they wish.
وَالْمُتَّفَقُ عَلَيْهِ بَيْنَ الأَئِمَّةِ أَنَّ مَنْ دَخَلَ فِي الدِّينِ بِيَقِينٍ لَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ بِشَكٍّ
It is agreed upon among the Imams that whoever entered the religion with certainty does not leave it with doubt.
وَلَوْ أَنَّ كُلَّ رَجُلٍ بَدَّعْنَاهُ لِخَطَأٍ وَقَعَ فِيهِ مَا بَقِيَ عَلَى وَجْهِ الأَرْضِ عَالِمٌ وَاحِدٌ يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهُ الْعِلْمُ
If we were to declare every man who made a mistake an innovator, there would not remain on the face of the earth a single scholar to learn from.
وَلَا بُدَّ مِنَ التَّفْرِيقِ بَيْنَ مَنْ أَخْطَأَ وَاجْتَهَدَ قَاصِدًا بُلُوغَ الْحَقِّ، وَبَيْنَ مَنْ تَعَنَّتَ وَسَبَّ وَطَعَنَ فِي أَهْلِ الْحَدِيثِ وَالسُّنَّةِ بِغَيْرِالْحَقِّ
We must distinguish between those who made a mistake and strived to reach the truth and those who stubbornly insulted and slandered the people of Hadith and Sunnah without right.
فَالأَوَّلُ مُجْتَهِدٌ لَهُ أَجْرٌ وَثَوَابٌ، وَإِنْ وَقَعَ فِي الْبِدْعَةِ، وَالثَّانِي مُبْتَدِعٌ مَذْمُومٌ، بِغَيْرِ جِدَالٍ
The former is a Mujtahid (one who tried to reach the truth) who is rewarded and has merit, even if he falls into innovation, while the latter is a condemned innovator, without dispute.
وَأَنْصَحُ كُلَّ مَنْ تَسَبَّبَ فِي فِتْنَةٍ وَتَكَلَّمَ فِي دَقَائِقِ الْعِلْمِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَاسْتَغَلَّ شُهْرَتَهُ بَيْنَ الْعَامَّةِ فِي تَرْوِيجِ سِلْعَتِهِ الْفَاسِدَةِ، وَأَقُولُلَهُ: يَا بَاغِيَ الشَّرِّ أَقْصِرْ حَتَّى لَا يَكْسِرَكَ اللهُ، وَالْزَمْ قَدْرَكَ وَلَا تَتَخَطَّاهُ
I advise anyone who caused a tribulation and spoke on intricate matters without knowledge, exploiting his fame among the public to promote his corrupt merchandise, and I say to him: O seeker of evil, stop before Allah breaks you, stay within your limits and do not overstep them.
كَمَا أُحَذِّرُ مَنْ تَعَدَّى قَدْرَهُ بِغَيْرِ دِرَايَةٍ، وَلَا تَصَوُّرٍ لِحَقِيقَةِ الْوَاقِعِ وَتَكَلَّمَ فِي الْقَضَايَا الْعَامَّةِ، الَّتِي تَخُصُّ أَمْرَ الأُمَّةِ، وَالَّتِي هِيَبِحَاجَةٍ إِلَى اجْتِمَاعِ أَئِمَّةٍ وَعُلَمَاءِ مُجْتَهِدِينَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْءٍ آخَرَ
Beware of overstepping your limits without understanding the reality and speaking on general issues concerning the Ummah, which require the gathering of Imams and diligent scholars more than anything else.
وَأَقُولُ لَهُ: اتَّقِ اللهَ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ مَنْ تَرَكَ الأُصُولَ حُرِمَ مِنَ الْوُصُولِ... وَكُلُّنَا مَسْؤُولُونَ غَدًا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللهِ تَعَالَى... أَسْأَلُ اللهَ تَعَالَىأَنْ يَهْدِيَنَا جَمِيعًا إِلَى صِرَاطِهِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ... اللَّهُمَّ آمِينَ وَصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيمًا كَثِيرًا
I say to him: Fear Allah and know that abandoning the fundamentals prevents reaching the goal... All of us will be accountable before Allah tomorrow... I ask Allah to guide us all to His straight path... Ameen. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, and his companions, abundantly.”
Your brother in Allah / Ali Al-Wasifi
May Allah forgive him, his parents, and the Muslims.
Bonus: ESSENTIAL ADVICES FOR CULTIVATING & MAINTAINING UNITY
REPAIR WEAKNESSES IN THE RANKS: OUR DA’WAH IS TARGETED
🔘 The eminent scholar, Rabī’ bin Hādī al Madkhalī (حفظه الله ورعاه) has warned of how the people of falsehood take advantage of Salafis speaking ill of one another and have the most to gain by fanning the flames of discord:
وَأُوصِيكُمْ بِالأُخُوَّةِ فِي اللهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَالتَّحَابِّ فِيهِ وَالتَّعَاوُنِ عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَالْقَضَاءِ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْمَظَاهِرِ الْقَبِيحَةِ الَّتِيسَرَّبَهَا إِلَى صُفُوفِ أَهْلِ السُّنَّةِ وَمَزَّقَهُمْ بِهَا، بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيكُمْ، يُحَارِبُونَ هَذِهِ الْمَظَاهِرَ
I advise you to maintain brotherhood for the sake of Allah, to love each other for His sake, and to cooperate in righteousness and piety. Work together to eliminate these ugly manifestations that have infiltrated the ranks of Ahl al-Sunnah and have torn them apart. May Allah bless you. Fight against these phenomena.
أَهْلُ السُّنَّةِ مُسْتَهْدَفُونَ مِنْ كُلِّ الْفِئَاتِ الضَّالَّةِ وَمِنْ كُلِّ الْأَحْزَابِ السَّيِّئَةِ لِيُمَزِّقُوهُمْ، لِأَنَّهُمْ وَجَدُوا أَنَّهُ لَا يُبَيِّنُ أَخْطَاءَهُمْ وَيُحَذِّرُمِنْهَا إِلَّا أَهْلُ السُّنَّةِ
Ahl al-Sunnah are targeted by all deviant groups and malicious factions aiming to divide them. They have found that only Ahl al-Sunnah point out their mistakes and warn against them.
وَجَدُوهُمْ فِي مَشَارِقِ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبِهَا عَلَى مَنْهَجٍ وَاحِدٍ، فَسَعَوْا فِي تَمْزِيقِهِمْ وَتَفْرِيقِهِمْ وَتَصْدِيعِهِمْ
They have seen Ahl al-Sunnah united on one methodology across the world, so they have strived to divide and fragment them.
حَتَّى إِنَّكَ تَجِدُ هَذِهِ الظَّاهِرَةَ عِنْدَ الْعَرَبِ وَالْعَجَمِ بِالسَّبَبِ الْغَزْوِ وَالْمَكْرِ وَالْخُطَطِ وَالْمَكَايِدِ أَعْدَاءِ هَذَا الْمَنْهَجِ
You can even see this phenomenon among Arabs and non-Arabs due to the tricks, deceit, and plots of the enemies of this methodology.
فَتَنَبَّهُوا وَاعْتَبِرُوا بِمَا حَصَلَ، وَاسْتَيْقِظُوا وَعُودُوا إِلَى الجَانِبِ،
Be aware and learn from what has happened. Wake up and return to unity.
وَرَبُّوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ، وَإِذَا أَصْبَحْتُمْ أَهْلَ العِلْمِ، رَبُّوا شَبَابَكُمْ عَلَى هَذِهِ الأمور وَرُوحِ الْمَوَدَّةِ وَالأُخُوَّةِ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ السَّابِقِينَوَالْمُعَاصِرِينَ.
Cultivate yourselves, and when you become scholars, cultivate the youth with these principles and the spirit of love and brotherhood towards the earlier and contemporary Muslims.
وَاللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالإِيمَانِ، وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا، رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ
"Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and do not place in our hearts any resentment towards those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful."
الآنَ السَّلَفِيّ يَحْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ بفعل مَن؟ بفعل أَعْدَاءِ هَذَا الْمَنْهَجِ
Now, unfortunately, you find Salafis speaking ill of each other. Provoked by who? By the enemies of this methodology.”
RESPECT THE STATUS OF THE SCHOLARS & BE VIGILANT AGAINST INFILTRATORS
🔘 Likewise the Shaykh (حفظه الله) has cautioned with vigilance against infiltrators:
والعُلَمَاءُ إِذَا نَقَلُوا نَصًّا عَنْ اللهِ أَوْ عَنْ رَسُولِهِ وَنَقَلُوا فَهْمَ السَّلَفِ وَجَبَ قَبُولُ كَلَامِهِمْ؛ لِأَنَّهُمْ - عَلَى الصَّحِيحِ - مِنْ وُلَاةِ أَمْرِالمُسْلِمِينَ
“When the scholars convey a text from Allah or from His Messenger and convey the understanding of the Salaf, their words must be accepted, because they are - according to the correct view - among the leaders of the Muslims.
وَهُمْ المَرْجِعُ فِي أُمُورِ الدِّينِ، بَلْ هُمْ المَرْجِعُ لِلْحُكَّامِ فِي قَضَايَا الدِّينِ وَعَقَائِدِهِ وَمَنَاهِجِهِ
They are the reference in matters of religion, and indeed they are the reference for the rulers in matters of religion, its beliefs, and its methodologies.
فَعَلَى الحُكَّامِ - أَيْضًا - أَنْ يَسْتَمِعُوا لِلْعُلَمَاءِ وَيَأْخُذُوا بِمَا يَقُولُونَ بِهِ مِنْ دِينِ اللهِ الحَقِّ، فَلَهُمْ مَنْزِلَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ فِي الإِسْلَامِ وَلِلَّهِ الحَمْدُ
Therefore, the rulers also must listen to the scholars and take what they say from the true religion of Allah, for they hold a great status in Islam, and praise be to Allah.
وَقَدْ هَوَّنَ مِنْ شَأْنِ هَذِهِ المَنْزِلَةِ العَظِيمَةِ لِلْعُلَمَاءِ أَهْلُ البِدَعِ وَالضَّلَالِ وَأَذْنَابُهُمُ المُنْدَسُّونَ فِي صُفُوفِ السَّلَفِيِّينَ وَنَالُوامِنْهُمْ،
The people of innovation and misguidance and their infiltrators among the ranks of the Salafis have belittled this great status of the scholars and have attacked them.
فَهُنَاكَ مَنْ يَنْدَسُّ فِي صُفُوفِ السَّلَفِيِّينَ فَيُزَلْزِلُ هَذِهِ المَكَانَةَ فِي نُفُوسِ الشَّبَابِ فَيَنْصَرِفُ كَثِيرٌ مِنْهُمْ عَنِ العُلَمَاءِ بِسَبَبِ هَذِهِالأَسَالِيبِ الخَبِيثَةِ
There are those who infiltrate the ranks of the Salafis, shaking this status in the hearts of the youth, causing many of them to turn away from the scholars due to these malicious methods.
فَتَرَى المُنْدَسَّ مِنْهُمْ يَتَلَبَّسُ بِلِبَاسِ السَّلَفِيَّةِ وَيَتَحَمَّسُ لَهَا كَذِبًا وَزُورًا وَإِذَا بِهِ يُفَرِّقُ وَيُمَزِّقُ وَيَفْعَلُ مَا يَعْجِزُ عَنْهُ أَلَدُّ الأَعْدَاءِ فِيتَمْزِيقِ السَّلَفِيِّينَ وَتَشْتِيتِ شَبَابِهِمْ
You see the infiltrator among them disguising themselves in the attire of Salafiyyah, falsely showing enthusiasm for it, and then they divide and tear apart, doing what even the fiercest enemies fail to do in terms of dividing the Salafis and scattering their youth.
فَوَجَبَ التَّنَبُّهُ لِهَؤُلَاءِ الخُصُومِ وَمَكَائِدِهِمْ
It is necessary to be alert to these adversaries and their schemes.”
[Al-Lubab from the Collection of Sheikh Rabee’s Advice to the Youth / p. 129 / Dar al-Mirath al-Nabawi]
Important Manhaj Benefit: Let the Speech of the Scholars be Sufficient
السَّاكِتُ الَّذِي لَا يُعَارِضُ الْعُلَمَاءَ فِي أُمُورِ الْفِتَنِ وَلَا يُنَاهِضُهُمْ لَا يُمْتَحَنُ وَلَا نُلْزِمُ كُلَّ أَحَدٍ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ كَلَامٌ
"The one who remains silent and does not oppose the scholars in matters of fitnah and does not challenge them is not to be tested, and we do not obligate everyone to have a statement."
By the esteemed scholar Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Rahim Al-Bukhari (May Allah preserve him and protect him)
لَمْ يَكْتَفِ الأَمْرُ عِنْدَ هَذَا، يَأْتِي زَيْدٌ وَعَمْرٌو وَفُلَانٌ: لِمَاذَا لَمْ تَكْتُبْ؟ لِمَاذَا لَمْ تَقُلْ؟ هَاه مَاذَا تَقُولُ؟ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ! سُبْحَانَ اللهِ العَلِيِّ العَظِيمِ
“It does not stop there (i.e., someone remaining silent on an issue); Zayd, 'Amr, and so-and-so come and ask: Why didn't you write? Why didn't you speak? What do you say? Subhan Allah! Subhan Allah the Most High, the Most Great!
كَمْ مَرَّةٍ وَجَّهَ الْعُلَمَاءُ وَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي مَسْأَلَةٍ مِثْلَ هَذِهِ السُّؤَالَاتِ، نَسْأَلُهُ لَابُدَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ كَلَامٌ؟
How many times have the scholars addressed and spoken about such questions, asking him if he must have a statement?
قُلْنَا مِرَارًا أَنَّ هَذَا الْمَسْؤُولَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهُ بَعْدَ ظُهُورِ الْخَطَأِ وَبَيَانِهِ وَوُضُوحِهِ... إِلَخ؛ إِنْ كَانَ لِهَذَا الشَّخْصِ انْتِصَارٌ لِلْمُبْطِلِ؛ انْتِصَارٌلِإِيش؟ لِلْمُبْطِلِ؛ هُنَا يَجِبُ - إِنْ رَجَعَ لِلْحَقِّ هَذَا - أَنْ يَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَأَنْ يُبَيِّنَهُ، الْبَرَاءَةُ لِأَنَّهَا بَاقِيَةٌ عَلَى مَاذَا؟ عَلَى الِانْتِصَارِ
We have repeatedly said that this person, if he has after the error appears and is clarified and made clear... etc.; if this person has supported the person in the wrong, supported what? The person in the wrong; here, it is obligatory—if he returns to the truth—to disavow that and clarify it, the disavowal remains due to what? Due to the support.
إِنْ كَانَ لَا يُحْفَظُ لَهُ قَوْلٌ لَا بِكِتَابَةٍ، وَلَا بِلَفْظَةٍ، وَلَا بِمَنْقُولٍ، وَلَا بِمَسْمُوعٍ، وَلَا بِمَقْرُوءٍ، مَا يُحْفَظُ لَهُ لَا انْتِصَارٌ وَلَا تَأْيِيدٌ وَلَا غَيْرُذَلِكَ، سَاكِتٌ
If no statement is recorded from him, neither in writing, nor by utterance, nor transmitted, nor heard, nor read, nothing is preserved for him, no support, no endorsement, nothing else, he is silent:
سَمِعَ الْعُلَمَاءَ يَتَكَلَّمُونَ وَسَكَتَ، رَأَى أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْعِلْمِ الَّذِينَ تَكَلَّمُوا وَكَتَبُوا الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْمُؤَلَّفَاتِ؛ أَنَّهُمْ أَصَابُوا وَمَا عَارَضَ وَمَانَاهَضَ، فَلِمَاذَا تَسْأَلُهُ؟
He heard the scholars speaking and remained silent, seeing that the scholars who spoke and wrote the clarifications and compositions were correct, and he neither opposed nor challenged, then why ask him?
هُنَا الْبِدْعَةُ! لَمَّا يُقَالُ الِامْتِحَانُ، هُنَا بِدْعَةٌ شَاءَ مَنْ شَاءَ، وَأَبَى مَنْ أَبَى. فَهِمْتَ؟!
Here lies the innovation! When it is said to test him, here is the innovation, like it or not. Do you understand?!
وَلَا يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُنْسَبَ لِسَاكِتٍ قَوْلٌ وَحَالُهُ مَا ذُكِرَ، مَنْ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَابُدَّ، مَنْ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَابُدَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدٍ كَلَامٌ؟
And it is not permissible to attribute to a silent person a statement and his state is as mentioned. Who said it is necessary? Who said everyone must have a statement?
مَنْ هَذَا الَّذِي يُوجِبُ؟! أَنْتَ جَعَلْتَهُ فَرْضَ عَيْنٍ فَأَقَمْتَهُ مَقَامَ الصَّلَاةِ وَهَذِهِ الْأُمُورِ وَالْأَرْكَانِ الْعَظِيمَةِ الَّتِي لَا يَجُوزُ لِلْإِنْسَانِ أَنْ يَتَخَلَّفَ عَنْهَا
Who obligates this? You made it an individual obligation, equating it with prayer and these great matters and pillars that a person must not neglect!
هَلِ الرَّدُّ عَلَى الْمُخْطِئِ مِنْ بَابِ فُرُوضِ الْكِفَايَاتِ أَمِ الْأَعْيَانِ هَاه؟ حَتَّى هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ نَحْتَاجُ أَنْ نَرْجِعَ إِلَيْهَا مِنَ الْأَوَّلِ؟
Is responding to the wrongdoer a collective duty or an individual obligation, huh? Do we need to revisit this matter from the beginning?!!
يَا إِخْوَتَاهُ! وَيَا أَبْنَاءَنَا! اتَّقُوا اللهَ كَمَا قُلْنَا فِي هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ، اتَّقُوا اللهَ لَا تُشَوِّهُ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةَ بِمِثْلِ هَذِهِ التَّصَرُّفَاتِ، لَا يَجُوزُ وَاللهِ! مِيزَانُ الْعِلْمِ هُوَ الْمِيزَانُ الْحُكْمُ الَّذِي يَجِبُ أَنْ يَتَحَاكَمَ إِلَيْهِ كُلُّ مَنْ يُرِيدُ إِصَابَةَ الْحَقِّ
Oh, my brothers! Oh, our sons! Fear Allah as we have said in this call, fear Allah, do not tarnish this da’wah with such actions, it is not permissible by Allah! The scale of knowledge is the governing scale to which everyone who wants to achieve the truth must refer.”
📀 An excerpt from the fifty-fourth of the Friday meetings
[IMPORTANT MEASURES FOR MAINTAINING UNITY BETWEEN AHL AL-SUNNAH & AVOIDING DISUNITY]
🔘Shaykh Dr. ‘Arafāt b. Hasan al Muhammadi (حفظه الله ورعاه) was asked a number of important questions about the typical kinds of differences that commonly threaten to split the ranks of Ahl al-Sunnah in various lands; he responded:
"الأسبابُ للأسفِ تتعلّقُ بحظوظِ النفسِ، وهذه حقيقةٌ مرّةٌ وصعبةٌ. أصحابُ منهجٍ واحدٍ ويرجعونَ إلى صراطٍ مستقيمٍ يقوده علماءُ كبارٌ من فضلِ الله عز وجل، يقودونَ هذا المنهجَ ونرجعُ إليهم
Unfortunately, the causes are related to personal interests, and this is a bitter and difficult truth. Those who follow one Manhaj (methodology) and return to the straight path, led by great scholars by the grace of Allah, guide this methodology, and we turn to them.
وعلماؤُنا هم علماءُ هؤلاءِ المختلفين، لكن دخلَ الشيطانُ وضخّمَ الأخطاءَ وحصلَ التجاوزُ، ولا يتغافلُ الأخُ عن أخيهِ
Our scholars are the scholars of those who differ, but the devil has interfered, magnifying the mistakes, and transgressions have occurred. One brother does not overlook the other.
وفي الحقيقةِ، لا علاقةَ بالمنهجِ لهذهِ الأمورِ، لا علاقةَ
In reality, these matters have nothing to do with the Manhaj (methodology).
لأنّنا قد جربنا وسمعنا ورأينا ودخلنا في كثيرٍ من هذه المشاكلِ إلا من رحم الله
We have experienced, heard, seen, and been involved in many of these issues, except for those whom Allah has shown mercy.
وقد يكونُ صادقاً في ذكرِ بعضِ الأخطاءِ، ومع ذلك لو كان صادقاً في ذكرِ بعضِ الأخطاءِ ولو كانت منهجيّةً، يكون العلاجُ لها خاطئاً لا يُحسن أن يُعالجَ
Someone may be honest in mentioning some mistakes, even if they are methodological, but the treatment might be incorrect.
وهذا الذي أقوله قد سمعت مشايخنا الكبار يصرحون به بل زادوا أن من أعظم أسباب الخلاف حب الزعامة
This is what I have heard our senior scholars clearly state. Moreover, they have added that one of the greatest causes of disagreement is the love of leadership.
بعضُ الشبابِ يريدُ أن يترأسَ، وهذا مرضٌ قد يكونُ خفياً وقد يكونُ ظاهراً، فيريدُ أن يترأسَ، فإذا لم يُعطَ هذه المكانةَ ادّعى الخلافَ، وادّعى أن هناك أسباباً لا بد أن نُعالجها، وأن فلاناً عنده، وفلاناً عنده
Some young people want to take the lead, which is a disease that can be hidden or apparent. They want to lead, and if they are not given this position, they claim there is a disagreement and assert that there are issues that need to be addressed, saying this person has this and that person has that.
وبعضُهم يخوضُ في أمورِ السياسةِ، ويأتي طرفٌ آخرُ ويخوضُ في طرفٍ آخرَ، هذا يتطرفُ في طرفٍ، وهذا في طرفٍ، ويجعلونَها مسائلَ منهجيّةً، وهي لا علاقةَ لها بالمنهجِ، إنما هي سياسةٌ وكلامٌ فارغٌ
Some of them get involved in politics, and another party gets involved in another side, one extreme in one direction, and another in the opposite, making these methodological issues when they have nothing to do with the methodology. It is merely politics and empty talk.
وبعدَ ذلك، يبدأ الحربُ أو تبدأ الحروبُ بالأسماء المستعارة، هذا يكتبُ باسمٍ مستعارٍ ويهاجمُ، وذاك يكتبُ ويدافعُ ويهاجمُ تارةً وتارةً
After that, the war begins, or wars begin under pseudonyms. One writes under a pseudonym attacking, and another writes defending and attacking at times and at other times.
لهذا كونوا عقلاءَ، احترموا هذه الدعوةَ، ما كان من حظوظ النفسِ اجعلوه تحت أقدامكم، احترموا علماءَكم الذين تعبوا وهم ينصحون، وبُحّت أصواتُهم وهم يُذكّرونكم بالاجتماع والتآلف وعدم الاختلاف
So, be wise and respect this da’wah. Whatever is related to personal interests, put it under your feet. Respect your scholars who have labored and have been advising you, their voices strained as they remind you to unite and avoid disagreements.
ادرسوا كيف تعالجونَ الأخطاءَ، اتركوا العجلةَ. إذا ما استفدنا من نصائح العلماء ورجعنا إليهم، سنستفيدُ من مَن؟
Study how to address mistakes, avoid haste. If we do not benefit from the advice of the scholars and return to them, who else will we benefit from?
لهذا أقول، احرصوا أشدَّ الحرصِ أن تكونوا على كلمةٍ سواءٍ، منهجُكم واحدٌ، مرجعيتُكم واحدةٌ، طلبُكم للعلمِ واحدٌ، فلا يدخلُ الشيطانُ بينكم ولا يُفرّقكم.
Therefore, I say, be very careful to be on a united word. Your methodology is one, your reference is one, your pursuit of knowledge is one, so do not let the devil come between you and divide you.
وقد يقول قائلٌ: كيف نعالجُ هذه الأخطاءَ؟ كيف نتخلصُ؟
And someone may ask, how do we address these mistakes? How do we get rid of them?
قد حصلَ ما حصلَ، انشغلوا بالعلمِ كأنّكم لا تسمعونَ شيئاً، والانشغالُ يكون بحقٍّ وحقيقةٍ
What has happened has happened. Engage in knowledge as if you hear nothing, and truly and sincerely engage.
أسكتوا الصغارَ من الشبابِ والنشءِ، أبعدوهم عن الخوضِ، المسألة ترجعُ إلى أهل العلمِ، إذا كنتم صادقين خذوا بنصائح العلماء بجدٍّ وصدقٍ، ليس مجردَ كلامٍ على اللسانِ، لا تطبيقَ، لا عملَ، لا جديةَ في الصلح
Silence the young and the youth, keep them from delving into the matter; it is for the scholars. If you are sincere, take the advice of the scholars seriously and truthfully, not just words on the tongue with no application, no action, no seriousness in reconciliation.
كفوا الأقلامَ والألسنَ عن أيِّ خوضٍ في الخلافِ، وتضرعوا بين يدي الله، وأكثروا من الدعاءِ، وتعوّذوا بالله كما كان النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام علّمنا أن نتعوّذَ بالله من الفتن، وتنازلْ
Restrain your pens and tongues from any involvement in disagreements. Supplicate to Allah and increase your prayers, seek refuge in Allah from trials as the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to seek refuge in Allah from trials. Stand down.
وضعَ حظوظَ النفسِ تحتَ قدمك، وتذكرْ قولَ يوسف عليه الصلاة والسلام، وقد قالها النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام في فتح مكةَ: "لا تثريبَ عليكم اليوم، يغفرُ الله لكم وهو أرحم الراحمين
Put personal interests under your feet and remember the words of Yusuf (peace be upon him) and as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said at the conquest of Mecca: "No reproach upon you today. May Allah forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of the merciful."
ليتنا نستفيدُ من هذه النصائحِ، هذه نصائحُ علمائنا، ما أنا والله إلا ناقلٌ لكلامِ أهلِ العلمِ
If only we could benefit from this advice, the advice of our scholars. By Allah, I am only conveying the words of the scholars.”
[LOVING AUTHORITY & PROMINENCE]
قال: كيف نتعامل مع من عنده ضعفٌ في الأخلاقِ ويرى في نفسِه حبَّ التصدرِ مع العلم أنه يتبنى المنهجَ السلفيَّ؟
Question: How do we deal with someone who has character weakness and a desire for prominence, knowing that they follow the Salafi methodology?
هذا يرجعُنا للسؤال الرابع أو الخامس عندما ذكرنا سببَ الخلافات بين السلفيين، هذا من الأسباب، هذا داءٌ، هذا من الأسباب وهو داءٌ مرضٌ يحبُّ التصدرَ وعنده أخلاقٌ سيئةٌ
Answer: This brings us back to the fourth or fifth question when we mentioned the causes of disagreements among the Salafis. This is one of the causes; it is a disease. This is one of the reasons and it is a disease, a sickness. They love to be prominent and they have bad character.
فنقول له: ربِّ نفسَك على الأخلاقِ الحسنةِ، اتقِ اللهَ، لا تُفرقْ إخوانكَ، وللأسف، هذا أدبٌ عظيمٌ نحن فقدناه، وهو أننا أن السلفَ كانوا يحبونَ أن يهضموا أنفسهم، لكن لما كان السلفُ يحبونَ أن يهضموا أنفسهم، لماذا؟ لأنهم تعلموا وتأدبوا، فأدبهم العلمُ، نحن ما تأدبنا، ما عرفنا العلمَ، لهذا لما ما عرفنا العلمَ أردنا التصدرَ. أردنا أن نحكمَ، أردنا الزعامةَ
So we say to them, train yourself in good character, fear Allah, and do not divide your brothers. Unfortunately, this is a great etiquette we have lost. The Salaf loved to humble themselves. Why? Because they learned and were disciplined. Knowledge disciplined them. We have not been disciplined; we do not know knowledge. That is why, when we did not know knowledge, we wanted prominence, we wanted to rule, we wanted leadership.
وتذكر الحديثَ المشهورَ لما قال النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام في ذلكم العبد الذي أثنى عليه الأشعثُ الأغبرُ الذي أخذ بعنانِ فرسه أشعثَ رأسه مغبرّاً قدماه، قال: إن كان في الحراسةِ كان في الحراسةِ، وإن كان في الساقةِ كان في الساقةِ، إن استأذنَ لم يُؤذنْ له، وإن شفعَ لم يُشفعْ
Remember the famous hadith when the Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke about that servant who was praised: "That disheveled, dusty man who holds the reins of his horse. His hair is disheveled, his feet are dusty. If he is in the guard, he is in the guard. If he is in the rear guard, he is in the rear guard. If he asks for permission, he is not granted it. If he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted."
فأثنى على هذا العبدِ الصالحِ التقيِّ النقيِّ، لا يعرفه أحدٌ، ولا يُبالي أين يكونُ، أهم شيءٍ يخدم الإسلامَ في الساقةِ في الحراسةِ، مع أنه قد يستأذنُ لا يُؤذنْ له، يشفعُ لا يُشفعْ، وهو عند الله عظيمٌ، لكن قد يُفتن الإنسانُ بحبِّ التصدرِ
He praised this righteous, pious servant who is unknown and does not care where he is as long as he serves Islam, whether in the rear guard or in the guard. Even if he asks for permission, he is not granted it, or if he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted, but he is great in the sight of Allah.
ويُصابُ بهذا المرضِ فيُفتنُ ويكون من المفتونين، وزد إلى ذلك أنه معجبٌ بنفسه وكأنه ليس به مرضٌ، وهو مليءٌ بالأمراض. أرجعوا إلى الجواب الأول، هو له علاقةٌ بذلك
However, a person may be tested by a love for prominence and afflicted by this disease, becoming one of the tempted. Add to this that he is pleased with himself, as if he has no illness, while he is full of diseases. So, refer back to the first answer, as it is related to this.
[COMPELLING OTHERS TO TAKE A POSITION AGAINST KNOWN SALAFIS FOR PERSONAL REASONS]
السؤال التاسع: ما حكمُ من يُلزمُ الأخوةَ بهجرِ بعضِ الأخوةِ السلفيين الذين وقعوا في بعض الأخطاءِ المنهجيةِ؟ فيلزموننا ببيانِ الموقفِ منهم، فإن لم تُبينْ وتأخذْ موقفاً يُلحقونك بهم، فيتعاملون معنا ومعهم معاملةَ المبتدعِ، وبدون نصيحةٍ مع العلم أنهم لا يرجعونَ إلى المشايخِ السلفيينَ لعلاجِ الأمورِ
Question 9: What is the ruling on those who compel brothers to boycott some Salafi brothers who have made some methodological mistakes, insisting we take a stance against them? If we don't take a stance, they associate us with them and treat us as innovators without any advice, even though they don't refer to the Salafi scholars to resolve these issues.
هذا هو الداءُ، السؤال الذي قبله المرضُ هو التصدرُ، وهنا الداءُ لا يرجعون إلى المشايخِ ويتصدرونَ في الأحكامِ، يُحذّرُ ويبدّعُ ويلحقُ فلاناً بفلانٍ، وهذا أيضاً له علاقةٌ بذاك الجواب الذي قد مرَّ، كيف نعالج الخلاف بين السلفيين
Answer: “This is the disease. The previous question was about the love for prominence, and here the issue is that they do not refer to the scholars and take it upon themselves to make judgments, warning against, labeling, and grouping people together. This is also related to the previous answer on how to address disagreements among Salafis.
فهؤلاء يُنصّبونَ أنفسهم ليحكموا على السلفيين ويمتحنونهم. فقد أجبت على هذا السؤال، والذي سبقه بالسؤال الرابع والخامس، عندما ذكرت كيف نعالج الخلافات بين السلفيين
These people set themselves up to judge Salafis and test them. I have already answered this question and the previous one in the fourth or fifth question when I mentioned how to resolve disagreements among Salafis.”