This is the Methodology of the Misguided

                                                     

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

It is obligatory upon every Muslim to accept the truth from whoever comes with it, because the truth is the lost property of a believer; he takes it wherever he finds it; either with his friend or his enemy because he seeks for the truth. But if he considers individuals only, such is considered the way of the people of the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. An example of such is what Allaah mentioned concerning the Jews and the Christians – and they are the people of the Book and Knowledge.

The Jews rejected the truth that was with the Christians and the Christians rejected the truth with the Jews as stated by Allaah regarding them: “The Jews say, ‘The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Jews have nothing to stand on…’”  [Soorah al-Baqarah: 113]  What made them to do this was following of desires. Since the Jews hated the Christians, they rejected what they possessed of the truth, and because the Christians hated the Jews, they also rejected what was with them of the truth: “Although they [both] recite the Scripture,” that commanded them to accept the truth…

In brief, it is obligatory upon the Muslim to eschew this methodology of the Jews and the Christians, which is to reject the truth if it is with someone whom they do not love. So do not allow the hatred you have for an individual make you to reject the truth that is with him. A typical example of this is what is in existence today.

If a group or a sect hates one of the scholars, it would reject the truth that is with him; so their hatred of this scholar will make them to reject the truth he possesses, abandon him, warn against his works and lectures even if it is the truth. Why? There is no reason other than the fact that they do not love this individual. Hence, it is obligatory upon you, O you Muslim to accept the truth even it is with the person you do not love and do not allow personal animosities and desires prevent you from accepting the truth… 

Source: Sharh Masaail al-Jaalihiyyah, pp. 128-130 by Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan. Translated by Abdus-Samee’ Abdus-Salaam.

 

Reason Why Students of Knowledge Go Astray

 

The source and origin of a scholar’s misguidance is to say things about Allaah without knowledge. Saying things about Allaah without knowledge is greater than shirk. As such, Allaah the Exalted said: “Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allaah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allaah that which you do not know." [Soorah al-A’raaf: 33]

In the above verse, He (Allaah) placed saying things about Allaah higher than associating partner in worship with Allaah. Therefore, it is not permissible for anyone to say anything about Allaah without knowledge such as saying: Allaah has forbidden such and such [whereas He has not forbidden it] or Allaah has permitted such and such [whereas He has not permitted it] or Allaah has legislated such and such whereas such a thing is not legislated. This is what is considered saying things about Allaah without knowledge and refuge is sought with Allaah.

[Another example is when] a person issues a verdict without knowledge; rather he lies. This is very dangerous as it constitutes inventing lie against Allaah the Exalted. “So who is more unjust than one who lies about Allaah and denies the truth when it has come to him? Is there not in Hell a residence for the disbelievers?” [Soorah Az-Zumar: 32]  Hence it is not permissible to say things about Allaah without knowledge. Whenever the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked about something, which revelation has not been revealed to him, he would delay the response till revelation is revealed to him from Allaah. So how about others other than him? So many things are hidden from a scholar. If you do not possess clarity and proof from the Qur’aan and Sunnah regarding an issue and say, ‘I do not know’;[3] such will not decrease anything from your knowledge or worth. Rather, it will increase your worth in Allaah’s sight.

Imaam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about forty issues and he gave answers to some of them but he said I do not know in response to most of the questions.  Then the questioner said to him: I came to you from a distant land and endured the journey and you said, ‘I do not know.’ Thereupon, Imaam Maalik said to him: ‘Embark your riding camel and go back to the land you came from and say to the people: ‘I asked Imaam Maalik some questions and he responded by saying, I do not know.’ This was the manner of the people of knowledge and those who have the fear of Allaah the Exalted.

The same applies to authorship. A person should not write a book if he does not possess the competence to write the book. Would that we were saved from many [deviant] books and treatises and nothing is left except authentic books that are in conformity with the Qur’aan and Sunnah. The problem is that these books and treatises will remain and mislead generations after your demise and you will be held responsible for them. A person should fear Allaah in his fatwa, writing, speech, discussion and lecture; he should not say anything except that which he thinks is most likely the correct thing and in conformity with the Qur’aan and Sunnah.

Source: Sharh Masaa’il al-Jaahiliyah, pp. 285-286 by Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him). Translated by Abdus-Samee’ Abdus-Salaam.

Do Not Be Silent Over Falsehood and Misguidance

 

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan wrote:

"...Therefore, it obligatory upon whoever knows the truth to explain it to the people and not to exchange it for a small price by concealing it in other to attain any worldly gains or for the sake of pleasing the people. Allaah has more right that one should fear and seek His pleasure. So it is not permissible to conceal the truth for one who has the ability to explain it and make it manifest. As for one who does not have the ability to do so or he fears that a greater fitnah may occur by explaining the truth, such a person is excused. However, whoever does not have a barrier in explaining the truth but conceals the truth for the sake of his interest and wellbeing, such a person is cursed by Allaah and cursed by those who curse.

This is the attribute of the Jews and it is applicable to everyone who conceals the truth for the sake of following desires without making it clear to the people. If he is asked about the ruling of an issue, he responds with other than the truth while he knows the correct response. This is part of concealing the truth. Allah the Mighty and Majesty has commanded that one should speak the truth even if it is against oneself. “Be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives” [Soorah an-Nisaa: 135]. So it is obligatory to speak the truth in giving testimonies and other than it.

Concealing the knowledge, which gives life to the people and guides them to the straight path is worse than concealing testimony. Therefore, it is obligatory to explain the truth and not to conceal it. For instance, if a person sees the people upon falsehood or superstitions or shirk, he should not be silent; rather it is obligatory upon him to explain the truth and he should not leave the people to engage in graves and tombs worship and to indulge in misguided innovations. He should not be silent and say I have no business with the people. Or he sees the people engaging in prohibited dealings without saying anything.

This is concealment of knowledge and lack of sincerity to the Ummah. Allaah did not give you this knowledge in order for you to remain silent; rather He gave you in order for you make it clear to the people, invite to Allaah upon sure knowledge and make effort to bring out people from darkness into light. It is not permissible for the scholars to be silent while they have the ability to explain the truth especially when they see people in misguidance, shirk, innovation and superstition. Silence will not do them any good. If they say nothing, this is considered concealment of knowledge which Allaah condemned the Jews and the Christians for. Why would a person say something contrary to the truth while he knows it and deliberately issue a fatwa contrary to it in order to please the people or to get along with the people with regard to what they are upon?

The truth is more deserving of being followed; so you should seek the pleasure of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic and do not please the people while they are upon falsehood. It is stated in a hadeeth “Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah at the risk of displeasing the people, Allah will be pleased with him and the people will be pleased with him. And whoever seeks the pleasure of the people at the risk of displeasing Allah, Allah will be displeased with him and the people will be displeased with him.”[1]

                                                                       

Source: Sharh Masaa’il al-Jaahiliyyah, p. 281-284 by Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan bin ‘Abdullaah al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him). Translated by Abdus-Samee' Abdus-Salaam. 

 

You Shouldn’t Be Sad when you have Allaah?

 

Imaam Ibn Qayyim wrote: 

Whoever knows Allaah the Exalted will certainly love Him and whoever loves Him, the clouds of darkness will disappear from him. Sorrow, distress and anxiety will be removed from his heart and his heart will be filled with happiness and delights. He will receive congratulations and glad tidings from every corner, because there is no sadness with Allaah the Exalted forever.

That is why Allaah the Exalted stated while narrating about His Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) that he said to his companion Aboo Bakr: “Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allaah is with us.” [Soorah at-Tawbah: 40]

This indicates that there is no sadness with Allaah the Exalted; and why would one be sad in the company of Allaah? Sadness is only for those who fail to get Allaah.  Why would one be sad when he has Allaah? What would make a person happy when he is far from Allaah?

Allaah the Exalted said: “Say: ‘In the Bounty of Allaah and in His Mercy therein let them rejoice.’” [Soorah Yoonus: 58].

Rejoicing in the bounty and mercy of Allaah comes with being happy with Him. A believer feels happy with his Lord more than the happiness anyone feels for his beloved one or his life or wealth, or a particular blessing or authority; a believer feels happier with his Lord than with all of that. The heart will never achieve real life until it finds the flavor of this happiness and delight. So the happiness will manifest in his heart while its radiance will manifest on his face and his state will be like that of the people of Paradise owing to Allaah’s bestowing upon them, the light of beauty and joy.

So, the worker should work for this, and for it the competitors should compete. This is the knowledge for which the people of determination and firm will roll up their sleeves and for which the people of special attributes and excellent qualities compete.

Source: Tareeq al-Hijratayn wa Baab as-Sa‘aadatayn by Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah