Rulings of the Scholars

Questions to Shaykh Muhammad Nasir ud-Deen al-Albaani (Questions posed by Shaykh Abul-Hasan al-Misree) Translated into English by: Abu Talha Daawood ibn Ronald Burbank

1. Regarding the matter of the callers to Islaam.

Q. With regard to the matter - that sometimes a student of knowledge - who is able to give da'wah - is called to centres of the 'Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen', or of the (other) groups of hizbiyyah (partisanship) - he is called to give a lecture, either in a mosque or a gathering place - or so on. But the student of knowledge feels that if he went there he would not be able to speak about the matters about which there is disagreement between us and them, and if he speaks about the matters which they want - they will benefit from his presence in this way, and they will be able to say - for example to the others - that we are all one and the same, and our da'wah is the same - don't you see that so and so, son of so and so gave a lecture along with us - and so on. So he fears that this will produce harmful effects. But another will say: No, if we are invited to a matter comprising obedience to Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - and from the aspect of cooperation upon righteousness (birr) and piety (taqwaa), and avoidance of cooperation upon sin and enmity - without thinking that this may produce evil - allowing them to make use of his presence. So do you advise, O Shaikh, for example, that one writes articles in magazines which are known to have a certain orientation that is hizbee (party spirited) - even if in principle they are Salafi; or being present to give a lecture, or in a panel session or some similar matter - without speaking about the matters where there is disagreement. He will speak about general things - sharee'ah rulings and fiqh verdicts - and those who prohibit it use as evidence what you have heard, and those who allow it use as evidence what you have heard. What is correct from the sayings of the two groups?

Ans: What is correct is that he should stipulate (set the conditions) and no stipulations be made upon him.

Q: So if he knows from himself that he will not be able to speak out with the word of truth - whether they are pleased or not - should he still go?

Ans: They might stipulate a certain speech for him - so if it is according to desires, then he should not agree and not go. But if they leave it up to him, then he should be the one to stipulate what he will speak about; but he should not spring something upon them - since by speaking about a matter and taking them by surprise he will cause trouble, which may be such as will prevent him continuing in what he wishes to talk about. Rather he should say: I am going to speak, for example, about Tawheed, or for an example concerning: "O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger.." {an-Nisa.4:59}. So if they agree, then he should go ahead, and if not - then not. This is what I meant by my saying that he should stipulate and not have stipulations made upon him.

Shaikh 'Ali Hasan al-Halabi: The Shaikh (al-Albaani) gave this as an example, and in reality there may be disagreement between us with regard to both of these things - so this is what is meant in reality by the teacher (Shaikh al-Albaani).

Ans: Yes, this is the case, without a doubt. But I want to draw your attention to something also: That their deviation away from knowledge with regard to a particular matter, or with regard to a particular manhaj - this does not mean that we judge that they have deviated in all of their manhaj. So, for example, you know very well that most of the scholars of the Muslims - from the followers of the Madhabs - most of them do not give an importance to checking ahadeeth and distinguishing those which are are authentic from those which are weak. This contradicts the methodology of the people of hadeeth - this contradicts the methodology of the Ahlus-Sunnah. It contradicts clear and authentic ahadeeth. So we suffice with criticising them from this angle, but this does not allow us to take them out of the Jamaa'ah which takes as its religion the Book and the Sunnah and the Manhaj of the Pious Predecessors. But if one of them says: 'The manhaj of the Pious Predecessors is nothing!' - then he has left the Jamaa'ah. But as for divergence and deviation in some points - such as this example, then this does not take them out of the sphere (of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah).

2. In defence of the Scholars.

Q. Question, O Shaikh. You know the position of Shaikh Muqbil - Hafidhahullaah - and likewise Shaikh Rabee' - Hafidhahullaah ta'aala - with regard to fighting against innovations and the deviant sayings. Some of the youth call into question the standing of these two shaikhs, so if you were to say a word about these two shaikhs - even if it is very brief - by which Allaah may bring benefit and which may be a defence of these two from many peoples tongues - who in speaking against them intend to find fault with the way which they are upon.

Ans: We, without doubt praise Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - that he has provided for this righteous Da'wah, which is firmly founded on the Book and the Sunnah upon the methodology of the Pious Predecessors, a number of callers in the Islaamic lands who establish the duty that is obligatory for some to fulfill and which is established by very few people in the Islamic lands today. So belittling these two shaikhs who call to the book and the Sunnah and what the Salafus-Saalih (Pious Predecessors) were upon, and fight against those who oppose this correct methodology is, as will not be hidden from one and all, is something which emanates only from one of two people: Either from an ignorant person or a follower of desires. As for the ignorant person, then it is possible to guide him, since he thinks that he is upon some knowledge - so when the correct knowledge becomes clear then he is guided. But as for the follower of desires then there is nothing we can do with him unless Allaah - the Blessed and Most High - guides him. So these people who speak against the two shaikhs - as we have mentioned - are either ignorant and so should be taught, or (they are) followers of their desires - and we should seek refuge from the evil of such a person, and we ask Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - that He either guides him or breaks his back. What I have seen in the writings of Shaikh Dr. Rabee' is that they are beneficial, and I do not recall having seen a mistake he has made, or any departure from the methodology upon which we are united with him and he with us. However with regard to Shaikh Muqbil - I have not read a great deal of his work - contrary to the case with our brother Rabee'. As for Rabee' it seems that his efforts in writing are greater than those of Shaikh Muqbil, and vice versa; Shaikh Muqbil in Da'wah and mixing with the people and calling them to the Book and the Sunnah, and admonishing and guiding is much involved, more than Shaikh Dr. Rabee. However I have said to him (Shaikh Rabee') on more than one occasion in a telephone conversation between us that if you were to be more gentle in the use of some words, particularly when the one upon whom you are replying maybe one who has gone onto the Reckoning of Allaah, and His Favour, Mercy and Forgiveness. Then that person (who you are refuting), from another angle, may have influence, and may have a group who attach themselves to him with the fanaticism of the days of ignorance (not based upon knowledge). So because of this, and not because the one (you are refuting) has passed on to the Mercy of Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - I believe that he (Shaikh Rabee') should be gentle in replying to those who have gone against our Salafi Methodology. As for the scholarly aspect, then he is in that, walhamdullillaah, very strong.

{Recorded upon a tape in the series 'Silsilatul-Hudaa wan-Noor'. (no.851/1) among the questions of Abul-Hasan Mustafaa ibn Isma'eel al-Misree put to the Scholar Shaikh al-Albaani, dated 9/7/1416H)}