Implications of the Decline in Upright Scholars – Reminder to Our Beloved Brothers and Sisters In Stoke
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, informed us that Allah does not take away knowledge by taking it away from the hearts of men, but he takes away knowledge through the death of scholars until no scholar remains; then people will take the ignorant as their leaders who when asked will issue verdicts without knowledge, thus leading themselves and others astray.
Within fourteen months, three scholars passed away. Approximately fourteen months ago, our noble brother, Al-Allamah, His Excellency Shaikh Abdullah bin Muhammad Bin Hamid, may Allah have mercy upon him, passed away about a year and two months ago. Subsequently, Shaikh Muhammad Bin Al-Harthan, a well-known scholar, also passed away at the beginning of Ramadan, may Allah have mercy upon him. Two nights ago, Shaikh Abdul Malik Bin Ibrahim, the former head of the authority in the western region, passed away. He was well-known for his virtue and knowledge. May Allah have mercy upon him.
The decrease of scholars is something noticed (and felt) and it is a great danger. O brother! It is obligated to you to take advantage of (or benefit from) the presence of the people of knowledge in any place, whether in this Masjid in Makkah, in Madina, or elsewhere. If you hear about the people of knowledge- those who are known for their sound creed, steadfastness, and noble teachings, be eager to (reach) them and embark to benefit from them in the Masaajid, in the gatherings that are broadcasted, or through programs such as “Nur Alaa Ad-Darb”, or through any means you can listen to (something) of benefit- be eager for it, seize (take advantage of) the moments of your life, learn your religion, pursue understanding of your religion before seeking someone to teach you, but no one is found, and there is no power nor strength except with Allah. A calamity may befall the people when they are deprived of knowledge, either by being distracted from the knowledge – afflicted with the calamity of distraction from knowledge, or due to the absence of the people of knowledge and the absence of the gatherings of gatherings; and there is no power or strength except with Allah. [1]
Al-Allamah Rabee, may Allah preserve him, was asked: Shaikh Al-Albani, Shaikh Ibn Baz, and Shaikh Uthaymeen have passed away, so who remains from the scholars?
Answer: Quote: Allah’s Messenger- peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- died and his noble companions- may Allah be pleased with them- remained. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal died and his companions remained. Ibn Taymiyyah died and his companions remained. Ibn Abdul Wahhaab died and his companions remained. Those [i.e. Al- Albani, Ibn Baz, and Uthaymeen] died and their students and brothers remain by Allah’s Will. The truth will not be lost. When Umar was stabbed, it was said to him, “Appoint a successor!” He said, “Allah will not allow His Religion to be lost”. By Allah! This Religion will never be lost. It is obligated to you to put shoulder to shoulder and embark upon work- raise the flag of the Sunnah and truth. “There will not cease to be a group amongst my Ummah manifest upon the truth, neither will they be harmed by those who betray them nor by those who oppose them till Allah’s promise come to pass (i.e. the day of Judgement)”. [2]
The Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him- said, “Allah will raise for this Ummah at the end of every hundred years the one who will revive its religion for it”. [3]
“Allaah will raise for this Ummah”– Meaning, the Ummah Al-Ijaabah (the Muslims). “At the end of every hundred years”– Meaning, at the end of every hundred years when there is little knowledge of the Shariah and the authentic Prophetic Sunnah, while ignorance and innovation in religious matters is rife. “One who will revive its religion for it”– Meaning, a scholar who is alive and well known. He will clarify the authentic Prophetic Sunnah and distinguish it from Bidah. knowledge will be abundant again and its adherents will be aided, and the proponents of Bidah will be overcome and degraded. This reviver is none else but a scholar who has a sound understanding of the religious sciences that deal with acts of worship, the underlying wisdom of the religion, and the texts that deal with beliefs of the heart. [4]
The Death of Al-Allaamah Ali Bin Muhammad Bin Nasir Al-Faqihi – May Allah have mercy upon him;
Shaikh Abdullah Al-Bukhari, may Allah preserve him stated: Today, Al-Allamah, the Murabbi (an Erudite Scholar who nurtures and guides the Ummah to the right path), the one who defended the religion ordained by Allah against the distortions of those who go beyond bounds, the distortions of falsifiers, and the (false) interpretations of the ignorant. May Allah grant him forgiveness and elevate his status in Paradise alongside the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous, and excellent are those as companions. May Allah grant his family and children patience and solace, as well as Ahlus Sunnah. “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him, we shall return”. [5]
A Brief Acquaintance With Al-Allaamah Ali Bin Muhammad Bin Nasir Al-Faqihi – may Allah have mercy upon him:
He was born in the village of Al-Manjarah, situated in the Jazan region, in the year 1354 AH. He spent his formative years there, where he completed his primary and secondary education.
From an early age, he engaged in numerous educational circles and studied under various scholars at the institutions established by Shaikh Abdullah Al-Qarawi in the southern region, with Shaikh Hafiz Al-Hakami being one of his prominent instructors.
He pursued his academic endeavours diligently, ultimately earning a doctorate, specifically in Aqeedah, at King Abdul Aziz University, Makkah branch (now known as Umm Al-Qura University) in the year 1399 AH.
He entered the professional realm and occupied several significant positions throughout his academic journey, including:
– Dean of Library Affairs at the Islamic University of Madinah.
– Secretary-General of the Islamic University.
– Chairman of the Council for Islamic Advocacy.
– Faculty member in graduate studies.
Additionally, he served as a consultant at the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran and as an instructor at the Prophet’s Mosque.
He actively participated in numerous conferences both domestically and internationally, such as:
– The conference on intoxicants and drugs held at the Islamic University.
– The conference commemorating the 15th Hijri century in the year 1400 AH, which was conducted in Sudan.
He has authored a collection of published research, printed works, and edited books, including:
كتاب الإيمان – لابن منده – ثلاثة مجلدات – تحقيق.
– كتاب التوحيد – لابن منده – مجلدان – تحقيق.
– الرد على الجهمية – لابن منده – جزء ـ تحقيق.
– الأربعين في دلائل التوحيد ـ للهروي ـ تحقيق.
– الإمامة والرد على الرافضة ـ لأبي نعيم ـ مجلد ـ تحقيق.
– الصفات والنزول ـ للدارقطني ـ تحقيق.
– الحيدة ـ للكناني ـ تحقيق.
– الصواعق المرسلة ـ لابن القيم ـ الجزء الأول ـ تحقيق بالاشتراك.
– منهج القرآن في الدعوة إلى الإيمان ـ تأليف.
– الفتح المبين ـ تأليف.
– الرد القويم البالغ على الكتاب المسمى بالحق الدامغ ـ تأليف.
– سلسلة الوصايات في الكتاب والسنة.
Alongside several research studies and articles that have been published in “the Islamic University Journal”. [6]
We ask Allah:
اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ
O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [As-Saheehah Number 1301]
May bestow extensive mercy to Al-Allaamah Ali Nasir Al-Faqeehee, elevating his rank in the Hereafter and make all his endeavours lasting Sadaqah Jariyah. May Allah bestow His mercy upon all the upright scholars who have departed this world, and grant a long and virtuous life to those who remain among us. Ameen.
[1] https://binbaz.org.sa/audios/1114/%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%B6-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1
[2] Adh-Daree’ah Ilaa Bayaan Maqaasid Kitaab Ash-Sharee’ah 1/208-209
[3] Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawud. Hadith Number 4291.
[4] An Excerpt from Awnul Ma’bood Sharh Sunan Abee Daawud. 11/259-260
[5] https://x.com/dr_albukhary/status/1825800292023071117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[6] https://www.mimham.net/che-38