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Tag: callers to misguidance

Who Is This Dangerous Category of People Mentioned by Shaikh Rabee?!

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi (may Allaah preserve him) said:

(You) find the likes of this dishonesty today; there is that one who approaches two disputing parties-one group upon truth and the other upon falsehood, so he misguides all of them and does not give greater weight to the truth. He manifests a new doctrine which he considers to be the balance path, whilst it is falsehood and sophistry in and of itself. This category of people is a dangerous trend and their foundation is lying and deception.

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[دحر إفتراءات  – Footnote in page 191]

‘One of The Ways through Which the Qussaas (story tellers) Seek to Corrupt The People’-by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi

Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah) stated:

When it is the case that addressing the (people) through exhortations is mostly (directed at) the common people, the ignorant story tellers found a way of reaching their goals. Then their bidah did not cease until the affair reached alarming proportions. So they brought about evil (affairs with regards to their) deeds, statements and goals.

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[Source: كتاب القصاص والمذكرين- page 290]

Why Hate and Falsely Blame The Trustworthy Scholars and Students After They Fulfil This Great Responsibility!

Imaam Muslim (rahimahullaah) said:

know-may may Allaah (The Mot High) grant you success-that it is obligatory upon everyone (i.e. the scholars who criticise or commend narrators of hadeeth) to know the distinction between the authentic chains of transmission and the faulty ones, and the (trustworthiness, precision etc) of the narrators of (the authentic chains) as opposed to those who have been charged (with weakness, forgetfulness, fabrication etc in their narrations), so that nothing is transmitted from these narrations except that which whose narrator is sound and blameless in his narrations, and to avoid that which is from those who have been charged with (weakness, forgetfulness, fabrication etc) and the obstinate ones amongst Ahlul Bidah. [Muqaddimah Saheeh Muslim: page 61]

 

Reminder: A Beautiful Observation by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Regarding the Reason behind the Misguidance of Some of Those Who Came After the Sahaabah

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

As for those who came after the Sahaabah (i.e. us), among them is that one who was brought up in Islaam but knows not what is in opposition to it. Therefore, some of the details of the path of the believers and that of the criminals became confusing to him, for indeed confusion occurs due to the weakness of one’s knowledge regarding either paths or one of them, as Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu-anhu) said:

”The ties of Islaam will be demolished one after the other when a people brought up in Islaam know not what Jaahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic Ignorance) is.” 

This (statement indicates) Umar’s excellent knowledge.  And if you do not know what pre-Islamic ignorance and its rulings are, then it is all that is in opposition to what the Messenger came with-all (affairs) that are in opposition to the Messenger is tantamount to ignorance.

And there is that one who is neither acquainted with the path of the criminals nor has it been made clear to him, or he has doubts and thus thinks that some of their ways are from the ways of the believers. This has occurred in this Ummah in many affairs pertaining to Aqeedah, Knowledge and Action from the path of the criminals, the disbelievers and the enemies of the Messengers, (which) was brought into the path of the believers by the one who does not know the (detailed distinction between) the path of believers and the path of the criminals, so he calls to (this path of the criminals); excommunicates the one who opposes him and declares lawful that which Allaah and His Messenger made unlawful, just as what has occurred with many of the people of bidah, such as the Jahmiyyah, the Qadariyyah, the Khawaarij, the Rawaafid and their likes, among those who initiated an innovation, called to it and excommunicated those who opposed it.

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[Source: Al-Fawaa’d pages 167-180; abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

 

The State of Affairs of This Person Will Not Cease To Amaze You!

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُ هَوَاهُ

Have you (O Muhammad) seen him who has taken as his ilah (god) his own desire?

[Soorah Al-Furqaan: Ayah: 43]

Imaam as-Saa’di (rahimahullaah) said: Are you not amazed by his (i.e. this person’s) state of affairs and you are looking at the misguidance he is upon, whilst he judges for himself that he is upon lofty stations? [1] Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said: And whenever something is desirable and he sees it as (something) good according to his own desires, it becomes his religion (or creed, judgement, way of life and school of thought). [2]

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[1] Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan

[2]Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer

 

One of Fir’awn’s Many Evils – [He called to evil and debated as one upon truth]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَڪَذَٲلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرۡعَوۡنَ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِ -Thus it was made fair-seeming, in Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) eyes, the evil of his deeds]

Evil deeds were made fair seeming to him, so shaytaan did not cease to make it fair seeming to him, whilst he called to it and beautified it, until he saw it as something good.  He called to it and debated (in a manner) like those upon truth, whilst he was from the greatest of the corrupters.

[وَصُدَّ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۚ  -And he was hindered from the path] of truth, due to the falsehood that was made fair seeming to him. [وَمَا ڪَيۡدُ فِرۡعَوۡنَ – And the plot of Fir’aun (Pharaoh)]–the one who  wanted to plot against the truth and give a false impression to the people that he was the one upon truth, and that Moosaa was upon falsehood—[ إِلَّا فِى تَبَابٍ – led to nothing but loss]; That is: (complete) loss and waste.  It benefited him in nothing except wretchedness in this world and in the Hereafter.

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[For further details, see Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]

Summarized Benefits from Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan’s Clarification Regarding the Plots of Saudi’s Enemies [The Land of Tawheed]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

O slaves of Allaah! Be grateful for the blessings of Islaam. You (all) know—may Allaah protect you—that this country is established upon the creed of pure Islamic monotheism, sincerity in worshipping Allaah alone, enjoining good, forbidding evil, ruling by the share-ah and establishment of the prescribed punishments ordained by Allaah; so its state of security remains and stability continues, and it lives—as you know-in blessing, comfort, security and stability, whereas the other countries are in trials and confusion.

This country-and all praise be to Allaah—is in a state of security, stability, comfortable living and tranquillity, except that this stability is not pleasing to the enemies of this country. So they have not ceased in attempting to demolish its state of security.They attempt to do this, so that it becomes like other countries.

It (i.e. Saudi Arabia) occupies the center of the hearts of the Muslims. It is the Qiblah in their Salaah and it has a status in the Islamic world. So if it were to be destabilized—just as the enemies desire to destabilize the entire Islamic world—then who will establish the Hajj and Umrah; who will provide safety for the pilgrims whilst they seek to fulfill the rites of Hajj and Umrah, except this country with the Help of Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He).

The (social) structure of this country will be destabilized if its security is lost; then where will the Islamic world proceed to? And because of this the enemies of Islaam plot against this country day and night,–as you all know—sometimes through seeking to cause doubts about the creed and disseminating filthy views amongst the children of the Muslims in order to implant idleness, extremism, or taking up arms, or carrying explosives, or causing destruction; sometimes by way of corrupting the manners, disseminating forbidden affairs and forbidden desires amongst the Muslim youth, in order to corrupt their manners and deprive them of their religion with the claim of freedom of expression and other false statements.

What is freedom of expression? The freedom to express evil! Freedom of expression has to be within the confines of Islam, for indeed Allaah has freed mankind through Islaam. Allaah has freed mankind from idol worship, forbidden desires and despicable manners. This is the correct freedom; but as for what is in opposition to it of lowly desires, doubts and corrupt manners, this is the freedom of animals.

However, they want this in order to corrupt the Muslim youth—either through extremism and harshness or through laxity in their religion. They attempt this and that—either to corrupt the intellects of the Muslim youth with intoxicants, drugs, cigarettes, Qaat and other drugs and intoxicants or through fabrications (i.e. ideas, views etc). They want to do away with the Muslim youth because after Allaah’s (Glorified Be He) Support for the Muslim society, the society is built upon its youth- so they want to corrupt the Muslim youth through any means so that they are able to demolish this country. As you can see –from time to time–huge quantities of opium and other types of drugs are smuggled. As you can see this did not come from nothing; rather it came about as a bad plan against this country. They want to destroy it from every direction. Therefore, you should all be a singular hand with your rulers and those charged of your affairs in repelling this enmity and to be attentive of it…..

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[Slightly paraphrased and abridged. For further details, http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/2529]

 

 

Reminder to some militant secularists – Nothing Can Rightfully Contradict, Falsify or Nullify The Information Given by Allaah and His Messenger

Shaikhul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

Indeed, man is unjust and ignorant.  The origin with regards to his (affair) is that he has no knowledge and his inclination is towards what he desires of evil. Therefore, he is in constant need of detailed knowledge in order to bring about an end to his ignorance and (in order that he is given) justice in his love, hatred, pleasure, anger, abandonment, giving and withholding.  He is in need of justice in everything he says and does in order to remove the oppression (he may commit). So, unless Allaah grants him detailed knowledge and the (detailed knowledge of the precepts) of justice, he will be in that ignorance and oppression that will take him away from the straight path. [1]

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated: Allaah (The Most High) said:

قُلۡ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ

Say (O Muhammad): “Allah has spoken the truth. [3: 95]

وَمَنۡ أَصۡدَقُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ قِيلاً۬

And whose words can be truer than those of Allah? (Of course, none).” [4: 122]

وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثۡلُ خَبِيرٍ۬

And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything).” [35: 14]

قُلۡ أَىُّ شَىۡءٍ أَكۡبَرُ شَہَـٰدَةً۬‌ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ

Say (O Muhammad): “What thing is the most great in witness?” Say: “Allah (the Most Great!) is Witness between me and you.”[6:19]

لَّـٰكِنِ ٱللَّهُ يَشۡہَدُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ أَنزَلَهُ ۥ بِعِلۡمِهِۦ‌ۖ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ يَشۡهَدُونَ‌ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَہِيدًا

But Allah bears witness to that which He has sent down (the Qur’an) unto you (O Muhammad), He has sent it down with His Knowledge, and the angels bear witness. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Witness.” [4:166]

شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآٮِٕمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَڪِيمُ

”Allah bears witness that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. La ilah illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [3: 18]

The Aayaat regarding this mighty affair are many and they are indications to the clearest proofs that the most obligatory of obligations upon the slaves is that they should believe and testify to everything Allaah (The Most High) has stated about Himself–regarding His perfect Attributes and that which He negated from Himself regarding attributes of deficiency, and He is more knowledgeable about Himself than His creation. His testimony is the greatest testimony- what He has stated about Himself and everything else is of the highest degree of truthfulness. So this makes it obligatory on the slave that he does not enter the least of doubt in his heart regarding any information given by Allaah. He should make that (information) a source of firm creed, which can neither be opposed by anything in opposition nor blemished by (any) doubt.

He should know with certain knowledge that it is not possible for anything to (rightfully) oppose the information given by Allaah and His Messenger, and everything that opposes and negates it-regardless what type of knowledge that is- is self-evident falsehood. (It is) false in its judgement and there is nothing to be (considered) sound that can be in opposition to what Allaah has stated.

[Also these Aayaat (3:95; 4:122; 35:14; 6:19; 4:166; 3:18 etc)] are an indication to the greatest proof that the one who establishes his creed solely on the information given by Allaah and His Messenger, then indeed he has established it upon a strong foundation; rather he has established it on the foundation of all sound foundations even if opponents were appointed or decreed for it.

And how can this not be the case, when it is the (fact that) the sound (uncorrupted) intellectual proofs, the sound innate uncorrupted human disposition, the sound uncorrupted paths of comprehension and the sound uncorrupted human (self, frame of mind etc) are all in support of the information given by Allaah and His Messengers—testifying to the truthfulness of that which Allaah and His Messengers have stated and its benefits. And because of this Allaah has praised the people of sound understanding amongst the creation because they establish their creed based on this foundation.

رَّ‌بَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَ‌بِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا ِ‌

“Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one (Muhammad) calling to Faith: ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed.” [3: 193]

وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا

”And they say, “We hear, and we obey.” [2: 285)

 الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ اللَّـهُ ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

Those who listen to the Word [good advice La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and Islamic Monotheism, etc.] and follow the best thereof (i.e. worship Allah Alone, repent to Him and avoid Taghut, etc.) those are (the ones) whom Allah has guided and those are men of understanding (like Zaid bin ‘Amr bin Nufail, Salman Al-Farisi and Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari). [39:18]

And from this one knows that the innovated statements and creeds of the futile  people of philosophical rhetoric have neither been given any authority by Allaah nor are they based on the Qur’aan and the Sunnah; rather they are founded on the intellects of those whose mistakes and deviation is known. (Their views) are the most futile of all futilities and the most foolish of all foolish affairs because they turn away from the information given by Allaah and His Messengers—deceived by their souls that call to evil and abandoned to their (corrupt) intellects, which have neither been purified by the realities of Imaan nor have they been nourished with sound Imaan and certainty.

This foundation (i.e. belief and testifying to all the information given Allaah and His Messengers) is enough to refute all the statements of the people of deviation and acquaints (a person) with the falsehood (of such statements) in detail. That is because when we know that (these statements) are in opposition to the clear revealed Islamic texts and the  sound unambiguous proofs transmitted by (the scholars from the Book, the Sunnah and the Salaf), then we will know their futility. And that is because anything that opposes the truth is falsehood and that which is in opposition to truthfulness is a lie. [2]

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[1]Source: Quoted by Shaikh Abdullaah Bukhaari in At-Ta’liqaat Ar-Radiyyah Alal Mandhoomah Al-Bayqooniyyah: page: 13]

[2] Slightly Paraphrased and Abridged: Source: Fat’hur Raheem Al-Malik Al-Allaam Fee Ilm Al- Aqaa-id Wat-Tawheed Wal Akhlaaq Wal-Ahkaam Al-Mustanbatu Minal Qur’aan’ page: 9-10. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Abu Mu’aawiyah (Abdullah Al-Gambi)

Whoever abandons what is Beneficial, He Will Be Tried with What Is Harmful- [A brief and insightful reminder by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated in Al Qawaa’idul Hisaan Li-Tafseeril Qur’aan Pages: 96-97:

[1] This is found in a number of Aayaat, that when the polytheists shunned the worship of Ar-Rahmaan (Allaah), they were put to test with the worship of images (idols). And when they displayed haughtiness and claimed that the Messengers were (only) humans (i.e. therefore they will not follow the Messengers), they were put to test with submission to everything that made (their) intellect and Religion unstable.

[2] And when Eemaan was clearly shown to them (i.e. the disbelieving nations) at the first instance and they recognized it, but then turned away from it, Allaah (Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections) averted, afflicted and sealed their hearts.  So, they did not believe until they perceived the painful punishment.

[3] And after the straight path was clarified for them, but they deviated from it by choice and approved the path of deviation in opposition to the path of guidance, they were punished- Allaah deviated their hearts and caused them to be confounded in their path (of misguidance).

[4] And when they belittled the signs of Allaah and His Messengers, Allaah belittled them with a humiliating punishment.  And when they displayed haughtiness, Allaah humiliated them in this life and the next.

[5] And when they forbade that Allaah’s Name be glorified and mentioned in the Mosques of Allaah and strive for their ruin, then it was not fitting after that they should enter it except in fear.

[6] وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ عَاهَدَ اللَّـهَ لَئِنْ آتَانَا مِن فَضْلِهِ لَنَصَّدَّقَنَّ وَلَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

فَلَمَّا آتَاهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ بَخِلُوا بِهِ وَتَوَلَّوا وَّهُم مُّعْرِ‌ضُونَ

فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُ بِمَا أَخْلَفُوا اللَّـهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ

”And of them are some who made a covenant with Allaah (saying): ”If He bestowed on us of His Bounty, we will verily give Sadaqah (Zakat and voluntary charity in Allaah’s cause) and will be certainly among those who are righteous.  ”Then when He gave them of His Bounty, they became niggardly [refused to pay the Sadaqah (Zakat or voluntary charity)], and turned away, averse.  So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet him, because they broke that (covenant with Allaah) which they had promised to Him and because they used to tell lies”( 9:75-77)

The Aayaat with this meaning are numerous and in them is that the slave was close to being guided and made to follow the straight path, but then he abandoned it after knowing it, or he renounced it after following it, so he is punished and has no right to guidance.  This is a recompense for his actions, as Allaah said about the Yahood (i.e. those who knew the truthfulness of Muhammad’s (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) Messengership, but turned away from it willfully)]:

وَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ رَ‌سُولٌ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّـهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ نَبَذَ فَرِ‌يقٌ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ كِتَابَ اللَّـهِ وَرَ‌اءَ ظُهُورِ‌هِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُو الشَّيَاطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ

”And when there came to them a Messenger from Allaah (i.e Muhammad) confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allaah behind their backs as if they did not know!  They followed what the (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaymaan”.  2:101-102

They abandoned the most sublime, the most beneficial and the most truthful of the Books (i.e. the Qur’aan), so Allaah put them to test with following that which is the most debased, most untruthful, and most harmful. Those who wage war against Allaah and His Messenger abandon spending their wealth in obedience to Allaah, and (instead) spend it in obedience to shaytaan.

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[Source: Al Qawaa-idul Hisaan Li-tafseer Al Qur’aan” by Imaam Abdur Rahmaan As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Pages: 96-97. Abridged]

[2] Following the Proofs is Not Limited to Fiqh Issues, Rather One Has to Accept The Statements of Those Scholars Who Establish The Clear Proofs Against The Innovators and The Deviants!

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

They (i.e. the people of doubts) say: ”We are not obliged to take the speech of the Shaikh.”

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Shaikh Rabee (may Allaah preserve him) said:

You find a scholar quoting and refuting the affairs of misguidance found in the Book of such and such a person, in such and such page, yet you find these people saying: ‘’I am not obliged to (take/accept) the speech of such and such a Shaikh?!’’

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This statement of theirs is a principle by way of which they seek to shun and reject truth.  It is a false principle by way of which they seek to reject the sound principles of Jarh Wat-Tadeel.  Therefore, learn the sound principles of Jarh Wat-Tadeel and look to the methodology of the Salaf; and leave alone these who misguide. They bring turmoil upon the true religion of Allaah and upon the Methodology of the Salaf and its followers.

Question to Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali (may Allaah preserve him)

Are the issues of Jarh Wat-Tadeel based on Ijtihaad? And how do we refute the one who says, ‘’I am not obliged to (take/accept) the speech of such and such a Shaikh?!

Answer:

A group among the schemers against the Salafi Methodology and those who wear a false garment of the Salafiyyah Methodology seek to place in the affair of Jarh Wat-Tadeel, (the false principle): ”We rectify, but we do not disparage;” (and the false principle): ”We want a broad and extensive methodology that will accommodate all the ummah”; (and the false principle): ‘’We rectify but we do not destroy;” Meaning: Neither evil nor bidah is repelled; rather all the Ummah are accommodated in a board and extensive methodology to the extent that even the Raafidah (shia) are accommodated.  So these people begin to make false accusations against the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel and against those (i.e. the scholars) who establish it.  Some of these false accusers have gone as far as saying that there is no proof in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah to establish the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel!

Indeed, the Qur’aan is filled with the proofs of Jarh Wat Tadeel. The people of pharaoh have been refuted and disparaged; the people of Prophet Nooh have been refuted and disparaged; the people of Prophet Hud have been refuted and disparaged; the people of Prophet Saaleh have been refuted and disparaged; the Quraish have been refuted and disparaged and Abu Lahab has been refuted and disparaged.  The Sunnah and the methodology of the Salaf are filled with Jarh Wat Tadeel and it is a weapon against the people of innovation.  These people promoting such false principles want to break this ‘Jarh Wat-Tadeel Weapon’ into pieces, and they want to deprive the Salafis of this ‘Jarh Wat-Tadeel Weapon’ which is traced back to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam).

So a person comes along and wages war against the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel; then a second person comes along and wages war against the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel; then a third person comes along and wages war against the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel; then a fourth one comes along and wages war against the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel……..then a tenth person comes along and wages war against the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel and they are all followed by crowds!! Therefore be warned against these people, for they wear a false gown of Salafiyyah in order to split the Salafis through these false principles and precepts.

A person commits murder and was seen by two trustworthy witnesses; then these two witnesses are summoned in the presence of the ruler who applies the Islamic rulings; so what will he judge by?  He should judge by the law of Islam; and if not then he has opposed the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam).    Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَأَشۡہِدُواْ ذَوَىۡ عَدۡلٍ۬ مِّنكُمۡ

”And take for witness two just persons from among you (Muslims).” [65:2]

The evidence for giving witnesses and the evidences for Jarh Wat-Tadeel are one and the same thing.  As for the untrustworthy person, then his narration is not accepted. Likewise, the liar- the deceiver whose speech cannot be determined for its correctness, then his testimony is not accepted. Neither his criticism nor commendation of a person is accepted.  However, if he is a scholar who is precise and skillful, and he says about a person: ”Such and such a person is a liar”; then it is obligatory upon the people to accept his speech.  The Salaf followed this methodology, (such as their saying): ”such and such is a liar”; ”such and such has a bad memory”; ”such and such is an innovator”; ”such and such is a murji”; ”such and such is a khaariji”; ”such and such is a mutazili.” etc   These statements have been made by Imaam Ahmad, Imaam Ibn Ma’een, Imaam Ibn Al-Madeenee, Imaam Bukhaaree etc.  This the path followed by the Salaf; and why is that the case? That is because Allaah commanded us to accept the narration of the trustworthy narrators.  Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإٍ۬ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ

O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it’’ [49:6]

Clarification and verification is to be sought when a rebellious evil person narrates. The narration of a rebellious evil person is not declared a lie straight away because it may be correct; but it is not accepted until it is verified.

As for the narration of a trustworthy person–as long as he is trustworthy and precise in what he narrates from the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), then it is obligatory to accept his narration.  The Books of the Sunnah are filled with the narrations of those truthful narrators—a truthful person who reports from another truthful person with a chain of transmission going back to the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). However, these people who are seeking to attack the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel with their false principles want to abolish the sound principles upon which our Religion is established.

Many of the Ahaadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), the transmissions from the companions (radiyallaahu-anhum) and the transmissions from the Imaams of the Sunnah were transmitted from one trustworthy person to another trustworthy person… and it obligatory to accept them, due to the saying of Allaah (The Most High):

[وَأَشۡہِدُواْ ذَوَىۡ عَدۡلٍ۬ مِّنكُمۡ ]

And take for witness two just persons from among you (Muslims).

And with regards to transmission of information, then the information transmitted by one person is sufficient because the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to send one person to Chosroes (i.e. the Emperor of Persia) to call him to Islaam and establish the proofs against him.

And he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam) sent one person to Caesar the King of Rome to call him to Islaam and establish the proofs against him.  The people used to enter Islaam through the message of this one trustworthy-truthful person sent by the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam).  And if they rejected Islaam and refused to follow the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) based on the information transmitted by this one trustworthy-truthful person, he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) prepared an army against them. The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) prepared an army for the battle of Tabuk against the Romans based on the fact that they rejected the call to Islaam which was communicated to them by one person.

He (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) sent individuals to Bahrain, Oman and Yemen and their narrations were accepted; so how about in this present time of ours when there are ten or fifty Salafi (scholars) who are in agreement regarding a particular affair, but their narrations are rejected. And those who reject them, say: ‘’There has to be a consensus of all the scholars.’’  And from the false principles of these people is that they say: ‘’we neither accept criticism against a person nor a praise for him even if many of the contemporary scholars say that such a person is an innovator.’’

Therefore be warned against these people, because they make a claim to Salafiyyah, whilst seeking to destroy the Salafi Methodology, its principles and foundations.  How many false precepts do they have, such as their saying: ‘’I am not obliged to (take/accept) the speech of such and such a Shaikh?!’’  You find a scholar quoting and refuting the affairs of misguidance found in the Book of such and such a person, in such and such page, yet you find these people saying: ‘’I am not obliged to (take/accept) the speech of such and such a Shaikh?!’’

This statement of theirs is a principle by way of which they seek to shun and reject truth.  It is a false principle by way of which they seek to reject the sound principles of Jarh Wat-Tadeel.  Therefore, learn the sound principles of Jarh Wat-Tadeel and look to the methodology of the Salaf; and leave alone these who misguide. They bring turmoil upon the true religion of Allaah and upon the Methodology of the Salaf and its followers.

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Source: Slightly Paraphrased from a lecture of the Shaikh delivered on Yawm Al-Khaamis 28 Shawaal 1431