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Be a Person Who Benefit Others Whenever You Sit or accompany the people- a very beneficial advice by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah)

Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated in ‘Noorul Basaa’ir Wal al-baab fee ahkaam al ‘Ibaadaat Wal Mu‘aamalaat Wal Huqooq Wal Aadaab’ pages 64-65:

When you sit with the people, make humility the sign by which you are recognized. Fear of Allaah should be your shield and giving advice to the servants of Allaah as your constant habit. Be eager to (make) every gathering you in which you sit, to be of goodness- either research into affairs of knowledge or advice on religious matters; either directing (others) towards a general or a particular beneficial affair, or making a mention of the blessings of Allaah; either making a mention of the superior status of praiseworthy manners and good etiquettes or warning against that which is detrimental to the wellbeing of one’s religious or worldly (affairs). The least of this (i.e. your companionship and advice to those you sit with) is that the earnings from their occupations should be by way of permissible (means) and not what is forbidden.

Behave well towards the young, the old and your peers. Deal with each of them in a way they deserve and have respect for the one who deserves to be respected and honoured. Be eager to make your congregation relaxed by way of speech that is appropriate and good, even if that was in relation to the worldly (affairs).

The sensible and determined person achieves abundant goodness through the gatherings of the people and he becomes more beloved to them than all (beloved things). This is because he approaches the people with what they approve (i.e. good) and statements they desire, and the foundation in this is success in taking over control of all the affairs placed before them.

And these affairs (i.e. good advice and companionship) become more emphasized on a journey, because during a journey sitting together is prolonged and the travellers are in need of having someone who revives their hearts with good statements, the news of events and joke–if all of that is truth and not too much–and to assist them with the essential affairs of travel.

Allaah (Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections) is the one who caused the dissimilarities between His slaves with regards to their manners, their actions and in all of their affairs. Allaah (Alone) is the One Who grants success. [Abridged]

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]

[4] Be Warned Against The Deviant Du’aat to Hizbiyyah, Bidah and Misguidance-Those Who Say Something About Their Repentance, But Oppose It With Their Actions

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi (hafidha-hullaah) was asked:

A lot of mistakes and differing occurs amongst the Salafi youth as a result of the return or claimed return of an opposer of the Salafi Manhaj to the domain of Salafiyyah; What is your advice to the youth, (as) some of them accept the repentance of (such a person) and others do not.

Answer:
Whatever the case may be, if a person falls into Sin, doubts and Bidah, but then he repents and turn to Allah in obedience, it is not permissible for anyone to close the door of repentance in his face. That is because the door of repentance is open up until the sun rises from the West.  If a person repents and returns (to correctness) it is obligatory to praise and encourage him.

However, some people are well known for lying and inconsistency, so he acts as if he is repentant.  So regarding this person, we say: Inshaa-Allaah your repentance is accepted, but we are cautious of him until he manifests his correct repentance.

Abul Hasan Al-Ash-ari announced his repentance on the Mimbar. He used to be an extreme Mutazili-a leader among the leaders of the Mutazilah and he persisted in defence of this evil school of thought for forty years and repented after that.  He announced his repentance and from the proofs of his repentance is that he began to author astounding refutations against the Mutizalah-refutation against their doubts.   So there are signs of the truthful acts of repentance which dispels the doubts (about his repentance); Meaning: He publicized and manifested to the people that he follows the truth.

So there are affairs that show the truthfulness of (the repentant one) and there are factual evidences that show the untruthfulness of (the one who merely claims to have repented).  He (the person) is encouraged if there are factual evidences showing his truthfulness, and (on the other hand) it is incumbent upon the Salafiyyoon to be cautious of him if there are factual evidences showing only the mere claims of his (repentance), as it can be that he is being deceitful.

The groups are widespread; It is not possible to ruin the Salafi youth and hinder the Salafi youth from the Salafi Methodology, except with either claims of (ascription) to Salafiyyah or (claims) of withdrawal from mistakes that are in opposition to the Salafi Manhaj.  So if they incline towards him (i.e. the one who claims repentance), he may be able to entice the one he can entice towards a corrupt Methodology.  This does take place.

Whatever the case may be, encouragement is given to the one from whom repentance is manifested and it is obligatory to be cautious of the one from whom playing games is manifested.  The Salafiyyoon should be alert with regards to the likes of these (people).

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[Source: Siyaanatus Salafi Min Waswasati Wa-Talbeesaat Ali Al-Halabi: page: 79-80]

[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

[1] Following the Proofs and Being Care of Blameworthy Blind Following, Especially When You Know the Proofs and They Are Very Clear to You

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

Ibn Abdul-Barr (rahimahullaah) said:

According to the scholars, Taqleed (i.e. blind following) is other than Ittibaa. That is because Ittibaa is to follow a person based on what is apparent to you based on the superiority of his statement and soundness of his school of thought. And Taqleed is that you speak with his statement, whilst you neither know the angle of his speech nor its meaning and you reject speech besides it; or his mistake is made manifest to you, but you follow him and venerate his opposition (to the truth), whilst the corruptness of his speech is clear to you. This is what is forbidden to speak with in the religion of Allaah (The Most High). [End of quote] [1]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhalee (may Allaah preserve him) said:

Indeed, bigoted partisanship and (blind following) of schools of thought in affairs of creed, affairs of worship, politics and other than it has appeared; so what was the stance of the Imaams of Islaam towards those bigoted partisanships and oppressive Pre-Islamic (traits), which split the Muslims and weakened Islaam at the same time?

Answer:

Indeed, the companions (may Allaah be pleased with them), such as the likes of Abdullaah Ibn Umar freed themselves from the people of bigoted partisanship and desires, as it was narrated by Imaam Muslim (regarding) the time when news reached (Ibn Umar) about those who innovated the doctrine of the negation of Allaah’s pre-decree; so he (Ibn Umar) said:”If you meet those ones inform them that I am free from them and they are free from me”, and what Ibn Umar swore by that ”if one of them were to spend in charity gold equal to mount Uhud, it will not be accepted until they believe in the pre-decree of Allaah.” [2]

A Misunderstanding Regarding The Statement, ‘Laa Inkaar Fee Masaa’il Al-Khilaaf [There Should Be No Repudiation In The affairs of Khilaaf (i.e. differing)]

Some people are under the illusion that what is intended by this statement is that it impermissible to repudiate (others) regarding any affair in which difference of opinion is held.  So based upon this (illusion of theirs), it becomes impermissible to disapprove of a Munkar (an evil) unless there is complete agreement in doing so.  This is a wrong understanding which necessitates the termination of enjoining good and forbidding evil.

The scholars (i.e. of Ahlus Sunnah) hold differences of opinion in most of the Masaa’il (i.e. the verdicts on fiqh and subsidiary issues). And what is correct regarding this statement ‘Laa Inkaar Fee Masaa’il Al-Khilaaf- There should be no repudiation in affairs of Khilaaf (differing)’ is that there should neither be harshness in (one’s) disapproval nor (in one’s) criticism regarding those issues about which there is no manifest proof to be taken as the final (verdict). And the basis upon which this is founded is that the issues of khilaaf (differing) are of two categories:

The First Category: They are those issues of khilaaf in which there is proof necessitating that it should be taken as the final (verdict).  So here, the proof must be taken and the other statement (or opinion) in opposition is discarded.  And whoever follows the statement (or opinion) that is established to be in opposition to the proofs, then he is to be repudiated.

The Second Category: It is those issues of khilaaf in which the proof has not been manifested in order to be taken as the final (verdict).  It is an affair in which the evidences contend with each other or the views are at variance.  This is an issue of Ijtihaad, and there is neither disapproval nor reprimand against the one in opposition; rather advice is given to acquaint (each other) with the statement that carries more weight.   This second category of (khilaaf) is what is intended by the statement ‘Laa Inkaar Fee Masaa-il Al-Khilaaf’ which some people have understood in an unrestricted manner. [3]

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee Al Madkhalee (hafidha-hullaah) said:

We do not say that there are people of ijtihaad amongst ahlul bidah because they are followers of desires, and Allaah and His Messenger have testified to this.  The misguided innovator stirs up discord (or splitting) and errs, and then says to you, ‘This is ijtihaad’.

When Hikmatiyaar and the misguided parties (in Afghanistan) murdered Shaikh Jameel Ur-Rahmaan, they said: ‘This is ijtihaad’.  Making lawful the spilling of the blood of the Salafis is Ijtihaad to them.  This is what it is! They (ahlul bidah) do not fall into an affair of misguidance or a calamity except that they say, ‘This is ijtihaad’. This is diluting Islaam.  It is falsehood, misguidance and bidah mixed with truth when the mistakes of the (true and qualified scholars of ijtihaad)- for which they are rewarded- are placed at the same level with innovation about which the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said that it will be in the fire. [4]

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[1] [Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm Wa-Fadlihee: 2/787]

[2] [Source: Silsilah Ar-Rasaa-il Al-Ilmiyyah Li-Fadheelatis Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee….page 370]

[3] [Source: Ibaaraat Moohimah, page 25’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Umar Saalim Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

[4] Ajwibatul Allaamatush Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee Al Madkhalee Alaa As-ilah Abee Rawaaha Al-Manhajiyyah; page: 20

Precise quote by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Haadi from Imaam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab about referring back to the Book and Sunnah during differ

Shaikh Muhammad Bin Haadi (may Allaah preserve him) stated in ‘Al-Iqnaa’u Bimaa Jaa’a An A’immatid Da’wati Minal Aqwaali Fil Ittibaa’ page17:

Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdil Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) said regarding the statement of [Allaah (The Most High)]:

فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِ

 (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger

When it is the case that Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] has indeed obligated on us to refer back to Allaah concerning wherein we differ- that is (referring back our differing) to the Book of Allaah and to the Messenger – that is his Sunnah-; we know definitely (without any doubt) that the one who refers back to the Book and the Sunnah regarding what the people differ in, he will find in them (i.e. the Book and the Sunnah) that which will end the differing (i.e. the correct position will be established and the differing will end).

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Abu Mu’aawiyah (Abdullah Al-Gambi)

Shaikh Rabee Clarifies Regarding When Someone Would Be Regarded as One imitating the khawaarij In Their Act of Shaving the Head

Question to Shaikh Rabee (may Allaah preserve him):

Our Shaikh-may Allaah preserve you. (Regarding) the statement of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam): ‘’Their sign (i.e. the khawaarij) will be the habit of shaving.’’ [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari, Hadeeth Number 562, Vol 9] So is the one who shaves a lot in this era similar to them because some of the scholars say that it (i.e. shaving) is not a sign of theirs at present?

The Shaikh (may Allaah preserve him) responded:

Answer: The who does not intend to imitate them, rather he (only) wants to shave his head, this is permissible. (That is) because the initial (ruling regarding this affair) is Al-Jawaaz (permissibility) and he (i.e. the person) does not desire to imitate them. Therefore, this person is not from them, for they (i.e. khawaarij) used to adopt shaving as a sign for themselves in order to distinguish them from the Muslims. They adopted shaving as a distinguishing sign just as the shee’ah adopt black clothing. This is a general distinguishing sign of black (clothing) and what is similar to it, just as the soofiyyah (i.e. the soofees) adopt patched garments and some (other types of) clothing to distinguish them from the people. So these distinguishing signs which some people wish to be distinguished by way of religious practice and from the Muslims, then these (people) are people of misguidance who are similar to the khawaarij in their (act of) shaving. As for the one who shaves because it is permissible, he is not included in this In-Shaa-Allaah, except if he adopts it as a distinguishing sign. [الذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة – Vol 2, page 266 ]

Abu Mu’aawiyah (Abdullah Al-Gambi)

Shaikh Rabee clarifies why many people are/were still on an unstable position, even though they memorize (d) a lot of knowledge

Al- Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

And that one who does not know the books of refutations, even if he has memorized of knowledge that which is to be memorized, then indeed – may Allaah bless you – he is (still) on an unstable position. We have seen many who know, but then they fell into misguidance…. Listen to full audio here: