This is the rightly guided methodology, which all the youth
following in the footsteps of the Salaf are obligated to know. It is the
methodology which the Qur’aan and Sunnah direct towards and which is
followed by the best of this ummah – its scholars of hadeeth and
Fiqh. One of the condition for the application of this methodology is that the
one who is criticizing must make his intention for the sake of Allaah, by being
sincere to Allaah and His Book and safeguarding Allaah’s Religion and what
it encompasses from beliefs, laws and manners of worship.
From the severely unfortunate matters is that the people of
falsehood and innovation have succeeded in deceiving many of the intellectuals
from the seekers of knowledge – not to mention other than them – by
telling them that it is not permissible to talk about (i.e. criticize) those
active in the field of da’awah (calling). They only intend by this,
those that call towards innovations and misguidance! By this, they intend by to
broaden the field (of da’awah) so that they can spread their
destructive deceptions! And they intend to terminate the da’awah
(call) of Tawheed, the Sunnah and the methodology of the pious predecessors!
And from the derivatives of this deceitful view are those
conditions which some of the youth of Islaam have placed, such as: that when
criticizing the innovators or those who have been labeled as callers
(du’aat), one must mention their outstanding good qualities
alongside their bad qualities...
Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah (ra) said, discussing a hadeeth
reported by 'Abd-ul-Maalik Ibn Haaroon:
"It has also been reported by those who have authored
books on the acts that are to be done in the days and night
(‘amal-ul-yawm wal-lailah), such as Ibn As-Sunnee and Abu Nu'aim.
However, in the likes of these books, there are many fabricated
ahaadeeth. Thus, it is not permissible to rely on these types of books
in regards to the Religion, according to the agreement of the scholars. This
hadeeth was also reported by Abu Ash-Shaikh Al-Asbahaanee in the book
Fadaa'il-ul-A'amaal. And in this book are many ahaadeeth that
are lies and fabrications." [35]
So see how Shaikh-ul-Islaam (ra) has confined his words to just
the mentioning of the bad qualities, while not mentioning any good qualities. So
if neglecting to mention the good qualities were a form of injustice, how could
he (ra) have commit this injustice? Therefore, if it was from the methodology of
the Salaf to require the mentioning of good qualities every time defects
were mentioned, how can we explain the majority of their criticisms? For in
them, they do not mention unreliable reporters or innovators, except while
defaming and discrediting them and while not indicating any praise for them or
the mentioning of their good qualities. So how can this behavior be
explained?
The ruling concerning one who befriends the innovators and supports them
against the adherents of the Sunnah
Allaah says:
"O you who believe! Take not as supporters those outside
your Religion, since they will not fail to do their best in corrupting you. They
desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but
what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed, We have made the signs clear
for you, if you truly understand." [36]
Al-Qurtubee (ra) said in his commentary of this
ayah:
"There are six issues mentioned in this ayah. The
first: Allaah institutes the forbiddance of relying on the disbelievers for
support. The Second: Allaah has forbidden the believers, with this ayah,
from taking the disbelievers, the Jews and the people that follow vain desires,
as trusted companions and friends, forgetting themselves in trying to support
their views and resting their affair's upon them in hope of support.
It is said: ‘Anyone that is in opposition to your views
and your Religion, then you should not converse with him.’
A poet said:
‘Of an individual, do not ask, but
rather ask about his close friend.
For every close friend takes example from he whom
he befriends.’
And in Sunan Abu Dawood on the authority of Abu Hurairah RAA,
the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘An individual is upon the Religion of his
friend. So let each one of you look carefully at whom he
befriends.’..." [37]
I say: All this talk is concerning taking these types of
individuals (i.e. disbelievers and innovators) as supporters or friends. So how
would it be if these conditions were to be reversed for some people, such that
they are the ones supporting them, whilst abandoning
the Muslims from Ahl-us-Sunnah, in times of distress and disaster?!!
The Methodology of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah in Warning Against Innovators and Their Books
