The reason which has led to me to include this chapter [within the book] is
that I have observed many of these biased [partisans] accusing Shaikh Ibn Baz,
Shaikh al-Albani, and Shaikh Ibn‘Uthaimin of Irja’. The reason for
this accusation is that these shaikhs have explained the meaning of the verse
‘and whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed…’ in
the detailed manner that is well known to the Salaf, and because they do not
perform takfir in an unrestricted absolute manner[1]. And also because they
prohibit rebellion against the oppressive rulers amongst the Muslims. And even
if they were to see clear and manifest kufr (disbelief) they would still
prohibit it if the ability to do so did not exist and any Shari’ah benefit
could not be realised.
Therefore I say:
ONE: The saying or the ruling of coming out against the rulers in
rebellion is in actual fact the madhhab (methodology) of the Murji’ah, for
Ibn Shahin has narrated from [Sufyan] ath-Thawree that he said, "The
Murji’ah hold it permissible to use the sword against the people of the
Qiblah (muslims in general)." [2]
He also reports that it was said to Ibn al-Mubarak, "Do you hold the
view of Irja’?" He replied, "How can I be a Murji’ when
I do not hold it permissible to come out with the sword (against the
Muslims)." [3]
Further, as-Sabuni (d.449) narrates with an authentic chain of narration
going back to Ahmad bin Sa’id ar-Ribati that he said,
"’Abdullah bin Tahir said to me, ‘O Ahmad, certainly, you
(people) have hatred of those (meaning the Murji’ah) based on ignorance,
and I have hatred of them based upon knowledge. Firstly, they do not believe
that obedience is due to the ruler…’". [4]
I say: Do not these texts prove clearly that they (i.e. Safar al-Hawali,
Salman al-Awdah, Ali bin Haj, etc.) are the Murji’ah in truth and that our
Scholars previously mentioned are free from that!
An important observation: And the strange matter is that Safar al-Hawali
does not understand this clear connection between the Murji’ah and the
Khawarij. He said, "As has been reported from Imam Ahmad a statement whose
meaning is difficult to understand and this is his statement: ‘Verily the
Khawarij, they are the Murji’ah’".! And then he comes with a
blow that is unbearable, he says, "Explaining this statement to refer to
the Irja’ of the Companions is possible"!!![5]
I say: If he had followed up the previous narrations he would have known that
it is not difficult to understand the connection between the Murji’ah and
the Khawarij in rebelling against the leaders.
And there should be no surprise for that matter that Irja’ should
appear and spread shortly after rebellion. Qatadah said, "[The
innovation of] Irja occurred after the trial of Ibn al-‘Ash’at (one
of the proponents of the Khawarij)". [6]
Other evidences to show that these people are upon (the innovated belief of
Irja’) include:
TWO: That they do not except themselves from having perfect iman and what
follows on from that – even if one of them explicitly states that he is
following the methodology of the Salaf. Do you not observe that they say,
"the Shahid Hassan al-Banna…" and "the Shahid Sayyid
Qutb"? And if it was said to them, "If describing them as
Shahid was something obligatory within the movement, something they could not
avoid saying, then the least they should do is to add "Insha’allah
(if Allah wills)".
Al-Bukhari has included in the Book of Jihad within his Sahih a chapter in
which he said, "Chapter: It is not to be said that so and so is a
shahid" and he mentioned the various proofs for that. And this has been
requested from continuously and repeatedly but they become haughty and
disdainful, saying instead, "You belittle and jihad and ridicule the
information and news pertaining to the worldly matters!!"
I also say concerning this refusal to make except oneself (or others from
having perfecting iman or from having been guaranteed Paradise etc.) that
‘Abdur-Rahman bin Mahdi – may Allah have mercy upon him –
said, "The basis of Irja’ is to not except oneself (or others from
having perfect iman or from being guaranteed Paradise etc.)" [7]
The Khawarij are the Murji'ah
