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Source: Sheikh Tawfeeq Al-Badaanee

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

All praise is due to Allaah, alone. I testify that there is no god worthy of worship except for Allaah alone without anything along with Him. I testify that Muhammad, may Allaah’s praise and salutations be upon him, is His last and final Prophet and Messenger.

To Proceed:

The following are some of the questions we have directed to the scholar Sheikh Tawfeeq Al-Badaanee at Dar al-Hadeeth, Mab’ar. Sheikh Tawfeeq Al-Badaanee that exemplary scholar who presently is designated to occupy the main chair of teaching and instruction and teach the general lessons to the many seekers of knowledge at Dar Al-Hadeeth Ma’bar’.

Question 1: We have a website which offers publications and articles in various subjects of Islaam according to the book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah , may Allaah’s praise and salutations be upon him, and the understanding of the first three generations of Muslims. We would like to ask you for some general guidelines to implement in order to make the website of benefit to the Muslims.

Answer 1: I advise you to continue in this endeavor, as well as broaden the fields of service and make it known amongst the people because of the great benefit that this encompasses for many of the Muslims. As this method of communication has become one of the most effective ways to spread various ideas, thoughts, and methodologies. It is from among those means that can bring forth and build up good and benefit the people or be that which ruins and destroys them, as both righteousness and evil are spread through it. So you may greatly benefit Islaam and the Muslims by what you are offering in understanding of methodology, study and learning, and various correct and sound statements and sayings.

Question 2: Within this website we have started a area just for spreading the teachings of Islaam and the authentic Sunnah among women in the west, in which only women will participate. It is managed by two female students of knowledge here in Yemen. Please advise us with some guidelines that we should adhere to in administering this forum.

Answer 2. It is necessary for you to adhere to the true path of the first three generations, the Salaf in all the articles which you publish and pay special attention to planting love for Islaam and steadfastness upon it within the ranks of the women. Likewise encouraging the women to work for the good of Islaam by spreading it, and making clear its benefit for the society and the fact that the society will never be righteous except through Islaam and holding to the rulings and guidelines of Islaam. Therefore, those in charge of these areas should be steadfast upon spreading the teachings of Islaam in the correct manner and spreading the behavior which is required from the Muslim women, and they should be consistent in this without becoming lazy is this, as well as returning to the scholars or students of knowledge who have benefited from their studies from whom whenever necessary.

Question 3: One of the trials of our age is that the Muslims do not distinguish between the major scholar, and the scholar, between the scholar and the well-grounded student of knowledge, between the well-grounded student of knowledge and the beginner in seeking knowledge, and between the students of knowledge and the callers and preachers. What are your suggestions about how we can we help make these levels of the people evident and clear concerning the information on the website?

Answer 3. First: It is necessary for you to make clear to the people that the meaning of conforming to Islaam is taking that which was brought in the Qu’raan and Sunnah according to the methodology of the righteous predecessors in understanding the religion.

Second: Make clear and clarify to them that the most knowledgeable of people in the legislative rulings are the scholars, because of their great knowledge, their strong ability to derive correct conclusions and extensive experience that they possess.

Third: Make it clear to them that there are occurrences, events, and questions which cannot be properly understood by the one who is only a student of knowledge or a caller to Islaam, but which must be taken only from the scholars. And if an understanding of these occurrences are taken from one who is not suitable, then very often they will understand the matter incorrectly. So the limit and boundaries for the student of knowledge is that he teaches whatever knowledge he possesses, and goes to the scholars for that which he does not know. And the limit and boundaries for a caller is that he calls the people to Islaam and calls them to return to the people of knowledge, and he encourages them upon that. As such it is not correct for the student of knowledge or caller to place himself in the position of the scholars. As how many students of knowledge and callers have been ruined because they took upon themselves which was not within their capacity due to their limited knowledge, little experience and weakness in their understanding of the relevant evidences. So clarify for the people the proper levels and places of these people so that they may understand how to properly acquire their Islaam.

Question 4: What is the relation between the caller or the student of knowledge who returns to his country in which there are no scholars, and between the present known scholars of the Sunnah throughout the Ummah? What matters should he decide himself, and which matters should be returned back to the scholars before undertaking any matter? And due to the difficulty of reaching some of the scholars, which scholars do you recommend that we approach to regularly benefit from their guidance?

Answer 4. The relationship between the student of knowledge or caller and between the scholars is one of cooperation in implementing the guidance of the religion and spreading it. As the caller or student of knowledge is in great necessity for the scholar in order to know the legislated rulings, the proper ways of doing things, and the correct way to call the people to Islaam. Similarly the scholar needs the student of knowledge and caller in order that they can assist in conveying his knowledge and spreading it amongst the people, so that they can worship Allaah upon knowledge and insight. It is incumbent upon us to return to the scholars in every matter of legislation that we have a need for yet do not know the ruling about, whether that is in fiqh, understsanding the ruling of the religion, or in aqeedah, the fundamental beliefs of Islaam, and so on. Those scholars that we must turn to are the scholars of Ahl-us-Sunnah and Hadeeth, who known to possess a sound methodology, and from the greatest of these in our age are Sheikh Ibn Baaz and Sheikh Al-Albaani, and from those still living, are Sheikh Fawzaan and Sheikh ‘Abbaad, as well as others. We can take their knowledge from their books, tapes and various smaller written works, as well as being directly connected with them whenever that is possible.¹ 

(End of translation by Umm Usamah Sukhailah Bint-Khalil)

1. From a recorded telephone call with the Sheikh, may Allaah preserve him