Some Statements of the Scholars Regarding the Agreement with the Houthis

Source: Sheikh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan

Revised Article

All praise is due to Allaah, may the praise and salutations be upon the messenger of Allaah. In the initial version of this article we stated in the footnote: “We advise people to consult any of the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah to confirm any matter related to these scholars’ statements and for further information and explanation of the evidences for their statements.” Alhamdulillah, there has been a further clarification reliably transmitted of the correct position of Sheikh Saleeh al-Fauzaan regarding this issue which it is important to transmit and convey to clarify and correct what was transmitted from him earlier. ¹

The noble Sheikh ‘Abdullah Ibn Sulfeeq adh-Dhufeeree has compiled a short treatise which was reviewed by the guiding Sheikh, one of the major scholars of our time, Sheikh Saaleh al-Fauzaan, who reviewed and approved of what it contained. It is entitled, “A Warning to the Possessors of Upright Intellect of What the Agreement of Muhammad al-Imaam with the Houthees Contained of Recklessness & that which Opposes Guidance”

Introduction of Sheikh Saaleh al-Fauzaan

In his introduction to this treatise Sh. Fauzaan states:

In the name of Allaah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allaah, may the praise and salutations of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his household, and Companions.

To proceed: I have read this treatise which is entitled “A Warning to the Possessors of Upright Intellect” by the Sheikh ‘Abdullah Ibn Sulfeeq adh-Dhufeeree, may Allaah grant him success, and I hold it to be complete and comprehensive in the subject it addresses. So may Allaah reward him with good and benefit others through his knowledge.    

Written by Saaleh Ibn Fauzaan al-Fauzaan

Member of the Council of Major Scholars

Dhul Qiddah, 11, 1436 (Corresponding to August 25th, 2015)

The Seventh Section of the Treatise

The Sheikh adh-Dhufeeree brings a comprehensive explanation of the subject of this agreement in the treatise with many proofs and explanations in six sections. We affirm what Sheikh Fauzaan mentioned that this treatise is “complete and comprehensive in the subject it addresses”, advise the Muslims to read it, and to continue to turn to the people of knowledge and inquire for clarification of the affairs of the Muslims. In the seventh section, alhamdulillah, we find the following:

“Seventh: And from what is of severe danger, and it is what was put forward by those following Muhammad al-Imaam from their false allegation upon Sheikh Saleeh al-Fauzaan that he approved of the signing of this agreement. From this is what was transmitted on the website “As-Salafeeyah” from Uthmaan as-Saalamee and Jameel al-Haamili that they presented to Sheikh Fauzaan some of the points of the agreement, and upon this he approved of the position of Muhammad al-Imaam. And that he said, “…it has already been signed, and the affair is done with.” And that he said, “Shaykh Al-Imaam knows best his situation.” meaning his land or country, and that he said, “Shaykh Muhammad had signed this agreement, than this was something that was called for in order to safeguard the Dawah, and the lives and belongings of the people”.

So I say:

Despite being truthful in what was transmitted from the sheikh, they did not present or make clear to Sheikh Saaleh al-Fauzaan the entire text of the agreement with the Houthees. If they had presented to Sheikh Fauzaan the entire agreement along with an explanation of what has more recently occurred from the stances of Muhammad al-Imaam regarding the operation “Decisive Storm”, then the position of Sheikh al-Fauzaan would have been to reject his signing of this agreement. As how could the Sheikh al-Fauzaan agree with the stipulations of this agreement due to what they contain of corruption and distortions of matters of belief!

This way of presentation is from that deceitfulness which is proceeded upon by the people of desires, and the scholars have made statements declaring themselves free from such a way. Their example is similar to those who wrongly make a statement from Sheikh Fauzaan affirming someone’s recantation from error as a statement of recommendation and praise upon him from the sheikh.

Or those who falsely take the statements of Sheikh al-Fauzaan to -take the truth that someone stated- as a general comprehensive recommendation of the one who has put forth that statement which contains truth. As the Messenger of Allaah, may the praise and salutation of Allaah be upon him, said to Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, when he told him that Shaytaan has told him about the merits of Ayat al-Kursi {He spoke the truth yet he is a liar.}. So clearly taking the truth from whoever states it does not mean recommending them, nor is it a call to towards them, or to take from them generally.

This is the end of my refutation of this agreement. I ask Allaah, the Most High and Exalted, to guide the misguided Muslims, and to grant us refuge from the trials which cause one to go astray. And Allaah knows best, may the praise and salutation, and blessing of Allaah be upon our prophet Muhammad, and his household, and all his Companions.

Written by Sheikh Abd’Allaah ibn Sulfeeq adh-Dhufeeree

Yawm ath-Thalathaa

The 27th of Shawwal, 1436

Below is an image of the hand written introduction of Sh. Fauzaan to the mentioned treatise:

And the success is from Allaah alone, we end in His praise.

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1. This article has been revised and amended to reflect the correct position of Allamah Sheikh Fauzaan, may Allaah preserve him, indicated by his introduction to the treatise it was taken from. We offer the excellent reminder, to ourselves and our brothers and sisters, that ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allaah be pleased with him, stated, “The religion is corrupted when knowledge comes from the direction of the minor ones, and the major ones are opposed. But the people are brought to a state of rectification when knowledge comes from the major ones and is followed by the minor ones.” (‘Silsilat al-Hadeeth as-Saheehah’ vol.6, page 417-in the notes of hadeeth 2918).