Who Are Those Scholars That We Should Strive To Benefit From, Hold To Their Regular Lessons, Take Knowledge From, And Refer Significant Issues To

Source: Sheikh Saaleh al-Fauzaan

Question:

Certainly in these days many associate themselves with calling to Allaah, making it necessary for us that we know who are truly the recognized people of knowledge; those who are in fact engaged in guiding the Muslim Ummah and its youth upon the true and proper way. Therefore, who are those scholars that you advise the youth to strive to benefit from, to follow and hold to their regular lessons and audio tapes, and to take knowledge from them, and who are those who we should refer to in significant issues, any dilemas or difficulties that occur, and during times of tribulation and confusion?

Answer:

The endeavor of calling to Allaah is a matter which is indeed necessary and required, as the religion was established upon calling to it and striving in Allaah’s path after the obtaining beneficial knowledge. Allaah says, ﴾ Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, then they shall have a reward without end. ﴿-( Surah at-Tin: 6). Here what is meant by ‘believe’ is the knowledge of Allaah, the Most Perfect, the Most High, His names and attributes, and His worship. Likewise, righteous actions are considered a branch of beneficial knowledge, as it is required that actions be based upon knowledge.

   So calling to Allaah, enjoining good, and advising and spreading advice and good counsel between the Muslims are all desired matters. However, not everyone is suitable for carrying out these duties. They cannot be carried out properly except by the people of knowledge and by the people possessing a properly developed perspective, because these are significant and important affairs. They are not actually established except by the one who is qualified to do so.

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From The Trials Of Our Time

   Truly, from the trials of our time is that the door of undertaking the call to Allaah has been flung wide open, such that anyone and everyone enters into it. Then these individuals become known for “calling” and recognized, even if they are ignorant and not qualified for the endeavor of calling to Allaah. They corrupt more than they rectify, and being enthusiastic, they enter into various affairs hastily and with recklessness. From such actions more harm is produced than good, and perhaps their true goal was never actually clarification and rectification of matters.

   Indeed, perhaps he becomes someone who is known for and associated with calling to Allaah, and actually he has other aims and objectives he wishes to achieve- so he calls to them indirectly and wants to reach them at the expense of the call to Allaah. He ends up causing confusion in the minds of the youth, all of this being done in the name of calling to Allaah and the claim of having concern for the religion. Yet it is likely that their true goal was different than this result, such as perhaps seeking to have the youth to turn away and separate themselves from their society or from their rulers or from their scholars.

   But they come forward apparently from the direction of “giving advice” and through the path of “calling to Allaah”, just as is the case and situation of the hypocrites of this Ummah; those whom clearly desire evil for the people yet bring it forth in the form of a supposed good.

   I will make an analogy for you with the example of those people who were connected to what is known as ‘Masjid Dhiraar’ or the ‘masjid of harm’ in the time of the Messenger of Allaah, may Allaahs’ praise and salutations of upon him. Certain individuals built a masjid which outwardly and apparently was a righteous deed. Then they invited the Prophet, may Allaah’s praise and salutations be upon him, to pray within it so that the people would afterwards wish to come to this masjid and be pleased with it.

Unstated Intentions Of The People

   However Allaah knew the unstated intentions of the people who built this masjid and that they actually wanted through this endeavor of theirs to harm the Muslims and to harm Masjid Qubaa, the first masjid established upon the fear of Allaah. That they wished to split the unity of the Muslims. For that reason Allaah exposed to the Messenger of Allaah their scheme and plan.

   Such that the following statement of the Exalted was revealed: ﴾ And as for those who put up a masjid by way of harming the Muslims and disbelief, to disunite the believers, and as an outpost for those who fought against Allaah and His Messenger aforetime, they will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good. Allaah bears witness that they are certainly liars. Never stand you therein. Verily, the masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allaah loves those who make themselves clean and pure. ﴿-( Surah Tawbah: 107-108)

   This tremendous account clarifies to us that not every effort which outwardly seems good and appears to be a righteous endeavor actually is. Indeed, perhaps the goals of those behind this endeavor is in fact the opposite of its apparent aim.

   Consequently, it is clear that among those who associate themselves with calling to Allaah today are some who actually misguide others. They intend to cause the youth to go astray, they desire to turn the people away from the true religion, and split the unity of the Muslims, to bring down upon them trials and tribulations. And Allaah the Most Perfect, the Most High warned us from these individuals, saying, ﴾ Had they marched out with you, they would have added to your efforts nothing except disorder, and they would have hurried about in your midst spreading corruption and sowing sedition among you, and there are some among you who would have listened to them. And Allaah is the All-Knower of the wrongdoers. ﴿-( Surah Tawbah: 47).

Taken Into Account The Reality

   Therefore what is to be given true consideration is not the mere affiliation to the efforts or endeavors of calling to Allaah or simply ones outward appearance. Rather, what should be taken into account is the reality and what is actually produced and results from these affairs.

   It is required that you examine all those individuals who affiliate and attach themselves to the affair of calling to Allaah. Where did they study? Where did they take their knowledge? What is their origin or initial development? What are their beliefs?

   Next, look at their deeds and actions and their affect upon the people. What good do they produce? Do the results of their work and endeavors bring about rectification and correction of affairs? It is obligatory to carefully study their condition before one is simply captivated by their elouqent statements and their outer appearances. This is an essential matter that must be undertaken. Especially in this age and time, when there are many individuals who are actually only callers to trial and tribulation.

   Certainly, the Prophet, may Allaah’s praise and salutations be upon him, described the callers to tribulation as people who would have our familiar and recognized appearance and outward characteristics, as well as speaking with statements and speech that we recognize. And from the hadeeth of Hudhaifah ibn al-Yamaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, the Prophet, may Allaah’s praise and salutations be upon him, when he was asked about the trials said, {…people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown into it by them. }- (Narrated in Saheeh Bukharee: 7084\ Saheeh Muslim: 1847\ Sunan Ibn Maajah: 3979- from the hadeeth of Hudhaifah Ibn Yamaan d. Declared authentic by Sheikh al-Albanee in Silsilat ul-Hadeeth Saheehah: 2739, and in his verification of Mishkat al-Masabeeh: 3358 )

   Take note, he explicitly called them and labelled them as “inviters” or “callers”! So it is upon us to take heed of this, and not simply consider as part of the endeavor of calling to Allaah anyone and everyone, or to blindly accept every person who simply says “I call to Allaah“, or “This group calls to Allaah.”

   What is required is to look carefully into the reality of the matter, and it is necessary to investigate the true state of these individuals as well as these groups and organizations. As Allaah the Most Perfect, the Most High, has limited and defined what is calling to Allaah by what calls to the path of Allaah; the Exalted said, ﴾ Say, this is my way; I invite unto Allaah… ﴿-( Surah Yusuf: 108)

   This verse following clearly indicates that they are indeed people who call to other than Allaah. Allaah, the Most High, has informed us that the disbelievers invite us to the Fire, saying, ﴾ And do not marry women who commit shirk until they believe. And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a free woman who commits shirk, even though she pleases you. And give not your daughters in marriage to those who associate others in worship with Allaah, till they believe in Allaah Alone and verily, a believing slave is better than a free man who associates others with Allaah, even though he pleases you. Those who associate others in worship with Allaah invite you to the Fire, but Allaah invites you to Paradise and forgiveness by His Leave… ﴿-( Surah al-Baqarah: 221)

   As Sheikh al-Islaam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said regarding the following verse, ﴾ This is my way; I invite unto Allaah… ﴿-( Surah Yusuf: 108): “It refers to purity of intention, as many of the people actually call to themselves, and do not truly invite to Allaah, the Most High, The Most Exalted.”

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1. The Eminent Major Scholar Saaleh al-Fauzaan, may Allaah preserve him, from “A Selection of Islamic Rulings”, Vol.1, Page 320