A Horse or a Donkey

A Horse or a Donkey
Abu al-Hasan Malik al-Akhdar
22 Rabi’ al-Awwal

“WHEN THE DUST CLEARS,” writes the poet, “you will know whether you are riding a horse or a donkey.” Thus, when a person’s affair becomes clear, we should see him for what he is, not what he isn’t. In his work al-Radd al-Qawīm, al-ʿAllāmah Ḥamūd al-Tuwayjirī – May Allah have mercy upon him – states, “Some say, ‘So and so is Salafī,’ while [this person] opposes that which the Salaf al-Ṣāli, from the Companions, the Tābiʿīn, and those who followed them in goodness, were upon. Such a person does not deserve to be called Salafī, as this title does not suit his condition. Thus, labeling him as such is from falsehood.”[1] How tragic to be sighted—in the full light of day—and cannot tell a horse from a donkey.

Some years ago, we phoned al-ʿAllāmah Rabīʾ b. Hādī al-Madkhalī (حفظه الله) concerning a caller who claimed Salafiyyah, yet propagated izbiyyah. Despite this caller’s bigoted partisanship and hateful attacks against the scholars of the Sunnah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, his self-ascription to Salafiyyah confounded many of the common folk: “How could he be izbī?” they asked. “He ascribes to nothing but the Sunnah.” Consequently, we asked our Shaykh, “Do we call this person Salafi?” He replied,

No! Do not call a man who opposes the manhaj of the Salaf al-Ṣāli Salafī. Do not call him Salafī until you are certain that he is upon Salafiyyah, being honored by it, calling to it, loving and uniting based upon it, and hating and separating because of it. This is the Salafī. As for the one who claims he is Salafī, yet he defends the people of innovation against Ahl al-Sunnah, he is not Salafī whatsoever; whoever he is, Arab or non-Arab, in the east or in the west. This is because Salafiyyah has special qualities and signs that distinguish its adherents from others, in al-walá wa al-bará, creed, da’wah, and point of view.[2]

This reminds one of Yahya b. Sa’id’s narration: “When Sufyan al-Thawri came to al-Basrah, he asked about al-Rabi’ b. Subayh and his standing with the people: “What is his methodology?” Sufyan said.

“His methodology is nothing but the Sunnah,” the people replied.

“Who are his companions?” he asked.

“The Qadaris.”

“Then he is a Qadari.”[3]

So, even though the people mistakenly labeled this man a Sunni, Sufyan al-Thawri took account of his actions and his companions and ruled upon him accordingly.

Consequently, when the dust clears, and you find a caller belittling Salafiyyah, defaming the companions, maligning the scholars of Sunnah, disparaging the rulers, and defending the people of innovation, do not label such a person Salafī, for this honorific does not suit him.

[1] Ḥamūd al-Tuwayjirī, al-Radd al-Qawīm ʿalá al-Mujrim al-Athīm (Idārah al-Buḥūth al-ʿIlmiyyah, 1403 AH), 185.
[2] Troid.org. “Uncovering the Hidden Ḥizbī.” June 14, 2007. Accessed December 07, 2017.
[3] ‘Abd Allah Ibn Battah, Al-Ibanah, vol. 2 (Dar al-Rayah, 1415 AH), 453.

The Evil of Putting Oneself before Allah and His Messenger

Evil of Putting Oneself Before Allah & His Messenger

ALL PRAISES are due to Allāh, and may the Peace and Prayers be upon His Messenger, the Prophet’s family, his Companions, and whoever follows them in righteousness until the Day of Resurrection.

Allāh  says in His Noble Book:

“O you who have believed, do not put [yourselves] before Allāh and His Messenger, but fear Allāh . Indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.” [al-Ḥujurāt 49:1]

Concerning this verse, al-ʿAwfī stated: “He forbade them from speaking during His speech.” (Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr)

It is also known that whenever Imām Mālik ibn Anas, the Imām of Dār al-Hijrah, would begin his lessons of Ḥadīth, if anyone was talking, he would censure and rebuke them by reciting the statement of Allāh:

“O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet.” [al-Ḥujurāt 49:2]

Some scholars have stated that the person who talks over the narration of the Prophet’s Ḥadīth, it is as if they are talking directly over him.

The sittings of knowledge—most specifically those which take place in the masājid—should be held in reverence and honor of the texts and narrations being recited. Are we not aware of the conduct of the companions of the Prophet in such circumstances? In the authentic narration collected by Imām Aḥmad in his Musnad on the authority of al-Barā ibn ʿᾹzib, who said: “…He (i.e. the Prophet) sat, and [the companions] sat around him; it was as if there were birds on their heads.” The saying “as if there were birds on their heads” is a way of describing how quiet and still they were, quiet and still as statues. The noble scholar Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn stated: “[This was] out of respect for the Messenger of Allāh and in honor of the venerableness of this sitting.” (Sharḥ Riyāḍ al-Ṣaliḥīn)

We mention this as a reminder for our beloved sisters that the lessons, exhortations, and reminders in the masājid are filled with the verses of Allah’s Book and the narrations of His Messenger; these gatherings must be honored and respected in the same fashion we see from the noble Companions.

At the same time, it must also be stated that not only is loud talk and chatter contrary to the aforementioned verses and narrations; it is also a harm and distraction for those sisters who have come to the gatherings of Dhikr (remembrance) to benefit and take provisions for their hereafter.

Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah was asked about a masjid where the people were reciting Qur’ān, but at the doors of the masjid were people talking excessively, disturbing those who were reciting. He answered:

It is not permissible for anyone to harm the people of the masjid: the people of prayer, recitation, remembrance, supplication, etc., [acts] for which the masājid were built. Thus, it is unbefitting for anyone inside the masjid, at the doors of the masjid, or anywhere near it to disturb these individuals. Rather, one time the Messenger of Allāh came out to his companions while they were praying and raising their voices in recitation [of the Qur’ān] and said: “O people, all of you are praying confidentially to your Lord, so do not raise your voices over one another in recitation.” So if he forbade the person who was praying from raising his voice [in recitation] over another worshipper, how much more for other than this? Therefore, whoever does that which disturbs the people of the masjid or what causes it, they are to be prevented from this, and Allāh knows best. (Majmu’ al-Fatāwa 22/205)

We ask Allāh to make us and our noble, beloved sisters from those who honor the masājid, the people of the masājid, and the gatherings of remembrance. As for those who are obstinate, may Allāh give us the ability to prevent them from such evil behavior. Indeed Allāh has power over all things.