بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

An affair that is not hidden is the firm and resolute manner in which the Salaf us-Salih clung to the Qur’an and Sunnah, the narrations with that regard are many and great. Therafter, the great scholars of the Sunnah have similarly clung firmly to this blessed methodology just as the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم  stated, “عضوا عليها بالنواجذ” cling onto it with the molar teeth. It is this firm stance in defence and implementation of this methodology that distinguishes ahlus-Sunnah as treading upon the centre route, just as Shaikh ul-Islam ibn Taymiyyah stated, “…just as Islam is in the centre between the other religions, then ahlus-Sunnah are in the centre between the [deviations] of the other sects….”. Hence there is no allowable place for opinions or logic in the face of the evidence when it is presented, as ‘Ali ibn abi Talib رضي الله عنه stated, “if this religion was based upon opinions and logic then wiping the bottom of the leather sock [or socks] would be given precedence…however the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم commanded that the top be wiped”.

In a recent story we saw the effort, persistence and striving of our noble Shaikh even in the time nearing his departure from this world, in this incident the firm and resolute stance of the Shaikh in clinging to the Sunnah will also be evident. On a particular occasion we travelled to Makkah and similarly visited the Shaikh as was the habit, we departed from the Masjid after the ‘Isha prayer and accompanied the Shaikh toward his car. The Shaikh was in his wheel chair and we walked alongside him. A question was posed to the Shaikh regarding a particular practice on the day of ‘Eid and whether it is from the sunnah to do so or not? The Shaikh replied it is not evidenced from the companions they would do it, at this point I stated that perhaps it could be allowable in any case as a tradition or custom of the people?

So the Shaikh – whilst in his wheelchair and I standing besides him – grasped me with a firm handhold with strength from the region of my collar and stated, “And do we follow the traditions and customs of the people or the authentic Sunnah?”

The affair was clearly understood by all present! However, the firm stance of the Shaikh in implementing the Sunnah was a lesson to us all, as well as the kindness and love of the Shaikh to benefit the people, for indeed the act of grasping the collar was upon kindness in clarifying and making blatant the status of the Sunnah to this group of youth.

May Allah have mercy upon the noble Shaikh and maintain us upon steadfastness in learning and practicing the truth.