In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Question: What’s your problem akhee or ukhtee! Why do you not take knowledge from this person? Answer: Akhee or Ukhtee, the fact is that Imaam Ibn Seereen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so carefully consider from whom you take your religion (i.e. the one who teaches you)”. [Muqaddimah Saheeh Muslim. Number 26]

My Teacher Has to Be Trustworthy 

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated: We add trustworthiness as an additional characteristic alongside proficiency, because proficiency is a strength and it has to be accompanied by trustworthiness. Allaah said: [ إِنَّ خَيۡرَ مَنِ ٱسۡتَـٔۡجَرۡتَ ٱلۡقَوِىُّ ٱلۡأَمِينُ – Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy.] [Surah Al-Qasas. Aayah 26] It may be that a scholar is proficient and vast in knowledge, able to derive and explain subsidiary issues from fundamental principles, as well as categorise, distinguish and place different subject matters in their appropriate place, but he is not trustworthy and might misguide you from where you do not know. [An Excerpt from Sharh Hilyati Taalibal Ilm. page 79. slightly paraphrased]

My Teacher Has to Be Upon Sound Aqeedah and Manhaj

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allaah protect him] was asked, “Is there a difference between Manhaj [Methodology] and Aqeedah [Creed, Belief], and if there is a difference between them, is there a path for the proponents of illegal partisanship to cause (problems) through that differentiation?”

Answer: Definately, Manhaj has been spoken about a lot, and speech about it in this era is contrary to what the pious predecessors held. They mentioned the word Manhaj [Methodology] and Minhaaj [Path], but did not use (the word as utilised in this era); but when it spread, the Salafis were forced to say, “The methodology, The methodology!” I heard Shaikh Ibn Baz not differentiating between Aqeedah and Manhaj, and he says that they are all one thing. Shaikh Al-Albani differentiates, and I differentiate. I see that Manhaj [Methodology] is more comprehensive (or inclusive) than Aqeedah. Manhaj includes the creed, the acts of worship, and it includes how to seek understanding (in the religion), how to face (or confront) the proponents of innovation in the religion. Manhaj is comprehensive, (for example the statement) – the methodology of Ahlus Sunnah related to creed, their methodology related worship, their methodology of attaining knowledge, their methodology in this or that. Methodology is undoubtedly more comprehensive, but the people of desires – some of them – distinguish between creed and methodology for partisan and political goals. So they deceive many of the Salafis, and they say, “You remain upon your creed, but with regards to methodology we are in need of cooperating in that. There is no objection to you saying, ‘I am a Salafi in creed and Ikhwaani in methodology”, (1) whereas it is known that it is an aspect of the Ikhwaani methodology to wage war against the Salafi Creed. This Salafi who says, “I am Salaf”, if he says, “I am Salaf in Creed and Ikhwaani in Methodology, or Tableeghee in methodology, he has called himself one fighting the Salafi methodology and creed. This is one of the partisan and political tricks that is spread by Al-Tabligh and Ikhwaan (2) and they differentiated between creed and methodology to manipulate the minds of the Salafis in particular. [Ajwibah Al-Allaamah Ash-Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhlai As-Salafiyyah Alaa As’ilati Abee Ruwaahah Al-Manhajiyyah. page 22]

My Teacher Should Be Willing to Make The Books of The Salaf The Judge Between Him and Others

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhalee [may Allaah preserve him] as follows: “All of you hold onto the Rope of Allaah [i.e. The Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah]- Allaah will aid you in this and make you like the sun; return to the understanding of the righteous predecessors, and it is, as I said to you, transmitted (and established) in your presence. This is a challenge to those who oppose this. We are challenging ahlul bidah wal ahwaa [the proponents of innovation in religious affairs and followers of desires] in their creed and politics. We say, between us and you is the (path, understanding of the) pious predecessors and books (of the pious predecessors). Ahmad [i.e. Imaam Ahmad] used to say to the proponents of innovation in religious affairs, “Between us and you are the funerals (i.e. whose funeral will be attended by ahlus sunnah in great numbers)”. We say (i.e. at present), “Between us and you are the books (of the pious predecessors)- the books are present!

Allaah said to His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]:

[قل فَأْتُوا بِالتَّوْرَاةِ فَاتْلُوهَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ – All food was lawful to the Children of Israel, except what Israel made unlawful for himself before the Taurat (Torah) was revealed. Say (O Muhammad ): “Bring here the Taurat (Torah) and recite it, if you are truthful”]- So they bring the Torah and you proof them to be upon falsehood. We bring the books of the pious predecessors – the Qur’an, the Sunnah, the books of Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasaa’ee, and what was authored by Ahmad and others; we bring them (to prove) those who are on the path of these (pious predecessors) and those who turn away and oppose them. Just as Allaah challenged the Jews to bring the Torah, so the Torah was brought and they were exposed them, (likewise), we challenge these people to bring the books of the pious predecessors, so that the innovator in religious affairs is exposed, and to clarify who the deviants are- whether us or them? Are they able to challenge? Can they open their mouths like this? We fill our mouths with courage – challenge everyone who says that we are upon other than methodology of the pious predecessors. We, by Allaah, call to the methodology of the pious predecessors- to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. We use the book of Allaah and the Sunnah as proof for our beliefs, our acts of worship, dealings with rulers and their subjects, in dealing with the groups and sects. As for the others, they are upon tricks, deception etc By Allaah, you will not find with them anything but tricks and manipulating the emotions of youth”.[Paraphrased. Listen here: https://youtu.be/mxXSfKh_sjw ]

My Teacher Should Be Free From All The Deviant Sects and Groups – Neither Co-operates With Them Nor With Those Who Co-operate With Them

Imaam Albaani [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It is not hidden from every Muslim who is acquainted with the Book, the Sunnah and that which our pious predecessors were upon that the Tahazzub (Illegal partisanship) and gathering amongst the groups that carry different views or different methods (of Dawah) has nothing to do with Islaam; rather in many Aayaat of the Qur’aan our Lord (The Mighty and Majestic) has prohibited us from that. Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَلَا تَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِڪِينَ
مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمۡ وَڪَانُواْ شِيَعً۬ا‌ۖ كُلُّ حِزۡبِۭ بِمَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ فَرِحُونَ

”And be not of Al-Mushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.). Of those who split up their religion (i.e. who left the true Islamic Monotheism), and became sects, [i.e. they invented new things in the religion (Bid’ah), and followed their vain desires], each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.” [30: 31-32] [Fataawaa Al-Muhimmah Fee Tabseeril Ummah. Page:118]

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “There is nothing in the Book or the Sunnah that allows different groups and parties; rather that has been censured in the Book and the Sunnah. Allaah (The Most High) said: [فَتَقَطَّعُوٓاْ أَمۡرَهُم بَيۡنَہُمۡ زُبُرً۬ا‌ۖ كُلُّ حِزۡبِۭ بِمَا لَدَيۡہِمۡ فَرِحُونَ – ”But they (men) have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in its belief] [23:53]

And there is no doubt that these parties oppose that which Allaah has commanded. Allaah (The Most High) said:

إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ وَأَنَا۟ رَبُّڪُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ

”Truly! This, your Ummah [Sharia or religion (Islamic Monotheism)] is one religion, and I am your Lord, therefore worship Me (Alone).” [21:92] [ Fataawaa Al-Muhimmah Fee Tabseeril Ummah. Page:120]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It is obligated on the scholars to clarify the reality. They should debate every group and give advice to all, so that they can traverse upon the path Allaah has ordained for His slaves, and the path which His Messenger Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] called to. And whoever oversteps this path or remains upon obstinacy, then it is obligatory to expose him”. [Fataawaa Al-Muhimmah Fee Tabseeril Ummah. Page: 116]

“And from the greatest of affairs – in preserving and upholding this Sharee’ah- is to stand firm with knowledge and justice against innovation in religion and the innovators in religion, utilising the paths of the Sharee’ah to oppose their transgressions, repel their plots, manifest the signpost of (sound) allegiance and enmity (for the sake of Allaah), love and hate for the sake of Allaah and putting it into practice. If the harm of innovation in religion was limited to the innovator and not transferred to others, then the affair would have come to an end and the circumstances would have been made easy; however (with regards to the innovation), there is that which harms the innovator, that which harms his followers with regards to following bidah, that which harms the Religion itself and that which harms the Ummah that falls into bidah in its religious affairs. [At-Ta’aqqubaat As-Sareehah Alaa Risaalah An-Naseehah Lid-Duktoor Ibraaheem Ibn Aamir Ar-Ruhayli. Page 58 -By Shaikh Abdullah Al-Bukhaari]

My Teacher Has to Be One I Can Judge By His Companionship – Free From The People of Bidah and Illegal Partisanship

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said, the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, “A person is upon the religion of his friend, so let each one of you look at whom he befriends”. [As-Saheehah: 97] Ibn Mas’ ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: Indeed a person walks alongside and accompanies the one whom he loves and who is like him. (Al Ibaanah 2/476] Al A’maah (rahimahullaah) said: They (the Salaf) did not used to ask anything more about a person after having asked about three affairs: Who he walks with, who he enters upon (i.e. visits) and who he associates with amongst the people”. [Al Ibaanah 2/478] Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu anhu) said: Make consideration of the (regions of the) earth by the names given to them and make consideration of a person by his companion”. [Ibaanah 2/497] Mu’aadh Bin Mu’aadh said to Yahyah bin Sa’eed, “aa Abaa Sa’eed! A person may hide his viewpoint from us, but he will not be able to hide this in his son or friend or in one whom he sits with”. [ Ibaanah 2/436] [Translated by Spubs]

Imaam Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Regardless of what you many receive of praise and respect from the people, they judge the people by their associates. Therefore, it is befitting that a person takes pride in accompanying the best of the people and beware of the evil ones. A righteous companion is like a seller of musk; he either gives you some or you get a good smell from him. And the evil companion is like the blower of the bellows, he either burns you or you receive a bad smell from him. And Allaah knows best”. [Noorul Basaa-ir Wal-Albaab Fee Ahkaamil Ibaadaat Wal-Mu-aamalaat Wal-Huqooq Wal-Aadaab: page: 66]

And be careful of those who have been recently warned against by Al-Allaamah Rabee, such as Dr Muhammad Bin Haadi and his ilk. Visit links:

Muhammad Ibn Hādi’s Allegations and the Response of the Major Scholars 
https://abukhadeejah.com/muhammad-hadi-allegations-and-response-of-the-major-scholars/

Documents and Resources for Countering the Doubts of the Muṣaʿfiqah
https://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uyryh-documents-and-resources-for-countering-and-exposing-the-musafiqah.cfm

[1] Ikhwaanis: http://www.ikhwanis.com/

[2] Tabligh: https://abukhadeejah.com/mistakes-tablighi-jamaat/