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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 135]

Our beloved youth sometimes ask questions about Dawah Salafiyyah in the UK and our personal experiences, saying, “How were you guided to salafiyyah and what was it like?” They always hear one of the three names – Abu Khadeejah, Abu Iyaad and Abu Hakeem – in many personal stories from brothers living in different cities. I once asked my Salafi brother, close freind and companion Ustaadh Abu Tasneem about how he he was guided to Salafiyyah, so he said, “I saw this black guy in town speaking about Islam”, and that black guy was none else but Shaikh Abu Hakeem – Bilal Davis. You’ll hear different stories regarding these affairs. So, when the youth ask me regarding this affair, I narrate to them as follows:

Between 1991 and 1995- due to extreme Jahl, I held a mixture of beliefs of the Takfeeris and Soofees, but Soofee in my acts of worship. When the Fitna of the Qutbies – Salman and Safar, as well as the Algerian civil war – in particular- began, I was very excited about the situation because it agreed with my political views of khurooj etc We always rejoiced whenever news was transmitted regarding the victory of the so called Algerian Mujaahidoon against the government forces in this or that area of Algeria. So, I sometimes accompanied three vocal Takfeeris in particular – whom I met at the Manchester University Masjid (Ambrose)- namely Faraaz Al-Filisteenee, Tariq al-Baakitaani and Irfaan Al-Baakistaani. These three guys agreed upon many issues, such as khurooj, except that Tariq used to hold that Khurooj is to be carefully planned. The worst of them was Irfaan who made Takfeer of Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahulaah], and they once invited a Takfeeri from London called Abu Umar, who referred to Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz, Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen and Imaam Al-Albaanee as “Father, Son and Holy Ghost”.

Even though I sometimes kept the company of these Takfeeris – for political reasons – in their rented student accommodation where they would show me videos, including videos of the Bosnian war and the so called heroic deeds of the Mujaahidoon, which made me very angry and eager to travel to Bosnia, I was more active with Jamaa’atut Tableegh, with whom I used to visit my Tableeghi friends at UMIST University (Manchester), whilst proactive elder Salafi brother [Abu Bilal – Naeem – from Coventry] was studying there. I really hated Abu Bilaal at the time, because he was always asking us for proof, especially about “The six points of Tableegh and going out for 40 days”. Neither myself nor my Tableeghi mates had any answers to his questions, and I only used to think this Abu Bilal is nothing but a spiteful opponent whose only desire was to stop us from calling to the path of Allaah. I never knew that he was a Salafi.

First Contact With Salafiyyoon: Once in 1995, after the Dhuhr prayer at Manchester University Masjid (Ambrose) – where I used to meet the three Takfeeris, I saw a group of brothers with beards and trousers above their ankles, but they had no Kufi hats. I was very curious and decided to stay behind for a while; then three brothers came forward and sat in front of the people, and that was none else but Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, Shaikh Abu Hakeem and Shaikh Abu Iyaadh, whom I’ve never seen nor heard of. Anyway I decided to stay and listen to them. This was the first time I heard the Khut’batul Haajah, the term Salaf and Salafiyyah. I cannot remember exactly what the topics of their lectures were, but what I can clearly remember is that they constantly mentioned Qur’aan, Sunnah and Salaf; then they elaborated regarding who the Salaf were; then came the hadeeth that terrified me and that is the hadeeth, “My Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects, all of them will be in the Fire except for one, and that is the Jamāʿah’. It was said, “And who are they, O Allāh’s Messenger?” He responded, “That which I and my Companions are upon today”.

I said to myself, “OK, so they also follow the same thing we follow in Tagbleegh because we also love the companions”, but then the second shock came when they started naming the sects and describing some of their characteristics; then they mentioned Jamaa’atut Tableegh and that this group promotes beliefs that oppose the path of the companions by way of fabricated and weak Ahaadeeth. I stayed until all three speakers finished their lecture, then when I was about to leave, I saw someone who was once introduced to me by the Tableeghis when I visited Bolton, and that was none else but courteous elder brother Bashir (Ismail) [Masjid Al-Huda – Bolton at the moment]. I approached him and said, “Where have you been?” He smiled and said, “I left Tableegh and am with these guys now”. I said, “But can you not still be with Tagleegh and these guys?” He said, “No, the haqq is one and Jamaa’atut Tableegh have bidah and shirk in their books”. Then he said to me, “Akhi Abdullah, I advise you to seek knowledge. We have a study circle in this Masjid and you are more than welcome”. I can also remember seeing a white brother – in the gathering – with a Yemeni style Turban and that was none but beloved gentle Abu Turaab (Jamaal).

After returning to my local Masjid – The Islamic Academy of Manchester (Ardwick), I could not hide what I heard from the three speakers [Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, Shaikh Bilaal and Shaikh abu Iyaadh], therefore, I spoke to my Tableeghi friends about it, and mentioned – in particular – that those guys say that our books are filled with Shirk, bidah and fabricated Ahaadeeth etc. Fearing that I will be affected by these speakers, they decided to send two people to my house – Saabir (half Nigerian/Half Somali) and Dr Awadallaah Al-Azhari (Egyptian). After speaking to me, I told them that it seems that we do not have clear evidence for what we do, and guess what Awadallaah’s response was: “Those are Albaani boys, they are still learning”. When I insisted about proofs, they said, “We are not here to argue” and then left.

As usual I returned to the my local Mosque (The Islamic Academy of Manchester) where Jamaa’atut Tableegh was allowed to gather as well, and informed my Tableeghi friends that I was not going to participate in any of their activities because there’s no clear evidence for its justification. The Imaam of the Masjid – at the time – was referred to as Mawlana Iqbal Haafidh Rangooni, a Muta’assib Haanafi, who once said to me, “Abdullah, do not waste your time, because I will not move away from anything held by Abu Haneefah”. He said this when I started making Raf’al Yadayn, even though he had the books of Imaam Al-Albaanee in his library. This guy (Rangooni Guy) was not a Tableeghi nor recommended one to join them, but as soon as he knew that I was inclined towards Salafiyyah, he said to me, “It is better to stay with Jamaa’atut Tableegh”. Then when I carried on questioning their beliefs, a Tableeghi – with anger problems – called Tariq lost his temper and said to me, “You are an idiot, follower of a people who believe that Allaah has a body and that he is up there”. I replied, “Yes, Allaah is above the Arsh in a way that befits his majesty”. He was ready to physically fight me, so lol, old people in the Masjid – simple people who used to love me – got up and shouted at him, saying, “Don’t come back to this Masjid again”. Then they said to me, “This is your Masjid, no one can drive you away regardless of what you do”.

Alhamdulil laah when I attended the first Salafi study circle, I was given the Book “Explanation of The Creed” translated by Shaikh Abu Talhah Dawud Burbank [may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife Aameen]. From 1995, I attended study circles regularly and closely kept the company of Salafiyyoon in Manchester. During those years, I greatly benefitted from the clarifications that were sent by SP via the mailing lists and most important of all the excellent articles written by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh and Shaikh Abu Talhah. There was always a feeling of desperation when the articles ceased for even a week, because they were our main source of Salafiyyah. Every new article was downloaded, read several times and kept like a treasure, and we have them to this day. This article in particular was one of our favourite. A Reply to a Jahmee : Keller Unveiled: http://salafipublications.com/sps//sp.cfm?subsecID=NDV03&articleID=AQD060009&articlePages=1

Alhamdulil laah – and by the Tawfeeq of Allaah – we have read many articles of Shaikh Abu Iyaadh and Shaikh Abu Talhah, and we still continue to read. And what is amazing is that there are many affairs of Aqeedah and Manhaj discussed and detailed by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh in particular which we came across much later after making some improvement in the Arabic language. This alone is enough as service to the Salafi Dawah in the UK because many issues were clarified for us in the English language and we understood them – by the Tawfeeq of Allaah – even before we made some improvement in the Arabic language. Therefore, do not be duped by those who say that because they have Arabic, there is no need to sit in the Duroos.

And during this period (1995- 2022), especially between 2003 up to the fitna of Al-Hajuri, we have witnessed some of the Fitan caused by the Mubtadi’ah, and Al-Maktabatus Salafiyyah has always been in the thick of the battle to repel the Shubuhaat by the Tawfeeq of Allaah. We were present during this period, but neither participated in repelling shubuhaat nor having any connection with scholars; rather it was these elder brothers (Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, Shaikh Abu Hakeem, Shaikh Abu Talhah, Shaikh Abu Iyaadh and others) who led the fight against these Fitan in the UK, and they are still here with us today by the Tawfeeq of Allaah. Wallaahi, I myself – to this day – cannot explain how I escaped all those fitan, except the fact that Allaah has been merciful to me. So, when I hear and see youth at present – some spent few years here and there studying Arabic or even graduated – unleashing their vile tongues and inflating their qualifications, I say to myself, “Wallaahi, you are blind. If you knew what these elder brothers have gone through and stood for nearly 30 years, and the different opponents they’ve faced – Qutbies, Sooroorees, Ashaa’irah, contemporary Jahmites, Tahreeris, and other numerous initiators of fitan, then indeed you would have known your place or at least value that which only a fool would devalue”.

Even though we’ve witnessed some of the fitan, such as the fitna of Salmaan and Safar (at the time we were on their side), the fitna of Abdur Rahmaan Abdul Khaaliq and others, however, we were never amongst those who provided the clarifications and connected the people to the scholars, because we were not able in anyway; rather we were learners in study circles whilst these elder brothers were in contact with scholars and dismantling the bidah of these Mubtadi’ah by the Tawfeeq of Allaah. Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, Shaikh Bilaal, Shaikh Abu Iyaadh and other elders did not receive this acknowledgement from the likes of Al Allaamah Rabee and Al-Allaamah Ubaid due to nothing, rather they are known for their steadfastness, consistency and truthfulness upon the sound Aqeedah and Manhaj by the Tawfeeq of Allaah. And with regards to his relationship with myself and all the brothers at Salaficentre (Manchester) and Stoke (Masjid al-Furqan/Masjid Abi Hurairah), it has been – over the years – one of love, compassion, sincere advice and concern only for sound Aqeedah and Manhaj, and this no doubt is the relationship between all the Maraakiz, the other elder students (Shaikh Uways, Shaikh Abdul Ilaah, Shaikh Abu Idrees), and their younger brothers amongst the teachers. All those who sought to cause fitna due to ulterior motives – and even managed at times to initiate confrontation between Manchester and Birmingham – have departed into the various Fitan, and Allaah’s protection is sought against misguidance! May Allaah protect us and return them to the sound Manhaj Aameen.

Therefore, we say to our youth, the affair is not about how quickly one becomes prominent, excel others and gain recognition everywhere, rather the affair is solely about remaining upon steadfastness and being truthful regardless who accompanies or abandons you. Certificates and strength in memorisation means nothing if one is upon error and being obstinate- defending Al-Maribi, Al-Hajuri, Al-Halabi, Abdur Rahmaan Abdul Khaaliq and others, or afflicted with love of leadership and cause splits, as al-Allaamah Rabee stated, “Many of those who love leadership split the Salafis”. [listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIDZmsAclsY ]

Therefore, be warned against being from those who seek to destroy due to personal ambitions, a false sense of independence and self-entitlement. This beneficial Salafi knowledge – as Ibnul Jamaa’ah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated – is to be pursued with “a good intention, seeking Allaah countenance by way of it, acting upon it, reviving the Sharee’ah, enlightenment of the heart and (rectification) of its hidden affairs, seeking to get close to Allaah on the Day of Judgement, and putting one’s mind to that which Allaah has prepared for its people of His Pleasure and Great Favours”.  [Tadh-kirah As-Saami Wal-Mutakallim of Al-Kinaaniy: 67-70]

The purpose of this knowledge is not that which the fools amongst youth have made it to be – those waving and inflating their certificates, whilst defending Dr Muhammad Bin Haadi as well as co-operating with Greenlane and their allies, but the enemy is one and only [Al-Maktabatus Salafiyyah and the Maraakiz]. The enemy is Maktabah Salafiyyah in particular, and more specifically Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, because they refuse to compromise the sound principles of Walaa Wal Baraa when dealing with the sound stances related to the Aqeedah and Manhaj. This shows that the orientation of these young fools is nothing but “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”, and the common enemy they’ve all united against is none else but Al-Maktabatus Salafiyyah, because the Maktabah and those who co-operate with them forbid these people from desires – the desire to defend falsehood and accompany hizbiyyoon in the name of Salafiyyah and Sunnah. This is why Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him] once stated:

Hizbiyyah, Is Not from Salafiyyah: https://sau.posthaven.com/hizbiyyah-is-not-from-salafiyyah-abu-khadeejah-abdul-waahid

Shaikh Abu Hakeem [may Allaah preserve him] stated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPskJEucxs0

Therefore, the affair is not about your personal ambitions, aims and goals, rather the affair is that you are careful of being duped by shaytaan in the name of dawah until you begin to inflate your self-importance, belittling those who should be honoured (the firm elder teachers and their companions upon the Sunnah) and raising those who should be refuted (ahlul bidah, hizbiyyoon and staunch allies).

We ask Allaah to keep us safe and protect us from the Fitan – that which is apparent and hidden, and we ask him to grant us life as long as life is good for us.

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public; And I ask you (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger; And I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty; And I ask you for blessings that never ceases; And I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends; And I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; Aand I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquility etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me); O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Eemaan, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [Sunan An-Nasaa’ee’ Number 1305 & declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in As-Saheehah Number 1301]