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

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ – So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allaah is true. And let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which you are obliged to convey)]. [Surah Rum’ Aayah 60]

[فَٱصۡبِرۡ – So be patient]- Meaning, upon that which you have been commanded and in calling them to the [path of] Allaah; even if you see them turning away that should not turn you away from the call. [إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ – Indeed, the promise of Allaah is true]- Meaning, there is no doubt about that. And this is from that which aids a person to exercise patience, because when a servant know that his deeds will not be in vain and will find a full reward for it [in the afterlife], then what he faces of hardship will become minor, and it will become much easy for him to bear every difficulty.

[وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ – And let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you]- Meaning, their Imaan is weak and their certainty is little, so their forbearance becomes lacking as result of that and their patience is little. So, beware out of fear of being discouraged by these people, because unless you are not careful about their affair, they will discourage you and lead you to not being firm in holding fast to the commands and prohibitions, and the soul may assist them in this affair and seek to be similar and to be in agreement with them. (1)

Sixteen years ago, we came across some people in Birmingham, who – when the well-known teachers were attacked and the Salafiyyoon defended them- said, “You people are too emotional! Why do you not wait for the scholars to defend them”. They uttered this statement whilst knowing for certain that neither were such affairs to be returned to scholars nor would scholars consider it something worthy of their attention, because it was related to the misbehaviour of some spiteful local trouble makers and fame seekers. Then when the brothers from the various Maraakiz constantly posted on salafitalk.net to expose Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth UK, they said, “Why do you guys keep on flogging a dead horse?” However, when these same people had a disagreement with someone in some subject matter of the religion, they did not say, “Let me take the affair to scholars”, rather they personally requested that an article is produced based on the statements of the scholars to present their view, even though they were the same people who objected when the well known teachers were defended against the vile local fame seekers and trouble makers. We knew that these people hid sentiments and that did manifest from time to time, but they still hanged around with Salafiyyoon. However, when clarity became too burdensome for them, they disappeared from the scene.

At present we hear another group saying, “It seems that you are on your own, because none else is defending or backing you up in this affair of Dr Ibraaheem Ar-Ruhayli besides yourselves”.

Firstly, we say to them: The affair has already been settled, so read the following articles..

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uyryh-documents-and-resources-for-countering-and-exposing-the-musafiqah.cfm

Muhammad Ibn Hādi’s Allegations and the Response of the Major Scholars in Light of the Manhaj of the Salaf

Shaykh Rabiʿ’s request for Shaykh Muḥammad bin Hādī to justify his tabdīʿ of Salafī students and shaykhs and to explicitly name the major scholars he accused of being “affected” and “destroyed” by the “Ṣaʿāfiqah” – one month, no answer: https://twitter.com/abuiyaadsp/status/1018974451269033986?lang=en-GB

Clarification by Shaikh Abu Iyaad – [A warning, a Refutation, Rebuke Against a Mistake or Behaviour Does Not Automatically Necessitate Tabdee; & a Mention of Shaikh Muhammad Bin Haadi’s & Shaikh Sulaymaan Ar-Ruhaylee’s Affair- [From 52mins onwards]: https://mixlr.com/albaseerah/showreel/narration-from-the-salaf-regarding-creed-and-methodology

Secondly, we say to them: The affair is neither about numbers nor personalities who come to one’s defense, rather the affair is about truth. Read Men are Known by Way of the Truth. https://www.wrightstreetmosque.com/men-are-known-by-way-of-the-truth-the-understanding-of-this-statement/

Question to Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him]: What is the meaning of the principle: The truth is not known by way of men, rather men are known by way of the truth?

Answer: Its meaning is that we do not merely blindly follow anyone (see footnote a), because it may be that one is blindly followed based on error; it may be that the Mujtahid is mistaken and the one who makes [a statement or holds an opinion] is mistaken, so we do not take [his statement, opinion etc] and say, “This is the statement of such as such; this is truth, because such and such is good, he is a scholar; such and such is Taqiy [i.e. one who fears Allaah]”. We do not say this because he is not infallible and he can make a mistake; so we know men by way of the truth – those who know; those who take [or adhere to] the proofs and indeed they are known to be scholars. As for those who do not give concern [or importance] to the proofs, they are not scholars; they are not people of [sound] understanding and they are not people of knowledge, so their statement is never taken straight away. It is imperative that the proof is presented, so if the proof is established as witness to [what he says or holds etc], then it is the truth; but if he opposes the proof, then indeed [his statement or opinion] is rejected; however if he is a Mujtahid and he is mistaken, he is rewarded [once] due to his Ijtihaad; but if he deliberately holds on to error, he has sinned. [Paraphrased. Refer to video here: https://safeshare.tv/x/tyVyzaoU0tw# ]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah protect him] said, “The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, Bring forth your proofs if you are truthful]. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 64] (2)

Therefore, understand this very well that the big personality portrayed about Dr Sulaymaan by the Musaafiqah did not prevent both Al-Allaamah Rabee and Salafipublications to warn against him! Therefore, either a student – in the east or west – has sufficed himself with the warning issued by Al-Allaamah Rabee, or he is genuinely unable to speak, then in that case we remind you of Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali as follows: “The obligation of refuting the one in opposition to the truth is not lifted due to anticipation of harm, unless it is harm one is not able to bear. So, in this case, Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. The earth is not devoid of people of knowledge who will carry out refutation against the one in opposition to the truth”. (3) Therefore, do not think that the silence of some people is an indication that the truth will be lost, rather Allaah will protect this sound Manhajus Salafi and facilitate it with scholars and students of knowledge to clarify its sound signposts.

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah protect him] was asked, “Shaikh Al-Albaanee, Shaikh Ibn Baaz and Shaikh Uthaymeen have passed away, so who remains from the scholars?”

Answer: Those who remain are numerous and all praise is due to Allaah. Allaah’s Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] died and his noble companions [may Allaah be pleased with them] remained. (Imam) Ahmad Ibn Hanbal died and his companions [may Allaah have mercy upon him and them] remained. Ibn Taymiyyah died and his companions [may Allaah have mercy upon him and them] remained. (Imaam Muhammad) Ibn Abdul Wahhaab died and his companions [may Allaah have mercy upon him and them] remained. And those ones [i.e. Albaanee, Ibn Baaz, Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy upon him and them)] died and their students and brothers remain by Allaah’s Will. The truth will not be lost. When Umar was stabbed, it was said to him, “Appoint a successor!” He said, “Allaah will not allow His Religion to be lost”. So by Allaah this Religion will never be lost. It is upon you to put shoulder to shoulder and embark upon work- raise the flag of the (authentic) Sunnah and the flag of the truth. “There will not cease to be a group amongst my Ummah manifest upon the truth-neither will they be harmed by those who betray them nor by those who oppose them till Allaah’s promise come to pass (i.e. the day of Judgement)”. By Allaah! Neither knowledge nor the committee of senior scholars have died-all praise is due to Allaah-and there is good and blessing with them. Our Salafi brothers are in the different regions of the world. The world is filled with senior students of knowledge who fill this gap-all praise is due to Allaah. Therefore, neither can the people of falsehood rejoice nor become happy. (4)

So, do not forget to supplicate regarding this affair and in all affairs that are pursued for the sake of truth and clarity.

اللَّهمَّ إنِّي أسألُكَ الثَّباتَ في الأمرِ والعزيمةَ على الرُّشدِ وأسألُكَ شُكرَ نعمتِكَ وحُسنَ عبادتِكَ وأسألُكَ قلبًا سليمًا ولسانًا صادقًا وأسألُكَ من خيرِ ما تَعلمُ وأعوذُ بِكَ من شرِّ ما تعلَمُ وأستغفرُكَ لما تعلَم

“O Allaah! I ask You for firmness in this matter and determination to adhere to the path of guidance; and I ask You to grant me gratitude for Your blessings and to worship You (alone) properly; and I ask You for a sound heart, and I ask you for a truthful tongue, and I ask You for the good of what You know, and I seek Your refuge from the evil of that which You know, and I seek Your forgiveness for what You know (and of course Allaah knows everything and nothing is hidden from His knowledge- the All-Knower, the All-Hearer, the All-Seer). (5)

Footnote a:

The Permissible and Prohibited Forms of Taqleed

Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Al-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaani Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87]

[Ref 3: Al Ajwibah Al Mukhtasar Alaa As-ila Al-Ashrati(Page43-44)]

[Ref 4: Source: الذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة -1/ 208-209. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 5: Declared Saheeh Li-Ghayrihee By Imaam Al-Albaanee in Takhreej Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh 915]