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]
The Elder Students of Knowledge And Their Connection to The People of Knowledge Since The Early 90s
Shaikh Abdul Waahid Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him] stated:
From 1994-96 onwards, it can be said without doubt that the Salafi community in Birmingham particularly developed a stronger connection to shaikhs of Madinah than to others, such as the Jordanians. This was due to a number of factors: Abu Hakeem was studying in Madinah at the time and he developed strong ties with the Madinah scholars, Abu Talhah Dawud Burbank had returned from Madinah University a few years earlier, Amar Bashīr was close to the Madinah scholars after spending time at the Islamic University, Muhammad Ibn Hādī and Shaikh Abdus-Salām Burjiss visited Birmingham several times between 1996 and 2000, the Kuwaiti shaikhs (who were close to the scholars of Madinah and Riyadh at the time) paid numerous visits to Birmingham from 1994 onwards. It is for these reasons that Al-Maktabah As-Salafiyyah (est. 1996 as an entity) though respectful of the Jordanians, maintained even stronger ties with other scholars, including Shaikh Rabee’, Shaikh Muqbil and Shaikh ‘Ubaid – who were older and more grounded in creed, manhaj, hadeeth and fiqh. This connection is proven by the translations of Abu Iyād and Abu Talhah from that time that survive till today, as well as the Q&A audiotapes of Abu Hakeem with the scholars of Madinah from the mid-1990s onwards. (1) [End of quote]
Adherence to the Salafi Manhaj – by the Tawfeeq of Allaah – and firm connection to the scholars is the reason the elder brothers are trusted. Beloved Abu Maryam (Tariq) posted on salafitalk.net in 2010: “On Friday, the 25th of June 2010 (14 Rajab 1431H), the following question was posed to the Shaykh al-‘Allaamah Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee: “O Shaykh, as you are aware, there are no scholars in Britain, but is there anyone residing there that you advise us with, who can connect us to the people of knowledge?” The Shaykh, may Allaah preserve him, mentioned: Our brother Hasan as-Somali (who was present in the gathering), Abu Khadeejah and his companion (Abu Hakeem). The Shaykh also stressed the importance of them keeping ties with the scholars”. Some of the witnesses to this sitting included: Abu Ishaaq Nadeem (Madinah Graduate), Hasan as-Somaalee Awais Haashimi, Bilaal Hussain (Makkah), Jameel Finch (Makkah), Samir Debbazi (Madinah Graduate), Abdul Mateen (Madinah), Abu Hammaad Yunus and many others.
Listen here what Shaikh ʿAbdulillāh Laḥmāmī [may Allaah preserve him] stated about Shaikh Abu Hakim [may Allaah preserve him]:
Listen here: Shaikh ʿAbdulillāh Laḥmāmī [may Allaah preserve him] Introduced Al-Allaamah Ubayd Al-Jābirī [may Allaah preserve him] to Al-Allaamah Muḥammad Al Bannā [may Allaah have mercy upon him]:
Our Noble Brother ʿAbdulillāh Laḥmāmī @Abdulilah_UK Introduced Shaykh ʿUbayd al-Jābirī حفظه الله to Shaykh Muḥammad al Bannā رحمه الله. Truly Beautiful Account! May Allāh Reward Our Beloved Scholars and Students of Knowledge. pic.twitter.com/Kof2tnJfCF
— Masjid us Sunnah (@MasjidusSunnah) November 2, 2017
In addition to this, none can deny – prior to the lockdowns – the yearly Umrah trips during which Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, Shaikh Abu Hakim and others would take a group of brothers and sisters to meet the likes of Al-Allaamah Ubaid Bin Abdillaah Al-Jaabiri, Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi and others. Watch here regarding some of the fruitful outcomes of this firm connection with the scholars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JfHq48Dl0k
This connection continues and may Allaah make it continue upon everything that is beloved and pleasing to him. This is why Shaikh Abu Talhah, Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, Shaikh Abdul Ilaah, Shaikh Abu Hakeem, Shaikh Owais at-Taweel, Shaikh Abu Iyaad, Shaikh Abu Idrees, Shaikh Abu Omar Faarooq (may have mercy upon him), Shaikh Abu Fudayl, Ustaadh Bilaal Husain, Ustaadh Abu Tasneem and others travelled to sit with the scholars- some travelled to Dammaaj during the lifetime of Al-Allaamah Muqbil Bin Haadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him], some travelled to Saudi once or twice a year to sit with the likes of Al-Allaamah Rabee, Al-Allaamah Ubaid Bin Abdillaah Al-Jaabiri and some, such as the likes of Shaikh Abdul Ilaah and Shaikh Abu Hakeem, stayed in Saudi for 10 years or more whilst regularly attending the lessons of the scholars. They were not only attendants, but rather they are well-known to the scholars.
There has not been a time period – from when elder brothers were introduced to Salafiyyah, except that a group of brothers did travel to sit with the scholars, learn from them, seek their advice on Dawah affairs as well as invite their upright students to the UK, such as the likes of Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess [may Allaah have mercy upon him]. This is a well known affair, therefore, the newcomer should be informed that this affair has always been emphasised and acted upon by the Salafiyyoon. The Salafiyyoon, especially the elder brothers, have never stopped visiting the scholars and learning from them, rather the only reason these travels ceased for some time was due to the lockdowns. There is not a single one amongst the elder brothers who clings to books and abandons sitting with scholars, rather prior to the lockdowns they visited the scholars whilst carrying on with the lessons in the Maraakiz.
Our elder teachers continue to transmit the books of the scholars as well as encourage us to travel to the scholars when we are able to do so. Evidence here: [Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]: An excellent opportunity to perform ‘Umrah at the house of Allāh and worship at the Masjid al-Harām followed by visiting the people of knowledge, including the noble Shaikh, Khālid b. Dahwī al-Dhafīrī in Kuwait. Allāh make this initiative successful and bless it: https://twitter.com/AbuKhadeejahSP/status/1574664901662048258?t=M5bn5daz7BSoGCHULoFCjw&s=35
Shaikh Owais at-Taweel [may Allaah preserve him] linking us with some of the students of Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him]:
— مركز ابن القيم التعليمي (@mrkzibnalqayyim) October 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/abdulahaldafiri/status/1583861061635084288?t=m0YkkVl-wxljktHbXfghpw&s=35
— مركز ابن القيم التعليمي (@mrkzibnalqayyim) October 23, 2022
Ustaadh Abu Humaid [may Allaah preserve him] transmitting from Shaikh Abdullah Al-Bukhari [may Allaah preserve him] during the one day conference at Masjid Abi Huraira. Lecture was titled: “Causes of Deviation from the Salafi Manhaj by Shaykh Abdullah Al-Bukhari”.
To be continued…InShaaAllaah
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