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

Our brother Abu Aa’isha Amjad Khan [may Allaah preserve him] transmitted to us yesterday that Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him] said, “Salafi daʿwah is on the rise everywhere, and is more and more sought after by the people because you are welcoming them, and making things easy and not hard, and giving them glad-tidings and not causing them to flee– that’s the Sunnah of Abul-Qāsim (salallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam)”. [End of quote]

Indeed, this reminds us of a statement of some of the scholars, such as Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess [may Allaah have mercy upon him] when he stated: “It is obligated on the teacher to advise the learner – in everyway he can – with regards to learning, exercises patience when the learner does not comprehend, lacks the (most desired) behaviour (in the path of seeking knowledge) and is rough in his behaviour, alongside his (ie. the teacher) great eagerness and his observation of everything that will improve, refine and make the behaviour of the learner more agreeable, because indeed the learner has a right that should be fulfilled by the teacher in view of the fact that he has embarked upon the path to preoccup himself with knowledge that will benefit him and the people, specifically chosen the teacher and not others….. etc”

The Shaikh also said, “Therefore, the teacher is rewarded for his teaching whether the learner comprehends or not. If te learner comprehends what he has learnt, benefits himself and others, the teacher’s reward continues as long as that benefit carries on without disruption. This is a distribution and exchange the likes of which the competitors must compete one another. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the teacher to hasten – earnestly- to be well established in this and improve on it, because it from his deeds and outcomes of his deeds. Allaah said: [إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَنَڪۡتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُواْ وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمۡۚ -Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces]”. [36:12] [End of quote] (1) [See footnote a]

Footnote a: Allaah [The Exalted] said: [إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَنَڪۡتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُواْ وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمۡۚ وَكُلَّ شَىۡءٍ أَحۡصَيۡنَـٰهُ فِىٓ إِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ – Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces, and that which they leave behind], and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book].

[إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ – Verily, We give life to the dead]- Meaning, We’ll resurrect them after their death to recompense them for their deeds (2). [وَنَڪۡتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُواْ – and We record that which they send before (them)] – Meaning, good and evil, the deeds they did during their lifetime (3).

[وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمۡۚ – and their traces]. Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: That which they initiated of good or evil and thus they were followed by others after their death. (4)

Imaam Al-Aloosee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: That which they left behind of good deeds, such as the knowledge they taught people, books they wrote, land they gave as endowment or a building they built in the path of Allaah and other good deeds; or sins, such as establishment of laws [legislation, rules, regulations etc] that are tantamount to oppression and transgression, or setting up principles amongst the people that are tantamount to evil and corruption, and the evil Funoon [i.e. haraam professions, crafts etc] which they initiated and were revived after them by the corrupt people. (5)

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: It is the good and evil outcomes about which they were the cause of its occurrence during their life time and after their death, and those deeds that emanated from their statements, deeds and circumstances. Every good performed by one of the people due to the knowledge of the servant, his teaching and advice, or through enjoying good and forbidding evil, or knowledge he transmitted to the learners, or in a book which is benefitted from during his life and after his death, or a good deed, such as Salaah, Zakaat, Sadaqah or kindness based on which he was followed, or built a masjid or a place which the people benefit from and what is similar, it will be from the good outcomes that are written for him, and likewise are the evil outcomes. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever starts a good thing [i.e. something other than bidah and sin] and is followed by others, he will have his own reward and a reward equal to that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their reward in any way. Whoever starts a bad thing [i.e. a bidah, sin or something that opposes Islaam] and is followed by others, will bear the burden of his own sin and a burden equal to that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their burden in any way”. [Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2675]

This subject matter makes clear to you the lofty station of calling to the path of Allaah, guidance to His path through every means and path that leads to it; and the lowly status of the caller to evil and a leader in it, and that he is the most degraded human being, one who has committed the severest crime and the greatest sin. (6) [End of quote]

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab [may allaah have mercy upon him] stated in Al-Usool Ath-Thalaatha: “I’lam, Rahimakallaah – Know, may Allah have mercy upon you”. Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated: “Rahimakallaah” – this is a supplication made for the student of knowledge. The Shaikh [Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab] supplicates for the Mercy of Allaah upon the students of knowledge, that Allaah has mercy upon them. So in this there is gentleness from the teacher towards the student. Indeed he [the teacher] begins with a good word and a righteous supplication [for the student] so that it has an effect and thereby making the student incline towards his teacher with acceptance. But if he began with a harsh statement or a statement not deemed proper, this would make him [i.e. the student] flee.

Therefore, it is obligated on the teacher and the one who calls to Allaah, and the one who enjoins good and forbids evil, that he is gentle with the one he addresses – by way of supplication for him, commendation and soft speech. For indeed, this calls for acceptance [i.e. one’s call to the truth to be accepted by the ones he is calling]. However, as for the Mu’aanid, [the stubborn wilful opposer], indeed this one is to be addressed differently. Allaah [Glorified be He] said: [وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ‌ۖ – And argue not with the people of the Scripture unless it be in a way that is better, except with such of them as do wrong]. [29:46]

Those who do wrong among the people of the scripture- wilfully opposing and are haughty- these ones are not addressed with that which is better; rather they are addressed with that which will prevent from their [harm and misguidance]. Allaah said: [يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ جَـٰهِدِ ٱلۡڪُفَّارَ وَٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱغۡلُظۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ‌ۚ وَمَأۡوَٮٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُ‌ۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ – O Prophet (Muhammad)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell,-and worst indeed is that destination]. [9:73]

Striving against the hypocrites is not carried out with weapons, rather it is carried out with proofs, statements, refutation against them with harshness that will prevent [them from propagating their misguidance and harm] and to keep the people away from them. Allah said about them [i.e. the hypocrites]: [وَقُل لَّهُمۡ فِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ قَوۡلاَۢ بَلِيغً۬ا – But admonish them, and speak to them an effective word to reach their innerselves] [4:63]

Therefore, there is a specific type of speech that is prescribed for these people because they are wilful opposers and people afflicted with pride. They do not want the truth, rather they want to misguide the people. So they are addressed in a way they deserve. As for the seeker of guidance, this one is addressed with gentleness and mercy. That is because he wants the truth, knowledge and Faa’idah [i.e. that which will benefit him]. (7) [End of quote]

Therefore, O Maraakiz of Salafiyyah in the West! Be welcoming, facilitate ease and be gentle to the learners. Do not make anyone flee from the lessons due to harsh speech, rather encourage people with gentle speech and let everyone acquire what he is able to acquire. Do Not Dare Say to Anyone In Any UK Markaz or Masjid, “You Are a Waste of Time In Your Pursuit of Knowledge”: https://salaficentre.com/2022/10/24/do-not-dare-say-to-anyone-in-any-uk-markaz-or-masjid-you-are-a-waste-of-time-in-your-pursuit-of-knowledge/

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Awaa’iq At-Talab. pages 58-59. paraphrased]

[Refs. 2 & 3: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st edition 1424AH (2003). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4. An Excerpt from Badaa’i at-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim 2/358. Daar Ibn Al-Jawziy 1431AH. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 5: An Excerpt from Roohul Ma’aanee 12/325. Daar Al-Fikr. 1417AH (1997). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Edition 1424AH (2003). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 7: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Usool Ath-Thalaatha. page13-15. Slightly paraphrased]