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

Some Youth Have Ta’assub (Bigoted Attachment) to Some of The Scholars! – A Statement uttered by some who put up a smokescreen to hide their stances and confuse the unsuspecting listeners 

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali may Allaah preserve him] said, “The person with the proofs, it is obligatory to take his speech (on the basis) of following Allaah’s Legislation and Proofs, and not (due to) the personality of this person”. (1)

Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Mad’khalee [may Allaah preserve him] said: Indeed, rejecting the statements of scholars (i.e. their sound verdicts) – by way of statements whose apparent meaning is sound, but those who utilise them intend falsehood and evil – has become widespread nowadays. (This statement of truth by way of which falsehood and evil is intended is), “I do not make Taqleed!!” Even though you find him (i.e. the utterer of this statement) to be ignorant, understands nothing (i.e. regarding some or many affairs) in the religion and is one of those who are greatly in need of making Taqleed of the scholars as well as following them. There is (the necessity for) Taqleed and Ittibaa. There is a person who is ignorant and he needs to make Taqleed. Taqleed is a necessity for this person, therefore it is incumbent upon him to make Taqleed of the scholars. (see footnote a) The student of knowledge can understand by way of the proofs that such and such scholar is correct and thus he follows the person with proof [i.e. Ittibaa]. This is a level above Taqleed and below the level of the Mujtahid. Some of them [i.e. the people] might say, “I do not make Taqleed”, even though-in reality- he is a commoner or an evil doer, or a malicious person who desires to speak ill against the scholars and keep the people away from them through these cunning ways. Therefore, let the youth be careful lest they fall into the trap of these fools – those who speak ill of the scholars in such a heedless manner. “I do not make Taqleed of such and such (person)”. We say to him (i.e. the one who utters this statement), “Who commands you to make Taqleed if you are a student of knowledge?! However, if that scholar about whom you say, ‘I do not make Taqleed of him’ has truth with him, then is it permissible to reject the truth through this illusion which you call Taqleed and intend falsehood by way of it?!” I warn the youth against despicable behaviour. It has become rife amongst the common people and prevents them from good manners, (sound adherence to) religion and character. (2)

There are those who have general praise for the Salafi scholars, but they utter a general statement – whilst referring to those who have taken a clear stance against Dr Muhammad Bin Haadi based on knowledge based unambiguous proofs (see footnote b) – saying, “Some of the youth have Ta’assub (bigoted attachment) to some of the scholars”.

Firstly, we ask them to name the scholar for whom we have this bigoted attachment? Secondly, we ask them to clearly state regarding which affair we have manifested this Ta’assub and its knowledge based unambiguous proofs! If they do not produce proof and abandon this general statement by way of which they seek to confuse people so that none can question them about their ambiguous stances, then indeed we remind them that Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It is obligated on you to give detail and make a distinction, because unrestricted and general (statements) without clarification has indeed corrupted this existence [i.e. the world], and misguided the intellects and views (of the people) in every era”. Al-Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] commented on this statement as follows: “There has to be detail explanation. The one who is not proficient in giving detail should keep quiet, because benefit is not acquired from his speech. And every time error occurs, its cause is due to an absence of detail explanation regarding truth and falsehood. There has to be detail explanation and distinction and not to mix up (affairs). Indeed, it may be that there is something of truth and falsehood in an opponent’s statement, so all of it is neither deemed to be false nor truth; rather there has to be a distinction between its truth and falsehood. All of it is neither rejected nor accepted; rather a distinction is made regarding the truth and what is correct and the falsehood and error in it. And if you are not proficient in giving detail, then you should not enter into this field”. (3)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The basis of Banee Adam’s misguidance is as a result of general terms and ambiguous meanings [i.e. terms and meanings which can either be utilised for truth or falsehood when not explained in detail and distinguished], especially if they come in contact with a confused mind, then how about when desires and misguided enthusiasm is added to that! Therefore, ask the One Who keeps the hearts steadfast [i.e. Allaah] to keep your heart firm upon the Religion he has ordained and not allow you to fall into this darkness”. (3.1)

Thirdly, we remind them to produce proof and speak truth if they are truthful. Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi stated: “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. Verse 64] (4)

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Footnote a:

The Prohibited and Permissible Forms of Taqlid:
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060005&articlePages=1

The Methodology of the Salaf Concerning Ijtihad and Taqlid
http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060001&articlePages=1

The following PDF https://www.troid.org/media/pdf/areturntothesunnah.pdf discusses the subject matter of Taqleed -from page 59 onward- based on the clarifications of the scholars, such as Shaikh Albaani [rahimahullaah], Shaikh Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] and others. The reader is asked to read carefully to acquire a holistic understanding of the affair.

Footnote b:

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

To be continued InShaaAllaah.

[Ref 1: Majmoo 9/40]

[Ref 2: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 61-62. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from At-Ta-leeqaat Al-Mukhtasar Alaa Al-Qaseedah An-Nooniyyah. Vol: 1 page: 216. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3.1: An Excerpt from ‘As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah Alal Jahmiyyah Wal Mu’attilah. 3/927 slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4: Al-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaani Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87]