BENEFIT 295: As-San'ani, Ibn Al-Wazeer, and Ash-Shawkani Were Not Zaydees

Sheikh Al-'Usaimi غفر الله له states: "One of the general characteristics of the scholars of Zaydiyyah, of whom the author is one, is their meticulous scrutiny of transmitted reports, as is evident to anyone who reads the works of their intellectuals, such as Ibn Al-Wazeer, Al-Muqbili, As-San'ani, and Ash-Shawkani." [End Quote] __ Question: Your Eminence, may Allāh grant you success, can it be said that Sheikh Muhammad ibn Isma'il As-San'ani was Salafi in creed but Zaydi in the subsidiary matters? Sheikh Al-Fawzan: We seek refuge in Allāh. Who said he was Zaydi? Who told you he followed Zaydi in the subsidiary matters? He was a muhaddith, one of the scholars of hadith and fiqh, may Allah have mercy on him. ____ Question: Is it true to say that Ash-Shawkani, may Allāh have mercy on him, adhered to the Zaydi school of thought? Sheikh Al-Fawzan: Ash-Shawkani was a muhaddith following the methodology of the muhadditheen. He, along with Sheikh As-San'ani and Al-Maghribi, were all scholars of hadith who benefitted the Ummah and propagated the Sunnah. We are unaware of any association of Ash-Shawkani with Zaydiyyah. Where is Zaydiyyah evident in Ash-Shawkani’s works? ____ Question: Your Eminence, may Allāh grant you success, why do the Zaydi sect take pride in Imam Ash-Shawkani, may Allāh have mercy on him, and attribute him to their scholars? Sheikh Al-Fawzan: No, he is not one of their scholars. He is among the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah, the scholars of hadith, and Fiqh. He belongs to Ahlus Sunnah. __ Question: May Allāh reward you well, Your Eminence. A questioner asks: In the book Subul As-Salam, when mentioning Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, the author, As-San'ani, says عليه السلام "peace be upon him" but does not say this for any other Companion. Sheikh Al-Fawzan: You should know that As-San'ani, may Allāh have mercy on him, was a noble imam, a leader in hadith and was upon sound creed. However, he lived in a Shi'a-dominated environment, specifically among the Zaydis. Had he not said عليه السلام "peace be upon him," it might have caused harm to him from their side. This was a matter of prudence. It is permissible to say, "So-and-so, peace be upon him," but it should not become a distinctive slogan unless under necessity. ____ Question: Does this not serve as evidence that he harboured Shi’a tendencies, such as using the phrase كرّم الله وجهه "may Allāh honor his face"? Sheikh Al-Uthaymin: Some scholars might find themselves in a Shi'a-dominated environment and say such phrases to promote their works. In reality, Allāh did honour his (i.e. Ali رضي الله عنه) face because he was among the Companions. They might use such expressions to draw attention and ensure acceptance of their writings, as Ash-Shawkani, may Allāh have mercy on him, occasionally did. Source: https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/1092