𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗷 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (298)

Students of Knowledge Should Refrain from Engaging in Tafsiq, Tabdi‘, and Takfir The issues of declaring someone an innovator (tabdi‘) or a disbeliever (takfir) are matters I advise students of knowledge to avoid delving into. These matters are left to the scholars. If you examine the books of the Salaf, you will not find "students" of Jarh wa ta'deel, even though they were better, more pious, and more diligent than us. Despite that you will not find that "so and so was a 'student' of Jarh wa ta'deel" or "so and so was disparaged by a 'student' of Jarh wa ta'deel". You will not find this whatsoever. Instead, a student merely transmits the rulings of their teachers or scholars regarding issues of criticism or takfir. Allāh has entrusted these matters to the people of knowledge, just as He has entrusted the implementation of legal punishments—such as for adultery, slander, alcohol consumption, or murder—to the rulers of the Muslims. Similarly, takfir and tabdi‘ are entrusted to the scholars, as they understand when to apply these rulings to specific individuals and when such judgments should remain general. Hence why you find 'imams of Jarh wa ta'deel' and 'scholars of Jarh wa ta'deel'. Today, however, there is a group of people who gain prominence by engaging in these issues. They lack knowledge, do not hold classes, and have no real da‘wah. Instead, they focus on these areas to gain recognition, which is not their rightful domain. These matters are the left to the scholars. I recall an incident involving a student named Abdullah Al-Misri, who was a student in Dammaj. He reportedly declared Muhammad Al-Imam to be a disbeliever. When the issue reached Sheikh (Yahya), he summoned Abdullah to discuss the matter. The Sheikh attempted to advise him, hoping he might accept advice or direction. However, Abdullah insisted on his claim. At that point, I remarked, "You are not qualified for this. You are not among the scholars of jarh wa ta‘dil. Your speech carries no weight." I said something similar to this. He told me, "don't get involved." I told, "this is the reality. Your speech holds no weight." Similarly, these days, we hear individuals like Abu Kamil Al-Ba‘dani declaring Muhammad Al-Imam to be a disbeliever. Such speech holds no credibility. These judgments are reserved for scholars, not the ignorant. The rulings of takfir, tabdi‘, and tafsiq have been entrusted to scholars; those who are aware of the reasons for such rulings to be issues; who are know about the conditions and evidence for such judgments, free from personal biases or desires. I recall an example involving Sheikh Muqbil (may Allāh have mercy on him) concerning Hasan At-Turabi, from Sudan, who had made statements that were considered heretical. Initially, the Sheikh referred to Turabi as “misguided and misleading others.” Later, he stated, “I do not object to those who declare Turabi a disbeliever.” After some time, the Sheikh eventually affirmed, “Turabi is a disbeliever.” The scholar does not just make statements as he goes along. This is the speech of someone who knows when to speak. Initially, he excused him - perhaps he is ignorant, or perhaps he has a doubt. Hence why he said “misguided and misleading others.” But when he persisted, perhaps the evidence has reached him, and so he said, “I do not object to those who declare Turabi a disbeliever.” He himself didn't declare Takfir due to wara'. However, when he was certain that the man is deeply engrossed in his beliefs and misguidance and opposing the Qur'an, Sunnah, and the methodology of the salaf, and he persisted in his heretical views despite the evidence being presented to him, yet he persisted, that is when the Sheikh affirmed, “Turabi is a disbeliever.” ➡️@almanhajussalafi