BENEFIT 307: Who Are the Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn?

Al-’Allāmah, Shaykh Ahmad ibn Yahya An-Najmi (may Allāh have mercy on him), described the group as follows: The "Ikhwan Al-Muflisin" (the bankrupt Brotherhood) are followers of the misguided innovator Hasan al-Banna. Their methodology has several notable flaws, including: 1. Neglecting the Importance of Tawheed: Tawheed in worship is the most critical aspect of Islam. No individual's Islam is valid without it. 2. Overlooking Major Shirk: They remain silent on practices such as invoking others besides Allah, circumambulating graves, making vows to the deceased, and slaughtering animals in their names. 3. A Sufi Foundation: Their founder, Hasan al-Banna, had ties to Sufism, having pledged allegiance to Abdul Wahhab al-Hasafi in accordance with the Hasafiyya Shadhiliyya order. 4. Engagement in Innovations: They practice and endorse religious innovations. Their founder claimed that the Prophet ﷺ attends their gatherings of remembrance and forgives their past sins, as reflected in their poetry: "Blessings upon the light that appeared to the worlds, surpassing the sun and moon. This beloved has attended among the loved ones, pardoning all past sins." 5. Calling for a Caliphate: This is considered an innovation, as the Messengers and their followers were tasked solely with calling to Tawheed. Allah says (interpreted meaning): "And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], 'Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.'" [An-Nahl: 36] 6. Weak or Absent Al-Wala' wa Al-Bara': This is evident in their call for rapprochement between Sunnis and Shias, and the founder’s statement: "We cooperate in what we agree upon and excuse one another in what we differ on." 7. Hatred Toward the People of Tawheed and Salafiyyah: This is apparent in their criticism of Saudi Arabia, a state established on Tawheed and dedicated to teaching it in schools, institutes, and universities. They even killed figures like Jameel Ar-Rahman in Afghanistan for his commitment to Tawheed and his educational efforts. 8. Criticising Rulers: They seek out and broadcast the faults of leaders, whether truthful or fabricated, to incite hatred among the youth and sow discord. 9. Partisan Loyalties: They exhibit loyalty and enmity based on their group affiliation, fostering divisions. 10. Imposing Allegiance to Their Methodology: They require members to pledge allegiance to their ten principles outlined by the founder, with numerous other observations to be discussed. Source: Al-Fatāwā Al-Jaliyyah ’an As-ilah Al-Manāhij