Seventh Reflection: False claims

Allāh, the Most High, says: "It is neither by your desires nor the desires of the People of the Book. Whoever does evil will be recompensed for it, and he will not find besides Allāh any protector or helper." [Sūrah An-Nisa: 123] The Prophet ﷺ said: "If people were given based on their claims alone, some would claim the lives and wealth of others. However, the burden of proof is upon the claimant, and the oath is upon the one who denies." [Agreed upon, from Ibn ’Abbās (may Allāh be pleased with him)] Lessons and Rulings: -> A ruling is not established based solely on a claim, nor are noble ranks attained merely through wishes. -> A person is evaluated based on their conduct, actions, and methodology, not by their own testimony about themselves. Assessing Charity Organisations in Light of These Principles: -> We find that many charity organisations, particularly those labelled as "charitable," claim to be upon the truth and correctness. -> Some even assert that they represent the pure, moderate, and true Salafiyyah, adopting it as their outward slogan while concealing something else. Discussion: -> As mentioned, a person is judged by their actions, not merely by their affiliations or claims. -> The Jahmiyyah and the Mu‘tazilah called themselves Al-Muwaḥḥidūn (the monotheists). -> The Ash‘arites also referred to themselves—and still do—as Ahlus-Sunnah. -> Yet, as the proverb goes: ما كلُّ بيضاءَ شحمة، ولا كلُّ سوداءَ تمرة "Not everything white is fat, nor is everything black a date." [Jamharat Al-Amthāl, vol. 2, p. 226] How can such a claim be valid when they wage a relentless war—day and night, through every possible means—against the true da’wah, its scholars, and its students? They attempt to lure them away through doubts and desires. Objection: May Allāh forgive you! Were we not once upon the same path, drawing from the same source as you did? Response: Indeed, we were. But you put yourselves to trial, were deceived by worldly life, turned away, divided, caused division, and you deny today what you once acknowledged yesterday—and vice versa. -> You have submitted to the guidance and ideologies of Hizbi movements, while Salafiyyah is completely innocent of such affiliations. -> Had Allāh willed good for you, you could have remained steadfast upon the true da’wah, avoiding every cause of division—including charity organisations. -> As for some charity organisations, it is not correct to say that they deviated from Salafiyyah, for they were never upon it in the first place.