BENEFIT 350: I am not aware of any charity organisation truly aligned with the manhaj of the pious predecessors

Sheikh Sulaymān Ar-Ruhaili وفقه الله says: In truth, I have been asked a question regarding groups and charity organisations within the Salafi framework. I must say that the experience with such charity organisations and groups has been a bitter one. Undoubtedly, hizbees have taken this path as their foundation—forming networks, charity organisations, and groups. Some Salafis have also entered this domain under certain conditions, one of which was that walāʾ wal barāʾ were not to be established in an absolute and binding manner. However, involvement in this domain, along with other influencing factors, has led to the emergence of Hizbiyyah, wherein walāʾ wal barāʾ, obedience, and support are conditioned upon affiliation with these groups. This, in reality, has caused great harm to the manhaj. Therefore, whenever I am asked today by Salafis from different parts of the Islamic world about establishing such charity organisations or groups, I advise that it should only be done out of necessity, as their current state is deeply flawed. A necessity would be, for example, a situation where people reside in a country that does not permit da'wah except under an officially recognised charity organisation or group. In such a case, it would be permissible due to necessity, provided that the charity organisation does not adopt a distinct system of its own but rather adheres strictly to the manhaj of the Salaf Aṣ-Ṣāliḥ. Moreover, walāʾ wal barāʾ should not be tied to the charity organisation itself. As for the already existing charity organisations, the correct approach is to offer them sincere advice and alert them—both privately and publicly—to the errors they have fallen into (1). Additionally, people should be cautioned against being deceived by these charity organisations when they contain errors. If reform occurs, then this is good. However, if reform is not achieved, then one should not remain affiliated with such charity organisations but should instead dissociate from them. The matter is not one of mere affiliation but rather one of truth; when the truth becomes evident, one must follow it!! In summary, as far as I understand—and Allāh knows best—the existing charity organisations that were not established out of necessity must be assessed. If they are truly aligned with the methodology of the pious predecessors, then this is good, though I am unaware of any such example.📌 However, if there are deviations, distortions, or abandonment of fundamental principles, efforts should be made to rectify them as much as possible. Furthermore, Muslims should not be deceived by undue praise for these charity organisations while they contain errors. Instead, their reality should be made clear to the people, as this constitutes sincere advice both for these charity organisations and for Muslims in general. For us, this is a matter of religion—it is not about individuals or personalities. I ask Allāh, the Almighty, by His most beautiful names and exalted attributes, to guide us all to His straight path, to keep us steadfast upon Tawheed and the Sunnah, to unite the Muslim Ummah upon these principles, and to grant the Salafis the ability to adhere correctly to the truth, to unite in solidarity and mutual support, and to make the truth more beloved to us than anything else, including what we were raised upon. May Allāh also guide those who have gone astray among the Muslims. And Allāh knows best. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muḥammad. ____ (1) Unfortunately, when some of these organisations receive advice, they take it as an offense.