Clarification Regarding Shaykh Fawzān's stance on Imām Al-Albānī

During a private sitting with Shaykh Daghash al-‘Ajmi on Wednesday, 13 Rabī‘ al-Awwal 1448 AH (26 August 2026), we asked him for some advice regarding the issue of al-‘udhr bil-jahl (the excuse of ignorance). After clarifying the matter, he was also asked about Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān’s statement in which he described Shaykh al-Albāni as a Murji’. Shaykh Daghash mentioned that he had personally spoken to Shaykh al-Fawzān about this matter and informed him that Shaykh al-Albāni held that: الإيمان قول وعمل واعتقاد، يزيد وينقص “Īmān is speech, action and belief; it increases and decreases.” He referenced Shaykh al-Albāni’s verification (taḥqīq) of al-Qawl al-Musaddad fī adh-Dhabbi ‘an Musnad al-Imām Aḥmad by al-Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar al-‘Asqalānī. Upon this clarification, Shaykh al-Fawzān retracted his statement regarding Shaykh al-Albāni. Shaykh Daghash mentioned that this conversation took place in Shaykh al-Fawzān’s own car, shortly before Shaykh al-Fawzān was appointed Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Written by Abu Ishāq Muhammad¹ __ ¹ I read this clarification to the Shaykh, and he gave permission for it to be circulated. https://t.me/masjidsahabah/2337