BENEFIT 174: Some points of observation concerning Sheikh Salih Al-'Usaymi
28 May 2024 • 2.16K views
Sheikh Hasan Ba Shu'aib says (Paraphrasing):
٠ They accuse us of criticising the scholars, but this is nothing new. They said the same thing about Imam Shu'bah, Shafi'ē, Ahmad, etc.
٠ As for Al-Usaymi, let me relate to you some of his erroneous statements:
1. علوم المحدِّثين لم تقعّد بعدُ
The sciences of the Muhaddiths have not yet been systematised.
Sheikh Hasan comments: The systemisation began in the second century with the book "Al-Muḥaddith Al-Fāṣil", and continues (like all other sciences) till today.
2. المحدثون اعتنوا بالحفظ وأضروا بالفهم.
The Muhaddiths focused on memorisation to the detriment of understanding.
Sheikh Hasan comments: This remark resembles that of those from the early generations who used to describe Ahlus-Sunnah as حشوية i.e. They don't understand anything, they just memorise, like donkey carrying scrolls.
3. لا تكاد تفرح بقواعد أهل الحديث في كثير من علومهم
One is hardly pleased with the principles of the Muhaddiths in many of their sciences.
4. الدين ليس هو ألفاظ الأحاديث فقط؛ وهذا من آثار الظاهرية المتأخرة.
The Deen is not mere phrases of hadiths; this is a consequence of the later thaahiri school of thought.
Likewise his saying:
ومنشأ هذا هو الغلط في أخذ العلم، فإن الغلط في أخذ العلم أفسد علوم المتأخرين...
This stems from the incorrect approach in acquiring knowledge; for this incorrect approach in acquiring knowledge has corrupted the sciences of the later scholars.
Sheikh Hasan comments: This is an indirect reference to the likes of Sheikh Albani, Sheikh Muqbil, etc. as the context of his speech indicates (i.e. The issue of one Khutba as opposed to two on Eid).
5. ومن أسباب الضعف في أحكام النوازل عند المتأخرين أنهم لا يخرجونها على أصول المذاهب وفروعها.
Among the reasons for the weakness in issuing rulings on contemporary issues among later scholars is that they do not base them on the principles and branches of the established madhabs.