BENEFIT 216: Is it permissible to attend the lecture of a Salafi Scholar hosted in a Hizbi masjid?

Sheikh Abu Bilal hafidahullah responded: No, do not attend places visited by Salafis, if these venues are associated with the Hizbiyyeen. Do not attend them; stay away from them completely. Even if Sheikh Yahya was the one visiting them, and they welcomed and introduced him, we would not attend or go to that place because we have been brought up to distinguish ourselves from the people of whims and not to attend their masjids where they hold their lectures and activities. They try to increase their numbers by associating with Salafis and their figureheads who are known for their Salafiyyah, knowledge, and goodness. They use them to strike the true Salafees, saying to the people: 'Look, Sheikh so-and-so visited us; you are too strict; this Sheikh of yours is moderate; this Sheikh of yours is good. But you are too rigid.' And then we suffer the consequences from just one session. We end up in confusion and disputes amongst ourselves because this Sheikh, may Allah guide him, visits the masjids of the Hizbiyyeen, causing division and conflict among Salafis. It is not appropriate, nor befitting for Sheikh Salim Al-Hilali, if he indeed visited the Hizbiyyeen, to do so because it harms us and his fellow Salafis by supporting the Hizbiyyeen against Salafis, whether he knows and intends it or not. This is aiding them and supporting them against us. Therefore, it is not appropriate for Salafi Sheikhs to be the cause of their brothers' humiliation. They should support Salafiyyah, and the Salafi masjids are open to them. Welcome to you [at these masjids] even if only ten people attend your lecture in a Salafi masjid [that is better]. Do not frequent the masjids of the Hizbiyyeen for the sake of the crowds that gather there. They use us to bolster their numbers and undermine our call. This is not something we were brought up on. Our Sheikh (Muqbil) rahimahullah would frequently advise us to distinguish ourselves from the Hizbiyyeen. As for him visiting some non-Salafi masjids, then, as you know, there were no Salafi masjids here in South Yemen (during those times), so he might have occasionally lectured in other masjids and then left, may Allah have mercy on him. However, going to their masjids, being praised by them, giving you introductions, and using you to increase their numbers; this is harmful to us. This is not appropriate. If Sheikh Salim has indeed visited them, we have good thoughts of him that, inshaAllah, he would not visit the Hizbiyyeen. But whether it is Sheikh Salim or anyone else, it is not fitting for a Salafi to support a Hizbi by visiting their masjid, which causes your brothers pain, division, disagreement, estrangement, and severance because of your actions. This harm, even if unintended, causes significant damage. [As the poet states] رامَ نَفَعاً فَضَرَّ مِن غَيرِ قَصدِ وَمِنَ البَرِّ ما يَكونُ عُقوقا He intended to benefit but caused harm unintentionally, And sometimes a good deed can result in harm. We have advised before and continue to advise that our brothers should not deliver lectures in the masjids of the Hizbiyyeen. If one goes out for da'wah and gives a talk while passing by or offers general advice due to the scarcity of Salafi masjids, then speak and move on. But holding a formal lecture, announcing it at a specific masjid (of the Hizbiyyeen), and being welcomed and introduced by the Hizbiyyeen; this is considered a betrayal to us. Passing through and delivering reminders on the way; for example, one or more busses passing through; if they distribute themselves at various masjids, without any official announcements, then we are not aware of anyone who prohibits this (from the Scholars). We advise our brothers to spread their Da'wah, as Salafi masjids are very few. Speak and move on without staying to engage with the Hizbiyyeen; back and forth discussions and exchanging smiles. __ Sh Saleem was free from this as Sh. Abū Bilāl clarified in another audio @almanhajussalafi