The issue of ruling by other than what Allāh has revealed is not specific to particular individuals.
It is not exclusive to the judge, the ruler, or the supreme leader; rather, it applies to anyone who arbitrates between two parties.
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«وكل من حكم بين اثنين؛ فهو قاض، سواء كان صاحب حرب، أو متولّي ديوان، أو منتصباً للاحتساب بالأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر، حتى الذي…
The default rule regarding actions that violate the Sharī‘ah is that they do not warrant takfīr (excommunication).
Takfīr is an exception to this rule and constitutes a departure from it.
This means that all actions that violate the Sharī‘ah do not warrant takfīr unless there is clear evidence supporting such a conclusion.
Two issues stem from this principle:
1. Whoever seeks to classify a prohibited action as…
Furthermore, if we were to rebel, it might lead to a greater and more severe harm than if this man remained in his position, because if we rebel and then he gains the upper hand, we would be in a more
Thus, even when scholars determine that a ruler has committed major disbelief, it does not automatically justify rebelling against him, even if proof has been established against him. It is necessary to consider the other conditions that permit rebellion.
The disbelief of a ruler does not necessitate rebelling against him.
This is because there are five conditions that must be met to justify rebelling against a ruler:
1. The ruler must have committed clear and explicit disbelief, for which we have indisputable evidence.
2. Proof must be established against him.
3. Ability to remove him from power.
4. Ability to appoint a Muslim leader in his place.
5. Rebellion…
A person’s involvement in actions that could be classified as acts of disbelief does not automatically make them a disbeliever.
This is because declaring someone specific as a disbeliever requires that evidence be established against them.
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«وليس لأحد أن يكفر المسلمين؛ وإن أخطأ وغلط؛ حتى تقام عليه الحجة، وتبين له المحجة، ومن ثبت إسلامه بيقين؛ لم يزُل ذلك عنه بالشك،…
Essential Principles That Must Be Understood
[Namely] Six Fundamental Principles:
First Principle: Importance of Ruling by What Allāh Has Revealed
This principle encompasses six key foundations:
1. The Obligation To Rule by Allāh's Law:
Allāh Almighty said:
﴿وَأَنِ ٱحۡكُم بَیۡنَهُم بِمَاۤ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ أَهۡوَاۤءَهُمۡ وَٱحۡذَرۡهُمۡ أَن یَفۡتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعۡضِ مَاۤ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَیۡكَۖ…
«ليس صاحب بدعة تُحدّثه عن رسول الله ﷺ بخلاف بدعته؛ إلا أبغض الحديث»
"There is no innovator who, when you narrate to him a ḥadīth from Allāh's Messenger ﷺ contradicting his innovation, except that he detests the ḥadīth." (No. 732)
15. Abū Al-’Abbās Al-Aṣamm, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«طاف خارجيَّان بالبيت، فقال أحدهما لصاحبه: لا يدخل الجنةَ مِن هذا الخَلْق؛ غيري وغيرك! قال صاحبه: جنَّةٌ عرضها كعرض السماء…
Introduction to the Book
Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allāh.
Having noticed that the issue of ruling by other than what Allāh has revealed is one of the most challenging topics for students of knowledge—so much so that even some esteemed scholars have not been free from errors in this matter—I have taken it upon myself to produce this book in order to clarify the truth, hoping that Allāh, The…
«وأصحاب الحديث لا يرون الصلاة خلف أهل البدع لئلا يراه العامة فيفسدون بذلك»
"The people of Hadith do not consider it appropriate to pray behind the people of innovation, so that the common folk do not see this and be led astray by it."
[الحجة في بيان المحجة (2/548)]
The same reason is applicable here!
Many people have been led astray in this affair due to the widespread images they see of scholars and students…
As much as we love our Salafi scholars, especially those who - like Sheikh Abdulhameed Az-Zu'kari - dedicate their lives to spreading the Sunnah, we do NOT blindfollow them.
Our scholars have taught us that:
«كلٌّ يؤخذ من قوله ويرد إلا رسول الله ﷺ»
Aside from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, every person's statement can be accepted or rejected.
With that said, here's why we shouldn't attend classes which involve…
Marry someone according to what they are TODAY - NOT what you'd like them to become TOMORROW
Question: A man who does not pray has proposed to a committed (ملتزمة) young woman, and she has agreed to marry him, believing that she will be able to guide him towards righteousness by encouraging him to pray and adhere to religious duties. Is her decision correct and is it permissible for her to agree to this marriage?…
BENEFIT 243: A general rule to determine whether or not something is part of the Sharī‘ah
Ibn Al-Qayyim rahimahullah said:
«كلُّ مسألة خرجت عن العدل إلى الجور، وعن الرَّحمة إلى ضدّها، وعن المصلحة إلى المفسدة، وعن الحكمة إلى العبث، فليست من الشَّريعة وإن أُدخلت فيها بالتأويل»
"Any matter that departs from justice to injustice, from mercy to its opposite, from benefit to harm, or from wisdom to foolishness, is NOT part of the Sharī‘ah , even if it is included therein by means of Ta'weel…
"IT IS NOT THE CASE THAT EVERYONE YOU CONSIDER A DISBELIEVER, anyone who doubts their disbelief or refrains from declaring them a disbeliever, BECOMES A DISBELIEVER!"
The same can be said with Tabdee':
"IT IS NOT THE CASE THAT EVERYONE YOU CONSIDER A MUBTADI', anyone who doubts this or refrains from declaring them a mubtadi', BECOMES A MUBTADI'!"
This practice of indiscriminately labeling people as mubtadi' is an…
Sheikh Sulaymān Ar-Ruhaili said:
"It should be understood, O respected ones, that this invalidator
(من لم يكفر المشركين أو شك فى كفرهم...)
pertains to those whom:
A. The scholars unanimously agree are disbelievers, OR
B. Evidence indicates their disbelief, and where all the necessary conditions are met, and there are no impediments, even if the scholars have not unanimously agreed on their disbelief.
If the…
BENEFIT 241: Enquiring why Allah legislates certain things
Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymīn rahimahullah said:
"Know, O questioner, and let everyone who listens to this programme know that the reason behind the Sharī‘ah rulings for every believer is that it is based on the statement of Allah and His Messenger, as Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْراً أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمْ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ﴾
"It is not for a…
BENEFIT 240: Boycotting Ahlul bid'ah is an issue of concensus amongst the Salaf, and boycotting them includes boycotting their books
Sheikh Rashād Adh-Dhali'ee hafidahullah said:
Then he (As-Sabooni) said, "They (the Salaf) also agreed on the necessity of overcoming and humiliating the people of innovation..." i.e. they are not granted any status/positions of authority.
"...disgracing, distancing, and isolating them, and keeping away from their company and association..." This is a matter of consensus, as several scholars have transmitted the…
Ruling On Four-Leaf Clover Van Cleef Jewellery
Answered by Abu Fajr AbdulFattaah ḥafidhahullāh
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"The infamous Four-leaf clover motifs first appeared in the Maison’s archives as of the 1920’s, the perfect symbol of good fortune including wooden talismans, charms and benevolent fairies, Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery became a sought after piece to own. In 1968, the Maison created the first Alhambra long necklace,…
BENEFIT 238: The four categories of people who ascribe to Islam
Sheikh 'Uthaymeen raḥimahullāh said:
"We can categorise people into four groups:
1⃣. مبتدع خالص
Pure innovators who do not adhere to the Sunnah whatsoever. These are eternally condemned to Hell, and there is no doubt about that.
2⃣. مبتدع مختلط
Those whose innovation is mixed with some truth. Such individuals deserve to enter Hell but will not remain there eternally.
3⃣. سني خالص
Pure adherents to the Sunnah.…
BENEFIT 237: Motives for enjoining good and forbidding evil
Ibn Rajab raḥimahullāh said:
«واعلم أن الأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر تارة يحمل عليه رجاء ثوابه، وتارة خوف العقاب في تركه، وتارة الغضب لله على انتهاك محارمه، وتارة النصيحة للمؤمنين والرحمة لهم ورجاء إنقاذهم مما أوقعوا أنفسهم فيه من التعرض لغضب الله وعقوبته في الدنيا والآخرة، وتارة يحمل عليه إجلال الله وإعظامه ومحبته، وأنه أهل أن يُطاع فلا يُعصَى ويُذكَّر فلا ينسى ويُشكَر فلا يُكفَر».
"Know that enjoining good…
Sheikh Muhammad Al 'Ansi ḥafidhahullāh says (paraphrasing):
- If this relates to a woman who is knowledgeable, well-versed, and understands the statements of the scholars, and is aware of the conditions of people, and she speaks based on what she knows, then her words are accepted from the angle of reporting (ikhbaar).
- The female companions, including the wives of the Prophet ﷺ narrated hadith and they also…
Sheikh Abu 'Ammār Yāsir Ad-Duba'ee summarises the mistakes and corrections relating to Sheikh Abdulwahhab Ash-Shimeeri حفظهم الله
Highlights from this audio:
1. Scholars are not free from mistakes
2. If a scholar makes a mistake, it should be pointed out to him in a suitable manner
3. A scholar should have no hesitation in accepting his mistakes once pointed out to him
4. Our scholars do not brush each other's mistakes under the rug
5. Our scholars seek to unite the Ummah upon the truth and exercise wisdom and a lot of patience in doing…
BENEFIT 235: The beginner has to seek knowledge before jumping into the books of Jarh wa ta'deel
Sheikh Fawzan ḥafidhahullāh said
«أنا ما أجيز لطالب العلم المبتدئ أنه يدخل في الجرح والتعديل ومطالعة كتاب الجرح والتعديل، أوصيه أن يتعلم أولاً مصطلح الحديث، ويأخذ هذا العلم عن أهله، ثم بعد ذلك يطلع على كتب الجرح والتعديل؛ لأنه صار عنده أهلية للاطلاع، أما أنه يقول الإنسان ما عنده أهلية ولم يدرس وإنما غاية ما هو أنه يأخذ كتب الجرح والتعديل ويقرأ فيها ويقول فلان كذا وفلان كذا، هذا خطر وهو هذا من النوع الذي ذكرناه لكم…
BENEFIT 234: If a trustworthy scholar declared another to be an innovator, is it obligatory to accept it?
If the judgement was based on evidence, conforms to reality, and the culprit had no valid excuse, then yes it is accepted, OTHERWISE NO.
Consider the following case:
Muhammad ibn Yahya Adh-Dhuhli—a great scholar— declared Imam Al-Bukhari an innovator and criticised him based on his claim that Bukhāri held an innovated belief with relation to the Qur'ān (the issue of Al-Lafdh).
[هدي الساري مقدمة فتح الباري (ص:…
