بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
This question is from our brother, Sheikh Fareed Abdullah, the Imam
of Masjid al-Mu’min in Los Angeles California; directed to our Sheikh
the illustrious scholar Abu Abdur Rahmaan Muqbil bin Hadee Al Wadi’ee.
Q: O’ Sheikh! Is it possible for you to benefit the students of
knowledge in this country with some advice?
A: That with which I advise and recommend them is in accordance with
the advice of Allah to His servants which is to have taqwa of Allah,¹
the Sublime and Exalted. Allah says:
“And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before
you, and to you that you all fear Allah …” [An-Nisa 4:131]
Subsequently, I advise them with Ikhlaas² to Allah. As Allah -the Mighty and Majestic- says:
“Surely the religion is for Allah only.” [Az Zumar 39: 3]
He also says:
“And they were commanded not, but that they worship Allah, and worship
none but Him Alone …” [Al-Bayyinah 98: 5]
And that which is in the two authentic collections³ from the narration of Jundub
ibn Abdullah, the Prophet -sallahu alaihi wa salaam- said: “He who
lets the people hear of his good deeds intentionally to win their
praise, Allah will let the people know his real intention (on the Day
of Recompense). And he who does good deeds in public to show off and
to win the praise of the people, Allah will disclose his real
intention (and humiliate him).
Furthermore, I advise them with diligence and perseverance in
acquiring beneficial knowledge⁴ since the caller to Allah is not
successful if he is not well equipped with beneficial knowledge. And
the Lord of Honor says to His Prophet -sallahu alaihi wa salaam-:
“Say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” [Taha 20: 114]
Therefore, it is not befitting that an individual falls into despair
insomuch that he says about himself “I’ve become old and as a result I don’t
understand” because Allah makes things easy; and that which is
considered is his diligence (and not his youthfulness or oldness of
age). Again, we say that Allah is the One who makes (all affairs) easy,
because Allah says in His Book,
“And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember,
then is there anyone who will remember?” [Al-Qamar 54: 17]
And The Prophet -sallahu alaihi wa salaam- said, “I have been sent with ease.”
Likewise he said, on the authority of Abu Huraira (Sahih Al Bukhari):
“Verily this religion is easy and no one goes to extremes in it except
that it overwhelms him.”
In addition, we advise them to call to the path of Allah with
gentleness and leniency whether in Yemen or here in America. The
caller to Allah doesn’t have any authority insomuch that he makes things
binding upon the people. If he were to compel them, then none would
answer his call, except and only with the guidance of Allah. As He mentions:
“You are not a dictator over them.” [Al-Ghashiyah 88:22]
Lastly, we advise our brothers, particularly those in this country
(America), to find a balance between secluding themselves from the
people and interaction with them. We isolate ourselves from the people
and from gatherings in which therein is evil even if they were to say
it is a celebration or it is this or it is that.
“And those who do not bear witness to falsehood ..” [Al-Furqan 25: 72]
What is best is that we interact with the people for the purpose of
calling them to Allah and teaching them. However, we do not integrate
with the people like the Ikwaanil muslimeen with the intention of
calling them to Allah, insomuch that they cut their beards (claiming
that this is necessary) or maybe they do this or maybe they do that
(actions that are not in accordance with Islam but in the name of
da’wah).
To reiterate, we don’t isolate ourselves. Isolation is
prohibited, because the Muslims are in need of someone teaching them
(the affairs of their religion).
I ask Allah to rectify my affairs and yours. All praise is for Allah
alone, the Lord of all that exists.
__________________________
1. Shaykh Rabee ibn Hadee Al Madkhalee said Taqwa of Allah is obedience
to Allah and submission to what He commanded with avoidance to what He
prohibited. (Mudhakirah Al Hadith An Nabawi)
2. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al uthaymeen said regarding Ikhlaas; it
is purification. What is intened by it is that a person intends with
his worship the Face of Allah azza wa jal and the arrival to Allahs’
paradise so that he doesn’t worship with Allah other than Allah, not
an angel close to Allah nor a prophet sent by Allah.
(Sharh Al-Usool Ath-Thalaatha)
3. Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
4. What is intended by beneficial knowledge is Al-Ilm Ash-Sharee.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen said regarding Al-Ilm
Ash-Sharee; it is knowledge in which Allah revealed to His Messenger
from clarity and guidance. It is knowledge of that which was inspired
(by Allah to His Messenger, i.e., revelation). It is only knowledge of that
which Allah has sent down ( from above the 7 Heavens).
Taken from: Ar-Rihlah al-Akhira li al-Imām Jāzira al-Arab
Translated by Najeeb al-Anjelesi