By The Noble Scholar, Shaykh Rabīʿ ibn Hādī al-Madkhalī – may Allah have mercy on him رحمه الله
(Former Head of the Department of Sunnah, Islamic University of Madinah)
Question:
If you speak about a particular
individual, and then some virtuous shaykhs from Ahl al-Sunnah are asked about that man, and they speak based on what they know of his outward righteousness and thus praise him, what should be the stance of the Salafi youth in such a situation?
Our Shaykh, the noble scholar Shaykh Rabīʿ Bin Hādī al-Madkhalī (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“I advise the Salafi youth, wherever they may be, not to split because of so-and-so, and not to show partisanship for so-and-so. Rather, in issues such as these, they must proceed with deliberation, verify matters carefully, and search for the truth.
If the truth becomes clear to them—on whichever side it may be—then it is obligatory upon them to support the truth.
It is not permissible for them to rush into aligning themselves with this person or that person. Instead, the Muslim must adopt the correct stance that Allah, the Most Blessed and Exalted, is pleased with: recognizing the truth and standing firmly upon it, even if it comes from one’s most hostile enemy, and opposing falsehood even if it comes from one’s closest friend.
Therefore, my advice to the youth regarding the affair of al-Maghrawi and others is that they should not hasten into blind partisanship for this one or that one. Rather, they must follow the correct Islamic path that pleases Allah, which is to search for the truth and exercise patience and deliberation until they reach clear and manifest reality.
After that, if someone is mistaken, they should say to him: You have erred, and you must return to the truth. And if someone is correct, they should say to him: May Allah reward you with good; you have done well.
It is not from the Salafi methodology at all for anyone to rush to support people—whether mistaken or not—before the truth has become clear to him. This is my advice to the Salafi youth: that they adopt this path.
Shaykh al-Islam addressed this issue and likened those who hasten into blind partisanship for this one or that one to the criminal Tatars, who show zealotry for falsehood. So let them beware of falling into such disgrace.
May Allah bless you.”
(From an audio recording titled: “The Danger of Lying”)
[This translation was briefly checked by a student of knowledge from the West, who felt that it appeared acceptable. However, if any mistake or shortcoming is noticed, I kindly ask that it be brought to my attention (via). I write this while being mindful that Allah sees me, hoping to correct my errors before I meet Him, and that this effort may be of benefit to me after my death. Indeed, death is near, and Allah knows best. He is the All-Hearing, the One who answers supplications. إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ مُجِيبُ الدُّعَاءِ]
