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)
This is a well-known and important advice of Shaykh Rabīʿ ibn Hādī al-Madkhalī رحمه الله, given in response to disputes that arose among Salafi brothers in Algeria. In this statement, the Shaykh strongly emphasizes unity upon the Qurʾān and the Sunnah, brotherhood for the sake of Allah, gentleness in daʿwah, and the abandonment of harshness, division, nationalism, and partisanship.
He also clarifies a foundational Salafi principle: that the truth is accepted from the scholars wherever they may be, and that restricting oneself to scholars of a single land while rejecting others is blameworthy partisanship that harms the Salafi daʿwah.
What follows is the full advice of the Shaykh, preserved as it was delivered.
Key Points From the Shaykh’s Advice
- Brotherhood and Unity upon the Truth
“I advise the Salafi brothers in general to have brotherhood for the sake of Allah, to love one another for the sake of Allah, and to show affection for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. I advise them to hold firmly to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, upon the methodology of the righteous predecessors (al-salaf al-ṣāliḥ), and to respect the scholars — whether they are from Algeria or from elsewhere.”
- Rejecting Nationalism and Partisanship
“Restricting oneself to the scholars of a particular country and rejecting the words of others is racism, partisanship, and nationalism. Let them fear Allah and abandon these ways.”
- Taking Knowledge From Scholars Everywhere
“Let them honor the Salafi methodology, their brothers, and the scholars — even if the scholars are from the farthest parts of China or from any land — as long as they speak the truth and base their words on the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and the methodology of the righteous predecessors.”
Full Advice of the Shaykh:
“In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.
And may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his companions, and those who follow his guidance. To proceed:
It has reached me that there are ongoing disputes among the Salafi brothers in Algeria. This was not expected from them. Their daʿwah used to be strong when their word was united upon the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It has also reached me that these disputes have had a significant negative impact on the Salafi daʿwah and have tarnished its image.
So I advise the Salafi brothers in general to maintain brotherhood for the sake of Allah, to love one another for the sake of Allah, and to show affection for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. I advise them to hold firmly to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ upon the methodology of the righteous predecessors, and to respect the scholars — whether they are from Algeria or from elsewhere.
Restricting oneself to the scholars of one land while rejecting others is racism, partisanship, and nationalism. Let them fear Allah and abandon these methods.
Let them honor the Salafi methodology, their brothers, and the scholars — even if those scholars are from the farthest parts of China or from any land — as long as they speak the truth and proceed upon the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and the methodology of the righteous predecessors.
I emphasize my advice: abandon division and its causes, for it leads to failure. Allah the Most High says:
{وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ}
“And do not dispute, lest you fail and your strength departs.”
(Surah al-Anfāl: 46)
Call to unity and mutual affection, and adhere to gentleness and kindness, for Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness, as mentioned in the authentic ḥadīth. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«عليكم بالرفق، إن الرفق لا يكون في شيء إلا زانه، ولا يُنزع من شيء إلا شانه».
“Be gentle, for gentleness is not found in anything except that it beautifies it, and it is not removed from anything except that it disfigures it.”
Harshness and severity are for the enemies; they are of no benefit to the Salafi daʿwah.
Allah the Most High says:
{ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ}
“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good admonition, and argue with them in the best manner.”
(Surah al-Naḥl: 125)
If this is the case with enemies, then how can harshness and severe attacks be directed at Salafis? This is a dangerous matter and contrary to the methodology of the Salaf.
So let them fear Allah regarding this daʿwah, remain united, strengthen their brotherhood, and be like one body. Whoever errs should be advised with wisdom and good admonition.
May Allah grant everyone success and unite their hearts. Indeed, our Lord is the Hearer of supplication.
And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Recorded: Saturday, 19 Rabīʿ al-Ākhir 1439 AH
[Note: 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]
النص الكامل لكلام الشيخ رحمه الله
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، وعلى آله وصحبه، ومن اتبع هداه، أما بعد:فقد بلغني أن هناك خلافات قائمة بين الإخوان السلفيين في الجزائر، وما كان يُنتظر هذا منهم، لقد كانت دعوتهم قوية حينما كانت كلمتهم واحدة باجتماعهم على كتاب الله وسنة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم.
ولقد بلغني أن هذه الخلافات أثرت تأثيرًا كبيرًا على الدعوة السلفية وشوهتها.
فأنصح الإخوان السلفيين عمومًا بالتآخي في الله، والتحاب في الله، والتواد في الله عز وجل، والتمسك بكتاب الله وسنة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على طريقة السلف الصالح، واحترام العلماء سواء كانوا من الجزائر أو من غيرها.
فإن الاقتصار على علماء ذلك البلد، ورفض كلام الآخرين، هذا عنصرية وحزبية ووطنية، فليتقوا الله، وليتركوا هذه الأساليب.
وليحترموا المنهج السلفي، وإخوانهم، ويحترموا العلماء، ولو كانوا من أقصى الصين أو من أي بلد، ما داموا يقولون كلمة الحق، وينطلقون من كتاب الله وسنة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ومنهج السلف الصالح.
أؤكد نصيحتي أن يتركوا الفرقة وأسبابها؛ لأن هذا يؤدي إلى الفشل، قال الله تعالى:
{وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ}وليدعوا إلى الألفة، وعليهم بالرفق واللين، فإن الله رفيق يحب الرفق كما في الحديث الصحيح، وكذلك الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول:
«عليكم بالرفق، إن الرفق لا يكون في شيء إلا زانه، ولا يُنزع من شيء إلا شانه».الشدة والعنف حثٌّ على الأعداء، لا تنفع الدعوة السلفية.
قال الله تعالى:
{ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ}هذا في الأعداء، فكيف بالسلفيين؟ الشدة على السلفيين، والطعن الشديد فيهم، هذا أمر خطير، ويخالف منهج السلف.
فليتقوا الله في هذه الدعوة، وليتماسكوا، وليتآخوا، وليكونوا كالجسد الواحد، والذي يخطئ يُنصح بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة.
وفق الله الجميع، وألَّف بين قلوبهم، إن ربنا سميع الدعاء.
وصلى الله على نبينا محمد، وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم.
سُجِّل يوم السبت 19 ربيع الآخر 1439 هـ
