In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful...
As-Salaamu 'alaykum,
Shameless liars have been claiming that one of our scholars, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Haadee, professor at the Islamic University of Madeenah and teacher at the Prophet's Masjid (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), has claimed that it is an obligation to visit Shaykh Rabee' al-Madkhalee when one visits the city of Makkah.
Perhaps they have used up all their "husn ath-thann" (good thoughts), pouring it generously all over illusionists, storytellers, ignorant TV stars, and those who spread evil about our scholars and their students! Has all the husn ath-thann gone to people whose atrocities require us to be suspicious of them and cautious of their teachings!?
So when it comes to real scholars who have every right to the husn ath-thann of the Muslims, especially the students of knowledge, that we return to them and ask them for the meanings of what confuses us of their statements, there is nothing left for them?! It seems the people of fitnah have used all their excuses up, bending over backwards to defend people of falsehood!
How many times have we heard people blaming the critics of dangerous callers for "not verifying" - "not calling the 'shaykh'" - "not advising privately" - "openly attacking" etc...
Yet, with one of our recognized and celebrated scholars, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Haadee, we find them seeking no excuse, jumping the gun and rushing to conclusions, accusing the shaykh and everyone associated with him of extremism (ghuluw) and all kinds of accusations!
The hadeeth clearly applies here:
إياكم والظن فإن الظن أكذب الحديث
Be warned of suspicion, as suspicion is the most false of all speech!
[Bukhaaree/Muslim]
When asked to verify and simply ask the shaykh to explain and clarify his statement, they refuse and promise you that they have understood, NO NEED to ask the shaykh at all? Silly young people with Arabic-English dictionaries accuse, convict, and sentence the scholars of Islam? And they claim to be students of knowledge?! How ridiculous to think they could be considered students of knowledge, when they don't even know the basic manners of how to interact with other Muslims.
You find a common Muslim shyly and politely suggesting that we not rush to conclusions and actually contact the shaykh and ask him to explain his statement that we think is mistaken, and such a basic manner in Islam is shot down by the supposed "student" as unnecessary, as the Arabic-English lexicon is sufficient! What foolishness. What an absolute disgrace!
This morning, I asked Shaykh Muhammad ibn Haadee (may Allaah preserve him) for a statement in response to those who claim that he obliges Muslims to visit Shaykh Rabee' when they are in Makkah, a statement we can spread in response to the claimants. The question and answer went as follows:
سلام عليكم شيخ محمد
بعض الناس ينسبون إليكم إيجاب زيارة الشيخ ربيع على جميع السلفيين. وفي الغرب خاصة استغله المميعة حجة على "الغلاة" ... فهل لكم من توضيح لمقصودكم نبلغه عنكم وجزيتم خيرا
Salaam 'alaykum Shaykh Muhammad,
Some people are attributing to you that you make it obligatory on all Salafees to visit Shaykh Rabee', and there are mumayyi'ah (people who attempt to make things confusing) who have taken this is some kind of proof against the "ghulat" (extremists). Do you have a clarification of your intended meaning we could share on your behalf, may you be rewarded with good? [end of question]
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته أما بعد:
فهذا كذب وهؤلاء ما أكثر أكاذيبهم. والجواب عليهم أن يقال لهم: هاتوا برهانكم إن كنتم صادقين. أين قوله بالوجوب؟
Wa 'alaykum as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh, ammaa ba'd (as for what follows):
That is a lie, and how many are their lies! The response is to say to them: "Bring your proof if you are truthful. Where is his statement about an obligation?" [end of shaykh's words]
Gossipers must cease their gossip. Return to the scholars and ask them about their statements. Do not force them to hold positions they do not agree to because of the rushed conclusions of immature students with chips on their shoulders. Let's get back to practicing our Religion here brothers and sisters.
Stop wasting all your good thoughts and optimistic interpretations on bankrupt individuals who do not deserve it, and give the scholars their rights.
For further clarification on the words of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Haadee, review this compilation of his words on the topic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXpHFbZrs8A
was-salaam.
Moosaa Richardson
Tuesday morning, Safar 7, 1435
