Accusations against the Da'watus Salafiyyah and Their Response Part 1

Compiled and translated by: Aboo Abdillaah with excerpts from the book "Maatha Yanqamuna Minas Salafiyyah"

Source: Daru Ahlil Athar of NC

With the help of Sheikh Muhammad Moosa Nasr’s small treatise  “Matha Yanqamoona minas Salafiyyah” we will address a few of the shubuhaat (obscurities and lies) that the Da'wah of the Salaf have been branded with.   The usual lies we see this methodology being undertaken in many of the places where innocent Salafee brothers and sisters are mocked, slandered, lied upon, and called names such as “super Salafee” or “bid’ah buster” or the favorite “arrogant” and we can bring many other unjust insults used to put down the da'wah of Tawheed.

Each of these lies and insults we see that they are mere tools to mislead (intentionally and unintentionally) the innocent believers from that which is correct.  Many times these insults are personal attacks because those being called are afraid of change or feel threatened or feel that their financial interest do not lie in this noble da'wah. 

As for the true Salafee then his reward is with Allaah and he has  neither want nor desire for the dunyah and indeed Allaah is ar-Razaaq. 

We call upon these individuals to accept the fitrah of the Muslim.  The call to Tawheed and Sunnah.

A list of these shubuhaat are as follows:

·    Calling oneself  “Salafee” constitutes partisanship and is an innovation.

·    The Da’watus Salafiyyah concerns itself with side issues and small issues as if they constituted the whole of the deen and all of its obligations

·    Negligence of the Da'watus Salafiyyah in politics and not giving importance to it.

·    Ignorance of the scholars of the Da'watus Salafiyyah with regard to current affairs (Fiqhul Waaqi’) and having a lack of importance to the crucial Ummahs present-day affairs.

·    Bootlicking and favoring the rulers and not (publicly) declaring the truth.

·    Being extreme and overly strict.

·    Censuring and belittling the Imaams of the (four) Madhabs

·    Giving a lack of importance to Jihaad.

·    Not taking an active role in future planning and the lack of the manhaj of the Salaf in providing solutions to present problems.

·    The Da’watus Salafiyyah is a dawah that divides and causes fitnah

·    Extreme in writing and authoring books (in other words, we don’t do enough “work” for dawah)

·    Accused of being upon al-Irjaa

·    Following and taking of odd and strange issues (positions).

The above shubuhaat are outlined in the Sheikh's book, below are a couple ot others floating in the air:

·    The Da’watus Salafiyyah is a Saudi form of Islaam in which the “oppressive regime” uses as a tool(added) and is a new movement, a movement developed by the “oppressive" Saudi regime”.

·    Those who adhere to the Da'watus Salafiyyah attempt to impose their views upon the people in a seemingly arrogant fashion and look down upon the people and chase behind their faults.

Muhammad Moosa Nasr says regarding the first set of shubuhaat:

"The above are the most accentuated claims of the hizbees, innovators, takfeeris, and the people of desire against the Salafee Dawah and its callers, those amongst them who are living and those of them who have passed.

We shall refute each of these false, made up, fabricated lies (doubts) with the haqq _ with the help and power of Allaah – following the command of Allaah azza wa jalla:

“Nay, We fling (send down) the truth (this Qur’aan) against the falsehood (disbelief), so it destroys it, and behold, it (falsehood) is vanished. And woe to you for that (lie) which you ascribe”[1]

It is (well) known that the da’wah of the Anbiya’ (Prophets) has never been safe from (the tongues, swords, and hearts) of those who revile, create doubt, or those waiting to ambush (us).  This is the case over the passing of time, from the time of Nuh (alaihi salaam) to the seal of their da'wah with Muhammad (saws).  Allaah says

 “And be patient (O Muhammad saws) with what they say, and keep away from them in a good way.”[2]

The Prophets were met with repulsion, denial, insults, accused of lying, and mocking.  Rather it sometimes got to the point of them being murdered or put into exile.

“And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you (O Muhammad) to imprison you, or to kill you, or to get you out (from your home, i.e. Makkah); they were plotting and Allaah too was planning, and Allâh is the Best of the planners.”[3]

Likewise the same goes for the sincere and truthful du’aat[4], they are certainly going to be vilified, and maligned and their image (and character) destroyed so that a barrier can be placed between them and the people.

Indeed the da'wah of the Salaf has been abased by many injustices, major oppression, fabrications and boldness based upon falsehood (and extreme absurdities).  Allaahu Musti’aan

Below are a few of these doubts (lies) and the response to them:

·    Calling oneself  “Salafee” constitutes partisanship and is an innovation.

Some of the insulters of this da'wah have claimed that attributing (yourself) to is constitutes innovated partisanship and is like naming (oneself) after the group Ikhwaanul Muslimeen, Hizbu Tahreer, and Jama’atu Tableegh.  These individuals do not know that naming (oneself) after Salafiyyah and an attribution to the generation of (the best) example the generation of the Sahaba and Tabi’een.   To the finest of generations in which the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alaihi wa sallam) has confirmed goodness for.   Attributing (oneself) to the Salaf is attributing (oneself) to an Ummah that is infallible based because of its numbers.  (An Ummah) that does not come together upon that which is misguidance.  The Ummah that Allaah is pleased with  

“Allaah is pleased with them and they with He”. 

There is a huge difference between one who attributes himself to a man, – who was mujtahid, making his own opinions, correct and incorrect -  blind following his statements and his opinions, giving allegiance to him and disloyalty to (those who oppose) him and between one who attributes himself to the successful and infallible Ummah free of fallacies and misguidance in the midst of division.  “This ummah will divide into seventy three sects, all will be in the fire except one”  It was said “Which one Oh Messenger of Allaah? “ He (sallallaahu ’alaihi wa sallam)  replied “Those who are upon what I and my Companions are upon today” and this is as-Salafiyyah which preserves the pure and sincere teachings of Islaam from every innovation and misguidance.  The Islaam in which the Messenger came with, the Companions established, and the best of generations practiced.

You (the ignorant individual making the accusation) have allowed Islaamic groups (sects) to attribute themselves to individuals who are not perfect (such as Ikhaanee brothers attributing themselves knowingly or unknowingly to Hasan al-Banaa) and at the same time you prevent (rebuke) attributing oneself to the Ummah which is safe from misguidance.  To the Salafus Saalih from the Sahaba, the Tabi’een and the rightly guided Imaams who were far from narrow-minded and disgusting partisanship (hizbiyyah) which has divided the Ummah.  Sheikh al-Albaanee said regarding a question around al-Hizbiyyah “We unreservedly fight against Hizbiyyah because partisanship falls under the verse

“Each group rejoicing in its belief” [5]

And there is no partisanship in Islaam.  There is one party (hizb) in Islaam as indicating by the text of the verse

“Verily, it is the Party of Allaah that will be the successful”

And the party of Allaah is the group (the Companions) of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alaihi wa sallam) so it is upon the individual to be upon the manhaj of the Sahaba and this requires  knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah”.

Likewise he (rahimahullaah) said about the reality of the Da’watus Salafiyyah he responded by saying

“When we say “Salaf” we are referring to the finest group found on the face of the earth after the Messengers and Prophets.  They are the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alaihi wa sallam) who were of the first generation (of Muslims) then the Tabi’een (the students and followers of the Companions) who came in the second generation, then those that followed the Tabi’een who were in the third generation (of Muslims). 

The people of these three generations are those referred to (when we say) “Salaf”.  They were the best Ummah.  So if this Ummah was the best of all (previous) Ummahs than those who come after the Messenger of Allaah (his Companions) are the best of mankind with the exclusion of the (previous) Messengers and Prophets as I mentioned.  So when we associate ourselves with the Salaf than it is an association to the finest of generations.  It is imperative now that we realize that this association and this attribution does not mean we are attributing ourselves to an individual or a group that has the possibility of being upon that which is incorrect or upon complete misguidance or partial misguidance.”

He also said (rahimahullaah) when asked:

“Why name ones self (after) as-Salafiyyah?, Is it a call to hizbiyyah (partisanship) or sectarianism?  Or is it a new sect in Islaam?”

He (rahimahullaah) replied by saying:

“The word Salaf is known in the language of the Arabs as well as in the language of the Sharee’ah.  What concerns us here however is its meaning from the legislative stand point.  It has been authentically reported on the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alaihi wa sallam) that he said on his death bed to Faatimah (radi Allaahu 'anha):

“So fear Allaah and be patient and I am the best Salaf for you”. 

The term “Salaf” has been used frequently by the scholars as well, too numerous to refer back to (at this time).  Sufficient for us (however) is one example.  It is used as an argument against Ahl Bid’a:

“Every good is in following those who proceeded ---- Every evil is in the innovations of those who succeed”

There are those who claim to have knowledge who despise this association (Salafee) claiming that there is no proof of it.  They say, “It is not permissible for a Muslim to say “I am Salafee”.  

It is as if he is saying “It is not permissible for a Muslim to say “I follow the Salafus Saalih in that which they were upon in belief, worship, and practice”  and no doubt that this type of contempt –whether or not he intends it – necessitates disavowment from the correct Islaam in which the Salafus Saalih were upon and at the head of them the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) as a widely narrated hadeeth indicates in the two saheehs (Bukharee and Muslim)

“The best generation is my generation, than those that succeed them and then those that succeed them”

It is not permissible for a Muslim to disavowal himself from attributing to the Salafus Saalih.  If one were to disassociate from other associations (calls, schisms, etc) then it is not possible for anyone one from the people of knowledge to attribute disbelief or transgression to that individual.

Those who despise this name you see them at the same time attributing themselves to a madhab from the madhabs.  Whether that be a madhab based on aqeedah (belief) or based on fiqh.  He is either Ash’aree or Maturidee6 or he is from Ahl Hadeeth7, Hanafee, Shafi’ee, Maalikee, or Hanbalee8all of them are called Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah.  Those who attribute themselves to the madhab of the Ash’arees' or of the four madhabs than he is attributing himself to individuals who were by no means perfect.  Even though from amongst them were 'Ulamaa who were correct.   Should I not despise the associations to these individuals and groups as they were not infallible!

As for the one who attributes himself to the Salafus Saalih than its an attribution to imperfection –generally- and the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alaihi wa sallam) has mentioned the characteristics of the saved sect in that it will stick firm to that which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alaihi wa sallam) was upon and his Companions.  So whom ever sticks firm to this than he is upon certain guidance from his Lord.  It (salafee) is an attribute which gives its adherent nobility and makes easy for him the path of the saved sect.  This is something not given to those attributed to any other (sect, group, individual) because he doesn’t know which of two he should select (a person or an group).  Either the association is to a fallible individual or to those who follow the manhaj of that fallible individual.  There is no perfection in that.  On the other hand there is perfection in the Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alaihi wa sallam) and He is the one who commanded us to follow his Sunnah and the Sunnah of his Companions who came after him”9

We conclude this with the statement of Sheikhul Islaam Ibnul Taymiyyah that should be thoroughly memorized and implemented:

"There is no harm for the one who proclaims the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf, who attaches himself to it and refers to it. Rather, it is obligatory to accept that from him by unanimous agreement  because the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf is nothing but the Truth (Haqq)."10

[1] Al-Anbiyaa - 18

[2] Al-Muzzamil - 10

[3] Al-Anfaal - 30

[4] The true callers and scholars are those who call to, promote, defend, and love Tawheed

[5] al-Mu'minoon - 53

[6] Two ideologies based upon belief

[7] This does not refer to Ahlul Hadeeth as we know it, rather here it refers to a group primarily located in India and Pakistan known as Ahlul Hadeeth

[8] Four madhabs based upon fiqh

[9] The Salafee Manhaj with Sheikh Al-Albaanee (pg 13-19)

[10] Majmoo' al-Fataawa 4:149

Accusations against the Da'watus Salafiyyah and Their Response Part 2

Compiled and translated by: Aboo Abdillaah with excerpts from the book "Maatha Yanqamuna Minas Salafiyyah"

Source: Daru Ahlil Athar of NC

The Slander:

The Da’watus Salafiyyah concerns itself with side issues and small issues as if they constituted the whole of the deen and all of its obligations.

The Response:

Sheikh Muhammad Moosa Nasr says:[1]

“This is from their lies and allegations.  For verily the Da’watus Salafiyyah believes in all of Islaam and it does not section it (into big issues and small issues) which comes from Allaah saying:

“O you who Believe! Enter into as-Silm (Islaam) completely (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islaamic religion) and follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan). Verily! He is to you a plain enemy”[2]

And He vilifies those who take from the deen that which suits themselves by saying:

 “Then do you believe in a part of the Book and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allaah is not unaware of what you do”[3]

The most important obligations to the Da’watus Salafiyyah is Tawheed, getting the people to worship their Lord, cultivating the people upon the methodology of their Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) and concerning them with the forgotten Sunnah. Reviving all of these things is just a part of its program and its manhaj and not (considered) from the basis of Islaam or its major points.

Those who oppose this (manhaj) have chosen to describe[4]  the Sunnahs of miswaak[5], growing the beard, shortening the thowb, and the sutrah[6] as being qushoor[7]  

“Mighty is the word that comes out of their mouths [i.e. He begot (took) sons and daughters]. They utter nothing but a lie”[8]

These mockers do not know that ALL of Islaam is lubbaab[9]  and qushoor is (a figment) of their imaginations and something that dwells in their decayed thinking.

As for what has come by way of revelation.  In regards to the revelation of the Books and the Sunnah, all of it is the truth and all of it is LUBBAAB and whoever is sarcastic and sneers at anything from it is a disbeliever and whoever describes anything from which the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has come with as being qushoor then he is on the verge of being thrown of a cliff.” [10]

The Slander:

The Da’watus Salafiyyah is negligent in matters of politics and does not give importance to them. 

The Response:

Sheikh Muhammad Moosa Nasr says:

“This also is a clear lie and disgraceful tyranny (against the da’wah and its people).  Verily politics is from the religion to the Salafees, however which politics (are these people referring to)?  Is it the politics of newspapers, magazines, and publications of the Jews and Christians? Or is the politics of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and His Companions?  Is it the politics of democracy, that of those who speak like the disbelievers:  Rule of the people, for the people, by the people[11]?  Or is it the politics of the people of Islaam who say:  The rule of Allaah for Allaah with the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) which is done with an established Shoora[12], making decisions based upon Islaam?

Is it the politics by which the people learn the truth (or correct direction) from a show of raised fingers (or hands) from a group of representatives?  Even if they as individuals support evil deeds, shirk, produce alcohol, (support bid’a), (are in opposition to the da’wah of Tawheed)? Or is it the politics of:

“The rule (or the judgment) is for none but Allaah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism)”[13]?

Verily, the Salafees do not attain the truth by way of falsehood, (such as politics of the Kuffar) because the end does not justify the means[14]  They do not struggle and fight upon the backs of pigs nor do they seek assistance with the disbelievers.  They do not ever gather in numbers with the Munafiqeen[15] They reject the large amounts of skimmings[16] (present in the Ummah from political activist and people of desires) who hold no Islaamicly based principles or specifics (in our deen)”