STATEMENTS␣FROM␣THE␣CALLERS␣OF MODERN-DAY␣SALAFISM
Here we␣shall␣reproduce␣statements␣from␣some␣of␣the␣pillars␣of␣
modern-day␣Salafism␣and␣those␣who␣laid␣ down␣its␣ ground␣work.␣These␣statements␣are␣reproduced␣as␣examples␣only;␣it␣is␣ not␣ our␣intention␣ to␣ discuss␣the␣history␣of␣this␣movement.␣We␣shall␣ endeavour␣to␣explain␣some␣of␣them␣in␣a␣manner␣that␣is␣ fitting.␣ ␣ ␣ ␣␣
MUHAMMAD␣B 'ABD AL- WAHHAB
1.The␣ The␣Scholastic␣ Theologians␣are␣Disbelievers␣␣␣␣
Shaykh␣Muhammad␣b.␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb␣said:␣
Having␣said␣that,␣the␣scholastic␣theologians␣and␣their␣ followers␣are␣ from␣the␣most␣clever␣ and␣ intelligent␣ of␣ people;␣ they␣ are␣ possessed␣ of␣ such␣ astuteness,␣ memorization,␣ and␣ understanding,␣ which␣ would␣ bewilder␣ one␣ possessed␣ of␣ reasonable␣ intelligence.␣ Both␣ they␣ and␣ their␣followers␣attest␣to␣the␣fact␣that␣they␣oppose␣the␣Salaf;␣even␣the␣ Imāms␣of␣the␣theologians,␣ when␣they␣refuted␣ the␣ philosophers’␣ figurative␣ interpretations␣ of␣ the␣ verses␣ of␣ commands␣ and␣ prohibitions,␣who␣said,␣for␣instance,␣that␣ “What␣is␣meant␣by␣ fasting␣is␣ concealment␣of␣our␣secrets;␣ and␣what␣is␣ meant␣by␣Hajj␣ is␣the␣visiting␣ of␣our␣Shaykhs;␣and␣what␣is␣meant␣by␣ Jibrīl␣is␣the␣active␣ intellect”,and␣other␣types␣of␣falsehood␣–␣when␣they␣ [the␣theologians]␣ refuted␣ them,␣saying␣that␣ this␣ explanation␣ goes␣ against␣ what␣ is␣ well-known␣ by␣ necessity␣ from␣ the␣ religion␣ of␣ Islam,␣ the␣ philosophers␣retorted:␣
“You␣deny␣Allah’s␣elevation␣above␣ His␣creation␣ and␣His␣rising␣above
the␣ Throne,␣even␣though␣both␣are␣mentioned␣in␣the␣Books␣ upon␣the␣ tongues␣of␣the␣Messengers␣and␣ are␣agreed␣upon␣by␣all␣of␣the␣Muslims␣ and␣the␣adherents␣of␣the␣other␣religions␣–␣so␣how␣can␣our␣ figurative␣ interpretation␣ be␣ considered␣ a␣ distortion,␣ yet␣ yours␣ is␣ considered␣ correct?”␣ –␣ when␣ presented␣with␣this␣retort,␣none␣of␣the␣theologians␣ are␣able␣to␣respond.␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣
What␣this␣means␣is␣that␣their␣doctrine,␣along␣with␣being␣corrupt␣ in␣ and␣ of␣itself␣and␣in␣opposition␣ to␣the␣intellects,␣is␣also␣opposed␣ to␣ the␣ religion␣of␣Islam,␣the␣Book,␣the␣Messenger,␣and␣the␣Salaf␣ entire.␣ They␣ mention␣ in␣ their␣ books␣ that␣ they␣ oppose␣ the␣ Salaf,␣ while␣ at␣ the␣ same␣ time␣ their␣ innovation␣has␣spread␣to␣scholar␣ and␣ignorant␣ alike,␣covering␣the␣whole␣world.␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
I␣ adjure␣ you␣ to␣ contemplate␣ this␣ issue;␣ the␣ Salaf␣ have␣ many␣ words␣ and␣ writings␣ on␣ the␣ fundamentals␣ of␣ the␣ religion,␣ the␣ invalidation␣ of␣ the␣ words␣ of␣ the␣ theologians,␣ and␣ writings␣ charging␣them␣with␣ disbelief.␣Those␣who␣mentioned␣this␣ among␣ the␣latter-day␣Shāfi‘īs␣ include:␣alBayhaqī,␣al-Baghawī,␣and␣Ismā‘īl␣al-Taymī.␣Those␣after␣them␣ include␣al-āfi␣al-Dhahabī,␣and␣ those␣before␣ them␣include:␣Ibn␣Surayj,␣al-Dāraqunī,␣and␣others.␣␣ ␣␣␣
All␣of␣them␣were␣upon␣this,␣so␣examine␣closely␣the␣books␣of␣ these␣ individuals;␣if␣you␣bring␣me␣a␣ single␣word␣stating␣that␣even␣ a␣single␣ man␣among␣them␣refrained␣from␣censuring␣the␣theologians␣ and␣did␣ not␣accuse␣them␣of␣disbelief,␣do␣not␣accept␣anything␣ from␣ me␣ever␣ again!␣With␣all␣of␣this␣ and␣its␣manifest␣clarity,␣[the␣contrary]␣ has␣ spread␣among␣you,␣to␣the␣point␣where␣you␣ claim␣that␣ Ahl␣al Sunna␣ are␣the␣ theologians␣–␣and␣Allah’s␣help␣ is␣sought!”␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣
For␣this,␣you␣should␣examine␣the␣books␣of␣these␣individuals;␣if␣you␣ bring␣me␣a␣single␣word␣stating␣ that␣even␣a␣single␣man␣ among␣them␣ refrained␣from␣censuring␣the␣theologians␣and␣did␣not␣accuse␣ them␣of␣ disbelief,␣do␣not␣accept␣ anything␣from␣me␣ ever␣again!␣ With␣all␣ of␣ this␣ and␣its␣manifest␣ clarity,␣[the␣contrary]␣ has␣spread␣among␣you,␣to␣the␣ point␣where␣you␣ claim␣ that␣Ahl␣al-Sunna␣are␣ the␣theologians␣–␣ and␣ Allah’s␣help␣ is␣sought!”␣4␣␣␣␣ ␣ ␣␣␣␣
See␣–␣may␣Allah␣have␣mercy␣upon␣you␣–␣how␣he␣explicitly␣mentions␣
the␣charge␣of␣disbelief␣against␣the␣ theologians,␣ and␣ then␣ attributes␣ that␣ to␣ al-Bayhaqī␣ and␣ others.␣ This␣ attribution␣ to␣ al-Bayhaqī␣ is␣ undoubtedly␣false,␣as␣he␣was␣a␣theologian␣upon␣the␣way␣of␣al-Ash‘arī.␣In␣addition␣to␣that,␣see␣how␣he␣
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4 The␣first␣treatise␣found␣in␣Tārīkh␣Najd,␣by␣Shaykh␣Husayn␣b.␣Ghannām,␣edited␣by␣Dr.␣Nāir␣al-Dīn␣al-Asad␣(page␣ 222)␣␣␣
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exaggerated␣ and␣ claimed␣that␣ there␣ is␣ a␣ consensus␣ that␣ they␣ are␣ imputed␣ with␣ disbelief!␣ This␣ clearly␣ illustrates␣ the␣disconnection␣ between␣the␣Umma␣and␣its␣scholars␣that␣we␣said␣is␣an␣implication␣of␣
the␣ Wahhābī␣doctrine.␣ ␣
2. Those␣who␣perform␣the␣act␣␣of␣Tawassul are␣described␣as␣Pagans ␣
In␣his␣essay␣found␣in␣al-Durar␣al-Saniyya␣he␣said:␣ ␣
And␣ I␣ shall␣ mention␣ to␣ you␣ something␣ of␣ what␣ Allah␣ mentioned␣ in␣ His␣ Book␣ as␣ a␣ response␣ to␣ the␣ words␣ used␣ as␣ an␣ argument␣ against␣ us␣ by␣ the␣ pagans␣ of␣ our␣ time.␣ We␣ say:␣ responding␣to␣the␣ people␣of␣falsehood␣is␣from␣two␣routes:␣a␣general␣route␣and␣a␣ detailed␣ route.␣ The␣general␣route␣is␣the␣mighty␣affair␣and␣the␣great␣ benefit␣for␣ the␣one␣who␣truly␣understands␣it and␣that␣is␣the␣statement␣of␣the␣</em>
<em>Exalted:␣It␣is␣He␣who␣has␣revealed␣unto␣you␣the␣Book,␣wherein␣ are␣plain␣verses,␣which␣are␣the␣foundation␣of␣the␣Book;␣others␣are␣ ambiguous.␣As␣for␣those␣in␣ whose␣hearts␣is␣deviation:␣they␣seek␣out␣ that␣which␣is␣ambigous␣of␣it,␣seeking␣mischief,␣and␣seeking␣ its␣ explanation␣–␣yet␣none␣know␣its␣explanation␣save␣Allah␣[l-‘Imrān:␣6]␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
It␣is␣authentically␣reported␣from␣the␣Messenger␣of␣Allah␣␣that␣he␣said:␣“When␣you␣see␣those␣who␣ follow␣what␣is␣ambiguous␣of␣it,␣[know␣that]␣ they␣are␣those␣named␣by␣Allah,␣so␣beware␣of␣them.”␣To␣ illustrate␣this,␣when␣one␣of␣the␣pagans␣say:␣Indeed,␣the␣friends␣of␣Allah:␣no␣fear␣shall␣ come␣upon␣ them,␣nor␣shall␣they␣grieve,␣and␣that␣intercession␣is␣the␣ truth,␣and␣that␣the␣Prophets␣possess␣rank␣ with␣Allah,␣or␣when␣he␣ mentions␣ some␣words␣from␣the␣Prophet␣␣by␣which␣he␣seeks␣to␣infer␣from␣ it␣ something␣that␣supports␣his␣falsehood,␣and␣you␣do␣not␣ understand␣the␣ meaning␣of␣the␣words␣he␣ says␣ –␣ answer␣him␣by␣ saying:␣“Indeed,␣Allah␣mentioned␣that␣those␣who␣ have␣deviance␣in␣ their␣ hearts␣follow␣ what␣is␣ambiguous”,␣and␣mention␣what␣I␣told␣you,␣that␣Allah␣said␣that␣ the␣pagans␣ attested␣ to␣ godhood␣ [rubūbiyya],␣ and␣ that␣ He␣ charged␣ them␣ with␣ disbelief␣ because␣ of␣ their␣ attachment␣to␣the␣Prophets,␣the␣Angels,␣and␣the␣saints,␣even␣though␣ they␣said:␣These␣are␣our␣ intercessors␣ with␣ Allah.␣ This␣ matter␣ is␣ clear-cut␣ and␣ manifest;␣ no␣ one␣ is␣ able␣ to␣ change␣ its␣ meaning.␣[So␣say]␣“That␣which␣you␣have␣ mentioned␣to␣me,␣o␣pagan,␣from␣the␣ Qur’ān␣or␣from␣the␣ words␣of␣the␣ Prophet␣,␣I␣understand␣not␣its␣meaning,␣however␣I␣am␣absolutely␣ sure␣that␣Allah’s␣ words␣do␣not␣contradict␣ each␣other␣and␣that␣the␣words␣ of␣the␣Prophet␣␣do␣not␣oppose␣the␣words␣ of␣Allah.”␣This␣is␣a␣good␣and␣ upright␣answer;␣however␣none␣ understand␣it␣save␣he␣who␣is␣granted␣ success␣by␣Allah.␣Do␣not␣belittle␣ it,␣because␣it␣is␣as␣the␣Exalted␣said:␣And␣it␣is␣not␣received␣save␣by␣ those␣who␣are␣patient,␣and␣it␣is␣not␣ received␣save␣by␣he␣ who␣ possesses␣a␣great␣portion␣ ␣␣␣␣
…␣If␣he␣retorts␣by␣saying:␣
“These␣verses␣were␣revealed␣regarding␣those␣who␣worshipped␣ idols;␣how␣can␣you␣make␣the␣righteous␣like␣idols,␣and␣how␣can␣you␣make␣ the␣Prophets␣like␣idols?”,␣ then␣answer␣him␣with␣the␣ aforementioned␣ response.␣If␣he␣attests␣that␣ the␣disbelievers␣bore␣witness␣ that␣ godhood␣ in␣its␣entirety␣is␣for␣Allah,␣and␣that␣they␣did␣not␣ intend␣ anything␣from␣ what␣they␣did␣ other␣than␣ [gaining]␣intercession,␣yet␣ he␣still␣wishes␣ to␣made␣a␣distinction␣ between␣their␣action␣and␣ his␣ action␣using␣that␣ argument,␣mention␣to␣ him␣that␣among␣ the␣ disbelievers␣were␣those␣ who␣called␣ upon/worshipped␣the␣righteous;␣and␣ among␣them␣were␣ those␣who␣ called␣upon/worshipped␣the␣ saints,␣regarding␣whom,␣Allah␣said:Those␣whom␣they␣worship␣ seek␣a␣means␣ of␣approach␣unto␣ their␣Lord,which␣of␣them␣is␣closest;␣and␣they␣call␣upon/worship␣‘Īsā␣b.␣Maryam␣ and␣his␣mother,␣ and␣ Allah,␣the␣Exalted,␣said:␣The␣Messiah,the␣son␣of␣Maryam␣is␣ nothing␣ more␣than␣a␣Messenger␣ before␣whom␣ there␣were␣other␣Messengers;␣and␣his␣mother␣is␣ veraciously␣truthful.␣Both␣of␣them␣ used␣to␣eat␣food;␣see␣then,␣how␣We␣ clarify␣to␣them␣ the␣ signs,␣and␣see␣then,␣how␣they␣ deny.␣Say:␣ “Do␣you␣ worship␣besides␣ Allah␣that␣which␣ cannot␣harm␣ or␣benefit␣you,␣and␣Allah,␣He␣is␣the␣All Hearing,␣the␣All-Knowing?”␣␣
Also␣mention␣His␣statement:␣On␣the␣Day␣in␣which␣they␣will␣all␣ be␣ gathered,␣then␣the␣Angels␣will␣ say:␣“Were␣these␣the␣ones␣ who␣used␣ worship␣you?”␣They␣will␣say:␣“Glorified␣are␣You!␣You␣are␣our␣ Protector␣ besides␣them;␣rather␣they␣used␣to␣worship␣the␣jinn;␣most␣of␣them␣used␣ to␣believe␣in␣ them!”␣
So,␣say␣to␣him:␣“You␣know␣that␣those␣who␣intended␣the␣idols␣[with␣worship]␣were
␣charged␣ by␣Allah␣with␣disbelief,␣and␣He␣also␣charged␣those␣who␣ intended␣the␣righteous␣[with␣worship]␣with␣ disbelief,␣and␣the␣ Messenger␣of␣Allah␣␣fought␣them.”␣
If␣he␣retorts:␣“The␣disbelievers␣want␣from␣ them,␣however␣I␣bear␣ witness␣that␣Allah␣is␣the␣One␣who␣harms␣and␣benefits␣and␣that␣He␣is␣ the␣ disposer␣of␣the␣affairs;␣I␣only␣want␣from␣Him,␣and␣the␣righteous␣ possess␣ nothing␣of␣the␣matter;␣ however␣I␣go␣to␣them,␣hoping␣for␣their␣ intercession␣by␣Allah”,␣the␣answer␣is:␣this␣is␣identical␣to␣the␣ statement␣ of␣the␣disbelievers!␣Read␣to␣him␣their␣statement:␣We␣do␣ not␣worship␣ them␣except␣for␣ them␣to␣draw␣us␣closer␣to␣Allah,␣and:␣These␣are␣our␣ intercessors␣with␣Allah…␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
…It␣can␣also␣be␣said␣ to␣him:␣“Regarding␣your␣statement,␣that␣ ‘polytheism␣[shirk]␣is␣the␣ worship␣of␣idols’,␣do␣you␣mean␣to␣say␣that␣ polytheism␣is␣restricted␣to␣this␣and␣that␣relying␣upon␣the␣ righteous␣ and␣calling␣upon␣them␣is␣not␣included␣in␣it?”␣This␣is␣refuted␣by␣what␣
Allah␣mentioned␣in␣ His␣Book␣regarding␣the␣disbelief␣of␣he␣ who␣ attaches␣ himself␣to␣the␣Angels,␣‘Īsā,␣and␣the␣righteous.␣ He␣must␣ submit␣to␣you␣ that␣whoever␣associates␣anyone␣from␣the␣righteous␣in␣the␣worship␣of␣Allah,␣ then␣he␣is␣the␣type␣of␣pagan␣mentioned␣ in␣the␣ Qur’ān␣–␣and␣this␣is␣ the␣conclusion␣that␣is␣sought␣ after…␣ ␣
3.␣ The␣ Belief␣of␣the␣ Latter-Day␣ People␣is␣ Paganism
He␣said:␣ ␣␣
␣␣␣␣ …If␣you␣are␣aware␣that␣this,␣what␣the␣pagans␣of␣our␣time␣call␣“creed”,␣is␣the␣paganism␣ mentioned␣in␣the␣Qur’ān␣and␣the␣paganism␣ against␣ which␣the␣Messenger␣of␣Allah␣␣fought,␣know␣ then␣that␣the␣paganism␣of␣ the␣earlier␣people␣is␣less␣in␣severity␣than␣the␣paganism␣of␣the␣people␣of␣ our␣time,␣and␣that␣is␣due␣to␣two␣things:␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
1-The␣earlier␣ones␣would␣only␣associate␣partners␣or␣call␣upon␣ the␣ Angels,␣the␣saints,␣and␣the␣idols␣ along␣with␣Allah␣during␣ times␣of␣ease.␣During␣times␣of␣severity␣they␣would␣be␣sincere␣to␣Allah␣in␣ the␣religion,␣as␣the␣Exalted␣said:␣And␣when␣you␣are␣grasped␣by␣harm␣in␣the␣sea,␣those␣whom␣you␣ call␣ upon␣besides␣Him␣are␣lost.␣And␣when␣He␣ saves␣ you␣[by␣delivering␣you␣unto]␣land␣you␣turn␣ away.␣And␣mankind␣is␣ exceedingly␣ungrateful,␣and:␣Say:␣“What␣do␣you␣think:␣if␣the␣ punishment␣ of␣Allah␣comes␣to␣you␣or␣the␣Last␣Hour;␣shall␣you␣call␣ upon␣Allah␣–␣ if␣indeed␣you␣are␣truthful?”␣ Nay,␣you␣shall␣call␣upon␣Him␣ to␣remove␣ that␣which␣you␣are␣praying␣about␣–␣if␣He␣wills␣–␣and␣you␣ shall␣forget␣ that␣which␣you␣associate␣as␣a␣partner,␣and:␣And␣when␣ harm␣afflicts␣man,␣he␣calls␣ upon␣his␣Lord,␣turning␣to␣Him…say:␣“Take␣delight␣in␣your␣ disbelief␣for␣a␣short␣while.␣Indeed,␣you␣ are␣from␣ the␣companions␣of␣ the␣Fire.”,␣and:␣And␣when␣the␣waves␣envelop␣ them␣like␣shadows␣ they␣ worship␣Allah,␣sincerely␣in␣their␣religion␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
Whoever␣ understands␣ this␣ issue␣ that␣ Allah␣ clarified␣ in␣ His␣ Book,␣ that␣ the␣ pagans␣ whom␣ ␣the␣ Messenger␣of␣Allah␣␣fought␣used␣ to␣call␣ upon␣Allah␣and␣call␣upon␣others␣in␣times␣of␣ease,␣and␣ that␣ during␣ times␣ of␣ difficulty␣ and␣ severity␣ they␣ would␣ call␣ upon␣ Allah␣ alone␣ and␣ without␣ any␣ partners,␣and␣they␣would␣forget␣their␣ masters␣[sādāt]␣–␣ the␣distinction␣between␣the␣paganism␣of␣ our␣time␣and␣the␣paganism␣ of␣the␣early␣ones␣will␣be␣clear␣to␣him,␣however;␣where␣is␣he␣whose␣heart␣ deeply␣understands␣this␣ issue?␣Allah’s␣help␣is␣sought.␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
2-The␣ early␣ ones␣ worship␣ along␣ with␣ Allah,␣ people␣ who␣ were␣ close␣ to␣ Him:␣ Prophets,␣ saints,␣ Angels or␣stones␣or␣trees␣ that␣are␣ obedient␣to␣Allah␣and␣not␣ disobedient.␣The␣people␣of␣our␣ times␣ however,␣call␣besides␣Allah,␣those␣who␣are␣from␣the␣most␣ corrupt␣ of␣ people;␣those␣upon␣whom␣they␣call␣are␣reported␣ to␣have␣ committed␣ lewd␣acts␣ such␣as␣fornication,␣theft,␣abandonment␣of␣ prayer,and␣so␣on The␣one␣ who␣possess␣this␣belief␣in␣the␣righteous␣or␣that␣which␣does␣not␣disobey␣–␣such␣as␣a␣piece␣of␣wood␣or␣a␣stone␣–␣is␣not␣as␣bad␣as␣the␣one␣who␣
possess␣this␣belief␣in␣someone␣whose␣corruption␣and␣depravity␣is␣
witnessed␣and␣attested␣to.␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
When␣you␣ascertain␣the␣fact␣that␣those␣whom␣the␣Messenger␣of␣Allah␣␣
fought␣were␣sounder␣in␣intellect␣and␣less␣severe␣in␣their␣paganism␣than␣these␣people,␣you␣should␣also␣know␣that␣they␣have␣a␣ misconception␣ that␣they␣mention␣in␣response␣to␣what␣we␣have␣said.␣And␣it␣is␣from␣the␣ greatest␣of␣their␣obfuscations,␣so␣listen␣attentively␣for␣its␣answer.␣
They␣say:␣“Those␣who␣were␣mentioned␣in␣the␣Qur’ān␣did␣not␣bear␣witness␣that␣
there␣is␣no␣god␣but␣Allah.␣They␣belied␣the␣Messenger,␣denied␣the␣ Resurrection,␣belied␣the␣Qur’ān␣and␣called␣it␣sorcery.␣We,␣on␣the␣other␣ hand,␣bear␣witness␣that␣there␣is␣no␣god␣ but␣Allah␣and␣ that␣ Muhammad␣ is␣the␣Messenger␣of␣Allah;␣we␣confirm␣our␣belief␣ in␣ the␣Qur’ān;␣we␣ have␣faith␣in␣the␣Resurrection and␣we␣pray␣ and␣we␣ fast;␣how␣then␣can␣ you␣make␣us␣out␣to␣be␣like␣them?”…␣␣
4␣-␣Charges␣of␣ Disbelief␣␣against␣␣Fakhr␣al-Dīn␣al-Rāzī␣␣and␣ Specific␣ Charges␣of␣Disbelief,␣␣as␣opposed␣to␣␣General␣Non-Specific␣Charges␣of␣ Disbelief␣␣
In␣the␣twenty␣first␣treatise␣found␣in␣Tārīkh␣Najd␣(page 348) Muhammad␣b.␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb␣ mentioned␣a␣charge␣of␣ disbelief␣ against␣Imām␣ Fakhr␣al-Dīn␣al-Rāzī␣and␣quoted␣it␣from␣ Ibn␣Taymiyya␣ with␣approval.␣He␣quoted␣Ibn␣Taymiyya␣saying:␣“And␣greater␣than␣ that␣still,␣is␣that␣ some␣of␣them␣compiled␣ things␣of␣apostasy,␣as␣al-Fakhr␣al-Rāzī␣did␣ in␣ his␣compilation␣on␣ the␣worship␣of␣celestial␣bodies.␣This␣is␣apostasy␣ from␣Islam␣by␣ the␣agreement␣of␣the␣Muslims.”␣Muhammad␣b.␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb␣ commented␣on␣these␣words␣of␣ Ibn␣Taymiyya,␣saying:␣
Look␣to␣his␣words␣to␣see␣the␣distinction␣between␣the␣subtle/obscure␣ beliefs␣and␣the␣specific␣disbelief␣that␣we␣are␣discussing.Contemplate␣ his␣charges␣of␣disbelief␣upon␣their␣leaders:␣so-and-so␣ and␣so-and-so␣ specifically,␣and␣see␣their␣explicit␣apostasy.␣Contemplate␣ his␣explicit␣ mention␣of␣the␣consensus␣regarding␣Fakhr␣al-Dīn’s␣apostasy␣ from␣Islam,␣even␣though␣he␣is␣one␣of␣the␣four␣ Imāms␣ according␣to␣your␣ scholars.␣Does␣this␣fit␣with␣what␣you␣have␣ understood␣ from␣his␣words␣ [in␣which␣he␣allegedly␣said]␣that␣a␣specific person␣cannot␣be charged␣ with␣disbelief?␣␣
There␣are␣many␣fallacies␣here.␣One␣is␣the␣alleged␣ consensus␣ regarding␣ al-Fakhr␣al-Rāzī’s␣ disbelief,␣and␣another␣is␣their␣ [Ibn␣Taymiyya␣and␣ Ibn␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb]␣claim␣that␣Fakhr␣al-Dīn␣al-Rāzī␣wrote␣about␣ the␣ worship␣of␣ celestial␣bodies.␣Notice␣also␣that␣ he␣[Ibn␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb]␣ explicitly␣stated␣that␣Ibn␣Taymiyya␣ made␣ specific␣charges␣of␣disbelief.␣This␣is␣contrary␣to␣the␣claim␣ of␣some␣ of␣their␣followers␣who␣say␣ they␣ would␣only␣mention␣general␣ charges␣ of␣disbelief␣and␣would␣ not␣ specify␣ individuals.␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
As␣we␣mentioned␣earlier,␣it␣is␣not␣our␣intent␣to␣engage␣in␣an ␣inductive␣ and␣detailed␣reading␣of␣Shaykh␣Muhammad␣b.␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb’s␣ words,␣or␣the␣words␣of␣anyone␣else We␣only␣wish␣to␣present␣ supporting␣proofs␣ from␣their␣works␣that␣establish␣the␣extremism␣of␣this␣view-point.␣␣␣␣␣
The␣Wahhābī’s␣Position␣Regarding␣Anthropomorphism␣and␣Corporeality
The␣Wahhābī’s␣position␣regarding␣anthropomorphism␣and␣negating␣
Allah’s␣transcendence␣above␣resemblance␣to␣the␣creation␣is␣well-known␣and␣famous.␣They␣affirm␣a␣limit␣and␣direction␣for␣Allah,␣the␣ Exalted;␣they␣believe␣that␣contingent␣acts␣subsist␣within␣Allah;␣and␣ they␣believe␣that␣He␣sits␣upon␣the␣Throne␣with␣contact␣and␣physical␣
movement,␣etc.␣There␣is␣no␣doubt␣whatsoever␣that␣ these␣beliefs␣ oppose␣ the␣creed␣of␣Ahl␣al-Sunna␣wa␣al-Jamā‘a.␣In␣this␣creed,␣the␣ Wahhābīs␣ have␣followed␣their␣first␣Imām,␣Ibn␣ Taymiyya.They␣have␣ taken␣all␣of␣ this␣from␣him.␣They␣understood␣his␣words␣ from␣the␣ explanations␣of␣ his␣student,␣Ibn␣Qayyim␣al-Jawzīyya.␣For␣reference,␣one␣may␣ peruse␣ Ibn␣Taymiyya’s␣Naq␣Asās␣al-Taqdīs,␣Manhāj␣al-Sunna,␣ and␣other␣ books.␣I␣have␣written␣many␣ books␣on␣ this␣topic,␣establishing␣that␣ Ibn␣Taymiyya␣believed␣in␣anthropomorphism␣and␣its␣implications,␣that␣he␣completely␣opposed␣the␣Ash‘arīs,␣and␣that␣he␣ had␣his␣own␣ complete␣doctrine␣to␣which␣he␣invited␣others.␣His␣ statements␣were␣ not␣mere␣slips␣of␣the␣pen␣or␣ecstatic␣expressions␣as␣sone␣would␣like␣to␣believe.␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
MUHAMMAD RASHĪD␣RIDA␣␣␣␣(D.1345.␣HIJRI)␣␣
As␣I␣see␣it Muhammad␣Rashīd␣Ridā␣was␣one␣of␣the␣founders␣of␣the␣
Salafi␣School␣–␣in␣its␣general␣meaning␣–␣who␣outlined␣its␣foundations␣and␣fundamentals.␣Within␣his␣books,␣he␣laid␣the␣down␣the␣ground␣ work␣ for␣the␣idea␣that␣the␣effects␣of␣the␣latter-day␣scholars␣have␣ been␣ disrupted,␣claiming␣that␣he␣was␣an␣independent␣scholar␣ [mujtahid]␣ who␣had␣the␣right␣to␣go␣back␣to␣the␣original␣sources␣and␣examine␣them␣as␣the␣early␣major␣Mujtahids␣did.␣He␣claimed␣that␣he␣was␣ only␣obliged␣ to␣follow␣that␣to␣which␣his␣research␣and␣investigation␣led␣him.␣There␣is␣ no␣doubt␣that␣he␣was␣affected␣in␣this␣by␣his␣Shaykh,␣Muammad␣‘Abduh,␣and␣by␣Jamāl␣al-Dīn␣al-Afghānī.␣␣
Rashīd␣Ridā␣expressed␣many␣views␣and␣opinions␣that␣affirm␣this␣
attitude,␣in␣addition␣to␣his␣many␣well-known␣disputes␣with␣the␣ Shaykhs␣ and␣administration␣of␣al-Azhar␣and␣his␣battles␣with␣ Shaykh␣Yūsuf␣al-Dajawī␣and␣his␣companion,␣and␣Shaykh␣al-Kawtharī,␣and␣those␣who␣ supported␣them.␣␣
1. His␣Explicit␣Agreement␣with␣the␣Wahhābī␣call␣␣
In␣an␣important␣book␣of␣his␣called␣al-Manār␣wa␣al-Azhar,␣he␣said:␣
Intermediaries␣between␣the␣Creator␣and␣the␣creation␣and␣refutation
against␣some␣scholars␣regarding␣it␣
On␣pages␣318␣and␣533␣there␣are␣two␣lengthy␣articles␣on␣the␣subject␣of␣
<em>intermediaries␣between␣the␣creation␣and␣the␣Creator:␣a␣subject␣in␣ which␣ the␣innovators␣have␣gone␣to␣extremes␣and␣in␣ which␣they␣ have␣ fallen␣into␣clear␣idolatry␣and␣have␣taken␣equals␣with␣Allah,␣the␣Exalted.Shaykh␣al-Islām␣Amad␣b.␣Taymiyya␣wrote␣an␣essay␣by␣the␣ same␣ name␣ in␣which␣he␣refuted␣their␣obfuscations.Around␣that␣time␣ it␣was␣ published␣and␣had␣a␣great␣effect␣upon␣the␣people␣because␣it␣thwarted␣them␣[from␣that]␣by␣explaining␣its␣odious␣misguidance␣and␣defending␣the␣doctrine␣of␣Divine␣unity␣which␣is␣the␣foundation␣of␣Allah’s␣religion␣upon␣the␣
tongues␣of␣all␣of␣His␣Prophets.␣It␣ delighted␣the␣people␣of␣ Divine␣ unity␣and␣the␣followers␣of␣the␣Book␣and␣the␣Sunna␣and␣it␣perturbed␣the␣innovators␣among␣the␣grave-worshippers␣and␣shrine-worshippers.␣␣␣␣␣␣
One␣of␣the␣scholars␣endeavoured␣to␣refute␣it,␣gathering␣treatises␣ on␣ the␣issue␣and␣topics␣related␣to␣it,␣such␣as␣visitation␣of␣the␣ graves␣ and␣ the␣innovations␣that␣occur␣along␣with␣that␣–␣works␣written␣by␣some
deceased␣superstitious␣people␣–␣and␣he␣wrote␣an␣introduction␣to␣those␣
many␣blameworthy␣innovations,␣supporting␣them␣with␣contradictory␣ and␣conflicting␣theories.␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
Hence,␣we␣wrote␣those␣two␣articles␣in␣refutation␣against␣him.That␣was␣ the␣first␣time␣a␣well-known␣scholar␣from␣al-Azhar␣in␣our␣era␣ wrote␣ and␣ distributed␣a␣book␣in␣support␣of␣pagan␣beliefs␣and␣superstitious␣innovations,␣supporting␣them␣with␣theories␣and␣ statements␣ that␣ go␣against␣ the␣Mighty␣Book,␣the␣Lofty␣Sunna,␣the␣way␣of␣the␣pious␣ predecessors,␣and␣the␣texts␣of␣the␣Mujtahid␣Imāms We␣explained␣this␣ in␣the␣utmost␣ detail␣–␣and␣our␣experience␣with␣that␣man␣was␣ other␣ than␣this…␣␣
It␣is␣obvious␣that␣the␣style␣adopted␣by␣Rashīd␣Ridā␣was␣the␣exact␣same␣
style␣as␣Muhammad␣b.␣ ‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb.␣You␣see␣in␣his␣words␣here␣ the␣exact␣same␣expressions␣used␣by␣Ibn␣‘Abd␣al Wahhāb,␣ such␣ as␣ “superstitious”,␣ “grave-worshippers”,␣ “shrine-worshippers”,␣ “clear␣ idolatry”,␣ “pagan␣ beliefs”,␣ and␣ “superstitious␣ innovations”.␣ Muhammad␣ Rashīd␣ Ridā␣ indicated␣ that␣ his␣ focus␣on␣this␣matter␣ was␣a␣testimony␣to␣al-Manār’s␣(the␣magazine␣ he␣used␣to␣publish)␣ efforts␣in␣ reforming␣al-Azhar;␣as␣both␣he␣and␣his␣ Shaykh Muhammad␣ ‘Abduh␣were␣ dedicated␣ to␣what␣they␣ called␣the␣ “reformation␣of␣al-Azhar”.␣ ␣
2-Ridā’s␣Accusation’s␣ against al-Azhar␣and␣Some␣of␣its␣ Scholars,␣,␣ saying␣ they␣ were␣“Grave-Worship" attempting␣to␣spread Grave- Worship␣among␣People
On␣page␣22␣of␣al-Manār␣wa␣al-Azhar:␣ ␣
I␣criticised␣Nur␣al-Islam␣magazine,␣al-Azhar’s␣official␣publication,␣for␣the␣articles␣and␣verdicts␣they␣published␣from␣him␣[Shaykh␣Yūsuf␣al-Dajawī]␣in␣support␣of␣common␣innovations␣among␣the␣laity␣of␣ the␣ Umma␣–␣especially␣the␣innovations␣and␣evil␣acts␣that␣take␣place␣at␣the␣graves␣and␣the␣calumny␣ against␣Salafism␣in␣general␣ and␣ Wahhābism␣ in␣particular;␣especially␣in␣this␣time␣in␣which␣the␣Islamic␣ world␣from␣ east␣to␣west␣and␣all␣in␣between,␣such␣as␣Egypt␣–␣may␣ Allah␣safeguard␣ her␣–␣has␣been␣ affable␣towards␣the␣Saudi␣state,␣defended␣it,␣and␣censured␣the␣Egyptian␣state␣for␣not␣recognizing␣ it…␣
Elsewhere␣in␣his␣book,␣he␣said:␣ ␣
Perhaps␣most␣of␣the␣Azharī␣ sermonizers␣ who␣are␣spread␣ about␣here␣ and␣there␣ have␣the␣same␣ orientation␣as␣al-Manār␣and␣ those␣who␣ read␣its␣Qur’ānic␣exegesis.␣Indeed,I␣know␣the␣most␣choice␣ among␣ them…al-Manār␣was␣the␣first␣to␣ propose␣to␣al-Azhar␣the␣ establishment␣ of␣this␣blessed␣ group.␣ Shaykh␣ al-awāhirī␣ aspires␣ to␣ make␣ all␣ of␣ them␣ superstitious␣ grave-worshippers␣ who␣ oppose␣al-Manār␣and␣stand␣in␣the␣way␣of␣its␣call.Each␣time␣he␣tests␣someone␣ who␣is␣set␣to␣be␣ appointed␣or␣sent␣abroad,␣most␣of␣ his␣focus␣is␣ set␣at␣ discovering␣ what␣that␣individual␣ believes␣ regarding␣ the␣ Salafi␣ concept␣ of␣ Divine␣ unity␣ and␣ blameworthy␣ innovation␣ related␣ to␣ graveworship.␣His␣ usual␣ way␣of␣ascertaining␣that␣is␣to␣ask␣that␣ person’s␣opinion␣ regarding␣al-Manār␣ [magazine],␣ its␣ Qur’ānic␣ exegesis,␣ and␣ its␣ author␣ –␣ and␣ he␣ might␣add␣to␣those␣questions␣ other␣ things␣that␣ set␣him␣apart␣from␣his␣opponents␣and␣ malign␣ their␣call␣to␣ the␣Book,␣the␣Sunna,␣and␣ following␣the␣Salaf.␣It␣has␣ been␣established␣ within␣al-Azhar␣that␣this␣is␣his␣desire␣ and␣those␣who␣ have␣to␣take␣ the␣test␣ seek␣to␣avoid␣his␣anger␣using␣whatever␣ permissible␣ dissimulation␣they␣can.␣It␣ has␣reached␣the␣point␣that␣ if␣someone␣gives␣a␣ misleading␣ impression␣and␣says:␣“Zayd␣and␣‘Amr␣ are␣ scholars␣who␣ serve␣ the␣ religion;␣both␣make␣mistakes␣and␣are␣ correct␣at␣other␣times”,␣then␣he␣ will␣ lose␣ al-awāhirī’s␣respect;␣he␣ is␣not␣pleased␣ with␣those␣ who␣ call␣to␣Islam␣and␣guide␣its␣people␣ unless␣they␣make␣up␣things,␣fawn␣flattery␣towards␣him,␣and␣say␣ what␣they␣don’t␣believe.␣
His␣Allegiance ␣to␣ to␣Āl-Sa‘ūd␣␣␣
Rashīd␣Riā␣openly␣announced␣his␣agreement␣and␣following␣of␣Āl-Sa‘ūd␣ in␣their␣call␣and␣said␣that␣they␣resembled␣the␣Children␣of␣Israel␣during␣
the␣days␣of␣our␣Master␣Mūsā␣a.␣He␣encouraged␣them␣ to␣have␣patience␣ and␣he␣gave␣ them␣glad␣tidings␣of␣victory␣from␣Allah,␣the␣Exalted,␣against␣their␣ enemies␣ among␣the␣“grave-worshippers”␣and␣“pagans”.␣ ␣
He␣said␣in␣al-Manār␣wa␣al-Azhar:␣ ␣
The␣First␣Sermon␣I␣Delivered␣to␣Ibn␣Sa‘ūd␣and␣His␣Response
I␣said␣to␣Ibn␣Sa‘ūd␣in␣the␣first␣sitting␣I␣had␣with␣him␣after␣arriving␣at␣Mecca:␣Certainly,␣you␣were␣ harmed␣before␣and␣after,␣yet␣you␣were␣patient␣ and␣Allah␣gave␣you␣victory␣as␣He␣promised␣those␣ who␣are␣patient.␣It␣is␣fitting␣that␣your␣people␣take␣the␣example␣and␣consider␣what␣Allah␣mentioned␣ with␣respect␣to␣the␣Children␣of␣Israel␣and␣Mūsā␣a:They␣said:␣“We␣have␣been␣harmed␣before␣you␣ came␣to␣us␣and␣after␣ you␣have␣ come␣to␣us.”␣He␣said:␣“Perhaps␣your␣Lord␣will␣destroy␣your␣enemy␣ and␣grant␣you␣succession␣in␣the␣land␣and␣see␣how␣you␣will␣do.”.␣Alas,␣see␣to␣it␣that␣you␣perfect␣ your␣works␣by␣being␣thankful␣ for␣this␣ new␣ bounty.␣Indeed,␣Allah␣is␣looking␣to␣see␣how␣you␣will␣do,␣ that␣He␣ may␣reward␣you␣for␣it.␣He␣[Ibn␣Sa‘ūd]␣said␣in␣response:␣“By␣Allah!␣We␣ fear␣nothing␣but␣ the␣Qur’ān!”␣Contemplate␣this␣answer o␣people␣of␣ insight.␣ ␣
His␣Position␣Regarding␣the␣Wahhābī␣␣Call␣and␣His␣Rejection␣of␣the Well-established␣Schools␣such␣as␣the␣ Ash‘arīs␣and␣Māturīdīs
It␣ is␣well-known␣that␣Shaykh␣Muhammad␣‘Abduh␣was␣ Muhammad␣ Rashīd␣Ridā’s␣role-model,␣and␣that␣ the␣ former␣ was␣ the␣ first␣ one␣ to␣ distance␣ himself␣ from␣ the␣ Ash‘arī␣ and␣ Māturīdī␣ schools␣ and␣ claim␣ independent␣Ijtihād␣and␣maintain␣that␣he␣was␣able␣to␣pick␣and␣choose␣opinions␣as␣he␣wished␣–␣even␣if␣the␣ opinions␣he␣preferred␣were␣ philosophical␣or␣overly␣rationalistic␣in␣nature.␣␣␣␣␣
Rashīd␣Ridā␣said:␣ ␣
As␣far␣as␣the␣author␣of␣al-Manār␣is␣concerned,␣let␣the␣esteemed␣ ones␣ present␣here␣and␣all␣who␣ read␣al-Manār␣know␣that␣he␣does␣not␣ follow␣ any␣of␣the␣Imāms␣in␣his␣creed,␣so␣how␣is␣it␣conceivable␣ that␣he␣ follows␣ Shaykh␣Muhammad␣b.␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb␣–␣assuming␣that␣ he␣does␣in␣ fact␣have␣a␣ school␣of␣thought␣that␣is␣distinct␣ from␣the␣ school␣of␣Imām␣ Ahmad␣and␣the␣Salaf␣of␣this␣nation?␣He␣ who␣does␣not␣ follow␣Imām␣al-Ash‘arī,␣even␣though␣he␣grew␣ up␣following␣his␣ doctrine,␣has␣more␣ right␣that␣he␣does␣not␣follow␣Shaykh␣Muhammad␣b.␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb.␣ ␣
It␣is␣not␣hidden␣that␣his␣claim␣of␣not␣following␣Muhammad␣b.␣‘Abd␣al-Wahhāb␣does␣not␣contradict␣his␣ agreement␣with␣him,␣his␣following␣ of␣his␣ideas,␣and␣his␣support␣for␣the␣latter’s␣call. The␣most␣this␣
indicates␣ is␣that␣he␣asserted␣Ijtihād␣for␣himself␣in␣this␣matter,␣which␣ is␣either␣accepted␣or␣rejected.␣ ␣
These␣words␣stem␣from␣the␣firm␣fundamentals␣that␣he␣took␣from␣his␣
Shaykh,␣Muammad␣‘Abduh.␣When␣ Shaykh␣‘Ulaysh␣spoke␣to␣him␣ [‘Abduh]␣about␣his␣lessons␣on␣the␣book␣al-‘Aqā’id␣al-Nasafiya␣and␣ about␣the␣ fact␣that␣he␣had␣opposed␣the␣Ash‘arīs␣ and␣preferred␣ the␣ doctrine␣of␣the␣Mu‘tazila,␣he␣confirmed␣that.␣ Rashīd␣Ridā␣mentions␣ in␣his␣famous␣book,␣Tārīkh␣al-Ustādh␣al-Imām␣(1/134):␣␣ ␣␣
Shaykh␣‘Ulaysh␣said:␣“It␣has␣reached␣me␣that␣you␣are␣teaching␣ the␣ commentary␣of␣al-‘Aqā’id␣al Nafasiya.”␣ He␣ [‘Abduh]␣ said:␣ “Yes.”␣ Shaykh␣ ‘Ulaysh␣ said:␣ “It␣ has␣ reached␣ me␣ that␣ you␣ have␣ preferred␣ the␣doctrine␣of␣the␣Mu‘tazila␣over␣the␣doctrine␣of␣the␣Ash‘arīs.”␣He␣[‘Abduh]␣said:␣“If␣I␣ don’t␣ blindly␣ follow␣ al-Ash‘arī,␣ why␣ should␣ I␣ blindly␣ follow␣ the␣ Mu‘tazila?␣ I␣ eschew␣ the␣ blind␣ following␣of␣all␣of␣ them␣and␣instead␣follow␣the␣proofs.”␣Shaykh␣‘Ulaysh␣said:␣“Someone␣ reliable␣ informed␣me␣of␣that.”␣
He␣[‘Abduh]␣said “Let␣this␣reliable␣person␣come␣before␣ us␣and␣ distinguish␣ between␣the␣ two␣doctrines␣in␣order␣than␣he␣ then␣inform␣ us␣of␣which␣of␣the␣two␣I␣preferred.”␣ ␣
The␣basis␣for␣the␣claim␣of␣following␣the␣Salaf␣rests␣on␣abandoning␣the␣
independent␣efforts␣of␣the␣past␣ scholars␣and␣not␣relying␣on␣them,␣claiming␣that␣one␣–␣even␣if␣he␣is␣not␣qualified␣–␣is␣able␣to␣engage␣in␣ Ijtihād␣and␣extrapolate␣legal␣rulings␣from␣the␣source␣texts.␣If␣this␣ viewpoint␣gains␣ascendency␣it␣will␣most␣ certainly␣lead␣to␣ the␣ belittlement␣of␣the␣rank␣of␣Ijtihād␣and␣will␣encourage␣and␣goad␣every␣person␣of␣weak␣ understanding␣who␣aspires␣for␣leadership␣ to␣claim␣ Ijtihād␣for␣himself␣–␣and␣the␣tribulations␣and␣problems␣ that␣will␣result␣ in␣are␣not␣hidden.␣
EFFECT␣OF␣SALAFISM␣ON␣ THE␣ UNITY␣OF␣THE␣ MUSLIMS␣␣␣ ␣ ␣␣ ␣
1- Separation␣ and␣ disconnection␣ between␣ the␣ current␣ generations␣ and␣ more␣ than␣ ten␣ centuries␣ of␣ scholarship␣and␣detailed␣research␣ in␣every␣science␣and␣subject,␣resulting␣in␣a␣loss␣of␣the␣Umma’s␣efforts.␣
2- Weakening␣the␣stance␣of␣the␣current␣generations␣in␣their␣ confrontations␣with␣the␣severe␣and␣multiple␣ attacks␣against␣the␣ religion␣of␣Islam.␣This␣is␣accomplished␣by␣disconnecting␣ the␣current␣ generations␣from␣ the␣previous␣scholars␣of␣Islam␣and␣preventing␣ them␣from␣benefiting␣from␣them␣or␣relying␣upon␣them.␣This␣ results␣ in␣our␣severe␣weakness␣in␣the␣modern␣sciences␣–␣as␣we␣see␣with␣our␣
own␣eyes␣in␣many␣fields.␣
3- A␣manufactured␣disconnect␣between␣the␣present␣and␣the␣past,␣resulting␣in␣accusations␣against␣the␣beliefs␣ of␣ the␣ general␣ body␣of␣ Islamic␣ scholars.␣ This␣ of␣ course␣ results␣ in␣ weakening␣ confidence␣ in␣ them␣ and␣ doubting␣their␣knowledge␣and␣sciences.␣He␣who␣loses␣ sight␣of␣his␣past␣will␣undoubtedly␣lose␣sight␣of␣where␣ he␣is␣and␣where␣ he␣is␣going.␣
4- Inclination␣ to␣ charge␣ one’s␣ opponents␣ with␣ disbelief␣ or␣ blameworthy␣ innovation,␣ resulting␣ in␣ severe␣ psychological␣ disorders␣ and␣doubts␣regarding␣everything␣transmitted␣to␣us␣; by␣ those␣of␣the␣past.␣The␣least␣ of␣ these␣ effects␣ is␣ the␣ feeling␣ of␣ emotional␣ withdraw,␣ which␣ could␣ in␣ turn␣ push␣ some␣ weak␣ minded␣ individuals␣–␣as␣most␣ of␣those␣who␣adopt␣ this␣position␣ are␣–␣and␣ motivate␣them␣to␣pursue␣ extreme␣courses␣of␣action␣in␣their␣dealings␣with␣others.␣
5- Undoubtedly,these␣effects␣and␣results␣affect␣them␣because␣ they␣were␣ignorant␣regarding␣the␣distinction␣ between␣the␣unequivocal␣ and␣the␣speculative␣ in␣ both␣doctrine␣and␣jurisprudence.␣They␣declared␣ some␣ speculative␣ ␣unequivocal␣and␣opposed␣certain␣ unequivocal␣ matters.␣All␣of␣this␣ stems␣from␣ideas␣ and␣ways␣that␣suffer␣from␣ major␣ gaps␣and␣errors.␣ ␣ ␣␣ ␣
CONCLUSION␣␣␣␣
On␣Disagreements␣and␣their␣Resultant␣Problems ␣␣␣␣ ␣
There␣is␣no␣doubt␣that␣the␣science␣of␣theology␣is␣the␣most␣appropriate␣science␣for␣researching␣the␣ disputes␣between␣the␣various␣Islamic␣ sects␣ and␣attempting␣to␣know␣which␣of␣them␣is␣correct␣and␣incorrect,␣ or␣which␣ of␣them␣is␣more␣correct␣than␣the␣others.␣It␣is␣legally␣ encouraged␣for␣the␣ Muslims␣to␣argue␣about␣ the␣ affairs␣ of␣ their␣ religion,␣ contrary␣ to␣ those␣ who␣ believe␣ that␣ it␣ is␣ unlawful.␣ This␣ is␣ because␣ disagreements␣do␣in␣ fact␣exist,␣and␣working␣to␣either␣remove␣ or␣ diminish␣differences␣is␣ obligatory␣as␣much␣ as␣ humanly␣possible.␣It␣is␣impossible␣to␣remove␣ these␣disagreements␣or␣even␣attempt␣to␣remove␣them␣ without␣recourse␣ to␣theology␣and␣ arguing␣in␣a␣way␣that␣ is␣best.␣There␣is␣no␣doubt␣that␣ speaking␣about␣ matters␣related␣to␣the␣ fundamentals␣of␣the␣religion␣–␣ what␣is␣conventionally␣known␣as␣creed␣–␣is␣sought␣ after␣and␣desired.␣ ␣
Neglecting␣disagreements␣and␣attempting␣to␣forget␣them␣or␣sweep␣them␣under␣the␣rug␣will␣never␣be␣a␣viable␣alternative␣to␣attempting␣to␣reach␣
what␣is␣closest␣and␣reach␣the␣truth␣and␣what␣is␣correct.␣The␣fact␣ that␣ it␣is␣impossible␣to␣reach␣an␣agreement␣that␣is␣inclusive␣of␣all␣of␣the␣Muslims␣cannot␣justify␣sweeping␣ disagreements␣under␣the␣rug.␣The␣ fundamentals␣of␣theological␣rhetoric␣indicate␣that␣differences␣do␣in␣fact␣ exist It␣is␣also␣established␣in␣the␣upright␣religion␣ that␣it␣is␣ obligatory␣ for␣Muslims␣to␣work␣together.␣So␣ here␣we␣have␣ two␣basic␣ premises:␣ ␣
A. Disagreements␣exist␣and␣will␣continue␣
B. Cooperation␣between␣the␣Muslims␣is␣obligatory␣
So,␣ if␣ we␣ say␣ that␣ it␣ is␣ impossible␣ for␣ us␣ to␣ work␣ together␣ as␣ Muslims␣ until␣ we␣ are␣ all␣ in␣ complete␣ agreement␣in␣doctrine␣–␣ both␣ in␣its␣fundamentals␣and␣subsidiary␣branch␣issues␣–␣then␣this␣implies␣that␣cooperation␣is␣impossible,␣which␣is␣a␣false␣conclusion.␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
If␣we␣say␣that␣cooperation␣is␣obligatory␣and␣that␣it␣is␣conditional␣upon␣agreement,␣that␣means␣we␣must␣ forget␣our␣disagreements␣and␣ sweep␣them␣under␣the␣rug.␣Now␣of␣course␣this␣is␣also␣incorrect␣ because␣it␣ entails␣neglecting␣that␣which␣is␣real␣and␣ ignoring␣that␣ which␣cannot␣be␣ignored.␣Every␣sect␣claims␣that␣it␣is␣ correct␣and␣on␣ the␣truth;␣how␣then␣can␣each␣sect␣be␣commanded␣ to␣ignore␣that␣in␣ which␣they␣claim␣they␣ are␣right?␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
The␣sound␣view␣based␣upon␣the␣fundamentals␣of␣theological␣rhetoric␣
calls␣for␣everyone␣–␣with␣a␣certain␣ degree␣of␣investigation␣–␣to␣gather␣ between␣the␣two␣premises.␣The␣first␣premise␣is␣taken␣from␣the␣sensory␣ world␣and␣sense␣perception,␣and␣it␣is␣regarding␣the␣means␣ of␣ knowledge.␣The␣second␣premise␣is␣taken␣ from␣the␣unequivocal␣ texts␣ of␣the␣religion.␣It␣is␣incorrect␣to␣neglect␣or␣ignore␣either␣of␣them.␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
The␣logical␣conclusion␣is␣that␣it␣is␣obligatory␣to␣work␣together␣while␣maintaining␣one’s␣disagreement␣with␣ the␣other,␣and␣that␣it␣is␣obligatory␣ to␣adopt␣practical␣measures␣in␣which␣these␣two␣premises␣and␣realities␣ are␣kept.␣In␣sum,␣it␣is␣obligatory␣to␣work␣together␣with␣ others␣while␣ taking␣note␣of␣disagreements.␣In␣this␣ circumstance,␣one␣must␣either␣ base␣cooperation␣on␣that␣in␣which␣there␣is␣disagreement␣or␣that␣in␣which␣ there␣ is␣ agreement,␣ and␣ obviously␣ constructive␣ work␣ can␣ only␣ be␣ based␣ on␣ that␣ in␣ which␣ there␣ is␣ agreement.␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
Obligatory␣actions␣that␣must␣be␣carried␣out␣need␣to␣be␣based␣on␣the␣points␣in␣which␣there␣is␣agreement␣ between␣the␣Muslims,␣while␣at␣the␣ same␣time␣not␣neglecting␣the␣unique␣features␣of␣each␣Islamic␣sect␣and␣ making␣sure␣to␣continue␣arguing␣in␣a␣way␣that␣is␣best.␣ ␣␣
Some␣people␣look␣to␣the␣disagreements␣among␣the␣Muslims␣as␣impending␣threats␣and␣dangers␣that␣must␣ be␣eradicated,␣and␣that␣they␣are␣ harms␣that␣lead␣the␣Umma␣to␣its␣own␣destruction.␣We␣hold␣a␣ dissenting␣ viewpoint␣and␣say␣that␣even␣though␣ the␣existence␣of␣well-considered␣ disagreements␣between␣the␣major␣ sects␣results␣in␣ some␣ harms,␣it␣ results␣in␣greater␣benefits␣overall.␣The␣most␣important␣of␣ these␣ benefits␣is␣ constant␣investigation␣and␣continual␣ research␣into␣ these␣ fundamentals.␣This␣in␣turn␣results␣in␣competition␣ in␣refuting␣ the␣ obfuscations␣of␣the␣external␣opponents␣who␣do␣not␣belong␣to␣the␣religion␣–␣as␣Imām␣alGhazālī␣said␣when␣he␣argued␣with␣the␣philosophers:␣“I␣am␣not␣addressing␣you␣with␣the␣tongue␣of␣the␣ Ash‘arīs␣alone;␣
I␣ am␣addressing␣you␣with␣the␣tongue␣of␣all␣the␣Islamic␣sects␣entire:␣all␣of␣them␣are␣united␣ against␣you.”␣ ␣
And␣Allah␣grants␣all␣success␣
Sa‘īd␣Foudah␣ ␣
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