Category Archives: The Way of the Salaf

Issues related to Salafiyyah, or the following of the Book and the Sunnah according to the understanding of the Companions and the early Muslim scholars.

Resources for the 4th Islamic Seminar at Masjid Alfarouq in Edmonton

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

QUICK LINKS TO THE NEW WORKBOOK:*
Print (Paperback) Version on Amazon: USA | UK | CAN | AUS 
PDF Versions:  PDF Workbook | English Text (Mobile) | Arabic Text (Mobile)

*When we recommend any products available on Amazon, as Amazon Associates we may benefit from qualifying purchases when you follow our links from Bakkah.net. This helps us offset the costs of maintaining the website, and we do appreciate your understanding and support!

Here you will find helpful resources and guidance, by Allah’s Permission, connected to the seminar at Masjid Alfarouq in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), which took place starting on Muharram 29, 1445 (Aug.16-20, 2023), wal-hamdu lillaah, along with special information about the official seminar workbook and some exclusive images of its content.

In anticipation of the seminar, Ustaadh Moosaa Richardson stated:

Upon visiting our brothers in Islam and Sunnah at Masjid Alfarouq in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) earlier this year, based on the advice of Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Maghribi (may Allah preserve him), I was delighted to find such beautiful cooperation at an emerging community upon Salafiyyah there. May Allah bless them and increase them in good. Their good efforts to learn and host special events for the benefit of their community and the Muslims of Edmonton at large are exemplary and deserving of our support…

This upcoming fourth seminar, scheduled for the end of Muharram 1445 (August 16-20, 2023), in shaa’ Allah, is another five-day event, similar to the last one. This time, Shaykh Abu Muhammad will be broadening the focus of family matters to include more practical advice and guidance for parents and children, siblings, as well as spouses, in shaa’ Allah. I will continue sharing and explaining verses from the same poetry on Islamic Legal Maxims. After considering that a significant number of the local congregants grew up in communities and households where the Maalikee math-hab is taught, I thought to explain a small text in basic Islamic Creed by an exemplary Maalikee scholar of old, al-Imaam Ibn Abee Zayd al-Qayrawaanee (may Allah have Mercy on him).

Continue reading →

RESOURCES for the New Course: al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

QUICK LINKS TO THE NEW WORKBOOK:
Amazon USA: Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle
Amazon UK: Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle
Amazon CAN: Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle
Amazon AUS: Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle
PDF Versions:  PDF Workbook | English Text (Mobile) | Arabic Text (Mobile)
Wholesale orders: Email: Publications@Bakkah.net [Catalog: USA | UK]

When we recommend any products available on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate we may benefit from qualifying purchases when you follow our links from Bakkah.net. This helps us offset the costs of maintaining the website, and we do appreciate your understanding and support!

Here you will find helpful resources and guidance, by Allah’s Permission, connected to the study of al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah, the classic primer on basic Islamic creed in the English Language and information about the newly available workbook.

The Course: al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah

We’ve completed a few introductory lessons in preparation for our study of the text of al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah. So far, Continue reading →

Resources for the Weekend Seminar: The Reality of Salafiyyah (Shawwaal 26-28, 1443 in Pittsburgh and LIVE Online)

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

LIVE ONLINE: This weekend (May 27-29, 2022), in shaa’ Allah. DO NOT MISS THIS!

FREE high-quality MP3 recordings, audio resources, and LIVE broadcasts can be accessed here: https://www.spreaker.com/show/reality-of-salafiyyah

FREE Study Materials (PDF Downloads):  https://payhip.com/BakkahPublications/collection/the-reality-of-salafiyyah

Al-hamdu lillaah, all praise is due to Allah, the brothers and sisters at al-Masjid al-Awwal in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) are having a weekend seminar on Shawwaal 26-28, 1443 (May 27-29, 2022), in shaa’ Allah, with Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Maghribi (may Allah bless and preserve him), entitled: Salafiyyah – Following the Quran & Sunnah Upon the Way of the Companions & the Righteous Early Generations & Shunning Bid’ah (Blameworthy Religious Innovation).

In order to assist our beloved community in maximizing our benefit during this special weekend, Ustaadh Moosaa Richardson has prepared a number of new resources to help study the Arabic text, As-Salafiyyah Haqeeqatuhaa wa Simaatuhaa (The Reality of Salafiyyah and Its Distinguishing Traits), by the great scholar, Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allah preserve him), These resources are currently available in PDF format, worldwide, absolutely free of charge: Continue reading →

Exposing the Fake Story of Salmaan Refusing to Obey ‘Umar

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[In the name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…]

The Khawaarij of this era, those who promote political turmoil and rebellion in the name of “activism” and “freedom of speech”, have spread the following false narration:

Ibn Qutaybah said in his book, ‘Uyoon al-Akhbaar:

Al-‘Utbi [d.228] said that ‘Umar received some war booty, two-piece garments. He distributed those things among the people. He went up on the Minbar and he had a complete set himself (both pieces). So he said “Oh people, will you not listen?” So Salmaan said: “We will not listen!” ‘Umar asked, “Why, O Father of ‘Abdullaah [meaning Salmaan]!?” He said, “Because you distributed the garments to us, one garment for each person, yet you have a whole set (i.e. two garments).” ‘Umar said, “Don’t be so hasty, oh Abaa ‘Abdillah,” and he called out, “Oh, ‘Abdullaah!” Nobody answered him. So he said, “Oh ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Umar!” His son responded, “At your service, O Commander of the Faithful!” Umar said, “I ask you, by Allaah, as a witness: The garment I’m wearing as an ezaar (the lower part), is it yours?” He replied, “Allaahumma Na’am (Yes).” Salmaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, then said, “OK, so now we will obey you!”

Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allaah preserve him) explained the falsehood of this story. The following is a summary of his writings on the topic:

This is how al-‘Utbi narrated this, without any chain. And it’s been mentioned in the sittings of dictation that were recorded from ibn Durayd, #132, in the same way, without a chain. Ibn al-Jowzee also put it in his book: Sifatus Safwa with no chain. So this fable is rejected from the following angles:

Firstly, it has no chain from al-‘Utbi to ‘Umar and Salmaan, may Allaah be pleased with both of them. There is a huge gap in time between ‘Umar (and Salmaan) and this ‘Utbi. You would break the necks of camels trying to make that distance! [more than 200 years of broken chain!]

The second issue is that this ‘Utbi is Continue reading →

Real “Hadith Disciples” Do Not Forsake the Scholars [A Brief Hadeeth Study]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

Know that the people of knowledge shall indeed be forsaken by some! It is a reality that has been foretold in the hadeeth of Mu’aawiyah (may Allaah be pleased with him), as found in the two Saheeh Compilations of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim:

لَا تَزَالُ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي قَائِمَةً بِأَمْرِ اللهِ، لَا يَضُرُّهُمْ مَنْ خَذَلَهُمْ أَوْ خَالَفَهُمْ، حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ أَمْرُ اللهِ وَهُمْ ظَاهِرُونَ عَلَى النَّاسِ
“A group of my Ummah shall continue to uphold the Order of Allaah. Those who forsake or oppose them do not harm them, until the Affair of Allaah arrives, whilst they are (still) uppermost among the people.”

These people are known as the scholars of Islam, as al-Imaam al-Bukhaaree (may Allaah have Mercy on him) said in his chapter title: “They are the people of knowledge.”

The statement, “…Those who forsake or oppose them do not harm them…” indicates that there will indeed be people who speak ill of the scholars and try to divert the people from them. This is from the pre-determined Qadr of Allaah, as part of the struggle between truth and falsehood that He, the All Mighty and All Wise, has decreed to be one of the many tests His Servants shall face.

The scholars of Islam actively work to provide solutions to the Ummah’s problems in every place. Allaah blesses their time and efforts, the effects of which can be found everywhere upon Earth, by His Permission. They are the best of Allaah’s Servants, His true allies, those He has paired Continue reading →

Speak the Truth or Stay Home [Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious the Ever Merciful…

In an authentic hadeeth collected by Imaam Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (no.276), the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:

 مَنِ الْتَمَسَ رِضَى اللَّهِ بِسَخَطِ النَّاسِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، وَأَرْضَى النَّاسَ عَنْهُ، وَمَنِ الْتَمَسَ رِضَا النَّاسِ بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ سَخَطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَأَسْخَطَ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسَ.

“Whoever seeks the Pleasure of Allaah while angering the people will have Allaah pleased with him, who shall make the people pleased with him [anyway]. Whoever seeks to please the people while angering Allaah will have Allaah angry with him, who shall make the people angry with him [anyway].”

The great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee [d.1416] (may Allaah have Mercy on him), said in his explanation of Condition #7 of The Conditions of Laa-ilaaha-ill-Allaah:

The chosen Messengers of Allaah would be referred to by extravagant and arrogant people as insane. They would call them insane, as well as liars. With everything such people would say, the Messengers would remain patient and continue in their missionary work. Some of the Prophets from the tribes of Israel were even killed by their own people. Those who call to rectification follow [the same path as] the Messengers, and thus they face [similar] harm from the people of extravagance and disbelief, and they are Continue reading →

Do not Refer to Deviant Groups Using Their Chosen Names of Self-Praise

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Compassionate, the Ever Merciful…

The following is important advice that should be heeded when referring to deviant groups which refer to themselves using praiseworthy terms, like:

  • Al-Ikhwaan al-Muslimoon (The Muslim Brotherhood)
  • Hizbollah (The Party of Allaah)
  • The Islamic State [of Iraq and Sham] (IS, or ISIS)
  • The Nation of Islam

Muslims who follow the Quran, the Sunnah, and the way of the righteous Salaf, those who are truly Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, reject these names, as they are not accurate nor acceptable as names for the intended deviant cults who oppose Islam in their core beliefs and/or principles.

For example, Muslims who apply Islaam in their lives are the true ‘Muslim Brotherhood’. It is not appropriate to refer to an Egyptian political sect which opposes Islaam in its basic methodology with this name, ‘al-Ikhwan al-Muslimoon’ (the Muslim Brotherhood). They are not the Muslim Brotherhood at all, but rather they are in fact opponents Continue reading →

Shaykh Ibn Baaz: How to Give Da’wah to Those Affected By Specific Misguidance

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The great scholar of Islaam, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz [d.1420] -may Allaah have Mercy on him- was asked about the methodology of propagating Islaam to people who have been affected by certain cultures or societies that distort the true meaning of Islaam. He replied:

The falsehood of the beliefs or culture which has affected them is to be clarified to them. The (false) beliefs are clarified as involving such-and-such (i.e. naming the specific points of misguidance). The various forms of falsehood and innovation found within such beliefs – if any – are to be clarified. Furthermore, the primary reference for all affairs is to be clearly identified as the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and the Sunnah of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace).

(It is said to them) Regarding what you have come across of such-and-such (a specific form of misguidance), what you have learned, like such-and-such, and/or the manners you have taken from your environment, like intermingling, etc., these issues must all be weighed on the scale of the Sharee’ah (divinely revealed Islaamic Legislation), like how the scholars base issues of jurisprudence upon the legislative evidences (of the Book and the Sunnah). Whatever is in line with it (the Sharee’ah) remains, and whatever opposes it must be cast aside, even if Continue reading →

Tafseer Benefits: The Scholars are Authority Figures

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful…

In a response to a recent exposition of the Almaghrib Institute and their direction, one of our visitors who has (apparently) been influenced by their teachings requested us to reflect on the Verse of the Quran:

يا أيها الذين آمنوا أطيعوا الله وأطيعوا الرسول وأولي الأمر منكم وإن تنازعتم في شيء فردوه إلى الله والرسول إن كنتم تؤمنون بالله واليوم الآخر ذلك خير وأحسن تأويلا
“O you who believe! Obey Allah, obey His Messenger, and (obey) those of you who are in authority. If you differ in anything, refer it back to Allah and the Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and a more suitable outcome.” [4:59]

The confused advisor assumed that -based on his misunderstanding of the Verse- Muslims are required to return the affairs they disagree about back to the Book and the Sunnah, and not to the scholars of Islaam, and that is one more reason to avoid “blindly following” the scholars. (While blind-following was never endorsed or encouraged in any of our writings in the first place!)

This is one of the common effects of the Almaghrib scheme – that people understand any connection to the scholars as “blindly following” them. As a result, people actually believe that removing the scholars from their lives is better and even supported in the Quran!

Response to This Point of Confusion

Yes indeed, we refer back to Allaah and His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace). But without the scholars? How could we come to this conclusion?

We do not take one Verse and ignore other Verses! Allaah has Continue reading →

Ibn ‘Umar’s Devout Following of the Sunnah [Shaykh Muhammad ibn Aadam]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful…

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, the son of the second Caliph, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with them both), was known for his devout following of everything the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) did. Imaam Ibn Maajah reports that “Whenever he heard a hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), he would not do anything more than it, nor would he stop until fulfilling it (completely).” [1]

Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Alee ibn Aadam (may Allaah preserve him) [2] said:

From the benefits (of this report) is knowing how devout Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) was in his following of the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace). He (may Allaah be pleased with him) was well known for that.

‘Abdullaah ibn Wahb narrated from Maalik, from someone [3] who told him Continue reading →

Avoiding the Misguided Sects: The Prophetic Solution

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

After warning his Ummah about the splitting and differing that will take place, the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) clarified that the one single group of the 73 sects that will go to Paradise is known as “the Jamaa’ah”. [1]

This is further detailed in another narration (what means): “What I and my companions are upon.” [2]

These narrations are authentic by way of their numerous supporting chains. [3]

In another crucially important hadeeth, the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said (what means): “Those of you who live long after me shall witness great differing. So upon you is (to follow) my Sunnah, and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs, hold tightly to it and bite onto it with your molar teeth. And be warned of newly-invented matters (in the Religion), as every newly-invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.” [4]

Which group today remains firm upon this way? When you look to all the various groups and their foundations, you only find one group today that claims pure adherence to the way of the Prophet and his noble companions. They are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, the people who cling tightly to the way of the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) and his companions. Whether you call them Sunnis, Salafees, Atharees, Ahlul-Hadeeth, Ahlul-Athar, or any other description, they are the only ones whose true allegiance is to the Book and the Sunnah, according to the understanding of the Companions. They are the Jamaa’ah described in the hadeeth. [5]

Is the Jamaa’ah the Majority of the Muslims?

Some people are confused by a common notion that the word “Jamaa’ah” refers to the majority of the Muslims. Based on this Continue reading →

Shaykh Ibn Baaz: The Raafidhah Cult (of Iran) are the Most Dangerous of all the Innovators

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In the Glorious Name of Allaah, the Ever Compassionate, the All Merciful…

The modern state of Iran is officially an Ithnaa’ashariyyah (Twelver Shiite) state, where 90-95% of the people there are Twelvers, also known as Raafidhah, Imaamiyyah, or Ja’faree Shias.

Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy upon him) identified this specific sect as the most dangerous of all Shia sects. He said:

…The Shiites have many different sects, each one having a variety of deviations. The most dangerous of them is the Khomeinian Raafidhah Twelver Sect (the official religion of Iran), due to the large number of their missionaries and all the major acts of polytheism found in it, like seeking help from the (deceased) Prophetic family members, believing them to have knowledge of the Unseen, especially the twelve imams, as they claim. This is also due to their expelling the majority of the Companions from the Religion and their abusive speech toward them, the likes of Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them). We ask Allaah for safety from the falsehood they are upon…

Source: His Fatwaa Collection (4/439). (Arabic)

Shaykh Ibn Baaz was also asked about the concept of Ahlus-Sunnah coming together with the Raafidhah Shiites. He replied:

It is not possible for Ahlus-Sunnah to come together with the Raafidhah, because the ‘aqeedah (belief system) is different. The basic belief of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah is to worship Allaah alone – the Glorified and Most High – , singling Him out in all acts of worship. No one may be called upon other than Him, not an angel high in status, nor a prophet dispatched (by Allaah Himself). Furthermore, only Allah – the Glorified and Most High – knows the Unseen.

From the belief system of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah is Continue reading →

Regarding the Claimed Contradictions of Shaykh Rabee’ in Jarh and Ta’deel

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In the Name of Allaah, the All Compassionate, the Ever Merciful…

[Read the complete PDF version of this article]

We’ve seen for years people criticizing the likes of Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allaah preserve him), regarding the claim that he is not upon the way of the early critics of the Salaf – the likes of Imaams Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Yahyaa ibn Ma’een. And what they say: “His ‘foolishness’ of lavishly praising people and then abandoning them has excluded him from resembling the critics of old, and it shows that he is ‘unstable’ and his statements in criticism of people are ‘not reliable’.”

Let us begin with understanding something in this issue so that we don’t pass on and parrot things without understanding them.

True Academic Criticism in Islaam

In academic criticism in Islaam – as understood by the scholars of Jarh wa Ta’deel throughout history (النقد العلمي) [Academic criticism] – No one is beyond criticism, no one is immune from criticism, other than those who have gained immunity from Allah, i.e. they have been praised in the Qur’aan and they have been sanctified by the Book of Allah or by the revelation given to Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), i.e. his Sunnah. Aside from that, the narrators, the teachers, the callers, the scholars themselves – all of them are subject to criticism. As one of the greatest of the scholars, al-Imaam Maalik, is so commonly quoted as saying:

مَا مِنَّا إِلاَّ رَادٌّ وَمَرْدُودٌ عَلَيْهِ

Meaning: Every single one of us (every scholar) is either criticizing / refuting, or being criticized / refuted.

That is the case of the scholars, and, of course, every writer and every caller is subject to criticism. The criticism of the scholars of Islaam is ongoing, it is mutajaddid [continuously updated], it is renewed, and it is revisited, at every possible occasion. No one from the critics of Islaam had ever Continue reading →

Recognizing the High Status of Islamic Scholars

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[ Part Four of a series of inspiring articles from a recorded lecture entitled, “Min Ma’een al-Imaam Ahmad” (“Benefits from the Life and Works of Imam Ahmad”) by Shaykh Saalih Aal ash-Shaykh (may Allaah preserve him) ]

Recognizing the High Status of the Scholars

From his other noteworthy sayings, may Allaah have Mercy on him, elevate his and our positions, and reward him with the best reward, the most plentiful and loftiest one, “Whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested, then it is evil.” He (Imam Ahmad) said (repeating), “Whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested, then it is evil.” He meant that the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah are to be referred to in affairs of what is to be considered evil and what is not.

So whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested in the issues of ‘aqeedah, then it is evil. Whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested with regards to manners, then it is evil. Whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested in affairs of ordering righteousness and forbidding evil, then it is evil. This means that a man must return to the scholars of the Sunnah if he wants to know about the affairs of the Sunnah, about the proper understanding of righteousness and evil. Continue reading →

Following Math-habs and Ascribing to Salafiyyah

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Shaykh Muhammad ‘Umar Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) was asked the following question:

Please I would like to know if there is anything wrong with not subscribing to a math-hab. I learn from both the Salafees and Sunnees (ie. I try to adhere to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah) but I don’t like to claim either of the two because I fear that pride that might grow in me and cause me to avoid the truth if it comes from another source. In other words, I don’t want to be like some people who follow a math-hab and don’t want to change when the proof is against them. Please advise me. Continue reading →