In the Name of Allaah…
There are some people who mention the scholars, and generally do not mention beyond the three biggest names of scholars in recent times – Al-Albaanee, Ibn Baaz, and Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy on all of them).
Since some people claim an attachment to them yet contradict their basic teachings, a good and wise tactic to use in calling them to the Truth would be to mention to them what those scholars have said about that issue that they are mistaken in, so that they could accept the correction more easily, coming from these mountains of knowledge – Al-Albaanee, Ibn Baaz, and Ibn ‘Uthaymeen.
While some people may honestly mention them and them only, perhaps for the aforementioned reason, or perhaps since they were the greatest and most notable people of knowledge in these times, there are others who hide behind mention of their names due to their immense popularity, but are not actually pleased with following their way.
We are always happy to hear people mention these outstanding scholars with goodness and attach themselves to them, yet for some people it is a mere cover for what they are really upon, and speaking against any of those three would only expose their reality clearly.
The three scholars, Al-Albaanee, Ibn Baaz, and Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy on them) recommended other well-known scholars and warned against certain callers. And through their recommendations, we should allow ourselves to get to know and learn from the next generation of scholars that remained after their passing, as the Muslims are in dire need of returning to their scholars who are alive for modern day issues, and we can not suffice with following only those who have passed.
So the three of them – Al-Albaanee, Ibn Baaz, and Ibn ‘Uthaymeen – all spoke quite highly of one of today’s scholars and outspoken critics, Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee. Those who earnestly love and truly follow the three mentioned scholars should be aware of their clear statements in praise of one of the finest of today’s scholars – Shaykh Rabee’ al-Madkhalee.
Example: Hiding Behind the Three Names
I’d like to mention a specific example of this, that is sadly too common to hear. People say, “I prefer the manhaj of Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen over the manhaj of Shaykh Rabee’ al-Madkhalee…” Or they may say Shaykh Ibn Baaz or Shaykh Al-Albaanee in place of Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, or all three of them!
Let’s be perfectly clear on this issue – This is not the speech of the people of knowledge. All three of those great scholars were upon the same manhaj of Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allaah preserve him) – the manhaj of the Salaf. This is not merely a devoted student’s opinion, rather, all three of those scholars have clear and specific praises of Shaykh Rabee’, his teachings, his books, his recordings, and even his refutations.
As for the statements of taxi drivers and their students, anonymous internet writers, or so-called “Islamic” TV stars, that the manhaj of Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was other than the manhaj of Shaykh Rabee’, etc… then it is simply jahl murak-kab (compound ignorance), when a person hears a specific point of disagreement between two scholars, and assumes that it means that a major disagreement has taken place, and that they have parted ways and gone forth on two different paths! Or he hears about a difference in personal preferences of how gatherings should be conducted and concludes that this necessitates a difference in manhaj, and thus one is on the Sunnah and the other is not!
Some ignoramuses have done this, and actually have come to this conclusion, when they learned that Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen generally did not prefer to have names mentioned when people’s mistakes needed referred to him for clarification. Shaykh Rabee’ does not share the same general approach. As a result of this difference of personal preference, some ignorant people say that they were upon two different ways entirely, the way of Ibn ‘Uthaymeen being the way of Ahlus-Sunnah, the way of Rabee’ being deviance! This is how far they have gone with their own deductions, while the clear and explicit speech of Ibn ‘Uthaymeen remains an unanswerable proof of how far off their conclusions really are!
As an abundantly clear example, here are the words of Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen himself, about the visit of Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkalee to his city (Unayzah) around the year 1421 shortly before the death of Shaykh Ibn Úthaymeen:
…Our brother (Shaykh Rabee’), may Allaah grant us and him success, is upon Salafiyyah, the way of the Salaf. And I do not mean here that Salafiyyah is a hizb (party) which is set up to oppose the Muslims outside of it, but I mean by Salafiyyah, that he is upon the path of the Salaf in his Manhaj. Especially in the field of actualizing towheed and rejecting what opposes this [manhaj].
The visit of our brother, Shaikh Rabee bin Haadee to this region, our city, Unayzah, no doubt will have a good effect, and it will also become clear to many of the people what used to be hidden from them due to the scare-mongering and rumour-mongering, and also letting loose the tongue [of discord].
You may access the original Arabic audio, transcription, and translation, including other helpful articles on the topic here.
So let those who insist that Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was upon a different manhaj than Shaykh Rabee’ repent from their audacious lie against Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, and their oppression of Shaykh Rabee’ as well. And let those who are ignorant of the scholars’ ranks and their support of each other refrain from diverting the everyday Muslims from their scholars.
Another Recent Example of Hiding Behind the Names
A shameful example of this trickery, hiding behind the names of the major scholars, yet calling to the exact opposite of their message, would be what a Huda TV star (may Allaah guide him and us) recently said when asked about Shaykh Rabee’ al-Madkhalee (02/15/2012):
I don’t know him personally and I have not heard anything for him but I know that he keeps on criticizing scholars and Da’ees and labeling them and most of them are not in accordance to his methodology so he easily takes them out of the fold of Ahlu Sunnah.
One should neglect him and listen to real scholars such as Ibn Bazz and Ibn Othaimeen.
Source: Screenshot from his own personal website, taken 9/28/1433
What an amazing contradiction and an obvious case of this deceptive attachment to the names of Shaykh Ibn Baaz and Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen!
As shown previously, both of these scholars (and many other major scholars of Islaam) praised Shaykh Rabee’ and recommended the Muslims to learn from him. Furthermore, those two scholars actively invited the Muslims to behave honestly and fairly, and they warned the Muslims from dishonesty, treachery, and turning to ignorant people for Islamic rulings.
He Can Only Be One of Two Types
This Huda TV star either said these words knowing what the two scholars have said, or unknowingly.
If he honeslty did not know this, then – quite frankly – one would think that it is time for this man to stop answering questions, and turn himself towards the scholars and begin (or continue) learning for his own sake, as knowledge comes before speech and action!
If he did know what the two scholars he has quoted said, then this is treachery and a clear violation of the trust of conveying knowledge – to knowingly guide the people away from the teachings of the scholars, while pretending to speak on their behalf!
While this Huda TV star disagrees with the major scholars (like Al-Albaanee, Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Ibn Baaz, Al-Fowzaan, al-Luhaydaan, etc.) and believes that people should “neglect” Shaykh Rabee’ al-Madkhalee, let it be known that the scholars have spoken highly of Shaykh Rabee’ and recommended him. If the issue is presented to people honestly and without deception, the people can be free to decide for themselves if they want to follow the guidance of the major scholars of their time or misguided ramblings of this TV personality.
The TV Star’s Source of Information
With a conclusion as corrupt as this, its source must also be just as corrupt! It should be known that the source of information used by this man is an article on the official website of ‘Alee ibn Hasan al-Halabee (may Allaah guide him), who was identified by the Permanent Committee of Scholars for Research and Fatwaa some 15 years ago as someone who:
- Deceptively quotes things from the scholars’ books out of context
- Truncates passages in a way that distorts their intended meanings
- Lies on the scholars, as they concluded he flat-out lied on Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah
- Distorts the intended meanings of the words of the scholars, as they concluded he attributed positions to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem that he never held
- Based his writings on the heretic beliefs of the Murji’ah sect, not the math-hab of Ahlus-Sunnah
And the conclusion of the Committee, after studying some of the books of ‘Alee al-Halabee, and highlighting the above points, was as follows:
Accordingly, the Permanent Committee believes that it is not permissible to print, publish, or distribute the two books because of the falsehood and fabrications they contain. We advise the author to fear Allah for himself and for Muslims, especially the youth, and endeavor to acquire knowledge of the Shari`ah (Islamic law) at the hands of scholars trusted for their knowledge and beliefs. Knowledge is a trust which should not be spread unless it is in accordance with the Qur’an and the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). The author must renounce these opinions and highly shameful approaches in distorting the statements of the people of knowledge. It is known that returning to the truth is a virtue and a cause of dignity for Muslims.
[Click here for the Permanent Committee’s official warning against al-Halabee and his writings.]
Shaykh Rabee’ tried for many years to advise and correct al-Halabee, and began openly warning against him a few years ago. This is when he began openly attacking Shaykh Rabee’, a reward for the shaykh’s many years of patience and private advice. Let it be known that this man – ‘Alee al-Halabee (may Allaah guide him) – is the source of the TV star’s confusion.
So are people really expected to stumble around like him, avoiding the clear, explicit praises and recommendations from the highest-ranking senior scholars of our era, to follow the claims of those with personal vendettas against thier critic?! People who have been criticized by the senior scholars (even before Shaykh Rabee’) for serious flaws in the trust of conveying knowledge and other issues of deviation in ‘aqeedah?!
Al-hamdulillaah, praise be to Allaah, the One who blessed us with intellects!
Personal Experience and Testimony
It really hurts to hear people slander a great man like Shaykh Rabee’, a man of the Sunnah, a concerned advisor, patient, full of love for the Muslims and hope for the success of their da’wah, busy with knowledge day and night, reading, writing, researching, compiling, falling asleep on a thin mattress on the floor with a book on his chest and books all around him, critical of his own self and his own students, a brave and guided critic whose writings are blessed with academic strength and clarity, a gracious host, a father-figure to people all over the world, a man who cries when he hears about things that harm the image of our da’wah, a man who reads a book about the history of the righteous Salaf and the trials they faced and becomes engaged in the story and attached to it more devoutly than how common people watch an action movie!!
The flesh of the scholars is poisonous! The way that Allaah exposes those who belittle them is well known! Those who unleash their tongues (with falsehood) against the scholars, Allaah shall cause them to suffer from the death of their hearts before their lives end! ( So let those who contradict his order be warned that a trial may befall them, or a painful punishment! )
(Words attributed to Ibn ‘Asaakir, as quoted in An-Nawawee’s Tibyaan)
I say this, being fully capable of saying much more in favor of this scholar, while I praise no one above Allaah, al-‘Alee al-Qadeer, and it is HE alone who is his Reckoner.
And I do not endorse or encourage the blind following of Shaykh Rabee’, or any other specific scholar.
And Allaah knows best.
Written by: Moosaa Richardson
ST Archives: 01-14-2011 (modified and updated 9/29/1433)
While I appreciate this article a lot – jazakAllahu khair – I’m not sure why there is a need to refer to ##### ##-###### as a Huda “TV star”? I am used to more academic expressions on this website. You don’t have to publish this comment, but I hope you would think about your word choices more carefully.
We are open to criticism and I understand why you would be concerned, may Allaah bless you. However, I don’t know much about this man other than his listing on Huda TV as one of their “stars”. He also uses a Huda TV email and actively promotes the channel, so I don’t believe they would be calling him a TV star against his will, and Allaah knows best.
Bottom line – This is what these people refer to themselves as in their circles – “Huda TV stars”. They also have official “fan clubs” with paid memberships, too. It’s a mess, but this is how they present themselves to the world. I’m sorry that it sounds out of place at our website here, and I am not happy that we had to repsond to this foolishness in the first place! Wallaahul-Musta’aan.
Jazaakallahu Khaiyran. May Allah protect you and May He – The Most High – Protect and preserve our beloved Shaiykh Rabee’ Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali. May the Vast Mercy of Allah be upon Shaiykh Ibn Baz, Ibn Al-‘Uthaiymeen and Shaiykh al-Albani.
Jazakallah khair very timely as I have heard exactly what you’ve described here, May Allah preserve our shaykh and father and barakallah feek ahki Moosa for benefiting your brothers from ahlul sunnah and may Allah accept this from you make it a thorn in the necks of those who claim to be from this blessed manhaj while creating doubt amongst the salafiyeen
We’ve just updated the article with some revealing information about the source of the Huda TV star’s claim. Review it above under the heading: The TV Star’s Source of Information.
Assalaamu alaykum brother moosaa, may Allah preserve you,
I wanted to make a comment, from your article I got the impression (and id imagine others would too) that the fatwa of the permanent committee of scholars and advice was followed by shaykh rabee (hafithahum’Allahu jami’aa) advising and finally warning from alee hasan, however didnt shaykh rabee defend alee hassan after being criticized by the lajna and wasnt the reason for him warning from him not concerning the books he published but other independent issues?
Secondly what do you mean that alee alhalabi is the source for the comments for the da’ee on shaykh rabee?
May Allah bless you and reward you for you dawa efforts.
Your brother Aboo Ibraheem
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi, many of the issues mentioned by the Lajnah (not all) have been points raised in the last few years as well, especially issues related to academic trust, honesty, quoting in context, etc. These are the issues as well that would be relevant in our discussion here, since they relate to how a TV star formulated his opinion about one of today’s scholars – through the writings of a man identified by the scholars as untrustworthy, Alee al-Halabee, while the names he drops publicly are Ibn ‘Uthaymeen and Ibn Baaz, who have both clearly praised Shaykh Rabee’ for his knowledge, criticism, and manhaj. As for your second question, then the TV star sent a link by email to those questioning him about his failed opinions, he linked them to the website and writings of ‘Alee al-Halabee directly.
Assalamu Alaikum,
With regards to the Permanent Committee’s fatwa against Ali al-Halabi so many years ago, why wasn’t it accepted at that time? Rather, ##### called it “The strange and inaccurate fatwa of the Permanent Committee” and ##### said, “We will wait for the lajnah to return to the truth”. My question is, if the lajnah warned against al-Halabi so many years ago, why was the fatwa rejected, but after Shaykh Rabee’ started warning against him, now the same people who rejected the lajnah’s fatwa are using the same fatwa to support their position? This looks very strange to the layman. I hope you can shed some light on the issue.
wa alaykumus-salaam. You are free to contact me privately about the allegations you have made, and if they are established, I will encourage the organizations in question to deal with them directly, in shaa’ Allaah. As for me personally, I have never rejected the fatwaa. I may have been influenced by Al-Halabee’s initial written responses to some degree, but even when I was a new student studying in the Arabic program, I would advise my classmates to be quiet about issues they did not understand and to fear Allaah and refrain from saying things like, “The Lajnah has slandered al-Halabee,” etc. Al-Halabee was confusing the students at that time by making claims that Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan never even read the fatwaa, but signed and endorsed it anyway.
Another example of a fraud hiding behind the name “Bin ‘Uthaymeen” without having a clue who he was: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeN_hCqddhs
He claims Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, like Muhammad al-Jibaaly (?), were students of Shaykh Al-Albaanee!! Ridiculous.
Salaam alaikum. I once read the words of a student who addressed [a shaykh] by the phrase “our father…”. Someone asked me if that is from the sunnah? I dont know the answer, so I’m hoping brother Moosa can help me here. jazaakallaahu khairan.
wa alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullah. I asked Shaykh Muhammad Baazmool about this practice, in light of the Christians’ usage of this phrase for their religious leaders, and here was his answer: http://www.bakkah.net/interactive/q&a/aamb044.htm
I have read that the Usool Al-Fiqh differed to some scholars. Like the following:
> Imaam ash-Shaafi‘ee questioned “Ijmaa’,” whether it was valid, while Imaam Ahmad rejected Ijmaa’.
> Imaam Maalik’s relied on Madeenites for legislation was rejected other jurists.
> Istihsaan, used by Imaam Abu Haneefah and Imaam Maalik’s use of Istislaah were rejected by Imaam Ash-Shaafi‘ee.
So those who follow the Ikhwaani Manhaj would say “Therefore, there is no single agreed-on Manhaj on the scholars and every opinion is right. And what a scholar says is merely opinion.”
How do I respond to these claims?
Claiming that Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee and Imaam Ahmad rejected ijmaa’ is FALSEHOOD. These are muta’aalimoon who do not understand the speech of the scholars, and make sloppy conclusions based on their limited understanding.
There were secondary matters that they did not agree upon, and those matters are the reasons why the scholars differed in many instances. Yet, to say there is no single agreed-upon manhaj leads to the heretic beliefs of the ‘Endiyyah Cult, every person holds the truth within his own mind and it is relative to him and his thought process. Based on this, a single matter can be both haraam and halaal to them, meaning: halaal to this person based on his opinion, and haraam to the other person. This is absolute chaos that spirals the Ummah into NEVER-ENDING CONFLICT and DISCORD, as they blame anyone who would attempt to unite the people back upon the teachings of the Book and the Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.
It should be noted that many of the books of Usool al-Fiqh are influenced by rhetoric and philosophy, so be sure that this science (like all the Deen) is studied from a knowledgeable and capable scholar, not self-study!