Masjid Rahmah, USA and Brixton, UK: The Observations and Advice of Shaikh Muhammad bin Haadee

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حفظه الله تعالى ورعاه، وثبته على الإسلام والسنة، وجزاه عنا خير الجزاء

جملة من الوصايا القيمة تتعلق بشؤون الدعوة وإدارة المسجد أوصى بها فضيلته الإخوة السلفيين في مسجد «الرحمة» بولاية نيوجرسي بالولايات المتحدة

وذلك حين لقائه بمجموعة منهم ليلة الأحد الموافق 2 جمادى الأولى من عام 1433هـ في منزله العامر

This audio recording from 24th March 2012 (2nd Jumaada al-Oola 1433) wherein the noble Scholar Shaikh Muhammad bin Haadee al-Madkhalee gives advice revolving around the administrative issues to the Salafis of Masjid Rahmah, NJ, USA. This was posted yesterday on Sahab.Net

>>DOWNLOAD THE ARABIC AUDIO HERE<<

>>LISTEN TO THE ARABIC AUDIO HERE FROM SAHAB.NET<<

Highlights and Summary of Main Points:

1. The Shaikh is happy to meet with anyone from the Salafis who call to Allaah, and when such meetings take place, the da'wah to Allaah is discussed and spoken of, and the problems related it are raise and as a result, the relevant advice and treatment can be given.

2. The Shaikh has historically been in contact with the admin of Masjid Rahmah (through phone) and been advising them, and has noticed from the last year or so a change in their behaviour that has caused disturbance and brought sadness as a result. News cannot be hidden, it always reaches. And the administration of the masjid know what this news is, as it relates to an event they organized. The intelligent person granted success, when he sees something that has evil effects he looks at the underlying causes and then tries to treat it accordingly. Just like a sick person, he goes to the physicians who investigate and then give him the relevant treatment. And here the physicians are the Scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah, and the disease is jahl (ignorance) and hawaa (desire).

3. Medicinal treatment is of two types, that which relates to bodies and that which relates to the spirit (heart). As for the treatment of the hearts that is with Allaah, who turns hearts wherever He wills and this medicinal treatment returns back to what the Messengers brought. As for the medicinal treatment of the body, it returns back to two things, the first is what returns to mere experience and practice, and this is for everyone (to participate in) and the second, medicinal treatment that relates to the bodies but which returns to revelation, this goes back to the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), this is what is referred to as al-Tibb al-Nabawi.So the "doctors" with regard to this affair (of Religion) are the Ulamah of Ahlus-Sunnah, and the disease is ignorance and following of desires - so the medicine is the texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah and the practitioner of that medicine is the upright Scholar. It is binding upon the one who is afflicted with ailment in with respect to his Deen that he accepts the "medicine" so that he may be cured and benefited.

4. Affairs have reached the Shaikh over the last year and more - affairs and news which is not hidden nor secret. These are troubling matters and it is hoped that the brothers return to what the Masjid was originally upon, and with truthful souls that submit to the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) and respect the Scholars, giving them precedence and not giving others precedence (over the scholars). So they should accept the advice. So we love for them (at Masjid Rahmah) that they return to that which they used to be upon and to accept sincere advice when it is given, for indeed we do not wish for them except goodness - so it waajib upon them to accept this advice of the people of knowledge.

5. From the affairs we wish to advise with is: Firstly, these Mosques are the Houses of Allaah - for the remembrance of Allaah, for the teaching of knowledge, and the spreading of da'wah - they are not governments or parliaments. In the lands of the West now, we see Mosques have become governmental bodies: A president, a vice-president, a committee - whereas a Mosque is established for the worship of Allaah, His dhikr, the recital of the Qur'aan, and teaching the people good. So the affairs are arranged around this, not that it becomes like a Governmental Ministry - these affairs lead to Tahazzub (the bid'ah of partisanship).

6. So the affairs need to arranged and organised with the Imaam, such as the prayer, or the prayer in his absence and the lessons etc, no doubt - but as for turning it into a Ministry [of government], then this leads to hatred and discord and splitting. My advise to the brothers [at Masjid Rahmah] that your Masjid is not a government or a ministry - rather it is a Masjid built for the obedience of Allaah: prayers, prayers in Ramadhaan etc.

7. Do not appoint in your Masjid those who have errors and mistakes and problems with people - so that the people are not happy with him [due to these issues]. So you do not appoint anyone as an Imaam or in charge of affairs except that he well-known for trustworthiness.

8. Trustworthiness is to be upright and steadfast upon the Deen and to be upright in behaviour and morals and character - meaning that he is not a liar, a trickster, a smoker, or one who takes off his beard, or listens to music, partakes in interest, etc. So he upright in worship and not disparaged in his Deen nor in his behaviour and moral conduct. So if one used to a problematic person, then how will the people accept him?

9. Do not take knowledge except from those who are upon clarity (al-waadiheen) from the People of Knowledge and the Students of Knowledge. So if one comes to you and you do not know him, then welcome him as you would the generality of Muslims - because we take people upon what is apparent, so he prays with us - so we do not pass judgment except upon what is apparent from a person - and what is hidden is for Allaah [to judge]. But we do not give him authority whilst we do not know him. So what therefore is the case regarding a person we realise after a time that he has deviations!? Or that he has errors? In this case the harm will return back upon us.

10. The Shaikh said that which has been attributed to them (i.e. admin of Masjid Rahmah), and established upon them from that which has occurred from them, then, firstly, they must excuse themselves (i.e. free themselves) from it and make that widespread, so-much-so it becomes well-known amongst the people [that they are free from that error] and, secondly, that they take to that which is correct and that they never return back to that error - this will make their condition upright upon correctness.

11. And we hope those errors that have occurred from them will not be repeated by our brothers. This is my advice, and if the errors are repeated, then then it will be hurtful and they will be considered to be blameworthy. And then the end result for these brothers at Masjid Rahmah will like the end result of that which occurred with those of Brixton Masjid in London! That they ended up with Abul-Hasan, Ali Hasan and those types of people, that which occurred with Abdul-Haqq Baker and whoever was with him such as Abu Haajir and others. They came to me here many times, and I would advise them. And what became apparent is that they are not truthful (laysoo saadiqeen)! These people from Brixton Masjid would sit with me and listen and say "yes" and then go and do the opposite! But this in reality did not harm except themselves!

12. So I advise you with the same that you are truthful, outwardly and inwardly. And in this world you will be treated based upon your outward deeds. So I advise you not to be these people at the Brixton Markaz for they are NOT truthful people (ghayr saadiqeen), for indeed they would come to me many times and often. I would try to rectify the affairs between them and the brothers in Birmingham (UK) at Salafi Publications.So whatever they (Brixton Masjid) would agree to in these sittings to adhere to, they would exit and abandon all that they agreed to. So I advise you to be truthful upon the correctness and be earnest.

13. As for Taahir Wyatt, then he is our brother, and from our children and was from those whom we were pleased with and he would visit us often over years - so we ask Allaah to give us and him success. However, in truth as I said to him: You are here with us in Madinah yet you have disappeared and remained hidden from us for years! And this disappearance of yours, in truth, is a cause for us to fear for you. What is there that has come between us and you? We hope that he will excuse himself from this [behaviour] and we hope that he is truthful in his excuse. And we hope that he is a cause of goodness for the brothers and a not cause of them splitting. This is what I advise. And the actions show the truthfulness of one's speech or the actions show the lie of one's speech. So whoever made a claim, then the actions testify to either it's truthfulness or falsehood.

14. So long as you [at Masjid Rahmah] know your prior error, you must now rectify and cure it. You at Masjid Rahmah must also change your administration - this is imperative for you to do - you must change the administration or management of this Masjid to people whom your brothers from Ahlus-Sunnah are pleased with - OR replace those who have been criticised or have been highlighted with fault. Once you have made these changes, then do not try and influence them and affect them, rather leave them to do what they are able to do within their capability. Let them seek advice from or consult with whom they see fit. And let them choose an an Imaam who most suitable in the Religion and manners. This will be a cause of the Muslims being pleased and united.

15. That henceforth there must be cooperation between you and the rest of the Salafi Mosques and Maraakiz that are upon purity and clarity. That you [Masjid Rahmah] make your da'wah pure and pristine [upon Salafiyyah] and convey it in a like manner to the people, and your concern should not be to gather everyone.

16. That you must connect with the Scholars, not with students of knowledge who just turn up from here and there! Rather upon them [Masjid Rahmah] is to cling to the Scholars.So the affairs that newly come about [or befall the da'wah] must be returned to the senior Scholars, and not to anyone that just turns up or comes to you. That these Ulamah are from the elders and not from the young ones, for taking from the younger ones is destruction for them.