The falsehood of the statement 'Dropping popular personalities is difficult,' and this false statement's opposition to the Manhaj of the Salaf

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah
Amma-ba'd

The falsehood of the statement 'Dropping popular personalities is difficult,' and this false statement's opposition to the Manhaj of the Salaf


Shaikh Aḥmad Baazmool (hafidhahullaah) said:

Some people believe that some of the callers to Islaam and some of those who are busy in the field of calling to Allaah have become "monumental figures" and "the place where the eyes of the people focus."

Therefore [they say]: criticizing them and clarifying their dangers to Islaam and to the Muslims is something that is not possible [nor wise] due to the fact that this criticism will cause division amongst the Islamic nation and confuse their thoughts.

This ambiguous matter or doubt is false from a number of angles:

[1]: Men are known by the truth. The truth is not known by men. Learn the truth, and you will know its people. So, this person opposed the truth and agreed with innovations and desires, and he speaks with the statements of innovators.

So, the truth is not with him. Therefore, it is befitting that he is warned against because of that which is with him of falsehood. The Sunni clings to the truth, and he does not become fanatical [to people] due to desires.

It was said to Abee Bakr bin Iyaash: 'Who is the Sunni? He said: 'The Sunni is the one who when desires are mentioned, he doesn't cling to them at all.' [al-Sharee'ah, by al-Aajooree - 5/2550]

[2]: Indeed, the communal obligation of advice and of commanding the good and forbidding the evil makes it obligatory to bring his innovation to light. This is done with the purpose of cautioning the Muslims, and advising them so that they do not fall into what he has fallen into of falsehood.

[3]: Finding difficulty in dropping a popular individual is in opposition to the methodology of the Salaf al-Saalih, those who spoke about individuals who [if you] compared them to these people in our times, they would be considered great scholars (1).

And even with their great status, when something arose from them that opposed what the Salaf al-Saalih were upon, they rebuked them and...the innovation that they fell into. This was done as a means of caution and advice.

[4]: Utilizing this phrase: ‘Dropping popular personalities is difficult’ is in opposition to the clarity and frankness of the established methodology of the Salaf in accepting knowledge: Verily, the religion is based on knowledge. So, examine thoroughly whom you take your knowledge from.

So, what are your thoughts about someone who people are learning hadeeth, tafseer, 'aqeedah and fiqh from? Is he and what is with him of innovations to be remained silent about? All because of the [false] claim: 'Dropping popular personalities is difficult?'

Or, are him and his innovations spoken about and his affair made known as caution and advice [to the Muslims], so that people are not beguiled by him and his innovations?

No doubt, that which is obligatory is clarification [of his affair].

Otherwise, your silence about his situation is deception and beguilement of the Muslims. And perhaps you will be a cause, because of your position [of silence], for that which spreads between the people of innovations and misguidance...

[5]: ...Indeed, a man being left off or being raised in status is in the hand of Allaah. He disposes of these affairs as He sees fit, and you have no control over this affair. You have performed what was obligatory upon you by clarifying the truth, rebuking evil-doings and warning the people from his innovations.

So, if he accepts and humbles himself before the truth, returns to it, repents and performs righteous deeds, then Allaah, the Exalted, will raise him in status, insha` Allaah. Indeed, he who humbles himself before Allaah, Allaah will raise him. And if he continues doing wrong and transgressing, then he is from the people of innovation.

[After his stubbornness], how does one sorrow over him and the fact that he has been dropped, Subhan Allaah! (2)

Translated by: Aboo Aadam Jameel Finch
Philadelphia, PA – West Oak Lane
26th of Sha'baan, 1432AH/July 27, 2011

(1) [TN]: In other words, those who are criticized these days are no where near the status of those who were criticized in the past.

(2) Aḥmad Baazmool, A Summary of the Explanation of Ibn Sireen's Statement, pp. 138-140