The Virtues of Shaikh Rabee' ibn Hadee al-Madkhalee, and Salafee Scholars; A Warning against Attacking, Belittling the Scholars

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Is Shaikh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee A Great Scholar Of This Era?

By Abu Khadeejah Abdul-Wahid •12-19-2013 Manhaj, Scholars

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In the name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.

Is Shaikh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee A Great Scholar Of This Era?

The Shaikh, the ‘Allaamah Rabee’ b. Haadee al-Madkhalee (hafidhahullaah) is from the leading scholars of Salafiyyah and Sunnah of this era. He is, however, humble and does not like to be praised. This was the way of his teachers and the Salaf who preceded him. They would not see themselves except as students of knowledge, striving in the Path of Allaah, in pursuit of knowledge.
However, the scholars of this Ummah did praise him, commending his efforts and his work in clarifying the truth. Here are just a few of the comments in praise of Shaikh Rabee’ b. Haadee ‘Umayr al-Madkhalee:

1. The Praise of the Noble Faqīh, al-‘Allāmah, Shaikhul-Islām, ‘Abdul-‘Azīz Ibn Bāz (rahimahullaah)

Shaikh Ibn Bāz (rahimahullaah) said to Shaikh Rabī’ al-Madkhalī:

“O Shaikh Rabī’, refute anyone who errs! Even if Ibn Bāz errs, refute him. If Ibn Ibrāhīm (rahimahullaah) errs refute him..”

Shaikh Abdullāh al-Ahmarī said: I asked our Shaikh Ibn Bāz (rahimahullaah) over fourteen years ago, “O our Shaikh! Shaikh Rabī’ criticises so-and-so and so-and-so and he criticises the callers.” So Shaikh Ibn Bāz responded:

“Fear Allāh! The man is an Imām in the Sunnah!” [1]

On an occasion Shaikh Rabī’ delivered a lecture to the students of Shaikhul-Islām Ibn Bāz (rahimahullaah), entitled Holding Fast to the Salafi Manhaj. After the lecture, Shaikh Ibn Bāz himself delivered a short lecture beginning by saying [2]:

“We have just heard this blessed and excellent lecture from the Noble Shaikh Rabī’ bin Hādī al-Madkhalī in the subject of holding fast to the Book and the Sunnah and warning from opposing them – and a warning from the causes of division, differing and fanaticism towards following of desires. So the Shaikh has done well, and has excelled in virtue and has benefitted [the people], so may Allāh reward him with good and multiply his reward.”

2. The Praise of the Noble Shaikh, al-‘Allāmah, al-Muhaddith, Muhammad Nāsir ad-Deen al-Albānī (rahimahullaah)

Shaikh al-Albānī (rahimahullaah) said:

“In summary I say: The flag-bearer today in this era in the arena al-Jarh wat-Ta’dīl [3] in truth is our brother, Doctor Rabī’. And those who refute him, do not do so upon based upon knowledge, ever!..”

3. The Praise of the Noble Shaikh, al-‘Allāmah, al-Faqīh, Muhammad bin Sālih al-‘Uthaimīn (rahimahullaah)

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimīn (rahimahullaah) stated:

“Indeed we praise Allāh, free is He from all imperfections, the Most High, that He makes it easy for our brother, the Doctor, Rabī’ bin Hādī al-Madkhalī to visit this region, [so that] the one to whom certain matters are not apparent may come to know that our brother, may Allāh grant us and him success, is upon Salafiyyah, the way of the Salaf. And I do not mean here that Salafiyyah is a hizb (partisan group) which is set up to oppose the Muslims outside of it, but I mean by Salafiyyah, that he (i.e. Shaikh Rabī’) is upon the path of the Salaf in his methodology. Especially in the field of actualising Tawheed (Monotheism) and throwing aside what opposes it. And all of us know that Tawheed is the basis for which Allāh sent the Messengers, upon them be peace and prayers. The visit of our brother, Shaikh Rabī’ bin Hādī to this region, our city, Unaizah, 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 tongues [of discord]. And how numerous are those who are remorseful about what they said concerning the scholars, when it becomes clear to them that they (the scholars) are upon the truth.”

Then Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimīn was asked: “There is a question concerning the books of Shaikh Rabī’? (i.e what is your opinion concerning them?)” So the Shaikh (rahimahullaah) responded:

“It is apparently clear that this question is not in need of my answer. And just as Imām Ahmad (rahimahullaah) was asked about Ishāq bin Rāhawaih (died 238AH, rahimahullaah) and he replied, ‘Someone like me is asked about Ishāq?! Rather, Ishāq is to be asked about me.’ And I spoke at the beginning of my speech about that which I know about Shaikh Rabī’, may Allāh grant him success, and what I mentioned has never ceased to be what I hold about him in my soul, up until this time. And his arrival here and his words that have reached me, then no doubt, they are such that they will increase a person in his love for him and in his supplication for him.” [4]

4. The Praise of the Noble Shaikh, al-‘Allāmah, al-Muhaddith, Muqbil bin Hādī al-Wādi’ī (rahimahullaah)

Shaikh Muqbil (rahimahullaah) stated:

“I advise you to ask Shaikh Rabī’ bin Hādī, may Allāh preserve him. A great deal of his life has passed with [dealing with] al-Ikhwān al-Muslimīn. He is the most knowledge person concerning them and their realities, and the true nature of the Jama’āt (misguided groups). I do not ask from you that you blindly follow Shaikh Rabī’, but that you should benefit from his knowledge. I do not say to you: Seek fatāwā from Mahmūd al-Haddād, nor from Farīd Mālik – rather seek fatāwā from a righteous man (i.e. Shaikh Rabī’), a scholar from the noble scholars – one who has made considerable inroads [in exposing] al-Ikhwān al-Muslimīn.” [5]

He (rahimahullaah) also said:

“From the most insightful of people concerning the [misguided] groups and their taints in this era is the brother, Shaikh Rabī’ bin Hādī, may Allāh preserve him. Whomever he declares to be a hizbī, then it will be unveiled [and made clear] for you after some days that he is indeed a hizbī. So remember this..” [6]

When Shaikh Muqbil al-Wādi’ī (rahimahullaah) was asked regarding the speech of Shaikh Rabī’ al-Madkhalī against ahlul-Bid‘ah, he responded:

“[Even] if I am disparaged by Rabī’, then take his speech!” [7]

5. The Praise of the Noble Shaikh, al-‘Allāmah, al-Muhaddith, al-Faqeeh, Ahmad bin Yahyah an-Najmī (rahimahullaah)

Shaikh Ahmad an-Najmī (rahimahullaah) stated regarding Shaikh Rabī’:

“He is a Shaikh from ahlus-Sunnah, from those who propagate the Sunnah and wage war against innovations. He is man who is a carrier of the Sunnah, from those who defend the Sunnah and Tawhīd. Whoever hates him, indeed hates the Sunnah and whoever flees from him, flees from the Sunnah.” [8]

6. The Praise of the Noble Shaikh, al-‘Allāmah, al-Faqīh, ‘Ubaid bin Abdillāh al-Jābirī (hafidhahullaah)

Shaikh ‘Ubaid, may Allāh preserve him, was asked: “What is your opinion concerning the one who says: Shaikh Rabī’ attacks the shaikhs, the scholars and the callers to Islām?” Shaikh ‘Ubaid responded:

“Shaikh Rabī’ is a standard-bearer, strong, elevated – a flag-bearer of the Sunnah. The great scholars and Imāms have born witness for him, commended him and praised him. So it is not befitting that the likes of me are asked concerning him, may Allāh preserve him. However since now I have been asked, then I am compelled to answer.
So his eminence, al-Imām, the father, the great Scholar, al-Atharī, the Jurist, Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azīz bin Bāz (rahimahullaah) commended him. Al-Imām, al-Faqīh (the Jurist), al-Mujtahid, al-‘Allāmah Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Uthaimīn (rahimahullaah) commended him. Al-Imām, the Scholar of hadīth of this era without dispute, Nāsirud-Deen al-Albānī (rahimahullaah) commended him and and described him by saying that he is the carrier of the banner of al-Jarh and at-Ta’dīl in this age. And the banner that Shaikh Rabī’ raises high is his Jihād for ahlus-Sunnah and his defense of the Sunnah and its people – and this is a thorn in the chests of the innovators till this day, and all praise is for Allāh – the banner has not become lowly, or become soft and weak, nor has it relapsed. So with this it will become clear to you that this statement that was encompassed in the question emanates from two types of people. [Firstly] a group that has no insight, knowledge or expertise regarding what takes place around them – this one merely utters what is said to him. As for the other group, they are the heads of this misguided, deviant ideology that opposes the Sunnah – Shaikh Rabī’ splits them open! Their throats are choked. That which Shaikh Rabī’, may Allāh preserve him, has written has choked their throats – his refutation upon the Qutubees and other than them; from that which he has written regarding Sayyid Qutb – his exposition of Qutb’s deviations, ignorance and misguidance – and that which he has clarified of the truth for one who seeks the truth. So do not be surprised or shocked by what they say [regarding Shaikh Rabī’]. Indeed Shaikh Rabī’ never ever criticises a caller to Allāh who is upon sure-sighted knowledge, and he is not harmed by him in the least. Rather Shaikh Rabī’ is alongside his brothers and his children from the Muslims in general, and the students of knowledge in particular, he guides them, advises them and keeps them upon the right way – he teaches and removes doubts for the one who is presented with them. This is what is known to me regarding him up until now, may Allāh preserve him.” [9]

FOOTNOTES:
[1] See Siyānatus-Salafī min Waswasati wa Talbisāt ‘Alī al-Halabī of Shaikh Ahmad Bāzmūl (p.317); an-Naqulāt as-Salafiyyah fir-Radd ‘alat-Tā’ifatil-Haddādiyyah, (51).
[2] See Majmū’ Kutb wa Rasā’il wa Fatāwā Shaikh Rabī’ bin Hādī al-Madkhalī, vol. 1, p. 501.
[3] Al-Jarh and at-Ta’dīl is the science of “Disparagement and Praise” of individuals and sects for the purpose of preservation and protection of the Religion from corrupt sayings, false ascriptions and alien doctrines. It involves distinguishing the people from those whom knowledge and narration can be accepted and from those whom it cannot, and if not, why not. Imām Muslim Ibn al-Hajjāj (died 261AH, rahimahullaah), the author of the well-known sahīh Muslim stated in the beginning of this book:

“Chapter: The obligation of narrating from the trustworthy and abandoning the liars – and warning from telling lies upon Allāh’s Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam).”

Then he went on to write:

“You should know, may Allāh grant you success, that it is obligatory upon everyone to know the difference between the authentic and weak reports – and between the trustworthy narrators and accused narrators – not to narrate any report except if it’s authenticity is known and the honesty of the narrators established. And to avoid those reports that are carried by those who have been accused and those are obstinate and stubborn upon innovations.”

He then narrated from Ibn Seereen (rahimahullaah):

“Indeed, this knowledge is Religion, so look [and investigate] from whom you are taking your Religion.” (no. 26).

He further narrated from Ibn Sīrīn (rahimahullaah):

“They used not to ask concerning the chain of narration, but when the tribulations struck, they would ask: Name us your men! So they would look towards ahlus-Sunnah and take their reports – and they would look towards ahlul-Bid‘ah and not take their reports.” (No. 27).

So the science of al-Jarh and at-Ta’dīl stretches back to the time of Prophethood and it is established in the Religion as a means of preservation and protection from the imprecise, the liars, the untrustworthy, the forgers and the innovators. May Allāh reward the Imāms of this noble science.
[4] This audio recording of this statement and the previous one with English translation can be found at www.themadkhalis.com.
[5] See Fadā’ih wa Nasā’ih of Shaikh Muqbil, (p. 126).
[6] Cassette: al-As’ilah as-Sunniyyah li ‘Allāmah ad-Diyār al-Yamaniyyah – questions from the young men of Tā’if.
[7] Narrated by Abul-Hasan ar-Ramlī from Shaikh Muqbil in his second article in refutation of ‘Alī al-Halabī. See Siyānatus-Salafī (pg. 323).
[8] See al-Fatāwā al-Jaliyyah (1/30).
[9] See Siyānatus-Salafī min Waswasati wa Talbisāt ‘Alī al-Halabī of Shaikh Ahmad Bāzmūl (p.327).