Gems upon Gems from 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah

Amma ba'd Part 5 of Gems upon Gems from 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference, via notes taken (not verbatim) Shaikh Falah ibn Isma'eel (hafidhahullaah) said: Salafiyyah is being attacked. It is upon the Salafees to defend Salafiyyah. It is normal for people of bid'ah to attack the Salafees. Even the kufaar support Ahlul Bid'ah in this. The Salafee refutes Ahlul Bid'ah and Ahwaa (People of heresy and desires), and is not silent regarding bid'ah. Salafees do not compromise their religion. And yes, the Book of Allaah has many refutations of deviant and deviance, such as refutations of Fir'aun and Nimrood - to protect and defend the truth. In ahadeeth, you find many narrations refuting the Khawaarij. The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) refuted the Khawaarij in many ahadeeth, narrated by 'Irbaad ibn saariyah and other than him. The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) refuted the Khawaarij even before the sect emerged, and this is a tremendous proof that refutation precedes. [This is notable because because the origin is refutations come after.] The Deen of Allaah cannot be established except with refutations. Our noble scholars were serious in this matter, writing many books in defense of the religion. Imam Ahmad stood firm in defending the religion, refuting the false statement 'the Qur`an is created.' They endured physical harm in defending the truth. Don't be deceived by the false calls of those who say, 'we need to unite, so don't refute.' No! The people need to unite upon the truth. Qur`an and Sunnah are full of text in defense of Salafi Manhaj. La illaaha il Allaah. Salafiyyah is correct 'aqeedah and correct manhaj. The statements of the Salaf are many. Its true meaning refers to two matters: linguistically, terminology. 1- Salaf means Man Sabaqa (those who came before, preceded) [Notice that the word Salaf and Sabaqa are synonyms, as other people of knowledge explained when using ayah 100 of Surat at-Tawbah as one of the many proofs of the obligation of following the Salaf and the prohibition of not following the Salaf, and that no other way leads to Jannah except by following the Salaf.] 2- Our Salaf (predecessors) are the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and the sahaabah. They are our Salaf in Deen, 'aqeedah, Islaam, Eeman. Some scholars say the Salaf are the first generation only, due to the Khawaarij emerging in the second generation. Others say the second and third generation as well from those who followed the first generation, using the hadeeth of the Khayreeyah as proof*. Others say: there is no difference, because we don't follow the second and third generations, except in their following the first generation. The excellence of the second and the third generation is due to their following the first generation, not due to the time frame, since the Khawaarij emerged in the second generation. So the Salaf are the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and the sahabaah, following them in 'Aqeedah, worship (how they worshipped), manners, statements, actions, what they were silent about, what they left alone; and those who followed them exactly in second and third generations. [They were Salaf] by name and actions. All names in Arabic language are either noun, verb or preposition. Salaf is a noun. All names in Arabic language are either 'alamee (referring to an entity) or wasfee (description). He used as an example the name "Maher." He said this name "Maher" is wasfee, descriptive. It means skillful, one who works with perfection. It comes from the word "mahara," which means having skills. Then the shaikh gave an example of the name "Ridwan," which means to be pleased. And his own name "Falah," which means success. So he returned to explain the meaning of the word "Salaf" -----> who are the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and the sahaaba, who are our Salaf in Deen, Islaam, Eeman, 'Aqeedah... So the word Salaf is a name and can relate to time and also be descriptive. So as an example 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar (radiallahau 'anhumma) is a Salaf, both in name (relating to time) and descriptive. Whereas, for example, Imam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) was a Salaf (wasfee) in terms of acting upon what the Salaf were upon. Likewise, us today, we can be Salafee wasfan, not 'alamee. Then the shaikh mentioned some of the many proofs of the obligation of following the Salaf: 1- Allaah's statement (what means): And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allaah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. (At-Tawbah, ayah 100) So from this ayah, we see that there are three categories of people who will enter Jannah, after the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), from this Ummah: 1- The Muhaajiroon, 2- The Ansaar [These first two groups are the sahaabah], 3- and those who follow them exactly in Eeman ------> This is how you and I can enter, ya 'Abdullaah. And beware of being from the fourth category, lest you be destroyed. Then the shaikh, as he did last time he was here, mentioned the five promises that Allaah promises these three categories of successful people. 1- Allaah will be pleased with them. 2- They will be pleased with Allaah 3- They will Gardens (more than one) 4- They will dwell there forever 5- This is the ultimate success 2- Allaah's statement (what means): And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad, (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination. (An-Nisa`, ayah 115) The shaikh said this is the promise for the evil doers. Whenever there is a promise, this an important matter. 3- And when it is said to them (hypocrites): "Believe as the people (followers of Muhammad: Al-Muhajiroon and Al-Ansaar) have believed," they say: "Shall we believe as the fools have believed?" Verily, they are the fools, but they know not. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 13) Believe as the people believed. Who are the people here? The Sahaabah. 4- "So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allaah will suffice you against them. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Al-Baqarah, ayah 137) You believe (amaantum) is the sahaabah. 5- The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: This Ummah will divide into 73 sects, all of them in the hellfire except one. He was asked, "Which one is that, o Messenger of Allaah?" He (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: That which I and my companions are upon. [Abu Dawud, Ibn Maajah, Ahmad, Ad-Daaramee] 6- The hadeeth of 'Irbaad ibn Saariyah, who said the Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) admonished us (and) said: 'Alaykum bi Sunnati wa Sunnat al-khulafa ar-rashideen al-mahdiyeen min ba'dee. Tamasaku biha wa 'addoo 'alayha bi nawaajidh. (Upon you is my Sunnah, and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khalifs after me. Hold onto it. And bite onto it with the molar teeth.) The shaikh - trying to make sure the attendees were alert and paying attention - asked how many Sunnahs are there? The people answered (one Sunnah) correctly, maa sha` Allaah. Then the shaikh tried again, and he emphasized: 'Alaykum bi Sunnati wa Sunnat al-khulafa ar-rashideen al-mahdiyeen min ba'dee. (Upon you is my Sunnah, and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khalifs after me.) The people answered (one Sunnah) correctly, maa sha` Allaah. And the shaikh confirmed the correct answer by providing the proof: [The Prophet, salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:] Tamasaku biha wa 'addoo 'alayha bi nawaajidh. Hold onto it ----> singular. And bite onto it ----> singular... * The Prophet's statement: Khairun-Nas Qarni, Thummal-Ladheena Yaloonahum, Thummal-Ladheena Yaloonahum (The Best Generation is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.)