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 Gems upon Gems from 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference, via notes taken (not verbatim) Shaikh Falah ibn Isma'eel (hafidhahullaah) said: Why is the Manhaj of the salaf in need of defense? Do you hear of a seminar in which the deviants say, 'In defense of the Khawaarij Manhaj' or 'In defense of the Mu'tazila Manhaj' or 'In defense of the Ash'aree Manhaj' or 'In defense of the Murji' Manhaj' or 'In defense of the Rafidah Manhaj' or 'In defense of the Soofi Manhaj'? So why is the Salafi Manhaj in need of defense? The people of the haqq (truth) are always in need of defending the truth. Allaah said (what means): Truly, Allaah defends those who believe... (Al-Hajj, ayah 38) This is my ijtihaad, my ruling. I gave you the proof from Qur`an. The truth is always in need of defense. Because the enemies are a majority, the people following the truth are a minority. The people following falsehood are many, and the enemies of truth are greater in number. Look at the story of Moosa ('alaihi sallam) with Fir'aun, and Ibraheem ('alaihi sallam) with Nimrood, and Nooh ('alaihi sallam), and Loot ('alaihi sallam). The Ummah of Muhammad is divided into two. The Ummah of Da'wah -----> All of mankind and Jinn, including many, many sects of Christians, Jews, Hindus, Budhists, etc... The Ummah of Ijaba -----> (Those who responded), the 73 sects - 72 of which will be in hellfire and one is saved The one from all these in need of defense is The Saved Sect. Why do people wage war against Salafiyah? The Prophet lived in Makkah for 40 years before Prophethood, and they called him 'Al-Ameen.' And for the 23 years as a Prophet, during which time he (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) announced the truth and invited to Islam, then he was accused of being a magician, a liar, insane, possessed...etc. The truth is in need of being defended. Why? The salafee group is one. The deviant groups are 72. The Salafee group ------> has 72 arrows, one to target every deviant group. [Meaning the Salafees - those following the Prophet and defending the religion from distortions, corruptions, bid'ah - refute all falsehood, not sparing anyone.] The 72 Deviant Groups -------> have 1 arrow each, and each one targeted against the Salafees. The Salafees are attacked by all 72 deviant sects. [Meaning each of the 72 deviants sects fight the truth and the people of the truth, the true followers of the Prophet.] The Salafees refute the Soofees, the Shee'a, the Khawaarij, the Qaadiriyah, the Murji'a. But all the arrows of the 72 groups are pointed at the Salafees. You don't find Soofees refuting the Shee'ah, (or vice versa). For example, Khomeini made a du'aa to Allaah to have mercy on (the wicked deviant) Ibn 'Arabee. [Repeating the words of one of his shaikhs, Shaikh Falah said]: Glad tidings when deviants attack you. The Salaf would be delighted if they were rebuked by innovators, because this is a sign that he was upon the truth. If you were an innovator, they would not attack you. ... All 72 sects wage war against the Salafees. All of them say, "I am a Muslim." Actually, more than 72 sects wage war against the Salafees (if you include the kufaar). The kufaar (disbelievers) wage war against the Salafees, calling us 'Terrorists,' 'Takfeeris,' 'Wahhabis,' 'Madkhalees.' Imagine the Salafees in a stadium, and everyone else outside. Salafiyah is in need of defense. Defense is obligatory and must be upon knowledge. If you don't have 'ilm, you will harm. So why do the disbelievers gather with the 72 deviant sects and not the Salafees? The answer is obvious. They (the disbelievers) believe that society can only function upon democracy, the rule of the majority. The Salafees are one, and the 72 deviant sects are more, so they (kufaar) support the 72. The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: There will never cease to be a group from my Ummah manifest (victorious), not harmed by those who forsake them nor those who oppose them until the order of Allaah comes and they are upon that. (Bukharee, Muslim) Someone asked the shaikh about the doubt 'Salafiyah is not a card that's gonna get you into Jannah': The shaikh answered: Al-Hamdulillaah. This expression is 100% wrong. Rather, we say, no one enters Jannah except with it. This is rejected, and he (the one who made this statement) is invited to sit here (and learn). The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi 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. Then the addendum to the question was mentioned to the shaikh, a new twist to the doubt, "you should see what he meant." The shaikh answered: We say: No! The statement is wrong! With regards to his statement, it is upon us to differentiate between two: the statement and the person who made the statement. And he gave examples: the first example of Al-Ma`moon who said 'The Qur`an is created,' yet the scholars said this statement is kufr, but [they didn't make takfeer of the individual]. Imam ash-Shafi'ee (rahimahullaah) debated Hafs al-Fard (whom the scholars called al-kird (monkey)) between 'Asr and Maghrib and - only after establishing the proof upon him - did Imam ash-Shafi'ee say to him: Ya Hafs, La qad kafart billaahil Adheem. (O hafs, you have disbelieved in Allaah, The Almighty). Some matters must be known and established before declaring someone a kaafir for a statement of kufr: 1- is he ignorant? 2- is he forced? 3- does he have misunderstanding a misunderstanding? [4- is he insane?] This individual who made this statement should fear Allaah, because this statement is 100% wrong. All these 72 deviant sects attack Salafees, and you join them? If you don't want to defend [the religion], then fear Allaah and be silent. Niyya is one thing, the action is another.

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah

Amma ba'd Part 2 of Gems upon Gems from 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference, via notes taken (not verbatim) Abu Khadeejah 'Abdul-Waahid (hafidhahullaah) said: Ibn Battah stated: Any man who (met) the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) even for an hour from the hours of a day, and followed the Prophet (and died as a believer) is better than anyone, even if he (the latter) did all the good deeds in creation. ...The Sahaabah never differed in 'aqeedah; they differed in other matters, but not in 'aqeedah. Ibn Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah) in Minhaj Sunnah, which is a refutation of the Shee'a, Vol. 6, said: The Sahabaa never differed in any of the fundamentals of the religion, Attributes, Qadr, rulings of takfeer etc (the sahaabah had principles), etc... Why do deviants say that the Sahaaba differ in 'aqeedah? So they can justify their hizbiyyah and their differing. They work night and day to try to find differing of the sahaaba, so they can justify their opposition to the Sunnah - i.e. sahaabah differed so we can differ. What the deviants try to use as "proof" that the sahaaba "differed" in 'aqeedah is their statement the sahaaba differed regarding seeing Allaah. The sahaaba did not differ regarding seeing Allaah on yawm al-Qiyamah. Did the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) see Allaah in his lifetime, and will the believers see Allaah on yawm al-Qiyamah? These are two different subjects. Yes the believers will see Allaah in the Hereafter - regarding this there is ijmaa' and no differing whatsoever amongst ahlus-sunnah. So the Ru'yah is agreed upon, that Allaah will be seen. Allaah said: Some faces that Day shall be Naadirah (shining and radiant). Looking at their Lord (Allaah). (Al-Qiyamah, ayat 22-23) 'Aa`ishah (radiallaahu 'anha) said: the Prophet did not see his Lord (meaning: with his eyes). Ibn 'Abbaas (radiallaahu 'anhumma) said: the Prophet saw his Lord (meaning: with his heart). This is not a difference in 'aqeedah, because the Salaf were united upon the ru'yah on the Day of Resurrection. So this seeing of the Prophet of his Lord is a branch of 'aqeedah. [And even then, the statement of 'Aa`ishah and Ibn 'Abbaas do not contradict each other when gathered together] Here is another example. The hadeeth wherein Allaah created the Pen and commanded it to write the decree when He wrote the decrees of all creation 50,000 years before He created the heavens and the earth - and His 'Arsh was above the water. The only differing is which one came first. This is not a point of 'Aqeedah. There is ikhtilaaf regarding what Allaah created first: was it the 'Arsh, or the Pen, or the water (and in another hadeeth, of Ibn Dawood: the smoke), but there is no ikhtilaaf regarding belief in the 'Arsh, belief in the Pen, belief in the water, belief in the smoke. All of these are believed in by Ahlus-Sunnah and not denied. [Shaikh Falaah ibn Isma'eel (hafidhahullaah) benefited us with the following tremendous statements that support the above. He said: No doubt Salafiyyah is one and cannot be split into sects. The Sahaaba all had one Deen and one 'Aqeedah. They never differed in 'aqeedah. Allaah said (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) How can Allaah be pleased with them, while they are split and differing, whereas Allaah and His Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) hate division? Also, how can we follow them if they themselves are upon difference in aqeedah? This is the greatest proof that we (Salafees) are upon one Deen and one 'aqeedah. Abu Khadeejah relayed the hadeeth of the people of Jannah seeing Allaah's face: On the authority of Suhaib (radiallaahu 'anhu): the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, Allaah will say, 'Would you like something I can increase you with?' They will reply, 'Have you not whitened our faces? Have you not admitted us into Paradise and saved us from the Fire?' The Prophet then said: Then the veil will be lifted, and they will not have been given anything more beloved to them than seeing their Lord. (Muslim) and then Abu Khadeejah relayed this gem of a gem from Imam as-Sa'dee (rahimahumullaah): The Hijaab (i.e. not seeing the face of Allaah) is a greater punishment than the punishment of the hellfire! Shaikh al-Fawzaan stated: The position of the Muslims regarding the sahaabah is respecting them, holding fast to their guidance, following them. And to love them is from loving the Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). And whosoever hates the sahaaba, hates the Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). So the sahaaba are ascribed with honor, nobility (radiallaahu 'anhum). They were sincere and they intended good. Their goals were noble. And no one from them is to be accused. And none of the sahaaba had deceit and trickery. 'Abdullah ibn Saba' was a Jew who pretended to enter Islam, and began cursing 'Uthman (radiallaahu 'anhu). Saba', a munaafiq (hypocrite), gathered around him rif-raf (those who love evil). They killed 'Uthman and fitnah broke out among the Muslims: should they or should they not seek vengance for the killing of 'Uthman. Then The Battle of the Camel took place. Some people today do the same thing, pretend to be Salafi and cause fitnah in the name of Salafiyah. They love disunity and chaos.

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah

Amma ba'd Part 3 of Gems upon Gems from 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference, via notes taken (not verbatim)

Abu Hasan Malik (hafidhahullaah) read to us Shaikh Rabee' bin Hadee al-Madkhalee's tremendously beneficial refutation of the Enemies' Latest Ploy of Dividing the Scholars into the "Harsh" Group and the "Tolerant" Group: and what follows are some of Abu Hasan Malik's advices and warnings to the Muslims: Now, the Innovators have said that Ahlus-Sunnah are 'harsh' against them, trying to deceive these people into being lenient. Take a salafee stance with the Ikhwanees and Tableeghis. There is nothing preventing you. [Allaah said:] Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.... (An-Nahl, ayah 125)... If they answer your call, Al-Hamdulillaah. If they don't answer your call, then there is nothing preventing you from being harsh. Some of the Innovators in the time of the Salaf were executed and exiled. If you call "extremist" those who refute with the pen, then what do you say about the Salaf who executed Innovators and burned their house down? Many of those who ascribe themselves to Salafiyyah have been affected, and want to sugarcoat [bid'ah and shirk], and instead wage war against Salafees. Shaikh Rabee' refuted the deviant innovators, yet these people stay quiet regarding people of bid'ah (such that) you hear the birds chirping. Instead, they refute the people of the Sunnah. [Abu Hasan - may Allaah Ta'aala support him - also mentioned some of the tricks by people of bid'ah, such as Yaasir Qadhee, the Hizbee who took a contract to unite with people of bid'ah, such as Soofees, Shee'a.] Qadhee said: "I prefer the manhaj of Ibn Baaz above the manhaj of Shaikh Rabee'." [Their manhaj was the same - the manhaj of the Salaf - but this Hizbee said this to separate the Salafees, and to discredit Shaikh Rabee'.] Shaikh Muqbil came here [America] when he was sick, and he was in a hospital in California. And before separating, I asked him: Advise us. He (rahimahullaah) said: "I advise you to return your affairs in manhaj to Shaikh Rabee'. He has deep knowledge." Shaikh Rabee' said: After Ibn Baaz, Al-'Uthaymeen and Al-Albaanee had gone, they said, 'these [remaining Shaiks] are harsh.' By Allaah they lied, by Allaah they were only seizing the opportunity. The death of these scholars was an opportunity for them to pounce on the Salafi Manhaj and upon its followers, tearing them apart with principles and methodologies of the falsest and most corrupt kind. They tore apart the Salafi youth across the world and planted in their minds [this idea] that this group is harsh and extreme. How can this be..? The scholars never criticized [the scholars who used to refute.] How can we assert the Salafi manhaj [in this way] when [the scholars] were the harshest against the People of Bid'ah? The Salaf would criticize, and say "so and so is a liar," "so and so is a Rafidee." We are not able today to reach the level of the salaf in Jarh wa Ta'deel. Why? Because we have claimants to Salafiyyah waging war against those who refute. Hasbee-ullaah wa Ne'mal Wakeel. Sufficient is Allaah for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah

Amma ba'd Part 4 of Gems upon Gems from 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference, via notes taken (not verbatim) Dawood Adeeb (hafidhahullaah), discussing the known history of Salafiyyah in America, showed the multitude of personalities who strayed from Salafiyyah to hizbiyyah such as the wicked 'Umar Lee, and the deviance of people like the refuted Yaasir Qadhee, Abu Muslimah, Jamal Zarbozo, Bilal Philips, and Al-Maghrib Institute, Zaytoona Institute, Tableeghis and Ikhwanees who try to call people away from Salafiyyah. On the authority of Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree (radiallaahu 'anhu): the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: The hearts are four (types): polished as shiny as the radiating lamp, a sealed heart with a knot tied around its seal, a heart that is turned upside down and a wrapped heart. As for the polished heart, it is the heart of the believer and the lamp is the light of faith. The sealed heart is the heart of the disbeliever. The heart that is turned upside down is the heart of the pure hypocrite, because he had knowledge but denied it. As for the wrapped heart, it is a heart that contains belief and hypocrisy. The example of faith in this heart, is the example of the herb that is sustained by pure water. The example of hypocrisy in it, is the example of an ulcer that thrives on puss and blood. Whichever of the two substances has the upper hand, it will have the upper hand on that heart). (Ahmad 3:17) About Allaah's statement: When comes the Help of Allaah (to you, O Muhammad against your enemies) and the conquest (of Makkah), and you see that the people enter Allaah's religion (Islaam) in crowds. (An-Nasr, ayat 1-2), the 'ulemma say likewise, people will leave Islaam in droves. Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah), a student of Ibn Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah), asked Ibn Taymeeyah about doubts (shubuhaat), and Ibn Taymeeyah advised him: "Make your heart like a mirror, not a sponge." (Meaning when a doubt comes your way, push it back, don't absorb it.) Dawood Adeeb taught/reminded the attendees with the du'aa that a Muslim should often make: Umm Salama (radiallaahu 'anha) was asked by Shahr ibn Hawshad, a tabi'ee: which du'aa did the Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) say the most in your house? And she answered: Ya Muqalib al-Quloob, Thabit Qalbee 'ala Deenik (Oh Controller of the Hearts, Establish my heart onto your religion). The hearts fluctuate back and forth, more rapidly than bubbles in boiling water or a leaf pushed by wind. Ibn Baaz (rahimahullaah) said: ...So the speech of so and so is accepted not because it came from so and so, but because it is in accordance with the truth. And the speech of so and so is rejected not because it came from so and so, but because it is not in accordance with the truth. Also Dawood Adeeb explained: It is Not obligatory to be patient with the people of Bid'ah all the time!

[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.)

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah

Amma ba'd Part 6 of Gems upon Gems from 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference, from notes taken (not verbatim) In answering one of the old doubts that keeps coming up from people of bid'ah, 'Why do you say 'Salafee or sahaaba; why don't we just say Qur`an and Sunnah," Shaikh Falah ibn Isma'eel (hafidhahullaah) said: "In the terminology, we say, this is not sufficient. It's a general statement. Qur`an is text -------------------> and text requires Fahm (correct understanding) Sunnah is text ------------------> and text requires Fahm (correct understanding) Then, you may have correct implementation. As Ibn 'Abbaas (radiallaahu 'anhumma) said: (without correct understanding) people may understand the text in a different way. Some may read an ayah and understand this, and others may read an ayah and understand something else, and this is how the Ummah divides. Ibn Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah) said: The Khawaarij were considered among those who took care of the text, but they deviated because they lacked correct understanding. If you have bad understanding, you will be wrong in implementation. What if a person understands the text correctly, is good implementation guaranteed? No! Why? Because, some have desires, emotion, others cling to their tribe, or clique. As Allaah said about the Jews, they knew the truth as they knew their own children. [The shaikh may have been referring to this ayah: Those to whom We gave the Scripture (Jews and Christians) recognise him (Muhammad) as they recongise their sons. But verily, a party of them conceal the truth while they know it - [i.e. the qualities of Muhammad which are written in the Taurāt (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)]. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 146)] The Khawaarij respected the Qur`an, but lacked understanding. Allaah witnessed for the sahaaba their correct understanding. So did the Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). Ibn 'Abbaas (radiallaahu 'anhumma) swore by Allaah and said: "The Prophet died while pleased with the sahaaba." The Shaikh said: pleased in their Deen. The very first point in Imam Ahmad's Usool-us-Sunnah: The foundations of the Sunnah with us are: Holding fast to what the Companions of Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) were upon. And taking them (i.e. the Companions of the Prophet) as an example to be followed... The Khawaarij, Soofia, Ash'aria, even the Shee'ah say, "I follow Qur`an and Sunnah." But holding fast to what the Companions of Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) were upon. And taking them (i.e. the Companions of the Prophet) as an example to be followed... is a statement they will never say. If the Khawaarij were to say this (or have said this), they would never (or would never have) make (made) takfeer of 'Alee. Ibn Mas'ood (radiallaahu 'anhu) saw people in a masjid in Kufa remembering Allaah, but it was how they did it that was different - using pebbles, and someone ordering them to say 'subhanallaah' so and so times, someone ordering them to say 'Al-Hamdulillaah' so and so times, someone ordering them to say 'Allaahu Akbar' so and so times, someone ordering them to say 'La illaaha illlaah' so and so times. Ibn Mas'ood said: Follow and do not innovate. You have been sufficed. All the Imams of the Sunnah said this: Ibn Battah, al-Awaza'ee, As-Sabooni... These are words that should be engraved in gold. The haqq is only known through the sahaaba. Eeman ----------> only known through the sahaaba 'Aqeedah ----------> only known through the sahaaba Taqwah ----------> only known through the sahaaba even Jannah ----------> only known through the sahaaba We will never go astray if we hold onto narration. Even Abu Bakr said: I am only a follower. If I stray, correct me. How would they know? This matter has been completed. [In reference to the statement of Allaah, which means: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion. (Al-Ma`idah, ayah 3)] That's why Ibn Mas'ood said: If anyone wants to follow anyone, follow someone dead. (Because the people still living are not free from fitnah.) Ibn 'Abdil-Birr said: You should know their [the sahaaba's] virtues upon you. Mu'tazila and Khawaarij say about the sahaabah, "They are men and we are men," [deceivingly equating themselves with the sahaaba]. During his khilaafa, 'Alee ibn Abi Talib (radiallaahu 'anhu) was the best in Eeman, Taqwa, Ikhlaas, because Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthman (radiallaahu 'anhum) had already died. Yet the Khawaarij made takfeer of 'Alee and told him to repent from "kufr." ... "Be patient upon the Sunnah, and stop where the people stopped." So the Sunnah is difficult because of desires, opinions, enviornment, and the deviants.

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah

Amma ba'd Part 7 of Gems upon Gems from 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference, via notes taken (not verbatim) The following is - wa lillaah il Hamd - the combined efforts of two scholars of Ahlul-Sunnah wal Jama'ah: Shaikh 'Ubaid al-Jaabiree and Shaikh Falah ibn Isma'eel (hafidhahumullaah). After delivering khutbat al-hajjah, Shaikh 'Ubaid (hafidhahullaah) began with the lecture: Virtue of Knowledge and Its People [The shaikh had a brief introduction that included the following: 'Ilm as related to Islaam is the legislated (Sharee'ah) knowledge. Understanding the Qur`an and Sunnah upon the Fahm of the salaf-us-Saleh (Prophet and sahaaba, and those who followed them). The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: 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.) ... Then the shaikh said he will give us one ayah and one hadeeth to show us the Virtue of Knowledge and its People.] Allaah said (what means): Allaah bears witness that La ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge who are upright and just (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. La ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (Alee 'Imraan, ayah 18) Those bearing witness are three: 1- Al-Haqq (Allaah, Himself), and this is sufficient 2- The noble angels 3- People of knowledge ---------> This is a tazkiyah for them Abu Darda (radiallaahu 'anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Whoever seeks a path to knowledge, Allaah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. Indeed, the angels lower their wings being pleased with the one who seeks knowledge. Whoever is in the heavens and on earth, even the fish in the sea, ask for forgiveness for the scholar. The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like that of the moon over all other heavenly bodies. The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, for the Prophets did not leave behind Dinars and Dirhams, but they left behind knowledge; and whoever receives it, receives an abundance of good fortune. (Ahmad, Abu Dawud; authentic) In this hadeeth, there are six virtues and characteristics of the people of knowledge. 1- The Promise of Jannah, wherein is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and has never come across the heart of mankind. 2- The angels are pleased with the seeker of knowledge, traveling to seek knowledge, and teaching people that knowledge. 3- All the creation seeks forgiveness for them, even the fish on the bottom of the ocean. 4- The superiority of the scholars over everyone else. They worship Allaah upon baseerah, and teach people through actions upon baseerah. 5- The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets; this is only for the scholars. The Prophets did not leave anything behind except 'ilm. 6- Have diligence in seeking 'ilm, and acting upon and teaching the Sunnah, disseminating knowledge, refuting bid'ah. The scholars are rewarded for their 'ilm, and the 'ilm of those they teach, and the actions of those who act upon it, because the Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: 'Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all. And whoever calls to misguidance will carry the burden of the sin similar to the sin of the one who follows him, without the sins of either of them being lessened at all.' (Muslim) Shaikh 'Ubaid concluded - it was nearly 2:00 AM in Madinah, maa sha` Allaah, may Allaah reward him and the rest of the righteous scholars of the Sunnah, and may Allaah have mercy on those scholars of the Sunnah who have died and preserve those scholars of the Sunnah still living. Then Shaikh Falah ibn Isma'eel, who was in attendance and had earlier exchanged salaams with Shaikh 'Ubaid, asked those in attendance: What is the condition in this hadeeth regarding the scholars? The answer is from the Prophet's own statement in this hadeeth. [One person answered correctly, and the shaikh was pleased.] The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. In his sharh (explanation) of this hadeeth, Imam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: "The last the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) mentioned in the hadeeth is the condition of this hadeeth.." All the virtues are for (Warath al-Anbiyaa`), those who inherit from the Prophets. This is not for any scholar except for the one who inherits from the Prophets. The angels lowering their wings is for the one who inherits from the Prophets. All of creation seeking forgiveness for them is for those who inherit from the Prophets. [Then the shaikh set out to show us who is truly an inheritor of the Prophets, via a scale - he called it a barometer - by bringing this hadeeth in harmony with another hadeeth to show us.] The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "The stars are the guardians of the sky. If the stars are gone, then that which is promised to the sky will befall it. And I am a guardian of my companions. If I die, then that which is promised to my companions will befall them. And my companions are guardians of my Ummah. If they are gone, then that which is promised to befall my Ummah will occur." What we learn from this hadeeth are: The companions are the scholars of this Ummah. So the Prophet is the star in the time of the sahaaba. And the companions is the star for this Ummah. They are the true stars. Today, even wicked, lude people claim to be stars: the singers, dancers, ballplayers, belly-dancers... Shaikh Hammad al-Ansaree said: The Qur`an is explained, first and foremost, by the Qur`an itself. From the Qur`an, we see that a star is used for three purposes: 1- (huda) guidance ------> The proof is Allaah's statement (which means): It is He Who has set the stars for you, so that you may guide your course with their help through the darkness of the land and the sea. We have (indeed) explained in detail Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, Revelations, etc.) for people who know. (Al-An'aam, ayah 97) 2- (zeenat ` a sama) --------> beautification, adornment 3- (rujum ash-shayaateen) --------> missiles that kill devils. The Proof for these last two are Allaah's statement (which means): And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayaateen (devils), and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire. (Al-Mulk, ayah 5) [Qatadah (rahimahullaah) said: "These stars were only created for three purposes: Allaah created them as adornment for the heaven (sky), as missiles for the devils, and as signs for navigation. Therefore, whoever seeks to interpret any other meanings for them other than these, then verily he has spoken with his own opinion, he has lost his portion and burdened himself with that which he has no knowledge of." (Ibn Jareer recorded this with his chain of narration; so did Ibn Abi Hatim)] So when the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) sat with the sahaaba, Prophet Muhammad (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was: 1- the zeenah, adornment 2- guided them to the truth, taught them 3- killed falsehood: refuted bid'ah, shirk, exposed hypocrites, even the small matters he did not ignore, nor compromised. Prophet Muhammad divided between the truth and falsehood (and exposed falsehood, and its difference from the truth), such that people within a single family were separated by this distinguishment. 'Amr ibn al-'Aaas (radiallaahu 'anhu) stopped near Egypt, where he encountered a big army. 'Amr ibn al-'Aaas sent to 'Umar (radiallaahu 'anhu) a message, asking for reinforcement. 'Umar sent 1,000 people. 'Amr ibn al-'Aaas wondered and asked 'Umar (is this sufficient)? 'Umar said: Among them are four [meaning four sahaaba], each one of them equals one thousand. Likewise, the scholars today. They are the: 1- the zeenah (adornment) 2- people are guided by them 3- they are missiles against the shayaateen, by refuting Ahlul Bid'ah wa Ahlul Baatil (People of Hersey and people of falsehood) The true Salafee today is distinguished because he refutes Ahlul Bid'ah (the devils among mankind). The graves of the sahaaba: are they only in Makkah and Madina? No, they are in 'Iraq, Sham, etc... Because they spread the Deen. Would you like to be from Warath al-Anbiya` (the inheritors of the Prophets)? Yes! Then, 1- Enjoin the good and forbid the evil with gentleness, mercy; don't lie, don't backbite (in reference to the haram backbiting). This is Zeenah (adornment, beautification). 2- Constantly guide people to the truth. This is guidance. 3- If you saw a munkar, stop it. This is missiles against the devils. Those who will inherit from the Prophets are those closest to them. Aboo Hurayrah (radiallaahu 'anhu) once passed by the market in Madinah. He stopped at the market and said: "O people of the market, how incapable you are!" They said, "And how is that Aboo Hurayrah?" He replied, "Over there, the inheritance of Allaah's Messegner (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is being distributed and you are here! Won't you go and take your share?" "Where is it?" they asked. He replied, "In the Masjid." So they hurried to the Masjid, and Aboo Hurayrah waited for them until they returned. When they came back, he said, "What’s the matter?" They replied, "Aboo Hurayrah! We went to the Masjid, but we didn't see anything being distributed." Aboo Hurayrah asked them, "And you didn't see anyone in the Masjid?" They replied, "Indeed we did; we saw people praying, others reciting Qur`an and others studying the regulations of halal and haram." So Aboo Hurayrah said, "Woe to you! That is the inheritance of Muhammad, salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam." [Reported by at-Tabaraani in al-Aswaat, with a hassan chain of narrators; Al-Albanee also graded it hasan in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa Tarheeb, Vol 1, pg. 19.]

[Shehzad.ibn.Ghazanfar]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

جزاك الله خيرا يا أخي الكريم

و السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah

Wa 'alaykum u salam wa rahmatullaahi wa baarakatu, Shehzad,

Al-Hamdulillaah. Wa jazzakum wa feekum baarak Allaahu. Al-Hamdulillaah.

Wa 'alaykum u salam wa rahmatullaahi wa baarakatu,

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah Amma ba'd Jumu'ah Khutba of 'In Defense of Salafi Manhaj' Conference, by Abu Khadeejah 'Abul-Waahid After khutbat al-Haajjah, the khateeb said: My brothers and sisters, this conference that the brothers - may Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala reward them - with the reward of Firdaous for their efforts in establishing a Dawrah 'Ilmiyyah the likes of what we see today and that which will proceed, in sha` Allaahu Ta'aala, over the next few days. And may Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala also reward and bless those attendees who have taken the time out from their busy schedules - I'm sure - to attend the conference for no other reason except to seek the face of Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala. This conference that is entitled "In Defense of the Salafi Manhaj," and we have at our conference from the most notable...the main course of this conference, the presence of our noble shaikh, the 'aalim (scholar) from Kuwait, Shaikh Falah Isma'eel al-Mundeekaar. So I encourage the brothers and sisters throughout the whole of this conference, first and foremost to remember the purpose of their being here, and that they are here for no other reason except the pleasure of Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala, to please Him. To be with your brothers, seeking the reward from Allaah Jalla wa 'Ala. To benefit from the shaikh and to benefit likewise from the telelinks that will take place bi idhnillaahi ta'aala with the likes of our shaikh, Shaikh Rabee' bin hadee al-Madkhalee, Shaikh 'Ubaid al-Jabiree, and others from the mashaayikh who have agreed to participate in this Dawrah. The rest of [students], my brothers and sisters, are really just here to fill the gaps. And, of course, you should come, likewise, so that we may remind you of that which you are already aware of. 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (radiallaahu 'anhu) said: The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) drew a line with his hand (in the sand) and said: 'This is Allaah's path, leading straight.' He then drew lines to the right and left of that line and said, 'These are the other paths, on each path there is a devil who calls to it.' He then recited (Allaah's statement): And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. (Al-An'aam, ayah 153)." (Ahmad and Al-Hakim) So the Deen that Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) came with is one religion. The 'Aqeedah that he (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) came with is a singular 'aqeedah. The manhaj that he came with was a singular manhaj, calling all the people to the path of Allaah, Subhanahu wa ta'aala, to the saabil of Allaah Jalla wa 'Alaa. And that's why Allaah, Subhanahu wa ta'aala, mentioned: this is My straight path. And when He mentioned the other paths, He mentioned them in the plural - subul. So when the Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: This is the Straight Path. Singular. And when he (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) mentioned the paths of deviation, he mentioned them in the plural - subul, showing that the path of Allaah is one and that the haqq (truth) is one. And the people of misguidance and those who call to the doors of jahannam (fire) are many in number. But the Path of Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala, is one path. And that's why Allaah clarified that one path. And He commanded the whole of mankind - every single one of us - mankind and jinn to follow that one path. And that's why Allaah, Subhanahu wa ta'aala, mentioned: And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it. There weren't many paths. One path that the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) came with, and the sahaabah followed that straight path. ...And the 'ulemma of the Salaf and the Imams of the Salaf - the likes of Ahmad ibnu Hanbal, the likes of Sufyaan (ath-Thawree), the likes of Hammad ibnu Salamah, the likes of 'Abdullaah ibnu Mubaarak and other than them - clarified this straight path. And they use to mention the statement of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) in the well known and famous hadeeth: The Jews divided into 71 sects. The Christians divided into 72 sects. 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] ...(radiallaahu 'anhummaa) said: This Ummah is more split up than the Jews and Christians. This is the reality, ya ikhwaan. This is not something that we are happy with. No Muslim is happy with iftiraak. Rather, we love ijtima'. And we love unity, but unity upon the haqq (truth). And that's why the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) when he said that this Ummah will divide into 73, more than the Jews and the Christians. And he said: all of them in the hellfire except one. He made the istithnaa`. He made the exception for one. The sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum) were curious, because they wanted to know which is the one. Because the sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum) were...in search of the truth. And they wanted the truth. So they asked the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam): Wa ma tilka hiya Firqa (Which one is that, o Messenger of Allaah). Which is the (saved) sect? So the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: That which I and my companions are upon. That which I and my companions are upon. So they are: The Saved Sect, "al-Firqat un-Naajeeyah;" he did not say "the Muslims," because all of the sects are Muslims, by in large. Those deviant sects, they are Muslims. But the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) gave tafseel (detail), because that is the manhaj of Ahlus-Sunnah. The manhaj of Ahlus-Sunnah is a manhaj of tafseel (detail), to give detail and explain. And that's why the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: That which I and my companions are upon. In another narration, he said: kullooha fin-nar illa waahida, wa heeya al-Jama'ah. (All in the hellfire except one, and it is the Jama'ah.) Some of the people asked 'Abdullaah ibnul Mubaarak (rahimahullah Ta'aala, D. 181H), "who is the jama'ah?" He said: Abu Bakr and 'Umar, they are the Jama'ah. So they said: "Abu Bakr and 'Umar are dead." So he said: "Fulan and fulan, they are the Jama'ah." So they said: "Fulan and fulan are dead also." Then he said: "Then Abu Hamza al-Khuraasaaree; he is the jama'ah. He is the one that is the jama'ah." Abu Hamza is the shaikh of 'Abdullaah ibnul Mubaarak. This does not mean that they are the only ones. No! What 'Abdullaah ibnul Mubaarak is pointing out here, that these are the notables, those who stand up firm upon the haqq. Of course, Abu Bakr and 'Umar and 'Uthman and 'Alee and Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, and the likes of 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar and 'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbaas and 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood and 'Aa`isha, all of them are the Jama'ah. But the intent of 'Abdullaah ibnul Mubaarak is to point out the most notable who represent and signify the correctness of the 'aqeedah and the manhaj and the Deen of al-Islaam upon its true understanding. That's why he mentioned what he mentioned, rahimahullaah Ta'aala. So The Saved Sect, my brothers and sisters, is that sect - This is The Path of Allaah, the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said - this is the path to al-Firqat un-Naajeeyah, this is the path to the Jama'ah. So when the people say: who is the jama'ah, or what is the jama'ah. The Jama'ah are first and foremost the sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum). Allaah (Subhanahu wa Ta'aala) said (what means) in this ayah: And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)) 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 believers here are the sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum). When this ayah was revealed, the believers were those who believed in and followed the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). The believers are the sahaabah. ...And everyone else who follows them, they are only given the title of mu`min (believer) because they are following the sahaabah (radiallaahu 'anhum). So when Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala mentions: and whoever follows other than the believers' way, this means other than the path of the sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum). Then Allaah: shall keep him in the path he has chosen (for himself). And burn (roast) him in Hell - what an evil destination. No doubt, my brothers and sisters, those paths that lead astray - those suoobul, that at the head of them there are people calling to those paths. The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) explaind in another hadeeth, the hadeeth of Hudhaifa ibn al-Yamaan (radiallaahu 'anhu). This companion of Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), who held the secrets of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), meaning that he was informed of those with nifaaq (hypocrisy). This Hudhaifa (radiallaahu 'anhu), in him there is an example, my brothers and sisters. Of those who...when they see the truth. Hudhaifa said: People used to ask the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) about the good times, but I used to ask him about bad times fearing lest they overtake me. Meaning that I may fall into it. I said: Messenger of Allaah, we were in the midst of Jaahileeya and evil, and then Allaah brought us this good (time through Islaam, goodness, correct 'aqeedah, correct 'ibaadah). Is there any bad time after this good one? He said: Yes. As for those who say that we are in Jaahileeya now, then (those who say this) are upon baatil, ya ikhwaan. That Jaahileeya is gone. The sahaaba knew what they were upon before. The Quraish and the 'Arab, and the earth as a whole - what the people upon it were upon, upon shirk and kufr, and upon all of their sins and transgressions. So Allah brought them this khair (good). So Hudhaifa ibn al-Yamaan kept asking the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam): Is there any bad after this good? Will there be any good after that evil? Up until he reached the point, when he said to the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam): Is there any evil after that good? He (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: Na'am, Du'aat 'ala abwaabee Jahannam. Yes, (a time will come) when there will be people standing and inviting at the gates of Hell. Whosoever responds to their call, they will throw them into the fire. These individuals within the Ummah of Muhammad (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), as Shaikh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibnu Baaz (rahimahullah Ta'aala) mentioned that the Ummah of Muhammad (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is two: Ummat al-Ijaaba and the Ummaat ad-Da'wah. The Ummaat ad-Da'wah is the whole of mankind (and jinn), whom the the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) called to Islam. Ummat al-Ijaaba (those who responded) are the Muslims. So from the whole of mankind, a group from mankind responded to the da'wah of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and they are the Muslims. And the Muslims within the ranks of the Muslims, as Shaikh Ibn Baaz and other than him from the 'ulemma have mentioned, that there are Du'aat 'ala abwaabee Jahannam (callers at the gates of Hell), who call to other than the Deen of Allaah - my brothers and sisters. They call to the worship of the graves, or they call to the cursing of some of the sahaabah (radiallaahu 'anhum), those who say that "The Qur`an is created," and other than these from these (wicked, deviant) 'aqaa`id and beliefs. These are Du'aat 'ala abwaabee Jahannam (callers at the gates of Hell). So the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) explained to Hudhaifa ibn Al-Yamaan, that there will be callers at the gates of (Jahannam) hell. So then Hudhaifa after hearing that wanted to know more; he wanted tafseel (detail). He wanted to protect himself. So then he asked the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) again: Sifhum Lana, ya Rasoolullaah (Describe them to us, oh Messenger of Allaah). Why does he want to know, my brothers? Describe them to us, oh Messenger of Allaah. Why did Hudhaifa want to know? So he may protect himself. So then the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) explained to him: They will be a people having the same complexion as ours and speaking our language. They are from our people, and they will speak with our tongue, and they will call to what? They will call to the gates of hell. So all of these ects that will appear, Hudhaifa said: oh Messenger of Allaah, what do you advise me with if I live in that time? He (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: You should stick to the (Jama'ah) main body of the Muslims and their leader (ruler). So then Hudhaifa said: What, if there is no Jama'ah and no leader? So what did the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) say? [Did he say] make your own Jama'aat, this one or that one, make your own sect and your own Firqa? No, the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) did not advise him with that! Rather, death is more beloved than to be upon one of these deviant sects. He (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) informed: Separate yourself from all these factions (groups, sects), though you may have to eat the roots of trees (in a jungle) until death comes to you and you are in this state. Why, because the Sunnah is more beloved. The way of the sahaaba is what brings our hearts together. So the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) advised not to join those sects - even if you have to bite onto the roots of a tree and death reaches you while you are in that state! So what is more beloved sectarianism or death? Death is more beloved. The Sunnah and dying upon the Sunnah is more beloved than dying upon one of these deviated firaaq (sects). Death is more beloved than joining them. Why? Because if you die upon (one of these deviant sects) or you die calling to them, if you die upon Tashaayu` (as a Shee'e) or Tassawuf (as a Soofee), or I'tizaal (as a Mu'tazilee) or those ideas of the Hoorooriyah (as a Kharijee), if you die upon that - subhanAllaah - my brothers and sisters, what would happen on yawm al-Qiyaamah? (Since) the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) mentioned: Koolooha fin-Nar illa waahida (All of them will be in the hellfire except one). The sahaaba were not from the Hoorooriyah (Khawaarij). The sahaaba were not from the Murji'a. The sahaaba were not from any of these firaaq (sects). The sahaaba were the Jama'ah, upon the way of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). So no doubt, my brothers and sisters, it is from the greatest of importance and affairs that we recognize the truth and the 'ulemma who carried the truth from the Salaf til the time we live in now, and holding onto what the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: 'addoo 'alayha bi nawaajidh. (And bite onto it with the molar teeth.) Not with your front teeth - with your molar teeth. If you hold onto something with your molars, then wherever you are pulled, you will go with it. Your teeth will not leave. Holding onto it with your molar teeth, as the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said. Wal-Hamdulillaahi Rab il'Alameen, wa sallaahu wa sallam 'ala nabeena Muhammad wa 'ala aaleehi wasahbeehe was sallam. [End of first khutba.] [Start of second admonition] Al-Hamdulillaahi Rab il'Alameen, wa salaatu wa sallaam 'ala ashraf al-Mursaleen wa 'ala aaleehi wasahbeehe ajma'een. Wa ba'd: My brothers and sisters, ...if we understood the ayat of Allaah correctly and acted upon them correctly, then many of the shubuhaat, many of the doubts, with reagrds to confusion, and which direction we are going in, and what is haqq and what is baatil, if we understood these ayaat the way our Salaf understood them - the way the likes of Imam Ahmad, Bukharee, at-Tirmidhee, Shaikh ul-Islam Ibnu Taymeeyah, and those whom we mentioned before understood them... if we understood those ayat the way they understood them, then by Allaah, many if not all of these doubts will be removed. It is seeking that path, holding onto that path and never letting go up until death reaches you, and you die while you are in that state. So there is no deviation in your heart, always sincere, seeking the truth. Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala has mentioned in His Book: And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. this Qur`an), and be not divided among yourselves. And remember Allaah's Favour upon you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that - by His Grace - you became brethren (in Islaamic Faith)... (Aali 'Imran, ayah 103) Isn't this the case, ya ikhwaan, that we were enemies one to another. The diffrent colors and the different races, the different nationalities, and the different tribes, that we would hate each other just because the color of my skin is different than yours. We would hate each other just because we come from a different tribe, even if we share the same skin color. We would hate each other just because you live on one block, and I live on another block. Hatred! Then Allaah brought the hearts together. He joined your hearts together. The sahabah (radiallaahu 'anhum) are the best example of this. So that - by His Grace - you became brethren. By the bounty of Allaah - Jalla wa 'Ala - you (meaning the sahaabah) became brothers. Then, Allaah mentioned: And you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allaah makes His Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided. (Aali 'Imran, ayah 103) So Allaah said: And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah. What is this rope of Allaah? Shaikhul-Islaam Ibnu Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah Ta'aala) in Vol. 3 of his Minhaj-as-Sunnah explained what the rope of Allaah is. He mentioned: it has been explained that the rope of Allaah is the rope by His Book, His Deen, Islaam, Ikhlaas, Commands of Allaah, Covenant of Allaah, Obedience to Allaah, Jama'ah. All of these is from the explanation of rope of Allaah. It's a command; you don't have an option. Allaah didn't give you a choice. He said: And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah. It's a command from Allaah, and be not divided. So ther first command is what? The Rope of Allaah. Holding on to it. So, first He said: Hold onto the rope of Allaah, and then He said: Do not be Divided. He didn't say: don't divide and then hold onto the rope of Allaah. No! Rather, the first command is the rope of Allaah. So Shaikhul-Islaam Ibnu Taymeeyah mentioned that the rope of Allaah has been explained that the tafseer (interpretation) of rope of Allaah is The Book of Allaah, The Religion of Allaah, Islaam, Ikhlaas, Commands of Allaah, Covenant of Allaah, Obedience to Allaah, and the Jama'ah, which we have already explained. Then Shaikhul-Islaam Ibnu Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah Ta'aala) mentioned: And all of these titles and explanations we have mentioned have been transmitted from the sahaabah (radiallaahu 'anhum), and likewise by those who followed/follow them exactly with Ihsaan (precisely) up until the Day of Resurrection. And all of this is correct. All of these meaning of the rope of Allaah are correct. For indeed, the Qur`an commands you with the Deen of al-Islaam, and the Qur`an is the covenant of Allaah, and the command of Allaah, and likewise obedience to Allaah, and holding fast to it - alltogether united - and that is by way of the Jama'ah. The Jama'ah, my brothers and sisters. Some of the mufasiroon explain that the rope of Allaah is the Jama'ah, meaning the sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum). Meaning: hold onto the way of the Sahaabah (radiallahau 'anhum), and then do not be divided. Shaikhul-Islaam Ibnu Taymeeyah said: and the reality and true nature of this religion is Ikhlaasu lillaah (sincerity to Allaah). So what do we unite upon politics? Do we unite upon a common enemy? "You and us we hate these group of people, so let us unite upon the fact that we hate them."... This is not the point of unity. Unity, my brothers and sisters, is the haqq (truth): Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), manhaj as-salafee, the way of the sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum). The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) was asked: which of mankind is the best. He said: I and those with me (meaning the sahaabah). Look at that, ya ikhwaan. He said: I and those with me, then those who follow their path, then those who follow their path.The first three generations. [The rest of the athar:] It's as if he rejected all the others. The best three generations - they are the ones we have to follow. Everyone else from the Imams and scolars up until this day, the likes of Shaikh Ibn Baaz, Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen and Shaikh al-Albanee. Shaikh Muqbil, Shaikh Fawzaan, Shaikh Rabee', Shaikh Ahmad an-Najmee... These 'ulemma, we love them for what reason? Because they come from my village? Because they have the same skin color as me? Is that why we go there [to learn from them]? By Allaah, for no other reason than the Deen of Allaah. And we defend them and protect them for the Deen of Allaah. Shaikh al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaa Ta'aala), and you all know Shaikh al-Fawzaan - one of the great scholars of our era - gave the explanation of the Haa`eeyah of Ibn Dawood as-Sijistaani (rahimahullaah), the son of Abu Dawood as-Sijistaani (rahimahullaah), the compiler of the Sunnan (book of hadeeth). In the beginning of his poem, Ibn Dawood said: "Hold onto the rope of Allaah and follow the guidance, and do not be a person of bid'ah, so that you may be successful." The rope of Allaah, the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah, the sahaabah, ikhlaas, 'aqeedah, Jama'ah. Hold onto that, and follow guidance, because in it is guidance, my brothers and sisters. And do not oppose this. Anyone who contradicts this has something of bid'ah, whether it be a small amount or a large amount (of bid'ah). So, my brothers and sisters, holding onto the book of Allaah, holding onto the truth, and not giving it up for anyone - regardless of who that may be. loving the people of the Sunnah, holding onto the Sunnah, loving your brother because of the Sunnah, wishing for your brother what you wish for yourself, desiring for your brother what you desire for yourself, desiring for yourself the truth, desiring for him the truth, not being called by emotions or (hawaa) desires... Rather, the Deen of Allaah, this is the Mizaan (scale). The Deen of Allah, Kitaab, Sunnah, sahaabah. Allaah says (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) The Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar are both the sahaaba. And then those who followed them exactly in Eeman. These are the only three groups from this Ummaah who will enter Paradise. We learned that from our shaikh, Shaikh Falah Isma'eel (hafidhahullaah Ta'aala). These are three groups that Allaah is pleased with: Muhaajiroon, Ansaar, and those who followed them exactly. No one sitting here is from the Muhaajiroon. No one sitting here is from the Ansaar. So that only gives us one option to earn the Pleasure of Allaah: that we follow them precisely. There is no fourth group; there is no fifth group, there is no sixth group, no 72! This is the way that we attain piety, and this is the way that we attain the truth. No doubt, no matter what the people of the dunya spend - and we'll finish with this, in sha` Allaah - to gather the odds together to bind them with money. You can't buy hearts with money. As Shaikh al-Fawzaan mentioned: money only splits the hearts. If your intent is to unite the hearts by giving the people money - (saying) "If I give him money, he'll join my group; if I give him money, he'll follow me." Shaikh al-Fawzaan mentioned in his (sharh) of Haa`eeyah, splits the hearts, because Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala said: And He has united their (i.e. believers') hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allaah has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (Al-Anfal, ayah 63) Who brought the hearts of the sahaaba together? Allaah. By the guidance of the Messenger of Allaah, who brought the risaala (meesage From Allaah). They followed him, believed in him, they loved him (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) more than they loved their own mother and father. They loved him, and they followed him. Allaah is the One Who brought their hearts together. It wasn't wealth; it was money... it wasn't any of these things. It was the haqq (truth). Allaah planted something in the hearts of those sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum). And that's why over 1,400 years later, we mention the names Abu Bakr and 'Umar and 'Uthman and 'Alee and Ibn Mas'ood and Ibnu 'Umar and Ibn 'abbaas and 'Aa`ishah and Umm Salamah and Khadeejah (radiallaahu 'anhum). Why do we mention their names? Because Allaah has preserved their honor and their character and their excellence up until yawm al-Qiyaamah. A person could never be upon the haqq unless he's upon their way. May Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala make us from those who follow the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum). May Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala make us firm upon the Deen of Allaah, and may Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala make our families firm upon the Deen of Allaah. May Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala make our children strong upon the tarbeeyah Islaamiyah, firmly established upon the cultivation of al-Islaam, so they may be raised and grow up to be from the pious, righteous worshippers of Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala. And may Allaah Jalla wa 'Alaa protect us and protect the Muslims from everyone and anyone who comes to split our ranks to harm us and to cause dissension among us. Wal-Hamdulillaah Rab il-'Alaameen wa sallaahu 'ala nabeena Muhammad wa 'ala aleehi wa sahbeehi wa salaam.

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah

Amma ba'd Allaah Forgave then Directed Shaikh Falah ibn Isma'eel (hafidhahullah) preceded his gentle advice of holding conferences in the houses of Allaah with these beautiful benefits: When someone beloved to you offers you contructive criticism, it is beloved to you. Contructive criticism is more dear from one who is loved. The Arabs used to say: when someone who loves you disciplines you, it's like a raisin (sweet and not harsh). I want you to wait for it (the advice) so you have a longing for it. When Allaah revealed: (The Prophet, salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) frowned and turned away. Because there came to him the blind man (i.e. 'Abdullaah bin Umm-Maktum, who came to the Prophet while he was preaching to one or some of the Quraish chiefs). ('Abasa, ayat 1-2) This direction was from Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala, to the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), who loved Allaah. Thereafter, every single time the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) saw Ibn Umm Maktum (radiallaahu 'anhu), he would say: Welcome to the one whom Allaah corrected me for. Allaah said: May Allaah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave, until those who told the truth were manifest to you, and you had known the liars. (at-Tawbah, ayah 43) Sufyan ath-Thawree (rahimahullaah) said: We direct and then forgive, however Allaah forgave then directed. [Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Awn said: Have you heard criticism softer than this, starting with forgiveness before criticism.] I want to tell you a story. One day, we were in the Prophet's Masjid (in al-Madinah). We would sit on the right side of the first row. And there was what appeared to be a Sofee "shaikh" from Shaam, and some of his followers would bow before him (that's how they figured him for a Soofee "shaikh," although in the beginning they were not sure). He said he was sick, and when he walked by the Prophet's grave, he said "the Prophet cured me." [Aoodhubillaah!] When the time for 'Isha entered, we made a space for him so he may pray in the first row, and he prayed next to me. Shaikh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Saleh, who gave khutbas there for 50 years, led us in the salat. And the shaikh recited Surat 'Abasa, and this Soofee started getting angry, making noises and he disturbed me. After the salat, I said to him, what is this (are you sick)? He said: "from the entire Qur`an, he had to read 'Abasa? For the last 35 years, I completed the Qur`an and never recited this Soorah." So I said to him: Then you never completed the Qur`an. The Soofee said, "How can you read the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was corrected?" I said to him: This came from the Lord of Muhammad (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). The Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) loved this direction from Allaah, and conveyed this Soorah to the sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum)... Likewise, I say to you: May Allaah forgive you, why did you bring us to a funduk (hotel). I'm not saying it's haram, but the heart may incline toward matters here. The Hizbiyeen and Christians initiated these seminars in hotels. [Then the shaikh relayed that this advice had also come from other 'ulemma, such as Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah), who when invited to other than a masjid, said: "if it was in a masjid, I would come, but in ..., no!" Then Shaikh Falah promised the attendees, "if you establish a seminar in a masjid, I will stay for a whole month." Someone may say the mosques in this country do not hold the like of this large gathering, Shaikh Falah Isma'eel said: "Ok. No problem. Get a tent, and pray next to the mosque." 'Umar (radiallaahu 'anhu) one day vowed, if such and such happens, to slaughter a camel in Bu`ana, a village close to Makkah. So someone relayed this to the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), who asked 'Umar: Are there idols there worshipped besides Allaah? 'Umar said: No. Are there festivities ('Eid*) celebrated there [besides the two 'Eids]? 'Umar said: No. Then the Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Then proceed, now, with your vow." [While the shaikh was trying to show us that haram festivities take place in a funduk, there was music that was audible.] * Eid is something that repeats itself, i.e. "annual."