Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan on Loving and Hating for the Sake of Allaah

In the Name of Allaah…

Recently, the great scholar, Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him) was asked:

What is the ruling on rejecting the idea of hatred for the sake of Allaah and claiming that it is not from Islam? Is a person’s Islaam valid if he does not hate the Jews and Christians?

The shaykh responded:

Walaa’ and baraa’ (the islamic system of loyalty) is a must. (It is) disallegiance with the enemies of Allaah and loyalty to the allies of Allaah. Walaa’ and baraa’ means to have hatred, declaring oneself free of them (the disbelievers) and their religion, this is baraa’.

Walaa’ means to love Allaah, to love His Messenger, and to love His believing servants, take them as allies and come to their defense.

“Indeed you have a good example in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: We are free of you and all that you worship beside Allaah…” [Meaning of Quran 60:4]

They declared themselves free of them and their idols, their objects of worship.

“…We are free of you and all that you worship beside Allaah. We have disbelieved in you (i.e. your religion), and there shall be enmity and hatred between us forever, unless you believe in Allaah alone.” [Meaning of Quran 60:4]

Thus it is not permissible to love the disbelievers. Whoever takes them as allies, Allaah, the Mighty and Most High, has said [what means]:

“O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and Christians as allies! They are allies of one another. Whoever takes them as allies is indeed from them. Verily Allaah does not guide people who are oppressive.” [Meaning of Quran 5:51]

The issue is very serious. Walaa’ (loyalty) and baraa’ (disallegiance) are Continue reading

Shaykh Ibn Baaz: The Raafidhah Cult (of Iran) are the Most Dangerous of all the Innovators

In the Glorious Name of Allaah, the Ever Compassionate, the All Merciful…

The modern state of Iran is officially an Ithnaa’ashariyyah (Twelver Shiite) state, where 90-95% of the people there are Twelvers, also known as Raafidhah, Imaamiyyah, or Ja’faree Shias.

Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy upon him) identified this specific sect as the most dangerous of all Shia sects. He said:

…The Shiites have many different sects, each one having a variety of deviations. The most dangerous of them is the Khomeinian Raafidhah Twelver Sect (the official religion of Iran), due to the large number of their missionaries and all the major acts of polytheism found in it, like seeking help from the (deceased) Prophetic family members, believing them to have knowledge of the Unseen, especially the twelve imams, as they claim. This is also due to their expelling the majority of the Companions from the Religion and their abusive speech toward them, the likes of Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them). We ask Allaah for safety from the falsehood they are upon…

Source: His Fatwaa Collection (4/439). (Arabic)

Shaykh Ibn Baaz was also asked about the concept of Ahlus-Sunnah coming together with the Raafidhah Shiites. He replied:

It is not possible for Ahlus-Sunnah to come together with the Raafidhah, because the ‘aqeedah (belief system) is different. The basic belief of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah is to worship Allaah alone – the Glorified and Most High – , singling Him out in all acts of worship. No one may be called upon other than Him, not an angel high in status, nor a prophet dispatched (by Allaah Himself). Furthermore, only Allah – the Glorified and Most High – knows the Unseen.

From the belief system of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah is Continue reading

Regarding Those Who Say Hatred is Not From Islam (Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Muhyiud-Deen)

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Ever Merciful…

Question: A well-known preacher in the West says: Islaam does not require anyone to hate any of the people. He also says: I do not want a religion that requires me to hate some people. This understanding has spread, and some of the Muslims have adopted it. What is your advice to the one who said this and to those Muslims who have followed him?

Answer by Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Muhyiud-Deen, Former Professor at the Islamic University of al-Madeenah and Mufti at the Prophet’s Masjid (may Allaah preserve him):

This poor, misguided person does not know about Islaam. Someone who says that Islam does not include any hatred, and (this includes) that it does not include love either, since love and hatred [are inseparable]… This is Liberalist philosophy. The Shaytaan (Devil) has spoken upon this person’s tongue when he said there is no hatred, since there would be no love either, as a logical result. Impossible. You must hate disbelief and its people. You detest disbelief and its people. Could you watch the cross being worshipped and say: Be happy, there’s nothing (wrong) with that, or it’s nothing?! He would either be happy, or say there is nothing wrong. There is absolutely something wrong here, why is that? Because everything that is worshipped besides Allah is an enemy to Allaah! All of mankind are required to worship Allaah, ( O Mankind! ) What? [Students reply, ( Worship your Lord ).] [2:21]

It is a must to love Allaah: ( You do not find any people who Continue reading

Smiles of the Great Predecessors: The Upright Character of Ayyoob as-Sikhtiyaanee

In the Name of Allaah…

The great imam of the early Muslims, Aboo Bakr Ayyoob as-Sikhtiyaanee (d.131) – may Allaah have mercy on him – , was known for his great knowledge, personal piety, and outstanding manners.

One of his students and an imam in his own right, Hammaad ibn Zayd (d.179), said about him:

مَا رَأَيْتُ رَجُلاً قَطُّ أَشَدَّ تَبُسُّماً فِي وَجُوْهِ الرِّجَالِ مِنْ أَيُّوْبَ
I have not seen a man dedicated to smiling in the faces of the people more than Ayyoob!

From the completeness of a Muslim’s character is his pleasant attitude around the Muslims, his smile, positivity, and cheerfulness.  Ayyoob as-Sikhtiyaanee was exemplary in this.

Hammaad also said about him:

أَيُّوْبُ عِنْدِي أَفْضَلُ مَنْ جَالَستُهُ، وَأَشَدُّهم اتِّبَاعاً لِلسُّنَّةِ

To me, Ayyoob was the best person I ever sat with and the most devout of them in following the Sunnah!

From the Sunnah is balance, and Ayyoob was balanced.  This great imam would not waste his smile on the people of deviation.  The same jovial and pleasant attitude would turn to contempt and disdain at the mention of innovators.  One of them would try to open a discussion with him, saying, “O Abaa Bakr, let me ask you about just one word?”

He would say:

وَلاَ نِصْفِ كَلِمَةٍ وَلاَ نِصْفِ كَلِمَةٍ
Not even half a word, not even half a word!

All of the previous quotes can be found in his biography in the book, Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa’ (6/15-23) of ath-Thahabee.

This is the balance of Islaam.  Muslims are not to smile in the faces of those who corrupt and polute the teachings of the Religion.  Islaam is to love and hate for the sake of Allaah. Just as open manifestations of love for Allaah’s sake, like smiling, kind words, and support are legislated for those who deserve it, so is hatred for Allaah’s sake, including showing outward signs of anger and displeasure and parting company, in the appropriate situations.

It is reported that Al-Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyaadh (d.187) said:

مَن تبسَّم في وجهِ مبتدعٍ فقد استخفَّ بما أَنزل الله عزَّ وجلَّ على محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم
Whoever smiles in the face of an innovator has made light of what Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, has sent down to Muhammad, may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace.

Source: Sharh as-Sunnah (p.128) of al-Barbahaaree

So a balanced Muslim smiles and shows outward signs of love and respect for those who deserve it, just as he frowns for Allaah’s sake, and shows outward signs of hatred and contempt for those who deserve it.

And Allaah knows best.

Writted by: Moosaa Richardson

Shaykh Ibn Baaz on Love and Hatred for the Sake of Allaah

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Ever Merciful…

Allaah describes the true believers in Islaam with the following description:

( وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَشَدُّ حُبًّا للهِ )

( While the people of eemaan are stronger in their love for Allaah [than anyone else] ) [Soorah al-Baqarah: 165]

Love and hatred are opposites.  Since it is logically impossible to truly love something without hating what stands against it, Muslims Continue reading

Loving and Hating for the Right Reasons

[ Part Five of a series of inspiring articles from a recorded lecture entitled, “Min Ma’een al-Imaam Ahmad” (“Benefits from the Life and Works of Imam Ahmad”) by Shaykh Saalih Aal ash-Shaykh (may Allaah preserve him) ]

Loving and Hating for the Right Reasons

From the noteworthy sayings of Imaam Ahmad about the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah is his statement, “Love the people of the Sunnah according to the degree that they are upon the Sunnah.” This means that your love should be based on the Sunnah, that you do not love for petty reasons, nor for some worldly reasons. Real love is for those who are upon the Sunnah.

It could be that a person of the Sunnah, a person of the correct ‘aqeedah, does some evil things. However, due to his correct ‘aqeedah, his clarity, and his submission to Allaah’s Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), you find that he is a person whose heart is free of innovation and doubts. Continue reading