Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen on the Accusation of Irjaa' Against Imaam al-Albani

Source: Recorded Discussion (trans. A. Iyaad)

Article ID : MSC060001 [4963]
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Introduction

Imaam al-Albani, may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "And Shaikh ul-Islaam Ibn
Taymiyyah has explained the perspective from which faith, Imaan, consists of
actions, and that it increases and decreases - [his discussion] needing no further
elaboration - in his book 'al-Imaan'. So the one who requires more detail can
refer back to it. I say: This is what I used to write for more than twenty years,
affirming the madhhab of the Salaf and the aqidah of Ahl us-Sunnah - and all
praise is due to Allaah - in the issues pertaining to Imaan, and then there come -
in the present times - reckless ignoramuses, who are but young newcomers accusing
us of Irjaa!! To Allaah is the complaint of the evil that they are upon, [the
evil] of ignorance, misguidance and scum..."

Some Question and Answers with Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen on 30th April 2000 [1]:

Question: "The questioner asks that some people say that Shaikh al-Albani –
rahimahullaah – his position on the issues of Imaan is that of the
Murji’ah. What is your view on this?"

Answer: The Shaikh paused for a while, remaining silent and then replied, "…I
say, just as one who has preceded has said: "Al-Albani is a scholar, a muhaddith,
a jurist – even if he is greater in being a muhaddith than a jurist –
and I do not know of any of his statements which indicate Irjaa, ever. However, it
is those who want to perform takfir of people, they are the ones who accuse him
and those like him of being Murji’ah, and this action of theirs is by way of
ascribing evil names [to him]. I testify for Shaikh al-Albani – may Allaah
have mercy upon him – with uprightness, (istiqaamah), a sound creed, and good
intention… "

Question: "A person says ‘Laa ilaaha ilallaaha’ sincerely from his
heart, having belief in that (musaddiqan), showing submission (mustasliman) and
compliance (munqaadan), however, he does not perform with his limbs a single
action of goodness despite having the ability to do so. Is he under the will,
mashee’ah of Allaah, or is he a disbeliever, kafir?

Answer: "I say, and all praise is due to Allaah, the Lord of all the Worlds, that
if he does not pray, then he is a disbeliever, even if he says, ‘Laa ilaaha
illallaaha’. If he was truthful in his utterance of ‘Laa ilaaha
illallaaha’, being sincere to it, by Allaah he would have not left the
prayer. This is because prayer is the connection between Allaah Azzawajall and a
person. And in the evidences that have come in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, the
correct view (concerning them), and the consensus of the Companions which has been
quoted by more than one authority, there is what indicates that the one who leaves
the prayer is a disbeliever, who will abide in Hellfire forever, and He will not
be subject to Allaah’s will. And when we say this, we are not saying
something which is meaningless or empty. We say this because it is what is clearly
indicated and meant by the words of Allaah and the words of His Messenger
(sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and the statements of the Companions in which their
consensus has been narrated.

‘Abdullaah bin Shaqiq, said, ‘The Companions of Allaah’s Messenger

(sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) did not used to consider the abandonment of any
action to constitute disbelief except the prayer.’ Also Ibn Raahawaih –
may Allaah have mercy upon him - who is a well known Imaam, quoted the consensus
of the Companions concerning the disbelief of the one who abandoned the prayer.

As for the remainder of the actions, then if a person abandons them, then he will
be under the will of Allaah. Meaning, if he was not to give zakaah for example,
then he will be under the will of Allaah, because when the Prophet (sallallaahu
alaihi wasallam) mentioned the punishment for the one who withholds the zakaah, he
said, ‘Then he will see his path, either to Paradise or to Hellfire’,
and it is known that if he was a disbeliever, there would not be a path to
Paradise for him. And fasting and Hajj are likewise, whoever abandons them does
not disbelieve, and he is under the will of Allaah, however he is the most sinful
of people." End of the Shaikh’s reply.

Question: "Is there a difference of opinion amongst Ahl us-Sunnah concerning the
ruling upon such a man [i.e. the one who abandoned the prayer], bearing in mind
the ruling upon the one who abandons the four pillars (of action), and the
difference of opinion concerning it?

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen on the Accusation of Irjaa' Against Imaam al-Albani

Source: Recorded Discussion (trans. A. Iyaad)
Article ID : MSC060001 [4964]
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Answer: "I am not able to deal comprehensively with the difference of opinion on
this issue. However it is obligatory for us to know that [the ruling of] disbelief
is a Shar’iah ruling and cannot be derived except from the Shari’ah, and
the principle concerning Muslims is that Islam is affirmed for them until some
evidence indicates that they have left it. And hastily rushing towards takfir is
very, very, very dangerous. To such an extent that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi
wasallam) said, cautioning against takfir, "Whoever ascribes disbelief to someone
or says to him ‘O enemy of Allaah’ and he is not actually like that,
then it will fall back upon him’, i.e. it will return upon the one who made
this claim."

Question: "The difference that exists on the issue of the ruling upon the one who
abandons the prayers, is it one that is amongst Ahl us-Sunnah themselves (i.e.
does not expel one from the ranks of Ahl us-Sunnah), or one that is outside of
that?"

Answer: "Yes, it is a difference that is within Ahl us-Sunnah. The Ahl us-Sunnah
differ amongst themselves concerning this, just like they have differed concerning
the obligation of wudhoo’ after eating the meat of the camel ."

Question: "Are the actions of the limbs a condition for the proof of the basis,
asl, and correctness, sihhah, of Imaan or are they a condition for the perfection,
kamaal of the Imaan that is obligatory?

Answer: "This varies. The one who abandons the prayer, for example, is a
disbeliever, since the prayer is one of the necessary requirements of Imaan. But I
advise my brothers to abandon these matters and investigating into them, but that
they should return to what the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them all,
were upon. The Salaf us-Salih did not used to know about the likes of these
matters. A believer is the one whom Allaah and His Messenger has made a believer
and a disbeliever is one whom Allaah and His Messenger have made a disbeliever.
Finish." End of questions and answers from Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen.

Question: "When we are in a town in which the people of knowledge therein give the
verdict that the person who abandons the prayer is not a disbeliever with the
major kufr, so if such a one dies in this town, do the people leave washing him
and praying upon him and should they stop him from being buried in the graveyard
of the Muslims in that town and has he died as a Muslim because he was blindly-
followin the scholars of his town?

Answer: As for the one who believes he is a disbeliever, then yes, he does not
pray over him. But as for the one who does not believe this, then let him pray
over him and this is the way he should look at this difference (of opinion in this
matter).

Question: "The questioner quotes the words of Shaikh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah and
requires further clarity about it: [Shaikh ul-Islaam said]: From its various
elements [i.e. from the elements of Imaan, those that constitute Imaan] are those
which if they are not present will reduce it [from being] most perfect, and those
which will cause it to fall short of perfection – and this is abandoning the
obligatory duties and falling into the forbidden matters. And from it [i.e. the
various elements of Imaan] is that which will cause its basis (rukn) to be
impaired, and that is the abandoning of belief (i’tiqad) and speech (qawl)"

Answer: "Where is the problem in it?"

Questioner: "The brother requires further clarification about these words."

Answer: This is clear. From Imaan is that which if it is abandoned is kufr, such
as when one rejects one of the pillars of Imaan (i.e. belief in Allaah, the
Angels, the Books, the Messengers etc), this is kufr and also from Imaan is that
which constitutes the perfection (of Imaan) such as in his saying (sallallaahu
alaihi wasallam), "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what
he loves for himself". The intent here is "perfection of Imaan". There can also be
from Imaan, that which is desireable (mustahabb). The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi
wasallam) has also informed about the deficiency found in women with respect to
their intellect and religion and he made the cause of the deficiency in their deen
to be the leaving of prayer when they are in the period of menstruation, despite
the fact this is not from the women's choosing. Hence, this is a deficiency in the
perfection (of Imaan)."

Notes:
[1] Cassette Recording: Questions from Qatar on the Issues of Imaan and the
Accusation of Irjaa Against Imaam al-Albani, 25th Muharram 1421

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Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen Affirms His Defence of Al-Albaani

Author: SalafiPublications.Com
Source: Muhammad at-Tameemi
Article ID : MSC060010 [5401]

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Introduction

All praise is due to Allaah, and prayers and peace upon the Messenger of Allaah.To
proceed:

Part 1: Verifying the Statements of Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen

Stated [name removed - due to his becoming an Innovator and enemy of Ahl us-Sunnah
]:

All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon the
Noblest of the Prophets and Messengers.

To proceed:

On Wednesday, 28th Jumaadah al-Aakhirah 1421H, after Dhuhr prayer, I came across
the fatwa of the father, the Shaikh and Allaamah, Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaimeen
- may Allaah protect him and bring about benefit through him - and this verdict
was in response to two questions that had been put to his respected self. I had
come across the fatwa in written format, taken from two cassettes:

The first: From the meeting between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of Qatar and
the Shaikh, dated 7/5/2000H.

The second: From the cassette "Makaalamaat Haatifiyyah Ma'a Mashayikh ad-Da'wah
as-Salafiyyah" (no. 4), released by Majaalis al-Hudaa Lil-Intaaj wat-Tawzee' of
Algeria, dated 12/6/2000H, quoted from the book 'at-Ta'reef wat-Tanbi'ah bi
Ta'seelaat al-Allaamah al-Albaani Fee Masaa'il il-Imaan war-Radd alal-Murji'ah'.
(p.105-106) of the noble brother and Shaikh, Ali Hasan bn Abdul-Hamid al-Halabi -
may Allaah protect him.

So I wished to verify the authenticity of the fatwa of the respected Shaikh - may
Allaah take care of him - and so I contacted him by phone on the very same day and
informed him of these two verdicts. Then he gave me permission to read out the
text of the two answers he gave and so I did that, and read out to him what occurs
in the text of the question:

"Some people say that Shaikh al-Albani - rahimahullaah - his position on the
issues of Imaan is that of the Murji'ah. What is your view on this?"

And the reply of the Shaikh [included] "...Al-Albani is a scholar, a muhaddith, a

jurist - even if he is greater in being a muhaddith than a jurist - and I do not
know of any of his statements which indicate Irjaa, ever. However, it is those who
want to perform takfir of people, they are the ones who accuse him and those like
him of being Murji'ah, and this action of theirs is by way of ascribing evil names
[to him]. I testify for Shaikh al-Albani - may Allaah have mercy upon him - with
uprightness, (istiqaamah), a sound creed, and good intention..." This is from the
first cassette.

And the Shaikh also said, in refutation of the one who described the Shaikh as
being Murji':

"Whoever accused Shaikh al-Albaanee of Irjaa' has erred. Either he is one who does
not know al-Albaanee or he is one who does not know Irjaa'. Al-Albaanee is a man
from Ahl us-Sunnah - may Allaah have mercy upon him -, a defender of it, an Imaam
in Hadeeth. We do not know of anyone who has surpassed him in our time. However,
some people - and we ask Allaah's pardon - have jealousy in their hearts. For when
[one of them] sees that a person has been met with acceptance [by the people], he
begins to find fault with him on account of something, just like the hypocrites,
those who used to defame those believers who would give freely in charity - and
those [i.e. hypocrites] who would find nothing but the striving of [the
believers]. So they would defame the one who would give charity in abundance, and
also the poor person who would give charity!

We know the man from his books - may Allaah have mercy upon him - and I know him
from sitting with him on occasions. He is Salafi in aqeedah, of sound manhaj.
However some people desire to perform takfeer of the servants of Allaah on account
of something that Allaah did not perform takfeer of them. Then they claim that
whoever opposes them in this takfeer is a Murji' - a lie, slander, and mighty
fabrication. Therefore, do not listen to this saying regardless of whomever it
comes from!"

I say: Then after completing the reading of the two questions and the answers I
said to the Shaikh - may Allaah bless him -: Is the ascription of this fatwa to
you correct?

He replied - may Allaah bring benefit and satisfaction through him -, "This is
correct, the first and the second, both of them are correct."

But since the answer was not clear to me due to the low voice on the phone I
repeated the question to him again, and he replied - may Allaah keep him safe -
"Correct, correct...correct (saheehah)".

Then the Shaikh said - may Allaah preserve him -: "This is what we hold as our
religion with Allaah and we call Allaah to witness over our love for him (al-
Albani)".

Then he said, "I request you also to spread this fatwaa."

And all of this reply is recorded on cassette in our possession and all praise is
due to Allaah and to him belongs the favour.

And this reply needs no further comment, for it cuts off the saying of every
khateeb and from Allaah is all aid and assistance and there is no might and no
power save that of Allaah.Muhammad at-Tamimi.

Part 2: Concerning the verdict of the Permanent Committee on the books of Shaikh
Ali Hasan
Some of the students of knowledge from Yemen, phoned Shaikh Muhammad bin Salih al-
Uthaimeen - may Allaah cure him - on 28th Jumaada al-Aakhirah 1421H and asked him,
"What is your view concerning the fatwaa issued by the Permanent Committee
concerning the two books of Shaikh Ali al-Halabi, "At-Tahdhir Min Fitnah of
Takfir" and "Saihatu Nadheer" and what is your view concerning it?

The Shaikh replied, "I have not read the two books, and this fatwaa, I do not like
the fact that it was issued, because there is within it what creates turmoil
amongst the people - and my advice to the students of knowledge is they should not
give any care for the fatwaa of fulaan or fulaan ("laa ya'ba'oo bi..." lit. should
not give consideration to it)..."

This narration has been confirmed by both Shaikh Ali Hasan and also [name omitted]
to the brothers in Makkah and exists recorded on cassette.

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Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen Clears Imaam al-Abaanee of Irjaa Once Again

Author: SalafiPublications.Com
Source: Makaalamaat Ma’a Mashaayikh ad-Da’wah as-Salafiyyah (Part 4)
Article ID : MSC060005 [4602]

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Stated Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen (hafidhahullaah):

"Whoever accused Shaikh al-Albaanee of Irjaa’ has erred. Either he is one who
does not know al-Albaanee or he is one who does not know Irjaa’.

Al-Albaanee is a man from Ahl us-Sunnah – may Allaah have mercy upon him
–, a defender of it, an Imaam in Hadeeth. We do not know of anyone who has
surpassed him in our time. However, some people – and we ask Allaah’s
pardon – have jealousy in their hearts[1]. For when [one of them] sees that a
person has been met with acceptance [by the people], he begins to find fault with
him on account of something, just like the hypocrites, those who used to defame
those believers who would give freely in charity – and those [i.e.
hypocrites] who would find nothing but the striving of [the believers]. So they
would defame the one who would give charity in abundance, and also the poor person
who would give charity!

We know the man from his books – may Allaah have mercy upon him – and I
know him from sitting with him on occasions. He is Salafi in aqeedah, of sound
manhaj. However some people desire to perform takfeer of the servants of Allaah on
account of something that Allaah did not perform takfeer of them[2]. Then they
claim that whoever opposes them in this takfeer is a Murji’ – a lie,
slander, and mighty fabrication.

Therefore, do not listen to this saying regardless of whomever it comes from!

Source:
Cassette: Makaalamaat Ma’a Mashaayikh ad-Da’wah as-Salafiyyah (Part 4)
Dated 12/6/2000CE.
And this is another refutation of the Qutubiyyah – those who defend the
Mockers of the Messengers, the Revilers of the Companions (and those who perform
Takfeer of the Companions, Muslim Societies and Nation States) – and
accommodate the Innovators and Groups of Innovation with all that they contain of
Shirk, Kufr and Bid’ah – detesting that they be refuted and exposed
– showing the extremism of their Irjaa’ in all of that – the very
first Murji’ah saying “sins do not harm in the presence of Imaan”,
and then their latter-day counterparts exceeding all bounds, the tongue of their
disposition saying “acts of kufr, shirk and bid’ah do not harm in the
presence of Imaan” – and their limbs and tongues bearing testimony to
all of that on account of the severity of their hatred and their disdain and
mockery of Ahl us-Sunnah [who stood to expose and refute the Innovators and their
innovations, those of Qutub, Banna, Tilmisani, Sibaa’ee, Qaradawi, Fat-hi
Yakun, Hasan Turabi, Suroor and the callers to repugnant and blind hizbiyyah and
democracy of the Infidels, the likes of ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Abdul-Khaliq and ash-
Shayijee] - the while they defend and shelter the Innovators with their futile
principle of al-Muwaazanah, the Trojan Horse of Ahl ul-Bi'dah.

NOTES

[1] Like the one who considers himself to be seeing "baseer" but is in reality
blind in both vision (basr) and insight (baseerah), and who has been stripped of
the guidance of light and success, so he wanders in his blind confusion, accusing
the Imaams of Ahl us-Sunnah with that which he is unable to comprehend himself.

[2] Like those who performed takfeer of the sinners, the ones who promote music
and licentious speech and like the one who authored the book that reached "the
extremity in evil" as Imaam al-Albaanee described it – accusing his opponents
with blameworthy Irjaa’ and performing takfeer on account of sins such as
taking usury and frequenting places where free-mixing and drinking takes place.