The Importance of the Fatwas of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah

Question:
Shaykh Salih, may Allah protect you, you actually mentioned some of the introductory lessons just a moment ago. We are touching on a bit of this, and we notice the attention you have paid to the works of Shaykh al-Islam al-Tiyimiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him). You had a distinguished program on the Holy Qur'an Radio, which was a reading of the fatwas of Shaykh al-Islam al-Tiyimiyyah. I would like you to highlight for us the importance of these fatwas, with which you have had a long journey, and is it possible to find useful comments on some of the important issues found in these fatwas that you see a need to publish with commentary?

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows, it is not hidden what the works of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) and his student, the Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, hold in terms of great importance in renewing this religion, reviving it, and reviving the Muhammadan Sunnah, after what had befallen the Muslim society from the entry of things that affected the creed and the behavior of Muslims. So Allah sent this renewing Imam, and he (may Allah have mercy on him) set about alerting the Ummah and calling them to return to the original source brought by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and to reject innovations, superstitions, and newly invented matters that had accumulated in the minds of many Muslims and affected them for a period of time. So his call, his works, and his students had an effect in awakening the Muslims that no one denies except one who is stubborn or misguided. And among that are his fatwas, the great fatwas.
Which emanate from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and the methodology of the righteous Salaf in belief, in action, in dealings, and in morals. So they are fatwas that are full and a great record among the records of this great Islamic religion. And his fatwas are numerous, but what has been collected of them now is this huge amount that reaches thirty-five large volumes. And there are independent works, such as Minhaj al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah, such as Iqtida' al-Sirat al-Mustaqim, ah, his book Naqd al-Ta'sis in refuting al-Razi, and such as his book al-Jawab al-Sahih li-man Baddala Din al-Masih, so they are great books. Also his great letters, such as the al-Hamawiyyah letter, the al-Wasitiyyah letter, and the al-Hamawiyyah letter, and the al-Tamimiyyah letter, such as his refutations of the grave worshippers and the superstitious, like the refutation of al-Akhna'i, the refutation of Ibn al-Bakri, the refutation of Ibn Saba'in, the refutation of the people of the Unity of Existence, and the refutation of the Sufis, something that cannot be enumerated. So may Allah the Exalted and Majestic benefit the Muslims in various eras with this great scholarly effort, and it is sufficient from the virtues of this great methodology.
This blessed call that Shaykh al-Islam, the renewer, Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (may Allah have mercy on him) carried out, it was established upon this great heritage and ancient glory whose root is Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah. So Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab read these books and these fatwas, benefited from them, was influenced by them, and carried out the call in their light, and it had great fruits that are not hidden from one with insight. The Holy Qur'an Radio previously asked me to shed light on some of these fatwas, because giving the listeners an idea, even a brief one, about these specific fatwas, and these fatwas represent a small portion of the efforts of this scholar and this Imam. So I was pleased with this request and I proceeded to read these fatwas and write what was easy.
Of approximating the knowledge and jurisprudence in the religion of Allah the Exalted and Majestic contained therein. Starting from the first volume, this program continued for several years and was a weekly program. So I reached the tenth volume of the fatwas, presenting episodes during these years. Then this program stopped for a period, and perhaps it will resume activity, if Allah wills, and continue.
And as for the issue of commentary, if an opportunity arises and I see the appropriateness and connect the present with the past, I will add some comments to connect the reality of people today with what is in these fatwas, so that those whom Allah the Exalted and Majestic wills among the listeners may benefit from it. Yes. May Allah reward you, Shaykh.