It is well known that many of the Salaf declared the Jahmiyyah to be disbelievers, and declared disbelievers those who held to the createdness of the Qur'an and other matters that entail disbelief.
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. It is well known that many of the Salaf declared the Jahmiyyah to be disbelievers, and declared disbelievers those who held to the createdness of the Qur'an and other matters that entail disbelief. Is there any blame on one who declares these people disbelievers following the method of the Salaf? Furthermore, compelling people to adopt one of the opinions, which is not declaring them disbelievers, emboldens the callers to innovation and the ignorant innovators to persist in their disbelief ... that entails kufr. If the mufti would add to the opinion of not declaring them disbelievers the position of the Salaf, it would serve as a deterrent for many bad callers and the ignorant people of innovation from persisting ...?
The Shaykh : What I believe is.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, regarding the declaration of disbelief by the Salaf against the Jahmiyyah or the Jahmi, in my belief, the scholars of the Salaf established the proof against those people, and they persisted in their misguidance and error. We do not doubt that such a declaration of disbelief is on the right path. However, other misguidances are not measured by the misguidance of the Jahmiyyah, because in my belief, there is no one today who establishes the proof as we mentioned in some gatherings against those who have deviated from the correct Islamic creed. Therefore, we differentiate and say: This is kufr, and this is shirk, but we do not rush to declare someone a disbeliever and expel the one who has fallen into kufr from the religion except after establishing the proof.
As for what came in the question that the Salaf declared the Jahmiyyah to be disbelievers, the answer in my belief is that they believed that the proof had been established against them from many and many angles. Especially since the circumstances were favorable for the people of the Sunnah to establish conclusive proofs against the misguidance of these Jahmiyyah. Despite this, they persisted in their misguidance, and in return, the scholars of the Salaf persisted in declaring them disbelievers. So, and peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Another questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The Shaykh : Rabi': Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Welcome, please, be comfortable. May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah greet you with goodness.
The Shaykh : May Allah greet you. Please, go ahead.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah greet you with goodness.
The Shaykh : Welcome, welcome. May Allah greet you and keep you.
The Shaykh : Rabi': How are you?
The Shaykh : We praise Allah. To you.
The Shaykh : Rabi': Praise be to Allah.
The Shaykh : How are you? I hope you are well.
The Shaykh : Rabi': We praise Allah ...
The Shaykh : May Allah share goodness with you. It is good, and praise be to Allah, praise be to Allah. May Allah bless you. How are you?
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah greet you.
The Shaykh : Welcome. Yes, my dear brother?
The Shaykh : Rabi': We are explaining to people that these matters, this is a matter of something.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': ... and this is a matter ... and the Salaf declared disbelief for it, but we do not declare them disbelievers except if the proof is established. And we fear that many of you, I mean, may truly be polytheists in reality and be eternally in the Fire. Because enlightening people, because when the fatwa comes to people, it is always cold like this, without drawing attention to the positions of the Salaf regarding these innovations, meaning they are Muslims and that's it, the matter is over, ... the proof has not been established, they are Muslims. So we say, these matters, the Salaf declared disbelief for them. We do not declare disbelief, but these matters are very serious, and we must warn people, and all callers to Allah - Blessed and Exalted is He - must cooperate in saving the Muslims from this danger.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': So this is a matter for which the Salaf declared disbelief. I do not declare disbelief, but it is a serious matter for which the Salaf declared disbelief, and many Muslims, I mean, may be exposed to entering the Fire.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': So we strive earnestly to save people from this for which the Salaf declared disbelief, and they ruled that its perpetrator is a polytheist. So, for example, we do not issue a fatwa saying this matter does not entail disbelief, this matter does not entail disbelief except if the proof is established, and that's it. If I mention alongside this the declaration of disbelief by the Salaf, and their strictness in this matter, it might be a deterrent and a warning for many people from persisting in committing this matter that entails disbelief. And we will consult you: Should we use this approach?
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': As a deterrent for people?
The Shaykh : I do not hesitate at all regarding this addition that you are proposing.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah reward you with good, may Allah preserve you.
The Shaykh : But I say: If it is said that this is kufr and shirk and misguidance and expels one from the religion, this is not an easy matter.
The Shaykh : Rabi': That is enough for them, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': That is enough.
The Shaykh : No, I say if we add it, it is better, but this is not an easy matter when saying this action you do is kufr and it is shirk and so on, meaning it expels its doer from the religion if he knows that this is the case. But the addition you mentioned has no room for denying its value.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': I sat with people many times and again, and they said: Where does the Shaykh al-Islam say this? He mentioned Ibn Taymiyyah, until he said to the Jahmiyyah: It is kufr, so I do not declare myself a disbeliever. It means: that he does not declare them disbelievers. Why do we declare people disbelievers then? We do not declare all people disbelievers, but we want good for people, we want deterrents for people that warn them from these innovations that entail disbelief.
The Shaykh: Correct.
The Shaykh : Rabi': We tell them: The Salaf declared disbelief for these issues, they declared the Jahmiyyah disbelievers for their actions and for greater problems, they declared the Jahmiyyah disbelievers, and now the Muslims have polytheism and things more dangerous than those issues for which the Muslims declared disbelief.
The Shaykh : If you could narrate something to us, may Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Rabi': We do not deny the positions of the Salaf, because now people have buried the opinion of the Salaf and their positions, they buried it completely, even though they used to declare disbelief for this thing. So do not bury these fatwas.
The Shaykh : This statement - may Allah bless you - as we said earlier, there should be no disagreement about it.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : But in my belief, this is more a matter of preaching and guidance than a matter of scientific knowledge.
The Shaykh : Rabi': Yes.
The Shaykh : So if one of those people said to us: Why did the Salaf declare those Jahmiyyah and their like disbelievers, and you are cautious and say: We do not declare disbelief?
The Shaykh : Rabi': Yes.
The Shaykh : We have no answer except: After establishing the proof.
The Shaykh : Rabi': Yes, after establishing the proof, this is said to them.
The Shaykh : That is it.
The Shaykh : Rabi': But I say: I mean, they often exploited the fatwas of Ibn Taymiyyah. I see that Ibn Taymiyyah narrates the positions of the Salaf in his speech, he presents the positions of the Salaf in the issues and clarifies that they declared disbelief in them, then he himself expresses his opinion. Then people cling to the opinion of Ibn Taymiyyah for purposes and desires in their souls, just to tell you: You declare Muslims disbelievers, and Ibn Taymiyyah does not declare them disbelievers, and that's it. And they cling to that statement!
The Shaykh : The issue of desires - may Allah bless you - there is no room for eliminating it, but we are talking about what concerns us and our approach. So what you mentioned, I mean, is a matter on which two people do not disagree and no two camels butt heads - as they used to say in old times -.
The Shaykh : What I believe is.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, regarding the declaration of disbelief by the Salaf against the Jahmiyyah or the Jahmi, in my belief, the scholars of the Salaf established the proof against those people, and they persisted in their misguidance and error. We do not doubt that such a declaration of disbelief is on the right path. However, other misguidances are not measured by the misguidance of the Jahmiyyah, because in my belief, there is no one today who establishes the proof as we mentioned in some gatherings against those who have deviated from the correct Islamic creed. Therefore, we differentiate and say: This is kufr, and this is shirk, but we do not rush to declare someone a disbeliever and expel the one who has fallen into kufr from the religion except after establishing the proof.
As for what came in the question that the Salaf declared the Jahmiyyah to be disbelievers, the answer in my belief is that they believed that the proof had been established against them from many and many angles. Especially since the circumstances were favorable for the people of the Sunnah to establish conclusive proofs against the misguidance of these Jahmiyyah. Despite this, they persisted in their misguidance, and in return, the scholars of the Salaf persisted in declaring them disbelievers. So, and peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Another questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The Shaykh : Rabi': Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Welcome, please, be comfortable. May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah greet you with goodness.
The Shaykh : May Allah greet you. Please, go ahead.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah greet you with goodness.
The Shaykh : Welcome, welcome. May Allah greet you and keep you.
The Shaykh : Rabi': How are you?
The Shaykh : We praise Allah. To you.
The Shaykh : Rabi': Praise be to Allah.
The Shaykh : How are you? I hope you are well.
The Shaykh : Rabi': We praise Allah ...
The Shaykh : May Allah share goodness with you. It is good, and praise be to Allah, praise be to Allah. May Allah bless you. How are you?
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah greet you.
The Shaykh : Welcome. Yes, my dear brother?
The Shaykh : Rabi': We are explaining to people that these matters, this is a matter of something.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': ... and this is a matter ... and the Salaf declared disbelief for it, but we do not declare them disbelievers except if the proof is established. And we fear that many of you, I mean, may truly be polytheists in reality and be eternally in the Fire. Because enlightening people, because when the fatwa comes to people, it is always cold like this, without drawing attention to the positions of the Salaf regarding these innovations, meaning they are Muslims and that's it, the matter is over, ... the proof has not been established, they are Muslims. So we say, these matters, the Salaf declared disbelief for them. We do not declare disbelief, but these matters are very serious, and we must warn people, and all callers to Allah - Blessed and Exalted is He - must cooperate in saving the Muslims from this danger.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': So this is a matter for which the Salaf declared disbelief. I do not declare disbelief, but it is a serious matter for which the Salaf declared disbelief, and many Muslims, I mean, may be exposed to entering the Fire.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': So we strive earnestly to save people from this for which the Salaf declared disbelief, and they ruled that its perpetrator is a polytheist. So, for example, we do not issue a fatwa saying this matter does not entail disbelief, this matter does not entail disbelief except if the proof is established, and that's it. If I mention alongside this the declaration of disbelief by the Salaf, and their strictness in this matter, it might be a deterrent and a warning for many people from persisting in committing this matter that entails disbelief. And we will consult you: Should we use this approach?
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': As a deterrent for people?
The Shaykh : I do not hesitate at all regarding this addition that you are proposing.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah reward you with good, may Allah preserve you.
The Shaykh : But I say: If it is said that this is kufr and shirk and misguidance and expels one from the religion, this is not an easy matter.
The Shaykh : Rabi': That is enough for them, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': That is enough.
The Shaykh : No, I say if we add it, it is better, but this is not an easy matter when saying this action you do is kufr and it is shirk and so on, meaning it expels its doer from the religion if he knows that this is the case. But the addition you mentioned has no room for denying its value.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The Shaykh : Rabi': I sat with people many times and again, and they said: Where does the Shaykh al-Islam say this? He mentioned Ibn Taymiyyah, until he said to the Jahmiyyah: It is kufr, so I do not declare myself a disbeliever. It means: that he does not declare them disbelievers. Why do we declare people disbelievers then? We do not declare all people disbelievers, but we want good for people, we want deterrents for people that warn them from these innovations that entail disbelief.
The Shaykh: Correct.
The Shaykh : Rabi': We tell them: The Salaf declared disbelief for these issues, they declared the Jahmiyyah disbelievers for their actions and for greater problems, they declared the Jahmiyyah disbelievers, and now the Muslims have polytheism and things more dangerous than those issues for which the Muslims declared disbelief.
The Shaykh : If you could narrate something to us, may Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Rabi': We do not deny the positions of the Salaf, because now people have buried the opinion of the Salaf and their positions, they buried it completely, even though they used to declare disbelief for this thing. So do not bury these fatwas.
The Shaykh : This statement - may Allah bless you - as we said earlier, there should be no disagreement about it.
The Shaykh : Rabi': May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : But in my belief, this is more a matter of preaching and guidance than a matter of scientific knowledge.
The Shaykh : Rabi': Yes.
The Shaykh : So if one of those people said to us: Why did the Salaf declare those Jahmiyyah and their like disbelievers, and you are cautious and say: We do not declare disbelief?
The Shaykh : Rabi': Yes.
The Shaykh : We have no answer except: After establishing the proof.
The Shaykh : Rabi': Yes, after establishing the proof, this is said to them.
The Shaykh : That is it.
The Shaykh : Rabi': But I say: I mean, they often exploited the fatwas of Ibn Taymiyyah. I see that Ibn Taymiyyah narrates the positions of the Salaf in his speech, he presents the positions of the Salaf in the issues and clarifies that they declared disbelief in them, then he himself expresses his opinion. Then people cling to the opinion of Ibn Taymiyyah for purposes and desires in their souls, just to tell you: You declare Muslims disbelievers, and Ibn Taymiyyah does not declare them disbelievers, and that's it. And they cling to that statement!
The Shaykh : The issue of desires - may Allah bless you - there is no room for eliminating it, but we are talking about what concerns us and our approach. So what you mentioned, I mean, is a matter on which two people do not disagree and no two camels butt heads - as they used to say in old times -.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.