Mention of some opponents who disparage the Shaykh's call and label the Salafis as "Al-Albanis," just as the Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab's call was labeled
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Al-Halabi: (May Allah preserve you) — our Shaykh —, I suppose this might be the last question, though we would have liked there to be many more. But regarding what you graciously mentioned earlier about not being preoccupied with these people who lie in wait and pick up scraps, indeed they lie and fabricate; I say: we have read in some of your writings and heard from you in many of your gatherings your description of the two Holy Sanctuaries as the land of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and the state of tawhid. This is something we know from you and about you. There is no doubt that this blessed land has reached its current status only because of what it was originally founded upon, namely the call of the Shaykh Imam "Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab" (may Allah have mercy on him). You always mention in your gatherings a verse of poetry that I may not have memorized perfectly:
"If he is a follower of Ahmad who is burning with zeal *** then...
The Shaykh: "I am the one who acknowledges that I am a Wahhabi" [The Shaykh laughs!].
Al-Halabi: Yes, "I am the one who acknowledges that I am a Wahhabi."
The Shaykh: Yes.
Al-Halabi: And as we know, the term "Wahhabi" is used by some to mean repulsion and criticism. However, your citing of this poetry, which is from some of the sons or grandsons of the Shaykh Imam "Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab," is proof that you and he — praise be to Allah — are in the same circle, on the same path, and following the same methodology. This alone is sufficient to invalidate the claims of these false claimants, the liars and fabricators. We sincerely ask Allah — and by Allah — to guide them and reform them. Instead of directing their arrows at the people of knowledge, the people of the Sunnah, and the people of hadith, they should direct them toward the superstitious, the innovators, the misguided, and the partisans. Look, they write letters and articles, and distribute tapes, words, and writings, seeking nothing thereby but to turn people away from the people of the Sunnah. They use a label that is almost like the label opponents used for the call of the Shaykh "Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab" for your call. Many of the superstitious, out of repulsion from the call of the Shaykh "Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab," call it the "Wahhabi call," as if he is calling to himself! And these people too — we have heard them say — call it the "Al-Albani call."
The Shaykh : I seek refuge in Allah!
Al-Halabi: This is an indication that the people of bid'ah (religious innovation) in every place and time are on the same path and in the same circle.
The Shaykh: There is nothing but the call of Islam, based on the Book and the Sunnah, and following the methodology of the righteous Salaf. We have mentioned in some of our books and annotations that it is a bid'ah to write "So-and-so's Mosque" on the door of a mosque, "So-and-so's Mosque"!! How then can one say "the Al-Albani madhhab" or "the Wahhabi [madhhab of] Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab," and so on? We disavow these names, both old and new, and we call upon all Muslims to affiliate themselves only to Islam; to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, and the methodology of the righteous Salaf, regarding which Allah has promised the opponents of it, saying — Mighty and Majestic is He —:[An-Nisa 4:115] They are undoubtedly the first among the believers mentioned in this text, namely our earliest Salaf. [An-Nisa 4:115], and in addition to your supplication for them that Allah — Mighty and Majestic is He — guide them; in addition to that, if they persist in their rebellion and aggression, Allah will take revenge upon them, if Allah wills.
Al-Halabi: Allah is the Greatest!
The Shaykh : If Allah wills.
Al-Halabi: Allah is the Greatest!
The Shaykh: Perhaps this much is sufficient.
Al-Halabi: May Allah reward you with good, our Shaykh, and bless you, benefit through you, and guide you to the truth. And may Allah send prayers upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and all his Companions.
This session was held on the morning of Saturday, on the twenty-second of the month of Rajab, in the year 1418 AH.
"If he is a follower of Ahmad who is burning with zeal *** then...
The Shaykh: "I am the one who acknowledges that I am a Wahhabi" [The Shaykh laughs!].
Al-Halabi: Yes, "I am the one who acknowledges that I am a Wahhabi."
The Shaykh: Yes.
Al-Halabi: And as we know, the term "Wahhabi" is used by some to mean repulsion and criticism. However, your citing of this poetry, which is from some of the sons or grandsons of the Shaykh Imam "Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab," is proof that you and he — praise be to Allah — are in the same circle, on the same path, and following the same methodology. This alone is sufficient to invalidate the claims of these false claimants, the liars and fabricators. We sincerely ask Allah — and by Allah — to guide them and reform them. Instead of directing their arrows at the people of knowledge, the people of the Sunnah, and the people of hadith, they should direct them toward the superstitious, the innovators, the misguided, and the partisans. Look, they write letters and articles, and distribute tapes, words, and writings, seeking nothing thereby but to turn people away from the people of the Sunnah. They use a label that is almost like the label opponents used for the call of the Shaykh "Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab" for your call. Many of the superstitious, out of repulsion from the call of the Shaykh "Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab," call it the "Wahhabi call," as if he is calling to himself! And these people too — we have heard them say — call it the "Al-Albani call."
The Shaykh : I seek refuge in Allah!
Al-Halabi: This is an indication that the people of bid'ah (religious innovation) in every place and time are on the same path and in the same circle.
The Shaykh: There is nothing but the call of Islam, based on the Book and the Sunnah, and following the methodology of the righteous Salaf. We have mentioned in some of our books and annotations that it is a bid'ah to write "So-and-so's Mosque" on the door of a mosque, "So-and-so's Mosque"!! How then can one say "the Al-Albani madhhab" or "the Wahhabi [madhhab of] Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab," and so on? We disavow these names, both old and new, and we call upon all Muslims to affiliate themselves only to Islam; to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, and the methodology of the righteous Salaf, regarding which Allah has promised the opponents of it, saying — Mighty and Majestic is He —:
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers
وَمَنْ يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَAnd whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.
وَمَنْ يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًاAl-Halabi: Allah is the Greatest!
The Shaykh : If Allah wills.
Al-Halabi: Allah is the Greatest!
The Shaykh: Perhaps this much is sufficient.
Al-Halabi: May Allah reward you with good, our Shaykh, and bless you, benefit through you, and guide you to the truth. And may Allah send prayers upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and all his Companions.
This session was held on the morning of Saturday, on the twenty-second of the month of Rajab, in the year 1418 AH.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.