Advice from the Shaykh to those who debate the people of innovation before thousands of the common Muslim masses.

The Shaykh : On this occasion, it is necessary to draw attention to the fact that if a Muslim is invited to debate someone in their disbelief, their atheism, their deviation, or their misguidance, we see that this should be confined between him and that caller, and it is not permissible to announce it to all the people. This is because a word may come from the caller to disbelief that captivates the minds of some of the attendees who are weak in faith, weak in knowledge, and ignorant of Islam. Also, a word may come from the Muslim debater that may not be in accordance with the Book and the Sunnah, because he may not be well-established in understanding the Book and the Sunnah. In particular, as everyone who has studied the science of the Book and the Sunnah, even at the introductory levels, knows, there are hadiths in the Sunnah that are not authentic as having been said by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Perhaps the Muslim debater has had a hadith with no basis, or a hadith with a weak chain that is not authentic according to the Imams of hadith, fixed in his mind since his youth and since the time of his seeking knowledge. He may cite it and cling to it, and those who hear it may also cling to it and deviate, not only through that disbeliever or atheist caller, but also through this Muslim caller, because he has not yet matured in his knowledge. If a Muslim caller invites a Muslim to debate him, we see that it is necessary to respond to his invitation, because Islam is strong, and Islam prevails and nothing prevails over it. But which Islam is this? It is the pure Islam, as we affirmed earlier, from the Book and the Sunnah. Therefore, the debater must be strong in his knowledge of the Book and its understanding, and on the methodology of the righteous Salaf, and in his knowledge of the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace be upon him), distinguishing what is authentic from what is not, so that he is qualified to discuss those callers to falsehood. This is our advice regarding some of the debates that have occurred in these recent days. We do not see that they should be in a large gathering, but rather that they take place within four walls, attended by a few from both sides. There is no harm in that, and there is no harm in recording it. But if hundreds, or even thousands of the common people, attend, this is a fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) from which nothing comes out but harm to the creed of many of those attendees due to their weakness in knowledge, upbringing, and character. This is what appears to me. I have before me what may be some of your questions to pose to you as a reminder, for the reminder benefits the believers. And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

The questioner : And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

The Shaykh : There is no god but Allah.