Mention of some opponents who disparage the Shaykh's call and label the Salafis as "Al-Albanis," just as the call of the Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab was labeled "Wahhabi."
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Al-Halabi: May Allah preserve you, our Shaykh. I mean, perhaps this is the last question, even though we would have liked to have many more questions. But what you have graciously offered recently regarding not being preoccupied with these people who lie in wait and pick up [faults], indeed they lie and fabricate—I say that we have read in some of your writings and heard from you in many, in many of your gatherings, describing the lands of the two Noble Sanctuaries as the land of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and as the state of tawhid. This is something we know from you and about you. There is no doubt or ambiguity that these blessed lands have not reached their current state except because of what they were originally built upon, namely the call of the Shaykh and Imam Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (may Allah have mercy on him). And you always mention in your gatherings a verse of poetry which I may not have perfectly memorized: "If he is a follower of Ahmad, glowing" So, so
The Shaykh :"I am the one who affirms that I am a Wahhabi"
Al-Halabi: Yes, "I am the one who affirms that I am a Wahhabi"
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
Al-Halabi: And as we know, the term "Wahhabi" may be used by some, meaning from the standpoint of repelling and criticizing. But your citing this poetry is from some of the sons or grandsons of the Shaykh and Imam Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, which is proof that you and he, praise be to Allah, are in the same circle, on the same path, and in the same methodology. This alone is sufficient to invalidate the claims of these false claimants, the lying claimants, the fabricators, whom we sincerely ask Allah, and I swear by Allah, to guide and reform, instead of directing their arrows at the people of knowledge, the people of the Sunnah, and the people of the hadith. They should direct them toward the people of superstition, the innovators, the misguiders, and the partisans. Look, they are writing letters and articles, and publishing tapes, words, and writings, not wanting anything by this except to repel people from the people of the Sunnah. They name it in a way that is almost like the naming by the opponents of the call of the Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab of your call. So, many of the people of superstition, in order to repel the call of the Shaykh, to repel 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, "the call of the Al-Albanis."
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 one path and in one circle.
The Shaykh : There is nothing but the call of Islam, upon the Book and the Sunnah, and upon the methodology of the Salaf al-Salih (the earliest generations). We have mentioned in some of our books and annotations that it is a bid'ah (religious innovation) to write on the door of a mosque "Mosque of So-and-So," "Mosque of So-and-So." So how can it be said "the madhhab (school of jurisprudence) of Al-Albani" or "the Wahhabi [madhhab] of Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab," etc.? We disavow these names, both old and new, and we call upon all Muslims not to affiliate themselves except to Islam, to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and to the methodology of the Salaf al-Salih (the earliest generations), from which Allah has threatened the opponents by His saying, the Exalted:[An-Nisa 4:115] They are undoubtedly the first to enter among the believers in this text; they are our first Salaf (the earliest generations).
Al-Halabi: Yes.
The Shaykh :[An-Nisa 4:115] And I am adding to what you called for, that Allah the Exalted guide them, so adding to that, if they persist in their baghy (armed rebellion against legitimate authority) and aggression, then 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 : And perhaps this extent 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, the twenty-second of the month of Rajab, in the year one thousand and eighteen.
The Shaykh :"I am the one who affirms that I am a Wahhabi"
The Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) laughed.
ضحك الشيخ رحمه الله تعالىAl-Halabi: Yes, "I am the one who affirms that I am a Wahhabi"
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
Al-Halabi: And as we know, the term "Wahhabi" may be used by some, meaning from the standpoint of repelling and criticizing. But your citing this poetry is from some of the sons or grandsons of the Shaykh and Imam Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, which is proof that you and he, praise be to Allah, are in the same circle, on the same path, and in the same methodology. This alone is sufficient to invalidate the claims of these false claimants, the lying claimants, the fabricators, whom we sincerely ask Allah, and I swear by Allah, to guide and reform, instead of directing their arrows at the people of knowledge, the people of the Sunnah, and the people of the hadith. They should direct them toward the people of superstition, the innovators, the misguiders, and the partisans. Look, they are writing letters and articles, and publishing tapes, words, and writings, not wanting anything by this except to repel people from the people of the Sunnah. They name it in a way that is almost like the naming by the opponents of the call of the Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab of your call. So, many of the people of superstition, in order to repel the call of the Shaykh, to repel 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, "the call of the Al-Albanis."
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 one path and in one circle.
The Shaykh : There is nothing but the call of Islam, upon the Book and the Sunnah, and upon the methodology of the Salaf al-Salih (the earliest generations). We have mentioned in some of our books and annotations that it is a bid'ah (religious innovation) to write on the door of a mosque "Mosque of So-and-So," "Mosque of So-and-So." So how can it be said "the madhhab (school of jurisprudence) of Al-Albani" or "the Wahhabi [madhhab] of Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab," etc.? We disavow these names, both old and new, and we call upon all Muslims not to affiliate themselves except to Islam, to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and to the methodology of the Salaf al-Salih (the earliest generations), from which Allah has threatened the opponents by His saying, the Exalted:
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers
ومن يشاقق الرسول من بعد ما تبين له الهدى ويتبع غير سبيل المؤمنينAl-Halabi: Yes.
The Shaykh :
And 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.
ومن يشاقق الرسول من بعد ما تبين له الهدى ويتبع غير سبيل المؤمنين نوله ما تولى ونصله جهنم وساءت مصيراAl-Halabi: Allah is the Greatest.
The Shaykh : If Allah wills.
Al-Halabi: Allah is the Greatest.
The Shaykh : And perhaps this extent 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, the twenty-second of the month of Rajab, in the year one thousand and eighteen.