It is required of the Muslim to understand his religion and to verify his creed. What is your guidance for Muslims regarding this and knowing their religion?
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The questioner : It is required of the Muslim to understand his religion and to verify his creed. How do you guide Muslims in this, O Shaykh, in knowing their religion?
The Shaykh : I direct the Muslims, first, to a word addressed to their scholars.
The questioner : Okay, Shaykh.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for the scholars of the Muslims to make clear the truth to the common people, for the scholars are in the position of stars on earth, by whom guidance is sought in the darkness of ignorance. So the scholars must fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and derive their knowledge from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and the methodology of the righteous predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them). Then they must guide the people to this. When the people’s scholars are righteous, they are righteous, and when their scholars deviate, they become a cause of their deviation. So it is upon them, the scholars, to fear Allah the Exalted in making the truth clear to the Ummah.
Then it is upon the common people to follow the words of their scholars who are known for knowledge and trustworthiness, without taking from ignorant scholars or from scholars who are not trustworthy regarding the religion of Allah or regarding the servants of Allah. The books based on the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) are numerous, such as the books of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) and his student Ibn al-Qayyim, and other early and late scholars. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : I direct the Muslims, first, to a word addressed to their scholars.
The questioner : Okay, Shaykh.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for the scholars of the Muslims to make clear the truth to the common people, for the scholars are in the position of stars on earth, by whom guidance is sought in the darkness of ignorance. So the scholars must fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and derive their knowledge from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and the methodology of the righteous predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them). Then they must guide the people to this. When the people’s scholars are righteous, they are righteous, and when their scholars deviate, they become a cause of their deviation. So it is upon them, the scholars, to fear Allah the Exalted in making the truth clear to the Ummah.
Then it is upon the common people to follow the words of their scholars who are known for knowledge and trustworthiness, without taking from ignorant scholars or from scholars who are not trustworthy regarding the religion of Allah or regarding the servants of Allah. The books based on the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) are numerous, such as the books of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) and his student Ibn al-Qayyim, and other early and late scholars. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh.