Teaching 'Aqeedah is a matter of great importance; what is obligatory for students of knowledge and callers to Allah regarding this?
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The questioner : Noble Shaykh, teaching 'Aqeedah is a matter of great importance, so what is obligatory for students of knowledge and callers to Allah regarding this?
The Shaykh : The reality, my brother 'Abd al-Karim, is that people have much ignorance regarding 'Aqeedah and other matters. But praise be to Allah, there is good news: people are now turning to knowledge, and some are even overzealous, exaggerating even in 'Aqeedah by speaking about things the Salaf did not speak about, seeking to prove them.
But students of knowledge must speak to people according to their condition. For example, if we see the people of a village have deviated in 'Aqeedah, we focus on 'Aqeedah and investigate it thoroughly. If we see others neglecting congregational prayer, we speak about the congregation. That is, the call and the emphasis in it should be according to what the situation requires. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nahl 16:125].
For example, if we see people establishing prayer as it should be, but they are neglecting zakah, do we focus on prayer because it is more important than zakah, or do we focus on zakah because they are neglecting it?
The second answer: We do not go and speak about prayer when they have already established it as it should be. For every situation, there is a specific discourse. The wise one does what he sees the people need, whether in 'Aqeedah or in the deeds of the limbs.
The Shaykh : The reality, my brother 'Abd al-Karim, is that people have much ignorance regarding 'Aqeedah and other matters. But praise be to Allah, there is good news: people are now turning to knowledge, and some are even overzealous, exaggerating even in 'Aqeedah by speaking about things the Salaf did not speak about, seeking to prove them.
But students of knowledge must speak to people according to their condition. For example, if we see the people of a village have deviated in 'Aqeedah, we focus on 'Aqeedah and investigate it thoroughly. If we see others neglecting congregational prayer, we speak about the congregation. That is, the call and the emphasis in it should be according to what the situation requires. Allah the Exalted said:
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best
ادع إلى سبيل ربك بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة وجادلهم بالتي هي أحسنFor example, if we see people establishing prayer as it should be, but they are neglecting zakah, do we focus on prayer because it is more important than zakah, or do we focus on zakah because they are neglecting it?
The second answer: We do not go and speak about prayer when they have already established it as it should be. For every situation, there is a specific discourse. The wise one does what he sees the people need, whether in 'Aqeedah or in the deeds of the limbs.