Part 7

In it, a virtuous quality became known, even though it was through the work of the envious. So, although he was tried and punished, a great benefit shone through the bars of his prison, and his dawah became known in that place as never before. 18 Ibn Taymeeah referred to them as Ahlu-bid'ah wal-Firqa. "And be not like those who have drawn apart from one another and have taken to conflicting views after all evidence of the truth has come to them." [Al Qur'aan 5:105] Similarly, one of the fundamental themes of the Sunnah is obedience to the Messenger (salallaahu alayhi wa salam). Therefore the Prophet (salallaahu alayhi wa salam) said in the authentic hadith related by Muslim on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah: "Allaah is pleased with you on three occasions. (Firstly) when you worship Him and do not associate any partners with Him. (Secondly) when you hold fast, all together to the bond of Allaah and do not draw apart and, (thirdly) when you advise the good rulers whom Allaah had placed in charge of your affairs." Furthermore, in the hadith of Zayd bin Thaabit and Ibn Mas'ood, who were both among the scholars from the companions that the Messenger of Allaah said: "May Allaah brighten the face of a man who hears me and then relays to another who has not. It impossible that a carrier of knowledge is not himself knowledgeable, or that the carrier of knowledge will deliver it to someone more knowledgeable. Three things purify the heart of a Muslim. The sincerity in working for the sake of Allaah, taking-up the task of advising the rulers, and not departing from tbe group of Muslims." In order to implement this principle on a personal note, I say that it is not my wish for any Muslim to be harmed because of me overtly or covertly. This applies to all Muslims, but more specifically to our companions and acquaintances. Neither do I want any of them to be blamed or condemned, as they are still worthy of honour and respect. Indeed, man does not escape being classified into one of three categories: a correct mutjtahid, a wrong one, and a sinner. The first is rewarded and praised, the second is rewarded yet forgiven for his blunder. Regarding the third, I ask Allaah to forgive him, us and the rest of the Muslims. 19 Therefore, we shall turn a new leaf on those who had erred and not fulfilled this aforementioned principle 20. Yet I know of some who say "this man erred" and "this man did not do what he should have", or "the Shaykh was harmed because of this man." Those words that have harmed some brothers I do not condone, nor do I pardon those who utter them. You should also know that we are all joining to assist one another. It is obligatory upon us to aid each other, more so now than before. So whomsoever thinks that harming some brothers as a result of the hardship experienced in Damascus and Egypt, then he is wrong. It is true that a believer to a believer is like the two hands, one cleans the other. And it is also true that some 19 There is nothing beyond this forgiveness, and it can onlyc ome from a scholar who has undoubtedly inherited the tradition of the Prophets. 20 He is probably referring to some of his brothers and companions in Damascus who grew weak during his trial, and who did not continue on the methodology of their Shaykh. He is barring his companions from harming them, and at the same time excuses them showing that he has no ill feelings towards them in his heart. Instead he values them and loves them for the Sake of Allaah. kinds of dirt can only be washed by hard scrubbing, yet this treatment will be justified when the outcome appears to the restoration of that botherly love. Let no one think that the believer can be economical with helping their brothers, and in aiding them. If some of our companions had neglected us before, they came to us, their status will rise higher than before. You might also know - may Allaah be pleased with you - that issues like this one often occur due to a difference of opinion and variations that might even befall the people of eemaan due to the whispers of shaytaan. Allaah says: "Yet man took it [the trust] up - for, verily, he has always been prone to the most wicked, most foolish. [And so it is] that Allaah imposes suffering on the hypocrites, both men and women, as well as on the men and women who ascribe divinity to anything besides Him. And [so too, it is] that Allaah turns in His Mercy unto the believing men and believing women: for Allaah is indeed much forgiving, a dispenser of grace." [Al Qur'aan 33:72-73] Even the excesses that took place in this issue 21, including the misconceptions, both desires and also the lies and fabrications, were all a bonus and benefit as Allaah says: "Verily, numerous among you are those who would falsely accuse others of unchastity: [but, O you who are thus wronged,] deem it not a bad thing for you. No, it is good for you.