Questions asked to
Shaykh Saleh ibn Ghunam as-Sadlaan [May Allaah preserve him] in his house after
Salaat al-Jumu‘ah, ar-Riyadh
3/8/1434 – 12/7/2013
Question: There is an Imaam in the masjid and he
has many problems in his ‘Aqeedah and Manhaj and his general practices. The
masjid committee want to remove him, so what do they need to do to achieve
this?
Answer: They can remove as they please, with the
same authority as the police. If this Imaam reservations are in regards to his
religion, meaning he contradicts his stance as being an Imaam, then he must be
removed. From the responsibilities of an Imaam is that he is able to recite the
Quraan properly, that he prays properly with its pillars and obligations, that
he is has no problems in the Masjid. If this happens, then the affair goes back
to the committee and the organisation that runs it, and they need to decide and
discuss a decision about his religious commitments. There is no harm if he is
advised before he is removed, if he responds then all well and good, otherwise
they are free to remove him.
[TN: The Shaykh has a book on the Ahkaam of a
Masjid which he used to give an explanation for in his house, maybe Arabic
readers can refer back to this for more information and benefit]
Question: Does quoting or referencing a quote
from a person of innovation make a person an innovator?
Answer: Quoting and referencing peoples words
depends. What is the intent by doing this, firstly. All of this goes back to
the persons intention in quoting and spreading the words of an innovator. If a
person intends to quote an innovator so that people will believe him or revere
his words then this is not permissible, never.
However, if one is quoting the innovator to
inform others of his mistake and to warn against him, then this is permissible.
If a person quotes an innovator but his speech
is in conformance to the truth and the stance of Ahl as-Sunnah, then this
doesn’t make the one quoting him an innovator, but we will say it is better not
to, especially if they differed and argued with Ahl as-Sunnah about.
Why does this person want to quote an innovator
even if he is saying the truth and spread his words and publicise him to the
Muslim masses? If a person wants to do this with the intent of spreading
disruption and confusion, then this is not permissible.
As for Ahl as-Sunnah they are agreed on their principles
and they are united and this is what should be spread.
Questioner: We are asking this because some
people state that merely quoting an innovator makes a person an innovator. For
instance, an innovator may be quoted but what he
may have said in that particular instance, was supported by quoting Ibn
Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Katheer in Tafseer or other Imaams of Ahl
as-Sunnah. So if an author quotes an innovator whilst supporting the views of Ahl as-Sunnah and supports it by quoting Imaams of Ahl
as-Sunnah, does this act of the author take him outside the fold of Ahl
as-Sunnah?
Shaykh Saaleh: No this never takes him outside
of Ahl as-Sunnah, because whatever is in conformance to what the scholars of Ahl
as-Sunnah have said, then this is knowledge (not innovation or ignorance).Innovators are not returned to in matters of the
religion, but if they mention something and it was correct,
then there is no harm in quoting him but if he is mistaken then quoting them must be
left.
Question: What are the principles that include a
person within Ahl as-Sunnah or take him out of it.
Answer: If it becomes common practice for a
person to support and aid innovation (i.e. not Ijtihaad), and he calls to it
then he becomes an innovator and outside the fold of Ahl as-Sunnah. This is
because the people of the Sunnah do not call or aid innovation, they do not
command it or have inclination to it in the slightest. They do not support or
spread books that include innovated ideas. They do not love it so if a person
opposes Ahl as-Sunnah, then he is not from them. Therefore it goes back to the
person methodology (Manhaj) in following the Sunnah or innovation.
[TN: I asked similar questions to Shaykh Saaleh
al-Luhaydaan (may Allaah Preserve him) and he gave very similar answers]
Question: How does a student of knowledge
balance studying and earning a living?
Answer: By splitting his day in which is
balances studying and work, as much as they are able. It is well-known that
work doesn’t take longer than six to eight hours, despite their location in the
world. This leaves sixteen hours in which he can seek knowledge, it is
reasonable to presume that from the sixteen two hours can be dedicated to
seeking knowledge.
Question: What is the status of Ahl al-Fatrah
(the people who didn’t have a messenger or the message come to them) in the
grave. Will they be punished or receive bliss?
Answer: Nothing has been related to us in
regards to them being punished in the grave,
وَلاَ
تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ
كُلُّ أُولئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاً
“And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The
hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned
(by Allah).” [al-Israa’ 17: 36]
However on the issue of what will happen to them
on the Day of Judgement, this is where the scholars differed. Some said they
will be tested, others said they will be forgiven. What seems to be correct is
that they will be forgiven because Allaah does not Punish until the message
clearly comes to a person, and His Mercy is broader than His Punishment.
However, as for their state in the punishment in the grave, we do not know
anything about this.
And Allaah Knows Best.
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