Warn your brethren of the "Salafi" sect
From the preceding presentation of the "Salafi" movement's deviant beliefs, insha Allah there should not remain even the slightest inkling of a doubt in the mind of the sincere reader about that movement's deviant nature and falsehood. It is only the ignorant, grossly biased, and dishonest sympathizers of the group that will maintain the view that the group's teachings and beliefs are in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunna, since it has been clearly and decisively proven to be just the exact opposite.
In the foregoing work, the reader will have noticed that everything of the pure Islamic Belief mentioned has been contradicted, altered, and otherwise manipulated by that sect. In fact, the Prophet has warned us about the appearance of such deviant groups when he said in an authentic narration reported by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad from Mu`awiya and cited by Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir (for 3:104-109):
Verily, the People of the Two Books split their Religion (deen) into seventy-two separate religions (milla), and verily this Community will split into seventy three religions -- that is: vain desires (ahwa') -- all of them bound for the Fire except one, and that is the Congregation (al-jama`a). Verily, there shall arise in my Community a kind of people of whom those vain desires shall take complete possession just as rabies takes possession of its host: not one artery nor sinew of his remains except rabies penetrates it. By Allah! O Assembly of the Arabs! I tell you truly that if you do not establish what your Prophet brought, I swear that there are people other than you that are more fit to establish it.
(رواية أحمد) حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا صَفْوَانُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَزْهَرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْهَوْزَنِيُّ قَالَ أَبُو الْمُغِيرَةِ فِي مَوْضِعٍ آخَرَ الْحَرَازِيُّ عَنْ أَبِي عَامِرٍ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ لُحَيٍّ قَالَ حَجَجْنَا مَعَ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا مَكَّةَ قَامَ حِينَ صَلَّى صَلَاةَ الظُّهْرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابَيْنِ افْتَرَقُوا فِي دِينِهِمْ عَلَى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً وَإِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةَ سَتَفْتَرِقُ عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً يَعْنِي الْأَهْوَاءَ كُلُّهَا فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا وَاحِدَةً وَهِيَ الْجَمَاعَةُ وَإِنَّهُ سَيَخْرُجُ فِي أُمَّتِي أَقْوَامٌ تَجَارَى بِهِمْ تِلْكَ الْأَهْوَاءُ كَمَا يَتَجَارَى الْكَلَبُ بِصَاحِبِهِ لَا يَبْقَى مِنْهُ عِرْقٌ وَلَا مَفْصِلٌ إِلَّا دَخَلَهُ وَاللَّهِ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْعَرَبِ لَئِنْ لَمْ تَقُومُوا بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّكُمْ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَغَيْرُكُمْ مِنَ النَّاسِ أَحْرَى أَنْ لَا يَقُومَ بِهِ *
Let there be no doubt that each of these groups claims for itself that it is the Saved Group, and that it is correct, and that it alone follows the Prophet. Accordingly, "Salafi" sectarians print deviant and fanciful literature in the guise of teaching pure Islam. The Prophet predicted this when he said: "One of the signs of the change of the Religion is the affectation of eloquence by the rabble."[1] Allah has permitted them a certain time to wreak havoc on the Umma, and that time is coming to an end insha Allah.
The way of Truth is the Way of the People of the Prophet's Sunna and of the Congregation (Ahl al-Sunna wa al-Jama`a). It is not the way of "Salafis," or "Talafis," or any other of the ways that have mushroomed in our time. It is a single way and it is the one which leads to salvation. Any other way is one of the ways of misguidance which lead to destruction. This was clearly explained by the Prophet in another hadith narrated by Ahmad with a good chain from `Abd Allah ibn Mas`ud:
Allah's Messenger drew a line with his hand and said, "This is the straight path of Allah." He then drew lines to its right and to its left and said: "These are the other paths, which represent misguidance, and at the head of each path sits a devil inviting people to it." He then recited: "And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and
[1] See above, p. 63.
follow not other paths, for they will separate you away from His path." (6:153).
حَدَّثَنَا أَسْوَدُ بْنُ عَامِرٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَنْ عَاصِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ خَطَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَطًّا بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذَا سَبِيلُ اللَّهِ مُسْتَقِيمًا قَالَ ثُمَّ خَطَّ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَشِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذِهِ السُّبُلُ وَلَيْسَ مِنْهَا سَبِيلٌ إِلَّا عَلَيْهِ شَيْطَانٌ يَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ( وَإِنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ ) *
The path is to stick to the Book of Allah and to the Sunna of His Prophet, as shown in the following hadith. The Prophet said:
I have left you with two matters, and as long as you hold to them, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunna." (Narrated by Malik in his Muwatta', hadith munqati` missing the Tabi`i link)
و حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى عَنْ مَالِك عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَبِي أُنَيْسَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ عَنْ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ سُئِلَ عَنْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ ( وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى شَهِدْنَا أَنْ تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَذَا غَافِلِينَ ) فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُسْأَلُ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى خَلَقَ آدَمَ ثُمَّ مَسَحَ ظَهْرَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ فَاسْتَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ ذُرِّيَّةً فَقَالَ خَلَقْتُ هَؤُلَاءِ لِلْجَنَّةِ وَبِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ يَعْمَلُونَ ثُمَّ مَسَحَ ظَهْرَهُ فَاسْتَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ ذُرِّيَّةً فَقَالَ خَلَقْتُ هَؤُلَاءِ لِلنَّارِ وَبِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ يَعْمَلُونَ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَفِيمَ الْعَمَلُ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا خَلَقَ الْعَبْدَ لِلْجَنَّةِ اسْتَعْمَلَهُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ عَلَى عَمَلٍ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ رَبُّهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَإِذَا خَلَقَ الْعَبْدَ لِلنَّارِ اسْتَعْمَلَهُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ عَلَى عَمَلٍ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ رَبُّهُ النَّارَ و حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِك أَنَّهم بَلَغَهم أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ أَمْرَيْنِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّةَ نَبِيِّهِ *
So the criterion to judge the claim of any group or individual who claims to be on the path of the Salaf, is to see whether their beliefs and teachings are in accordance to the Qur'an and Sunna.
The deceptive external claim of the "Salafi" sectarians that they love the pious Salaf and follow their ways should not be a means of confusion to anybody. The proof and reality of their deviant nature is given openly in their deeds for all to see. A case in point is the slanderous, mendacious booklet which is the reason for the present rebuttal. The Arabs have a famous saying: ahl al-jahl a`da'un li ahl al-`ilm -- "The people of ignorance are the enemies of the people of knowledge." This is exactly what that group has shown to the world in declaring its enmity to the people of tasawwuf, who are the foremost of the people of knowledge of Allah and love in Allah. In so doing the "Salafis" have declared loud and clear that their aim is to destroy Islam from within, while wearing the cloak of Islam.
A serious effort should be made to enlighten those of the movement's followers that may be genuinely seeking the light of pure Islam, but as a result of the movement's brainwashing have fallen into its clutches.
Whatever has been said in the present book is not to be taken lightly, since this is a matter that could take a person completely out of the fold of Islam and into disbelief. This is not the mere opinion of laymen but the verdict of the `ulama of Islam, who have pronounced that anyone holding such deviant beliefs as anthropomorphism, disparagement of the Prophet, disbelief in the awliya', rejection of the principles of the Law, the heinous practice of declaring Muslims kafir, and yet persisting in such beliefs even after the evidence has been clearly shown to them: such a person has fallen outside the fold of Islam. It should be kept in mind that the above statements are being made for the purpose of conveying knowledge only and not to make a declaration of kufr (disbelief) of any people.
It is compulsory on the scholars to make an effort to inform the public through all means available about the "Salafi" movement's deviant nature. Articles should be written and distributed to expose the sect and their agenda of takfir and disinformation. Many Muslims have passively sat by for a long time, believing that the movement would soon fizzle out and disappear into the abyss of its own ignorance. Instead, its cancerous growth has continued unabated and unchecked. As for those who, in spite of what they have read, continue to have misgivings about exposing the group due to their desire to maintain an image of unity with respect to Islam, let them reflect on the following report:
When some people mentioned to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal that they felt uneasy about criticizing people who had deviated in their beliefs, he replied: "If I were to remain silent, how then would the masses know truth from falsehood?"[1]
According to the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars, those who introduce deviant writings and religious dogmas contrary to the Qur'an and Sunna and the Consensus of the scholars, have to be exposed, and the
[1] Reported by Ibn Taymiyya in Majmu`a al-rasa'il wa al-masa'il (4:10).
Muslim nation must be warned against them. In fact, when Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked if one who fasted, prayed, and secluded himself in the Masjid was dearer to him than one who spoke out against people involved in deviations, he replied that when one fasts, prays and secludes oneself, he does so for himself alone; but if he speaks out against deviations, he does so for Muslims in general, which is more noble.
With this we end this all-too-brief book. If, after having read it, you believe it is your duty and responsibility to Allah to warn your brothers and sisters, then do so and do not be a silent spectator: spread the truth to the best of your ability. Perhaps you may save a soul or two from the deviant clutches of the sect.
We ask Allah to give all of us the success to recognize the truth, to understand it, to implement it and to call to it.
Blessings and peace on the Prophet,
his Family, and his Companions
Wa al-hamdu lillahi
rabb al-`alamin
Al-Sayyid al-Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani comes from a well-respected Lebanese family of Muslim scholars, jurists, muftis, and teachers, whose prominence in the Middle East goes back to the early centuries of Islam. Shaykh Hisham is vice-chairman of Al-Sunna Foundation of America (asfa) and presently the most famous Muslim da`i and scholar in the Americas. He has lectured in the Middle East, Far East, Africa, and Europe on Islam in the modern world, Islamic education, and spirituality. He came to America eight years ago on the orders of his shaykh, Mawlana Muhammad Nazim Adil al‑Haqqani, mufti of Cyprus and world head of the Naqshbandi Tariqa, with the directive to spread Islam among non‑Muslims. He has since helped establish more than thirty mosques and Islamic centers and has conveyed the Message of Islam to countless people, by Allah's grace. He authored several books on Islam and Sufism, and frequently lectures at centers of religious learning and universities. His most recent work are a three-volume, 1,500-page refutation of "Salafi" dogmas, entitled Islamic Beliefs and Doctrine According to Ahl al-Sunna: A Repudiation of "Salafi" Innovations, as well as its summarized version entitled al-Radd al-qati` `ala al-salafi al-da'i` (The Decisive Answer to the Lost "Salafi"). The present work is a response to the growing campaign of "Salafi" disinformation on tasawwuf. It is hoped the reader will find in these works an effective antidote against the diseases of alteration, modernization, and anti-spirituality that are presently poisening the core and kernel of our Deen.
From the preceding presentation of the "Salafi" movement's deviant beliefs, insha Allah there should not remain even the slightest inkling of a doubt in the mind of the sincere reader about that movement's deviant nature and falsehood. It is only the ignorant, grossly biased, and dishonest sympathizers of the group that will maintain the view that the group's teachings and beliefs are in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunna, since it has been clearly and decisively proven to be just the exact opposite.
In the foregoing work, the reader will have noticed that everything of the pure Islamic Belief mentioned has been contradicted, altered, and otherwise manipulated by that sect. In fact, the Prophet has warned us about the appearance of such deviant groups when he said in an authentic narration reported by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad from Mu`awiya and cited by Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir (for 3:104-109):
Verily, the People of the Two Books split their Religion (deen) into seventy-two separate religions (milla), and verily this Community will split into seventy three religions -- that is: vain desires (ahwa') -- all of them bound for the Fire except one, and that is the Congregation (al-jama`a). Verily, there shall arise in my Community a kind of people of whom those vain desires shall take complete possession just as rabies takes possession of its host: not one artery nor sinew of his remains except rabies penetrates it. By Allah! O Assembly of the Arabs! I tell you truly that if you do not establish what your Prophet brought, I swear that there are people other than you that are more fit to establish it.
(رواية أحمد) حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا صَفْوَانُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَزْهَرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْهَوْزَنِيُّ قَالَ أَبُو الْمُغِيرَةِ فِي مَوْضِعٍ آخَرَ الْحَرَازِيُّ عَنْ أَبِي عَامِرٍ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ لُحَيٍّ قَالَ حَجَجْنَا مَعَ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا مَكَّةَ قَامَ حِينَ صَلَّى صَلَاةَ الظُّهْرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابَيْنِ افْتَرَقُوا فِي دِينِهِمْ عَلَى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً وَإِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةَ سَتَفْتَرِقُ عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً يَعْنِي الْأَهْوَاءَ كُلُّهَا فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا وَاحِدَةً وَهِيَ الْجَمَاعَةُ وَإِنَّهُ سَيَخْرُجُ فِي أُمَّتِي أَقْوَامٌ تَجَارَى بِهِمْ تِلْكَ الْأَهْوَاءُ كَمَا يَتَجَارَى الْكَلَبُ بِصَاحِبِهِ لَا يَبْقَى مِنْهُ عِرْقٌ وَلَا مَفْصِلٌ إِلَّا دَخَلَهُ وَاللَّهِ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْعَرَبِ لَئِنْ لَمْ تَقُومُوا بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّكُمْ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَغَيْرُكُمْ مِنَ النَّاسِ أَحْرَى أَنْ لَا يَقُومَ بِهِ *
Let there be no doubt that each of these groups claims for itself that it is the Saved Group, and that it is correct, and that it alone follows the Prophet. Accordingly, "Salafi" sectarians print deviant and fanciful literature in the guise of teaching pure Islam. The Prophet predicted this when he said: "One of the signs of the change of the Religion is the affectation of eloquence by the rabble."[1] Allah has permitted them a certain time to wreak havoc on the Umma, and that time is coming to an end insha Allah.
The way of Truth is the Way of the People of the Prophet's Sunna and of the Congregation (Ahl al-Sunna wa al-Jama`a). It is not the way of "Salafis," or "Talafis," or any other of the ways that have mushroomed in our time. It is a single way and it is the one which leads to salvation. Any other way is one of the ways of misguidance which lead to destruction. This was clearly explained by the Prophet in another hadith narrated by Ahmad with a good chain from `Abd Allah ibn Mas`ud:
Allah's Messenger drew a line with his hand and said, "This is the straight path of Allah." He then drew lines to its right and to its left and said: "These are the other paths, which represent misguidance, and at the head of each path sits a devil inviting people to it." He then recited: "And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and
[1] See above, p. 63.
follow not other paths, for they will separate you away from His path." (6:153).
حَدَّثَنَا أَسْوَدُ بْنُ عَامِرٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَنْ عَاصِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ خَطَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَطًّا بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذَا سَبِيلُ اللَّهِ مُسْتَقِيمًا قَالَ ثُمَّ خَطَّ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَشِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذِهِ السُّبُلُ وَلَيْسَ مِنْهَا سَبِيلٌ إِلَّا عَلَيْهِ شَيْطَانٌ يَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ( وَإِنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ ) *
The path is to stick to the Book of Allah and to the Sunna of His Prophet, as shown in the following hadith. The Prophet said:
I have left you with two matters, and as long as you hold to them, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunna." (Narrated by Malik in his Muwatta', hadith munqati` missing the Tabi`i link)
و حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى عَنْ مَالِك عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَبِي أُنَيْسَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ عَنْ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ سُئِلَ عَنْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ ( وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى شَهِدْنَا أَنْ تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَذَا غَافِلِينَ ) فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُسْأَلُ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى خَلَقَ آدَمَ ثُمَّ مَسَحَ ظَهْرَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ فَاسْتَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ ذُرِّيَّةً فَقَالَ خَلَقْتُ هَؤُلَاءِ لِلْجَنَّةِ وَبِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ يَعْمَلُونَ ثُمَّ مَسَحَ ظَهْرَهُ فَاسْتَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ ذُرِّيَّةً فَقَالَ خَلَقْتُ هَؤُلَاءِ لِلنَّارِ وَبِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ يَعْمَلُونَ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَفِيمَ الْعَمَلُ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا خَلَقَ الْعَبْدَ لِلْجَنَّةِ اسْتَعْمَلَهُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ عَلَى عَمَلٍ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ رَبُّهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَإِذَا خَلَقَ الْعَبْدَ لِلنَّارِ اسْتَعْمَلَهُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ عَلَى عَمَلٍ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ رَبُّهُ النَّارَ و حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِك أَنَّهم بَلَغَهم أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهم عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ أَمْرَيْنِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّةَ نَبِيِّهِ *
So the criterion to judge the claim of any group or individual who claims to be on the path of the Salaf, is to see whether their beliefs and teachings are in accordance to the Qur'an and Sunna.
The deceptive external claim of the "Salafi" sectarians that they love the pious Salaf and follow their ways should not be a means of confusion to anybody. The proof and reality of their deviant nature is given openly in their deeds for all to see. A case in point is the slanderous, mendacious booklet which is the reason for the present rebuttal. The Arabs have a famous saying: ahl al-jahl a`da'un li ahl al-`ilm -- "The people of ignorance are the enemies of the people of knowledge." This is exactly what that group has shown to the world in declaring its enmity to the people of tasawwuf, who are the foremost of the people of knowledge of Allah and love in Allah. In so doing the "Salafis" have declared loud and clear that their aim is to destroy Islam from within, while wearing the cloak of Islam.
A serious effort should be made to enlighten those of the movement's followers that may be genuinely seeking the light of pure Islam, but as a result of the movement's brainwashing have fallen into its clutches.
Whatever has been said in the present book is not to be taken lightly, since this is a matter that could take a person completely out of the fold of Islam and into disbelief. This is not the mere opinion of laymen but the verdict of the `ulama of Islam, who have pronounced that anyone holding such deviant beliefs as anthropomorphism, disparagement of the Prophet, disbelief in the awliya', rejection of the principles of the Law, the heinous practice of declaring Muslims kafir, and yet persisting in such beliefs even after the evidence has been clearly shown to them: such a person has fallen outside the fold of Islam. It should be kept in mind that the above statements are being made for the purpose of conveying knowledge only and not to make a declaration of kufr (disbelief) of any people.
It is compulsory on the scholars to make an effort to inform the public through all means available about the "Salafi" movement's deviant nature. Articles should be written and distributed to expose the sect and their agenda of takfir and disinformation. Many Muslims have passively sat by for a long time, believing that the movement would soon fizzle out and disappear into the abyss of its own ignorance. Instead, its cancerous growth has continued unabated and unchecked. As for those who, in spite of what they have read, continue to have misgivings about exposing the group due to their desire to maintain an image of unity with respect to Islam, let them reflect on the following report:
When some people mentioned to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal that they felt uneasy about criticizing people who had deviated in their beliefs, he replied: "If I were to remain silent, how then would the masses know truth from falsehood?"[1]
According to the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars, those who introduce deviant writings and religious dogmas contrary to the Qur'an and Sunna and the Consensus of the scholars, have to be exposed, and the
[1] Reported by Ibn Taymiyya in Majmu`a al-rasa'il wa al-masa'il (4:10).
Muslim nation must be warned against them. In fact, when Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked if one who fasted, prayed, and secluded himself in the Masjid was dearer to him than one who spoke out against people involved in deviations, he replied that when one fasts, prays and secludes oneself, he does so for himself alone; but if he speaks out against deviations, he does so for Muslims in general, which is more noble.
With this we end this all-too-brief book. If, after having read it, you believe it is your duty and responsibility to Allah to warn your brothers and sisters, then do so and do not be a silent spectator: spread the truth to the best of your ability. Perhaps you may save a soul or two from the deviant clutches of the sect.
We ask Allah to give all of us the success to recognize the truth, to understand it, to implement it and to call to it.
Blessings and peace on the Prophet,
his Family, and his Companions
Wa al-hamdu lillahi
rabb al-`alamin
Al-Sayyid al-Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani comes from a well-respected Lebanese family of Muslim scholars, jurists, muftis, and teachers, whose prominence in the Middle East goes back to the early centuries of Islam. Shaykh Hisham is vice-chairman of Al-Sunna Foundation of America (asfa) and presently the most famous Muslim da`i and scholar in the Americas. He has lectured in the Middle East, Far East, Africa, and Europe on Islam in the modern world, Islamic education, and spirituality. He came to America eight years ago on the orders of his shaykh, Mawlana Muhammad Nazim Adil al‑Haqqani, mufti of Cyprus and world head of the Naqshbandi Tariqa, with the directive to spread Islam among non‑Muslims. He has since helped establish more than thirty mosques and Islamic centers and has conveyed the Message of Islam to countless people, by Allah's grace. He authored several books on Islam and Sufism, and frequently lectures at centers of religious learning and universities. His most recent work are a three-volume, 1,500-page refutation of "Salafi" dogmas, entitled Islamic Beliefs and Doctrine According to Ahl al-Sunna: A Repudiation of "Salafi" Innovations, as well as its summarized version entitled al-Radd al-qati` `ala al-salafi al-da'i` (The Decisive Answer to the Lost "Salafi"). The present work is a response to the growing campaign of "Salafi" disinformation on tasawwuf. It is hoped the reader will find in these works an effective antidote against the diseases of alteration, modernization, and anti-spirituality that are presently poisening the core and kernel of our Deen.
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