Kufr in Taghut

“Ahl Sunnah Wel Jemah TV” Publications

TITLE: IMPORTANT MASA’IL (MATTERS) APPLICABLE TO Kufr in Taghut

AUTHOR: PUBLISHER: EDITOR: LAYOUT/COVER DESIGNER: PRINTED IN: YEAR:

Faris Muhammed Hrnic (Abu Ismail) Ahl Sunnah Wel Jemah TV Jasenko Yasin Pavisic Sayfullah Hanbal Abdul-Wahhab Melbourne Australia Jumada Al-Akhir 03. 1431 A.H.

“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower”. (256/2.Al-Baqarah)

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CONTENTS The Meaning of Taghut

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The Heads of The Tawaagheet and its Categories

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The Kalimah Tawheed

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Conditions of Tawheed

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Pillars of Tawheed

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Application of conditions of Tawheed on Kufr in Tagut

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Takfeer upon the Person who associates equals to Allah…

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The title ‘Mushrik’ applies before the ‘Hujjah’

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The particular title is either confirmed or negated according to what is applied to him from the Rulings (Hukm)

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Shirk and Islam are two opposites…

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The Difference between Kufr that does not necessitate punishment and the one which does

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The meaning of establishing the Hujjah (proof) and it’s different circumstances

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The Difference between clear apparent matters and hidden matters in Religion

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Sheikh Muhammed bin Abdul-Wahhab MAKES TAKFEER ON HIMSELF AND ALL HIS TEACHERS!

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BISMILLAH AR-RAHMAN AR-RAHEEM IMPORTANT MASA’IL (MATTERS) APPLICABLE TO

Kufr in Taghut The Imam and Mujaddid Muhammed bin Abdul-Wahhab :The Meaning of Taghut

Section One: Mankind’s First Obligation Know, may Allah have mercy on you, that the first thing Allah obligated on the Son of Adam is to reject the Taghut and believe in Allah. The proof for this is Allah’s saying: “And We have indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): ‘Worship Allah alone and avoid the Taghut (false deities).” (an-Nahl 16/36) Section Two: The Meaning of Rejecting the Taghut and Believing in Allah As for the description of Rejecting the Taghut, then it is that you believe in the futility of worshipping others than Allah, and that you abandon doing so and hate it, and that you reject and make enmity with those who do it. As for the meaning of Believing in Allah, it is that you believe that Allah is the only true God who deserves to be worshipped alone, apart from everything else besides Him. And it is that you make all types of worship – every act - sincerely for Allah alone, while negating and rejecting everything else that is worshipped besides Him. It also entails that you love and show friendship to the people of Ikhlas (i.e. Islam), while hating and showing enmity to the people of Shirk. This is the Religion of Ibrahim, of which those who turn away from it only fool themselves. A good example that Allah informs us of in His saying: “There has indeed been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah. We have rejected you and 3

there has commenced between us and you, enmity and hatred forever, until you believe in Allah alone.’” (al-Mumtahinah 60/4) Section Three: The Heads of The Tawaagheet and its Categories The word Taghout is general. So everything that is worshipped besides Allah, while being pleased with this worship – whether it is something worshipped, someone followed, or someone obeyed in the absence of obedience to Allah and His Messenger, then that is considered Taghut. The Tawaagheet (pl.of Taghout) are many, but their heads are five: The First: The Devil who calls the people to worship other than Allah. The proof for this is Allah’s saying: “Did I not command you O children of Aadam, that you should not worship the Devil. Verily, he is a plain enemy to you.” (Ya-Sin 36/60) The Second: The tyrannical and oppressive ruler who changes Allah’s rulings. The proof for this is Allah’s saying: “Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim to have faith in that which has been revealed to you, and that which was revealed before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taghut, when they have been ordered to reject them? But the Devil wishes to lead them far astray.” (an-Nisa 4/60) The Third: The one who judges by other than what Allah has revealed, and the proof for this is Allah’s saying: “And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then they are the disbelievers.” (al-Maida 5/44) The Fourth: The one who claims to have knowledge of the Unseen, apart from Allah. The proof for this is Allah’s saying: “He alone is the All-Knower of the Unseen, and He does not disclose His Unseen matters to anyone. Except to a messenger whom He has chosen, and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march before him and behind him.” (al-Jinn 72/26-27) And He says: “And with Him lie the keys to the Unseen, no one knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls except that He knowsabout it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry, but that it is written in a Clear Record.” (al-Anam 6/59) The Fifth: The one who is worshipped apart from Allah, while being pleased with being worshipped. The proof for this is Allah’s saying: “And whoever amongst them says: ‘Verily, I am a God besides Him (Allah)’, then this person’s 4

recompense will be the Hellfire. That is the way We recompense the wrongdoers.” (al-Anbiya 21/29) Section Four: Disbelieving in the Taghut is a Condition for the Correctness of Faith And know that man will never become a believer in Allah unless he rejects and disbelieves in the Taghout. The proof for this is Allah’s saying: “There is no compulsion in the Religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. So whoever disbelieves in the Taghout and believes in Allah, then he has taken hold of the firmest handhold that will never break. And Allah is the AllHearer, the All-Knower.” (al-Baqarah 2/256) The “right path” here refers to the religion of Muhammad (saw), while the “wrong path” refers to the religion of Abu Jahl. The “firmest handhold” refers to the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah "La-ilaha illallah". This testimony consists of a negation and an affirmation. It negates all types of worship from those worshipped besides Allah, while affirming all types of worship done for Allah (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 10/502) The ‘Kalimah Tawheed’ will only protect the individual who speaks it while applying its conditions Shaikh Suylaiman ibn Abdullah bin Muhammed bin Abdul-Wahhab r.a. said: “Surely if one of the Mushrikun is to say ‘la ilaha illa Allah’ and to express that ‘Muhammad is RasulAllah’ and perform salah, fast, and go to hajj and only do this because he sees others doing this and subjects to them without performing any Shirk but does not comprehend any of these actions, certainly no one will have doubt that this individual cannot be considered a Muslim. Likewise all of the ‘maghrib fuquha’ in the beginning of the 11th century (maybe even before) had given a fatwaa regarding such an individual. The Malikee Scholar, the author of ‘’Ad Darr us Samyn fi sharh il Murshid il Muin’’ had narrated this. He stated: “This matter which the fatwa had been given about is a clear an open matter. It is such that there is no chance that two people have Ikhtilaf over it.” (Taysir ul Aziz il Hamiyd Sharhu Kitabu Tawheed, 60)

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When it is looked at from this perspective there will be no doubt that the grave worshippers situation is much more disgusting than this. The reason is because they carry the belief in more then one Rabb, being many separate deities. The author’s expression “certainly no one will have doubt that this individual cannot be considered Muslim” carries the meaning Islam/ Muslim that will save a person in the Hereafter. The reason is the distancing from Shirk, His outward appearance of Islam is what protects his life and Property in this world, and its ‘hukm’ is derived from the apparent. This type of Islam by the ‘Fuquha’ is called the Hukm-i Islam (being Muslim only by hukm/outward appearance/ namely Muslim). Ibn Taymiyyah (ra) states: “However most of the Muslims before any actions of Imaan, have been given the hukm of Islam, because the person has been born to a Muslim mother and father. Later on when they grow up they either show actions of Imaan, this means they sincerely perform the Fard actions, or they may perform these actions only because it has become a culture, or because of their relatives do it and the people of the area they live in do it. For example, he will pay Zakah. Hence it is a tradition, for the higher authority to collect a portion of the earnings. This individual who pays cannot comprehend the genuineness or the detailed reason for the necessity of this action. Within this state of mind, to him there is not much difference between a made up tax or Zakah. Or he will go up to Arafa with the people of Mecca every year because it has become a custom. Without acknowledging in summary or in details that this is an act of ‘Ibaadah’ to Allah. Or he will fight with the Kuffar because his tribe is fighting with them; he will fight because he is subjected to these circumstances etc. There is no doubt that the actions (ibadah) of this individual are invalid. On the contrary to the Qur’an and Sunnah and the Ijmaa of the Ummah all state that these actions will not replace the Fard. In the same manner the Islam of most is only a hukm of Islam. This will only enter their hearts because it has been ordered, that is, if it does (enter their hearts). So, were this intention not to be obligatory upon them, they would not at all attempt to have it, and their hearts would be empty of it, and they would essentially be hypocrites, carrying out their actions out of habit and imitation, as is the case with many people.” (Majm'ul-Fatawa, 26/30-32)

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Conditions of Tawheed Statement La ilaha ilAllah is limited with heavy conditions, that has to be fulfilled with words, believes and deeds. Sheikh AbdurRahaman ibn Hasan rahimahullah, said: “According to consensus verbal pronouncement of testimony of Tawheed will not benefit unless it accompanies with knowledge, certainty or without deeds it necessitate such as rejection of Shirk, sincerity in words and deeds; words and deeds of heart and words and deeds of limbs.” (Fathul Majid, pg 39) Therefore, the Shahadah(testimony) has numerous conditions of which one’s Iman cannot be valid without them. Scholars of Usul al Fiqh have defined shart (condition) as follows: “The presence of a certain matter depends on the condition’s fulfillment, and its negation necessitates the negation of the matter. However the mere presence of the condition (solitary) does not necessitate the absolute presence of the matter.” Example the existence of witnesses does not necessarily mean that a marriage has taken place, yet without witnesses a marriage would not be valid. Conditions of Tawheed are: Knowledge (ilm) of Tawheed its opposite is ignorance. Allah says: “Know, that there is no god but Allah.”(47:16) “Save him who bears witness unto the truth knowingly.”(al Zukhruf, 86) In fact, the Shahaadah itself is a testimony. When one testifies to something, one must know what it is that he is testifying concerning. Obviously, a testimony about something that one does not have any knowledge or his knowledge is insufficient regarding object of testimony is unacceptable. Therefore, basis of Shahadah must be understood by the person testifying to it.

Prophet salallahu alejhi va salam said: “Whosoever dies knowing that there is no god but Allah will enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim) Sheikh Muhammed ibn AbdulWahhab said: “The Deen of the Prophet salallahu alejhi wa salam was Tawheed. And this is the firm Knowledge that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed salallahu alejhi wa salam is Messenger of Allah and to work and act according to everything that it stands for.” 7

The second condition is Truthfulness (sidq) its opposite is lie.

Prophet salallahu alejhi wa salam said: “There is not a single person who bears witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and that Prophet is His Messenger truthfully from his heart except that Allah will prohibit the fire from touching him.” (Sahih Buhari) The third condition is Sincerity (ikhlas) its opposite is Shirk (association with Allah in worship) Allah says “And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith).” (Al Bayyinah, 98:5) Allah says: “Say, ‘Allah alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only.”(az Zumar, 14) The fourth condition is Certainty (yeqin) its opposite is doubt. Allah says, “The true believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. Such are sincere.” (al Hujuraat, 15)

Prophet salallahu alejhi wa salam said: “I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah and I am the Messenger of Allah. Any person who meets Allah with these two statements, without harbouring any doubt in them will be entering into Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim) The fifth condition is to work according to it (Inqiyad) inwardly and outwardly its opposite is disobedience and shirk. “And whosoever submits his face to Allah, while he is a Muhsin (performs good deeds totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance to the Sunnah).” (Lukman,31: 22) Submition implies following with absolute acceptance. The sixth condition is acceptance (qubul) its opposition is rejection. There exist type of people who know the truth and its applications but they refuse it out of envy and pride. Allah says “out of envy from their own selves, even after the truth has become manifest unto them.” (Al Bakarah, 2:109) The seventh condition is love (muhabah) its opposite is hatred. 8

It is that Allah is only object of love which necessitates love of the Shahadah and its people, whilst having enmity and hatred towards Shirk and ahl Shirk. Allah says: “If there had been in the heaven and earth gods besides Allah, both of them would have been corrupted.”(al Anbiya,21:23)

Ibn Taymiyyah said: ‘It is not permissible to love anything from the matters that are in existence for their own essence except Allah, but it is allowed to love these things for other than their sake. Allah is the only One who can be loved for Himself.”

Ibn Qayyim said: “Nothing is loved with Allah rather all other things are loved for His sake and because of Him.” Pillars of Tawheed Rukn (element, pillar) is always part of the act, while a shart (condition) is external to it. For example bowing (ruku) is a rukn (element) of prayer and is a part of it, while ablution is a condition and is external to prayer. There are two arkan (pillars, elements) of Tawheed that are mentioned in ayah “ Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never brake.” (al Bakarah, 2:256) These elements are Kufr in Taghut and Iman in Allah. Rejection of Taghut is contained in ‘La ilaha’ and believe in Allah is contained in ’ilAllah’ therefore we have two parts negation and affirmation. Negation is to believe in the futility of worshipping other than Allah, and that you abandon doing so and hate it, and that you reject (takfeer) and make enmity with those who do it (‘ahl Shirk’). Affirmation is to believe that Allah is the only true God who deserves to be worshipped alone, apart from everything else besides Him. And it is that you make all types of worship – every act sincerely for Allah alone, while negating and rejecting that from everything else that is worshipped besides Him. Proof for negation part (Kufr in Taghut) is Allah’s words: “There has indeed been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah. We have rejected you and there has commenced between us and you, enmity and hatred forever, until you believe in Allah alone.” (al-Mumtahinah, 60/4) and proof for affirmation part is Allah’s words “And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone, (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), 9

and perform as Salat and give az Zakat, and that is the right religion.” (Al Bayyinah, 98:5) Ibrahim alejhisalam expressed himself with negation and affirmation when he said to his father and his people: “Behold! Ibrahim said to his father and his people: ‘I do indeed clear myself of what you worship. (I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me’. And he left it as a Word to endure among those who came after him, that they may turn back.”(26:28) The scholars of Tafser are in agreement that what is meant by ‘Word’ is ‘La ilaha ilAllah’. Imam Abdur Rahman bin Hasan rahimahullah said: “Imams from Salaf and Halaf and all followers from ‘Ahl Sunnah Wel Jemah’ agree (Ijmaa) that person will not be Muslim except if he leaves Shirk, if he reject it and one who does it. To hate them, to express his enmity towards them according to his capabilities with sincerity towards Allah in all his deeds, as it came in hadith of Muaz ibn Jabal: “Right of Allah is to be worshiped alone and not to associate with Him in anything.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 11/545) Application of conditions of Tawheed on Kufr in Tagut Knowledge (ilm) If one does not know that Tawheed is not valid except by rejecting Shirk and Mushrikun he is not fulfilling first condition of Tawheed which is knowledge. Shaikh AbdurRahaman ibn Hasan rahimahullah said: “Lailaha ilAllah is word of Islam due to ignorance of its meaning Islam will not be valid. If he does not know why is this word established and what it point to.” (Ed Durer es Senijje, 2:246) Condition of knowledge necessitate that Muslim knows that one who worships other than Allah or together with Allah is not Muwahhid and that Taghut is not Muwahhid. That Deen Islam is pure from Shirk and Kufr. Truthfulness (sidq) Condition of truthfulness necessitate that Muslim is truthful in belief that Taghut and Mushrik are not same religion as Muslim and that he is not Munafik (hypocrite) in his belief. Allah says: “Say: O al Kafirun (disbelevers) I worship not that which you 10

worship, nor will you worship that which I worship. And I shall not worship that which you are worshiping. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your religion and to me my religion.” (Al Kafirun, 1-6) Note that Allah is ordering His Messenger to make Takfeer on Mushrikun and to declare that their religion is not his religion meaning they are not on same Deen. One who claims that one who falls into shirk is still Muslim because he is ignorant or one who makes interpretation of texts is negating this chapter and not performing Kufr in Taghut. Certanity (yeqin) He has to have certainty that one who associate partners with Allah is not Muwahhid. Imam Abdur Rahman bin Hasan said: “One who knows meaning of La ilaha ilAllah he knows that one who doubts or hesitates regarding Kufr of one who did Shirk to Allah that he did not do Kufr in Taghut.” (Ed Dureru Es Senijje, 2/109) Shaikh Abu Butayn (ra) answered a question in the following manner to those who asked him: “You are making takfir of Muslims.’ The individual who say ‘you are making takfir of Muslims’ to us does not know Islam or Tawhid. It is understood from his statement that his Islam is not sound/valid. It is because this individual does not reject shirk of today’s mushrikun (disbelievers) and he does not evaluate it as shirk which nullifies Tawhid. An individual who is in such situation is not Muslim.” (Majmuatu’r-Rasail, I, Part 3, 655) Sincerity (ikhlas) From condition of sincerity it necessitate rejection of worshiping Taghut. Allah says: “And We have indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): “Worship Allah alone and avoid the Taghut.” (an-Nahl 16/36) also “Those who avoid Taghut by not worshiping them and turn to Allah, for them are glad tidings, so announce the good news to My slaves.” (az Zumar,39:17) Shaikhul Islam Muhammed ibn Abdul- Wahhab said: “Meaning of disbelieve in Taghut is to reject everything which is worshiped instead of Allah from: Jinn, Mankind, tress, stones and other, and to testify that such is on Kufr and on misguidance, to hate him, even if he is your father or brother. One who says: ‘I am worshipping only Allah, but I am not hostile towards leaders neither towards 11

tombs over graves and similar. Such person in essence is negator of La ilaha ilallah. He does not believe in Allah nor he performed Kufr in Taghut.” (Al-Durar AlSaniyah, 2/121)

Allah says: “Have you not seen those who claim to have Iman (faith) in that which has been revealed to you, and that which was revealed before you, and they want to go for judgment (Tahakum) (in their disputes) to the Taghut, when they have been ordered to reject(yakfuru) them? But the Devil wishes to lead them far astray.” (an-Nisa 4/60)

Shaikh Sylaiman bin Abdullah bin Abdul-Wahhab rahimahullah said: “Whoever bears witness ‘Lailaha ilAllah’ (There is no one worthy of worship except Allah) then turns for judgment to someone else then Allah and His Messenger concerning disputed issues has nullified the Testimony he gave when he bore witness.” (Tayseer al Azeez al Hameed, 554-555)

Ibn Taymiyyah said: “Islam implies submission (Istislam) to Allah Alone. Whoever submits himself to Him and to anyone else is a Mushrik and whoever does not submit himself to Him is too arrogant to Worship Him. Both the Mushrik and Mutekabir (arrogant) to worship Him are Kafir. Submission Him Alone implies worshiping Him Alone and obeying Him Alone. This is religion of Islam.” (at Tadmuriyah, 169)

Conditions of working according to it (Inqiyad) inwardly and outwardly and acceptance (qubul) necessitates acceptance and working towards Kufr in Taghut with ones words and deeds. Allah says: “And We have indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): ‘Worship Allah alone and avoid the Taghut (false deities).” (an-Nahl 16/36)

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The two sons of Sheikhul Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab, Husain and Abdullah, said: “Regarding the one that says: ‘I do not declare enmity towards the Musrikun, or who declares enmity towards them but did not perform Takfir on them, or the who says; I do not have conflict with people of La ilaha ilAllah even if they committed Kufr, Shirk and opposed Din of Allah, or who says; I do not object to the shrines,” The two sons of Shaikhul Islam Muhammad ibn Abdil Wahhab, Husain and Abdullah, said: “ This is not a Muslim rather he is from those about whom Allah said: “And they say: ‘We believe in some and disbelieve in some.” Until he said “They are Kafirun in truth.” And Allah has obligated enmity towards Mushrikun, withdrawing from them, and performing Takfir of them.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 10/139-140) Condition of love (muhabah) necessitate hatred and enmity towards Shirk, Taghut and Mushrikun Allah says: “You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger.” (al Mujadilah, 22) also “And there has started hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allah Alone.” Shaikh Hamad ibn Atiq rahimahullah said “If it is paid attention in the ayah first ‘enmity’ has been mentioned than ‘hatred’. It is because the first state is much important then the second. One may show hatred towards mushrik but does not show enmity towards them. However to be a Muslim along with showing hatred towards mushrik he must also show openly enmity towards them. If it is not like this he would not done whatever he was obligated to (have done). (Sabili najat wal fikak) It is impossible to combine love for Tawheed and love for those that oppose it in the heart. When love for Tawheed is established in a heart it destroys love for Shirk and its people. As love of Allah gets more perfect so does hatred for what beloved hates and does not like. Love for Taghut and mushrikun is clear indication of animosity and hatred for Tawheed and its people even though person does not show it in reality. Shaikhul Islam Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab said: 13

“You to whom Allah bestowed blessing of Islam and recognition that Allah is only worthy of worship, do not think if you say: ‘this is truth and I reject everything except this truth, but I will not oppose Mushrikun nor I will speak anything about them, do not think that by this way you will attain entering into Islam. Instead, has to exist an enmity against them, against those who love them, belittling them and showing enmity against them. As your father Ibrahim alejhi va salam and those with him said: “Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah: we have rejected you, and there has started hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allah Alone.” Or when the Most High says: “Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.” Or as He says; “We have sent to every nation Prophet: Worship Allah and avoid (keep away from) Taghut.” If person states: ‘I am following Prophet salallahu alejhi va salam and He is on truth, but I would not be hostile to Lat, Uzza, I would be hostile towards Abu Jahl and those similar to him, I have nothing with them, Islam of such person is not valid.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 2/109)

Islam is Invalid without the takfeer upon the People who committed major Shirk and Kufr Today many of those who claim that they are the saved Sect, following the straight path, have fallen into Kufr. They don’t dissociate themselves from those who have fallen into Shirk and clear Kufr. The reasons are many, but the most apparent is their ignorance of the Shahadah itself and what it necessitates and implies. The Imam’s of Najd said: “The Blood and Wealth of a Slave will not be protected until he comes with two things: 1) To declare La ilaha il Allah and to know its meaning. Not just saying it without any knowledge. The meaning of it is to single out Allah swt in all acts of ibaadah (worship). 2) To disbelieve in everything that is worshiped besides Allah. To make Takfeer on the Mushrikuun and reject them and whatever they worship besides Allah.” 14

(Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 9/121.) Imam Abdur Rahman bin Hasan r.a. said: “The One who understands the meaning of La ilaha il Allah knows that if a person doubts or hesitates upon the status of Kufr of the person who committed Shirk to Allah, then this person did not do Kufr in Taghut.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 2/109) Here in this fatwa by the grand-son of Imam Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab was mentioned the person who only hesitates regarding the status of Kufr of the one who committed Shirk to Allah is not a Muslim because he didn’t make Kufr in Taghut which is half of the Shahadah ( La ilaha il Allah ). The most important Pillar of Kufr in Taghut is the takfeer of the one who falls into Shirk and Kufr. Imam Abdul Latif bin Abdur Rahman rahimullah said: “The biggest condition for Salat and Imama is Islam, knowledge of Islam and its performance. The One who does takfeer of the Mushrikuun, hates them and worships only Allah and does not commit Shirk he is best to be Imam and most worthy. To make takfeer upon those who commit Shirk Akbar and Ta’til of Allah’s Names and Atributes is the biggest obligation of Kufr in Taghut.” (Al-Durar AlSaniyah, 12/264) Therefore if a person performed or allowed Tahakum ila Taghut (seeking judgment from taghut) is beyond doubt a Mushrik. It is necessary to perform takfeer on such an individual in order to do Kufr in Taghut. And the one who calls towards Shirk or beautifies it becomes a Taghut even if he is a learned person. It is obligatory on every Muslim to make takfeer and reject him or her. Shaikh-ul-Islam Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab r.a. said: “The Deen of Islam is not valid except with the rejection of all Tawageet that are worshiped besides Allah and to make takfeer upon them. As Allah swt says in the Quran: ”Whoever disbelieves in the Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 10/53.) In another fatwa it is clear that even if you hate a mushrik but do not perform takfeer of the mushrik, then you cannot be considered a Muslim. The one who says 15

‘Allah will not ask me about such and such person whether he is a Kafir or not’, then he or she also cannot be considered a Muslim in this case. It is equally applicable towards those that ascribe themselves to Islam as it is applicable towards the original Kufar such as Ahlul Kitab. The sons of Shaikh-ul-Islam Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab, Husain and Abdullah r.a. said: “Regarding the one that says: ‘I do not declare enmity towards the Musrikuun’, or the one that declares enmity towards them but does not perform takfeer on them, or the one who says ‘I do not have conflict with people of La ilaha ilallah even if they committed Kufr, Shirk and opposed the Deen of Allah’, or who says ‘I do not object to the shrines’. Husain and Abdullah r.a said: ‘This person is not a Muslim, rather this person is from those about whom Allah said: ‘And they say: We believe in some and disbelieve in some. Until he said ‘They are Kafiruun in truth’. And Allah has obligated enmity towards the Mushrikun, withdrawing from them, and performing takfeer of them.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah,10/139-140) It is clear to every Muwahid that Deen ul-Islam is invalid except with hatred and takfeer of every individual person who performs shirk and kufr. Why do then those who ascribe themselves to Islam doubt or reject the Kufr of the one who made Shirk to Allah? All righteous scholars from Ahl Sunnah wel Jamaah of the past agree that if the person did not dissociate himself from the one who has fallen into shirk cannot be Muslim even if he or she themselves have not fallen into shirk. The reason the person cannot be a Muslim is because he does not fulfill the conditions of Kufr in Taghut. Hamad bin Atiq al Nadjdi rahimullah said: “So many people have not fallen into Shirk, yet they do not dissociate themselves from the Mushrikun, so they did not become Muslims because they did not follow the Deen of the Messengers.” (Sabili Najat val Fikak) Here Imam Hamad bin Atiq al Nadjdi rahimullah said that dissociation (hatred, takfir) from the Mushrikuun is Aslu Deen, because all the Messengers called to tawheed and the distruction of Shirk. The Shaikh also mention in this book that in Aslud’Deen there is no excuse of ignorance, wrong interpretation (Ta’weel) and blind following (Taqleed)’. 16

This is the belief (Aqeedah) of Ahlu Sunnah wel Jamaah and those who claim otherwise are misguided and they are causing destruction and separation in the Ummah of Muhammad saaws. Unfortunately these people hold high positions today such as A’lim or Mufty etc. and they are in larger numbers.

Takfeer upon the Person who associates equals to Allah is from the Fundamentals of Islam The Religion of Islam is the Religion of all the Prophets and the essences of their message is the call towards Tawheed. It is the Fundament and Spirit of all the reveled Books. Allah says: “ And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me. (Alone)” Ibn Abbas said ‘Except to make Me the One.’ meaning every time when Ibadah to Allah is ordered it is only through Tawheed. Therefore it is obligatory for every individual to learn Tawheed because it is first and last duty of the Muslim. A Person who establishes Tawheed enters Islam and with Tawheed the Person must leave this world to be successfull. Blind following wrongly in any aspect of Tawheed is Haram which leads to Kufr, no-one will be excused of wrong interpretations or understandings or ignorance in any aspect of Tawheed. Shaikh-ul-Islam Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab wrote an “Essay on the Fundamentals of the Religion” without which Islam is not valid. Saikhul Islam Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab said: ‘Aslu Deen Islam’ (The fundament of Islam) and the Basis of it are Two: First: The Order to worship Allah Alone without partners, encouraging that, making alliance upon that and making takfeer upon the one who abandons it. Second: Warning and prohibiting of Shirk in the worship of Allah, being severe in that, basing ones enmity upon that and making takfeer upon the one who commits it.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 2/153) The Sheikh also mentioned groups that are in opposition to ‘Aslu Deen’ which would be those who did not establish ‘Mutlakul Iman’ (Basis of Iman) The People of opposition regarding Aslu Deen are of different kinds: -From them are they who worship only Allah, but they do not negate Shirk nor do they show enmity towards the one who does it 17

-From them are those who will show enmity, but they will not perform takfeer on them -From them are those that neither love Tawheed nor hate the Mushrikuun -From them are those that will perform takfeer on those that establish Aslu Deen, saying that is insulting good people -From them are those that do not love nor hate Shirk -From them are those that do not know Shirk nor they negate it -From them are those that do not know Tawheed nor they oppose the Mushrikuun -From them are those that are the most dangerous kind in opposition, those that work according to Tawheed but do not know the merit of it, nor will they hate those that oppose Tawheed, nor will they perform takfeer on them. -From them are those that leave Shirk and hate Shirk but they do not know the danger of Shirk nor do they oppose the people of Shirk, nor do they performe takfeer on them. They oppose all the Prophets and what they came with from the religion of Allah, and Allah knows best.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 2/153). Mutlakul Iman is every speech or deed that is abandoned by the person, than the person becomes a kafir, therefore performing it is Asl Iman. Also every speech or deed that is performed by the person would make them a Kafir, therefore abandonment of such deed is from Asl Iman. Shaikh-ul-Islam ibn Taymiyah said: ”The One who oposses a branch of Imaan does not become a believer until they establishes Aslu Iman”(Iqtidau siratil musteqim 1/82) Mutlakul Iman can‘t exist without the existence of ‘Aslu Deen’ and the one who is in opposition to this is not a Muslim. Aslu Deen is not valid without its two main pillars that are mentioned: 1) The Order to worship Allah Alone without Partners, encouraging that, making alliance upon that and making takfeer upon the one who abandons it. 2) Prohibiting Shirk in worship to Allah, being severe in that, basing ones enmity upon that and making takfeer on the one who commits it. All of the above is mentioned by Allah , “There has indeed been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah. We have rejected you and there has commenced between us and you, enmity and hatred forever, until you believe in Allah alone.” (Surah al-Mumtahinah 60/4) 18

Takfeer of those that fall into major Shirk is also a pillar of Aslu Deen (Fundamentals of the Religion). If a person performs all other pillars but fails to perform takfeer on the one who performed major Shirk or clear Kufr, then this person has not establish Aslu Deen and therefore is not a Muslim. Same as the one who performs his prayer without performing qiyam (standing during prayer) while he is able to do it. The Shaikh said: “the most dangerous kind in opposition; are those that work according to Tawheed but do not know the merit of Tawhid, nor do they hate those that oppose Tawheed, nor do they perform takfeer on them.” And those that “leave Shirk and hate Shirk but do not know danger of Shirk, nor do they oppose the people of Shirk, nor do they perform takfeer on them. They oppose all the Prophets and what they came with from the religion of Allah.” Today many groups exist that ascribe themselves as the followers of the ‘Salaf’ in Aqeedah, but they are the most dangerous and severe groups in opposition to Aslu Deen (Fundaments of the Religion) because they do not perform takfeer on those that commit clear Kufr and major Shirk.. They excuse others due to ignorance and ta’wil or they believe that takfeer is not a duty of the common Muslims except their scholars. Thus, they destroy their ‘Aslu Deen’. ‘Kufr bil Taghut’ (Rejecting/Disbelieving in anything worshiped besides Allah) is the first half of the decleraction of the Shahadah, being - La ilaha - il Allah. The most important pillar of the Shahadah is the takfeer (making kufr) of those that associate partners with Allah in worship. Imam Abdul Latif bin Abdur Rahman alu shaikh rahimullah said: “The biggest condition for Salat and Imama is Islam, knowledge of Islam and its performance. The One who does Takfir of Mushrikun, who hates them , and worships only Allah and does not do Shirk, He is best to be Imam and most worthy. Because Takfir of those who commited Shirk Akbar and Ta’til of Allah’s Names and Atributes is the biggest obligation of Kufr in Taghut.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah,12/264) Therefore takfeer upon the Mushrikuun and those that do not negate clear Shirk and Kufr is an obligation of every individual. Shaikh ibn Abdul-Wahhab said ‘’takfeer of those that oppose Aslu Deen is from the religion of all Prophets that is reveled to its followers.’’ 19

Imam Abdur Rahman bin Hasan said: “The One who knows the meaning of La ilaha il Allah knows that the one who doubts or hesitates regarding the status of Kufr about the one who commited Shirk to Allah, that He did not make Kufr in Taghut.” (Ed Dureru Es Senijje, 2/109) Ignorance of ‘Aslu Deen’ is ignorance of La ilaha il Allah and the one who is guilty of it is a Kafir. A Person who does not know the difference between the one who worships only Allah and rejects everything which is worshiped besides Allah, and the one who performs clear Kufr and Shirk, then the individual does not understand Islam and is not a Muslim. Knowledge of the ‘Kelima Tayibah’ necessitate knowledge of its opposite. Takfeer of those that associate equals to Allah is necessary and the consequence (Lazim) of rejecting Shirk. If the necessary Takfeer does not exist, then it is a denial of the necessitating factor. Therefore the one who does not perform takfeer upon the one who associates partners with Allah or the one who makes Shirk and Kufr halal, this person then denise the necessitating factor which is the rejection of everything which is worshiped besides Allah and this is the essence of ‘Kufr in Taghut’. Ibn Taymiyyah r.a. said: “If the belief is truly in the heart, the deed will not delay in following it whatsoever. The complete recognition of Allah and the proper love cannot be in the heart if it does not have an overriding effect on the outward deeds. For this reason, Allah has denied Imaan for those who do not fulfill its necessary consequence. The absence of the necessary consequence(Takfeer of Mushrikun) is denial of the necessitating factor (Big Shirk)”. Allah the Exalted says: “ And had they believed in Allah and in the Prophet and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them as patrons” (al Maidah, 81) He the Most High says, “You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger.” (al Mujadilah, 22) The external acts cannot be sound and upright unless the internal aspects are sound and upright. (Majm'ul-Fatawa, vol 18, 272) Prophet Muhammed (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: 20

“The head of the matter is Islam its pillar is the Prayer and its apex is Jihad.” (al Tirmidhi) Here our Prophet salallahu alejhi va salam showed us that Prayer is secondary to establishing Tawheed in Islam. Our prayers are not valid if we do not establish Tawheed. Therefore we should learn ‘Aslu Deen’ which is Tawheed and to put it into action with our speech, our limbs and the firm belief in heart. Shaikh-ul-Islam Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab rahimullah said: “By Allah, By Allah, my brothers hold unto ‘Aslu Deen’, its beginning and its end, that is La ilaha ilallah. Affirm its meaning, Love those who belong to it, consider them your brothers even if they are far away from you. Make the Tawageet Kufar, hate the one who loves them or argues on their behalf, or the one who does not want to make takfeer on them, even if hes says: ‘Allah did not obliged him to make takfeer on them. He lied on Allah and slander Him. Rather Allah obliged him with that by ordering him to make them Kufar and denounce them even if they are his brothers and children.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 2/119-120)

The title ‘Mushrik’ applies before the ‘Hujjah’(proof) needs to be established against a person “If one amongst the Mushrikuun asks you for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.” (At-Tawba, 9/ 6) Imam Baghawi states: “so they may hear the word of Allah.” means they do not know of the advantage and disadvantage nor of the reward or punishment. “ That is because they are men without knowledge” shows that they do not know the Deen of Allah or Tawheed. For this reason they are in need of hearing the word of Allah. Hasan (ra) said “this ayah is muhkam until qiyamah.” Therefore this ayah clearly shows us that those who associate partners with Allah in Uluhiyye (His worship) and Rububiyye (His lordship) they are called ‘Mushrikuun’, even though they may be ignorant and the Hujjah (proof) may not have reached them. “Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Mushrikun, were not going to depart (from their ways) until there should come to 21

them Clear Evidence” (Al Bayyinah 98/ 1) Ibn Taymiyyah states: Abu’l Faraj Ibn Jawzi is among the ones who explain this. He states: ‘there had not been from the ‘Ahlul Kitab’ anyone who performed ‘Kufr.’ The Jews and the Christians are ‘among the polytheists’ they were idol worshipers and ‘Munfakkeena’ meaning those who abandon. , Meaning until ‘Bayyinah’ had come to them they were not going to abandon their kufr and shirk. The remark of the ayah is future tense (mustakbal) however its meaning belongs to the past (mazi). ‘Bayyinah’ meaning messenger. The messenger is Muhammad (saw). Considering that he had showed them their straying from the right path and their ignorance. Therefore this ayah clearly shows that before the Messenger ‘salallahu aleyhi wa salam’ had been sent and before the evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah had been revealed, the attribute of Shirk and Kufr is confirmed in each individual person. “Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. Allah by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For Allah guided whom He will to a path that is straight.” (AlBaqarah 2/ 213) People had been upon ‘Tawheed’ and ‘Ikhlas’ after Adam (a.s.) for some time. Around the time of Nuh (a.s.) they fabricated the bid'ah of Shirk and began to worship idols. Ibn Kathir reported that: “Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn `Abbas said: "There were ten generations between Adam and Nuh, all of them on the religion of Truth. They later disputed, so Allah sent the Prophets as warners and bringers of glad tidings.'' He then said that this is how `Abdullah read the Ayah "They all had the guidance’’. Then: They disputed and Allah sent Prophets. The first to be sent was Nuh.” (Tafsir) In sahih from Ibn Abbas “All the idols which were worshipped by the people of Nuh (a.s.) were worshipped by the Arabs later on. The names (of the idols) formerly belonged to some pious men of the people of Noah, and when they died Satan inspired their people to prepare and place idols at the places where they used to sit, and to call those idols by their names. The people did so, but the idols were not worshipped till those people (who initiated them) had died and the 22

origin of the idols had become obscure, whereupon people began worshipping them.” (Bukhari; Fath’ul-Bari, 8/535) When we look at the expression of Ibn Abbas we see that these idols had not been worshipped in the beginning. The reason for which they began to be worshipped was due to the disappearance of knowledge and the spread of ignorance. Here is part of a Fatwaa from the noble Shaikh Hamad ibn Atiq (r.a.) where he points out this aspect of the people of Nuh (a.s.) and compares it with his time during the Ottoman empire. When addressing one of his colleagues he said: “If it is Dar-rulIslam, why then do you not call them to Islam, order them to destroy the Mausoleum and to reject Shirk and what follows?! Is it a problem for you because they pray, or perform Hajj or give Zakah?. You should think about these matters and how they began. Tawheed was established in Maccah by Ismail ibn Ibrahim (a.s.). The People of Maccah were upon Tawheed for some time. Eventually Shirk appeared and spread, mainly because of a man named Amr ibn Luhayy. So the people of Maccah fell into Shirk and became ‘Mushrikuun’ and their ‘Dar’(country) became ‘Dar-ulKufr’(Country of Disbelievers). Some aspects from the Religion of Allah remained like the performance of Hajj and the caring for the pilgrims. However, this does not prevent the ‘takfeer’ upon them or animosity towards them.Today it is apparent to us that Shirk is bigger and more wide-spread than Shirk in passed times. At the time after Adam (a.s.) passed away. There were ten generations of Mankind upon Tawheed, until a few very righteous people from them passed away, the people made statues of them and fell into worshiping them besides Allah and thus became Disbelievers. Nuh (a.s.) was sent to them to call them to return to Tawheed, He was sent with Islam to ignorant ‘Mushrik’ tribes at that time. Therefore the Ayah’s in the Qur’an clearly show that before Nuh (a.s.) had been sent and before the evidence had been revealed to them, the attribute of Shirk and Kufr was applied to those People.” “And to Ad their brother Hud. He said, ‘O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, you do nothing but invent!” (Hud, 50) Allah (s.w.t.) confirmed in them the title of ‘Slanderers’ before they could oppose His revelation. Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah stated: “When mentioning Hud 23

(a.s.), He relates what had been said to his tribe: “… ye do nothing but invent!” (Hud, 50) Before passing the hukm (ruling) of them with what they had opposed him with, he characterized them as those who ‘invent’(slander). The reason for this was that they had taken other deities besides Allah. Without doubt the attribute of ‘Mushrik’ had been fixed before the Risaalah (comming message). Before the Risalah they had been making Shirk against their Rabb, they had been associating partners to Allah and they had taken on other deities and others as equal. This shows that these attributes have been fixed before Risaalah. Just like the title ‘Jahl’ and ‘Jahiliyyah’. Likewise before the arrival of RasulAllah, that Era had been called Jahiliyyah (ignorance) and those affiliated in it as Jahl (ignorant). However punishment is not the same, because turning their faces away was only to run/escape from obedience to Allah. Just as the following ayah: “But on the contrary, he rejected Truth and turned away!” (Al-Qiyama 75/32) And a situation as such is only possible with the arrival of the message.” (Fatawa, 20/37) Sheikh Abu Batin (r.a.) said: “The sayings of the scholars regarding the takfeer of that specific individual is many, and the worst of the kinds is those who committed ‘Shirk’ (which is) worshipping other than Allāh and that is a Kufr with the Ijmā of the Muslims, and there is nothing preventing ‘takfeer’ upon them (people of shirk). As (it is like) the one who commits ‘Zinā’ is called a ‘Zānī’ (adulterer) and the one who deals in usury is called a one who deals in usury. (Majmū’Ar Rasāil wal Masāil An Najdiyya, 1/657) Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (r.a.) stated an important ruling: “Verily Allah separated between what is before Risaalah in names and rulings, and put them together after Risaalah.” Meaning the name (shirk, mushrik) and ruling (punishment in this world and in Hereafter) is separated before the coming of Hujjah (proof), but after the coming of Hujjah (proof) is connected. If the person associates with Allah anyone in worship and he was ignorant with such ignorance that he could not remove it from himself, then he is given the title of ‘Mushrik’ but he is not punished at this point. However when the proof has been established against that person and he continues making Shirk, than he becomes a ‘KafirMushrik’ which he then can be punished for. Shaikh Ishaaq ibn AbdurRahman (r.a.) says: “The people from the time of Fatrah, who neither received the message nor the Qur’an, died in the condition of 24

Jaahiliyah and can never be called Muslims. The scholars are in agreement (Ijmah) upon this. One cannot supplicate for their sins to be forgiven. Scholars had different opinions only in the issue as to whether they will be punished (for that) in the Hereafter or not.” (Takfir ul Muayyan, pg 17) Also he said by narrating comment from Shaikh ul Islam ibn Qayyim: “For him (ibn Qayyim) they are of the same kind as the people of ‘Fatrah’ whom the Message of the Prophets did not reach to. The term Islam cannot be applied to both kinds and they cannot be regarded as Muslims. Even those who do not make Takfeer (call them Kafir) on some of Mushrikuun consider them at least as ‘Mushrikuun’. The term ‘Shirk’ applies to them and deals with them (because they associate partners with Allah in worship) Now then, which Islam remains after its basis and its mightiest foundation are disrupted which is ‘La ilaha ilallah’.” (Takfir ul Muayyan, pg 43) Note here that they are Mushrikun not Muslims even if they are not given the title of Kufar. Ibn Taymiyyah said: ”However ignorance regarding Allah is Kufr, either before the arrival of the news or after.” (Fatawa, 7:325) According to an explanation by the author of ‘Badai’us Sanai’, Abu Yusuf narrated from Imam Abu Hanifah: “Abu Hanifah stated: No servant (‘abd) has an excuse regarding knowledge of his Rabb due to ignorance. All creatures must know their Rabb and make Tawheed. The reason for this is that they see the created sky, the creation of themselves and all things Allah created. (Badai’us Sanai, 7:132) And this will lead us to following rule.

The particular title is either confirmed or negated according to what is applied to him from the Rulings (Hukm) Scholars use expressions and titles in different contexts such as the expressions ‘Kufr’ and ‘Shirk’ are used in different contexts, depending on what is applied to them from the rulings. It is not obligatory to be applied (the titles) if it is negated in one particular rule, that it must also be negated in rest of rule. What scholars mean by this is that the particular person who associates with Allah partners in worship but he is ignorant and he could remove his ignorance, than that is the type of ‘Kufr’ (disbelief) which is punished and given the title ‘Kafir’. In another rule it will not be applied such as the Kufr that does not entail punishment and is given 25

the title ‘Mushrik’ only. The Kufr before the coming of the Hujjah (proof) is treated differently and entails different rulings from the Kufr after the coming of hujjah (proof). An example from the Qur’an is the case of a ‘Munafiq’ (hypocrite). In some instances they are included with the believers and in other instances they are not included with them. Allah says: “Allah knows very well those among you that kept others and say to their friends ‘come to us’! Only some went into battle.” Munafiqeen are those who hate the believers and turn away others from battle. In another ayah Allah says: “They swear by Allah that they are yours, but they are not yours, rather they are coward people.” In this ayah the Munafiquun are of lesser sin because they did not insult the believers nor they divert them from Jihad. They swear by Allah that they are sincere in their belief and that they are from the believers. However Allah made it apparent that they are liars, “they are not yours” but before Allah said, “Allah knows very well those among you…” Ibn Qayyim (r.a.) mentioned in his book ‘Tabakatul mukallafin’ 17th Category of Shariah bound people: “This is a level of followers that are ignorant from the ‘Kufar’, their followers and their donkeys who followed them in it. They said: ‘We found our ancestors in this religion and we have in them a best example”. Then he (ibn Qayyim) said, “The Umah has agreed that this Category of people are ‘Kufar’ even though they are ignorant, blind followers of their leaders.” However at another place in same book ibn Qayyim said: “14th level: This level includes the ones who have neither obedience nor disobedience, and have neither Kufr nor true Imaan; and they are of different types. So from them are those whom the true call did not reach at all and who did not hear it being related. Also from them is the insane person who could not grasp anything requiring intellect and could not discern. Also from them is the deaf person who never heard anything. And also from them are the children of the Mushriks, those who died before being able to discern anything.”(Tariqul Hiyyreteyn) Note here that he named them Kufar at one place but at another place he said that they have neither Kufr nor true Imaan and this is a good example of how the scholars use the ruling of the particular title that is either confirmed or negated according to what applies. Also a Fatwaa by the sons of Sheikhul Islam Muhammad ibn AbdulWahhab and Shaikh Hamd ibn Nasir Aali Mu’ammar said: “If one commits deeds of Kufr and Shirk out of Jahl 26

(ignorance) or because there is no one who points it out to him (his/her error), we do not call him KAFIR until the evidences reach him. But we do not say about him that he is a MUSLIM.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 10/136)

Shirk and Islam are two opposites that cannot unite and coexist, when one comes the other leaves Allah says: “He it is Who created you, then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers. And Allah is All seer of what you do.”(At Taghabun, 64:2) Our Prophet Muhammad (salallahu aleyhi wa salam) said: “Imaan and Kufr cannot co-exist in the heart of person.” (Sahih Bukhari) Allah states: “…But if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (at-Tawbah 9:5) Qurtubi (r.a.)states: “…But if they repent” meaning if they repent from Shirk (Tafsir). Imam Tabari (r.a.) stated; “if they repent” meaning if they inclined towards ‘Ibadaah’ solely for Allah, abandoning their state of Shirk to Allah and their denial of the prophecy of Muhammad by making Tawheed to Allah with sincerity, without taking on idols or associates and also by inclining towards the acceptance of Muhammad (saaws) as the prophet.” (Tafsir) Note here that the basis of Islam is not fulfilled except with the rejection of Shirk, so when the person is worshiping others beside Allah, He cannot be a ‘Muwahhid’ (One implementing Tawheed). In order for Islam to be established, this person has to repent from Shirk. Hence, Islam means, in the consensus, to surrender in worshipping only to Allah Alone with submission without associating anything with Him. Whosoever directs any kind of worship to other than Allah and believes that he is gaining closeness to Him, he is a ‘Mushrik’ even if he is ignorant. Ibn Taymiyyah said: “Islam implies submission (Istislam) to Allah alone. Whoever submits himself to Him (s.w.t) and together with anything else is a Mushrik, and 27

whoever does not submit himself to Him (s.w.t) is too arrogant to worship Him. Both the Mushrik and ‘Mutekabir’ (arrogant) who worship Him (s.w.t) are still without doubt Kufar (disbeliever). Submission to Him alone implies worshiping Him Alone and obeying Him Alone. This is the religion of Islam.” (at Tadmuriyah, 169) Sheikh AbdulLatif bin AbdurRahman rahimahullah (r.a.) said: “How many nations perished because of the lack knowledge and for not knowing the boundaries and the facts? And how many mistakes took place and much grief happened because of this? Now take for instance Islam and Shirk, they are contradictory terms which never unite or lift each other up. The ignorance of both of them or one of them leads many people to fall into Shirk and to worship the righteous people. This is because they do not know the true meanings and cannot imagine them.” (Minhaj at Ta’sees, 12) Sheikh AbduRahman ibn Hasan rahimahullah said: “He who commits Shirk, Leaves Tawheed for they are two opposites which never come together and can never cancel each other out.” (Majmuatul Taweed, 39) Ibn Taymiyyah (ra) said: “For this reason, anyone who does not worship Allah, certainly worships other than Allah. Mankind is of two types: the Muwahhiduun and the Mushrikuun. Those who mix Tawheed with Shirk like the Christians and Jews, or the deviated ones who attribute themselves to Islam and their likes are Mushrikuun who mix Tawheed and Shirk. (Fatawa, 14: 282) Allah says: “Most of those who believe in Allah do not do so except with associating with Allah.” (Yusuf, 12:106) These are those who attribute themselves to Islam who mix Tawheed with Shirk. Their worship is not valid except with complete sincerity to Allah. They are those who have not fulfilled the requirements of Tawheed, they have not worshiped Allah and in this sense is the meaning of the verse: “Nor will you worship that which I worship” (al Kafirun, 109:3) Sheikhul Islam Muhammed ibn AbdulWahhab said: “Know that worship cannot be named as such except with Tawheed. Prayer cannot be named as such without purification. Thus if Shirk comes into worship it will be spoiled, same as purification is spoiled with passing wind.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 2:23) When Islam 28

departs, Shirk must take its place whereas it is irrelevant why Islam departed.

There must be no difference between the deed and the one who performs it in matters of clear Kufr and major Shirk Sheikh Abdullāh bin Abdurrahmān Abu Bittīn (r.a.)said: “we say; regarding the takfeer of the specific individual, (what is apparent) of the verses and Ahādīth and saying of the majority of the scholars, indicates upon the Kufr of the person who commits Shirk, thus worshipping anyone besides Allah and the proofs does not differentiate between the specific individual and the others. Allāh said “Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most heinous indeed.” (4:48) And Allāh also said: “then kill the Mushrikuun wherever you find them,…”(9:5) and this is general regarding the Mushrikuun. Sheikh Suleimān ibn Sah’mān (r.a.) said: “As for the saying of Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah regarding not making takfeer of the specific individual, what was intended from it was (regarding) specific matters which the evidence being hidden (not known) from some people, just like the matters of Qadr (Decree) and Irjā and its like from what was said by the people of desires. (Kashf Shubhatain, 83) Sheikh Abdullāh Abā Bittīn said commenting upon the saying of Ibn Taymiyyah in his refutation against the one who claims that Ibn Qayyim and Ibn Taimiya said that the one who does these actions of Shirk cannot be generally classified as a Mushrik-Kāfir until the Hujjah is established upon him. Abudullāh Abā Bittīn (r.a.) said: “ Verily whoever does something from theses Shirk matters, it cannot be generally termed that he is Kāfir-Mushrik until the Islamic Hujjah is established upon him?’ well He (Ibn Taymiya) did not say it regarding major Shirk and (regarding) worshipping others besides Allāh and its likes of Kufr. But verily He said this about the hidden matters, as we have previously presented his saying “and this is when it is in the hidden matters, so it can be said the Hujjah has not been established upon him by which the person becomes a Kāfir” So ibn Taymiyyah did not say this person is NOT a Kafir. As for his saying “Sometimes this occurs from some groups amongst them, which is known to be general and specific, like the Jews and Christians know what Muhammad (saaws) was sent with it, and he 29

declared a ‘Kāfir’ the one who goes against it, from worshipping Allāh alone (and that) there is no partner to Him and his forbidding of worshipping of any other besides Him, for verily this is the most apparent symbol of Islām” He means; so in this, it is not possible to be said that, the hujjah has not been established by which the person who leaves it becomes a Kāfir.” (Majmū’a Arrasāil wal masāil Annajdiyya, 4: 474,475) Sheikh Suleimān bin Sahmān (r.a.) said: “So none is excused for not having Imāan in Allāh and His Angels, His books, His Messengers and the Last day, so there is no excuse for him after that due to ignorance. And Allāh explains the ignorance of many amongst the Kufaār, while clearly stating their kufr. And He ascribed the Christians with ignorance, while a Muslim will not doubt in their kufr. And we firmly state that; most of the Jews and Christians today are blind following ignorant (people) and we believe in their kufr and we believe in the kufr of those who doubt in their kufr. And the Qur’an stated upon that; verily doubt in the fundamentals of religion is kufr…..And there is no excuse for the person whose status is the like, because he did not understand the evidences of Allāh and His explanations. There is no excuse for him after it reaches him even if he doesn’t understand it”(Kashf Shubhatain, 92) Ibn Taymiyyah (r.a.) said: “Verily many from the people are tested in places of ignorance and its times, in matters of major Shirk while they do not know” (Majmū’ul Fatāwa, 22:387)

The Difference between Kufr that does not necessitate punishment and the one which does Allah (s.w.t) says: “Messengers who gave good news as well as warning, that mankind after (the coming) of the messengers, should have no plea against Allah, For Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” (An-Nisa 4/165) “(The messengers were sent) thus, for thy Lord would not destroy for their wrongdoing men's habitations whilst their occupants were unwarned.” (Al-Anaam 6/131) Allah says: “And we are not to punish, until we send a messenger…” (Al-Isra, 17:15 ) 30

So Allāh is not going to punish anyone on the Day of Judgment until He establishes the Hujjah (proof) upon him. And His (s.w.t) ruling in this world is that the person who commits Shirk is a ‘Mushrik’. Punishment will be sent upon these people only after the arrival of the Rasul (messenger bringing proof). When it comes to the turning away, mentioned in the ayah “So he gave nothing in charity, nor did he pray! But on the contrary, he rejected Truth and turned away!” (AlQiyama 75/31-32) a situation as such can only be under consideration after the arrival of the Rasul. The Ayah mentioning Pharoah (firaun): “But (Pharaoh) rejected it and disobeyed (guidance)” (an-Naziat 79/21) this had happened after the arrival of the Messenger again. Likewise in the other ayah it is mentioned “Then did (Moses) show him the Great Sign. But (Pharaoh) rejected it and disobeyed (guidance)” (an-Naziat 79/20-21) “But Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger; so We seized him with a heavy Punishment.” (Al-Muzzammil 73/16) Al Sheikh Abdullāh and Sheikh Ibrāhīm who are the sons of Sheikh Abdullatīf and Sheikh Suleimān bin Sah’mān, said: “As for their saying, we say ‘that the word is Kufr and we will not rule with kufr upon the one who said it’ so to generalize this is mere ignorance, because this phrase doesn’t apply except over the specific individual, and the matter of takfeer of the specific individual (muayyan) is a known matter, (that is) if one says such a word is kufr, then it is said ‘whoever says this saying is a Kāfir’. But the person who said it is not ruled as a Kāfir until the hujjah (proof), which the person who leaves it becomes a Kāfir, there the takfeer is made upon him. Then there is the hidden matters which sometimes, its evidence is hidden from people, just like the matter of Qadr (divine decree) and Irjā and its likes. And for what the people of desires said; then some of their sayings include kufr matters which includes rejection of proofs from the Book and Sunnah wich is proved with tawātur, so the saying which includes rejection of some texts would be kufr and it is not judged upon the one who says it for possibility of existence of a preventing factor like ignorance and not having knowledge with what contradicts the text or with what it proves. Thus verily the Sharī’ah doesn’t become binding except after it reaches (a person/group).” (Aqīdatul Muwahhidīn, page 227and 526) Ibn Qayyim states: “They had not been destructed for their ‘Zulm’ before the arrival of the Rasul” in this case these ayah point out two essentials, surely their acts of Shirk was evil, zulm before hujjah, but yet Allah will not punish them before sending a Messenger. In this sense, the mentioned ayah is similar to the ayah in surah Qassas which guides to the two fundaments. 31

“If (We had) not (sent thee to the Quraish), in case a calamity should seize them for (the deeds) that their hands have sent forth, they might say: "Our Lord! why did You not sent us a messenger? We should then have followed Thy Signs and been amongst those who believe!" (Al-Qassas 28/47) “In reality the actions they have done with their own hands is sufficient evidence for their destruction. Now if these acts hadn’t been bad/evil there would be no need for their punishment. Whereas, the conditions of destruction hadn’t been met, they had been abstained (hujjah was not established) from being subjected (to punishment). This is because a Messenger had not arrived to them yet. Whenever a Messenger arrives the cause will take place and then the conditions are met (for punishment). Now the punishment for their evil actions will take place and they will be punished in both ‘Dunya’ and the ‘Akhirah’. Absolutely the reason of punishment exists before the hujjah. However the existence for the reason of punishment does not necessitate that it comes to existence. The reason for this is Allah had laid down a condition that a Rasul must be sent because the punishment is invalid until the hujjah. The last thing to be said regarding these matters is this.” (Miftah’u Dar is Saada, 2/7-39) Ibn Qayyim also stated the following: “It is waajib to believe that whoever belongs to a religion other than Islam is a ‘Kafir’. Allah will not punish anyone before He sends the hujjah with His Rasul. This is always the case. The ‘hukm’(ruling) upon the individuals is the right of Allah. When it comes to a worldly hukm, the hukm will be given according to the appearance (zahr). Children of the Kuffar and those mentally sick, from the Kuffar are also Kufar (disbelievers) according to the hukm in this life. Their hukm is the same as those who had their walayah.” (Tariqu’lHijratayn) Imam Mufti of Nadj Abu Batin related the following from shaikh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, “Whoever performs the action of Shirk, with no doubt is a Mushrik. He will be invited to repent. If he has repented it is great, if not he will be killed” he also said: “With no doubt Imam Ibn Taymiyyah in many places has clarified that an individual who performs any action of Shirk will be given the hukm of takfeer (proclaimed a kafir). Although he had narrated from the ‘Ijma’ of the Muslims, he had not excused the ignorant (in matters of shirk). Allah (swt) stated “Allah forgives not (the sin of) 32

joining other gods with Him; but He forgives whom He please other sins than this: one who joins other gods with Allah, Hath strayed far, far away (from the right).” (An-Nisa 4/116) also “…Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.” (al-Maida 5/72) Now whoever claims this avoidance to be particular to only the stubborn (muannid) individuals and excludes the ignorant, the misinterpreters and the imitators (muqallid) with no doubt will have opposed Allah and RasulAllah (saaws) and he will have separated from the path of the ‘Muminoon’(believers). Moreover in the books of the fuqaha, the section of ‘the hukm of the murtad’ commences with the following: “Whoever performs the action of Shirk to Allah has to be called for repentance… and they never limit it with the muannid. In reality this is a clear matter. Alhamdulillah.” ( Al Intisar li Hizb’ il Muwahhidun war Rad ala’l Mujadil an’ il-Mushrikeen, 27) This is the view of Ibn Taymiyyah regarding the Ummah of Muhammad: “Time will come when some nass(text) will seem difficult to understand and they will not understand. In reality these matters difficult to understand are attributed to them (with their lack of understanding) because they are unable to comprehend the meaning of these evidences. Whereas it is not possible that in the Qur’an there is anything which opposes the open mind and senses. Nevertheless there is bayan (clear explanation) of its meaning in the Qur’an. Surely Allah had made the Qur’an cure for what is in the bosoms and a bayan(clear explanation) for the people. For this reason it is not possible for the opposite to happen. On the other hand, sometimes in some places and in some Eras the product of ‘Risalah’ had been left hidden. Such that they will not know what the Rasul had brought. This could be, by not knowing the statements or by knowing the statements but not comprehending it. In this situation because of the lack of the light of nubuwwa (Prophethood) they will become a part of ‘Jahiliyyah.’ Here, in this environment, Shirk will occur and deen (religion) will be bits and pieces. For instance, like the fitna which makes girding swords. Now fitna is divided into two sections: kawl (statement) and amal (action). This is due to Jahilliyyah which originates from the light of ‘Nubuwwa’ being left hidden. Malik b. Anas stated: When ‘ilm diminishes useless things like foam will appear. When the ‘nass’(text) diminish ‘hawa’ and desires will dominate. For this reason fitnah has been compared to a night of darkness. In his khutbah Ahmad said: 33

Alhamdulillah He has left masters of ‘ilm in every era of fatrah. The hidayah given to the people on earth surely is from the glory of nubuwwah. It is stated in the ayah: “…but if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My Guidance, will not lose his way, nor fall into misery.” (Ta-Ha 20/123) Those who are subjected to their Prophets are those in hidayah and deliverance. They are always the Muslim Mu’min. The ‘Ahl’ of punishment and heresy are those who oppose the Rasul and deny them. Those left are those which the nabawi hujjah had not reached the ahl jahiliyyah which are the ones in heresy and ignorance. An addition they have fallen in evil and shirk. However Allah states: “…nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent an messenger (to give warning). (Al-Isra 17/15) “Messengers who gave good news as well as warning, that mankind, after (the coming) of the messengers, should have no plea against Allah: For Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” (An-Nisa 4/165) “Nor was thy Lord the one to destroy a population until He had sent to its centre a messenger, rehearsing to them Our Signs; nor are We going to destroy a population except when its members practise iniquity.” (Al-Qassas 28/59) Allah will not destroy and punish these people before sending an envoy (messenger). There are many narrations regarding the individual which Risalah had not reached in this ‘dunya’ and according to them Allah will send an envoy to this individual on the day of judgement to the field of Arafat” (Majmuatul Fataawa, 14:307) The meaning of establishing the Hujjah (proof) and it’s different circumstances Allah says: “And of them there are some who listen to you; but We have set veils on their hearts, so they understand it not, and deafness in their ears; if they see every one of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) they will not believe therein; to the point that when they come to you to argue with you, the disbelievers say: "These are nothing but tales of the men of old.” (6:25) Allāh says: “Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the Path. (i.e even worse than cattle).”(25:44) Also Allāh says: “Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearings, (i.e. they are closed from accepting Allah's Guidance), and on their 34

eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be a great torment.” (Al Bakarah, 2:7) Whomsoever the Qur’ān reaches, (then) he is not excused for the major fundamentals ,which is the basis of the Religion. Allāh has verily explained it and cleared it and established the Hujjah upon His slaves with it. The meaning of establishing the Hujjah does not mean that the human understands it with a clear understanding as the person whom Allāh has guided, and given tawfīq and (who) is obedient to His orders and understands. For verily the hujjah is established upon the Kuffār (while) Allāh informed us that He has made veils upon their hearts so that they may not understand His words. Allāh (swt) says: “but We have set veils on their hearts, so they understand it not” (6:25) The verses which carry this meaning are many, in which Allāh informs us that they did not understand the Qur’ān neither did they comprehend it, and that he has put veils on their hearts and barriers on their hearings and He did not excuse them with all this, but rather labled them Kufar (disbelievers). Therefore establishing the hujjah doesn’t mean to prove the features of Kufr to the one who has not understood it, but rather it is the Proof established against them of the deserving punishment in this world and the torment in the Day of Judgment. Ibn Taimiya said: “Allāh said “Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them?”(47:24) and Allāh said “Do they not ponder over the Word (of Allah), or has anything (new) come to them that did not come to their fathers of old?” (28:68) and Allāh said: “Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.” (4:82) So when He incited the Kuffār and the Munāfiqeen to ponder over it, it is to known its meaning (of verses) which the Kuffār and the Munāfiqen can’t understand or know” (Majmū’ul Fatāwā 5/158) And he (Ibn Taimiya) said: “So His verses obligates two things: One understanding it and pondering over it, as to know what is consists of and Two Silence (calm, stillness) when it is heard. So his recitation of it or his listening obligates this. And if a person hears it but doesn’t understand it, he is criticized. And if he understands it, yet doesn’t act upon it, he is criticized. But it is necessary to everyone, when he hears it to understand it and act upon it. As verily it is necessary for everyone to hear it with keenness. So the one, who turns away from keenly hearing the message is a Kāfir. And the one who doesn’t understand what is commanded with in it, is a Kāfir. And the one who knows what was commanded thus he doesn’t admit its obligation and does it, is a Kāfir. So Allāh criticizes the Kuffār with this.” (Majmū’ul Fatāwā 23/147) 35

Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab said: “Whoever denies such and such, and upon whom the Hujjah has been established” and you are doubting about these Tawāgheet and their followers. Has the Hujjah been established upon them? This is something strange! How do you doubt in it (while) I have verily explained it clearly to you many times?! For verily the person upon whom the hujjah is not established is the one who is new in Islām (newly revert), and the one who grows up in a faraway place or if it is a hidden matter of Qadr or tasarruf. The Proof is the Qur’an. So whomever the Qur’an reaches, the Hujjah is established upon him. But the base of the problem is that you don’t differentiate between establishing the hujjah and understanding hujjah. So verily many amongst the Kuffār and the Munāfiqeen from the “Muslims” have not understood the hujjah of Allāh with its establishment. As Allāh said “Or think you that most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle; nay, they are worse astray in Path.” (25:44) So establishing the hujjah is one thing and understanding is another and how it (hujjah) would be established upon them. Their understanding it is another thing and their Kufr (is valid) with its ruling even though they don’t understand it…And when you have known this; then verily the thing upon which you are is Kufr. People worship the Tawagheet and make enmity with the religion of Islām, and they think that it is not apostasy because maybe they did not understand the Hujjah? All this is clear.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 10:93-95) Sheikh Ishāq bin Abdurrahmān said: “Our matter is worshipping Allāh Alone, who has no partner, and barā’a (rejection) from worshipping everything besides him. And verily whoever while worshipping Allāh associates another (in worship) with Allāh, he has committed Shirk akbar (major shirk) which takes the person out of the fold of Islām and this is the base of the fundamentals. And with it, Messengers were sent and books were revealed. And the hujjah has been established upon the people with the Messenger and the Qur’ān. And this is how you would find the answer from the Imāms of the religion in this fundamental regarding the takfeer upon who makes Shirk with Allāh. For very (such a person) is asked to repent, or else (if he doesn’t repent) he is killed. And they did not mention that one should be explained the fundamentals of the religion. But they mention the explanation of hidden matters, which sometimes its proof remains hidden to some of the Muslims, like the matters by which some of the innovative groups like ‘Qadariyya’ and ‘Murjia’ have debated. Or like a hidden matter of ‘Tassarruf ‘(power to change matters/ go to detail in this matter to learn the exact meaning) and Qadr.” (Hukm Takfīr Al Muayyan wal farq beina qiyāmil Hujjah wa fahmil Hujjah, page 171) 36

The Sheikhs Adullāh and Ibrāhīm, the sons of Shiekh Abdullatīf and Suleimān bin Sahmān said: “As for his saying-one of the debaters on the behalf of the Mushrikeen, and those people did not understand the Hujjah. And this is what indicates his ignorance. And that he did not differentiate between understanding the Hujjah and reaching the Hujjah. So understanding it is a type and reaching it is another type. Hujjah is verily established even if the person (who commited kufr) doesn’t understand it”( Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 10/433) Ibn Qayyim said commenting upon the verse of Allāh “They will further say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!" (67:10) “so the hearing which is nullified from them is the hearing of understanding and comprehending. Also Allāh’s saying “If Allah had found in them any good. He would indeed have made them listen” (8:23) it means ‘He would make them understand’ and (the meaning) hearing here is the hearing of understanding. And surely the hearing of voice happens for them, and with it hujjah is established.” (Miftāh Dārus sa’ādah 1:81-105) Ishāq bin Abdurrahmān said: “Sheikh Suleimān bin Abdullāh mentioned in the explanation tawhīd in many places in it; that verily whoever says the Kalimah of Tawheed and prays and gives zakāt, but he goes against it with his actions and sayings by praying to the righteous, and asking for help from them or sacrificing for them, verily he is similar to the Jews and Christians, in their saying the ‘Kalimah of Tawheed’ and going against it. Based upon this it becomes necessary upon the one who says that the Mushrik should be given an explaination (of their kufr before making takfeer) that it is necessary that the Jews and Christians are given an explaination and that they are not declared Kāfirs until it is explained. And this is very much apparent in this sense” (“Hukm Takfīr Al Muayyan wal farq beina qiyāmil Hujjah wa fahmil Hujjah,” page 178)

The Difference between clear apparent matters and hidden matters in Religion The religion of Islam is the religion of all Prophets and the essence of their Message is the call towards Tawheed. It is the fundament of all fundaments, it is the spirit of all reveled books and the beginning and end of their Message.

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Allah says: “ And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me. (Alone)” Ibn Abbas said ‘except to make Me the One.’ Meaning every time when Ibadah is ordered it is Tawheed ordered. Therefore it is obligatory for every individual to learn Tawheed because it is the first and last duty with it he/she enters Islam and with it must leave this world. “And We have indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): “Worship Allah alone and avoid the Taghout.” (an-Nahl 16/36) Also “Those who avoid Taghut by not worshiping them and turn to Allah, for them are glad tidings, so announce the good news to My slaves.” (az Zumar,39:17) “Behold! Ibrahim said to his father and his people: ‘I do indeed clear myself of what you worship. (I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me’. And he left it as a Word to endure among those who came after him, that they may turn back.”(26:28) The scholars of Tafseer are in agreement that what is meant by ‘a Word’ is ‘La ilaha ilallah’. “ Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never brake.” (al Bakarah, 2:256)

Ibn Taymiyyah said: “Calling towards Allah is calling towards His religion, the essence and fundament of that is worship of Allah the One and Only, which does not have partner.” (Majmuatul Fataawa, 15;158-160)

Ibn Taymiyyah said: “If the question is about less known matters, it could be said that he is the one who made mistake or is misguided, then the argument is not established against him that he disbelieves. However in some groups (sects) it happens in matters known to common people and elite Muslims. Even Jews and Christians and the Mushrikuun know what Muhammad ‘salallahu aleyhi wa salam’ is sent with it and that he made ‘takfeer’ of those who go against it, such as his orders not to worship anyone except Allah, One and Only and forbiddance of worshiping anyone else be it from Angels, Messengers or others. These matters belong to the most known principles of Islam; or enmity against the Jews, Christians and the Mushrikun and forbiddance of adultery, usury, gambling and similar to it. Inspite of that you will found many of their leaders have fallen into these kinds (of matters), and therefore became apostates, and some will repent and return to the truth.” (Majmuatul Fataawa, 18:54)

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Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhab said: “When a particular person performs an action which necessitates takfeer, then he is not accused of kufr until the evidence is established against him, such that a person can then be accused of disbelief. And this is the ruling with regards to matters which are not obvious, so some people might be unaware of the evidences of it. As for what occurs from such people of action that are clear and apparent, or that which is well established in religion, then one does not need to stop (making takfeer) against the one who does this act.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 8:244) Narrating from Muhammad b. Nasir al Marwazi, that Ibn Taymiyyah stated: “Ilm (knowledge) concerning Allah is Imaan, and ignorance (jahiliyah) concerning Allah is kufr. As such, knowledge regarding the ‘fard’ (obligations) is Imaan (faith); however ignorance prior to the commandment of the fard does not result in kufr. The reason behind this is that when Allah first sent RasulAllah (saw) to the As’haba (companions) they confessed their Imaan, however after this they did not know the commanded obligations. Even so their ignorance of thw commanded fard was not kufr. Afterwards Allah sent them the fard. Their confession of these fard and performance of these fard became Imaan. Nevertheless those who rejected them became Kufar for declaring the news from Allah to be untrue. If news from Allah had not come, being ignorant of this would not make one a Kafir. In the same sense after the arrival of the news if from among the Muslims there was some who did not hear of it, this ignorance would also not make one a Kafir. However ignorance regarding Allah is kufr, either before the arrival of the news or after.” (Fatawa, 7/325) According to an explanation by the author of ‘Badai’us Sanai’, Abu Yusuf narrated from Imam Abu Hanifah: “Abu Hanifah stated: ‘No servant (‘abd) has an excuse regarding knowledge of his Rabb due to ignorance. All creatures must know their Rabb and make Tawheed. The reason for this is that they see the created sky, the creation of themselves and all things Allah created. When it comes to the fard; regarding those who do not know and related news had not reached them, means the evidence is not stable as a hukm (ie. an ayah had not been revealed yet, or a hadith had not been stated yet etc.)” (Badai’us Sanai 7/132) Sheikh Ishāq bin Abdurrahmān said: “And our matter is; worshipping Allāh alone, who has no partner, and barā’a (disunity) from worshipping everything besides him. And verily whoever while worshipping Allāh associates another (in worship) with Allāh, he has committed Shirk akbar (major shirk) which takes the 39

person out of the fold of Islām. And this is the basis of the fundamentals. And with it, messengers were sent and books were revealed.” (Takfirul Muajjan, 171)

Sheikh Suleimān bin Sahmān said: “So none is excused for not having Imāan in Allāh and His Angels, His books, His messengers and the last day, so there is no excuse for him after that, due to ignorance. And Allāh explains the ignorance of many amongst the Kufāar, while clearly stating their kufr. And He ascribed the Christians with ignorance, while a Muslim will not doubt in their kufr. And we firmly state that; verily most of the Jews and Christians today are blind following ignorant (people) and we believe in their kufr (disbelief) and we believe the kufr of the who doubt in their kufr. And the Qur’an stated upon that; ”verily doubt in the fundamentals of religion is kufr”…And there is no excuse for whom whose status is like because he did not understand the evidences of Allāh and His explanations. There is no excuse for him after it reaches him, even if he doesn’t understand it” (Kashf Shubhatain , 92)

Sheikh Abdullāh bin Abdurrahmān Abā Bittīn said: “And the astonishment is; that verily some people, when they hear the one who talks about the meaning of this ‘Kalimah’ (shahadah) and its negation and affirmation, they criticize it, and say “we were not burdened with that and to talk about them” (so what about the person who says, I fear to talk about people?), So it is said to him ‘You are burdened to know Tawheed which Allāh created the humans and jinns for its sake, and sent all the Messengers inviting towards it, and (you are burdened) to know its antonym and that is Shirk which is not forgiven and there is no excuse for a mukallaf (due to his) being ignorant in it, and blind following in it is not permissible, because this is the fundamental of the fundamentals. So who doesn’t know the good or doesn’t deny (know its evil) the evil is (person who is) destroyed (in loss). And no doubt; the greatest goodness is Tawheed and the biggest evil is Shirk” (Aqīdatul Muwahhidīn: the treatise “Al Intisār lihizbillāhi Al Muwahhidīn” page 16) Sheikh Abdullāh bin Abdurrahmān Abu Bittīn said: “The Qur’ān refutes the one who says that; verily the blind follower is excused in Shirk. (so by saying that) he has lied and slandered upon Allāh, for Allāh decreed the blind followers into the fire.

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“And they will say: "Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the (Right) Way.” (33:67) Allāh said about the Kuffār: “Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps." (43:22) In another verse : “And similarly, We sent not a warner before you (O Muhammad) to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps." (43:23) So the scholars took evidence from these verses and its likes that it is not permissible to blind follow in Tawheed and in Risāla (message) and in the fundamentals of the religion. And it is an obligation upon every ‘Mukallaf’ (one burdened with Sharīah); to know Tawheed with its evidences and likewise to know the message and the fundamentals of the religion. Because the evidence for these fundamentals are apparent, and to Allāh is all the praise and only scholars are not preferred to know that” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah 10/194-391)

Sheikh-ul-Islam Muhammed bin Abdul-Wahhab

MAKES TAKFEER ON HIMSELF AND ALL HIS TEACHERS! Sheikh Muhammed bin Abdul-Wahhab rahimahullah said: “ I will tell you about myself. By Allah, I was searching for knowledge, and those who knew me they thought that I am Alim but during that time I did not know meaning of La ilaha ilAllah nor I knew ‘Din Islam’, except after this good which Allah bestow upon us. Also my Shuyuh, from them no one knew that. Therefore from scholars, who claim that he knew that or he knew meaning of Islam before this time or if he claims that some from his Shuyuh knew that, he lied, confusing people and praising himself with what he is clear from. Proof of this is Abdullah ibn Isa, he is most learned and honored from scholars of Najd, Arid and beyond. Therefore fear Allah, slaves of Allah! Be not proud before Him nor towards your Messenger salallahu alejhi va salam. Praise Allah the Most Exalted, Who send you one who will teach you your religion and made easy for you and do not be among those who substitute gratefulness to ungratefulness and destroyed their people and brought them to Hellfire which is evil place.” (Al-Durar Al-Saniyah, 1/522-523; 10/50-52)

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Those who allow Tahakum ila Taghut under pretext 'returning rights' or those who allow voting to appoint Taghut to power under pretext 'two of lesser evils' or those who allow entering Taghut parliaments to be legislators besides Allah under pretext 'benefits for dawa and Muslims' or those who consider worshipers of other than Allah as their brothers in Islam under pretext 'they are ignorant therefore they are excused', WHEN THEY WILL ADMIT THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW MEANING OF LA ILAHA ILALLAH NOR THEY KNOW DIN ISLAM? I believe never because they lack sincerity and beneficial knowledge that can facilitate change in them. Look ya reader of this article how honest and humble was Shaikh ul Islam ibn AbdulWahhab to admit his reality and to return with full sincerity and submission to Allah One and Only to Whom belongs all worship and ruling in this life and Hereafter. So is there anyone who will reflect?

Jumada Al-Akhir 03. 1431 A.H.

AUTHOR: Faris Muhammed Hrnic (Abu Ismail)

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