Author: Shaykh Ṣāliḥ Bin Sa‘d As-Suḥaymy
Source: Sahab.net
Translator: Abu Abdil-Alim Amin Manning al-Makki
[The Shaykh Saalih (hafithahullah) mentioned this statement and story during his lesson on the 21st of Ramdaan 1435 Hijri in the Prophet's Masjid]
Recording and Transcription courtesy of akhoonaa: Abu Abdur Rahmaan Usaamah
[All praise is for Allah, and prayers and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah, as for what follows:]
The virtuous scholar Saalih bin Sa'd as-Suhaymee- May Allah preserve him- said:
So, fanaticism and sanctification of personalities is not permissible, the men are known based upon the truth and the truth is not that which is known based upon, what? The men.
And there is a position I narrate on our shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al Albaani- may Allah have mercy upon him- [that he mentioned] when I visited him close to his death by approximately a month and a half. And after I greeted him, someone began to tell [him and] some of the brothers about me, [so] he said: "you acquaint me with the companion of contention in the [affair] of fasting Saturday and the [affair] of [performing] the congregational [prayer] again?" [Meaning the second congregation.] Thus, I said to him: oh shaykh and I have not ceased to [remain] upon this view, consequently, I see [it to] be permissible to [perform] the congregational [prayer] again. And I still view the fasting of Saturday, without fasting [the day] alone to be legislated, in opposition to you, and oh our shaykh you are the one who taught us that.
Hence, he tighten [his grip] on my hand- may Allah have mercy on him- and I have not forgotten the forcefulness of his hand in that moment, (shaykh Saalih began to cry at this point of his lesson), and he [ shaykh al-Albaani ] said: "Like this we want the student of knowledge [to be], like this we want the student of knowledge [to be], not fanatic [towards] me or other than me, so may Allah reward you with good."
And I was present [during] a dispute between him and our shaykh Abdul-Muhsin al-Abbaad al Badr, with each one of them [showing] respect for the other, about the issue of taking [meaning: cutting] that which exceeds the handful [of hair] from the beard and it is a view that the shaykh holds following the narration on Abdillah ibn Umar, [radi Allahu anhumaa] thus we enjoyed this dispute [for] close to two hours, while each one of them [displayed] respect for the other, our shaykh Abdul-Muhsin al Abbaad al Badr and our shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al Albaani.
When our shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al Albaani met with our shaykh Mahmoud at-Tuwayjaree-may Allah have mercy upon him- and there were strong refutations between them about the issue of the hijaab (veil), so when they met each one of them honored his companion [meaning each other]. And when [someone asked] a question each one of them would divert [it] to the other. [Then shaykh Saalih recited a line of poetry:]
These unique scholars, those who have departed and as a result of their departure a mighty void [has come about].
[End of shaykh Saalih's statement]
Author: Shaikh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan Al Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him)
Source: Asbaabu Najaatil-Ummati
Q: It is the opinion of some that it is necessary to hold discussion/dialogue with those who oppose and differ with our belief, and others hold the opinion that it is not necessary to have discussions with them. So what is the correct opinion regarding this affair, oh noble Sheikh?
A: Dialogue and discussions in which it is intended by it, to present the truth and refute falsehood, then this is wanted and desired.
As Allah the Most High said:
وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
“And argue with them in a way that is better”. (An Nahl: 125)
And He the Most High said:
وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
“And do not argue with the people of the scripture, unless it is in away that is better.” (Al Ankubut: 46)
So therefore, discussions that are intended to clarify the truth and refute falsehood are mandatory and desired.
The Most High said:
قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلَمَةٍ سَوَاء بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضاً أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ
“Say: Oh people of the scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah (alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say; “Bear witness that we are Muslims.” (Aali Imran: 64)
So when it is intended from these discussions with the disbelievers (kuffaar) to clarify the truth, disprove falsehood and establishing proof upon them, then this is desired and mandatory.
As for when it is intended from the discussion to show that we are pleased with their religion then this is not permissible because comprising (our belief) is not discussion or dialogue.
As Allah the Most High said:
وَدُّوا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
“They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them: so they (too) would compromise with you.” (Al Qalam: 9)
As He Also said:
أَفَبِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ
“Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?” (Al Waaqi'ah: 81)
This disapproval is from Allah that we compromise in the religion of truth and be content or accept the religion of falsehood. This compromising in the religion of truth and acceptance of the religion of falsehood, acknowledging it, then this is not discussion or dialogue.
And Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
وَدُّواْ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَاء
“They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected Faith, and thus that you all become equal (in belief).” (An Nisaa: 89)
And Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
وَإِن كَادُواْ لَيَفْتِنُونَكَ عَنِ الَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ لِتفْتَرِيَ عَلَيْنَا غَيْرَهُ وَإِذًا لاَّتَّخَذُوكَ خَلِيلاً (73) وَلَوْلاَ أَن ثَبَّتْنَاكَ لَقَدْ كِدتَّ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْئًا قَلِيلاً (74) إِذاً لَّأَذَقْنَاكَ ضِعْفَ الْحَيَاةِ وَضِعْفَ الْمَمَاتِ ثُمَّ لاَ تَجِدُ لَكَ عَلَيْنَا نَصِيرًا (75)
“Verily, they were about to tempt you away from the which We have revealed to you ( the Qur'an) unto you to fabricate something other than it against Us, and then they would certainly have taken you a Khalil (an intimate friend). And had We not made you stand firm, you would have nearly have inclined to them a little. In that case We would have made you taste a double portion (of punishment) in this life and a double portion (of punishment) after death. And then you would have found none to help you against Us.” (Al Israa: 73-75)