Salafus-Saaliheen سلف صالحين

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Misleading Statements

The statement: The Shaikh is affected by the people around him (those who speak to him).

Shaikh Muhammad Bazmoul commented on this statement:

Beware of such a statement oh my brothers, for indeed it is the statement of the people of innovation and desires! I have heard this statement being mentioned concerning the likes of Shaikh Bin Baaz and Shaikh al Albani (may Allah have mercy on them), and I have heard it mentioned about other scholars.

This statement is incorrect in several ways:

1. It is belittlement of the scholar because it indicates that he is not accurate and he accepts anything mentioned to him by his students. The origin of the affair of a scholar is that he is trustworthy and accurate, and therefore this statement is in opposition to this origin. With this being the case, the person who makes such an allegation must present proofs for his claim or it is befitting that his claims is rejected and not accepted.

2. The likes of this statement was forbidden by Allah concerning what was being said about His Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the scholars; those who inherit from the prophets. Allah said in the Qur'an:

وَمِنْهُمُ الَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ النَّبِيَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

{Among them are those who annoy the Prophet and say: He is lending his ear to all news. Say: He listens to what is best for you; he believes in Allah, has faith in the believers, and is a mercy to those of you who believe. But those who annoy Allah's Messenger will have a painful torment.} Surah at Taubah: 61

Imam at Tabari mentioned in his book of Tafseer in explanation to this verse, he said:

Allah is informing that from amongst the hypocrites are groups who seek to annoy the Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and reprimand him by saying: He freely lends his ear. He listens to everyone who speaks to him and he accepts and believes their speech….

Shaikh Muhammad Bazmoul further explained:

Consequently, this statement was mentioned by the hypocrites concerning the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and now it is being used by the people of innovation and ignorance to belittle the scholars and abandon their statements and knowledge. By performing this action, they have imitated the action of the hypocrites. Indeed there is no might or change except by the permission of Allah!

3. This statement is used by individuals to refute the statements of the scholars concerning individuals and issues. Indeed this is from the most despicable of affairs. The statement of a scholar is only rejected based on valid, legislated proofs and evidences. Is this statement (the scholar is affected by those around him) considered a valid, legislated proof and evidence?!

4. This statement contains several dangers. From its dangers is that it creates a lack of trust for the scholar concerning his speech and rulings. Certainly the more the people trust the scholar, the more they trust his knowledge.

5. This statement removes and decreases the awe and reverence the students of knowledge have for the scholar.

Summarized translation from: 'Misleading Statements' Shaikh Muhammad Bazmoul (may Allah preserve him)

Mustafa George DeBerry
http://salafee.multiply.com/journal
Riyadh, KSA