Allaah's Compassion Towards

the Creation From the

Wrecklessness of Shaykh
'Ubaid And His Blaming with
Major Accusations upon the
one who Says:
"Ahlus-Sunnah is the Closest
of the Sects to the Truth"

Written by
Abu Abdur-Rahman Yahya ibn 'Ali Al-Hajooree

Translated by

Abu Sharaih Abdur-Rahman bin Wilkes

‫بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم‬

Allaah's Compassion Towards the Creation From the Wrecklessness of
Shaykh 'Ubaid And His Blaming with Major Accusations upon the one
who Says

"Ahlus-Sunnah is the Closest of the Sects to the Truth"

All praise and thanks are for Allaah; The Blessed, The Exalted.

I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, alone, without
any partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

As for what follows:

I have recently been made aware of some comments by Shaykh 'Ubaid, may
Allah inspire him with guidance, which were spread in audio form. They contain
recklessness and gross injustice towards the scholars of the Sunnah, the likes of
which simply cannot be overlooked. Upon being asked the following question:

"What do you say, may Allah preserve you, about the one who says that
'Ahlus-Sunnah are the closest of the groups to the truth'?"

So do you think that the shaykh said, "This expression is averse to that which is
most appropriate?" That would have been less consequential. Rather, he came
down on those from Ahlus-Sunnah who make this statement, describing them in
the following manner

He, may Allah inspire him with guidance, said:

.
"Glorified is Allah, The Great! We say firstly, who are Ahlus-Sunnah to you?
Regarding whom you have said 'They are the closest of the groups to the truth'.
Who is it that you mean by 'these groups' whom you have described as Ahlus-
Sunnah being the closest of them?

Secondly, this statement of yours is false based upon the Book and the Sunnah
and the consensus of the scholars.

Thirdly, what is it that you call to? If you call to the pure Sunnah, derived from the
Book, the Sunnah and the way of the Salafus-Saalih, then you have committed a
slander against Ahlus-Sunnah and have contradicted yourself. And if you call to
other groups like the Ash'ariyyah, the Mu'tazilah and the Jahmiyyah, and you
allege that Ahlus-Sunnah is the closest of the groups to these, likewise, this is a
tremendous lie.

If I said what this speaker has said, I would in fact be deserving of being
described as an innovator, and all praise is for Allaah at being exempted from
that.

Ahlus-Sunnah are the people of the truth. Ahlus-Sunnah are the elite servants of
Allaah and the elite of His messenger (may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be
upon him). So how can they be described as being the (closest) of the groups to
the truth if they are not actually upon the pure unadulterated truth. Based on this
corrupt and wicked statement They are not upon the pure unadulterated truth,
rather they are upon falsehood but they are close to the people of the truth. So
define for us, Oh 'Miskeen' [pitiful one], which is the group that is actually upon
the pure truth? I don’t think that he knows what is coming out of his head!

So regarding the likes of this one I swear by Allah, I swear by Allah, I swear by
Allah (thrice) it is not permissible to take knowledge from him, he is the one that
will instill falsehood, fraudulence, lies and slander!

At the source of Ahlus-Sunnah are the companions of Allah's messenger (may

peace and blessings from Allah be upon him). So if Ahlus-Sunnah, from the first
of them to the last of them are the closest of the groups to the truth, based upon
this corrupt and wicked statement they have falsehood with them! They have
oppositions with them! They have innovations with them! And Ahlus-Sunnah are
far removed from this.

The crime of this statement and its sin are upon him. He shall draw upon himself
the sin of this corrupt and wicked statement, for he has fabricated a lie against
Ahlus-sunnah which they are free from.

So, if he hears my speech I truly advise him to repent to Allah and to publicly
announce his retraction from this wicked statement and to declare that Ahl-us-
sunnah are actually the people of the pure truth, untarnished by any taint, just as
is proven by the Book, the Sunnah and consensus."
So derived from these remarks are the following points:

1- They have opposed the Book, the Sunnah and the consensus of the
scholars.

2- Whoever makes this statement, if he calls to the Sunnah then he has

contradicted himself.

3- Whoever makes this statement has slandered Ahlus-Sunnah.

4- He (Shaykh Ubaid) suspects the one who says this may call to other
groups like the Ash'ariyyah, Mu'tazilah and Jahmiyyah.

5- The statement is a tremendous lie

6- Had he (Shaykh Ubaid) made this statement he would have deserved

being described as an innovator. And this means that the actual maker of
the statement deserves the description 'innovator'.

7- He (Sh Ubaid) praised Allah for exempting him from that, hinting that those
who make this statement are not exempt.

8- That he considers the one who makes this statement to be [MISKEEN]

'poor one' in the derogatory sense of the word.

9- The one who makes this statement does not know what is coming out of
his head! And this is the case with those who have lost their senses from
the insane and their likes.

10 - He (Shaykh Ubaid) crudely took the oath: that it is not permissible to take
knowledge from the likes of one who makes this statement.

11 - He (Shaykh Ubaid) attributed to the one who makes this statement the
characteristics of falsehood, lies and slander.

12 - That if one makes the statement then it necessitates from him the belief
that the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those after
them have

13 - Oppositions with them,

14 - And innovations with them.

15 - The statement is a 'wicked' statement.

16 - The statement is a 'corrupt' statement.

17 - The one who makes such a statement shall draw upon himself its sin.

18 - That he (Shaykh Ubaid) requests from the one says this to publicly
announce his retraction.

So here are eighteen offensive remarks with which he has attacked the scholars
of the Sunnah who have made the statement in question. And presented to you
now are some of their names from the extraordinarily brilliant people of
knowledge and the true men of Sunnah and right guidance:

-1- Shaykh-ul-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah

(may Allah have mercy on him)

[As mentioned in Majmoo' Al Fataawa 4/23]

"…And that which is found from the affirmation of the heads of rhetorical
speech and philosophy and their testimony against themselves and those
of their kind as being misguided, and likewise the testimony of the heads
of rhetorical speech and philosophy against each other, then it is more
than the current discussion allows mention of. Similarly, that which is
found regarding the retraction of their scholars from what they are upon
and returning to the methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah and their old ladies is
prolific.

And as for the leaders of sunnah and hadeeth, then none of them at all
retract their position, because once the sweetness of eeman blends with
the hearts, one is never discontent nor dissatisfied.

Also that which is found in their testification is that Ahlul-Hadeeth are

secure and free from any type of deviation, and they do not testify except
that Ahlul Bida'h is upon misguidance. And this topic is extensive as we
mentioned.

And all of the opposing groups from the people of desires attest that
Ahlus-Sunnah are most correct and closest to the truth. So we find
the people of the various sects speaking and behaving towards them just
as the people of the various religions speak about and behave towards the
Muslims."

-2- Our Shaykh, Al-Allaamah, (Muqbil ibn Haadee) Al-Waadi'ee

(may Allah have mercy on him)
 [As we heard from him and as is recorded in his book 'Riyaadh-ul-Jannah
fee Ar-Radd 'alaa A'daa As-Sunnah']

He (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

"…And from that which one must be cautious of is that every sect claims
that it is the saved sect. The Book and the Sunnah came explaining
clearly the Saved Sect. He, The Perfect and Most High has said,

"By the time. Verily mankind is in loss. Except those who believe, and do
righteous good deeds, encourage one another to the truth and encourage
one another to patience." [Al-'Asr : 1-3]

And He, The Most High has said,

"Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salaah with
solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Al-
Laghw (evil vain talk). And those who pay the Zakaah. And those who
guard their chastity. Except from their wives or those that their right hands
possess- for then, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond
that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to
their Amaanaat and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their
Salawaat. These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaus
(paradise). They shall dwell therein forever." [Al-Mu'minoon : 1-11]

And Imaam Al-Bukhaaree related in his Sahih on the authority of Abu

Hurairah that the prophet (may peace and blessings from Allah be upon
him) said:

'All of my ummah will enter Jannah except he who refuses'.

So it was said 'And who will refuse O Messenger of Allah?'

He said 'Whoever obeys me enters Jannah and whoever disobeys me has

refused'.

Thus, whoever possesses the qualities mentioned in Soorat-ul-'Asr,

Mu'minoon and the hadeeth, then he is from the saved sect. And the
closest people to whom these qualities apply are Ahl-ul-Hadeeth."

-3- Al-'Allaamah Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaimeen

(may Allah have mercy upon him)

[In his 'Explanation of Aqeedatul-Waasitiyyah']

 Regarding the statement of Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah
rahimahullah,

"And following the path of the foremost and earliest of the Muhaajiroon
and Ansaar…"

Shaykh al-Uthaimeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

"Indeed following their way is the manhaj of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah

because they are closer to the haq than those after them. The further
the people are to the prophetic era the further they are from the haq,
and the closer the people are to the prophetic era, then the closer
they are to the haq. And the more one strives to learn about the life
of the Prophet (may peace and blessing from Allah be upon him) and
his Rightly Guided Khulafaa, the closer he is to the haq.

And this is why you see the differing amongst the ummah after the time of
the companions and the Taabi'een has become more widespread
spanning more issues, yet the differing in their era was limited.

So it is from the way of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah to look to the path of

the foremost and earliest of the Muhaajiroon and Ansaar and then follow it.
Following it leads to loving them - they are the closest to the truth
and what is right…"

-4- Al-'Allaamah Saalih al-Fawzaan

(may Allah preserve him)

[In his explanation of Al-Waasitiyyah by Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymmiyyah

regarding the same statement]

He said:

"And from the traits of Ahlus-Sunnah is following the path of the foremost
and earliest of the Muhaajiroon and Ansaar because Allah particularized
them with knowledge and understanding. They actually witnessed the
descent of revelation, heard its interpretation, and were taught by the
Messenger (may peace and blessings from Allah be upon him) without
any intermediary. Thus, they are the closest to what is right and the
most deserving of being followed after the Messenger of Allah (may peace
and blessings from Allah be upon him)…[until the end of his speech]."
 The Permanent Committee [Al-Lajnah Ad-Daa'imah]

From those who said this (Ahlus-Sunnah are the closest to the truth) are

-5- Al-'Allaamah Ibn Qa'ood

-6- Al-'Allaamah Abdullah Ibn Ghudayaan

-7- Al-'Allaamah 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee

-8- Al-Imaam Ibn Baaz

[As is mentioned in Fataawaa Al-Lajnatud-Daa'imah – v2/p237 Question 1

from fatwah No 6250.]

They, may Allah have mercy on those who have passed away and
preserve those living, were asked:

"In the Islamic world today there are many groups and sects. There are for
example, the Soofiyyah, Jamaa'at-ut-Tableegh, Al-Ikhwaan-ul-Muslimeen,
the Sunnis and the Shee'ah. So who is the group that actually puts into
practice the book of Allah and the Sunnah of his Messenger (may peace
and blessings from Allah be upon him)?"

The answer:

"The closest Islamic group to the truth and the most diligent in
applying it are Ahl-us-Sunnah, and they are Ahl-ul-Hadeeth!... [to the
end of the answer]"

(and there is more to the answer which should be noted cautiously.)

And we are certain inshaa Allah that those mentioned above and others besides
them from those who upon this upright way, do not believe that those sects are
not astray and they believe that Ahl-us-Sunnah are infact the people of the truth!

For Allah has said

"Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to tbe affected by
Allah's Reminder and that which has been revealed of the truth"
 [Al-Hadid : 16]

And His saying

"So after the truth, what can there be save error?"

[Yunus : 32]

And the saying of the prophet (may peace and blessings from Allah be upon
him):

"There will not cease to be a group manifest upon the truth, whilst neither those
who oppose them nor desert them will harm them, up until the hour is
established."

So they are the people of truth!

However, the word 'closest' is in the comparative/elative form and this entails
sharing a common trait with another and exceeding it.

From this it is understood that Ahl-us-Sunnah are superior than those astray
sects due to the Tawfeeq granted to them by Allah regarding the Sunnah which
the astray sects do not possess!

And you could have said that which Al-Imaam Ibn Katheer said regarding the
statement of Allah the Most high:

"Be just, that is closer to piety"

[Maa-idah : 8]

Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

"And the statement of Allah 'Be just, that is closer to piety' is by way of
using the comparative/elative form in a context in which the other side has
no share in it at all. Just like the saying of Allah

'The dwellers of paradise will, on that day have the best abode and have
the fairest of places for repose" [Furqaan : 24]

And like the saying of some female companions to Umar (may Allah be
pleased with them all):

"You are rougher and harsher than the messenger of Allah (may peace
and blessings from Allah be upon him)" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

So fear Allah O Shaykh Ubaid! And control with precision what you say along the
correct precepts. And turn away from these unjustifiable rulings.

And don't pursue that which is complicated yet irrelevant, whilst changing the true
state of affairs and accusing the innocent of a crime in order to support the new
'Hizb' [group].

And we remind you of the saying of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic:

"On the day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done,
and all the evil he has done, he will wish that there were a great distance
between him and his evil. And Allah warns you against Himself (His punishment)
and Allah is full of kindness to his slaves."
[Aal-'Imraan : 30]

For indeed we have noticed, as have others, that since you became staunch in
your support of the 'Hizbiyyoon' [bigoted partisans] you have been deceived by
the likes of these sayings. And there are many others which they suggest to you
and then you adopt them. And these people are an ignorant people, and people
of hawaa' [desires] and 'fitnah' [trials] and provoking discord amongst the callers
to the truth.

So I remind you of the saying of Allah:

"And incline not towards those who do wrong, lest the fire should touch you and
you have no protectors other than Allah, nor would you then be helped."
[Hud : 113]

So inclining towards the 'Hizbiyyoon' [bigoted partisans], those who have

themselves succumbed to 'Fitnah' [trials] and put others in the da'wah to trial, is
an immoral act of wrongdoing towards those misled by their deceit and fooled by
the discord they instigate. And it is a sinful act for the one who inclines his
support to them.

And whoever finds his condition to be such then he is not safe from Allah
disgracing him due to his evil deeds. Allah the Most High said:

"And those who have earned evil deeds, the recompense of an evil deed is the
like thereof, and humiliating disgrace will cover them. No defender will they have
from Allah. Their faces will be covered as if it were pieces from the darkness of
night. They are the dwellers of the fire,they will abide therein forever."
[Yunus : 27]

And He, he Most High has said:

"That is so because Allah will never change the grace He has bestowed upon a
people until they change what is in their own selves…"
[Al-Anfaal : 53]

"Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant
mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower."
[Aal-'Imraan : 8]

And Tawfeeq is from Allah!

Written by :

The one in need of pardon from his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic
Yahyaa Ibn 'Alee al-Hajooree
Daarul Hadeeth – Dammaaj

Wednesday 13 Rajab 1429h