Our teacher, khateeb, or Masjid Committee is Balanced- neither speak nor take a stance until after assessing benefits and harms
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Our teacher, khateeb, or Masjid Committee refrains from speaking until after carefully assessing the advantages and disadvantages
Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allah preserve him] clarified this affair when Dr Ibraaheem Ar-Ruhayli [may Allah rectify his affair] mentioned the importance of considering the benefits of a refutation, and that it is crucial to ascertain the benefits of the refutation because if it will result in more harm than the initial corruption, it is not legislated to proceed with it. This is because a Mafsadah [a corrupt affair] is not to repelled if it will lead to greater corruption. Dr. Ibraaheem then cited a statement by Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, stating that it is impermissible to repel a minor act of corruption that may lead to greater corruption. The preferable course of action is to not repel the lesser of two harmful matters which leads to greater corruption, as the Islamic Legislation aims to bring about beneficial outcomes and accomplish them fully, while also putting a halt to corrupt affairs and minimising their impact as much as possible. The objective is to prioritise the weightier of two good matters, in cases where achieving both is not feasible and to repel the more evil of two matters if it is not possible to eliminate both.
Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Mad’khalee responded to Dr Ibraaheem’s statement, stating that the words of Shaikhul Islam are indeed true. He emphasised that it is not permissible to repel a minor act of corruption that would lead to greater corruption. Then the Shaikh stated, however, I [Rabee] believe that Shaikh Al-Islam does not consider Shirk, Kufr, the Major Bidah, waging war against Ahlus Sunnah, and defending the senior proponents of Bidah as minor matters of corruption, or that disapproving them (openly) and highlighting their danger is something that will result in more corruption. There is no greater advantage than spreading Tawheed and demonstrating it, eradicating Shirk and Kufr, and cleansing the earth from them; (cleansing the earth from) Bidah which the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] referred to as the most detrimental of all matters. Shaikh Al-Islaam intended, as evident from this statement, the one who gives advice to the rulers or expresses disapproval towards the actions of Muslim rulers or their representatives because this is to be carried out with evidence, leniency, and gentleness, but in cases where disapproving their minor acts of corruption may result in greater corruption, one bears the smaller corruption to repel the occurrence of a greater corruption. Then the Shaikh expounded on this matter in a footnote on page 54 where he stated, “This is contrary to the actions of the khawaarij and their ilk because their disapproval (of the ruler) is either manifested through armed rebellion or instigation and provocation. Consequently, the resulting corruption from their disapproval of the ruler’s actions surpasses and intensifies the very corruption they sought to prevent.”
Then the Shaikh proceeded to state that if the corrupt actions carried out by the rulers amount to Shirk, Rafd (the creed of the Raafidah Shiites), or Kufr, then this principle of bearing the lesser evil does not apply in this case. Regarding bidah, particularly bidah which is equivalent to disbelief or polytheism, the statement of Shaikh Al-Islam should not be applied in such situations. Then the Shaikh stressed this point to Dr Ibraaheem, reminding him of Imaam Ahmad’s opposition to those who claimed that the Qur’an is created, despite their political power. Shaikh Al-Islaam and Ibn Al-Qayyim wrote numerous books refuting Ahlul Bidah, including Al-Waasityyah, Al-Hamawiyyah, At-Tadmuriyyah, Minhaaj Ahl Sunnah, Naqd al-Mantiq, Dar Ta’aarud Al-Naql Wal-Aql, Talbees Al-Jahmiyyah, Iqtidaa Siraat al-Mustaqeem, Al-Fataawaa Al-Kubraa, and Majmoo Al-Fataawaa. Most of these books specifically refute the Ash’ariyyah. (a) Ibnul Qayyim’s books, such as As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah Alal Jahmiyyah Wal-Mu’attilah (b) I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een, Ighaatha Al-Lahfaan, and An’Nubuwwah were primarily written to refute the Ash’ariyyah Soofiyyah, despite their political authority. The reason for clarification and disapproval in this matter (i.e. rebuttal against the major bidah) is nothing else other than something that brings more benefit than harm. This is the call of the Messengers, from Nuh to the last of them Muhammad, because they manifested the truth, explained Tawheed, and warned against Shirk, regardless of their enemies’ tyranny, authority, strength, and transgressions. [1]
Must read the article By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allah protect him] regarding rebellion, Takfeer, speaking against rulers openly in general, and pay close attention to what Imaam Ahmad advised the delegation that approached him and suggested rebellion, saying, “Keep opposing (the false belief itself) with your statements, but do not remove your hands from obedience and do not encourage the Muslims to rebel and do not spill your blood and the blood of the Muslims along with you. Look to the results of your actions. And remain patient until you are content with a righteous or sinful rule.” http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/ ]
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Footnote a: http://www.asharis.com/creed/
Footnote b: http://www.sahihmuslim.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=AQD&subsecID=AQD12&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm
[1] An Excerpt from “Bayaan Maa Fee Naseehati Ibraaheem Ar-Ruhayli Minal Khalal Wal-Ikhlaal” 53-54. paraphrased