Is The Salafi Bookstore His Personal Business Pursuit?!
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah [The Most High] said:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَاۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [An-Nisaa. 135]
In recent days, as we have been rebutting Faris Al-Hammadi, a multitude of individuals has emerged, offering a plethora of trivial comments and conjectures. Some of these remarks touch upon Manhaj issues, while others resort to personal slander. The complexities surrounding Manhaj can be easily elucidated through the clarifications of senior scholars and their students in the East and the West, whereas the personal jabs are best disregarded. Such attacks typically stem from those who lack comprehension or from individuals whose discontent manifests as hostility, unable to challenge the evidence we have provided. However, when these individuals, rather than addressing the pertinent subject concerning Faris, choose to misdirect their criticisms toward others unrelated to our discourse, we feel an immense obligation to uphold the veracity of our direct experiences in Birmingham since 2006.
Once more, we find ourselves confronting a remark that has emerged from the lips of those who indulge in idle speech, a remark they attempt to frame as something deserving of reproach: the assertion that “Abu Khadeejah is a businessman and the Salafi Bookstore belongs to him.” Indeed, the reality is that, regardless of whether it is Shaikh Abu Khadeejah or any other individual, we all possess the right to partake in commerce. Allah, The Most High, says:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًا فَٱمْشُوا۟ فِى مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا۟ مِن رِّزْقِهِۦ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلنُّشُورُ
He it is, Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to live, and to do agriculture on it, etc.), so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection. [Al-Mulk 15]
Meaning- He is the One Who made the earth subservient to you, allowing you to obtain everything necessary for your needs, including cultivation, construction, and farming, as well as the pathways (roads) that lead to distant regions and vast lands. [فَٱمْشُوا۟ فِى مَنَاكِبِهَا – so walk in the path thereof]- Meaning, in pursuit of sustenance and livelihood. [1]
Allah, The Most High, says:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu’ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumu’ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know! Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah,, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful. [Al-Jum’ah 9-10]
[فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ – Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land]- Meaning, to seek earning and engage in trade. [2]
Abdul Malik Al-Maymoonee reported that Abu Abdillah (Imam Ahmad) said: A man said to Sariy Bin Yahyah (a student of the Taa’bi’een): “You travel on the sea in search of the provision?!” He replied: “I want to be free from your (dependence) on the people”. [3]
Abu Bakr Al-Marroodhee narrated to us, saying: I said to Abu Abdillah (Imam Ahmad): “For what (reason) did Sufyaan Ath-Thawri depart to Yemen?” He said: “He departed for trade and to meet Ma’mar. They (i.e. the people) said: He (Sufyaan) had a hundred Deenaar, but seventy (Deenaar) is what is correct”. [4]
Abu-Bakr Al-Marwazee said: I heard Abu Abdillah (Imam Ahmad) saying, “Indeed, I ordered them (i.e. my children) to go to the market and engage in trade”. [5]
Muhammad Ibn Musa said: I heard Ali Bin Ja-far saying: “My father took me along with him to Abu Abdillah (Imam Ahmad) and said: “O Abu Abdillah! This is my son”. He supplicated for me and said to my father: “Order him to go to the market (for trade) and keep him away from his (idle or bad) companions”. [6]
The preceding texts are sufficient to quell the misguided. Thus, the matter at hand can be distilled into two elements: a faction driven by envy and another that, unable to substantiate their positions, resorts to character defamation by suggesting that their target exploits Dawah for personal gain. This is particularly disingenuous, as we have not referenced a single utterance from Shaikh Abu Khadeejah concerning Faris or his supporters. In addressing the envious, we remind them as follows: Damratah Bin Thalabah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they do not envy one another”.
Al-Allamah Zaid Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: The hadith is clear in its prohibition against envy. What is intended by envy is when one wishes that the blessing bestowed upon another person should cease, regardless of whether the envier wants that blessing for himself or another person, or wants that the blessing given to the one he envies should cease- whether the blessings are related to an affair of the religion or a worldly affair. Envy is forbidden and the command to seek Allah’s protection from the evil of an envier has been stated in the Qur’an: [وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ – And from the evil of the envier when he envies]. Therefore, one should be cautious of envy! Indeed, the Prophet said, “Do not envy one another”. [7]
Mu’aawiyah Bin Abee Sufyaan, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said: “I can please all the people (i.e. within what is lawful) except the one who is envious of a blessing (bestowed on others) because never will he be pleased until that blessing ceases”. [8]
Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, said:
Supplicate for your brother to be blessed. Supplicate for him to be blessed instead of wishing that the blessing he is given should cease to exist. Supplicate for him that the blessing he is given should remain and that Allah blesses him with it. This will not harm you, rather it is something through which Allaah will benefit you. Envy is cured through the likes of these deeds. Also, what will cure the disease of envy is that you seek after provision and employ the means of earning a livelihood. As for sitting (about idly) and being lazy, whilst envying those who earn through seeking after provision – envying them for that which Allah has bestowed on them of His bounties- you are to be blamed. You are the one who has fallen short, you are the one who has abandoned the means to earn a livelihood, and the one with self-inflicted laziness. You should blame yourself, let alone envy people for what Allah has given them of His bounties. Envy can lead to disbelief just as it led Iblees to disbelief; it can lead to committing murder just as it led Haabil to murder his brother Qaabil. Allah narrated this story to us so that we may ponder upon it; take warning from it and be warned against envy. [9]
Secondly, regarding the discussions and conjectures circulating among certain individuals about Dawah and personal interests, it is evident that their remarks arise from malicious assumptions, intentional vagueness, or simple inquisitiveness. This has led them to mistakenly believe that the Salafi Bookstore in Birmingham is a personal enterprise of Shaikh Abu Khadeejah. However, Allah knows that the bookstore is under the ownership of Salafipublications and functions in the same manner as any other Salafi Bookstore overseen by a Masjid Committee or appointed Trustees.
Thirdly, Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, akin to every other senior student and their junior counterparts, along with the common people like myself and others, possesses the inherent right to pursue the abundant blessings of Allah through diverse avenues, be it through commerce, various professions, or Umrah trips. Must individuals disclose their personal assets and business endeavours to others? Why, then, do these gossipers fixate on Shaikh Abu Khadeejah while ignoring others? The answer is clear: after failing to justify your flawed Manhaj positions, which he effectively counters, they have chosen to make this a personal matter, resulting in reckless speculation and stupid comments.
Indeed, our relationships should not be built on conjecture or intruding into the private matters of others; however, unable to validate their deviations, they have personalised this issue through baseless assumptions, expressing their grievances about what they believe to be a rightful denial of their pursuit of corruption in Manhaj and affiliations. Consequently, this has driven them to engage in a lamentable quest for character defamation, disseminating inaccuracies, unfounded rumours, fabrications, misinterpretations, and derogatory remarks. This destructive path compels them to neglect their own affairs, fixating instead on any so-called flaw in others’ private lives that they can gossip about. This indicates a profound absence of emotional and intellectual satisfaction in their own lives, leading them to seek vicarious thrills by intruding into the lives of others. Indeed, this behaviour does not infuse their lives with the excitement and joy they seek; rather, it underscores a state of ennui. We urge them to contemplate three texts from the divine revelation and we ask Allah to grant us and them the Tawfeeq and piety to navigate our lives based upon His Guidance, Amin.
Allah says:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O you who believe, avoid much suspicion. Indeed, much of suspicion (being devoid of evidence and truth) comprises sin. And do not spy (to seek out errors, shortcomings and what is hidden of others) and let not some of you backbite others. Would one of you like to (physically) eat the flesh of his brother when dead. You would hate (to do) it (or: you would hate people knowing that you did it) (so hate backbiting in a like manner). And fear Allāh, indeed Allāh is Accepting of repentance, Merciful (to His believing servants). [10]
The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.” [11]
The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “From the excellence of a man’s Islām is his abandonment of that which does not concern him.” [12]
In conclusion, this article is not written out of any familial ties or business affiliations with Shaikh Abu Khadeejah or any member of the Salafi Bookstore staff. Instead, we intend to uphold the dignity of those unjustly attacked solely for their unwavering commitment to the blessed Salafi Manhaj. We have not conveyed a single personal remark from Shaikh Abu Khadeejah or any other person concerning Faris or his supporters; thus, it is perplexing to witness the topic being misdirected and Shaikh Abu Khadeejah being unjustly attacked. Consequently, we find it necessary to stand in defence of our Salafi brother and elder teacher, grounded in the principles of truth. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Whoever defends the reputation of his brother, Allah will defend his face from the Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection”. [Sahih at-Tirmidhee 1931]
Indeed, even animals deserve our words of support when uncharacteristic claims are made against them. Narrated Al-Miswar bin Makhrama and Marwan: (whose narrations attest to each other) Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) set out at the time of Al-Hudaibiya (treaty), and when they proceeded for a distance, he said, “Khalid bin Al-Walid leading the cavalry of Quraish constituting the front of the army, is at a place called Al-Ghamim, so take the way on the right.” By Allah, Khalid did not perceive the arrival of the Muslims till the dust arising from the march of the Muslim army reached him, and then he turned back hurriedly to inform Quraish. The Prophet (ﷺ) went on advancing till he reached the Thaniya (i.e. a mountainous way) through which one would go to them (i.e. people of Quraish). The she-camel of the Prophet (ﷺ) sat down. The people tried their best to cause the she-camel to get up but in vain, so they said, “Al-Qaswa’ (i.e. the she-camel’s name) has become stubborn! Al-Qaswa’ has become stubborn!” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Al-Qaswa’ has not become stubborn, for stubbornness is not her habit, but she was stopped by Him Who stopped the elephant.”
Imam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:
إن البهائم تمدح على مكارم الأخلاق، فإن ناقة النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام في غزوة الحديبية لما بركت وخلأت أبت أن تستمر في السير إلى مكة صاح الناس وقالوا خلأت القصواء خلأت القصواء يعني حرنت ووقفت فقال النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام: ( والله ما خلأت وما ذاك لها بخلق ) دافع عنها ( وما ذاك لها بخلق ولكن حبسها حابس الفيل )
Animals are praised for their good manners because when the Prophet’s She-camel – during the Battle of Al-Hudaybiyah- refused to continue walking to Makkah, the people shouted “Al-Qaswa has become stubborn! Al-Qaswa has become stubborn!” So, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “By Allaah! She has not become stubborn because stubbornness is not her character”. He defended her (saying), “But she was stopped by Him (i.e. Allaah) Who stopped the elephant (i.e. the elephant amongst Abraha’s army that came to destroy the Kabah). [13]
We ask Allah:
اللهم كما حَسَّنْت خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي
“O Allah! Just as You made my external form beautiful, make my character beautiful as well”.
[1] and [2]: Excerpts from “Tafsir As-Sadi”
[3] Al-Hath-Thu Alaa At-Tijaarah Was-sinaa’ah. page 30
[3] Al-Hath-thu alaa At-Tijaarah page 35
[5] Al-Hath-Thu Alaa At-Tijaarah Was-Sinaa’ah. page 27
[6] Al-Hath-thu Alaa At-Tijaarah Was-Sinaa’ah. page 29
[7] at-Ta’leeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah. Page 1/270
[8] Taareekh Baghdad 59/200
[9] https://safeshare.tv/x/OwKU2eX98UM#
[10] https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/49_12
[11] https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/11/leaving-doubt
[12] https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/12/interest-in-the-beneficial
[13] https://www.alathar.net/home/esound/index.php?op=codevi&coid=31665