Questions & Answers

Walaikom salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakātuh
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and all his companions.
To proceed:
Indeed, this matter is from the greatest affairs of the religion, because knowledge is religion, and through it Allah is worshipped. For this reason, the Salaf (pious predecessors) paid great attention to the issue of from whom knowledge is taken.
The correct methodology is not to chase names and personalities, but rather to return to principles and foundations (uṣūl) that govern this matter.
Accordingly, the following are established principles of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah:
First Principle: Returning to the Qur’an and the Sunnah
Allah says:
“If you disagree in anything, refer it back to Allah and the Messenger.”
(Surah al-Nisāʾ 4:59)
And He says:
“And this is My straight path, so follow it.”
(Surah al-Anʿām 6:153)
Principle:
The one from whom knowledge is taken is he who:
• Bases his speech upon clear evidence (dalīl)
• Does not rely upon opinion, speculation, or trends
Second Principle: Adhering to the Understanding of the Companions
Allah says:
“And those who follow them in goodness…”
(Surah al-Tawbah 9:100)
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The best of people are my generation…”
(Agreed upon)
Principle:
The correct understanding is that of:
• The Companions
• Then those who followed them
Third Principle: Sound and Pure Creed (ʿAqīdah)
Allah says:
“So know that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah.”
(Surah Muḥammad 47:19)
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Whoever introduces into this affair of ours that which is not from it, it is rejected.”
(Agreed upon)
Principle:
Knowledge is not taken from one who:
• Compromises Tawḥīd
• Mixes revelation with philosophy or speculative theology
Fourth Principle: Warning Against Innovation (Bidʿah)
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“Every innovation is misguidance.”
(Reported by Muslim)
Ibn Sīrīn رحمه الله said:
“Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so look at whom you take your religion from.”
(Introduction to Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Principle:
A person of Sunnah:
• Warns against innovation
• Does not defend or normalize it
Fifth Principle: Examining Companionship
Sufyān al-Thawrī رحمه الله said:
“Look at whom he accompanies.”
Imām Aḥmad رحمه الله said:
“If he continues to sit with the people of innovation after being warned, then he is from them.”
Principle:
A person is known by:
• His companions
• His associations
• His allegiances
Sixth Principle: Avoiding Partisanship (Ḥizbiyyah)
Allah says:
“And do not be among those who split their religion and became sects.”
(Surah al-Rūm 30:32)
Principle:
Loyalty is to:
• The truth
• The Sunnah
Not to:
• Groups
• Organizations
Seventh Principle: Recognized Scholarly Foundations
ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Mubārak رحمه الله said:
“The isnād is from the religion.”
Principle:
One must examine:
• Who his scholars are
• Who he returns to
Ahl al-Sunnah are known by:
• Their chains
• Their connection to recognized scholars
Eighth Principle: Methodology Over Quantity of Knowledge
Principle:
• Eloquence does not equal correctness
• Abundance of knowledge does not equal sound methodology
It was said by the Salaf:
“How many intend good but do not attain it.”
Ninth Principle: Balance in Conduct
Allah says:
“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom.”
(Surah al-Naḥl 16:125)
Principle:
• Gentleness in approach
• Firmness upon truth
Tenth Principle: Consistency
Allah says:
“Why do you say that which you do not do?”
(Surah al-Ṣaff 61:2)
Principle:
• Principles must be applied consistently
• No double standards
Eleventh Principle: Avoiding Doubtful Matters
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear…”
(Agreed upon)
Principle:
Where confusion exists:
• Safety lies in leaving it
Twelfth Principle: Holding Firmly to the Way of the Salaf
Al-Awzāʿī رحمه الله said:
“Stick to the narrations of those who came before you.”
Principle:
Salvation is in:
• Following (ittibāʿ)
Not in:
• Innovation
Conclusion
The Muslim does not build his religion upon:
• Personalities
• Organizations
• Names
Rather, he builds it upon:
Principles (uṣūl)
So whoever:
• Conforms to these principles
→ knowledge is taken from him
And whoever:
• Opposes them
→ he is avoided, regardless of his name or status
Comprehensive Maxim
We judge by what is apparent according to principles, and we leave what is hidden to Allah.
We ask Allah to keep us firm upon the Sunnah, protect us from innovation, and grant us sincerity and clarity.
Note: It is the responsibility of every Muslim to be vigilant in these matters.
It is our strong view that knowledge is taken from the the senior scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah and , or ,those recommended by them of the Mashaaikh of Ahlus-Sunnah . Knowledge is not taken from unknown individuals or groups.
And Allah knows best.

Answered by Shaykh Farouk Amod

Alhamdulillah it is indeed a great ni'mah (blessing) to study the Deen of Allahu subahaanahu wa ta'aala. This blessing becomes greater when it is acquired from the Ulemaa of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah.

Manhaj-ut Talaqqee (Methodology of Acquiring Knowledge):
There is a noble and profound methodology which Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah subscribes to in the seeking of Deeni knowledge.

1. The First Source: Qur'aan and Sunnah
Allahu subahaanahu wa ta'aala says: "We have sent down to you the reminder so that you may explain to people what has been revealed to them perhaps they will take heed." (Surah An-Nahl 44)

2. Following the Companions
After the Sunnah, we follow what the companions i.e. the muhaajiroon and the Ansaar, were upon generally and what the four rightly guided Khulafaah (successors) were upon specifically.

3. Referring Disputes to Qur'aan and Sunnah
Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah refer every disagreement and dispute in their affairs to the Qur'aan and Sunnah as instructed by Allahu subahaanahu wa ta'aala.

Two Fundamental Principles:
For a person to be upon the way of our righteous predecessors it is imperative that he/she must embody two foundations:
1. Correct Creed
2. Sound methodology in the practice of all aspects of the Deen

Any deficiency in these two fundamental aspects will result in a deficiency in one's religion.

Warning About Deviant Groups:
Many deviant groups, like the Ikhwaaniyyah, Qutbiyyah and the Surooriyyah, amongst others, who purport to call to Islam use the names of renowned Salafi scholars in order to dupe the unwary layperson.

Groups to Avoid:
Knowledge of Deen is not sought from the following types:
Ikhwaaniyyah, Surooriyyah, Qutbiyyah, Shia, Qaadiya'niyyah, Deobandiyyah, Baraelwiyyah, Soofiyyah, Hizbiyyah, Qur'aaniyyah, Ahmediyyah, Baatiniyyah, and all others not mentioned here who have deviated from the way of the salafus Saalih.

Regarding Specific Scholars Mentioned:
As regards Shaykh Munajjid, he was declared to be a Qutbi by Shaykh Ubayd Al Jaabiree Rahimahullah.

Asim Hakeem, in my view is not well grounded in As Salafiyyah. He lacks in aspects of creed and manhaj. It would do him well to spend more time under the tutelage of the scholars of Salafiyyah.

Alhamdulillah it is indeed a great ni'mah (blessing) to study the Deen of Allahu subahaanahu wa ta'aala. This blessing becomes greater when it is acquired from the Ulemaa of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah.

Manhaj-ut Talaqqee (Methodology of Acquiring Knowledge):
There is a noble and profound methodology which Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah subscribes to in the seeking of Deeni knowledge.

1. The First Source: Qur'aan and Sunnah
Allahu subahaanahu wa ta'aala says: "We have sent down to you the reminder so that you may explain to people what has been revealed to them perhaps they will take heed." (Surah An-Nahl 44)

2. Following the Companions
After the Sunnah, we follow what the companions i.e. the muhaajiroon and the Ansaar, were upon generally and what the four rightly guided Khulafaah (successors) were upon specifically.

3. Referring Disputes to Qur'aan and Sunnah
Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah refer every disagreement and dispute in their affairs to the Qur'aan and Sunnah as instructed by Allahu subahaanahu wa ta'aala.

Two Fundamental Principles:
For a person to be upon the way of our righteous predecessors it is imperative that he/she must embody two foundations:
1. Correct Creed
2. Sound methodology in the practice of all aspects of the Deen

Any deficiency in these two fundamental aspects will result in a deficiency in one's religion.

Warning About Deviant Groups:
Many deviant groups, like the Ikhwaaniyyah, Qutbiyyah and the Surooriyyah, amongst others, who purport to call to Islam use the names of renowned Salafi scholars in order to dupe the unwary layperson.

Groups to Avoid:
Knowledge of Deen is not sought from the following types:
Ikhwaaniyyah, Surooriyyah, Qutbiyyah, Shia, Qaadiya'niyyah, Deobandiyyah, Baraelwiyyah, Soofiyyah, Hizbiyyah, Qur'aaniyyah, Ahmediyyah, Baatiniyyah, and all others not mentioned here who have deviated from the way of the salafus Saalih.

Regarding Specific Scholars Mentioned:
As regards Shaykh Munajjid, he was declared to be a Qutbi by Shaykh Ubayd Al Jaabiree Rahimahullah.

Asim Hakeem, in my view is not well grounded in As Salafiyyah. He lacks in aspects of creed and manhaj. It would do him well to spend more time under the tutelage of the scholars of Salafiyyah.