In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…
The great scholar of Islaam, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz [d.1420] -may Allaah have Mercy on him- was asked about the methodology of propagating Islaam to people who have been affected by certain cultures or societies that distort the true meaning of Islaam. He replied:
The falsehood of the beliefs or culture which has affected them is to be clarified to them. The (false) beliefs are clarified as involving such-and-such (i.e. naming the specific points of misguidance). The various forms of falsehood and innovation found within such beliefs – if any – are to be clarified. Furthermore, the primary reference for all affairs is to be clearly identified as the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and the Sunnah of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace).
(It is said to them) Regarding what you have come across of such-and-such (a specific form of misguidance), what you have learned, like such-and-such, and/or the manners you have taken from your environment, like intermingling, etc., these issues must all be weighed on the scale of the Sharee’ah (divinely revealed Islaamic Legislation), like how the scholars base issues of jurisprudence upon the legislative evidences (of the Book and the Sunnah). Whatever is in line with it (the Sharee’ah) remains, and whatever opposes it must be cast aside, even if it were the known customary practices of one’s parents, forefathers, scholars, or anyone else.
In summary, it is obligatory to adhere to the upright manners and good standing which the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) lead to. We are not to have bigotry for our fathers, grandfathers, cultures, or homelands. Rather, a person must adhere to the Truth proven in the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, the Sunnah of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), and the consensus of the early predecessors of the Ummah.
Source: The shaykh’s Fatwaa Collection (7/329). [Arabic]
1) The shaykh (may Allaah have Mercy on him) said, “The falsehood of the beliefs or culture that has affected them is to be clarified to them. The (false) beliefs are clarified as involving such-and-such…” This helps us to understand that from the methodology of the Salaf in calling the people of misguidance and innovation to the correct understanding of Islaam is to single out their specific points of confusion and clarify them. It is the da’wah of true concern and sympathy for souls lost in misguidance. It is the da’wah of the Companions, as can be seen from their interactions with the Khawaarij, the Qadariyyah, and other early groups of innovators.
2) For every misguided belief, there are effective ways to dismantle it directly at its root, known to the scholars and their students. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas, the prominent scholar of the Companions, went to the Khawaarij Cult and addressed their three main points of confusion directly and without any flattery. By Allaah’s Permission, 2,000 of them were guided back to the Truth, and no one could have said, “The Khawaarij must be OK because Ibn ‘Abbaas sat with them.” The Salafee Da’wah is clear, not like the da’wah of the various ikhwani cults of today. [Read about that historical event here.]
3) Giving da’wah to the people of innovation requires knowledge of Islaam in general, as well as knowledge of their specific forms of misguidance and how to respond to them with convincing logical and textual arguments coupled with good manners. Those unequipped, while often intending only good, end up causing more harm than good.
4) Encouraging people of innovation to practice Islaam with generally agreeable admonishments does not help them. This neither qualifies as guidance, nor does it establish proof upon anyone. Misguided people need specific points to be singled out and clarified, not uncontended generalities. Without actualizing this priority in da’wah, the image of the Religion of Islaam is often harmed, as it appears to the public that the Muslims are pleased with and in agreement with a group of innovators. The severity of the innovation magnifies the damage created by such misguided da’wah attempts. In the end, it only serves the goal of the innovators looking for some kind of official endorsement or recognition from a recognized Islaamic figure.
5) Speaking to people of innovation, directly pinpointing their specific misguidance, and calling them away from it takes certainty in one’s knowledge, stability, and confidence upon the truth, as well as integrity, courage, and determination. It is in fact jihaad. It is not for the ignorant, the feint at heart, nor the politically ambitious.
6) Recent violations of this essential principle and their compound harmful effects on the image of the Religion, done in the name of the Islaamic University of Madeenah and the Prophet’s Masjid (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), are clear examples of blameworthy neglect. [Detailed clarification about Tahir Wyatt, Shadeed Muhammad, and the Nation of Islam]
And Allaah knows best.
Translation and commentary: Moosaa Richardson