Assalaamu ‘alaikum,
** 3. The connection between unity and refuting false beliefs and practices (cont’d …)**
Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah - raheemahullaah - said:
“Refuting ahlul-bida’ (the innovators) is a Jihaad, to the extent that Yahyaa ibn Yahyaa (d.226H) said: “defence of the Sunnah is more excellent than Jihaad in the path of Allaah.””
Imaam al-Humaydee (d.218H) - raheemahullah - said:
“ By Allaah, that I fight against those who reject the hadeeth of Allaah’s Messenger salallaahu alaihi wa sallam is more beloved to me than fighting the unbelievers.”
Imaam Ibn Qayyim (d.751H) - raheemahullah - said:
“Jihaad with clear proofs and the tongue, comes before Jihaad with the sword and the spear.”
Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah - raheemullah - said:
“When some people asked Ahmad bin Hanbal (d.241H) that they felt uneasy about [criticising people] by saying that such and such is this, and such and such is that, he replied: “If I were to remain silent, how would the ignorant ones know the authentic [narrations] from the inauthentic?”
Similarly, the innovators who introduce heretical writings which oppose the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, and those who innovate in matters of worship, then explaining their true condition and warning the Ummah against them is an obligation by the unanimous agreement of the scholars. In fact, when Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal was asked whether a person who fasted, prayed and secluded himself in the mosque for worship was dearer to him than a person who spoke out against ahlul-bid’ah (the innovators), he replied: “When he fasts and prays and secludes himself, then he does so for the benefit of his own self. However, when he speaks out against the innovators, he does so for the benefit of the Muslims in general, and this is more virtuous.”
So it is clear that opposing the innovators is of general benefit to the Muslims and is considered one of the types of jihaad in the path of Allaah. Since purifying the Religion of Allaah, and its minhaaj (methodology), it’s Sharee’ah, and defending it from their attacks and that of their enemies is a collective obligation - a fact which is agreed upon by the Scholars. For if Allaah did not raise up some people to repel the harms [caused by] others, then the Religion would become corrupted. Indeed, this type of corruption is even greater than the corruption resulting from the disbelievers conquering the Muslims. This is because when the disbelievers conquer the Muslims, they do not corrupt their hearts nor their Religion, except after some time. Whereas the innovators corrupt the hearts from the very outset.”
… And Allaah Knows Best
[This message has been edited by Hasnain (edited June 03, 1999).]