Advice to Youth facing Confusion in Manhaj

Source: How do I Achieve FIQH (understanding) of the Deen? - From the lectures of Shaikh Saleh ibn Fawzan al-Fawzaan

Translated by Shawana A. Aziz

Published by Quran Sunnah Educational Programs -www.qsep.com

Main Heading: From Whom should I take Fiqh of the Deen?

Sub-Title 16: Advice to Youth facing Confusion in Manhaj

Question: What is your advice O Shaikh, to the students of knowledge and the youth - in the present times - concerning what is widespread of ideological confusion and confusion in Manhaj. What is the role of a student of knowledge towards these situations?

Reply by Shaikh Saleh ibn Fawzan al-Fawzaan (pg. 879):

I pointed in my talk that the youth, especially in these times, when there is an increase in ideas, Manaahij (pl. of Manhaj), groups and divisions;

• I advise them, first and before all, with the Taqwa (piety) of Allah and Khashyah (fear) of Him.
• I advise them to mind their tongues from talk which could bring bad consequences for them.
• I also advise them to seek IslaaH (rectification) and unity amongst the people, Allah says, "There is no good in most of their secret talks except (in) him who orders Sadaqah, Ma'roof, or conciliation between mankind. And he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward." [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 114]

I also advise them to seek knowledge from its sources upon the hands of the people of Ilm (i.e., the scholars) and the people of Baseerah.

This is the only way to seek Ilm from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger —i.e., upon the hands of the scholars —this is the only way to know the truth.

It is not knowledge what some claim —i.e., learning al-Fiqh al-Waqee which is engaging oneself in the politics of the country, the issues of the world and their solutions —this is keeping busy away from the beneficial Ilm, and it does not reap any benefits.

When the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) informed about division amongst ummah, he said,

"My Ummah will split into 73 sects —all of them in the fire except one." They asked, "Which sect is that, O Allah's Messenger?" He (salallahu alaihi wasallam) replied, "(Those who follow) that which I and my companions follow." [(hasan) Saheeh at-Tirmidhee]

So, there is no salvation except through following what the Prophet was upon - and how do we know that?

We will not know that except if we were to seek Ilm upon the hands of the scholars.

Everyone claims to be upon the Manhaj of the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) and his Sahabah - everyone makes this claim, and only the reality (of their actions) can decide (who is upon the correct Manhaj).

It is impossible to know what the Prophet was upon unless we seek Ilm upon the hands of the scholars, who are sincere to their Deen and to the ummah. Allah says,

"None can inform you (O Muhammad (salallahu alaihi wasallam)) like Him Who is the All-­Knower (of each and everything)." [Soorah Fatir (35): 14]

So, Ilm is neither taken from the ignorant nor from those who claim Ilm —verily, it is taken from the expert; those who possess knowledge about the Deen of Allah - They alone are the scholars.

Allah's Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said,

"Whoever among you lives, will see many differences, so I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided caliphs who will come after me, and cling firmly to it.

Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray." [Sunan ibn Majah]

So, he (salallahu alaihi wasallam) informed that the way out of Fitna is verily following the Sunnah of the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam), and the Sunnah of his Rightly Guided Caliphs, and that cannot happen except by studying Ilm at the hands of the scholars —those who know the Sunnah of Prophet and his Caliphs, and they explain it to the people —So, there is no way out of the Fitna, groups and divisions and various Manaahijs etc., except though this.

The correct Manhaj is one and it does not have divisions and differences. Differences are in the Manaahij (pl. of Manhaj) that contradict the Manhaj of the Prophet.

The Manhaj of the Prophet unites, and there is no division or difference in it, and therefore, Allah says,

"Verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become a-Muttaqoon (pious)." [Soorah al-An'aam (6): 153]

Allah mentioned that His (salallahu alaihi wasallam) path is one single path:

"this is my straight path."

And when he mentioned the paths he mentioned them in plural,

"follow not (other) paths."

—'paths'—because each of them has a Manhaj and a Tareeqah and a Madhhab. So, he who follows these people of the misguided Madhhaaib, Manaahij and groups, then he is lost amongst them.

So, there is no alternative for following the Manhaj of the Prophet, and it is one Manhaj which does not incorporate any division or difference and, "Whoever holds firmly to Allah, (i.e. follows Islam), then he is indeed guided to a Right Path." [Soorah aali-Imran (3): 101]