-The official newsletter of Masjid Ahlul Qur'aan wa Sunnah-

Sunnah -
Volume 1, Issue 1 January 2000

The Departure of Knowledge

is due to the death of its possessors
By Shaikh Mash-hoor Hasan Salmaan.
Translated from Al-Asaalah Magazine
The death of the scholars is a great
calamity. The state of being at the
time of their loss is like that of a night
traveler who has been deprived of light
from his path. Or like a road whose
star in the sky has faded away. This is
since with the death of the scholar,
knowledge is taken away and the world
is led astray.
Al-Bukhaaree reported in his Saheeh
(no. 100, pg.115) that ‘Abdullah Ibn
‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas t said: “I heard
Allaah’s Messenger r say:
‘Verily Allaah does not take away
the knowledge by snatching it away
from (the hearts of) the people. But
rather he takes it away by the death
of the scholars, to the point that
when not one scholar remains, the
people will then take ignorant people
as their leaders, who when consulted
will give their verdict without
knowledge. So they will go astray
and will lead others astray.’”
‘Ataa and Wakee’ said concerning the
tafseer (interpretation) of Allaah’s
saying: “Don’t they see that We are
gradually reducing the land from its
outlying borders” (13:41) “It means
the departure (i.e. death) of its
Fuqahaa (religious scholars) and the
best of its inhabitants.”
‘Ikrimah and Ash-Sha’abee said: “If
the earth continues to diminish it
would become so narrow that it would
be difficult to find even a small hole to
defecate in.” And when Zaid Bin
Thaabit t died, 'Abdullaah Ibn
‘Abbaas t said: “Whoever wishes to
see how knowledge goes away, then
this is how it goes away.”
'Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood t said: “Take
hold of knowledge before it is taken
away – and the taking away of
knowledge is by the death of its
possessors.”
When the scholars who possess
immense knowledge pass away,
destruction meets the people. Sa’eed
Ibn Jubair was once asked: “What is a
sign of the people’s destruction?” He
said: “When their scholars depart
(i.e. die).”
It is known that the establishment of
the Religion is founded upon
gathering around the scholars and
taking knowledge from them. With
their righteousness, there is goodness
in the Religion and the world. And
with their corruption, there is
corruption in all of that. And with
the presence of their guidance and
good character, which is inherited by
the ummah and the students of
knowledge, the ummah finds
happiness and prospers.
Ibn Al-‘Arabee reported in his
Mu’ajam (1254) and Al-Baihaqee in
his Manaaqib-ush-Shaafi'ee (250/2) –
and the wording is from him (Al-
Baihaqee) – that Qutaiba Ibn Sa’eed
said: “Ath-Thawree has died and
piety has died (along with him)!
Ash-Shaafi’ee has died and the
Sunnah has died (with him)! And
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal died and
innovations have appeared!!”

Subscribe today !! And in our affliction due to the death

of our Shaikhs, the two great and
Al-Muntaqaa is the official bimonthly newsletter of Masjid Ahlul Qur'aan noble scholars, ‘Abdul ‘Azeez Bin
wa Sunnah of Queens, NY. The newsletter was created in order to convey ‘Abdillaah Bin Baaz and Abu
knowledge and inform the Muslims of our activities and programs. There is ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Muhammad Naasir-
no fee for subscribing. All you need to do is make a request including your ud-Deen Al-Albaanee, we feel that
name and address, printed legibly on a piece of paper, and mail it to us at 109- our ummah has lost a great portion of
06 Van Wyck Expressway, South Ozone Park, NY 11420. We'll do the the Sunnah and piety. And in
rest! Note: If you received this issue through the mail, we will stop sending it addition, that it has been deprived of
to your house after two more issues, unless you subscribe. You may also call a great deal of the eradication of
us at (718) 529-9496 to suscribe. falsehood and the refuting of
innovations.

Al-Muntaqaa Newsletter 1 January 2000

 The state of
of the ummah: What is the solution?
By Shaikh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah)1
The Great scholar and Muhaddith of
our time, Shaikh Muhammad Naasir-
ud-Deen Al-Albaanee (rahimahulaah)
was asked: “What are the foundations
by which the Islaamic world of today
can be set anew?” So he responded:
“I believe that what has been reported
in the authentic hadeeth provides an
explicit answer for this sort of question
and its likes, which have become
manifest in this present era. And it is
his r saying: ”When you involve
yourselves in interest bearing
business transactions, and you hold
on to the tails of cows, and you are
pleased with agriculture (i.e. the
land) and you abandon making
Jihaad in the Cause of Allaah,
Allaah will send humiliation down
upon you. He will not remove it
from you until you return back to
your Religion.” [As-Saheehah (no.
11)] Thus, the principal foundation is
returning back to Islaam.
This matter has also been indicated by
Imaam Maalik (rahimahullaah) in a
reported saying of his that ought to be
recorded in golden ink. And it is his
saying: "Whosoever introduces into
Islaam an innovation, which he deems
is good, then he has claimed that
Muhammad r has betrayed (the trust
of conveying) the Message. Read the
saying of Allaah, the Mighty and
Majestic: 'This day I have completed
your Religion for you, and I have
perfected My favor upon you, and I
am pleased with Islaam as a Religion
for you.' [Surat-ul-Maa’idah: 3] So
whatever was not (part of) the Religion
on that day, is not (part of) the
Religion on this day. And the last part
of this ummah (nation) will not be
rectified, except by that which its first
part was rectified by."
So just as the condition of the Arabs
during the Days of Ignorance
Al-Muntaqaa Newsletter
(Jaahiliyyah) was not rectified except
by the coming of their Prophet
Muhammad r with revelation from the
heavens – which aided them in this
world and which will save them in the
next – then the foundation that the
good Islaamic well-being must be set
upon in this time, is nothing else but
the return to the Qur'aan and the
Sunnah.
In spite of this, this matter needs a little
bit more of articulation, due to the vast
number of Islaamic groups and parties
that are present on the arena and which
claim for themselves to be upon the
way by which Islaamic society and
Muslim rule can be actualized.
We know from the Book of Allaah and
the Sunnah of His Messenger r that
the way towards actualizing this (goal)
is only one – and it is that which
Allaah has mentioned in His saying:
"And this is My straight Path, so
follow it. And do not follow the
(other) paths for they will separate
you from His Path." The Messenger
of Allaah r explained this to his
companions. Thus, one day he r drew
a straight line for them on the ground
and then drew short lines on the sides
of it. Then, while his r noble finger
moved up and down the straight line,
he recited the afore-mentioned ayah.
Then he pointed to the lines that were
drawn on the sides of the straight line
and said: "This is the Path of Allaah
and these are the (other) paths. At
the top of each of these (other) ways,
there is a devil calling towards it."
[An authentic hadeeth as was graded in
Dhilaal-ul-Jannah fee Takhreej-is-
Sunnah (16-17)]
Furthermore, Allaah ascertains, in
another ayah, what He has stated in the
previous ayah along with the
Messenger of Allaah's r explanation in
the afore-mentioned hadeeth. Thus He
2 January 2000
says: "And whosoever opposes the
Messenger after the guidance has
been clearly explained to him, and
follows a way other then the way of
the believers, We will turn him to
what he has chosen and land him
in Hell – what an evil destination!"
[Surat-un-Nisaa: 115] In this ayah
there is profound and extensive
wisdom, for Allaah, the Most Perfect,
has connected the “way of the
believers” to what the Messenger r
came with. The Messenger r has
(also) indicated this point in the
hadeeth about the splitting up of the
ummah into sects. So when he was
asked concerning the one saved sect,
he r responded: "That which
(adheres to what) I and my
companions are upon today." [As-
Saheehah (no. 203)]
So what then is the wisdom behind
Allaah's mentioning of "the way of
believers" in this ayah? And what is
the significance in the Messenger of
Allaah's linking of his companions to
himself in the previous hadeeth?
The answer is: These noble
companions were the ones who
received the two revelations (i.e. the
Qur'aan and Sunnah) from the
Messenger of Allaah r, having that
explained to them by him r directly,
without there being any intermediary.
But what is the condition of those
that came after them? There is no
doubt that the matter is as the
Messenger r said: "Verily, the one
who is present sees that which the
one who is absent does not see."
[Saheeh Al-Jaami’ (no. 1641)]
This is why the Eemaan (Faith) of
the first Companions was much
stronger then the Eemaan of those
who came after them. And this is
what Allaah's Messenger r alluded
to in the mutawaatir hadeeth: "The
best of mankind is my generation,
then those after them, then those
after them." [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree]
So based upon this, a Muslim cannot
depend solely on himself to obtain the
understanding of the Qur'aan and the
Sunnah. Rather he must seek help to
understand the two of them by turning
back to the noble Companions, for they
are the ones who received that from the
Prophet r, having it explained at times
by his sayings, at other times by his
actions, and at other times by his silent
approval.
Therefore, from the great necessities is
that we must link 1) the call to the
Qur'aan and Sunnah to 2) the Way that
the righteous predecessors (As-Salaf-
us-Saalih) were upon, acting upon
what has been stated previously in
some ayaat and ahaadeeth. Such as
when Allaah mentioned the "way of
the believers" and when the noble
Prophet r and his Companions
mentioned that the understanding of
the Qur'aan and the Sunnah is based
upon what our first predecessors
(Salaf), from the Sahaabah and those
who followed them in righteousness,
were upon.
And here there occurs a very important
question, which many of the Islaamic
groups and parties have been
neglectful about. Indeed it is: “What is
the way towards gaining knowledge of
what his r Companions were upon
from the understanding and practical
application of this Sunnah?”
The answer is: There is no way of
finding that out, except by returning to
the science of hadeeth, the science of
Al-Jarh wat-Ta'deel (science of
declaring hadeeth reporters reliable or
unreliable), and the application of its
principles and its terms. This is such
that the scholars are able to know what
is authentically reported on the Prophet
r from what is not authentically
reported on him r.
In order to conclude this answer, we
say – in clearer words – to the Muslims
who strongly desire to return the glory,
Al-Muntaqaa Newsletter
honor and power back to Islaam, that companions of the Messenger of
you must realize two things: Allaah r understood it, and they then
work in accordance with applying
As for the first, then it is that you must this pure Islaam, which is based on
incorporate and return into the minds correct actions in every aspect of life,
of the Muslims, the Religion of Islaam then it is on that day that the Muslims
that is purified from all that has entered will celebrate the victory of Allaah.
into it, which was not part of it on the
day when Allaah, the Mighty and This is what I was able to say in this
Majestic, revealed His saying: "This response which was quickly put
day I have completed your religion together. I ask Allaah for us as well
for you, and I have perfected My as for all the Muslims, that He gives
favor upon you and I am pleased us the correct understanding of
with Islaam as a Religion for you." Islaam based in light of His Book,
[Surat-ul-Maa’idah: 3] And returning the authentic Sunnah of His
to this matter, in this day – as it was Messenger r and that which our
during the first times – requires intense righteous predecessors (As-Salaf-us-
and extreme efforts on the part of the Saalih) were upon. And we ask that
Muslim scholars in the different He grants us the ability to act upon
regions of the world. that. Verily He is the One who hears
and responds.
The second thing is that: The persistent
and serious labor (to rectify the Endnotes:
ummah) must be made complete with 1. Translated from Al-Asaalah
this purified knowledge. So the day Magazine, Issue no. 11 of their 2nd
that the Muslims return to the year (Dhul-Hijjah 1414H) from the
understanding of their Religion, as the Question and Answer Section
OUR MISSION
Masjid Ahlul Qur'aan wa Sunnah of New York was formed several years
ago in an attempt to establish a House of Allaah that people may pray in and acquire
knowledge. The Masjid’s main objective is to teach, spread and implement the pure
form of Islaam, free from corruptions and innovations, which consists of following
the Qur’aan and the Sunnah according to the way of the Salaf As-Saalih (righteous
predecessors). By the Grace and Blessing of Allaah, the Most High, the Masjid has
managed to create a link with the weell-known Islaamic scholars of our time who
reside overseas, such as Shaikh Saleem Al-Hilaalee, Shaikh Ali Al-Halabee, Shaikh
Muhammad Musa Nasr and Shaikh Usaama Al-Qoosee. In spite of their busy
schedules, these noble shaikhs have agreed to form the shuraa body of our masjid
and to head our religious affairs and activities. Consequently, the Masjid will bring
them here for lectures, conferences and other programs. The Masjid also provides
local community services such as free weekly classes and monthly programs. Thus,
the Masjid is one of the most active and productive masjids in the NY area. The
Masjid also has plans to carry this message of Truth beyond community borders.
We hope to achieve this by implementing our following plans: design a web site,
publish books, distribute tapes, disburse this newsletter, etc. Please keep in mind
that all of these activities and programs cost money and take time, so any financial or
physical support you have to offer would greatly be appreciated.
U PCOMING E VENTS & P ROGRAMS
By the Will of Allaah, the Masjid will be holding a two week long intensive
ISLAMIC SEMINAR course on various subjects of the Religion taught by Shaikhs
Saleem Hilaalee, Ali Al-Halabee, Muhammad Musa Nasr and Usaama Al-Qoosee.
For more details on registering, fees, accommodations and program schedule see our
upcoming issues as well as our upcoming web site, or call us at (718) 529-9496.
3 January 2000
 Guarding the Tongue
From the book Al-
Al- Adhkaar of Imaam An-
Allaah the Most High says: “Not a
word does one utter, except that
there is an (angel) Watching, Ready
to record it.” [Surah Qaaf: 18]
Know that every individual who falls
under the category of being responsible
for his actions (mukallaf) must
safeguard his tongue from all types of
speech, except for that speech which
consists primarily of some benefit. So
when speaking and refraining from
speech are both found to contain the
same amount of benefit within them,
then the Sunnah is to refrain from it,
altogether. This is because the
allowable speech (equal in benefit and
harm) paves the way towards that
which is forbidden as well as disliked.
Rather, in most cases, this will be the
outcome and applying safety, at that
point, will not be able to soothe it in
the least.
Abu Hurairah t reported that the
Prophet r said: "Whosoever believes
in Allaah and the Last Day, then let
him speak good or remain silent."
[Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree]
This hadeeth, of which the scholars
have agreed upon its authenticity, is a
clear proof that one should not talk,
unless his speech is good—and that is
the speech that consists primarily of
benefit. So if one has doubt as to
Masjid Ahlul Qur’aan wa Sunnah
109-
109- 06 Van Wyck Expressway
South Ozone Park, NY 11420
Telephone No.: (718) 529-
529- 9496
Please send to:
Al-Muntaqaa Newsletter
An- Nawawee
whether or not his speech consists of
benefit, then he should not speak.
Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee (rahimahullaah)
said: "When one desires to talk, then it
is upon him to think before he speaks.
If there is beneficial good in what he
will say, then he should speak. And if
he has doubt about that, then he must
not speak until he clears that doubt (by
making his speech good)."
Abu Moosaa Al-Ash'aree t said: "I
said: 'O Messenger of Allaah r!
Which of the Muslims is best?' He r
said: 'He whose tongue and hand the
Muslims are safe from.'" [Al-
Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Sahl Ibn Sa'ad t reported that the
Messenger of Allaah r said:
"Whosoever can guarantee for me
(that he will safeguard) what is
between his jaws (tongue) and what
is between his legs (private parts), I
will guarantee for him Paradise."
[Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree]
Abu Hurairah t reported that he heard
the Prophet r say: "Indeed, the
servant will speak a word, while
being unaware of (its consequences),
and due to it, he will be cast into the
Hellfire, farther than the distance
between the east and the west." [Al-
Bukhaaree and Muslim] The meaning
of "while being unaware" is that he
4 January 2000
does not stop to consider whether his
speech is good or not. Sufyaan Ibn
'Abdillaah t reported that he said:
"O Messenger of Allaah r, tell me of
a matter that I may cling tightly
onto.' He r said: 'Say: I believe in
Allaah and then remain steadfast
(upon that).’ I said: 'O Messenger
of Allaah r, what is the most serious
thing that I should fear for myself?'
So he r took a hold of his tongue
and said: 'This.'" [An authentic
hadeeth reported by At-Tirmidhee,
Ibn Maajah and others]
'Uqbah Ibn 'Aamir t reported: "I
said: 'O Messenger of Allaah r, how
does one attain salvation?' He r
said: 'Restrain your tongue, remain
in your home and weep over your
sins.'" [An authentic hadeeth
reported by Ibn Al-Mubaarak in Az-
Zuhd and it has support in Ahmad]
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudree t reported
that the Prophet r said:
“When the Son of Aadam wakes
from his sleep, all of his body parts
seek refuge from his tongue,
saying: ‘Fear Allaah with regard to
us, for indeed we are part of you.
So if you are correct, then we will
be correct and if you are
corrupted, then we shall be
corrupted.” [A hasan hadeeth
reported by At-Tirmidhee and others]
BULK RATE
US POSTAGE
PAID
Permit
No. 102