1 00:00:00,630 --> 00:00:05,226 A meeting whose virtue may be hidden, 2 00:00:05,310 --> 00:00:06,390 delights the soul 3 00:00:06,990 --> 00:00:10,110 and becomes a sanctuary, 4 00:00:10,290 --> 00:00:13,350 with sincere callers who spread 5 00:00:15,330 --> 00:00:20,130 the Sunnah of the Sharia as trustees. 6 00:00:20,250 --> 00:00:27,750 The Sunnah of the Sharia as trustees. 7 00:00:30,030 --> 00:00:31,530 Sheikh Abdul Rahim, you are in Medina now, 8 00:00:33,270 --> 00:00:36,090 and Medina began, I believe, 9 00:00:36,870 --> 00:00:37,770 with language studies, 10 00:00:38,850 --> 00:00:40,230 and as we mentioned in the previous episode, 11 00:00:40,410 --> 00:00:42,786 there were many ideas and orientations. 12 00:00:42,870 --> 00:00:45,090 And you were a new Muslim, I mean, 13 00:00:47,190 --> 00:00:48,510 first, let us start 14 00:00:49,830 --> 00:00:50,970 with the problem of these ideas. 15 00:00:51,510 --> 00:00:53,826 You told me about a young man who was influenced, 16 00:00:53,910 --> 00:00:55,410 a somewhat strange story. 17 00:00:55,710 --> 00:00:56,190 Please, go ahead. 18 00:00:56,910 --> 00:00:57,750 Yes, SubhanAllah, I mean, 19 00:00:58,530 --> 00:01:00,330 we really came wanting, you know, 20 00:01:01,050 --> 00:01:04,626 the Book and Sunnah according to the understanding of the Salaf. 21 00:01:04,710 --> 00:01:06,570 This orientation exists in Medina, but 22 00:01:07,230 --> 00:01:08,070 in different varieties. 23 00:01:08,310 --> 00:01:08,730 Of course. 24 00:01:09,990 --> 00:01:12,210 And there were fitnas and problems, 25 00:01:13,110 --> 00:01:15,066 and people being labeled as innovators. 26 00:01:15,150 --> 00:01:17,886 When we arrived, first of all, by the grace of Allah Almighty, 27 00:01:17,970 --> 00:01:20,466 by the grace of Allah, since I converted, 28 00:01:20,550 --> 00:01:21,930 I read two books. 29 00:01:22,230 --> 00:01:23,850 As a new Muslim, you see, 30 00:01:24,450 --> 00:01:28,050 these two books had a profound impact on me. 31 00:01:28,830 --> 00:01:29,550 A book on Fiqh? 32 00:01:29,850 --> 00:01:31,890 It lit the way for me. 33 00:01:32,070 --> 00:01:33,006 Is it intellectual? 34 00:01:33,090 --> 00:01:35,706 It's Fiqh, but it becomes intellectual. 35 00:01:35,790 --> 00:01:36,546 I'll tell you. 36 00:01:36,630 --> 00:01:37,230 Right, right. 37 00:01:37,410 --> 00:01:42,426 The first book was the translation of "The Prophet's Prayer Described" 38 00:01:42,510 --> 00:01:43,530 by Sheikh al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him. 39 00:01:44,250 --> 00:01:47,070 It emphasizes venerating the evidence and avoiding blind imitation. 40 00:01:48,090 --> 00:01:49,086 The Sheikh tells you: 41 00:01:49,170 --> 00:01:50,910 "The Prophet used to, for example, 42 00:01:51,090 --> 00:01:53,406 do this and do that in his prayer." 43 00:01:53,490 --> 00:01:55,170 It's all through Hadiths, citing that it's mentioned here 44 00:01:55,290 --> 00:01:56,226 and mentioned in that source. 45 00:01:56,310 --> 00:01:56,550 Yes, yes. 46 00:01:56,550 --> 00:01:57,090 With its source. 47 00:01:57,210 --> 00:01:57,510 Yes. 48 00:01:58,050 --> 00:01:58,590 So I — 49 00:01:59,010 --> 00:02:00,210 As I mentioned to you at the start, 50 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:03,870 I truly loved the Sunnah with all my heart, Alhamdu lillah. 51 00:02:04,110 --> 00:02:04,986 We tried to apply everything. 52 00:02:05,070 --> 00:02:06,870 I found that he mentions various Sunnahs, 53 00:02:07,950 --> 00:02:10,410 each with its source from the Sunnah. 54 00:02:10,950 --> 00:02:13,566 The introduction was beautiful; it spoke against fanaticism, 55 00:02:13,650 --> 00:02:17,106 and mentioned the sayings of Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy, 56 00:02:17,190 --> 00:02:19,266 Imam Malik, Imam al-Shafi'i, and Imam Ahmad — 57 00:02:19,350 --> 00:02:21,810 all four Imams on this subject. 58 00:02:22,110 --> 00:02:22,986 So, I was moved. 59 00:02:23,070 --> 00:02:25,890 The other book was a book on creed, which is 60 00:02:26,370 --> 00:02:28,170 by our Canadian Sheikh, 61 00:02:28,710 --> 00:02:30,030 Sheikh Dr. Bilal Philips. 62 00:02:30,150 --> 00:02:30,870 Yes, Ma sha' Allah. 63 00:02:31,170 --> 00:02:31,590 Ma sha' Allah. 64 00:02:31,710 --> 00:02:32,586 He has many publications. 65 00:02:32,670 --> 00:02:33,030 Yes, indeed. 66 00:02:33,030 --> 00:02:34,530 He has a book on Tawheed 67 00:02:34,710 --> 00:02:35,670 that he wrote in English. 68 00:02:35,850 --> 00:02:36,330 Ma sha' Allah. 69 00:02:37,410 --> 00:02:38,250 I read it in its entirety. 70 00:02:38,310 --> 00:02:38,910 I memorized it. 71 00:02:39,330 --> 00:02:41,010 Actually, I mentioned to you in the first episode, 72 00:02:41,430 --> 00:02:43,506 it was Tawheed that affected me the most. 73 00:02:43,590 --> 00:02:44,310 So I read this, 74 00:02:44,670 --> 00:02:45,870 and it illuminated the path for me 75 00:02:46,410 --> 00:02:47,370 regarding correct Tawheed, 76 00:02:47,850 --> 00:02:49,026 not associating partners with Allah, 77 00:02:49,110 --> 00:02:49,830 meaning, affirming 78 00:02:50,790 --> 00:02:51,750 the Names of Allah, 79 00:02:52,650 --> 00:02:53,430 and the Attributes of Allah, 80 00:02:53,790 --> 00:02:56,850 in a way that befits His Majesty, Glorified and Exalted is He, 81 00:02:57,150 --> 00:02:58,110 without distortion, 82 00:02:58,230 --> 00:02:58,890 nor figurative interpretation, 83 00:02:58,890 --> 00:02:59,730 nor denial, 84 00:02:59,850 --> 00:03:00,726 nor asking "how." 85 00:03:00,810 --> 00:03:01,806 So, in this way, 86 00:03:01,890 --> 00:03:02,610 alhamdulillah, I understood 87 00:03:04,050 --> 00:03:04,410 the Aqidah. 88 00:03:04,950 --> 00:03:06,846 So these, I mean, these two books, 89 00:03:06,930 --> 00:03:09,210 they had a great influence on me 90 00:03:09,450 --> 00:03:09,990 in this regard. 91 00:03:09,990 --> 00:03:11,370 So this, I mean, I know 92 00:03:11,730 --> 00:03:13,266 is the Manhaj, 93 00:03:13,350 --> 00:03:14,190 it is the correct way of thinking. 94 00:03:14,190 --> 00:03:15,150 I know this. Yes. 95 00:03:15,510 --> 00:03:16,590 When I came to Medina, 96 00:03:16,770 --> 00:03:19,950 the direction was, I mean — 97 00:03:20,190 --> 00:03:21,930 This was in '96, right? 98 00:03:22,350 --> 00:03:24,066 Yes, around '96, 99 00:03:24,150 --> 00:03:25,650 or around '97. 100 00:03:25,830 --> 00:03:26,370 There was — 101 00:03:26,910 --> 00:03:27,450 '97, yes. 102 00:03:27,450 --> 00:03:29,010 There was a great debate there, 103 00:03:29,250 --> 00:03:30,090 and the issue was — 104 00:03:30,870 --> 00:03:31,470 Yes. Go ahead. 105 00:03:31,950 --> 00:03:32,790 So, when we arrived, 106 00:03:32,790 --> 00:03:34,530 we arrived in the midst of this, 107 00:03:34,950 --> 00:03:38,706 and we found a group of sheikhs and students 108 00:03:38,790 --> 00:03:41,550 speaking about the Quran and Sunnah 109 00:03:41,730 --> 00:03:42,990 and the understanding of the Salaf, 110 00:03:43,170 --> 00:03:44,130 refuting the people of innovation, 111 00:03:44,490 --> 00:03:46,686 and venerating the Imams of the Salaf. 112 00:03:46,770 --> 00:03:47,946 We found this to be beautiful speech, 113 00:03:48,030 --> 00:03:49,230 and this is what we wanted. 114 00:03:49,350 --> 00:03:51,510 So frankly, we joined them in this. 115 00:03:51,690 --> 00:03:52,050 Right. 116 00:03:52,110 --> 00:03:52,950 But we found, 117 00:03:53,190 --> 00:03:54,486 I mean, a lot of talk 118 00:03:54,570 --> 00:03:55,470 against others. 119 00:03:56,130 --> 00:03:57,390 Even many of the brothers 120 00:03:57,510 --> 00:03:58,926 who share the same thought as us, 121 00:03:59,010 --> 00:04:00,546 and study the same books of Aqeedah, 122 00:04:00,630 --> 00:04:01,686 the same books of Fiqh, 123 00:04:01,770 --> 00:04:03,690 and the same books of Tafsir, 124 00:04:04,530 --> 00:04:05,946 and hold the same creed, 125 00:04:06,030 --> 00:04:08,250 but might differ with us on two or three issues. 126 00:04:08,850 --> 00:04:09,690 So they became... 127 00:04:11,010 --> 00:04:14,190 in their view, more dangerous than the Jews and Christians. 128 00:04:14,310 --> 00:04:15,246 There is no power or might but in Allah. 129 00:04:15,330 --> 00:04:16,650 Yes, there were exaggerations, truly. 130 00:04:16,770 --> 00:04:19,230 There is labeling over the simplest matters, right? 131 00:04:19,350 --> 00:04:19,950 Yes, anything. 132 00:04:19,950 --> 00:04:20,670 Massive labeling. 133 00:04:20,730 --> 00:04:22,530 It became... you see, 134 00:04:22,950 --> 00:04:23,430 we have in 135 00:04:25,590 --> 00:04:27,066 English something called a "cult." 136 00:04:27,150 --> 00:04:28,386 You know a "cult," which is — 137 00:04:28,470 --> 00:04:28,890 Bismillah — 138 00:04:30,390 --> 00:04:31,410 a sect, you know, 139 00:04:31,950 --> 00:04:34,950 that is usually deviant. 140 00:04:35,070 --> 00:04:37,170 They have things you cannot deviate from. 141 00:04:37,710 --> 00:04:38,946 So when you have an independent thought, 142 00:04:39,030 --> 00:04:39,630 like, "I don't — 143 00:04:39,630 --> 00:04:40,890 I disagree with this opinion." 144 00:04:41,310 --> 00:04:42,210 No, you must be 145 00:04:43,470 --> 00:04:44,310 on the general line, 146 00:04:44,430 --> 00:04:45,930 and agree with Sheikh so-and-so, 147 00:04:46,050 --> 00:04:47,850 and agree with this; you can never deviate. 148 00:04:48,150 --> 00:04:49,266 So I found this to be strange. 149 00:04:49,350 --> 00:04:50,010 But despite that, 150 00:04:50,010 --> 00:04:52,290 I used to think this was the right manhaj. 151 00:04:53,130 --> 00:04:54,510 So I joined them, 152 00:04:54,930 --> 00:04:56,070 initially at the university, 153 00:04:56,370 --> 00:04:57,390 and I used to follow them. 154 00:04:57,510 --> 00:04:58,110 And I was... 155 00:04:58,470 --> 00:05:00,630 until I even became a leader among them. 156 00:05:00,810 --> 00:05:02,406 And their senior Shuyukh, 157 00:05:02,490 --> 00:05:03,846 all of them would come to my house. 158 00:05:03,930 --> 00:05:05,790 I had weekly programs. 159 00:05:06,510 --> 00:05:08,790 Western students would come 160 00:05:09,030 --> 00:05:10,350 from America, from Canada, 161 00:05:10,890 --> 00:05:12,726 from English-speaking European countries, 162 00:05:12,810 --> 00:05:13,590 and from Australia. 163 00:05:13,770 --> 00:05:14,670 They would come to my house, 164 00:05:14,910 --> 00:05:16,626 one of the Shuyukh would speak, 165 00:05:16,710 --> 00:05:17,550 and there would be translation. 166 00:05:17,970 --> 00:05:19,206 We were very active in this. 167 00:05:19,290 --> 00:05:19,890 We even organized 168 00:05:20,970 --> 00:05:22,110 a major program in America, 169 00:05:22,530 --> 00:05:23,670 the likes of which hadn't been seen. 170 00:05:24,630 --> 00:05:27,030 I was the one who managed it. 171 00:05:27,510 --> 00:05:29,286 What topics were covered at your house? What were they? 172 00:05:29,370 --> 00:05:32,310 What were they? Methodological, creedal. 173 00:05:32,790 --> 00:05:33,630 Mostly on Manhaj. 174 00:05:33,630 --> 00:05:34,686 It was mostly on Manhaj. 175 00:05:34,770 --> 00:05:36,006 That is what they focus on. 176 00:05:36,090 --> 00:05:37,470 Which sheikhs used to visit? 177 00:05:38,130 --> 00:05:41,310 For example, Sheikh Muhammad bin Hadi al-Madkhali used to come, 178 00:05:41,430 --> 00:05:42,450 Sheikh Salih al-Harbi, 179 00:05:44,310 --> 00:05:45,486 and Sheikh Ibrahim al-Ruhayli. 180 00:05:45,570 --> 00:05:47,610 Were they the ones leading this matter? 181 00:05:47,850 --> 00:05:49,110 Yes, yes. So, 182 00:05:49,290 --> 00:05:50,526 they used to come all the time. 183 00:05:50,610 --> 00:05:51,510 Sheikh Abdullah al-Bukhari... 184 00:05:52,830 --> 00:05:53,310 It was, I mean, 185 00:05:54,210 --> 00:05:55,350 these were the ones who came. 186 00:05:55,470 --> 00:05:56,370 And now, I mean... 187 00:05:58,770 --> 00:06:01,686 I understand. Were you, I mean, influenced by this ideology? 188 00:06:01,770 --> 00:06:03,690 How long did you stay in this state? 189 00:06:03,810 --> 00:06:05,586 Maybe about 5 years or so. 190 00:06:05,670 --> 00:06:06,210 In this state? 191 00:06:06,210 --> 00:06:07,326 I mean, before I entered university — 192 00:06:07,410 --> 00:06:08,586 Meaning you would label people and so on? 193 00:06:08,670 --> 00:06:09,690 Yes, yes, of course. Okay. 194 00:06:10,410 --> 00:06:13,830 But for me, for example, not giving salam and such, 195 00:06:14,910 --> 00:06:16,206 I usually wasn't like that. 196 00:06:16,290 --> 00:06:19,530 I used to greet people, and if someone greeted me, I would return the salam. 197 00:06:19,830 --> 00:06:20,826 Some of them wouldn't return the salam. 198 00:06:20,910 --> 00:06:21,990 So you were, I mean, normal. 199 00:06:22,890 --> 00:06:26,010 I wouldn't mix with, say, the opponent, the innovator, or 200 00:06:27,330 --> 00:06:29,010 the Sururi, or such labels. 201 00:06:29,250 --> 00:06:31,266 So if you met me back then, you wouldn't have greeted me. 202 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:33,090 I would. If you greeted me, I would respond. 203 00:06:33,690 --> 00:06:34,230 No, I would. But... 204 00:06:34,530 --> 00:06:36,366 I might not have initiated the greeting. 205 00:06:36,450 --> 00:06:38,790 Fine. Before we get into this intellectual topic, 206 00:06:39,030 --> 00:06:39,930 the young man you mentioned, who was influenced... 207 00:06:40,050 --> 00:06:41,286 Who was he? 208 00:06:41,370 --> 00:06:42,750 Poor guy, he got caught in the middle. 209 00:06:43,050 --> 00:06:44,406 Where was he from? Which country? 210 00:06:44,490 --> 00:06:45,210 Canadian. He was Canadian. 211 00:06:45,390 --> 00:06:46,170 He arrived, Masha'Allah — 212 00:06:46,830 --> 00:06:48,751 Full of zeal, following the Sunnah. 213 00:06:49,290 --> 00:06:52,926 Then this group dragged him along, saying this way is incorrect. 214 00:06:53,010 --> 00:06:53,850 They really dragged him. 215 00:06:54,090 --> 00:06:56,886 He felt that this way was too extreme, 216 00:06:56,970 --> 00:06:58,326 so he began to lean the other way. 217 00:06:58,410 --> 00:07:02,370 So they labeled him a Mubtadi', a Hizbi, and so on. 218 00:07:02,850 --> 00:07:04,650 Poor guy, when he went back, maybe after 219 00:07:04,770 --> 00:07:07,146 a year and a half or two — I don't know exactly how long — 220 00:07:07,230 --> 00:07:08,490 around that much time in Medina, 221 00:07:08,670 --> 00:07:09,690 studying Arabic. 222 00:07:10,530 --> 00:07:11,910 He went back to Canada and apostatized. 223 00:07:12,510 --> 00:07:13,890 He left Islam there. 224 00:07:14,310 --> 00:07:17,070 One of the brothers who was closest to him in Medina 225 00:07:17,370 --> 00:07:18,570 told me: "I called him," 226 00:07:19,590 --> 00:07:20,790 He said to me, "Who are you?" 227 00:07:23,070 --> 00:07:24,486 "It's me, so-and-so. My name is this." 228 00:07:24,570 --> 00:07:26,286 He said — he mentioned his name — he said: 229 00:07:26,370 --> 00:07:26,850 "I don't know..." 230 00:07:27,510 --> 00:07:28,410 "I don't know you, I don't know you." 231 00:07:28,950 --> 00:07:30,810 As if that part of his life never existed. 232 00:07:30,930 --> 00:07:32,070 Of course. Now, Sheikh Abdul Rahim, 233 00:07:33,090 --> 00:07:36,630 those who were the cause of this person's apostasy, 234 00:07:37,530 --> 00:07:39,366 what is their standing before Allah? 235 00:07:39,450 --> 00:07:42,330 Should they not fear Allah regarding the Muslims, 236 00:07:42,510 --> 00:07:44,910 the Muslim youth, and new Muslims? 237 00:07:45,150 --> 00:07:47,910 The man came to learn his religion, 238 00:07:48,030 --> 00:07:48,630 wanting to... 239 00:07:49,290 --> 00:07:51,726 to learn the path to Allah, 240 00:07:51,810 --> 00:07:54,486 how to connect with Him and find peace in Him, 241 00:07:54,570 --> 00:07:56,826 and tazkiyah — how to purify his soul. 242 00:07:56,910 --> 00:07:58,890 This is a fundamental issue, right? 243 00:07:59,310 --> 00:08:02,070 Yes, certainly. That question must be asked of those people. 244 00:08:02,370 --> 00:08:04,326 Many people have abandoned practicing. 245 00:08:04,410 --> 00:08:07,626 There was even an American brother with us who was very strict. 246 00:08:07,710 --> 00:08:10,950 He was a close friend, but he was much stricter than I was. 247 00:08:11,310 --> 00:08:12,630 This man, well, 248 00:08:12,990 --> 00:08:15,846 he stopped practicing, and listen, he might have even left Islam. 249 00:08:15,930 --> 00:08:16,470 SubhanAllah. 250 00:08:16,530 --> 00:08:19,890 There was also a student with us in Medina who was very extreme. 251 00:08:20,070 --> 00:08:22,386 He quit his studies; he had books, he used to collect books, 252 00:08:22,470 --> 00:08:25,206 and he came and distributed them to students and left everything. 253 00:08:25,290 --> 00:08:26,310 SubhanAllah. HasbunAllah. 254 00:08:26,430 --> 00:08:26,970 A person, I mean... 255 00:08:27,690 --> 00:08:29,550 And this — I will even mention to you, 256 00:08:30,150 --> 00:08:32,430 things like, even regarding the major sins 257 00:08:32,910 --> 00:08:34,110 that they fall into, I mean, 258 00:08:34,710 --> 00:08:35,706 back in America, 259 00:08:35,790 --> 00:08:37,626 and even some university students, 260 00:08:37,710 --> 00:08:38,766 they were caught doing things. 261 00:08:38,850 --> 00:08:41,406 Because what happens with this manhaj? 262 00:08:41,490 --> 00:08:43,650 You see that you have already arrived. 263 00:08:43,770 --> 00:08:45,450 You have, like, as if you have a — 264 00:08:45,750 --> 00:08:46,410 A card — yes, you have a card — 265 00:08:47,010 --> 00:08:47,490 to enter Paradise. 266 00:08:48,150 --> 00:08:48,630 To enter Paradise, yes. You see? 267 00:08:48,750 --> 00:08:49,110 It's a market. 268 00:08:50,010 --> 00:08:51,870 To be fair, they don't say this. 269 00:08:52,050 --> 00:08:53,070 But you have, I mean, 270 00:08:53,610 --> 00:08:55,266 the state of affairs vs. what is said. 271 00:08:55,350 --> 00:08:56,010 You understand? True. 272 00:08:56,010 --> 00:08:57,486 Explicitly, they would never say this, 273 00:08:57,570 --> 00:08:59,070 but in practice, this is what happens. 274 00:08:59,310 --> 00:09:00,990 A type of Irja' occurs. 275 00:09:01,530 --> 00:09:02,970 They see everyone else as, I mean... 276 00:09:03,510 --> 00:09:03,990 off of it. 277 00:09:04,230 --> 00:09:05,466 They have already left the Manhaj, 278 00:09:05,550 --> 00:09:06,330 and what remains is, what's it called... 279 00:09:07,110 --> 00:09:07,590 a group — 280 00:09:08,310 --> 00:09:08,790 The Saved Sect. 281 00:09:08,850 --> 00:09:09,211 The Saved Sect. 282 00:09:10,350 --> 00:09:10,410 The other sect. 283 00:09:10,410 --> 00:09:11,466 That's it, I've already been saved. 284 00:09:11,550 --> 00:09:13,146 So you even see it in their actions. 285 00:09:13,230 --> 00:09:15,330 We used to see many of them in Medina. 286 00:09:15,930 --> 00:09:19,050 I remember our teacher, Sheikh Abdurrazzaq al-Badr. 287 00:09:19,230 --> 00:09:20,610 If you recall, when it first happened — 288 00:09:22,290 --> 00:09:25,566 the issue of matters of Iman, 289 00:09:25,650 --> 00:09:27,450 when the fatwas were issued regarding — 290 00:09:29,010 --> 00:09:30,690 regarding Sheikh Ali al-Halabi, may Allah have mercy on him, 291 00:09:31,770 --> 00:09:32,886 from the Permanent Committee. 292 00:09:32,970 --> 00:09:33,690 I mean, they — 293 00:09:33,810 --> 00:09:35,550 I know. I was following that issue. 294 00:09:36,150 --> 00:09:36,930 Yes, they stopped many of those who — 295 00:09:37,290 --> 00:09:38,586 He was accused of Irja'. 296 00:09:38,670 --> 00:09:40,770 Accused of Irja' and so on. Yes, issues. 297 00:09:40,950 --> 00:09:43,410 When I spoke to Sheikh Abdurrazzaq about this — Yes. 298 00:09:43,530 --> 00:09:46,590 he mentioned one of the famous Hadiths 299 00:09:46,890 --> 00:09:49,650 proving that action is part of Iman, 300 00:09:50,490 --> 00:09:52,890 the Hadith of the delegation of 'Abd al-Qays. 301 00:09:53,970 --> 00:09:55,626 Then he mentioned — and here, the Sheikh, 302 00:09:55,710 --> 00:09:57,630 before he moved to his current house, 303 00:09:57,930 --> 00:09:58,926 he lived right in front of me. 304 00:09:59,010 --> 00:10:01,026 In the same house I was in, in Medina. 305 00:10:01,110 --> 00:10:02,550 He went out for Fajr prayer, 306 00:10:02,670 --> 00:10:04,206 and I went out and met him on the way. 307 00:10:04,290 --> 00:10:05,550 So I started asking him this question. 308 00:10:05,730 --> 00:10:07,170 Then he said, "Many of those 309 00:10:07,350 --> 00:10:09,546 who speak about these issues, 310 00:10:09,630 --> 00:10:12,090 it is seen that they don't pray Fajr with us. 311 00:10:12,690 --> 00:10:13,530 They don't come to the mosque." 312 00:10:13,590 --> 00:10:15,030 And indeed, I noticed this — 313 00:10:15,210 --> 00:10:16,566 not all of them, but many of them — 314 00:10:16,650 --> 00:10:17,130 Yes, yes, yes. 315 00:10:17,130 --> 00:10:18,510 Many of them are devout, to be fair. 316 00:10:19,050 --> 00:10:20,526 But I saw many of these young men — 317 00:10:20,610 --> 00:10:21,570 So there was a flaw in — yes, 318 00:10:21,870 --> 00:10:23,490 the Sheikh mentioned this to me. 319 00:10:23,670 --> 00:10:24,690 And I used to notice this, 320 00:10:24,930 --> 00:10:27,186 that many of them — I noticed this. 321 00:10:27,270 --> 00:10:28,746 Yes, they don't come; they miss Jama'ah, 322 00:10:28,830 --> 00:10:30,330 especially for Fajr prayer. 323 00:10:30,930 --> 00:10:32,550 Yes, no, that was a period. 324 00:10:32,790 --> 00:10:34,590 From this question, I moved on. 325 00:10:35,130 --> 00:10:36,750 I moved on — how, how did you move on? 326 00:10:36,990 --> 00:10:38,250 First of all, 327 00:10:38,430 --> 00:10:41,250 Sheikh Abdul Rahim, who directed you toward this, 328 00:10:41,430 --> 00:10:42,210 and how did you get out? 329 00:10:42,750 --> 00:10:45,510 A meeting whose grace may be hidden, 330 00:10:47,610 --> 00:10:52,470 Delights the soul and becomes a haven, 331 00:10:52,650 --> 00:10:55,650 With sincere callers who spread 332 00:10:57,630 --> 00:11:02,430 The Sunnah of Sharia and were faithful. 333 00:11:02,550 --> 00:11:05,286 The Sunnah of Sharia and were faithful. 334 00:11:05,370 --> 00:11:07,410 In Sudan, he was moving in that direction. 335 00:11:07,890 --> 00:11:09,330 So they guided me to this. 336 00:11:09,630 --> 00:11:10,566 Do you mean Sheikh Othman? 337 00:11:10,650 --> 00:11:12,066 No, no. Sheikh Othman is good. 338 00:11:12,150 --> 00:11:14,706 I mean, he might be among the Salafis there, 339 00:11:14,790 --> 00:11:16,506 but he wasn't extremist. 340 00:11:16,590 --> 00:11:17,946 Not the type to label others and so on. 341 00:11:18,030 --> 00:11:18,330 Well, maybe some 342 00:11:19,350 --> 00:11:20,586 of those around him might be like that, 343 00:11:20,670 --> 00:11:21,846 but he is not like that. 344 00:11:21,930 --> 00:11:23,166 But for example, Brother Mukhtar, 345 00:11:23,250 --> 00:11:24,546 he has changed now, alhamdulillah. 346 00:11:24,630 --> 00:11:27,930 But at that time, he was in that direction. 347 00:11:28,710 --> 00:11:30,690 Anyway, during this period, 348 00:11:33,030 --> 00:11:37,386 Subhan Allah, some events occurred. 349 00:11:37,470 --> 00:11:39,846 Like the September events happened; this was a problem. 350 00:11:39,930 --> 00:11:42,030 For me, for example, as an American citizen, 351 00:11:42,510 --> 00:11:46,830 I don't get involved. I can't speak against my country; it causes problems. 352 00:11:47,070 --> 00:11:48,186 But I am also a Muslim, 353 00:11:48,270 --> 00:11:50,790 so I don't interfere in these matters, you understand? 354 00:11:50,910 --> 00:11:52,830 Right, but the truth in sensitive — sensitive issues. 355 00:11:53,010 --> 00:11:54,426 It's like that, so I don't get into it. 356 00:11:54,510 --> 00:11:57,366 In my dawah, I always — as we might discuss in a future episode — 357 00:11:57,450 --> 00:12:00,570 Yes. I always take this path. I don't get into trouble, not even with groups. 358 00:12:00,810 --> 00:12:03,366 This will become clear, insha'Allah, in this episode. 359 00:12:03,450 --> 00:12:07,170 I am a free man; I have my own opinion and benefit from everyone, alhamdulillah. 360 00:12:07,290 --> 00:12:12,966 So, you were influenced by some brothers in Sudan, then you — 361 00:12:13,050 --> 00:12:15,606 Yes, and I stayed in Medina like this for three years; 362 00:12:15,690 --> 00:12:18,066 meaning in the language institute, I studied for three years. 363 00:12:18,150 --> 00:12:20,550 In Medina? - Yes. - Specifically language, for three years. 364 00:12:20,670 --> 00:12:22,410 It is actually two years, 365 00:12:22,950 --> 00:12:24,690 but there was a trick we used to do: 366 00:12:25,530 --> 00:12:27,930 missing some exams on purpose, 367 00:12:28,290 --> 00:12:30,246 so that you have to repeat the level. 368 00:12:30,330 --> 00:12:32,790 You repeat a whole year to stay three years instead of two. 369 00:12:33,270 --> 00:12:34,470 To spend more time in Medina. 370 00:12:34,590 --> 00:12:35,430 And all this without a residency permit. 371 00:12:35,430 --> 00:12:37,170 This was out of love for the city of the Messenger of Allah. 372 00:12:37,350 --> 00:12:39,210 I even remember the teacher who taught me, he said — 373 00:12:39,570 --> 00:12:40,530 He didn't know my grades, 374 00:12:40,830 --> 00:12:41,886 he said, "Congratulations on passing." 375 00:12:41,970 --> 00:12:43,926 My grade was 97, 97. 376 00:12:44,010 --> 00:12:46,530 Then suddenly he found I had failed, 377 00:12:47,070 --> 00:12:48,450 so he asked, "What happened?" Then they understood. 378 00:12:48,810 --> 00:12:51,246 But that's the system; I missed 4 exams, so it wasn't possible, 379 00:12:51,330 --> 00:12:52,530 you have to repeat the entire level. 380 00:12:53,130 --> 00:12:55,986 So I repeated the level and stayed for 3 years. 381 00:12:56,070 --> 00:12:58,410 Then I started the first year at the College of Hadith. 382 00:12:58,650 --> 00:13:00,330 When I started the first year at the College of Hadith, 383 00:13:01,650 --> 00:13:02,670 and we finished the first year, 384 00:13:03,090 --> 00:13:04,230 we entered the second year, 385 00:13:05,490 --> 00:13:06,330 and these events began. 386 00:13:06,330 --> 00:13:07,866 Perhaps drink your tea before it gets cold, if you please, Sheikh. 387 00:13:07,950 --> 00:13:09,030 Yes, these events began. 388 00:13:09,150 --> 00:13:10,170 If it gets cold, it's not good. 389 00:13:11,970 --> 00:13:12,450 Alhamdulillah. 390 00:13:12,570 --> 00:13:15,126 So these events began, regarding issues of Iman. 391 00:13:15,210 --> 00:13:15,570 Yes. 392 00:13:16,110 --> 00:13:18,750 And I found that those who were speaking against some of the Sheikhs, 393 00:13:19,050 --> 00:13:22,350 they started speaking, for example, against Sheikh Bakr Abu Zayd, 394 00:13:22,530 --> 00:13:24,186 saying, "This is a fatwa from the plot of Bakr." 395 00:13:24,270 --> 00:13:24,750 La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah. 396 00:13:24,750 --> 00:13:26,346 Some even spoke against Sheikh Salih al-Fawzan. 397 00:13:26,430 --> 00:13:27,486 Daring to attack the senior scholars. 398 00:13:27,570 --> 00:13:29,550 Yes, those people. And for me, 399 00:13:29,850 --> 00:13:31,650 especially Sheikh Salih al-Fawzan, 400 00:13:32,010 --> 00:13:33,390 he has a great favor upon me, because he 401 00:13:34,590 --> 00:13:35,706 His writings are accessible. 402 00:13:35,790 --> 00:13:39,066 For example, my first school of thought in jurisprudence was Hanbali. 403 00:13:39,150 --> 00:13:39,330 Yes. 404 00:13:39,330 --> 00:13:42,546 Then I studied Maliki, as I mentioned, at a later stage. 405 00:13:42,630 --> 00:13:43,590 We must hear about that. 406 00:13:43,710 --> 00:13:44,190 Yes, God willing. 407 00:13:44,190 --> 00:13:45,846 This is an important point regarding Maliki Fiqh. 408 00:13:45,930 --> 00:13:46,470 Yes, definitely. 409 00:13:46,470 --> 00:13:47,370 Libyans might like that. 410 00:13:47,370 --> 00:13:48,090 Yes, absolutely. 411 00:13:48,510 --> 00:13:49,170 So when I studied — 412 00:13:49,350 --> 00:13:51,066 So we can host you in Libya. 413 00:13:51,150 --> 00:13:52,206 Yes, God willing, by His leave. 414 00:13:52,290 --> 00:13:54,510 Praise be to God, I studied Maliki Fiqh thoroughly. 415 00:13:54,870 --> 00:13:55,410 That is very good. 416 00:13:55,710 --> 00:13:59,550 So when I started studying Hanbali Fiqh, 417 00:13:59,910 --> 00:14:03,006 our primary text was the book Zad al-Mustaqni'. 418 00:14:03,090 --> 00:14:04,650 Zad al-Mustaqni', yes, I studied it too. 419 00:14:04,770 --> 00:14:06,990 Yes, exactly. - At university, right. 420 00:14:07,410 --> 00:14:10,866 At the Islamic University, we didn't have the same curriculum as Imam University. 421 00:14:10,950 --> 00:14:13,410 True. - But I studied outside with those Sheikhs, 422 00:14:13,650 --> 00:14:14,706 and I used to struggle to understand it. 423 00:14:14,790 --> 00:14:16,470 Its phrasing was difficult, you see? 424 00:14:16,890 --> 00:14:19,590 Even al-Rawd al-Murbi', I had to read it several times. 425 00:14:20,010 --> 00:14:22,050 I finished the section on Purification and started on Prayer, 426 00:14:22,830 --> 00:14:23,370 Then a book was released, 427 00:14:24,150 --> 00:14:26,670 Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan's 4-volume explanation of Zad al-Mustaqni'. 428 00:14:26,910 --> 00:14:28,590 It was like I was reading in my language. 429 00:14:29,010 --> 00:14:30,786 The language was easy and very clear. 430 00:14:30,870 --> 00:14:31,350 Beautiful. Okay. 431 00:14:31,410 --> 00:14:34,566 Also his books on 'Aqidah are easy and accessible. 432 00:14:34,650 --> 00:14:36,186 And Al-Sharh al-Mumti' by Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen is even more enjoyable. 433 00:14:36,270 --> 00:14:37,506 Yes, but that one is more extensive. 434 00:14:37,590 --> 00:14:38,190 Much more, true. 435 00:14:38,490 --> 00:14:41,850 I read that after I had read Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan's. 436 00:14:42,990 --> 00:14:43,530 Yes. Anyway, 437 00:14:45,210 --> 00:14:46,650 I found that they were criticizing them. 438 00:14:46,830 --> 00:14:47,490 I thought: strange. 439 00:14:47,670 --> 00:14:49,290 Then, when I was in my first year, 440 00:14:50,070 --> 00:14:51,246 we studied from the books of the Salaf. 441 00:14:51,330 --> 00:14:53,370 When we looked at references on matters of Iman, 442 00:14:53,550 --> 00:14:54,690 we knew that the words 443 00:14:55,530 --> 00:14:57,750 of the scholars, Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan and the Permanent Committee, 444 00:14:57,870 --> 00:14:58,806 were correct and clear. 445 00:14:58,890 --> 00:15:00,486 Meaning, he really erred on this issue. 446 00:15:00,570 --> 00:15:01,506 I had no doubt about it. 447 00:15:01,590 --> 00:15:02,730 Because he referred back to books... 448 00:15:03,090 --> 00:15:04,386 I mean, I had a doctor, 449 00:15:04,470 --> 00:15:07,566 who, frankly, wasn't good at teaching. 450 00:15:07,650 --> 00:15:09,030 But what we benefited from... 451 00:15:09,870 --> 00:15:11,430 And this, this is a benefit, honestly. 452 00:15:11,790 --> 00:15:13,506 I might have shortcomings. 453 00:15:13,590 --> 00:15:14,466 I might have weaknesses. 454 00:15:14,550 --> 00:15:17,370 But I will bring a point of strength to benefit you. 455 00:15:17,730 --> 00:15:19,710 For example, he taught us in third year, 456 00:15:20,250 --> 00:15:21,750 and we didn't benefit much from him. 457 00:15:21,870 --> 00:15:25,626 But we read Sheikh Umar al-Ashqar's books on matters of — 458 00:15:25,710 --> 00:15:26,130 In full. 459 00:15:26,430 --> 00:15:27,270 In class. On Aqidah. 460 00:15:27,390 --> 00:15:28,506 And I was the one reading in class. 461 00:15:28,590 --> 00:15:29,070 Beautiful. Yes, 462 00:15:29,130 --> 00:15:30,750 so, there was no study guide. 463 00:15:30,870 --> 00:15:31,410 We read the whole thing. 464 00:15:31,470 --> 00:15:33,870 He was weak at teaching, but we benefited from him. 465 00:15:34,050 --> 00:15:35,910 So this teacher used to go to — 466 00:15:37,170 --> 00:15:38,670 The doctor, he used to go photocopy 467 00:15:39,510 --> 00:15:40,530 from the books of the Salaf. 468 00:15:41,190 --> 00:15:42,030 And we would comment on them. 469 00:15:42,150 --> 00:15:44,310 For example, every lesson was 12 pages, 470 00:15:44,550 --> 00:15:46,146 photocopied from Kitab al-Iman by Shaykh al-Islam, 471 00:15:46,230 --> 00:15:47,250 and photocopies from the early scholars, 472 00:15:47,730 --> 00:15:48,930 I mean, in the books of Iman. 473 00:15:49,650 --> 00:15:50,310 So — he commented, I mean. 474 00:15:50,310 --> 00:15:51,246 Yes, so he understood. 475 00:15:51,330 --> 00:15:52,986 Yes, he made it easy for us. 476 00:15:53,070 --> 00:15:53,670 Of course, the curriculum, I mean. 477 00:15:53,670 --> 00:15:55,026 And he brought us many references. 478 00:15:55,110 --> 00:15:56,310 Yes, important ones. Many references. 479 00:15:56,790 --> 00:15:58,506 But he made copies for us; he made the research process easy. 480 00:15:58,590 --> 00:15:59,586 One is supposed to search for himself. 481 00:15:59,670 --> 00:16:00,210 Supposedly, supposedly. 482 00:16:00,570 --> 00:16:02,466 He used to make it easy, photocopying and bringing them to us. 483 00:16:02,550 --> 00:16:03,030 That is nice. 484 00:16:03,150 --> 00:16:04,146 But we truly benefited from him. 485 00:16:04,230 --> 00:16:04,650 Mashallah. 486 00:16:05,070 --> 00:16:06,510 So the issues of Iman were clear to us. 487 00:16:06,630 --> 00:16:07,650 So I say: this is a mistake. 488 00:16:08,190 --> 00:16:09,570 Then this sheikh — they, I mean — 489 00:16:10,170 --> 00:16:13,530 an American soldier called him. 490 00:16:13,650 --> 00:16:17,046 He said, "I have been ordered to go to war." 491 00:16:17,130 --> 00:16:18,030 "So what should I do?" 492 00:16:18,390 --> 00:16:21,030 "I am going to assist in killing Muslims." 493 00:16:21,750 --> 00:16:22,746 So they said — this sheikh: 494 00:16:22,830 --> 00:16:26,106 "Go, purify your intention, and you are in the cause of Allah." 495 00:16:26,190 --> 00:16:27,150 Yes, while fighting Muslims. 496 00:16:28,110 --> 00:16:28,651 So I said, "My brother," 497 00:16:28,710 --> 00:16:29,706 "I am a citizen as well." 498 00:16:29,790 --> 00:16:30,786 I said I wouldn't speak. 499 00:16:30,870 --> 00:16:32,370 But, my brother, this now — 500 00:16:32,850 --> 00:16:36,390 this is a fatwa that contradicts the Aqidah. 501 00:16:36,570 --> 00:16:39,030 The book, the eighth nullifier in the book "Nullifiers of Islam": 502 00:16:39,270 --> 00:16:43,410 One nullifier is: "Supporting polytheists against Muslims. And whoever among you 503 00:16:43,890 --> 00:16:44,826 takes them as allies is one of them." So we know that we — 504 00:16:44,910 --> 00:16:47,191 I say: we memorize and study these books on Tawhid. 505 00:16:47,490 --> 00:16:48,270 This is a strange Sheikh. 506 00:16:48,270 --> 00:16:49,470 His name is Falih al-Harbi. 507 00:16:49,890 --> 00:16:50,790 He is the one who said this. 508 00:16:50,970 --> 00:16:52,590 When I heard these words, 509 00:16:52,710 --> 00:16:53,970 and saw his views on matters of faith, 510 00:16:54,150 --> 00:16:55,710 I began to doubt them. 511 00:16:56,130 --> 00:16:57,390 I am a rational person. 512 00:16:57,570 --> 00:16:58,710 This talk is false. 513 00:16:58,950 --> 00:16:59,610 Allahu Akbar. 514 00:16:59,670 --> 00:17:01,386 I even spoke to Sheikh Muhammad al-Hadi, 515 00:17:01,470 --> 00:17:02,850 and he told me: "Yes, this is false." 516 00:17:03,450 --> 00:17:04,470 But this Sheikh, 517 00:17:04,770 --> 00:17:06,426 I think they had a falling out later. 518 00:17:06,510 --> 00:17:07,326 No, no, no. 519 00:17:07,410 --> 00:17:08,910 But at that time — they split up. 520 00:17:09,030 --> 00:17:09,930 Yes, they were close friends. 521 00:17:10,050 --> 00:17:12,750 Anyway, he said: "This is your Sheikh," and so on. 522 00:17:13,470 --> 00:17:15,666 I say: "Okay, and those who erred — " 523 00:17:15,750 --> 00:17:17,670 He dies upon — isn't that so? 524 00:17:17,850 --> 00:17:19,770 Our brothers erred in a matter or two, 525 00:17:20,070 --> 00:17:22,770 and we are removing them from the fold of Ahl al-Sunnah? 526 00:17:23,070 --> 00:17:25,050 And this person made a worse mistake than they did. 527 00:17:25,650 --> 00:17:26,130 May Allah have mercy on him; we forgive him. 528 00:17:26,190 --> 00:17:27,486 Sheikh, this is from Allah's grace upon you. 529 00:17:27,570 --> 00:17:28,050 Yes, Al-hamdulillah. 530 00:17:28,050 --> 00:17:28,986 So I — Allah gave you an intellect. 531 00:17:29,070 --> 00:17:30,066 Yes, I began to doubt the matter. 532 00:17:30,150 --> 00:17:31,050 So I began to read. 533 00:17:31,230 --> 00:17:32,550 For example, when I read, 534 00:17:32,910 --> 00:17:34,050 I wanted to look at 535 00:17:35,250 --> 00:17:35,970 other people. 536 00:17:36,870 --> 00:17:38,670 I mean, those who opposed these people, 537 00:17:39,090 --> 00:17:41,370 so that I could hear from them directly. 538 00:17:41,610 --> 00:17:43,410 And I wanted to listen to some tapes. 539 00:17:43,530 --> 00:17:44,070 So I went to 540 00:17:45,390 --> 00:17:46,590 the recordings of the "Hizbis." 541 00:17:47,250 --> 00:17:47,550 So that — 542 00:17:48,330 --> 00:17:48,570 Whose? 543 00:17:48,630 --> 00:17:50,550 Those you were forbidden to listen to. 544 00:17:50,910 --> 00:17:51,630 So I went inside — 545 00:17:51,630 --> 00:17:52,686 Yes, they restrict you. 546 00:17:52,770 --> 00:17:53,310 Yes, no doubt. 547 00:17:53,310 --> 00:17:54,966 I mean, Sheikh Abdul-Rahim, one moment. 548 00:17:55,050 --> 00:17:55,650 You are American. 549 00:17:56,130 --> 00:17:58,506 And you are, you know, open-minded. 550 00:17:58,590 --> 00:18:00,066 American society is open. 551 00:18:00,150 --> 00:18:01,710 And you, I mean, you used to read. 552 00:18:01,830 --> 00:18:02,790 You read. You are a reader. 553 00:18:02,910 --> 00:18:04,230 So why, when you came, I mean, 554 00:18:04,590 --> 00:18:06,186 did they restrict you — why, I mean? 555 00:18:06,270 --> 00:18:08,046 Why did you comply at first? 556 00:18:08,130 --> 00:18:08,850 I mean, why? 557 00:18:09,570 --> 00:18:11,070 I... I thought this was Islam. 558 00:18:11,250 --> 00:18:11,970 La ilaha illa Allah. 559 00:18:11,970 --> 00:18:12,690 I thought this was Islam. 560 00:18:12,810 --> 00:18:13,470 By Allah, this is a point... 561 00:18:13,650 --> 00:18:14,430 this is an important point. 562 00:18:14,610 --> 00:18:15,510 I thought this was Islam. 563 00:18:15,690 --> 00:18:17,046 Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. 564 00:18:17,130 --> 00:18:17,850 This is a great calamity. 565 00:18:17,850 --> 00:18:18,691 But... but when... however, I... 566 00:18:18,810 --> 00:18:20,586 I am a student of knowledge. 567 00:18:20,670 --> 00:18:21,846 I study. I read. 568 00:18:21,930 --> 00:18:24,126 When I found this, I said: This is false. 569 00:18:24,210 --> 00:18:25,350 How can I accept this, for example? 570 00:18:25,830 --> 00:18:28,230 How do we not exclude this person from the circle of Ahl al-Sunnah, 571 00:18:28,590 --> 00:18:31,386 yet someone whose mistakes are fewer, we exclude him? 572 00:18:31,470 --> 00:18:32,406 This is not from the Manhaj. 573 00:18:32,490 --> 00:18:33,846 This is a very important point. 574 00:18:33,930 --> 00:18:36,150 This is a point my Lord guided you to. 575 00:18:36,450 --> 00:18:37,770 And this one differs on matters of faith. 576 00:18:38,070 --> 00:18:38,730 Matters of faith. 577 00:18:39,030 --> 00:18:40,890 And he stays, because he is on our side. 578 00:18:41,670 --> 00:18:43,710 Yet someone whose mistakes are fewer, we expel him. 579 00:18:44,070 --> 00:18:45,990 Because he is not on our side. 580 00:18:46,710 --> 00:18:48,930 This — I say: this is partisanship itself. 581 00:18:49,050 --> 00:18:49,986 La ilaha illa Allah. You understand? 582 00:18:50,070 --> 00:18:52,026 I remember once, even in some sessions, 583 00:18:52,110 --> 00:18:54,090 I'm telling you what happened with the students. 584 00:18:54,270 --> 00:18:55,050 I know now that if, 585 00:18:55,170 --> 00:18:56,910 if, if I leave them, 586 00:18:57,030 --> 00:18:58,110 it will turn into a war. 587 00:18:58,350 --> 00:18:59,970 So gradually, I mean, 588 00:19:00,450 --> 00:19:02,070 first I wanted to learn for myself. 589 00:19:02,190 --> 00:19:02,850 To read for myself. 590 00:19:03,210 --> 00:19:03,870 To listen for myself. 591 00:19:04,290 --> 00:19:06,210 I found a tape by someone, I mean, 592 00:19:06,630 --> 00:19:08,670 they used to warn against him; he is Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Mahmoud. 593 00:19:09,330 --> 00:19:11,370 He has a tape called "The Impact of Tawhid." 594 00:19:11,970 --> 00:19:13,686 One of the most beautiful things I've heard on Tawhid. 595 00:19:13,770 --> 00:19:14,550 I mean, you understand? 596 00:19:14,670 --> 00:19:16,770 And I'm talking — it's not about affirmations and refutations. No. 597 00:19:16,950 --> 00:19:18,870 It's about how this affects you. 598 00:19:19,350 --> 00:19:20,310 I really liked it. 599 00:19:20,550 --> 00:19:21,570 I was traveling for Umrah. 600 00:19:22,230 --> 00:19:22,710 You understand? 601 00:19:22,710 --> 00:19:23,946 I would listen to the tape on the way. 602 00:19:24,030 --> 00:19:25,590 And I really benefited from it. 603 00:19:25,830 --> 00:19:26,850 Then I started to read. 604 00:19:26,970 --> 00:19:28,170 We read a book, for example, 605 00:19:29,310 --> 00:19:33,246 by al-Anbari on "Ruling by Other Than What Allah Revealed," "Consensus on..." 606 00:19:33,330 --> 00:19:35,370 Then I read the words of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim. 607 00:19:35,730 --> 00:19:37,866 And Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan's words completely contradicted his. 608 00:19:37,950 --> 00:19:40,770 And Ibn Kathir mentions a consensus contrary to what he was saying. 609 00:19:41,070 --> 00:19:41,910 So I started saying: Brother, 610 00:19:41,970 --> 00:19:43,290 what is this they are teaching, 611 00:19:43,530 --> 00:19:46,506 which contradicts what is in our scholars' books? 612 00:19:46,590 --> 00:19:47,190 You understand? 613 00:19:48,210 --> 00:19:49,710 So I started reading for myself. 614 00:19:49,830 --> 00:19:51,690 I got the fatwas of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim. 615 00:19:52,350 --> 00:19:52,830 You said — 616 00:19:53,190 --> 00:19:55,806 Excuse me, these things — they were banned, by the way. 617 00:19:55,890 --> 00:19:57,030 The Sheikh's fatwas. 618 00:19:57,510 --> 00:19:58,470 We got them on the black market. 619 00:19:59,070 --> 00:19:59,550 SubhanAllah. 620 00:19:59,850 --> 00:20:00,930 They were among the banned items. 621 00:20:01,410 --> 00:20:01,950 Whose books? 622 00:20:02,010 --> 00:20:02,970 Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim. 623 00:20:03,630 --> 00:20:04,230 The former Mufti. 624 00:20:04,350 --> 00:20:05,490 Yes, right. Possibly because of them. 625 00:20:06,030 --> 00:20:06,510 You told me, 626 00:20:06,570 --> 00:20:08,310 You told me you went to the partisans, 627 00:20:08,430 --> 00:20:09,211 you read the work of a partisan. 628 00:20:09,270 --> 00:20:09,630 Who was it? 629 00:20:09,690 --> 00:20:10,050 No, he — 630 00:20:10,110 --> 00:20:11,610 I am saying: 631 00:20:11,910 --> 00:20:13,626 This is Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Mahmoud. 632 00:20:13,710 --> 00:20:14,190 Abdul Rahman al-Mahmoud. 633 00:20:14,250 --> 00:20:14,610 That's him. 634 00:20:14,610 --> 00:20:16,110 His tapes were still allowed then. 635 00:20:16,530 --> 00:20:17,070 And his books. 636 00:20:17,370 --> 00:20:17,970 Yes, for example, 637 00:20:18,150 --> 00:20:20,046 the book "Ruling by Other Than What Allah Revealed." 638 00:20:20,130 --> 00:20:20,850 I got it and read it. 639 00:20:20,850 --> 00:20:21,906 I even remember being afraid. 640 00:20:21,990 --> 00:20:23,850 I'd buy a book while they watched me. 641 00:20:24,390 --> 00:20:25,266 Even to that extent? 642 00:20:25,350 --> 00:20:26,010 Yes, it was, you know — 643 00:20:26,130 --> 00:20:27,150 Total control over — 644 00:20:27,270 --> 00:20:27,630 Yes, of course. 645 00:20:27,630 --> 00:20:27,930 Restricting 646 00:20:28,890 --> 00:20:30,246 and diminishing the individual. 647 00:20:30,330 --> 00:20:32,310 They cite the sayings of the Salaf 648 00:20:32,430 --> 00:20:34,590 regarding — not even half a word. 649 00:20:36,870 --> 00:20:39,690 And this, you know, this was regarding innovations in creed. 650 00:20:39,810 --> 00:20:40,410 My neighbor in Medina. This is my house. 651 00:20:40,770 --> 00:20:41,130 Yes. 652 00:20:41,250 --> 00:20:42,810 Then, one of my neighbors was 653 00:20:43,170 --> 00:20:44,550 a Ruhayli, may God remember him well. 654 00:20:44,670 --> 00:20:46,170 Then Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Qari. 655 00:20:47,310 --> 00:20:49,470 He is a former Imam and Khatib of Quba Mosque, 656 00:20:50,550 --> 00:20:51,690 and Dean of the College of Quran. 657 00:20:51,990 --> 00:20:54,390 To them, he was a major enemy, 658 00:20:54,510 --> 00:20:55,290 one of the people of misguidance. 659 00:20:55,470 --> 00:20:57,330 So I went to him and greeted him. 660 00:20:57,810 --> 00:20:59,586 I used to — I mean, I'd say hello. 661 00:20:59,670 --> 00:21:02,226 I used to be careful not to face him 662 00:21:02,310 --> 00:21:02,970 just so I wouldn't have to greet him. 663 00:21:02,970 --> 00:21:04,830 But if he greeted me, I'd respond. 664 00:21:05,010 --> 00:21:05,970 He was my neighbor, after all. 665 00:21:06,750 --> 00:21:08,250 Then I went to him and sat with him, 666 00:21:09,270 --> 00:21:11,070 and I began attending his circles. 667 00:21:11,550 --> 00:21:12,726 One of them came and said — 668 00:21:12,810 --> 00:21:14,166 I mean, this was after I left them, 669 00:21:14,250 --> 00:21:15,306 when the problems started. 670 00:21:15,390 --> 00:21:16,506 Perhaps we can return to this point. 671 00:21:16,590 --> 00:21:17,490 How did you leave? 672 00:21:17,490 --> 00:21:18,690 And how did the problems start? 673 00:21:19,110 --> 00:21:22,410 He said: "You attend the circles of God's enemy, Abdul Aziz al-Qari." 674 00:21:22,770 --> 00:21:24,606 I seek God's forgiveness for that claim. 675 00:21:24,690 --> 00:21:25,170 That is a strong statement. 676 00:21:25,770 --> 00:21:26,490 So I said, "Fine." 677 00:21:26,550 --> 00:21:27,570 I said, "I will go 678 00:21:28,650 --> 00:21:31,170 to Sheikh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbad." 679 00:21:31,770 --> 00:21:33,630 My Sheikh, whom I studied under. 680 00:21:33,750 --> 00:21:34,650 He is the Sheikh of Medina. 681 00:21:35,190 --> 00:21:35,970 I will go to him. 682 00:21:36,030 --> 00:21:37,086 If he says the same thing, 683 00:21:37,170 --> 00:21:39,030 I will stop going to him. 684 00:21:39,210 --> 00:21:40,206 Right. Agreed? 685 00:21:40,290 --> 00:21:40,890 He said, "No." 686 00:21:42,090 --> 00:21:43,230 He said, "You must go 687 00:21:44,250 --> 00:21:44,850 to the Sheikhs." 688 00:21:45,570 --> 00:21:47,370 Sheikh Ubayd and Sheikh Rabee. Yes. 689 00:21:47,550 --> 00:21:48,150 I said: 690 00:21:48,390 --> 00:21:50,310 "Exchange what is better for what is less?" 691 00:21:50,490 --> 00:21:50,910 He got angry. 692 00:21:53,550 --> 00:21:55,650 These Sheikhs were like judges to him. 693 00:21:55,890 --> 00:21:57,306 This was a new Muslim youth, by Allah. 694 00:21:57,390 --> 00:21:58,530 No, he was one of the people of Medina. 695 00:21:58,770 --> 00:21:59,190 From Medina. 696 00:21:59,250 --> 00:22:02,166 He had reached the point of declaring Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Jaza'iri a disbeliever. 697 00:22:02,250 --> 00:22:03,810 He was of that, of that type. 698 00:22:04,110 --> 00:22:05,970 So this, this, this young man 699 00:22:06,570 --> 00:22:08,706 was saying: "These Sheikhs sit among us." 700 00:22:08,790 --> 00:22:11,226 My brother, the man says he wants to go to Sheikh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbad. 701 00:22:11,310 --> 00:22:12,870 "You can't stop him?" 702 00:22:12,990 --> 00:22:13,986 He said, "No, no, our Sheikhs." 703 00:22:14,070 --> 00:22:15,150 I said, "Brother, what is this talk?" 704 00:22:15,330 --> 00:22:16,686 "This is the hizbiyyah you mention." 705 00:22:16,770 --> 00:22:17,310 You understand? 706 00:22:17,370 --> 00:22:18,510 I ask Allah for safety and well-being. 707 00:22:18,750 --> 00:22:19,890 Anyway, I ask Allah for safety. 708 00:22:20,010 --> 00:22:21,510 I went to Sheikh Abdul Muhsin and asked. 709 00:22:21,990 --> 00:22:23,370 I said, "Brother, such and such was said." 710 00:22:24,150 --> 00:22:26,010 He said, "This Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Qari..." 711 00:22:26,130 --> 00:22:27,390 He said, "He is a good student of knowledge." 712 00:22:27,750 --> 00:22:28,746 "One can benefit from him." 713 00:22:28,830 --> 00:22:32,346 He said, "He erred and overstepped in some of his sermons in Quba." 714 00:22:32,430 --> 00:22:33,810 This was the Sheikh's view. He erred. 715 00:22:34,230 --> 00:22:35,610 And this is the manhaj we need. 716 00:22:36,270 --> 00:22:36,930 We should be fair. 717 00:22:37,230 --> 00:22:39,726 A scholar, a student of knowledge. 718 00:22:39,810 --> 00:22:40,686 Benefit from him. He erred. 719 00:22:40,770 --> 00:22:41,730 Do you have an opinion? 720 00:22:42,150 --> 00:22:43,830 No, I might have an opinion that he erred. 721 00:22:43,950 --> 00:22:45,186 I tell you: he erred in this or that. 722 00:22:45,270 --> 00:22:47,586 Plus, he's a khatib; usually, you don't take a formal lesson from a khutbah. 723 00:22:47,670 --> 00:22:49,506 A khatib usually gets passionate. 724 00:22:49,590 --> 00:22:51,690 And sometimes he errs in a phrase or so. 725 00:22:51,930 --> 00:22:53,730 What is the problem with that, I mean — 726 00:22:55,290 --> 00:22:56,706 Then, when I reflected — 727 00:22:56,790 --> 00:22:57,210 Then? 728 00:22:57,390 --> 00:22:58,590 Then, when I reflected, for example, 729 00:22:58,710 --> 00:22:59,910 on our Sheikhs: Sheikh Ibn Baz, 730 00:23:00,510 --> 00:23:02,286 Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy. 731 00:23:02,370 --> 00:23:02,730 Yes. 732 00:23:03,510 --> 00:23:04,506 Their students were not like that. 733 00:23:04,590 --> 00:23:05,790 They were not like that. True. 734 00:23:06,030 --> 00:23:06,630 They were disciplined. 735 00:23:06,630 --> 00:23:08,910 I mean, even those you study under, 736 00:23:09,030 --> 00:23:11,346 only two or three were influenced by this. 737 00:23:11,430 --> 00:23:11,730 Yes. 738 00:23:11,850 --> 00:23:13,110 The rest were not like that. 739 00:23:13,410 --> 00:23:14,730 You see? I mean, 740 00:23:15,390 --> 00:23:16,350 after that, well, 741 00:23:17,310 --> 00:23:19,026 when I left, it really became a problem. 742 00:23:19,110 --> 00:23:21,150 I mean, I had funds coming to me. 743 00:23:22,410 --> 00:23:23,130 They cut them off. 744 00:23:23,430 --> 00:23:25,746 But praise be to Allah, He replaced it with better. 745 00:23:25,830 --> 00:23:26,670 I struggled at first. 746 00:23:26,850 --> 00:23:27,450 I stayed for a while. 747 00:23:27,570 --> 00:23:28,950 During that time, imagine, 748 00:23:29,190 --> 00:23:31,470 it was the first time I asked my father for help. 749 00:23:32,370 --> 00:23:32,850 Subhan Allah. 750 00:23:32,910 --> 00:23:33,390 The very first time. 751 00:23:33,810 --> 00:23:34,986 I used to, you know, send to him. 752 00:23:35,070 --> 00:23:36,510 He would send me $5,000, 753 00:23:36,750 --> 00:23:37,530 $3,000, 754 00:23:37,650 --> 00:23:38,286 $8,000. 755 00:23:38,370 --> 00:23:39,810 Every so often he sent enough for me. 756 00:23:40,290 --> 00:23:42,690 He said, "You haven't asked for years. Why now?" 757 00:23:43,290 --> 00:23:44,190 What do I tell him now? 758 00:23:44,190 --> 00:23:45,210 I am a new Muslim. 759 00:23:45,330 --> 00:23:47,550 Because those who were helping me abandoned me. 760 00:23:47,850 --> 00:23:48,750 And I have no money now. 761 00:23:48,750 --> 00:23:49,350 And I have children. 762 00:23:49,350 --> 00:23:50,010 And I have a family. 763 00:23:50,250 --> 00:23:50,970 And I have rent. 764 00:23:51,090 --> 00:23:51,990 What could I do, my brother? 765 00:23:52,110 --> 00:23:52,770 I couldn't tell him 766 00:23:53,130 --> 00:23:54,846 about partisan issues and such. 767 00:23:54,930 --> 00:23:55,470 Subhan Allah. 768 00:23:55,770 --> 00:23:57,450 But my father really stood by me. 769 00:23:57,750 --> 00:23:58,830 Then Allah opened doors for me 770 00:23:59,010 --> 00:24:00,270 after the period I was — 771 00:24:00,450 --> 00:24:01,410 Sheikh Abdul Rahim, then, 772 00:24:02,010 --> 00:24:03,390 we will return to this matter. 773 00:24:03,570 --> 00:24:04,770 And the Sheikh, I believe 774 00:24:05,250 --> 00:24:06,450 you studied a bit about Sheikh 775 00:24:07,230 --> 00:24:09,450 Nader al-Omrani, martyr of the Sunnah. 776 00:24:09,750 --> 00:24:10,770 May Allah have mercy on him. 777 00:24:11,310 --> 00:24:13,830 I have read some of Sheikh Sadiq al-Ghariani's work, 778 00:24:14,910 --> 00:24:16,950 and I have explored Maliki fiqh. 779 00:24:17,310 --> 00:24:18,210 Perhaps in... 780 00:24:18,510 --> 00:24:22,026 in what will, God willing, be discussed in the coming days and episodes. 781 00:24:22,110 --> 00:24:22,650 God willing, 782 00:24:22,710 --> 00:24:25,170 we will address these topics by the power and strength of Allah. 783 00:24:25,830 --> 00:24:26,490 An enjoyable episode. 784 00:24:26,670 --> 00:24:27,270 May Allah bless you. 785 00:24:27,270 --> 00:24:27,990 May Allah bless you all. 786 00:24:28,230 --> 00:24:28,650 SubhanAllah. 787 00:24:28,830 --> 00:24:29,850 We shall head out, God willing. 788 00:24:30,450 --> 00:24:31,806 God willing, we invite you to the house. 789 00:24:31,890 --> 00:24:32,430 God willing, 790 00:24:32,730 --> 00:24:34,290 you will eat Libyan food. 791 00:24:35,730 --> 00:24:37,086 Libyan couscous with fish. 792 00:24:37,170 --> 00:24:38,010 I mean, this is for generous people. 793 00:24:38,550 --> 00:24:40,146 But the judgment must be at your house, 794 00:24:40,230 --> 00:24:40,650 God willing. 795 00:24:40,710 --> 00:24:41,250 No, no, that's it. 796 00:24:42,210 --> 00:24:42,270 God willing. 797 00:24:42,270 --> 00:24:43,326 You are invited to my place, God willing. 798 00:24:43,410 --> 00:24:44,010 God willing, by His permission. 799 00:24:44,010 --> 00:24:44,730 Jazakum Allahu Khayran. 800 00:24:44,790 --> 00:24:45,390 And may He bless you. 801 00:24:45,390 --> 00:24:45,810 May Allah preserve you. 802 00:24:46,110 --> 00:24:46,410 Thank you. 803 00:24:46,530 --> 00:24:47,130 May Allah reward you with goodness. 804 00:24:47,130 --> 00:24:48,210 May Allah bless you, sir. 805 00:24:54,270 --> 00:24:55,770 It's like constant movement. 806 00:24:55,890 --> 00:24:57,150 Yes, but this is Misrata. 807 00:24:57,750 --> 00:24:59,106 Even after sunset, the vibe is like this. 808 00:24:59,190 --> 00:24:59,730 Brother, look. 809 00:25:01,890 --> 00:25:03,246 Praise be to Allah. 810 00:25:03,330 --> 00:25:04,230 Learn, Abdul Bari. 811 00:25:06,930 --> 00:25:07,230 This is it. 812 00:25:07,590 --> 00:25:09,990 I mean, it's planned. I mean, how? 813 00:25:10,110 --> 00:25:12,210 God willing, when you return, I'll invite you for couscous. 814 00:25:12,750 --> 00:25:13,471 You must, you must. 815 00:25:13,650 --> 00:25:14,850 Couscous with fish. 816 00:25:15,270 --> 00:25:16,230 Hout. We call it "hout." 817 00:25:16,470 --> 00:25:17,250 "Hout" usually means a whale, 818 00:25:17,250 --> 00:25:18,126 but Libyans use it for fish. 819 00:25:18,210 --> 00:25:19,350 Even if it's just some fish. 820 00:25:19,770 --> 00:25:20,070 True. 821 00:25:20,970 --> 00:25:21,270 Fish. 822 00:25:22,410 --> 00:25:23,130 Just so we can compare. 823 00:25:23,310 --> 00:25:24,210 Yes. God willing, 824 00:25:24,390 --> 00:25:25,590 you will have a meal.