To the young brothers (and sisters) who ascribe to Salafiyyah, who gather in Hyde Park Speakers' Corner to shout and debate in the name of dawah ...
I ask you a simple question:
"Who, upon the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ and the Manhaj of the Salaf preceded you in this action of gathering to shout face to face, arguing and debating with Ahlul Bida, the people of the Book and Atheists?"
I advise those who go to witness these debates with the words of the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ who said:
“From the signs of the hour is when knowledge is sought from al-asaagheer (the young ones)”
And from the words of Shaykh Abdus Salaam bin Burgess who mentioned:
"That is because taking knowledge from those who are young in age; those who did not firmly establish their feet in knowledge, their beards did not become grey within it (they did not spend a long time with seeking knowledge) along with the presence of those older than them in age, whose feet are grounded, because of this the foundation of the beginner is weak. He is prevented from the benefit of the experience of the major scholars and attainment of their manners which is established by knowledge and time ..."
And he also mentions the following quote.
Hajjaaj bin Ar-Taah said:
“The people use to dislike that a man speak until grey was seen in his beard.”
[End Quote] Read the Shaykh's statement in full HERE, inshaa'Allah.
So, we can see from this that the beard was an established Sunnah amongst the Salaf and it was customary for the people of knowledge to be recognised by their grey beards (meaning they were elderly) and it was disliked for younger men to speak and put themselves forward as people of knowledge.
[End Quote] Read the Shaykh's statement in full HERE, inshaa'Allah.
So, we can see from this that the beard was an established Sunnah amongst the Salaf and it was customary for the people of knowledge to be recognised by their grey beards (meaning they were elderly) and it was disliked for younger men to speak and put themselves forward as people of knowledge.
So what does that say about these young brothers who come out to debate, some having no beard at all? If they had knowledge they would know that the beard is an obligation upon men and that one of the steps of seeking knowledge is implementing it before teaching it so that they might lead by example.
And if these brothers truly are unable to grow a beard, then we ask Allah to rectify that for them and to beautify their faces and their characters and to guide their actions to be upon the methodology of the Salaf.
Regarding Debating Ahlul Bida' by Abu Khadeejah Abdul Wahid (click to read)
Regarding Debating at Speaker's Corner by Abu Ibraheem Husnayn (click to listen)
Don't Watch Debates by Abu Mussab Wajdi Akkari (click to listen)
The Dangers of Hyde Park Debates - Ustadh AbdurRahman Hassan & Ustadh Muhammad Tim Humble (click to listen) @1hr 38min
Debating & Being Amazed with One's Debating Skills by Abu Khadeejah Abdul Wahid (click to read)
Shaykh Ubayd al-Jaabiree, hafidhahullah, mentioned in his advice regarding 'Returning to the Elders': Ibn Mas’ood (rahimahullah) said: The people will not cease to be righteous and upright as long as knowledge comes to them from the companions of Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and their elders. But if knowledge comes to them from their young ones, they will be destroyed. [SOURCE]
A Short Benefit for the One Who Enquired about the Statement ‘’The Blessing is with your elders’’ by Shaykh Ubayd al-Jaabiree (published by Salafi Centre, Manchester)
The Messenger (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) said: ”Indeed from the signs of the hour is that knowledge will be sought from the young ones.”
Ibn Mas’ood [radiyallaahu anhu] said: ”The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they acquire knowledge from their elders, their trustworthy ones and their scholars, for if they acquire it from their young ones and evil ones, they will be destroyed.”
Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess [rahimahullaah] stated in Awaa’iq At-Talab pages 29-35 that this ruling is not an absolute [or unrestricted] one against the young ones, for indeed there were a group of the Sahaabah and the Taabi’een who taught and gave verdicts in their young age, whilst the elders were present. However, the likes of these people are hard to find amongst those who came after them. So if they are found and are known for being upright, upon a sound [path] and they possess knowledge, and their firmness is manifested, whilst there are no elders to be found, then knowledge of the Sharee’ah is acquired from them – if they are free from fitnah!
So the intent is not that the knowledge possessed by the young person is boycotted, whilst the elders are present; rather the intent is that the people are placed in their rightful positions. [1] The right [place] for the young one is that he is benefited from in studies, revision and research.
As for issuing fatwa and questions sent to him [i.e. like the scholars are sent written questions to give fatwa], then no. Likewise, he does not enter into authorship. [Source: Awaa’iq At-Talab’ by Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess (rahimahullaah)…the above statement is an excerpt and a paraphrase, so refer to the Shaikh’s Risaalah on pages 29-34 for more benefits]
So the intent is not that the knowledge possessed by the young person is boycotted, whilst the elders are present; rather the intent is that the people are placed in their rightful positions. [1] The right [place] for the young one is that he is benefited from in studies, revision and research.
As for issuing fatwa and questions sent to him [i.e. like the scholars are sent written questions to give fatwa], then no. Likewise, he does not enter into authorship. [Source: Awaa’iq At-Talab’ by Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess (rahimahullaah)…the above statement is an excerpt and a paraphrase, so refer to the Shaikh’s Risaalah on pages 29-34 for more benefits]
[1] NB: We return to the scholars to make known the positions and abilities of the students, whether they are young or old. [SOURCE]
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Debating and Arguments are Not From the Way of the Salaf
Debating and disputing theological, political, legal or historical matters will often lead to the hardening of hearts, bad feelings, and even hatred. As such, the Prophet ﷺ has warned us that the nations before us went astray due to their indulgence in argumentation.
Abu Umamah reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا أُوتُوا الْجَدَلَ
No people go astray after being guided except that they indulge in arguments.
Then the Prophet ﷺ recited the verse:
مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًا بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ
They strike an example for you only to argue. Rather, they are a quarrelsome people. (43:58)
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3253, Grade: Sahih
We should leave arguments and debates aside even if we are certain our position is correct and the others are upon falsehood. The Prophet ﷺ has guaranteed a house in Paradise for those who avoid arguing even if they are right.
Abu Umamah reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
أَنَا زَعِيمٌ بِبَيْتٍ فِي رَبَضِ الْجَنَّةِ لِمَنْ تَرَكَ الْمِرَاءَ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُحِقًّا
I guarantee a house on the outskirts of Paradise for one who abandons arguments even if he is right.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 4800, Grade: Sahih
The righteous predecessors (salaf as-salih) were firm in the prohibition of disputation as it leads to confusion, doubts, and spiritual ruin.
Malik ibn Anas, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
الْمِرَاءُ وَالْجِدَالُ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَذْهَبُ بِنُورِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ قَلْبِ الرَّجُلِ
Disputation and arguments about sacred knowledge cause the light of knowledge to extinguish in a man’s heart.
And he said:
الْمِرَاءُ فِي الْعِلْمِ يُقَسِّي الْقَلْبَ وَيُؤَثِّرُ الضَّغْنَ
Disputation about sacred knowledge causes the heart to harden and breeds hatred.
Source: Jāmi’ al-‘Ulūm wal-Ḥikam 1/248
Ma’ruf Al-Karkhi, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْرًا فَتْحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بَابَ الْعَمَلِ وَأَغْلَقَ عَنْهُ بَابَ الْجَدَلِ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ شَرًّا أَغْلَقَ عَلَيْهِ بَابَ الْعَمَلِ وَفَتَحَ عَلَيْهِ بَابَ الْجَدَلِ
If Allah intends good for a servant, He opens the door of action and closes the door of disputation. If Allah intends evil for a servant, He closes the door of action and opens the door of disputation.
Source: Hilyat al-Awliyāʼ 13021
Ja’far ibn Muhammad, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْخُصُومَاتِ فِي الدِّينِ فَإِنَّهَا تُشْغِلُ الْقَلْبَ وَتُورِثُ النِّفَاقَ
Beware of disputes in the religion, for they preoccupy the heart and breed hypocrisy.
Source: Fadl al-‘Ilm 1/5
Ibrahim Al-Nakha’i, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
مَا خَاصَمْتُ أَحَدًا قَطُّ
I have never argued with anyone.
Source: Hilyat al-Awliyāʼ 5541
The righteous predecessors were fully capable of arguing and winning debates against their opponents, but they refused to do so out of fear and mindfulness of Allah.
Ibn Rajab comments on this practice, saying:
فما سكت من سكت من كثرة الخصام والجدال من سلف الأمة جهلا ولا عجزا ولكن سكتوا عن علم وخشية لله وما تكلم من تكلم وتوسع من توسع بعدهم لاختصاصه بعلم دونهم ولكن حبا للكلام وقلة ورع
The refrain of the righteous predecessors and Imams from engaging in excessive disputes and arguments was not due to ignorance or inability, but rather they remained silent due to their knowledge and fear of Allah. Those after them who spoke much and delved deeply into issues did not do so because they had more knowledge than them, but rather due to their love of speaking and lack of scrupulousness.
Source: Fadl al-‘Ilm 1/4
The correct method of defending Islam from its opponents is to be clear in conveying the true message and teachings of Islam with beautiful preaching and without indulging in bitter arguments with them. We should be kind, gentle, and graceful in our speech and wise to their social condition and misunderstandings about Islam.
Allah said:
ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in a way that is better.
Surat An-Nahl 16:125
Ibn Kathir comments on this verse, saying:
أَيْ مَنِ احْتَاجَ مِنْهُمْ إِلَى مُنَاظَرَةٍ وَجِدَالٍ فَلْيَكُنْ بِالْوَجْهِ الْحَسَنِ بِرِفْقٍ وَلِينٍ وَحُسْنِ خِطَابٍ
If anyone wants to argue and debate with them, then let him do so in the best manner with kindness, gentleness, and good preaching.
Source: Tafseer Ibn Kathir 16:125
We should respond to their misguided arguments with dignified behavior and engage them in discussion if they demonstrate sincerity, but we should leave them if the discussion descends into bitterness and fruitless debating. If they accept the message of Islam it is good for them, but if they refuse the message they should be left alone.
Allah said:
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ
If they turn away, then your duty is only to clearly convey the message.
Surat An-Nahl 16:82
Haytam ibn Jamil reported: I said to Malik, “O servant of Allah, if a man has knowledge of the prophetic tradition (sunnah), should he argue to defend it?” Malik said:
لَا وَلَكِنْ يُخْبِرُ بِالسُّنَّةِ فَإِنْ قُبِلَ مِنْهُ وَإِلَّا سَكَتَ
No, rather he should convey the Sunnah if they might accept it from him, otherwise he should remain silent.
Source: Jāmi’ al-‘Ulūm wal-Ḥikam 1/248
Therefore, we should avoid getting into detailed and rancorous arguments with the followers of other religions or sects within Islam. This will only obscure the beauty of Islam and put us in danger of falling into arrogance, showing off, and hypocrisy. Rather, we must invite people to Islam in the best way and with the best manners.
Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.
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