Dawah to the Word 'Salafiyyah' and Not the Concept

Alhumdulillah, I came across these questions and answers from one of the `ulama I was able to benefit from in Saudi, Ash-Shaykh Abdur Rahman Al-`Ajlan. I found it it over add my dear brother Abu `Uthman's site at http://forpeopleofunderstanding.blogspot.com/2008/01/question-answer-session-with-shaykh.html/

However, it was orginally posted at Ash-Shaykh Zahid Rashid's site at http://albaseerah.org/ .

I do not know where the exact link is at Albaseerah.Org.This post refute what maybe of the ghulat (extremists) have been purporting for years. It is true that many still do not know this blessed dawah, as if evident from those go became Salafi as part of some "movement" or some "gang-affiliation," and are not trashing Salafiyyah when they were in actuality only extremist using the Salafi name for their own self-promotion.

Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani

Question & Answer Session with Shaykh Abdur Rahman al-Ajlaan

By Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Al-‘Ajlaan حفظه اللهon Thursday, December 14th, 2006

Question: A very good, committed and Inshaa Allaah sincere brother calls people to Salafiyyah but sometimes aggressively questions Muslims regarding if they are Salafi or not. This has resulted in many Muslims feeling offended and turning away from the word ‘Salafi’. This brother believes that the word Salafi must be used right away in Da’wah otherwise it is a sign that the person is ashamed of being Salafi. How should this person be advised?

Answer: It is not incumbent for one calling to the religion of Allaah تعالى to use a specific phrase such as ‘Salafiyyah’. Rather a caller to Allaah تعالى should call to the Book of Allaah تعالى and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, or to the haqq (truth), or to the Qur'aan. So it is not incumbent for a caller to Allaah تعالى to use a specific phrase such as ‘Salafiyyah’. Why? Because using the phrase ‘Salafiyyah’ could be used in issues far from the truth and in turn the phrase may be hated and people may be chased away from it. So it is not incumbent to use that specific phrase in calling to Allaah تعالى.

We exchanged the television for a computer

http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/creed/pictures/0070725.htm

Question: Allaah blessed us with guidance in exchanging the television for a computer such that we can (now) watch what we wish of beneficial films. However, I ask (you), are the likes of these pictures in these films considered to be from that which the Messenger of Allaah prohibited us from?

Response: That which I am of the opinion is that whoever Allaah protects from the (evil effects of) television is (indeed) in good (blessing), inshaa.-Allaah Ta'aala, and He suffices you with (the likes of) that which the questioner mentioned. (This is) because with a computer you have (full) control by watching videos of your choice, whether they be about the creation of Allaah 'Azza wa Jall (documentaries) or (whether) they are of sporting competitions or that which are similar to these.

However, I dislike sporting competitions as we know them today because if a young child was to watch these sporting competitions and (his interest be aroused by) someone particular (sporting personality), then it would enter his mind that there is no champion in Islaam except this (sporting) personality; And this is (indeed) a travesty. For example, Muhammad al-Faatih - his video became famous and no doubt he was indeed a champion; (Allaah blessed Islaam with) much good at his hands, however, does this compare to the championhood of the Companions (of Muhammad (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam))? Never! If a young child grows up with his mind full of (these thoughts that) the champion of Islaam is this champion (sports personality), he will be made to forget the other champions (of Islaam). Therefore, if (the contents of) these videos were directed to rectify the current affairs such that in this there will be a good education (for the young), then this is better.

As for the matter of the pictures, then these pictures (in the video) are not (regarded as) visible pictures (hard copy) because if a person was to look at the video tape itself with the naked eye then he would not see anything until he placed it in a device (video player) which (would then) project the images within the video tape (onto the screen for viewing); So (the matter of the pictures in the video) does not fall under the statement of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam):

((Indeed, the Angels do not enter a house within which there is a picture (of a living being))

Shaykh Ibn 'UthaymeenI'laam al-Mu'aasireen bi-Fataawa Ibn 'Uthaymeen - Page 377