The Advice of Shaykh Muqbil to the students of knowledge in America

All praise is due to Allah alone, the Lord of all that exists. I bear
witness that there is no object of worship in truth except Allah; He
is alone and without partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad
(sallahu alaihi wa salaam) is His servant and messenger.

As to what follows:

This question is from our brother, as Shaykh Fareed Abdullah, the Imam
of Masjid Al Mumin in Los Angeles California; directed to our Shaykh
al-Allamah Abi Abdur Rahmaan Muqbil bin Hadee Al Wadi'ee.

Q: Yaa Shaykh! Is it possible for you to benefit the students of
knowledge in this country with some advice?

A: That which I advise and recommend them with is in accordance with
the advice of Allah to His servants, which is to have taqwa of Allah,*
the Sublime and Exalted. Allah says,

“And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before
you, and to you that you all fear Allah ...” [An-Nisa 4:131]

And after that I advise them with Ikhlaas** to Allah. As Allah (azza
wa jel) says,

“Surely the religion is for Allah only.” [Az Zumar 39: 3]

Also,

“And they were commanded not, but that they worship Allah, and worship
none but Him Alone …” [Al-Bayyinah 98: 5]

And that which is in the two sahihs*** from the narration of Jundub
ibn Abdullah, the Prophet (Sallahu alaihi wa salaam) said: "He who
lets the people hear of his good deeds intentionally to win their
praises, Allah will let the people know his real intention (on the Day
of Recompense). And he who does good deeds in public to show off and
to win the praises of the people, Allah will disclose his real
intention (and humiliate him).

Furthermore, I advise them with diligence and perseverance in
acquiring beneficial knowledge**** since the caller to Allah is not
successful if he is not well equipped with beneficial knowledge. And
the Lord of Honor says to His Prophet (sallahu alaihi wa salaam):

“Say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” [Taha 20: 114]

Therefore it is not befitting that an individual falls into despair,
so that he says about himself "I’ve become old and as a result I don't
understand." Because Allah makes things easy; and that which is
considered is his diligence (and not his youthfulness or oldness of
age). Again we say that Allah is the One who makes (all affairs) easy,
because Allah says in His Book,

“And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember,
then is there anyone who will remember?” [Al-Qamar 54: 17]

And The Prophet (sallahu alaihi wa salaam) said, "I have been sent with ease.”
Likewise he said, on the authority of Abu Huraira (Sahih Al Bukhari):
"Verily this religion is easy and no one goes to extremes in it except
that it overwhelms him."

In addition, we advise them to call to the path of Allah with
gentleness and leniency rather if in Yemen or here in America. The
caller to Allah doesn't have any authority so that he makes things
binding upon the people. If he were to compel them, then none would
answer his call, except and only with the guidance of Allah. As He
(azza wa jel) mentions,

“You are not a dictator over them.” [Al-Ghashiyah 88:22]

And lastly, we advise our brothers, particularly those in this country
(America), to find a balance between secluding themselves from the
people and interaction with them. We isolate ourselves from the people
and from gatherings in which therein is evil even if they were to say
it is a celebration or it is this or it is that.

“And those who do not bear witness to falsehood ..” [Al-Furqan 25: 72]

What is best is that we interact with the people for the purpose of
calling them to Allah and teaching them. However, we do not integrate
with the people like the Ikwaanil muslimeen with the intention of
calling them to Allah, so that maybe they cut their beards (claiming
that this is necessary) or maybe they do this or maybe they do that
(actions that are not in accordance with Islaam but in the name of
da’wah).

To reiterate, we don't isolate ourselves for indeed, isolation is
prohibited, because the Muslims are in need of someone teaching them
(the affairs of their religion).

I ask Allah to rectify my affairs and yours. All praise is for Allah
alone, the Lord of all that exists.

Footnotes
*Shaykh Rabee ibn Hadee Al Madkhalee said Taqwa of Allah is obedience
to Allah and submission to what He commanded with avoidance to what He
prohibited. (Mudhakirah Al Hadith An Nabawi)

**Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al uthaymeen said regarding Ikhlaas; it
is purification. What is intened by it is that a person intends with
his worship the Face of Allah azza wa jal and the arrival to Allahs'
paradise so that he doesn't worship with Allah other than Allah, not
an angel close to Allah nor a prophet sent by Allah.
(Sharh Al-Usool Ath-Thalaatha)

***Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

****What is intended by beneficial knowledge is Al-Ilm Ash-Sharee.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen said regarding Al-Ilm
Ash-Sharee; it is knowledge in which Allah revealed to His Messenger
from clarity and guidance. It is knowledge of that which was inspired
(by Allah to His Messenger, revelation). It is only knowledge of that
which Allah has sent down ( from above the 7 Heavens).

Taken from Ar Rihlah Al Akhira lil imaam jaaziratul arab

Translated by Najeeb Al Angelesi