Was Al-Albaanee A Dhaahiree? By Sh. Mashhoor

We have heard from here and there, and it is an oft-repeated claim and renewed lie, that people describe our Shaykh, the Imaam of the era, Shaykh Al-Imaam Al-Albaanee, as being Dhaahiree and upon their Madhhab.

I said, O student of knowledge, safeguard the knowledge of the difference between Ahlul Hadeeth and Ahludh-Dhaahir. Our Shaykh in many instances within his books critiques Ibn Hazm for his Dhaahiree approach.

For example, Imaam Al-Albaanee stated in Tamaam Al-Minnah, p. 160, in regards to some issues:

“…as opposed to what Ibn Hazm cackles on about.”

Imaam Al-Albaanee also states:

“Ibn Hazm had an odd view, as is usual from him, due to his adhering onto his Dhaahiriyyah.”

In fact Shaykh Al-Albaanee authored a book on the prohibition of singing and musical instruments wherein he critiques Ibn Hazm. So it is a big mistake to make our Shaykh out to be on the Madhhab of Ibn Hazm.

[Taken from “The Madhhab Of Ahlul-Hadeeth” by Shaykh Mashhoor, p. 108]

A Final Word On The Dhaahirees

Ibn Al-Qayyim said:

“Ahlul Dhaahir restrict the understanding of the texts, how many rulings to the text indicate yet they did not understand its indications? The reason for this error is their restriction of textual implications to merely the apparent text without taking into consideration the other textual implications…” (1)

Shaykh Mashhoor states:

“Ibn Al-Qayyim in Al-I’laam has a case study of the errors of those who become engrossed in being rigid in stopping at the wordings and the errors of those who become engrossed in the Ma’aanee (semantics and pragmatics) (2). Making sure one is between the two is very important.” (3)

He then goes on to say:

“(In conclusion) fiqh is harmony between the wording and the meaning, we neither want to broaden the meaning without any rules based on Ra’y nor do we wish to become rigid on the wordings and neglect the meanings.” (4)

Footnotes:

(1) I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een, vol.3

(2) See this post for more info.

(3) Taken from “The Madhhab Of Ahlul Hadeeth” by Shaykh Mashhoor Hasan Aal-Salmaan, p.102

(4) Ibid. p. 110

The ‘Aqeedah Of Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee (D. 463H)

Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee (d. 463) said:

“As for the speech about the Attributes of Allaah, that which is authentically related about them in the sunnah, then the way of the Salaf, may Allaah be pleased with them all, was to affirm them as they are ‘alaa dhaahir (upon their apparent meaning), negating any tashbeeh (resemblance) to Allaah (1) and not asking how they are (2).

We do not say that Al-Yad (the Hand of Allaah) means ‘His Power’ nor that As-Sam’ (Allaah’s Hearing) and Al-Basr (Allaah’s Seeing) means ‘His Knowledge’, nor do we say that He has jawaarih (limbs) (3).” (4)

Footnotes:

(1) So we don’t say Allaah’s Hand is like our hand, but we say Allaah’s Hand is unlike our hand.

(2) see this post for more info.

(3) Know this last point very well, as the ash’ariyyah love to try and confuse you via this channel, by saying that by affirming Allaah has a Hand, Face etc. you are saying He has limbs.

(4) Al-Kalaam ‘Alas Sifaat, of Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee, Pp. 19-20

The ‘Aqeedah Of Qaadhee Aboo Ya’laa (& A Refutation Of The Ash’arees)

Qaadhee Aboo Ya’laa (d. 458) said:

“It is not permissible to repel these narrations, as is the way of the group from the Mu’tazilah (and the Ash’ariyyah and Jahmiyyah and others like them form among the Ahlul Kalaam). Nor to become preoccupied with ta’weel, as is the way of the Ash’ariyyah.

It is obligatory to carry them upon their dhaahir (apparant) meaning; and that the Attributes of Allaahdo not resemble any one of His creation, nor do we have an ‘aqeedah (belief) that there is any tashbeeh (resemblance) to them.

rather, (we believe) in what has been reported from our Shaykh and our imaam, Aboo ‘Abdillaah, Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Hanbal, and others from the scholars of Ashaabul Hadeeth.“

[Ibtaalut Ta’weelaat li Akhbaaris Sifaat, manuscript form, p. 4]

He then goes on to mention in page 21:

“The proof for the futility of ta’weel is that the sahaabah, and those who followed them from the Taabi’een, understood them (the Attributes) ‘alaa dhaahir (upon their literal meaning), and they did not take recourse to ta’weel (interpreting them away), nor did they move away from the dhaahir meaning.

If ta’weel were permissible, them they would have preceded us in it…“