Note: This article was published Friday, 01 January 2010

As was mentioned earlier, Shaykh Yahyaa al Haajooree – may Allaah preserve him – advised his students to observe patience and that he preferred to preserve the Da’wah and the lessons being taught there rather than get involved in a battle. He clarified that their stance was that they will not betray a treaty with the Rafidah (Shee’ah), but it is they who are the oppressors and they will not stand by while being attacked.

“…But to take up weapons and attack them, I say, be patient and cautious until the oppression comes from them, as Allaah the Elevated stated {And they are the ones who started against you the first time}…and then we will not leave a mountain except that we will pursue them in, whether it be the mountains of Dammaaj or elsewhere…”

The following is a brief summary of recent events that have taken place in Dammaaj, one of the few strongholds of the Sunnah and its people. It is taken from a post on sahab.net mostly by Abu ‘Abdullaah Husayn al Kahlanee.

• The students of knowledge in Daarul Hadeeth in Dammaaj were abstaining from participating in the battles that were ignited by the Hoothies and were in a state of calmness. They were busy with their studies and goodness under their noble Shaykh – Yahyaa al Haajooree – may Allaah preserve and protect him. At the same time they feared the treachery of the Raafidah Hoothies as this is known from them, so they prepared to defend themselves, their families, homes and center;

• Approximately two weeks ago, the Hoothies proved treacherous and attacked the center, the students of knowledge defended themselves and repelled them and to Allaah belongs all praise;

• 04/01/1431: A student of knowledge was shot by the Hoothies, both sides exchanged fire…

• Despite this, lessons continued with calmness and tranquility as well as bravery and preparation from all the students of knowledge. We ask Allaah to preserve them and their state and support them against the Hoothies;

• 06/04/1431: Shaykh ‘Abdul Hameed al Haajooree and brother Husayn al Haajooree revealed the following through a telephone call: The tribe of Waadi’ee and some of the students of knowledge attacked the tyrannical Hoothies after their treachery. There were casualties on both sides including Shaykh ‘Abdul Hameed’s brother in law, may Allaah have mercy upon him and grant him Jannah, along with all his brothers;

• 07/01/1431: The state remains the same, with the exception of fighter jets now targeting Hoothie strongholds;

• When Shaykh Rabee’ may Allaah preserve him became aware of the state of affairs in Dammaaj, he called Shaykh Yahyaa al Haajooree giving his condolences for those whom we hope have been martyred from the students of knowledge as has been reported by Shaykh Abu Hammaam as Sowma’ee;

• There is calmness at the center in Dammaaj and all general as well as specific lessons continue as they were before;

• 09/01/1431: An assault takes place against the Hoothies that included some students of knowledge. There were casualties on both sides but the Hoothies were defeated and the operation was a success and all praise is due to Allaah. Shaykh Yahyaa continues to teach and enjoin patience upon the students as they defend themselves against the Hoothies;

• 10/01/1431: The Hoothies detonated an area where some of the brothers were taking guard, one was killed and three were severely injured;

• 11/01/1431: Calmness and tranquility resume at the center as the Yemeni government continues to pound Hoothie strongholds;

• On this day, Darul Hadeeth in Dammaaj is in a state that has not been witnessed in many months, as great numbers of students of knowledge arrive at Dammaaj from various cities, towns and centers from around Yemen to support their brothers (Allaahu Akbar);

• 12/01/1431: A call to Shaykh ‘Abdul Hameed al Haajooree reveals a state of calmness and tranquility in Dammaaj. One of the strongholds of the Hoothies that was used to attack the center in Dammaaj was destroyed by fighter jets;

• 14/01/1431: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Rabee’ ibn Haadee al Madkhalee summarized the meaning of the verse {Those to whom the people said, “Verily, the people have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.” But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: “Allaah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”} on sahab.net and clarifies that the Raafidah are more dangerous to Ahlus Sunnah than anyone else. He makes Du’aa that Allaah takes revenge for the vilification of ‘Aaisha and the companions of the Messenger and bears witness for his love for them including Ahlul Bayt. Calmness and tranquility continue at Darul Haadeeth.

May Allaah preserve and protect them. The Hoothies have also transgressed over the Saudi border as Shaykh Yahyaa mentioned previously:

“it is the Raafidah who are the oppressors who started this trial, and it is not only Yemen that is their goal, rather they have books where they have the whole Arab peninsula as their objective. So do not think that they only want Sa’dah…”

Joining the Saudi soldiers were two mountains of knowledge, Shaykh Zayd al Madkhalee and Shaykh Saaleh as Suhaymee, they were there educating the soldiers, increasing their Eemaan, and encouraging them.

Abu ‘Eesaa al Kamilee reported that he accompanied Shaykh Muhammad ibn Haadee al Madkhalee to the southern border around two weeks ago. He joined his brothers from the scholars and the soldiers.

All three of them were in the midst of the battles, clarifying the truth, giving lessons and encouraging the soldiers. Scholars in speech and action, may Allaah preserve and protect them all.

By the Muhaddith , Sincere Advisor and Successor to Shaykh Muqbil (may Allah have mercy on him) in Dammaj
Abu Abdur Rahman Yahya ibn Ali Al-Hajoree (May Allah preserve him)

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1. Question: What is the verdict for Ghusl on Eid day ?

Answer :  There isn’t anything authentic narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made Ghusl on Eid day. However there is no harm if a person does it for cleanliness. It has been reported that Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) made Ghusl on this day.

2. Question : Are there two Khutub on the Eid or only one ?

Answer : There is only one Khutub for the Eid for the men. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did two, it would have reached us through authentic narrators. There isn’t anything authentic which states he made two khutub on the Eid. It has been mentioned in Saheeh Muslim that he (peace and blessings be upon him) performed one khutbah.

3. Question: What is the verdict for using a microphone to say the Takbeer during the Eid after every Athan ?

Answer : to say the takbeer in this fashion is an innovation. It is a recommended act to say the takbeer during the Eid in the marketplace, the home, the street, in the car while driving, in the bed, etc. There isn’t any evidence to support the takbeer to be said in unison, or for a person to stand up and say it on the microphone. Both of these actions are incorrect. The takbeers aren’t a call to prayer, which the people must hear.

4. Question : A person comes to the prayer late and joins the second Rak’ah. He says five takbeer with the Imam. How many does he say during his second rak’ah?

Answer : First of all, it should be known that the takbeer in the prayer are sunnah. Therefore there is no harm or sin for the person who intentionally leaves them. So in this case he says the five takbeer with the imam and this is considered his first rak’ah. Then in his second rak’ah he can say another five takbeer if he wants or he can leave them off if he wants. Allah knows best.

5. Question: What is the ruling on singling out the Eid day to visit the graves?

Answer:  To specify that day for visiting the graves is an innovation. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or his companions (may Alah be pleased with them ) didn’t single out the day of Eid to visit the graveyard.

6. Question :Are there any legislated sunnah prayers before the Eid prayer?

Answer: No, and praying sunnah before Eid is an innovation, unless in the masjid. And in this case a person greets the masjid with two rak’ah; as there might be something which prevents them from going to a musalla, or the community just doesn’t have an Eid musalla. This resembles some of the mountainous regions here, civil war between tribes, or heavy rain. which get in the way of people going to the musallah. Hence they pray two rak’ah then the Eid prayer in the masjid.

Praying two rak’ah sitting in the musalla is also an innovation. The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) didn’t pray sunnah before or after the Eid prayer. The hadeeth from Abu Sa’eed (may Allah be pleased with him) which states the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed two rak’ah after the Eid has a defect which prevents it from being authentic by way of Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Aqeel. This narrator is weak.

* Questions 1-4 were taken from [ al-kanzut thameen vol 2] and questions 5 & 6   were taken from [ Ithaful Karaam ]
Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle
Doha, Qatar 1430 ©
http://abuaaliyah. multiply. com/journal/ item/92/Fataawa_ Series_from_ the_Scholars_ in_Yemen_ -6_Eid_al- Fitr

[Ibn Qayyim] «In disbelieving Muhammad (peace be upon him) you have discredited God in the most affronting way.»

[the Jewish scholar] «A man like you says that!?»

[Ibn Qayyim] «Listen to what I have to say. If you say that Muhammad is a tyrannical king who oppressed the people by the sword, who is not a messenger sent by God, who spent twenty three years assuming that he is the Messenger of God, sent out by God, to all the people of the world saying that God bid avail. And then, he says that God made it lawful for him to take into captivity the off-springs and the women of those disbelieve him and raise enmity against him, to pillage… their monies and possessions as booties of war, kill their men, and yet all but to no avail. And that he keenly endeavoured to change the religion of the prophets, evoke hostility and in their people, and abrogate their laws -; if this was the case, then it implies that either God, Most Sublime, was aware of it, seeing it happening and knowing it, or it escaped Him and He did not know about it.

If you say He did not know about it, then you would have attributed to Him the most disgraceful degree of ignorance: for it means that a mortal who knew about it is more knowledgeable than He!

If you say that all of these happenings took place with His complete knowledge, it implies that either He was able and capable to have changed the course of events and prevented them, or He is not.

If you say He is incapable, then you would have attributed to Him the most infamous degree of decreptitude which is contradictory to godhood.

If he is capable but in spite of that He kept providing them with strength, victory, support, and elevation, advancing his word, answering his please, empowering him over his foes, showing through him what exceeds a thousand of miracles and virtuous wonders (Karamat), making him surmount he whoever reaches him with bad intentions, and answering every single plea he requested before Him; then your assumption is one of the gravest sorts of inequities and insolence that does not befit any of the prudent men: how about befitting the Lord of Heavens and the Earth Who bore witness to him by making him steadfast in his message, steadfast in what he says, and supporting him all the way through?!.» And you call this “false testimony” and “deception”!?

When he heard that he said:

[the Jewish scholar] *«God forbid! that He would help a lying impostor. On the contrary, he is indeed a truthful prophet. He who follows him will be prosperous and fortunate.»

[Ibn Qayyim] *«why do not you then embrace his religion?»

[the Jewish scholar] *«Because he was sent to the untaught people who had no Book. As for us, we do have a Book that we follow.»

[Ibn Qayyim] *«You have totally misconstrued the issue; he taught both the special people and the general public, and made it a widespread statement that he is the Messenger of God to All the people of the world, and that he who does not follow him is an unbeliever destined to be one of the folks of Hellfire. He fought against both. Since his message is proven to be true, believing in him in everything he told about is a must.»

[the Jewish scholar] He withheld from replying.

All over the world there seems to be problems within our brothers from Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah. Even in this small island of Trinidad and Tobago there is much fitnah that goes beyond many barriers and these fitan have had negative effects on many of us:

1) It has stagnated learning to a point. Those who haven’t even started haven’t started as yet. Those that have started have become stagnated and those who are not stagnated are not realizing their full potential.

2) It may cause our good deeds to be taken away from us on the day of judgment . And I think all of us know the Hadeeth relating to the bankrupt one on the day of judgment. And in Fitan we should keep our lips sealed and we should keep far from it.

In any case what all these fitan boil down to is the quest and acquisition of leadership by either one or both parties. Someone who quests for leadership often displays many evil characteristics such as jealousy, and they may not have no qualms about lying and furthermore they may even speak ill of the Ulama whose flesh we know is poison.

I will give you’ll a scenario and maybe many or most in the internet community don’t know of this. Abu Hakeem Bilaal Davies was always one of the cooler brothers in the Jam’iah. When I came to the Jam’iah I wasn’t Salafi but Alhamdu lillah brothers like Bilaal was always accomodating and would often tell me to come to this or that Shaikh’s class on Kitaab Ut Tawheed by Shaikh Abdullah Al Bukhari or Sharh Us Sunnah of Barbahari by Shaikh Ubaid. And he used to translate more than 90% of the lectures that the Shuyuukh gave at the home of an American named Abdur Raheem. And the brothers up in Madinah were united. And even the brothers who now oppose SPUBS who went or are still in Madinah used to be there for the translations of Abu Hakeem.

Then the next year, when I was going in the first year of Shariah he was gone. And by Allah’s will that same year I took a leave of absence for six months which has turned into six years Allahu Musta’aan. About a year later I started to hear this and that about SPUBS and Abu Hakeem. That these brothers can’t translate that these brothers are Jaahil etc. So I wondered wait a minute, for such a long time Abu Hakeem wasn’t a Jaahil when he translated for these same brothers now he can’t translate?! So what is really going on? And then I got to know about the SPUBS/GREEN LANE issue.

And the funny thing. It had brothers opposed to spubs from this country of Trinidad. And when Abu Khadeejah and Bilaal Davies came non of them came to hear their side of it. As for me I was against them because of what some students told me about them. However, I decided to sit with them one afternoon and speak to Bilaal in particular to get his side. However, many of these brothers who were within the country didn’t even go and sit and try to hear their side.

As Allah said: “And verily many of the Khulataa transgress upon each other except for those who believe and do good deeds and few are they…” .

Hence the third evil result: Transgression upon the rights of each other. This one is Jaahil that one is Jaahil etc. Rather what is meant to be said is whomsoever is on our side is knowledgeable and whomsoever is on their side is Jaahil! No one can say Yusuf Qardawi is a Jaahil. He is a ‘Alim but an ‘Alim of misguidance.

Fourth result: Many go over their limits. They think they are the Ulama of the Dunya however they are far from it. I often wonder where modesty has gone. But yet again many of us have not made Taubah from Jaahileeyah and we bring this into Islam and worst yet the Da’wah.

For example, I often hear people saying that they are students of knowledge because they go to the University of Madinah, or have been in Yemen or have graduated. I even heard a student of the Jam’iah who was studying in his first year of Shariah at the time: Shaikh Yahya is not an ‘Aalim and I study under the Kibaar!!

Please let us not fool people and let us tell the truth. A student of knowledge is one who is known to have sought knowledge under the Ulama for years. And in the University of Madinah you study under people who have recently gotten their doctorates or their masters degrees. And only on few occasions you may get Shaikh Abdul Muhsin to teach you in class. As for studying under the Kibaar in many cases one has to memorize the whole Qur’an and have knowledge of basic Nahuw. Otherwise they tell you to return after you have done both.

We should say to the people that we are not students. We have come back to the west because we have a duty to relay what we have been informed of so the people would not keep in the darknesses of Shirk and Bid’ah and go into the light of the Sunnah. And that we take what the Kibaar Ulama have said on issues and that is it. We have to be careful of fooling others. More shocking I hear people using the word Shaikh for brothers in the west! This is indeed strange. To get that kind of authority in Ilm you must study years and a bachelors in Islamic studies is only the key to study under the Shuyuukh as Shaikh Sali Al Fawzaan said. It is not the key to give da’wah or fatwa on your own accord.

So we have to all grow up and be sincere. And stay with memorizing the book of Allah and and to understand basic Nahuw and to memorize what we can of the Sunnah and make Rihlah to the scholars of different countries. We should not be hoodwinked or bamboozled by others and we should not hookwink ourselves into thinking what we are not. Once we know our status then I think we can come to a solution. But once we think we are above what we are then we will always things that we are better than da’wah as Salafeeyah.

- Taken from Musa Millington’s Blog