Shaykh Zayd al-Madkhalī: It is Not From the Methodology of the Salaf to Remain Silent About the People of Innovation with the Argument of Observing the Beneficial Interest
Shaykh ʿAllāmah Zayd bin Muḥammad bin Hādī al-Madkhalī (رحمه الله) was asked:[1]
Is it from the methodology of the Salaf to remain silent about the callers to innovation to realise certain interests (maṣāliḥ), likewise, silence from making tabdīʿ of the innovator and warning from him, in observance of the beneficial interest?
The Shaykh’s answer:
It is not from the methodology of the Salaf to remain silent about the people of innovation who call to it due to the pursuit of some interests (maṣāliḥ). This is because the spread of innovations in the society will corrupt its people. There is no doubt that repelling the harms (mafāsid) has precedence over attaining benefits.
Just as it is also not permissible to remain silent from mentioning the innovator and what he has (of deviation), because silence causes harm to the society. It is a must therefore to mention him with respect to his innovation, and it is a must to warn out of sincere advice to the Muslims.
All of this returns back to the ability to clarify, both practically and conceptually (in the heart), and in the authentic ḥadīth: “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able, then with his tongue, and if he is not able, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.”
The spread of innovation and silence regarding those who call to it is to leave evil without changing it and this is impermissible in the Islāmic Sharīʿah which was brought by the bearer of good tidings, the warner, the illuminating lamp, a revelation from the All-Wise, the All-Acquainted.
Notes
When the open deviation and innovation of an individual or group has been made clear with evidences, and they remain in defiance, calling to their way and defending themselves, while maligning the people of the Sunnah, who call to it, it is not permissible to remain silent with the excuse of preserving some beneficial interest (maṣlaḥah) whatever that may be.
Repelling the harm takes precedence over realising a benefit, and the harm of deviation and innovation upon the society is greater. This comes under prohibiting the evil and changing it which is obligatory according to ability. Remaining silent is to leave this evil unchanged, is impermissible and leads to further evil, such as weakness, division and disarray, as punishment from Allāh.
Arabic text:
Footnotes
1. Al-Ajwibah al-Athariyyah ʿAn al-Masāʾil al-Manhajiyyah (p.104).