Questioner: O Shaykh, now as you know, the Shaykh al-ʾAllāmah al-Mujāhid Rabīʾ bin Hādī (حفظه ٱللّٰه) has been targeted by the attacks of the people of desires over the years. And from that which has become widespread among the youth, and a great influence in rejecting the Shaykh’s speech, advice and guidelines in this previous fitnah, is (their saying) that the Shaykh is surrounded by an evil advisory which influences him. So they invalidate his advice, guidelines, rulings, criticism and commendation, whereby now it is as if he is not a Shaykh anymore with these people due to this doubt. So what is your reply جزاكم ٱللّٰه خيرا?
Shaykh: Shaykh Rabīʾ – may Allāh protect him, us and you all with Sunnah – is our elder, the most knowledgeable among us about the Book (of Allāh) and the Sunnah (of the Messenger ﷺ) . And these bigots towards this person whom you all know – this is it – they are bigots towards that person you know, who – we seek refuge in Allāh – has been put to trial with the love of leadership, do you understand? He has been put to trial with the love of leadership. And he has a lecture about this. He said, “It is time for Moḥammad bin Hādī to break his silence”. Yes. So those who are bigoted towards him are plotting twisting in order to lapse Shaykh Rabīʾ’s reputation. But Allāh and the believers – in shāʿ Allāh – have refused except that they raise high Shaykh Rabīʾ’s reputation, his knowledge and virtue. Yes. We ask Allāh to preserve us and you with Sunnah, and that he preserves us upon it through upright speech in this worldy life and the hereafter.
Source: https://www.tasfiatarbia.org/vb/showthread.php?t=24350
Translated by Zubayr bin Muḥammad ʾAbbāsī
