In the Name of Allāh, the Ever Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

On the evening of Saturday, November 12th, 2017 (Safar, 23rd, 1439), our noble brother Shākir al-Afghānī had the pleasure of an audience with Shaykh Ḥasan ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb al-Banná. After greeting the Shaykh and informing him of the activities at TROID in Toronto, Canada, and exchanging pleasantries, he mentioned the following doubts that are spread nowadays in order to split the ranks of the Salafīs (i.e. in Canada, USA, UK etc.).

Questioner: Shaykh, our brothers are seeking advice regarding some of the Canadian youth who return from Medīnah [i.e. The Islamic University] with doubts. They spread these doubts amongst the Salafis and slander the brothers. They claim that the brothers do not know anything except Manhaj. Likewise, they belittle the books of Manhaj, the like of: Sharḥ al-Sunnah. They claim the brothers do not know Tawḥīd, Fiqh and the rulings of Wuḍūʿ, and that they do not know of the important matters.

Shaykh: …these are students who go from Canada to study in the Islāmic university, and return with this speech?

Questioner: Yes Shaykh. How do you advise us to deal with them.

Shaykh: In the name of Allāh, all praise is due to Allāh, and may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ).

Our noble brother has asked a question on behalf of our Salafī brothers in Canada regarding some of the students who go to the Islamic University and return with a speech that is contradictory to the speech of the people of Sunnah. They belittle the books of Ahl al-Sunnah and speak ill of the duʿāt of Ahl al-Sunnah. What should our position be regarding this and how should we deal with them?

I say—by the favor of Allāh—they should be advised. If they are not with the Salafis in knowledge and in action, they are to be disassociated from, abandoned, and no one should speak to them [i.e. with regards to the religion].

Likewise, I advise our Salafī brothers not to engage these people in debates nor speak to them with regards to the religion because they hold opinions which are in opposition to that which the people of Sunnah are upon, based on that which you have mentioned.

So abandon them, do not speak to them! Tell them, “you are upon your path and we are upon our path, do not bother us, and do not cause us fitnah”. Do not let them speak, and do not let them in your mosques, because they may propagate their bidʿah. So prohibit them from this in a good way without harm. This is the way it should be done.

If they enter your ranks, they will cause fitnah for the youth, so beware of them. Leave them in their state and remain you in your state. Leave them to their mosques and leave us to our mosques. This is the correct way.

And may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon the Messenger (ﷺ).

Questioner: Jazākum Allāhu Khayrā