“Their Stubbornness Does Not Harm Us”
Al-ʿAllāmah Rabīʿ ibn Hādī al-Madkhalī
Here’s a beautiful excerpt from Shaykh Rabīʿs treatise “The Scholars of al-Jarḥ wa-al-Taʿadīl Are the Protectors of the Religion From the Plots of the Mulhidīn, Misguidance of the Innovators, and the Tales of the Liars.” It can be found in his set of books, treatises, and fatāwá, v.9/pp.13-14.
It highlights that even though people show stubbornness, a Muslim must still stay steadfast in clarifying falsehood. May Allāh bless the scholars of the Sunnah, their students, and those who help out accordingto their level for their defense of the correct understanding of Islām.
Shaykh, Dr. Rabīʿ ibn Hādī al-Madkhalī, may Allāh protect him, said:
…If the readers are convinced by what I say and mention from proofs and evidence, then this is good, and if not, we have become accustomed with sorrow, to some people displaying stubbornness, to having [personal] doubt, and to casting doubts [on others] about things that are certainties.
Even though this is the case, we will say, that we believe that their behavior does not harm us. It doesn’t harm us because our primary goal is to obliterate evil and refute the falsehood of the people who cause tribulations. Our goal is also to clarify the corruptness of their principles.
After that, [we want] to defend the methodology of the People of the Sunnah and the tremendous principles that they laid down, those principles by which Islām isn’t established except by way of them. We also want to make known the lofty status of the scholars of ḥadīth and al-Jarḥ wa-al-Taʿadīl, those who Allāh has protected the religion by way of them.
We believe this is obligatory upon us, and Allāh has given us the success to be able to do so. I hope for a good reward from Allāh for this effort.
Translated by Abū Ādam Finch