The Letter From Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz rahimahullah to Sheikh Falih bin Nafi' Al-Harby

Letter from the Honourable Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz rahimahullaah to the Respected Sheikh Falih bin Nafi 'Al-Harby, may Allah extend him acute understanding in Deen and console him to obtain the pleasure of the Rabb of the universe.

Assalamu'alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Your letter dated 12 Sha'ban 1406H (22 April 1986) has reached me. I understood the content as a form of attack on the tablighi jamaat, and also your denial of my writing about them, and the writing of my predecessor, our elder Al-Allamah Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Aali-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia during his time, may Allah purify his soul and illuminate his grave.

I am very sad because you have diminished and degraded his dignity with your words "Ibnu Ibrahim", and those people that you pointed out as having different opinion with him regarding their (tablighi jamaat's) efforts. I am very surprised by what you mentioned. To what extent is those people's knowledge and views as compared to his knowledge, understanding, insight, in-depth studies, diligence and wisdom? We, alhamdulillah, have an understanding of Deen. We always consider the pros and cons and we strengthen them so as to make my heart at peace. We have investigated the news about them that make me feel at peace to stand beside them, together with lending advice on the shortfalls that sometimes happen on their part.

Deficiency is part of human characters, except those whom Allah wills. If  the mashaykh and the seekers of knowledge whom you pointed out, join them in dakwah ilallah, give guidance and direction to them, completing the deficiencies that sometimes occur in some of them and guide them to avoid mistakes, certainly  there would be much goodness and benefits to Islam and the Muslims.

As for shunning them or ignoring them and giving warnings to people not to mix with them is a terrible mistake indeed. The danger far outweighs its benefits.

Be suspicious of your opinion my dear brother, ask your Rabb to appease you to accept what is more beloved to Him  and advantageous to His servants, and that He show you the truth on what has been disputed, by His Will.

I ask Allah to show us that the truth is the truth and give us all strength to follow it, and that the falsehood is falsehood and give us all strength to avoid it, and not to make doubtful to us so that we will not be astrayed. Verily, Allah is the Owner of all, and the Administrator of all things.

Head of the Board of Research, Ilm, Ifta, Dakwah and Islamic Guidance

Note:

What you pointedly said about the Honorable Sheikh Muhammad Aman, that he took back his words of praises for the the tablighi jamaat, and you claimed that he said, "They are making khurafat and bid'ah", is totally rejected by him and totally astonished and stunned him. He said that he is still of the opinion as what he had written about them. This is because he wrote based on direct testimony and faith, and verily when people asked about them he often encouraged them to read the report.