What is a polite way of disagreeing with American shayuk?

[DanyalSAC]

Asalaamu alaikum -

Here in the US we have a handful of shayuk who's teachings are a bit "off" the manhab. They are classified as "modern", support the Mawlid, celebrating Christmas, chanting "Allah" for hours on end etc, twist the sunnah or disregard it totally.

Unfortunately, these are what most American Muslims are gravitating to. Particularly here in Northern CA where we have the Zaytuna institute if you ask any new Muslim they will tell you they get their Islam from the Taleef Collective or Zaytuna.

When I state "NO thank you, not interested" I get branded salafi (which I don't mind) or "wahabi" (which confuses me). So what's a good and safe way to back out of all this without causing fitnah amongst my peers?

(p.s. I purposely left the name of any shaykh out of this post so I couldn't be accused of backbiting)

Ma salaama
D.

 

[alf2]

Is a Shayuk the same as Sheikh br. Danyal?

ALSO: Wow, just because you follow the sunnah and stay away from Bidah they label you as Wahabi? That gave me a big ol' eye roll. I had an experience with a sister like that once, She was explaining her Shia view on Aisha (may allah be pleased with her) and I disagreed. She said.."Oh, so you're one of THOSE?" One of THOSE?!

Not trying to backbite, just sharing a memorable experience.
May allah guide us all and keep us on the straight path.
Insha'Allah.

 

[DanyalSAC]

Is a Shayuk the same as Sheikh br. Danyal?

ALSO: Wow, just because you follow the sunnah and stay away from Bidah they label you as Wahabi? That gave me a big ol' eye roll. I had an experience with a sister like that once, She was explaining her Shia view on Aisha (may allah be pleased with her) and I disagreed. She said.."Oh, so you're one of THOSE?" One of THOSE?!

Not trying to backbite, just sharing a memorable experience.
May allah guide us all and keep us on the straight path.
Insha'Allah.

To the best of my humble knowledge of Arabic, shayuk is plural of shaykh.

 

[hassana elkoussi]

As-salamu alaykum brother,

Well, why don't you just say, " NO, thank you, I attend with so and so , and I don't like moving from one Sheikh to another. why don't you attend with me one day? " Tell them about the latest events that you attended or the latest class, they could be interested and think of trying your classes. So you'd be declning their invitation politely and giving a try at the same time to guide them to the right path in sha Allah. Hope it helps brother.

Salam

 

[bari]

:salam2:
May Allah protect all of us from any deviation. I have been with similar situations. Say Quran and sunnah are preserved and protected. We have well respected four imams to clarify things for me, and for the latest issues, we have world body of scholars, what else do we need?

 

[sachin4islam]

Assalam Alaikum: I really wonder how some reverts stick to deviant ideologies. After all embracing Islam is nothing but rejecting falsehood and adhering to truth. How these reverts can't discriminate pure Islam from impure ideologies which is amalgamation of Islam with different cultures.

One problem is that reverts usually stick to the sect through which they enter Islam. One individual from a deviant sect taunted me once that being a Salafi I have landed on no man's land.

Regards.

 

[JenGiove]

:salam2:

Ok, someone really needs to explain this one to me. To my understanding, the "label" of Salafi is placed to designate someone who follows the teachings of the original companions and in laymen's terms, in Christianity it would be Orthodox.

Here's my question. If you are following the original teachings and examples of the very first companions...basically following the teaching straight from the horse's mouth....HOW IS THIS BAD?! There is no room for deviation or corruption if you're following only the examples and explanations of the people who actually knew Mohammad! UFF!

 

[Abu Talib]

Assalamu`alaykum Warahmatullah

JenGiove I admire your efforts in learning about Islaam. As answered by Shaykh Saleh Al Fawzaan:

Salafiyyah [i.e. the Salafi] is the one who is upon the methodology of the salaf. Allah, the Exalted, says:

{And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and the Ansar and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith)} [at-Taubah (9): 100]


And He, the Exalted, also says:

{And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith..."} [al-Hashr (59): 10]

Thus Salafiyyah is following the salaf from the Companions (Sahabah), the Successors (Tabi'een), their students (Atbaa' at-Tabi'een), and the virtuous generations ; this is Salafiyyah. It is not permissible for anyone to monopolize it. Each and every individual that follows the methodology of the Salaf is Salafi. Salafiyyah is not specific to any group or individual, rather it is for anyone who truly embodies it. -

Bro Danyal I know Zaytuna has wierd stuff like the chief Shaykh sitting with ladies without lowering the Gaze and openly saying he dislikes Wahabism.
They give reasons for celebrating Christmas saying its the only time american families come together so no harm.
Well you have done your part saying your not interested in the politest manner let them assume what they want or just ask them what is Salafi or Wahabbi that would be enough to make them think your seriously not interested

 

[Seeker-of-truth]

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf and his whole clan are a dangerous bunch stay away from them and their zaytuna institute. They are Sufi's with some seriously seriously messed up beliefs. Here watch this lecture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7Xn4SvyPM&feature=related

Then you will see to what extent they are messed up

 

[ShahnazZ]

I believe Zaytuna follows the Sufi madhab, correct? If so, it wouldn't be the first time I've heard them use the words "salafi" and "Wahhabi" on anyone that doesn't agree with their teachings. I believe it's more of a defense mechanism on their part to justify their teachings and actions. They don't believe in discipline within Islam, unless you're talking about fanaa (in which case they're on the path to destroying their nafs). Their words often resonate the following questions: Why ruin their fun? What's wrong with celebrating pagan holidays? What's wrong with creating your own innovations as long as they're good and praise Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala? What's wrong with doing these things if it leads to you "spreading the love" and feeling good about yourself? I feel like their teachings of "love" and peace are more about embracing the dunya in a way and if you go against them, they feel you're an extremist. Anyone whose placed on the defense would say that. And they're plenty used to criticism.

From what I know, California is full of these types. You've got the Sufis living it up, plus I believe the first American gay imam resides there as well. Additionally, it's not just Muslims. There's alot of "New Age" thinking going on there. I've noticed there are pretty much churches for almost anything there! Not sure if it's too much fun in the sun...

 

[Mabsoot]

wa alaykum salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh brother Danyal,

The most important thing for us as Muslims is to worship Allah alone, without ascribing any partners with Him. We must have the knowledge of Allah's Unity in Lordship, His unity in His names and Attributes and His unity in worship. -

With regards to our brothers and sisters who follow or belong to any sects, then be prepared to have patience. We should decline their invitations in a good, soft way, because quite often people simply do not know any better.

In my travels and meeting different people, from Lebanese Shia to Syrian Naqshbandis or even Druze, I am often invited to events / halaqahs that feature various elements of dubious nature. I decline by making my own true excuses, time constraints, other issues etc. I do not head on clash with them on these issues.

I know that the said people have not got access to the true sources of the Deen and I also know, that by going head first into declaring what they do as Shirk, Bidah or kufr is not going to be understood!! - Firstly, people need to understand why something is incorrect. If they have an incorrect understanding of what exactly Islamic beliefs are, - Who is Allah? What is the way we worship Him? What is the Sunnah? etc, then they will not understand why what they do is wrong.

This is especially so when people all around them do these acts, and quite often those people may have great character, be honest and kind hearted etc. Therefore, for someone to come along and say they are doing "bad" things, is not going to be taken seriously and it will push people further away.

This does not mean that we do not correct or stop people from doing wrong actions. We speak out and we help others, but to do so with patience. It also depends on the person in question, the level of their knowledge, their character and how long you have known them etc.

May I also note that, I have met some brothers and sisters, who simply do not care about such other Muslims. They are happy to maintain a distance and simply to relegate these other Muslims as Ahlul Bidah, Ahlul Dalallah, Mubtadi'een etc and have no association whatsoever with them. So, they hang together and effectively make their own groupings etc, This is not what Islam teaches. - Doing Hajr (boycott) is only meant for the most persistant evil doers and it is in best interests of theirs, yours or societies to do so.

Maintain good relations with them and use opportunities to discuss the basics of the Deen using the Quran and the Sunnah. Its our duty to unite upon the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (s). Give them a book, or simply even an ayah or a hadith and let them think it over. Calling people to the Quran and sunnah, especially those who are already Muslims takes time. I often think that giving da'wah to non-Muslims is easier than to those who already are Muslim!

May Allah keep us sincere, humble and with soft hearts towards our fellow Muslims. Amin

Wasalamu Alaykum