Wahabbism & Saudi Arabia

Summary of article : The crisis that gave Wahhabism its ticket to the world.

1979 - 500 wahabbi hardliners took over grand mosque in mecca at start of islamic 15th century declaring (not himself declaring) al-Qahtani Mahdi.
Clerics allowed monarchy to fight in the mosque (this shocked bin Laden) in exchange for stricter Islam in the country (TVs, educated women etc.).
Clerics converted french SAS forces (GIGN) to Islam so they could enter grand mosque to fight off rebels.
Monarchy made wahabbim in foreign policy to fund it with massive petrodollars in other countries to distract hardliners' attention to other countries.
Just few months later, Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan - Saudis helped rebels with this in Afghanistan to distract from their own country.
Also funded Jihadist Pakistani Jamaat Islami, from which taliban emerged.
Now everyone, including Saudis, threatened by Jihadists !

This post is a summary of this page for my own personal use and is backed by no guarantee whatsoever of any kind ! 

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal - Summary of biography

Summary of biography of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Presented by Sh. Kamal el-Mekki on YouTube

• 2 most dangerous situations in Islamic history. i) Abu Bakr (ra) when many turned apostate and ii) AiH (ra) with the fitna of divine origin was questioned Qur'an.
• Born in Baghdad in 164 AH (Abu Hanifa=80AH, Imam Malik = 96AH). 
• Lived himself and dear mother. Father was Mohammad but unknown so ibn Hanbal used instead. Extreme poverty. Gathering grains dropped by traders in city.
• Obedience to mother viz. not jumping with other young men across flowing river
• Threw away letters containing spying info from uncle to Governor and fully confessed in front of both.
• Studied with Yazid ibn Harun, who joked a lot but not in front of AiH(ra). "D'oh!"
• Would not accept help or gifts from anyone whatsoever. Shaafi(ra)&AiH(ra) lived very austere lives. Abu Hanifa(ra) did not take khalifa money because was successfull businessman. Imam Malik(ra) did as considered his own work services to state. Imam Malik(ra) had 500 hats/shoes and eat meat every single day, the former always dressed immaculately.
• In a gathering with Sufyan ibn Iyaina, AiH introduces companion to a young Al-Shaafi, AiH being first to recognize his knowledge.
• AiH was Muhaddith, Al-Shaafi was Faqih. So when AiH met him, he became Faqih too. [Woman asked many Muhaddith in mosque question on menses but couldn't answer - they pointed to Al-Shaafi, who answered instead.]
• Collection of ahadith was very detailed & intricate - including minutes taken at meetings. Abdur-Razzaq, AiH's teacher once, would always read out ahadith from book even though he was expert, just in case. AiH subsequently adopted this.
• Top 5 scholars AiH benefitted from : (for 18 yrs) Hushaim ibnu Bashir (learnt 100 ahadith with narrations in one sitting), Yazid ibnu Harun (commanding presence), Ismael Ibnu Ulaiya (very serious-never laughed), Sufyan ibnu Iyayna (The Muhaddith in Masjid Al-Haram), Abdur-Razzaq (ppl travelled from across the world to visit this storehouse of knowledge).
• Yazid ibnu Harun died 206 and fitna with creation of Qur'an by the khalifa started (and subsequently doused - by the lives of the scholars, Main one is AiH).
• AiH, Al-Shaafi, Malik etc. always had a woman behind them; e.g. mothers, sisters.
• Got married at age 40 so as not to trouble her with moving from place to place for his knowledge seeking etc. Lived with her for 30 yrs. "I never had 1 quarrel with her."
• When life in perilous danger, stayed with trusted friend for 3 days but no more to follow sunnah of Cave of Thaur. "Does it make sense to follow Sunnah when life is easy and ditch it when hard?"
• Fitna started in khalifa of Ma'mum . Loved knowledge. Very close to Mut'azilah, very well spoken. Began to think like them. Aljad ibnu Durham was a Muadhib (home tutors) and starter of fitna. They say 'Allah is the ancient and speech is renewable so he cannot talk and He does not speak like humans because there is none like unto Him, thus the Qur'an is created'. But this gets us further into trouble as humans have knowledge, does that mean God doesnt? 'Speak' means God's speaks in a manner befitting to his majesty. Also, everything but God is perfect so would imply Qur'an is imperfect.
• Ahmad ibn Abi Dawat incited Ma'mun to start fitna of Qur'an creation in 212AH. AiAD was right-hand-man for subsequent 3 khalifas too. Many 2nd-level scholars went along with Qur'an creation as they justified that inside their heart they knew the reality. To avoid direct response, started saying thing like "Qur'an is speech of Allah and all but Allah is created" and fingers trick.
• So few scholars left - including AiH - that were refuting this! AiH responded "It is the speech of Allah, I don't add to that"
• Ma'mum slates them all, even those who accepted Ma'mum, and nails them for being childish, worldly etc. However, gives no insult to AiH and they should be chained and beaten and imprisoned.
• Initially 26 scholars that refused, then 9 remained steadfast. Then 4. Then 2 remained on being called to Ma'mun including AiH. AiH is essentially only imam left with this opinion (the other was just a young man).
• Along the way, a non-scholar arab met AiH and told him 'you represent the people; if you yield, then all punishment will be because of you so keep firm; the only thing between you and Jannah is death; if they don't kill you, you will die anyway. Wassalam.' Whereas all other scholars had told him earlier that it's permissible due to Qur'an to say that.
• Along the way, a servant of Ma'mun tells AiH that Ma'mun will kill him with a sword he's never unsheathed before unless AiH yields. So AiH prays to God and immediately after, news spreads that Ma'mun has died. Soldiers take them to a prison, young man dies. AiH honestly says: "I fear the whip". AiH would take feet out of chains himself to sleep/salaat and put them back on during the day for obedience to Ma'mun's instruction, even though he's dead.
• Mu'tasin was next khalifa; didn't care for knowledge/fiqh; strictly soldier.
• One argument goes Quran says it was "made" (ja'lam), that means created! AiH: Same word used for People of the Elephant when they looked like broken straw, eaten up. Did Allah 'create' them like that too?
• Summoned to Muta'sin to debate with him. Muta'sin: "If i didnt have you in custody, wouldnt have approached you". AiH gave proofs including: "Give protection to disbelievers until they hear the kalaam of Allah" hence Kalaam - spoken - must be Quran. Also, "Everything that is created must die" (dream story). Shot  down Mutazilah audience with their arguments one by one in front of khalifa, and AiH voice got louder and louder. Muta'sin was deeply affected by this and AiH's knowledge and that "I would free you with my own hands if you would agree a little with me". AiH: "Give me something from the Qur'an or Sunnah so that I may say it." - i.e. reject compromise. 
• Shaafi had succumbed and agreed to creation of Quran and was asked to debate with AiH. But on the 3rd day in prison, suspected as it's the 3rd day something new would happen; went to hall - was full of soldiers and whippers. Store owners had closed doors as they knew something big was happening and AiH had a following who didn't want him beaten/killed. AiH gave another new proof from ahadith when Moses was spoken to by Allah directly. Mutazilah had no response so Muta'sin smacked him and he fell unconscious. Some of khalifa's guards left the audience in disapproval given his grandfather's standing.
• On regaining consciousness, Muta'sin told him 'Woe, I had hopes in you' [Note: nothing about whether he was true, his arguments are valid etc.]. Dragged by soldiers and put on whipping frame and both arms dislocated. Soldiers whipped AiH in order, 2 whips at a time so each soldier would not tire and each whip of full power. Muta'sin then got the strongest whipper and told him to kill AiH. Inflicted massively powerful whips until AiH's blood gushed and filled the floor and almost killed until interjection by friend. Temporarily taken to people at khalifa's gate to appease them from violence against khalifa and AiH, bleeding, fasting (as khalifa's food was haram), frail said to them Qur'an is the speech, uncreated. Muta'sin again tied him up and even more severe beating. 
• Imprisoned at a house and then offered salaat (just as Omar(ra) prayed whilst bleeding). Doctor: "I've never seen lashes as bad as this". Had to cut a piece of flesh off off back. Some parts hurt till his very end. Anyhow, the whippers came to apologise with their heads lowered to the house but he said 'I have already pardoned you on day 1 as I want to be among those who are called in Heaven, those who forgive.'
• Whilst imprisoned, shackled, beaten, lost consciousness, still never broke fast let alone say Qur'an was created.
• Al Waqab was 3rd khalifa after Muta'sin. Knowledgeable, loved poetry and religion :|. AiH then started to leave house and teach. Ahmad ibn Abi Daud then realized their ideology of the created Qur'an may be under threat and friends of AiH told him fitna may be about to be rekindled so AiH himself stopped teaching. Al Waqab doesn't want to touch AiH and tells him he doesn't want to be where AiH is. 
• Shaikh Ahmad ibn Nasr tried to overthrow Al Waqab but all were caught and Al Waqab asked Ahmad ibn Nasr about the Qur'an. (231AH) AiN (80 years old) says it's the speech of Allah. Was beheaded and khalifa put note on his ear that this was one who 'sees Allah' in hereafter and says Qur'an created and hung for months in east entrance in Baghdad and then moved to west entrance for months. 
• [Al Khatib Al Baghdadi is narrater is] After Al Waqab died, Al Muttawaqil - his brother - took over and was told by adviser that Al Waqab killed a Ahmad ibn Nasr whose tongue recited the Qur'an for 6 years after he killed him. Was rumour but Al Muttawaqil was saddened that righteous man was killed. Asked others including  Ibn Zayat ('burn me if I'm wrong...') and and Harthama ('cut me up if I'm wrong...') and AiAD ('paralyze me if I'm wrong...') that he feels this way - they both say he was a kafir & Al Waqab did the right thing. [Later Al Muttawaqil burnt Ibn Zayat after fitna, Tribe of Huzaya(AiN's tribe) cut up Harthama (without knowing his prayer!) and AiAD died paralyzed]
• Na'eem ibn Haddad - student of Hushain ibn Nasir. Muhaddith. First to kick off categorisation of ahadith. Tirmidhi, Bukhari learnt from him. Refused creation of Qur'an and imprisoned in a hole for 5 years. Requested to die in chains so could complain to Allah. Al Sha'fi met Yahya al Buaiti for first time (when no fitna etc.) and told him 'SubhanAllah you will die in chains.' His argument against Qur'an "creation => God created all by saying 'Qun' (Be) and it was thus He can speak! Also, if 'Qun' is created => something created ('Qun') actually created all of creation, and not Allah !" Every Friday, washed and got ready to go to Juma but guards stopped him. 'Allah, I responded to your call'.
• Abu Abdur-Rahman/Ad Rami. Shaikh of Abu Dawood. Asked AiAD in front of Al Waqab if i) creation of Qur'an part of faith, did HPSAW call to it? AiAD dumbfounded, ii) Allah correct when he said 'I perfect your faith on you' or you? , iii) did HPSAW know about this concept and call people to it?, iv) why did 4 Khalifas not call people to it and if they knew of it, why isn't it sufficient for you too to  be quiet. Al Waqab convinced and released him. Fitna ends 232AH, 20 years later.
• Al Muttawaqil wrote letter saying no one should say Qur'an is created. Summoned to Al Muttawaqil  at 86 years old but turned back as AiH didn't say salaam to one who said Qur'an is created. Al Balkhi - Abbasid - tells khalifa AiH's house has an Ahlul Bait member (Omayyid) and AiH pledged to him. Was attacked by khalifa's people. But AiH refuted he was like that. [Note: Many great scholars have been on different sides of the overthrow-khalifa vs. be-obedient argument] Khalifa knew what was going on and ready to kill Al Balkhi but AiH forgave him ('perhaps he has children and they would be upset by his death'). 
• AiH fell sick in 241AH and entire population queued up to see him and businesses nearby could not operate. Passed away, 700k-200m people attended (including hater-innovaters as they knew he was righteous). Zuhr - Asr, keep cycling of Janaza prayers to get through all people. Largest Jinaza ever up until recently (Abdul Aziz bil Baz).
• Whereas AiAD - only government workers assigned attended his funeral, none else.

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This post is a summary of this presentation for my own personal use and is backed by no guarantee whatsoever of any kind !