6829 – 0129
Question:
Assalamu ‘alaykum warahmatullaah
My question is regarding the Yemeni houthis who are standing up to the oppressors. Since they are mainly Shia, what should our stance be regarding standing with them, applauding and supporting them? Should we not unite at this time despite different beliefs?
Answer:
As salām ʿalaikum wa raḥmatullāhī wa barakātuhu
In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
One should keep in mind that there are no absolutes in present-day world politics, and everything is not black and white but in majority of instances shrouded in varying shades of grey. While it is a well-known fact that many of our so called Sunnī leaders do not act in the interest of Islām, but rather to serve personal interests and worldly benefits, do not assume those leaders who ascribe to alternate beliefs act out of sincere devotion to their creed, more so when it may be a deviated version of Islām. While the world may be fooled into believing that they do so out of an unyielding dedication to their sect, above and beyond any material aspirations, the reality is it is always wealth, riches, and power that lies at the core of politics.
The action of a deviate which assists the Muslims against those who seek to harm them will be considered praiseworthy and commendable, without it serving as justification for his deviation. We do, however, pray that his beliefs will be guided too.
A person with correct and sound ʿaqīdah can make incorrect—and terrible—political decisions, while a person with incorrect ʿaqīdah can make correct—and praiseworthy—political decisions without those political decisions having any relevance to the correctness or incorrectness of his ʿaqīdah.
Our yardstick for guidance has been and will always be the Qur’ān and Sunnah, and not political stances which are like a pendulum, ever changing and always leaning towards that which serves one’s personal motives best.
And Allāh Taʿālā knows best.
من لطائف العلامة الشيخ أظهر حفظه الله ورعاه
مجموع الفتاوى —تقي الدين أبو العباس أحمد بن عبد الحليم ابن تيمية الدمشقي (ت ٧٢٨هـ) 201/35
وسئل – رحمه الله تعالى -:عن رجل يفضل اليهود والنصارى على الرافضة؟
فأجاب:الحمد لله، كل من كان مؤمنا بما جاء به محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم فهو خير من كل من كفر به؛ وإن كان في المؤمن بذلك نوع من البدعة سواء كانت بدعة الخوارج والشيعة والمرجئة والقدرية أو غيرهم؛ فإن اليهود والنصارى كفار كفرا معلوما بالاضطرار من دين الإسلام. والمبتدع إذا كان يحسب أنه موافق للرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم لا مخالف له لم يكن كافرا به؛ ولو قدر أنه يكفر فليس كفره مثل كفر من كذب الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم