View Full Version : Salman al-Awdah: An Imam Of Our Time
Brother_Mujahid
4th January 2007, 09:52 PM
Salman al-Awdah: An Imam Of Our Time
Shaykh Salman was born in the village of Al-Basr near the city of Buraida in 1375 A.H. / 1955 A.D to a rich family which was known for its nobility and good name.
http://www.almadinapress.com/images/thumbnails/45333.jpg
The Shaykh became known for his intelligence at an early age. After completing his secondary studies, Shaykh Salman enrolled in the Arabic language faculty at the university of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud in Riyadh. He studied there for two years before transferring to the Shari'ah Faculty where he obtained his degree.
On receiving his degree, Shaykh Salman returned to al-Qaseem where he studied at the Academic Institute at Buraida. He then transferred to the Shari'ah and Usul ad-Deen Faculty at the Imam Bin Saud Islamic University - Qaseem Campus, where he worked as a lecturer and continued his university studies. He received his Masters degree with a thesis on "The Estrangeness of Islam".
Shaykh Salman is a father of more than six children. His pupils and friends have known him as a generous man, confident in himself and his treatises, distinguished with his eloquence, good character, and awe. These attributes were translated into a popular reality which went beyond the area where he lived.
In the field of Study and Call to Islam Shaykh Salman is a multi-talented individual, distinguished in Jurisprudence, Hadith, Tafsir, and Creed. If he was to talk about contemporary issues, you would wish that he would not stop. When he talks, he raises elaborate issues and deep analysis through eloquent speech the equal of which is difficult to find. He is distinguished by his talent as an educator, his daily program would begin after the Fajr prayer, then he would go to his lectures in the University halls where he worked as a lecturer -before his sacking- until midday, he would then rest for a little time, and then take questions over the telephone, he would receive people after Maghrib prayer if he did not have any lectures in that evening. He was a frequent traveler as he would not reject an invitation irrespective of its origin. Shaykh Salman presented his masters thesis before the Gulf War on the estrangeness of this religion; in this thesis, he offered a comparison between the predecessors and the contemporaries in a study which was first of its kind and first in its style, depth, and relevance. His book "A Quiet Dialogue with Shaykh al-Ghazzali" is fit to be an intellectual and practical model for discussing differences with those holding conflicting views.
Shaykh Salman boldly confronted the American presence in the Peninsula; he regarded this presence as a catastrophe which befell the Muslim land. After the end of the Gulf War, Shaykh Salman immersed himself in the program of reform with all his powers. He held lectures, workshops, demonstrations and made a call for reform and to fight the spread of corruption. His voice was high, and his star raised in the heavens, the first few years after the Gulf War were full of effort in the quiet revolution of reform which ended with Shaykh Salman and his brothers Shaykh Safar al-Hawali and Shaykh Nasser al-'Omar in prison. However, this revolution set the element of reform which would no longer be satisfied with sitting idly in its own niche.
The arrest Sunday 6/4/1415 (11/9/1994) Shaykh Salman was called to the Qaseem principality. He was asked to sign an undertaking that he would not talk, give sermons, or verdicts... etc at any place or time. Shaykh Salman refused to sign this undertaking which interfered in his personal affairs. He offered his point of view to the governor saying: "you have one of three choices, either give the word of Islam its freedom, or permit me to travel to another country, or put me in prison." After this, Shaykh Salman returned to his home with a number of his students. He found a large gathering at the Mosque which was near his house. There were about seven thousand people gathered inside the Mosque and in its courtyard. There was a speech where Shaykh Muhammad al-Dikhi, Shaykh Ibrahim al-Bayan, Shaykh Ali al-Khudayr, Shaykh Sulayman al-Rashudi, and some others said a few words. After this, Shaykh Salman gave a sermon for about one and a half hours where he gave his point of view with respect to the excesses of the regime and its confinement of the word of Islam and those who call to it; he also talked about the state of the economy and some other issues. All this is available on video and audio tapes which people can view or hear. Then on the morning of Tuesday 8/4/1415 (13/9/1994) around 6:00 am, the area containing Shaykh Salman's residence was surrounded by about 1,000 security personnel, and the Shaykh was arrested. He spent over 5 years in prison before his release.
May Allah Reward Him Both In This Life And In The Life After
Brother_Mujahid
4th January 2007, 10:50 PM
I also want to add that I have made the fault in the past of being unjustly harsh toward Shaykh Salman al-Awdah and I wish to public recant all those vicious statements that I have made. Though I don't agree with everything that Shaykh Salman has said or done, it was wrong and extreme of me to feast on his flesh and bite his back, may Allaah forgive me.
Break The Cross
4th January 2007, 10:57 PM
Salman al-Awdah: An Imam Of Our Time
Salam Alaykum
Isnt that a little over-exaggerated dont you think?
If its b/c of his popularity then dont become soft and thats what exactly happened with bin Baz, they considered him great because he was very popular.
Allahu Alim
Brother_Mujahid
5th January 2007, 12:02 AM
Salam Alaykum
Isnt that a little over-exaggerated dont you think?
If its b/c of his popularity then dont become soft and thats what exactly happened with bin Baz, they considered him great because he was very popular.
Allahu Alim
I didn't write the article, rather the imprisoned daa'ee Ahmad Jibril (faka ullaah asra) penned this article. Perhaps the term is a bit exaggerated, but I don't think it is my place to change the title of the article.
Break The Cross
5th January 2007, 02:42 AM
Salaam
Yeh my friend just told me it was by imam ahmad, and he also said he wrote this before Salman al Awdahs "conversion", so I dont know Allahu Alim
Abu_Zahid
15th January 2007, 07:10 PM
Salaam
Yeh my friend just told me it was by imam ahmad, and he also said he wrote this before Salman al Awdahs "conversion", so I dont know Allahu Alim
"Conversion" to what? elaborate akhi (I don't know much about the shaykh)
Also, does anyone have a pdf version of the book mentioned in the article; "A Quiet Dialogue with Shaykh al-Ghazzali"?
JazaakAllah khairan
Break The Cross
15th January 2007, 07:32 PM
Not conversion as in out of Islaam, I meant away from his Jihadi mentality
Brother_Mujahid
15th January 2007, 07:50 PM
Not conversion as in out of Islaam, I meant away from his Jihadi mentality
When did he ever have a "jihaadi"* mentality?
* By "jihaadi" I'm assuming the usage that is used by the self-proclaimed "Salafi-Jihaadi" ideology.
Ibn Muhammad
12th March 2007, 09:36 PM
Is it true that Shaykh Salman al-Awdah along with Shaykh Abd al-Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh gave bayah to the malik of Sa'oodi?
gag order
12th March 2007, 09:55 PM
he had the courage for his convictions, very brave. some say he has changed but failed to explain how ?
also please eloborate on 'self-proclaimed'
Break The Cross
12th March 2007, 11:12 PM
Let me clarify, I meant he started to compromise his Deen and became a sell out, did you understand that?
Abuz Zubair
13th March 2007, 11:54 AM
Is it true that Shaykh Salman al-Awdah along with Shaykh Abd al-Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh gave bayah to the malik of Sa'oodi?
Salman al-'Awda is not a top shot who would be requested by the royal family to give bay'a... Sh Abdul al-Aziz Aal al-Shaykh would be requested, as was Sh Humud al-Shuaybi who gave bay'a to the Saudi rulers... And Sh Abdullah b. Qu'ud...
Ibn Muhammad
14th March 2007, 12:56 AM
I can see why they would request allegiance from the national Muftee. As far as I'm aware some of those that pledged allegiance requested others to as well, however I'm not sure as to whether it was just on a national scale or greater, which brings me to the question, what type of bayah was it that was given?
Akhee, Break The Cross, you should be careful not to easily label students of knowledge as 'sellouts', especially when they were tested through certain trials and tribulations. What makes you claim that he comprimised his deen?
Abu_Abdillah2000
14th March 2007, 05:20 AM
In Saudi Arabia, the "bay'ah" that is referred to simply involves the people's official recognition of the authority of the new king as head of state. It's quite a normal thing really, not much different from what would happen in any state or kingdom, past or present.
Abu_Abdillah2000
14th March 2007, 05:30 AM
Akhee, Break The Cross, you should be careful not to easily label students of knowledge as 'sellouts', especially when they were tested through certain trials and tribulations. What makes you claim that he comprimised his deen?
Although it is true that Salman al-'Awdah did change some of his views on certain issues (as he himself freely admits), those who call him a sell-out are mostly that group who at the beginning of the sahwah in the late 80's/early 90's liked him because they agreed with some of his criticisms of certain evils that began appearing in the society, and in so doing, they imagined that he naturally agreed with them on other things (like the alleged apostasy of the Saudi govt for example), so for a long time they looked up to him and took him as an example to be followed. When they later found out that he did not necessarily agree with them on all of these things, they accused him of being a sell-out and of having been "bought" by the government during his time in prison.
Abu_Abdillah2000
14th March 2007, 05:33 AM
Off the topic for a moment:
Brother Break The Cross, why in the top right of your posts do you have as your destination "hell"? It is really improper for a Muslim to say that, as it could be an indication of despairing of Allah's mercy, or mockery of the whole issue, both of which are haram.
Barakallahu feek.
Abu Talhah
2nd August 2007, 12:00 AM
When did he ever have a "jihaadi"* mentality?
* By "jihaadi" I'm assuming the usage that is used by the self-proclaimed "Salafi-Jihaadi" ideology.
Since when is "Salafi Jihadi" an ideology? And since when is it 'self-proclaimed'? Noble scholars use that title, such as Abu Muhammad.
Skillganon
2nd August 2007, 12:15 AM
Off the topic for a moment:
Brother Break The Cross, why in the top right of your posts do you have as your destination "hell"? It is really improper for a Muslim to say that, as it could be an indication of despairing of Allah's mercy, or mockery of the whole issue, both of which are haram.
Barakallahu feek.
Just to point it is "Location" not "Destination".
Yeah it is not good to have that even though if you are refering to this life.
Brother_Mujahid
5th August 2007, 12:07 AM
Here is some pretty hilarious stuff being peddled about Shaykh Salman by the neocons:
http://www.mbc.net/mbc.net/Arabic/Image/MBC%201/AlHayatKilma_001_m.jpg
There is evidence connecting al-Ouda to one of the suspected masterminds of the 2004 Madrid train bombings. In September 2004, El Mundo and Corriere della Sera reported that Rabei Osman Ahmed, a former Egyptian army explosives expert and one of the purported masterminds of the bombings, was quoted in conversations wiretapped by Italian authorities as saying that al-Ouda was "Everything, everything" to him and that "I worked for him [al-Ouda] in Spain. I did really well in that period, in which I earned 2,000 euros ($2,400) a month. There were days I earned 1,000 euros ($1,200)." While whether or not any of the money that al-Ouda sent Ahmed was used to underwrite the Madrid bombings appears unclear at this point, it would seem worthy of further investigation given his other activities.
Source: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/010dzthu.asp
ibnYaseen
5th August 2007, 12:36 AM
I also want to add that I have made the fault in the past of being unjustly harsh toward Shaykh Salman al-Awdah and I wish to public recant all those vicious statements that I have made. Though I don't agree with everything that Shaykh Salman has said or done, it was wrong and extreme of me to feast on his flesh and bite his back, may Allaah forgive me.
During a lecture Ali al-Tamimi said that one of the ways a person can hopefully earn the forgiveness from the individual who he has slandered or back bitten is by saying truthful good things about him (as well as publicly/openly/clearly taking back his original comments). InshaaAllah you will be forgiven for thing's you stated out of your ex-extremism, aameen.
Abu Bakr as-Somali
25th July 2008, 01:52 PM
Shaykh Salmaan has his flaws as he is Human, but I like him. Just take the good and leave the bad Insha`Allah, some of my family members saw him (in the real world lol) I will post the pictures of that meeting tonight Inshallaah.
ibnmuadh
25th July 2008, 02:09 PM
Assalamu alaykum. I respect True Scholars. Sheikh Salman was on the right-ideology untill after his imprisonment. Dunno what happened. Now, he is a loyal to the.... He even wrote an open letter to binLaden accusing him and admonishing him? who is the one who needs reminder? I guess it's the other way round
Abu Abdur-Rahman
25th July 2008, 03:22 PM
Although it is true that Salman al-'Awdah did change some of his views on certain issues (as he himself freely admits), those who call him a sell-out are mostly that group who at the beginning of the sahwah in the late 80's/early 90's liked him because they agreed with some of his criticisms of certain evils that began appearing in the society, and in so doing, they imagined that he naturally agreed with them on other things (like the alleged apostasy of the Saudi govt for example), so for a long time they looked up to him and took him as an example to be followed. When they later found out that he did not necessarily agree with them on all of these things, they accused him of being a sell-out and of having been "bought" by the government during his time in prison.
either that is true or it is madhkali cover up at its best.
Abu Ikrimah
27th July 2008, 07:54 PM
[QUOTE=Abu Bakr as-Somali;130393]Shaykh Salmaan has his flaws as he is Human, but I like him. Just take the good and leave the bad Insha`Allah, QUOTE]
I agree. But he was much better than a 'take the good and leave the bad' kind of shaykh just a few short years ago.
I am genuinely heartbroken over him.
Abu wakee
27th July 2008, 09:53 PM
I agree. But he was much better than a 'take the good and leave the bad' kind of shaykh just a few short years ago.
I am genuinely heartbroken over him.
Man for reals Salman al-'awdah really did break my heart too. I've been reading his stuff for years now. Even the changes that occured within last two years are quite unbelievable, but I still like him very much!
Brother_Mujahid
28th July 2008, 12:00 AM
Shaykh Salmaan has his flaws as he is Human, but I like him. Just take the good and leave the bad Insha`Allah,
I agree. But he was much better than a 'take the good and leave the bad' kind of shaykh just a few short years ago.
I am genuinely heartbroken over him.
I know what you mean, but I suppose it is a lesson for us not to be to overly-attached to personalities because anyone can change. That being said I still have respect for Shaykh Salman al-'Awda and I ask Allah to guide him to what is good.
Nu7
28th July 2008, 01:04 AM
What changes are you guys talking about? Examples would be good.
Brother_Mujahid
28th July 2008, 01:49 AM
What changes are you guys talking about? Examples would be good.
It is my understanding, and AZ could more deeply elaborate on this issue, that Shaykh Salman has taken a more modernist approach toward fiqh. I personally find his relationship with characters like 'Amr Khalid and Habib 'Ali al-Jifri to be a source of discomfort. Perhaps some of the other brothers could explain what they had in mind when they commented on the shaykh.
Abu_Talha
28th July 2008, 04:02 AM
I was thinking more on the lines of his past support for jihadi movements, along with Sheikh Safar al-Hawali...
Abu Maysara
28th July 2008, 04:15 AM
So what about his takfeer of for example those who listen to music and singers, is he still holding this extreme "shad khaarijee" opinion ?
Abu_Talha
28th July 2008, 04:17 AM
So what about his takfeer of for example those who listen to music, is he still holding this extreme "shad khaarijee" opinion ?
is this true akhee? never heard of anyone making takfeer for listening to music.
Naseer08
28th July 2008, 04:19 AM
Salmaan al ouda came a long way since he was sitting in a prison cell. He's now one of the worlds most highest paid islamic leaders
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[ Thursday, 28 February 2008 ]
Magazine publishes first-ever "Star Preachers" list
Amr Khaled richest Islamic preacher: Forbes
Egyptian TV powerhouse Amr Khaled (File)
Dubai (AlArabiya.net)
Egyptian preacher Amr Khalid took the top spot in Forbes Arabia's list of the Muslim world's richest preachers with a cool 2.5 million dollar income in 2007.
According to the Da'awa Stars or Star Preachers list in Forbes' Arabic edition -- the first list of its kind in the Arab world -- Khalid was followed by the Kuwaiti preacher Tareq al-Suwaidan with 1 million dollars in net income.
Aaidh al-Qarni, the Saudi author of the popular self-help book La Tahzan (Don't be Sad), came third with 533,000 dollars, followed by UAE-based Egyptian preacher Omar Abdel-Kafi with 373,000 dollars and Saudi's Salman al-Ouda with 267,000 dollars.
The magazine reported in its March 2008 issue that the main source of income for the preachers was TV programs broadcast on several terrestrial and satellite channels in the Arab World, as well as religious CDs and books.
According to an editorial by Forbes, religious preaching in the Islamic world has become a major money-spinner not unlike regular businesses. But the magazine said the commercial gain does not reduce the value of the vocation of preaching or the ideas being presented.
Net income was calculated based on a variety of sources, including intellectual property rights from record labels, profit from the sale of books, and payments for TV appearances.
In addition, preachers generate income from training courses and religious lectures, and receive gifts from government and non-government sources.
(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid).
Abu_Talha
28th July 2008, 04:41 AM
Wow...never knew there was so much money in 'preaching'...
Salahadeen
28th July 2008, 06:23 AM
Daaang, that's a lot of money.
Nu7
28th July 2008, 06:25 AM
They probably have some nice cars.
ummafnaan
28th July 2008, 06:42 AM
Assalamu alaikum,
I also used to hold Salman al Awdah highly. However whenever I have the urge to criticise him, I always remind myself that this man has been in a taghoot prison. Allah alone knows what he went thru, what he was threatened with, etc. It is not a secret that prisoners are threatened with rape, torture and even rape of their loved ones. Now the question is, how many of us would be able to hold out in such a situation? Its a lot easier said than done. He is probably scared for himself or his family and can we REALLY blame him? Not everyone is as brave as others. And that is the truth. Our leaders are a ruthless bunch. He was such an inspiration to a lot of youth and I don't believe that he 'sold-out'. If anything I believe at the most he changed his stances out of fear. And though if this is the case, and Allah knows best, this may seem cowardly, it still is within his right to be afraid of persecution.
I pray Allah strengthens the Shaykh and all our Scholars alike to be able to have the courage to speak the truth in the face of falsehood.
Abu wakee
28th July 2008, 07:11 AM
Tariq Sweidan is one guy I find extremely annoying. Anyone ever watched his al-risalah channel?
Nu7
28th July 2008, 08:23 AM
Tariq Sweidan is one guy I find extremely annoying. Anyone ever watched his al-risalah channel?
I've only watched "The future of our religion". Someone posted it on this forum, it was pretty good.
First vid:
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Abu wakee
28th July 2008, 08:27 AM
You should watch his program 'al-wasitiyah'. Although the program is pretty decent has a lot of interesting discussions, on that program however he has among other things promoted the idea that there's absolute no punishment on apostasy and something to the effect that muslims changing religions isn't such a big deal etc...
Nu7
28th July 2008, 08:36 AM
You should watch his program 'al-wasitiyah'. Although the program is pretty decent has a lot of interesting discussions, on that program however he has among other things promoted the idea that there's absolute no punishment on apostasy and something to the effect that muslims changing religions isn't such a big deal etc...
Akhi I've watched a debate on youtube between a Shaykh and a secularist, I think Suwaidan was the host of that program. He did seem to agree with the secularist on the issue (that there should be no punishment for apostasy) although he didn't actually come out and say it.
Don't know whether we're talking about the same program though. Anyway, I've read that he has some odd views.
Abu Ikrimah
28th July 2008, 09:33 AM
he has among other things promoted the idea that there's absolute no punishment on apostasy and something to the effect that muslims changing religions isn't such a big deal etc...
Well, even some salafis are promoting this these days...
Abu wakee
28th July 2008, 09:36 AM
Well, even some salafis are promoting this these days...
Yep that's true. Actually this guy named "Riyadh Ansari" a Madinah graduate proclaimed in front of thousands of people at Peace Conference (Peace TV/Dr. Zakir Naik) that death is only punishment for someone who apostacizes and also causes sedition, rebellion etc...It is not a punishment for simple apostacy!
A lot more UH's in making.
Salahadeen
28th July 2008, 09:37 AM
Who is Tariq Sweidan? Is he Sufi or Salafi or what?
Abu wakee
28th July 2008, 09:38 AM
Who is Tariq Sweidan? Is he Sufi or Salafi or what?
He's ikhwani.
Abu Maysara
28th July 2008, 10:46 AM
is this true akhee? never heard of anyone making takfeer for listening to music.
i heard it myself on one of his lectures,he referred to those who sings and listens but i cannot recall which lecture though, but he said something along the lines that "music, the ones indulging in singing i have no problems in saying that they have apostated and I am content in my heart when saying so, they have apostated". It is actually a well known statement by him, but wonder if he still holds this opinion.
Abu Bakr as-Somali
28th July 2008, 10:49 AM
a family member of mine was asked by the Saudi government to write a book about ibn Baaz, but he refused cause he would be paid to little (gov. would keep most for itself).
a bro
28th July 2008, 11:00 AM
What happened to Salman is his own choice. I feel Sorry for him Card isnt accepted on him
Like a bro in another Forum said: Salman did not only the fard but also the nafila and witr
He did what he did to himself and to Allaah jalla wa ala we return
abu_ibrahim
28th July 2008, 11:22 AM
i heard it myself on one of his lectures,he referred to those who sings and listens but i cannot recall which lecture though, but he said something along the lines that "music, the ones indulging in singing i have no problems in saying that they have apostated and I am content in my heart when saying so, they have apostated". It is actually a well known statement by him, but wonder if he still holds this opinion.
Salman al-Awdah has already responded to this, it seems his opponents do not wish to give him the benefit of doubt. This has been blown out of proportion like the issue of elections with Qaradawi. al-Awdah admits his wording was not entirely clear and this is an excerpt of the clarification regarding it:
The statement in question was not intended to convey the meaning that the questioner understood from it. This should be clear because the printed text of the speech mentions his fornication, his seduction of young women, and his condemnation of those who do not act like he does. It mentions that he considers fornication to a sign of masculinity, a part of being young, and of being a complete person. It mentions that he makes light of his sins, even though Allah says: "Do not approach fornication, for it is a calumny and an evil way". Does anyone who believes that fornication is a calumny that brings about Allah's anger go around boasting about it? This makes it clear that the issue at hand was not his singing to begin with, but his praise of licentious behavior, his extolling the virtues of fornication and those who engage in it, and his ridicule of those who abstain from it that they are not real men. This is quite different than just committing the sin itself.
Abu Maysara
28th July 2008, 11:35 AM
Salman al-Awdah has already responded to this, it seems his opponents do not wish to give him the benefit of doubt. This has been blown out of proportion like the issue of elections with Qaradawi. al-Awdah admits his wording was not entirely clear and this is an excerpt of the clarification regarding it:
salman is not someone that will be given the benefit of doubt anylonger after he choose to work with the goverment to make brothers hand themselves in to awaiting jail and torture, he doesnt deserve that respect to be honest. salman today is not the salman prior to prison.salman used to say that the MBC satellite channel is a source of fitnah with women, music and so on and lo and behold!!where did he sit and condemn Usamah bin Laden some time ago? in the MBC studio...respect and benefit of doubt will be given to those who deserve it.
The clarification you mention here is not at all mentioned in that lecture, it was pretty straight forward takfeer there and not really mentioned about anyone making istihlaal of zinaa or mocking those considering it haraam which would be somewhat different if it was done in the first place, but anyway khayr InshAllah and may Allah guide Salmaan, he is indeed on a troublesome road.
Brother_Mujahid
28th July 2008, 12:26 PM
I was thinking more on the lines of his past support for jihadi movements, along with Sheikh Safar al-Hawali...
Well, Shaykh Salman was never a "jihadi," at least as we think of it, even before his time in prison. Again, I think a lot of people mistakenly believe that Shaykh Salman was upon the same beliefs in these matters as bin Ladin because he resisted the Saudi government, but that is simply not the case.
Abuz Zubair
28th July 2008, 01:10 PM
Well, Shaykh Salman was never a "jihadi," at least as we think of it, even before his time in prison. Again, I think a lot of people mistakenly believe that Shaykh Salman was upon the same beliefs in these matters as bin Ladin because he resisted the Saudi government, but that is simply not the case.
He was made a jihadi shaykh only due to the fact that he was in prison. This is what the gullible Jihadis do. They make milk shakes out of anyone who ends up in prison. I used to tell the guys back in the days, 'Look, I have heard Sh Safar's refutation of Abdullah Azzam and Salman al-Awda's words and believe me you won't like what they say...'
But to them, Salman and Safar were the 'scholars of haqq' just because they opposed the Saudis! I think if tomorrow Obama were to oppose Saudi he would become their Shaykh al-Islam.
Brother_Mujahid
28th July 2008, 01:16 PM
I think if tomorrow Obama were to oppose Saudi he would become their Shaykh al-Islam.
Maybe that is why Saudi Arabia is backing McCain over Obama:
http://www.libertypundit.com/2008/05/19/hamas-for-obama-saudi-arabia-for-mccain/
Brother_Mujahid
28th July 2008, 01:18 PM
Abuz-Zubayr, do you think you could elaborate on the changes of Shaykh Salman from the early 1990's to the post-9/11 era?
Abuz Zubair
28th July 2008, 01:35 PM
Well, in 1990s he was considered a fearless firebrand according to Saudi standards. He gave some of his best lectures in that period regarding all sorts of social and ideological challenges of the time. One of his best lectures was a refutation of the modernists, ironically, called 'al-qawl 'ala Allah bi ghayri 'ilm'. He would very passionately speak about Islamic movements all over the world, including Algeria and the Jihad in Afghanistan. He was also very passionate about Jihad but only when it comes to refuting the modernists. He (and Sh Ibn Uthaymin) mobilised many youth to go to Bosnia for Jihad.
During the Gulf War he was considered a hero by all. His lectures on the situation demonstrated his fearlessness and bravery etc. There are even video and audio recordings of the moments of his arrest. He basically electrified the da'wah scene along with Sf Safar.
After the imprisonment he was a changed man. Since his opinion have had modernist overtones. His recent writings have been quite the opposite of what he would preach back in the days. His opinion on Jihad was always the same, so those who think he has changed in that respect don't know what they're talking about. I think in year 2005 or 2006 he came to the Haram to deliver a lecture during Ramadan where he was asked about Iraq to which he replied openly that it is fard 'ayn for the people of iraq.
Recently he has been criticised for a number of his views, such as tolerating innovators, calling for non-shara'i ease in hajj rituals, rejecting the concept of love and hate (or misrepresenting it) etc. I can't remember all the things but these are just tha few examples that come to mind.
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