Shaykh Al'Albaani...
In 1999 Allaah favoured me and my family with the opportunity to visit the Imaam of Hadeeth, Naasir us-Sunnah was-Salafiyyah, the Allaamah Abu Abdir-Rahmaan Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee while he was in hospital in the Shamaysee district, Jordan. We went early in the afternoon to the hospital and asked if they had a patient by the name of Shaykh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee they looked on a whiteboard full of patients and sure enough there was a Muhammad Naasir ud-Deen on the list in Room 332 (or so, I can’t remember exactly).
We made our way up in the elevator and found the room, but we were informed the Shaykh was sleeping. The Shaykhs’ grandson allowed me to enter to see the Shaykh very quickly. In front of me lay a handsome white man, with little hair and a full white beard. His beautiful arms were stained with blue bruises from the injections he had been receiving. Although I left quickly, I was determined to return.
Later that day I returned to find the Shaykh had woken up, but one of his grandsons tried to prevent me from entering the room saying that it was time for his medicines. I told him that I had travelled all the way from Britain only to see the Shaykh and give him salaam, so how could he refuse me entry.
My wife went into another room where she met Umm Fadl, the Shaykhs’ wife, and one of his daughters-in-law and some other relatives.
I entered to see Shaykh partially sat up in bed. I shook his frail hand and desperately wanted to kiss it and him, but I feared that he would not like it, due to what had reached me from some of the brothers regarding his humility. The Shaykh looked very weak and could hardly speak but he made a strong effort to welcome us.
I gave the Shaykh salaams, which he returned, and then I said, “Shaykh, may Allaah preserve you. I love you for the sake of Allaah.”
He said, pointing to the sky, “May the One for whose sake you have loved me, love you.”
I said, “Shaykh I have come from Britain.”
He said, “Do you have Salafees there?”
I said, “Yes Shaykh there are many, Alhamdulillah.”
He said, “Do you have ulemaa there?”
I said, “No Shaykh, there are no ulemaa but we have brothers from Madeenah university who have translated many books and tapes. And we have links with Shaykh Rabee’, Shaykh Muqbil and some students of knowledge visit us from Saudi, Kuwait and Jordan, and they give us duroos.”
He said, “When will you make hijrah?”
I said, “As soon as I can, Shaykh.”
He said, “Make hijrah to the land of the Muslims!”
I said, “Yes Shaykh, I intend to go to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
He said, “May Allaah reward you.”
I replied, “And may He reward you.”
With that, I gave the Shaykh salaam as his medicines were brought, and we left, grateful to Allaah for granting us such a blessing. Three months later the tragic news of the Shaykhs’ death reached us in England.
O Allaah have mercy on him, elevate his name up until the Last Day, give him peace and comfort in his grave, grant us love of him, and give us strength to hate whoever hates him, and make his efforts beneficial for him on that Day:
The Day on which neither wealth nor offspring will be of any benefit, except the one who comes with a sound heart. Ash-Shu’araa: 88,89
And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and do not put any hatred in our hearts against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.” al-Hashr: 10
And in this are many lessons:
1) Amongst them the great humility, warmth and kindness of the Shaykh towards us.
2) Also the concern the Shaykh had for Salafee’s around the world and his asking about them.
3) His concern for the Salafee’s to be linked to ulemaa.
4) Amongst them his strong advice to make hijrah to the lands of the Muslims.
5) Also the extent of his mercy and care, whereby he made duaa for us many times.
And all of this despite the severity of his condition at that time. And I am sure there are many more.
And we live in a time where the scholars are few and ignorance is widespread, so it is in our interests to travel to the Imaams of the Sunnah who are still alive today, the likes of Shaykh Rabee, Shaykh Ahmad, Shaykh Zayd, Shaykh Saaleh al-Fawzaan, Shaykh Ubayd and other than them, may Allaah preserve them all.
Contemplate this matter before it’s too late, since travelling to visit the imaams of the Sunnah was the way of our noble Salaf.
- Abid Zargar -
Tottenhan Dawah Salafiyyah London
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