The following advice was delivered by Shaykh Ḥasan ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb Marzūq al-Bannā (d. 1442 AH/2020 CE) ؒ to Masjid Daar us Sunnah by telephone link in 2010.
In the name of Allah and all praise is due to Allah , I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah having no partner and that Muḥammad is His slave and final Messenger.
O Allah send your peace and blessings upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad, as you have sent your peace and blessings upon Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm, indeed you are praiseworthy and most glorious.
To proceed, the most truthful of speech is the Book of Allah , and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad . The worst of affairs are the newly invented matters, and every newly invented matter is a bidʿah; every bidʿah is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire of Hell.
O brothers and sisters, As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-raḥmat Allāhi wa-barakātuh.
Firstly, I ask Allah for you and myself that He grants us success and guidance, and I would like to advise you with regard to your current state of living.
I advise you and myself with the fear of Allah and the fear of Allah is upon the heart, tongue, limbs, knowledge and actions. So fear Allah and seek beneficial knowledge and follow it (the knowledge) with righteous actions.
Know that there is no flag, nor slogan, nor personality (to follow or to hold onto) except the creed of Ahl as-Sunnah wa-l-Jamāʿah. So seek it and become familiar with it first and foremost, for indeed Allah has informed us in His Book;
وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ
“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform ṣalāh and give zakāh: and that is the right religion.” [Q 98:5]
Likewise the Prophet initially called the people to the correct belief and methodology.
Likewise Allah says:
فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنْتُمْ بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْا
“So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided.” [Q 2:137] (excerpt)
This means the path of the Companions, for indeed the Companions were the most sincere of people. Our Lord had chosen them to accompany the Prophet , so it is upon you to take their way and example (in understanding) the path of the Messenger.
If someone recommends an act of worship, you should ask him:
“What is the religious basis for this act? [Has it been legislated in the Qurʾān or Sunnah?] Is this among the actions of the Companions? Is this among the words of the Companions?”
For if we see that the Companions approved of such matter and practised it, then likewise we approve of it, otherwise we abandon it. This is how we deal with the affairs of the Religion.
As for the affairs related to the dunyā (worldly affairs) then we should take those which do not cross the boundaries of the religion. For example, a good business is a good thing, but it should not involve interest or taking the wealth of the people by falsehood, cheating or deceiving. As for working for a company which does not involve disobedience (to Allah ) in that case go forth (work) and put your trust in Allah.
With regard to the religious matters we follow the Book and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf of this nation. So I advise you and myself whether you be young or old, male or female, to fear Allah and to have good companions. Beware of accompanying evil or disbelieving people except out of necessity and be cautious of disclosing your secrets to them or allowing them to enter upon your wife and children.
Place boundaries (limits) on your relationship with these people and limit it for specific needs only. As for the neighbour, then give him his rights whether he is Muslim or not, show him beautiful actions whether he be Muslim or not. Does this mean that you treat the non-Muslim better than the Muslim? No, you should treat the Muslim better because Allah has made us brothers for His sake practising the religion.
A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, is that the case for a non-Muslim? No. We treat non-Muslims well and trade with them, work for them and they can work for us as long as the Islamic boundaries are not crossed, there is no harm in doing this (working for them).
This is your religion so advise the people by it. Advise the Muslims and non-Muslims with wisdom and using the best of reminders. So I advise you and myself to fear Allah and live a good life and to take care of your wives and children in the societies where you live. It is full of apostasy and disobedience even though they (its people) possess (many) jobs and organisations, their lives revolve around disobedience and apostasy. So beware for yourselves, your wives and your children.
Teach them the correct religion so that Allah may save them from falling into the traps of the non-Muslims or being affected by their media. Do not forget that you are among them, living with non-Muslims who hold different beliefs. Do not forget this!
Treat the non-Muslims the way the Sharīʿah orders you to treat them and be better with your Muslim brother, apply good manners and more with the Muslim brother and work with him more. Cooperate with your Muslim brother, fear Allah and perform good deeds as much as you are able. Make the tawḥīd sincere (for Allah ) with its three categories: worship, Lordship, and Names and Attributes.
Do not ask the Khawārij for advice and do not agree with the Muʿtazilah, and do not walk with the Murjiʿah, and do not follow the methodology of the Qadariyyah. [These principles] are famously mentioned in the books of Ahl as-Sunnah and if you are not sure with regards to an issue then ask the people of knowledge where you are, and if this is not possible then ask those abroad. Call them and ask them by way of telephone, ask them about anything regarding the religion whether they are in Egypt or outside of Egypt from the Salafiyyīn. This is good InshāʾAllah.
May Allah guide you to success and I ask my generous Lord, the Lord of the mighty Throne to guide us to everything that pleases Him and to make you firm in belief and to save you from every calamity and stress, for (the capability) is in Allah’s Hands. I thank Allah the Lord of the universe and ask Him to send the peace and blessings upon His Messenger.
References
The Qurʾān – Q 98:5 and 2:137 (excerpt).
Al-Bannā, Ḥasan ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb Marzūq (d. 1442 AH/2020 CE). Advice to Masjid Daar us Sunnah by telephone link, 2010.
