Kashf al-Qina’ ‘an Talbis ‘Arafat wa Mashayikh ‘Adan (Yamen): Exposing How They Hide Behind Salafi Scholars to Push a Political Agenda of Rebellion Against the Rulers in Yemen
(The Tearing of the Veil from the Deception of ‘Arafat and the Shaykhs of Aden: An Exposition of Their Hiding Behind Salafi Scholars to Advance a Political Agenda of Rebellion in Yemen)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. We praise Him, seek His aid, and ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomever He misguides, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
To proceed:
Know, may Allah guide you to the truth and grant you firmness upon the Sunnah, that the greatest of tribulations (Fitan) are not those that approach with drawn swords, but those that approach wearing the garments of the Religion, speaking with the tongues of the righteous, yet harboring the methodologies of the people of desires (Ahl al-Ahwa’).
The Salaf of this Ummah were severely tested by those who used the texts of the Quran and Sunnah to justify their deviations. Today, we are tested by a people who use the fatwas of the Salafi Imams to justify their partisanship (Hizbiyyah) and their political rebellion (Khuruj). Among the most glaring examples of this in our time is the condition of ‘Arafat al-Muhammadi, his associates among the Shaykhs of Aden, and those who blindly defend them.
The Reality of Their Deception (Talbis)
The reality of this matter is that these individuals have embroiled themselves in the very essence of blameworthy partisan politics. They have engaged in affairs that lead to division, aligned themselves with agendas that foment instability, and remained silent upon—or actively aided—methodologies that resemble the rebellion of the Khawarij against the rulers (Wulat al-Amr) in Yemen.
Yet, when the people of insight (Ahl al-Basirah) rise to refute them, clarify their mistakes, and warn the Ummah against their deviations, how do they respond? Do they return to the truth? Do they repent from their political partisanship?
No. Rather, they resort to the ancient trick of the people of innovation: A word of truth intended for falsehood (Kalimatu haqqin urida biha batil).
They snatch the general statements of the major scholars—statements originally issued to warn the Salafi youth against abandoning beneficial knowledge for the sake of barren, partisan political arguments—and they hurl these statements at their critics. They say to the common people:
“Do not listen to those who criticize us! They are engaging in the ‘politics’ the scholars warned against! They are leaving knowledge for political talk!”
By doing this, they construct a fortress out of the scholars’ words to protect their own political rebellion. This is a profound betrayal of the scholars’ intent.
The Words of Shaykh Ibn Burjis
It is precisely regarding such behavior that the noble Shaykh, the ‘Allamah ‘Abd al-Salam ibn Burjis (may Allah have mercy upon him) astutely observed:
“For surely, a group of people claim Salafiyyah, while the Salafi Da‘wah is free from them.”
The Salafi Da’wah is built upon clarity, honesty, and holding firmly to the Jama’ah, not upon plotting in the dark, aiding rebellions, and then using the scholars as a shield when exposed. The Salafi methodology does not permit a man to engage in the politics of rebellion with his hands and feet, while using the banner of “abandoning politics” to gag the mouths of those who seek to hold him accountable.
Clarifying the Ambiguity: Defending the Sunnah is Not “Partisan Politics”
If it is said by their defenders:
“But the scholars did warn against politics, so why do you speak of these affairs?”
We say in response: The scholars of the Sunnah warned against the politics of the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan al-Muslimin), the politics of democratic partisanship, and the politics that busies the commoner with affairs belonging only to the rulers and the senior scholars.
They never intended that refuting clear acts of rebellion, exposing those who agitate against the authorities, and warning against partisan networks is “blameworthy politics.” Rather, exposing the plots of the rebels and the partisans is from the greatest forms of Jihad, commanding the good, and forbidding the evil. It is the defense of the Religion itself. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal did not engage in “blameworthy politics” when he stood against the Mu’tazilah; he was defending the Usul (foundations) of the Religion.
When the scholars of the Sunnah speak against ‘Arafat and the Aden Shaykhs for their involvement in these calamities, they are fulfilling the covenant of the scholars to clarify the truth and not conceal it. To label this clarification as “politics” is a vile attempt to confuse the ignorant.
True Politics is Inseparable From the Religion
Furthermore, the claim that speaking on these affairs is entirely separate from the Religion is a secular innovation, not a Salafi principle. The orthodox, legislated politics (Siyasah Shar’iyyah) is a part of this profound Religion.
This truth was firmly established by the Imam of Yemen in our time, the ‘Allamah Shaykh Muqbil bin Hadi al-Wadi’i (may Allah have mercy upon him), who clarified that true politics—which is establishing justice, preserving the security of the Muslims, obeying the rulers in good, and suppressing the rebels—is inseparable from Islam.
A Warning to the Seekers of Truth
Therefore, it is obligatory upon the seeker of truth not to be deceived by mere claims or by those who quote the scholars out of context. The Khawarij quoted the Quran, but the Companions fought them because they applied the verses to the wrong realities.
Likewise, ‘Arafat al-Muhammadi and his associates quote the scholars’ warnings against politics, but they apply them in a manner that serves a rebellious agenda and prevents legitimate clarification of methodological deviations. They use the scholars to hide from the Sunnah.
We ask Allah to expose the plots of the deceivers, to return the misguided to the truth with a beautiful return, and to keep us firm upon the clear, white path of the Salaf al-Salih, whose night is as its day, and from which no one strays except that he is destroyed. And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
WARNING TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHERS REGARDING THE DAURAH OF ARAFAT AL-MUHAMMADI
🎙 Shaykh Nizar bin Hashim al-Abbas al-Sudani (may Allah preserve him) said:
“As for the educational seminar (daurah) that has been announced for the man known as Arafat in the Philippines, I sincerely advise all Salafis, and indeed all Muslims in the Philippines, to exercise great caution and vigilance regarding this man, Arafat al-Muhammadi, for he is not someone from whom knowledge should be taken.
He is not trustworthy with respect to the religion of the Muslims, especially concerning the Salafi students of knowledge. Indeed, he is a liar and an infiltrator among the Salafis. In addition to that, numerous dangerous deviations and disgraceful lies have been established against him.
Among the most serious of these is the lie he told and his attempt to deceive our teacher, the eminent scholar Rabee’, regarding the Yemen issue, specifically the case of Hani bin Buraik.
Furthermore, both he and those with him from the Aden group have opposed the clear principles of Salafiyyah. They have opposed the Muslim ruler in Yemen, abandoned obedience to the government, and followed behind deviant political parties.
They have deceived the Salafis, deceived the Yemeni people who are suffering from calamities, and portrayed matters contrary to reality. They are nothing but paid agents of a small conspiratorial state that has caused destruction in Yemen, Sudan, and many other Muslim countries and elsewhere. May Allah protect the Ummah from the evil of that state.
Therefore, I say that it is obligatory upon the students of knowledge and the Salafis in the Philippines, as well as in other countries around the world, to beware of this man known as Arafat. He is misguided and leads others astray, a source of tribulation, a liar, deceitful, and cunning.
He is an infiltrator within the Salafi ranks whose objective is to alter the fundamental principles of the Salafi call so that it conforms to his agenda, his schemes, and his relentless efforts to divide the Salafi community throughout the world.
Our duty, therefore, is to beware of him and to warn the Ummah against his danger. Allah alone grants success and guides to the straight path.
I ask Allah to protect all Muslims in general, and Ahl al-Sunnah in particular, throughout the world from the tribulation of this man and from the tribulation of those like him among the followers of these newly emerged partisan groups.
And Allah knows best. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all of his Companions.”
