That Night At The Class Of Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan (hafidahullaah) [Audio Included]

درس التفسير من الحرم 21-07-1433هـ الشيخ صالح بن فوزان الفوزان http://alfawzan.af.org.sa/sites/default/files/tf--14330721.mp3 Some Information followed by some advice First the information : About some points noticed from last nights class The class of our Shaykh [al-Fawzaan] (حفظه الله تعالى) took place after Salaatul-Maghrib last night. Our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) sat in the place where Shaykh Waseeullah Abbas (حفظه الله تعالى) used to sit (I was informed by the man setting up the microphone that Shaykh Waseeullah (حفظه الله تعالى) has moved further inside the Haram and the fact that he was currently not teaching as he had gone abroad (I believe he said to Dubai, Allahu aalim). The chair that our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) sat upon is situated between Baab Maalik Fahd and Baad al-Umrah. In the Mataaf area (area of tawaf) (which is almost adjacent to the secound corner of the Ka’bah afer Makam al Ibriam. Although last week our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) sat inside the Masjid adjacent to this point. Shortly before the salah (by about 15 minutes) our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) came to where he would be delivering his class and sat down just in-front of the chair (not on the chair). Usually, in the Haram you see the Mashaykh who teach there wearing the Arab light cloak over their thawb. Shaykh al-Fawzaan (حفظه الله تعالى) was not wearing this at the time of entry in to the Mataaf area and as such only a handful of people recognized him and approached him to give him salam. Our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) sat making dhikr of Allaah (سبحانه و تعالى). Look at the wisdom of our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى), had he been wearing the cloak a considerably larger number of people would have approached him due to the fact that their attention would have been drawn to him. I roughly counted the number of people that approached the Shaykh in the time between his sitting down and the prayer starting and it was no more than about 10-15 people (approximately). The adhaan was given and our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) got up to pray 2 rak’ah with such humility. His lips moving ever so gently as he prayed. The Iqaamah was given and we prayed Salatul-Maghrib. Upon completing the salah our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) sat in his place on the floor making the legislated adhkaar. The Imaam started a Janazah prayer and the Shaykh immediately got up and joined the prayer. I swear by Allaah, our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) looked radiant. He delivered the class in his usual impeccable manner as you will be able to here in the lecture provided in the link above. His class continued the way up to the adhaan being given for Salaatul-Isha and then for about 10-15 minutes after Salaatul-Isha he continued answering questions, although this part of the question and answer session unfortunately was not recorded by myself or the brother who produced the recording that is on the website of our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى). One thing that I noticed from the Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) was that he did not allow people to kiss him on his forehead and when people try to do this it is possible to see that he is not happy with this and forcefully pushes them away. PLEASE NOTE IN YOUR MIND THE FOLLOWING POINTS OF ADVICE : And these are some very important points : Remember when you are faced with an opportunity to meet the likes of our Ulema. Do not behave like a pack of wolves going in for the kill. What do I mean by this? In our desire to meet the Mashaykh, which often only lasts for a few seconds (as the Shaykh is leaving the venue, or to the point where he exits the Masjid). We start crowding around the Shaykh, pushing and shoving the other brothers in order to get an opportunity to shake his hand or kiss his forehead without taking anything else In to consideration, especially the rights of the Shaykh. These men (our Mashaykh) are the inheritors of the Prophets, do we really understand this point! Do we understand that they are carrying the most valuable commodity in the world, ILM of the religion of al-Islaam. Be careful not to damage these precious vessels with your reckless behavior my brothers! I would advise all of the brothers that read this email to remember this. If Allah gives you an opportunity to meet our Mashaykh then be gentle and patient and you will (إن شاء الله) be able to shake his hand. Seeing the behavior of the brothers around our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) made me very upset. Shaykh al-Fawzaan (حفظه الله تعالى) is a very old man and it is not befitting that we force ourselves upon him in this manner, or upon any of the Mashaykh. Would you deal with your own own father or grandfather in this manner? We need to understand better the manners of dealing with the Mashaykh As our Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) left the Mataaf area people started to chase him and within a few feet of where he was sitting it became almost impossible for the Shaykh (حفظه الله تعالى) to leave with ease. We need to remember that our Mashaykh need to be respected and this is not the way to behave with them. I remember on one occasion something similar happened with Shaykh Waseeullaah Abbas (حفظه الله تعالى) at that time the Shaykh had not had surgery on his knees and was walking with a walking stick (very slowly). People started pushing a shoving each other to meet the Shaykh and made it difficult for him to leave the Mataaf area. Once we managed to get the Shaykh out of the Mataaf area there were only 4 or 5 people around him. I approached the Shaykh and asked him if I could accompany him on his way out which he allowed. Have met the Shaykh previously I asked him several questions without any interruption up until we arrived at his car. Not to make this email really long. Talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words Some people may not like what I have said above. But you will have to agree that unfortunately, this is how many of us behave and sometimes the truth is a bitter pill to swallow. We all talk about being gentle, do you not think the we need to be the most gentle with our Mashaykh? Next time you meet someone from Ahlul-Ilm try to remember the advice of your brother, for the sake of Allah. May Allah protect our Mashaaykh from Ahlus-Sunnah and may He increase us in our understanding of how to fulfil their rights upon us, ameen!