Al-Ahbash

Al-Ahbash, also known as The Abash, Habashis, Jam'iyyat al- Mashari' al-Khayriyya al-Islamiyya and "جمعية المشاريع الخيرية الإسلامية" is a religious sect and political party in Lebanon. The name of the party translates as the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects with the acronym AICP.

Al'Ahbash follows the teachings of Abdullah al-Harari, an interpretation of Islam combining elements of Sunni and Shi'a theology with Sufism. It advocates Islamic pluralism and opposition to political activism(its slogan is "the resounding voice of moderation"). It also promotes its beliefs internationally through a major internet presence and regional offices, notably in the United States.

It is highly controversial within Islam for its anti-Salafi religious stance and with Sufi and other beliefs seen as heretical, and its political alliances (pro-Syria and conciliatory toward the West).

Doctrines compared between Al-Ahbash and to mainstream sunni Muslims

Article of faith	Mainstream Islamic belief	Al-Ahbash belief
Tawheed (Monotheism)	The belief of the Muslims, as indicated by the verses of the Qur’aan, the ahaadeeth of the Prophet (SAW), sound human nature and clear common sense is that Allaah is above His creation, over His Throne, and nothing at all of His creatures’ affairs is hidden from Him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “and then He rose over (Istawaa) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty)”. [al-A’raaf 7:54] – this phrase appears seven times in the Qura’aan. And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allaah unless and until they are followed by good deeds)” [Faatir 35:10] “And He is the Most High, the Most Great” [al-Baqarah 2:255] “Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High” [al-A’laa 87:1] “And to Allaah prostrate all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, of the moving (living) creatures and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allaah) with humility]. They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded” [al-Nahl 16:49-50] Ibn Taymiyah attacked Ibn e Arabi, the famous Sufi that claimed for the first time that Allah exists everywhere and he claimed that Allah and his creations are the same thing. That is clearly in contradiction to Quran and Sunnah and to the understanding of the Companions (Qur'an 67:16). Ibn Taymiyah declared him a Kafir (non-Muslim) because he attributed to Allah something that we were never told, and that is Kufr by the agreement of the Sunni Muslims [6] Muslims can never believe or claim Allah has created the universe and sent the Messengers to humans for no purpose or wisdom and never entertain such heretical believes and believe that whoever attributes any of Allah's actions to the Divine Wisdom is a mushrik.[8] Al Shafi or any sunni school never came up with the idea that - Is Allah able on him self or not?.Nor can they entertain such idea.	They deny that Allaah is above His creation.[5] Ibn e Arabi, the famous Sufi claimed for the first time that Allah exists everywhere and he claimed that Allah and his creations are the same thing.Here ahbashi’s follow ibn e Arabi. They claim that Allah has created the universe and sent the Messengers to humans for no purpose or wisdom. [7] Al-Habashi also came up with some strange things, he said Allah is has ability on most of things - look Izhar Al-Iqedah Al-Sunnyah P. 59 -. Also, he asked the people this question, Is Allah able on him self or not?. He is Jabri, he said Allah help the Kuffars on their Kufer, if Allah did not help them they will not be Kuffar (look Al-Nahj Al-Saleem P. 67).
The Attributes to Allah	Al-Shafi as all Ahlu-sunnah beliefs Allah's attributes as what Allah (S.W.T) mentions them in His book and in the Sunnah of His Messengers without any meaning's changing, exchanging, or misconstruction. This is the consensus of the Muslims, from the Sahaabah and Taabi’een to those who follow their path until the present day that it is obligatory to believe in what is stated in the texts about the Names and attributes of Allaah, without distorting the meanings, denying any of His attributes, discussing the hows and whys or likening any of Allaah’s attributes to human attributes. They (the Muslims) believe that there is none like unto Allaah and He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing; they do not deny any of the attributes with which He has described himself. They do not change the words from their (right) places or belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names or signs. They do not discuss the nature of His attributes, or liken His attributes to the attributes of His creation, because there is nothing that can be compared to Him, and He has no equal or rival. Imaam al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “I believe in Allaah and in what has come from Allaah as Allaah meant it. I believe in the Messenger of Allaah and in what has come from the Messenger of Allaah as the Messenger of Allaah meant it.” Imaam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “We believe in it; we do not reject anything that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, and we do not describe Allaah with more than He has described Himself.”[3] The meaning of Istawa every Muslim knows the meaning by the Fitrah, it means He (S.W.T) rose over, that set no more details such as how, because Allah (S.W.T) tells us in the Quran about his attributes something fit with human's mind, we believe them as is, according Imam Malik, when someone ask him about Al-Istiwa he - may Allah have mercy on him- Al-Istiwa's meaning is known, how is unknown, believe it is obligation, and to ask about is Bed'ah, then he asked this man to go because he is Mubtad'a. [4]	They think that it is obligatory to interpret the texts of the Qur’aan and Sunnah which speak of the attributes of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted (i.e., to understand them differently from the apparent meaning.[1] They change the meaning of Allah's attributes based on the desire. Look what Al-Habashi and his followers said about ' Al-Istiwa' " Al-rahman ala al'arsh istawa" translation " The most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the mighty Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty) -Taha verse 5- , what they - Ahbash- said about the meaning of this word 'Istawa' they said it means take possession of the Throne, that means there was a god before Allah , then Allah possessed the throne from that first god, which no Muslim will believe or accept that , Ta-a'la-Allah Oluwan Kabera[2].
Totality of the Quran	“They want to change Allaah’s Words. Say: ‘You shall not follow us; thus Allaah has said beforehand.’” [al-Fath 48:15] this ayat clearly states that Quran is the word of Allah. Any sunni school of thought never claimed that Quran is not the word of Allah but of Gabriel(Alih Asslam). Imaam al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “I believe in Allaah and in what has come from Allaah as Allaah meant it. I believe in the Messenger of Allaah and in what has come from the Messenger of Allaah as the Messenger of Allaah meant it.” Imaam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “We believe in it; we do not reject anything that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, and we do not describe Allaah with more than He has described Himself.”[9] Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal spent several years in the jails of Bani al-Abbas because of his stand against the deviant mutazillah when they claimed that the text of Quran was uttered by Gabriel not by Allah [10]	Al-Habashi said that, The Quran's word was established by Gabriel (Alih Asslam), and Quran is not Allah's speech -look Izhar Al-Iqedah Al-Sunnyah P. 59-. Of course this idea is not new idea he came up with it, he just follows Al-Thalal's Imams. This idea is not something simple we can forget it. Just think about that, if we said Al-Quran is not Allah's speech that means it somebody's else speech, that means it could have some mistake. If we look at the history, where this idea come from, and why they came up with this idea, we will notice that, they want to reject the Quran, but they could not find any way to prove that, It is deficient or incomplete, then they came up with this idea. When the Muslims believe that, it is not Allah's speech then it could be incomplete or it is not perfect. Then we can change some of it while it is not perfect.
Seeking help from the Dead	Quran regarding worshipping graves, dead people and any thing besides Allah explicitly says “And they worship besides Allaah things that harm them not, nor profit them, and they say: 'These are our intercessors with Allaah'" [Yoonus 10:18] “Verily, We have sent down the Book to you (O Muhammad) in truth. So worship Allaah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allaah’s sake only. Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allaah only. And those who take Auliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, lords, gods) besides Him (say): ‘We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allaah.’ Verily, Allaah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allaah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever” [al-Zumar 39:2-3] “And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism, i.e. worshipping others besides Allaah), and the religion (worship) will all be for Allaah Alone” [al-Anfaal 8:39]. Al-Shafi or even any Sunni school of thought does not claim or believe in the things which are explicitly against Quran.	He, Al-Habashi, encourage people to go to the graves and appeal for aid from dead, also he allows to seek the protection from other than Allah (look Al-Daleel Al-Qaweem P.173, Bwghyat Al-Talib P.8, Sareeh Al-Bayan P.57-62). Also, he said Al-Awleya come from their graves to do people's needs, then they go back to their graves ! (look Khalid Kanan's tape b70). Also, he ask people to have Tabaruk by stone (look Sareh Al-Byan P. 58, Ithhar Al-Aqedah Al-Sunnyah P.244).
Iman / Deen (Practicing one's Faith with Intentions, Deeds and Actions)	Quran itself is very explicit on this matter. So all Sunni schools and even Shia believe in that iman is not only saying but believing and practicing in true Spirit of Quran and sunnah. Otherwise a person cant be true momin. In the words of Imaam al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him): “Among the consensus of the Sahaabah and the Taabi’een and those who came after them, and those whom we have met, is that they say: faith is words, actions and intentions; one of these three will not be complete without the others.” Thus iman is not only saying but believing n practicing in true Spirit of Quran and sunnah. Otherwise a person cant be true momin. It is known that the belief of the Muslims, which was that followed by the Sahaabah, the Taabi’een and those who follow their path until the present day, is that faith (eemaan) is the matter of words spoken by the tongue, beliefs held in the heart and actions done by the body. Belief must be accompanied by submission to the laws of Islam, otherwise that so-called faith is not valid.[12]	He is Murje, Concerning creed, they follow the condemned school of Irja'.[11] He said Iman is saying only without deeds, i.e. , Iman is belief only , when you believe it is enough for you to enter Al-Jannah you do have to do any practice, he make Abu Baker and Abu Jahel is same, because both believe Allah. Anyone believe Allah is Mu'min either he pray or not, he does Islam's Pillars or not. (look Al-Daleel Al-Qaweem P.7, Beghyat Al-Taleb P.51).
Superiority of Divine Law over Man-made Law	No Sunni school of thought can ever claim that human law is equal to or superior to laws laid by Quran and Sunnah.	He does not care about the Judgment by Islam or other which is against Islam, and he describe the people who judge by human's law (against Islam) and do not like to judge by Islam, he describe them as Muslim and Mu'min, also he allows helping them (look tape No. 318/1 side A). Also, he said any one who said at least one time in his life La Elah Ela Allah (No God but Allah) he is Muslim and Mu'min even if he does not judge the Allah's Share'ah in his life, does not do any of Allah's commands, and does not leave Allah's prohibited. (look Al-Daleel Al-Qaweem P.9-10, Beghyat Al-Taleb P. 51). He- Al-Habashi- said that Syed Qutub is Kafer, because he prohibit Judges to judge between people using the human's law (against Islam).
Respecting the Prophet's Companions	“And those who came after them say: Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.” [al-Hashr 59:10] This is the sound belief concerning the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This is the belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah throughout the centuries. Imaam Abu Ja’faar al-Tahhaawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, explaining the beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah: “We love the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but we do not go to extremes in our love for any of them, and we do not disown any of them. We hate those who hate them, and we do not say anything but good about them (the companions). Love for them is true religion, faith and goodness; hatred for them is kufr, hypocrisy and transgression.”[14] It is confirmed that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not abuse my Companions for if any one of you spent gold equal to Mountain Uhud (in Allah's Cause) it would not be equal to a mudd or even a half mudd spent by one of them."? Allah Almighty says: “And those who came (into the faith) after them say: Our Lord Forgive us and our brethren who were before us in the faith, and place not in our hearts any rancor toward those who believe. Our Lord! Thou art Full of Pity, Mercifl.” (Al-Hashr: 10) [15]	Although claiming to be the follower of al shafi school of thought he tries to get Shi'ah's agree by talking a lot about the fightings(Fitans) which happened between companions, and he insult Mua'wyah (R.A.A) a lot and he - Al-Habashi - made him -Mua'wyah - of Fire's people, also he mention a lot of Shia'h's stories about Mua'wyah (R.A.A). They abuse the Prophet’s Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) particularly Mu`awiyah, `A'ishah, Khalid ibn al-Walid. They declared that Mu`awayh (may Allah be pleased with him) was not a true believer. In such case, they are similar to the Rafidah who also insult the Prophet’s Companions. [Muslims must abstain from discussing the relationship between the Prophet’s Companions and their disagreements. They must also recognize their role in promoting Islam and their being privileged with the Companionship of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).[13]
Takfeer (Excommunication of the Followers of Islam)	Al-Shafi and other founders of the rest of three sunni schools never insulted each other. They respected the difference of opinion among themselves. The Prophet (s) said "whoever calls a Muslim a kaafir, he is a kaafir." This is borne out in the following three hadiths. The Prophet (s) said, as narrated in Bukhari and Muslim by Ibn Mas'ud, "to curse a Muslim is corruption and to fight him is apostasy." He said in another hadith related by Abdullah ibn 'Umar in Tabarani, that the Prophet (s) said, "leave alone the people who say there is no deity except Allah, don't call them unbelievers if they did something that in your eyes is a sin, for whoever says that they are unbelievers, he is the one nearer to unbelief." Anas ibn Malik related from the Prophet (s) "the origin of faith is threefold: to leave alone those who say there is no deity but God alone, not to call him an unbeliever because of a sin, and not to bring him out of Islam. [Abu Dawud.] "The Prophet (s) said, "you must follow the majority of Muslims." The majority of Muslims are following these three hadiths and avoid accusing anyone of kufr and unbelief, except "Abdullah Habashi" and his followers who proved with their believes that they are non muslims. [17]	He not only insult the scholars beginning with the companions, especially Mua'wyah (R.A.A)( look Ethhar Al-Aqeedah AlSunnyah P. 182). look to some of his tape like (tape No. 13/A/94) to see what he said about Shihk Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah(follower of hanbal school of thought,), also, look at (Al-Magalat Al-Sunnyah P. 15, 24, 26, 57, 62, 75). Look what he said about Imam Al-Thahabi, he said he is wicked, Imam Muhammad bin AbdulWahhab (follower of hanbal school of thought,)murder and Kafer (look at their Manar Al-Huda Magazine Issue 3 P.34). Shikh Syed Sabiq is Majosi Kafir (tape No. 1/A/181). Syed Qutub is one of Al-Khawarij's heads, he is Kafir, and he is journal's communist (look Al-Nahj Al-Sawi fi Al-Rad ala Syed Qutub Wa Tabi'eh Fiysal Muwlawi P. 3) in this way they wanted to turn people away from the scholars who have deep knowledge, and put people off from reading their books or referring to the reports transmitted from them, include: slandering them, belittling them and undermining them, and even denouncing them as kaafirs.[16] Anyone is considered an unbeliever unless they take initiation with their shaykh. Everyone else is considered kaafir. Al-Habashi divides the Islamic resources to facts, Share'ah, inner (Baten), outer (thaher), he pretends that, he gets the knowledge from Allah by some kind of knowledge its name (Al-Elm Al-Ladoni), also, he pretends that, he meets Al-Khuder and some other Shykhs in their graves, and he talks the promise from them!. Also, he believes that, they (the people who usually meets them) have ability and control on the universe according to their levels, some of them hold the earth, others knows the unseen!. [22]
Presumptious Superiority of Al-Ahbash' Religious Decress over Quran and Sunnah	Imam Shafi never claim that his Fatwas are above Quran and Sunnah. Instead all Sunni imams including Al Shafi claimed that their Fatwas should be considered null and void if they contradicts Quran and Sunnah. “And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell — what an evil destination!” [al-Nisaa’ 4:115]	He -Al-Habashi calls for the revival of the approaches of the advocates of the science of Kalam (theology), Sufis, and the Batiniyyah (hidden religion). The Batiniyyah (Ismaili shites)believe that Quranic texts have a hidden mending, and that there is a knowledge of the unseen, that only the Ismaili scholars can know about. That is known as Batiniyah[18]
Interest	According to Quran, Interest is not allowed in any condition.	One of the most flagrant violations of this sect is their issuing of wrong fatwas that contradict the Qur'an and the Sunnah. For instance, He, Al-Habashi, allows Al-Riba (the interest) and they consider it permissible to deal in Riba (interest) with non-Muslims, and to join lottery games. (Al-Ahbash: Evolution and Beliefs)
Uncleanness	According to Quran, Salat or prayer is not allowed in the state of uncleanness.	He allows to pray with dirty - Najasah - (look Beghyat Al-Taleb P. 99-100).
Gambling	According to Quran, gambling is not allowed in any condition.	He allows playing gambling with Kuffar, and allows stealing your neighbors if they are non Muslim. (look Sareeh Al-Bayan P. 133) [18] Al-Habashi considers gambling with non-believers permissible in order to take away their money as long as this does not lead to sedition. They consider robbing the harvest and the cattle of non-believers and permissible. [20]
Intermingling of Men and Women	According to Quran, intermigling of men and women is not allowed.	One of their most obvious violations to the principles of Islam is their declaration that it is permissible to look lustfully at women, on television or elsewhere, and also that intermingling between men and women without any restrictions is permissible. He said the first sighting on the foreign woman is allowed even if it takes too long time (look Beghyat Al-Taleb P.224, 287)[21]
Un-Islamic Religious Decrees (Fatwas)	According to mainstream Sunni scholars, Al-Ahbash continue to follow unislamic Fatwas.	FOR EXAMPLE: They marry only within their group. They trade, buying and selling only among themselves.[23] They gave a fatwa that a man can sleep with any woman that is not a member of their group, because she will be considered jaariya, as they consider themselves at war with those who do not follow them. They are even permitted to use force for this purpose, thereby condoning rape. [24] They destroyed families by demanding that wives leave husbands and husbands leave wives, based on their claim that if one spouse took initiation with the so-called "Habashi," he or she must leave the other, unless the other spouse also take initiation. By this means, they have broken up thousands of families, in Lebanon, Europe, in America where they have some small groups. [25] They have given a fatwa to the effect that wives forcibly separated from their husbands, remarry, though they are still considered married by sharia; moreover they force them to remarry one of the members of their group.[26] They gave a fatwa that as long as the woman is covering her head, she can go swimming in a one-piece bathing suit or bikini, even in front of strange men. Their special beaches are infamous in Lebanon[27]. They say that women can go in front of any man wearing all types of cosmetics, fragrances, eyelashes, rouge and makeup, and wearing tight trousers and alluring clothes, as long as she is covering her head. they say that for a man to look at any part of a woman who is not permissible for him is not haraam[28] Now they are finally studying the possiblity of a fatwa to allow mut'ah to take place.[29] They have big maestro group (music group) such as James Last, they singing and dancing with women, and they use it to pray to Allah! because this is ISLAMIC MUSIC. [30] They permitted mufakhadha, which means a man may sleep and commit any sexual act with other than his wife, as long as no penetration occurs.[31] Al-Habashi pretends that, he has the prophet's finger ring, and he shows it to the people, and they jump to kiss it. [32] They -Ahbash- sing and dance in their parties with such undress women, in spite of that, they said Allah gives them Karamat [33] They enforce Masajids` Imam in Lebanon to let them -Ahbash- to give lessons in the Masjid (look Shira magazine issue No. 574 Fighting on Masajids in Lebanon). Al-Habashi made a Fitnah in US and Canada and Japan by ordering his follower to change their Qiblah (the direction of prayer), then they changed their Qiblah against all Muslims in US and Canada by 90 degree. Also, in Lebanon, they have different Qiblah from other Muslims there, they changed it to the North. And they did not pray with Muslims in Muslims' Masajids. [34] He and his followers use magic (Al-Sher), and they used to give their followers to let them follow them without any objection, they use some tablets for that purpose they called it promise's tablets (Huboob Al-Ahb). Also, they have some magic paper they used for magic purpose.[35] These are some examples of their weird fatwas that clearly contradict Shari`ah and consider all grave sins as permissible practices and they have permitted their followers to do which is contrary to Islam.

See also

• Politics of Lebanon

Bibliography

• "Western Muslims and the future of Islam", Author: Tariq Ramadan, Publisher: Oxford University Press US, 2004, ISBN: 019517111X, 9780195171112
• "A warning and refutation of the heretical group known as the Habashis [al-Ahbash]: Translated excerpts from Abdullah Muhammad al-Shami's [al-Radd ala Abd ... al-Habashi" : Islamic theological studies, Author: Abd Allah Muhammad Shami, Publisher: AlgebraTan Pub (1994), ISBN-10: 096428300X, ISBN-13: 978-0964283008 [1][2]
• "The Quran and the secular mind: a philosophy of Islam", Author: Shabbir Akhtar, Publisher: Routledge, 2007, ISBN: 0415437830, 9780415437837
• "Once Were Radicals: My Years as a Teenage Islamo-Fascist", Author: Irfan Yusuf, Publisher: Allen & Unwin, 2009, ISBN: 1741758262, 9781741758269
• "Globalized Islam: The Search for a New Ummah", Author: Olivier Roy, Publisher: Columbia University Press, 2006, ISBN: 0231134991, 9780231134996
• "Unmasking terror: a global review of terrorist activities", Volume 3, Author: Jonathan D. Hutzley, Publisher: Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized Jul 28, 2009, ISBN: 0967500966, 9780967500966
• "Everyday jihad: the rise of militant Islam among Palestinians in Lebanon", Authors: Bernard Rougier, Pascale Ghazaleh, Translated: by Pascale Ghazaleh, Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2007, ISBN: 0674025296, 9780674025295
• "Syria and the Hariri assassination" by The Economist print edition, Date of Publication: Oct 27th 2005 | BEIRUT

External links

• Association of Islamic Charitable Projects Official US site