Beware of Causing Fitnah

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

Stirring up or causing fitnah is not a good thing. Fitnah is a bad thing. Even if it seems good – there are some things that, even if you are right, you shouldn’t do. It’s not right to do everything according to your own minds. Whatever your Shaykh or Murshid tells you, that is the true path.

For example, when Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim was in ḥajj, he wouldn’t pray behind the imāms at the Kāa’bah. Because their maddhabs and beliefs were flawed and incorrect. Many fatwas have been issued stating that one shouldn’t pray behind them; however Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim says, “You should intend to pray behind the true imām; the imām in front of you is merely a figurehead.” Its value depends on your intention; you are there for the sake of Allāh ﷻ.

The intention is to perform the prayer and fulfill Allāh’s ﷻ command; you have no right to investigate the imām’s status. If you try to investigate, everyone will accept one and reject the other, and fitnah will arise. It is necessary to avoid giving rise to fitnah.

Even if you are right, there is no need to cause this, he says. Our father, Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim once did this, and his Shaykh, Mawlana Shaykh ‘Abdu Llāh ad-Dāghestānī, said to him, “Look and see who is leading the prayer?” When he looked at the imām with spiritual insight, he saw that there was another imām in front of him, and that was the true imām.

So, Allāh ﷻ showed it to our Shaykh this way, purely to prevent fitnah. When you stand behind any imām, do not cause fitnah; if it is prayer time, pray behind him. If you are in ḥajj, it is the same way. Wherever you stand, make your intention for the sake of Allāh ﷻ.

This intention is better than your deed. Indeed, our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam said, “نِيَّةُ المَرْءِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ”, “Niyyatu l-mar’i khayrun min ʿamalih.” “The intention of a person is better than his deed.” [Ḥadīth].

We see some people like this, not only in our country but all over the world. They confuse their own Jamā’ah with statements like, “I won’t pray behind this person, I won’t pray with that person. Whether to go to Friday prayers or not.” They clash with people, and as a result, fitnah arises.

Therefore, it is necessary to avoid causing and instigating fitnah. If your intention is pure, Allāh ﷻ will accept it. So, don’t confuse yourself, don’t cause yourself trouble, and don’t lead people astray.

May Allāh ﷻ protect us. May Allāh ﷻ not lead you astray. May Allāh ﷻ not make us among those who cause fitnah, in shā’a Llāh. Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

•⁠ ⁠Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

20 May 2026/ 3 Dhul Hijjah 1447

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul

Full Guide to the Month of Dhul Hijjah can be found here.

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