Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: Confronting Intellectual Deviations Requires Knowledge, Wisdom, and Unity

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, has emphasized that confronting the intellectual deviations afflicting our contemporary world requires elevating the status of knowledge and wisdom and working towards the unity and cohesion of the Muslim community.

During his address on the occasion of celebrating the 88th anniversary of the establishment of the 'Nahdlatul Wathan' in Indonesia," delivered on his behalf by Dr. Salah Al-Shami, a member of the Al-Azhar Heritage Revival Center, Judge Abdelsalam stated that the followers of Hadith (Ahl al-Hadith), Ash'aris, and Maturidis form a unified fabric in countering these intellectual deviations.

Judge Abdelsalam further explained that Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah carry the banner of Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, and follow a balanced path that combines tradition and reason. Similarly, Imam al-Shafi'i, before them, bridged the gap between the proponents of rationalism and those of tradition and that each of them contributed to the renewal of their respective specialties and times.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders also pointed out that major Islamic institutions worldwide, including those in the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina, Al-Azhar University, Al-Qarawiyyin University, and Zaytuna College, have followed this righteous and straight path, accommodating the diversity of the Muslim Ummah, including Ahl al-Hadith, Ash'aris, and Maturidis. He noted that Nahdlatul Wathan follows the same path, adhering to the beliefs of Imam al-Ash'ari and the school of thought of Imam al-Shafi'i.

He further warned of the dangers of intellectual deviation that have spread in some societies due to some hasty individuals who have not comprehensively understood the issues and have judged incorrectly based on their limited knowledge and shallow understanding of Islamic scholars. These people have also practiced excommunication, misguidance, and heresy and used their hands for sabotage, destruction, and killing.

Judge Abdelsalam emphasized that the cure for this intellectual deviation lies in knowledge, wisdom, and the unification of the Ummah. He concluded his speech by referring to an article written by Imam al-Ash'ari while on his deathbed, where he advised one of his students, saying, "Bear witness that I do not excommunicate anyone from the People of the Qiblah, for they all direct themselves to one God. The differences among them are only in expressions." 

Dr. Al-Shami also conveyed greetings, prayers, and blessings from His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, as well as from Secretary-General Mohamed Abdelsalam, to the 'Nahdlatul Wathan' society on its annual celebration. He noted the society's efforts during the era of its founder, Sheikh Muhammad Zainuddin bin Abdul Majid Al-Fanshawi as well as its subsequent generations and students who spread knowledge throughout various regions of Indonesia, following the path of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah in terms of knowledge, wisdom, and moderation.