In a recent post seemingly directed at Mohammed HIjab and me, "S-tier" Wahhabi polemicist Bassam Zawadi writes the following:
"A polemical argument raised against Salafis that is gaining traction is the claim that they apply double standards in matters of kufr and theological deviation. Critics argue that Salafis are often willing to describe certain beliefs held by groups such as the Ash‘aris, grave-venerating Sufis, and others as kufr or shirk, yet supposedly become hesitant when controversial positions are attributed to figures they deeply revere, such as Ibn Taymiyyah. The issue is commonly framed around the question of fana’ al-nar, the alleged belief that Hellfire’s punishment will eventually cease. Critics argue that denying the everlastingness of Hell’s punishment is a kufri position, and therefore Salafis should at least concede that Ibn Taymiyyah “fell into kufr” if he truly held such a view.
....
"Even assuming Ibn Taymiyyah inclined toward that position, he did not arrive at it by rejecting revelation, dismissing consensus arrogantly, or attempting to undermine the religion’s foundations. Rather, he genuinely believed that some reports and narrations from the Salaf indicated such a position, alongside certain Qur’anic texts containing language of exception and divine will.
"In other words, his methodology itself remained rooted in appeal to revelation, transmitted reports, and perceived athar from the Salaf. The alleged error, according to this framing, would therefore lie in the application and conclusion, not in the underlying usul or methodology itself.
"This distinction matters enormously. There is a major difference between someone whose methodology systematically subordinates revelation to philosophical premises or compromises tawhid al-ibadah itself, and someone who reaches an erroneous conclusion while sincerely attempting to follow revelation and the understanding of the Salaf."
-end quote
Bassam's arguments are ad hoc, illogical, and misleading.
First of all, he claims that Ibn Taymiyya's affirmation that the hellfire will end is somehow acceptable because it derives from sound methodology which bases theological claims on scripture and the statements of the Salaf.
Many of those who deny that istighatha is known with certainty to be shirk and kufr (like myself) also base their views on scripture and statements of the Salaf.
The Quran, hadith, and statements of the Salaf provide some support for the view that one may call out to jinns, angels, and even the dead for certain limited forms of aid. Such a view is NOT BASED ON PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES. It is also the dominant view of Atharis/Hanbalis throughout history.
Nevertheless, Wahhabis claim that this view is outright kufr and shirk, or amounts to a defense of kufr and shirk.
Bassam himself has specifically attacked me on these grounds, and sought to cancel me, despite the fact that I have continuously affirmed the Athari creed and rejected basing theology on abstract philosophical principles. So he cannot claim that Wahhabis have a consistent policy of excusing those who reject such principles.
Rather they viciously attack anyone whose views differ from their own, even when these views are justified purely on the basis of scripture and statements of the Salaf. This is not surprising. Ibn Abd al-Wahhab takfired and attacked the Hanbali scholars of his day for rejecting the view that istighatha is known with certainty to be shirk and kufr. He attacked them despite their Athari methodology.
Bassam follows in Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's footsteps.
Bassam also says "A speculative interpretive error in a transmitted eschatological matter [i.e., denying that hellfire is eternal] is not viewed [by Sunni scholars] in the same way as doctrines that directly compromise tawhid al-ibadah."
This claim is idiotic for two reasons.
First of all, it implies that denying the eternality hellfire is a minor secondary matter whereas in reality it directly relates to one of the six pillars of iman.
Second, what is Bassam's evidence that Sunni scholars view denying the hellfire as different from compromising tawhid al-ibada?
Here what Bassam is actually arguing is that Sunni scholars think that denying the hellfire is less of a problem than belief in the validity of tawassul and istighatha.
Which Sunni scholars is Bassam talking about? Does he simply mean Ibn Taymiyya himself and Ibn Abd al-Wahhab? Or does he mean other scholars? If so, who are these other scholars?
In reality, Bassam does not (and cannot) quote any other Sunni scholars with the view that denying the hellfire is less of a problem than belief in the validity of tawassul and istighatha.
Actually, they have the opposite view. Premodern Sunni scholars usually do not takfir those who believe in tawassul and istighatha but do takfir those who deny the hellfire (or deny its eternity).
This is obvious to anyone who possesses the most basic familiarity with the Sunni tradition.
But Bassam's wahhabitard followers apparently lack this knowledge, and so are easily deceived by his baseless arguments.
Perhaps someone more sympathetic to Bassam might respond: "It is fine if you disagree with Bassam's view, but there is no need to express this disagreement with such a harsh tone."
But such an opinion misses the point.
Bassam himself coordinates attacks on me, directly participates in smear campaigns which label me a deviant shirk apologist or kafir, and then wants to claim that others are being "unfair" to Wahhabis by criticizing them for their harshness and double standards in matters of takfir and tabdi.
If Bassam wishes to engage in this type of behavior, then so be it. But it is hypocritical for him to claim that Wahhabis do not engage in such behavior, and that Wahhabis are being criticized unfairly as a result.
S-tier btw