To the right is the cover for the second edition of "Baraa'ah Ulamaa il-Ummah Min Tazkiyah Ahl il-Bid'ah wal-Mudhammah" (The Innocence of the Scholars of the Ummah from the Commendation of the People of Innovation and Censure). This book was prepared by Isaam bin Abdullaah as-Sinaanee. It contains a refutation of the one who used the intercession of Shaykh Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah) for Sayyid Qutb as a proof for the 'adaalah (integrity) of Sayyid Qutb and commendation of his (Qutb's) manhaj, when it is not a proof at all.

The book, after compilation and authorship was sent to Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan who checked over it and made recommendations, and also suggested an improvement to the title of the book. Then it was read by Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah), who made his own written notes on the pre-print copy that was sent to him, and he also advised that the section titled "The Salafi Manhaj", should be placed before "The Qutubi Manhaj" and not after it, unless the author had a specific reason for doing that. And images of these hand-written notes are included at the end of the book. We will be quoting from this book inshaa'Allaah in this series. Both of these scholars endorsed the contents of this book and the purpose for which it was to be published and distributed. And the purpose is clearly outlined in the title of the book itself. Namely, to declare the Scholars of Ahl us-Sunnah free and innocent (in particular Imaam Ibn Baaz, and the other scholars in general) of having made tazkiyah (i.e. given adaalah) to those who are from the people of innovation: In this case Sayyid Qutb, who aside from writing his commentary on the Qur'an upon an Ash'arite creed, added other great calamities, some of which are serious enough that they cannot really be excused by mere ignorance, such as accusing the Scribe of the Prophet (alayhis salaam) the Uncle of the Believers, Mu'awiyah - whose integrity is attested to by the Prophet himself - of treachery, deception and hypocrisy.

And this book essentially sunk their ship, leaving them only the flotsam to hold onto thereafter, which is what they have been doing since then.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen on the Tafseer of Sayyid Qutb

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) said:

My study of the book of Sayyid Qutb has only been scant, and I do not know about his condition; however the scholars have written about his book in tafseer 'Fee Zilaalil Qurýaan' - they have written critical comments about it: such as what Shaikh 'Abdullaah ad-Duwaysh - rahimahullaah - wrote, and our brother Shaikh Rabee' al-Madkhalee wrote some points of criticism upon him - upon Sayyid Qutb with regards to his tafseer and other things. So whoever wishes to refer to that then let him do so.

From a lecture entitled "Liqaa ma-'ash - Shaikhain: Muhammad ibn 'Uthaimain & Rabeeý al-Madkhalee" in Jeddah, on 20/11/1413H.

The Shaykh (rahimahullaah) was also asked about the books of Sayyid Qutb, particularly Fee Zilalil-Quran (In the Shade of the Qur'an) and Ma'alim fit-Tareeq (Milestones), and he answered:

My statement - may Allaah bless you - is that whoever is sincere to Allaah, His Messenger, and his brother Muslims, then he should encourage the people to read the books of those who have preceded us, from the books of tafsir (explanation of the Qur'an) and other than (the books of) tafsir. These books contain more blessings, are more beneficial and are much better than the books of the later ones. As for the tafsir of Sayyid Qutb - may Allaah have mercy upon him - then it contains great calamities, however we hope that Allaah pardons him. It contains great calamities...

From the Cassette: Aqwaal ul-Ulamaa Fee Ibtaal Qawaa'id wa Maqaalaat Adnaan Ar'oor, and checked by Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen himself on 24/4/1421H.