Shaikh Dr Abdur Rahman as Sudais, known as Sudais, was favorite to millions of Muslims all over the world until a few days ago. Millions of Muslims love his tilawah. During hajj or umrah, they awaited the moments when Sudais or Shuraim would lead prayer or give sermon before Jum'ah. Shaikh shuraim has already retired after being disliked by the rulers. However, today we will discuss something about Shaikh Sudais, which is very painful and unfortunate.

Everyone knows that Shaikh Sudais is a genius personality. He was given the responsibility of leading prayers at Masjid al-Haram in 1404 Hijri when he was 22 years old. In the same year, he was also appointed as the khatib there.

Many years have passed since then. In the meantime, along with teaching in ummul Qura University in Makkah, he completed his PhD. Suddenly this great and famous scholar’s life took a turn. Since Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the current king of Saudi Arabia, introduced numerous changes in the Saudi administration, replaced the regular crown prince with his son Muhammad bin Salman and placed him in power, he has effectively become a figurehead king, while the kingdom is being governed by his son, MBS.

After assuming power in Saudi Arabia, MBS changed the thousand-year-old history and traditions of the country. He not only validated many non-Islamic activities that had been prohibited in Saudi Arabia for many years but also reintroduced them. MBS appointed Sudais as the president of the Hramain Presidency, the managing and controlling agency of the Haramain. Sudais had been undergoing changes all this time leading up to this appointment.

Despite criticism from many ulama worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia, Sudais not only supported the activities of MBS and his father but also delivered a lengthy sermon in the Kaaba in their support. In that sermon, he referred to MBS as the mujaddid of this time. When he was appointed as the president of the Hramain Presidency, a highly honorable and influential rank, he brought about massive changes in the rules and policies of Haramain.

He played a significant role in imposing many controversial regulations during the pandemic. He appointed many photographers who took photos of the Haram all day long and uploaded them at night. He is the first person who gave MBS the title of Al-Amin. Following him, newspapers started using this title for MBS.

All that has been mentioned until now serves as the preface to what we are compelled to discuss today. It will help you understand the topic thoroughly. A few days ago, I received a video from some individuals, in which Shaikh Sudais characterized jihad in Palestine as fitnah and advised the general public not to dwell on that issue. Instead, he urged them only to make dua, accept the government's actions, and heed the advice of the ulama. His statement was like this

وتعلمون ما حلّ بإخواننا في فلسطين، وما أيضا يجب علينا تجاههم من الدعاء لهم، وينبغي على المسلمين ألا تجعلهم هذه الفتن والأحداث متفرقين، فيجب عليهم الرجوع إلى ولاة أمرهم، والرجوع إلى علمائهم، وألا يخوضوا فيما ليس من حقهم الخوض فيه.

Perhaps, by the word 'ulama', he referred to those ulama who are working to fulfill the agenda of their rulers. Needless to say, Sudais' message has caused great pain to people around the world.

Sudais deeply hurt the hearts of many Muslims.

This is not new for him. For several years, he has been saying these types of things, such as calling MBS a mujaddid for this time. A few years ago, he visited America and met President Donald Trump. In an interview with Saudi Alkhabaria Television at that time, he said, 'Our King Salman and Donald Trump play effective roles in establishing peace and security across the globe.'

America and President Trump had been persecuting Muslims all over the world. By praising them and calling them pioneers of peace, Sudais deeply affected the hearts of Muslims. During the coronavirus pandemic, while imposing many regulations on the Haramain, he said, 'We are taking these steps to protect the House of Allah from Corona.'

Such words are not new for him, and those who keep track of the Haramain know very well that until a few years ago, Sudais used to pray for the Mujahidin of Palestine in the Qunut of Witr, in the Dua of Khatm, in the sermon of Jumu'ah, and cursed the Jews, the occupiers and persecutors.

Did the Jews suddenly become good or did the Mujahidin suddenly become bad? Then how could he refer to this jihad as fitnah?

Result of closeness to the rulers

Everybody understands that the reason for this transformation of Sudais, who was once famous for his recitation, speeches, sermons, his stance and supplication for the oppressed, is due to his closeness to the rulers. It is a well known matter that today most of the Muslim rulers are engaged in non Islamic activities. MBS and his father changed many things in Saudi Arabia, and introduced many non islamic activity in the country. Situation in Saudi Arabia, from religious point of view, is deteriorating day by day. If the ulama become closed to those who are doing these things, it is not only harmful for them but also harmful for general people.

Take the example of Sheikh Sudais. He attained some titles and positions by doing all these things. But are they really of any worth? Even his position was not saved in the end. The presidency which he used to lead was abolished. After abolishing the presidency of Haramain, another agency for religious affairs for Masjid al-Haram and Masjid Nabawi was formed. He was appointed as the head of this agency, which is no more significant than a rank like Mufti. Experts suggest that the recently established institute, functioning as another fatwa board specifically focused on Masjid Nabawi and Masjid Haram, was actually created to weaken the authority of the central fatwa board in Saudi Arabia.

We have similar kind of people even in our country.They are called ulama su'. In Bengali, they are referred to as darbari alim.

It should be clear that not being close to the rulers does not mean you should always criticize them. No, you don't need to go beyond your capability. Preaching to rulers while maintaining one's own dignity and without the intention of attaining titles, positions, or any other benefits is a praiseworthy act.

If we excessively praise them publicly, and our words of praise spread worldwide through social media, religious individuals may become disheartened, and many may blame the entire class of ulama. If you praise those who harm Islam, oppress Muslims, control Islamic organizations or institutes, and persecute ulama, angels will write in the record of your deed that you used your ilm for falsehood. You know that you are not on the truth, but for some personal interest, you used your ilm.

Some may argue that they do it under pressure. Is this really right? There is a big difference between refraining from protest due to inability and praising and making dua for those who persecute religious minded people, distort Islam, control Islamic organizations. Body language often reveals what is done under pressure, and what is done spontaneously for personal gain.

The purpose of this article is not to target anyone; our goal is to create awareness among those who have been bestowed with ilm (religious knowledge) by Allah. They should be vigilant about preserving their honor. Money and position should not divert them from their fundamental principles. We should not fall prey to greed and lust and let not our mistakes drive the nation to a wrong direction and make them averse to any Islamic organization or personality. Our responsibility encompasses all of these.

نہ لالچ دے سکے ہرگزتجھے سکوں کی جھونکاریں

تیرے دست توکل میں ہے استغناء کی تلواریں

Sound of coins should not turn you to greed and lust.

In your hand of tawakkul, you have the sword of independence.

Tranlation: Enam Hasan Junaid