Reference: Mawaaqif madhee.ah fee hayaat al-Imaam ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn Baaz – Page 25
Shaykh ‘Abdullaah ibn Saalih al-’Ubaylaan narrates:
Shaykh ‘Abdul-’Azeez ibn Baaz (rahima-hullaah) stood out from the others in the manner in which he would offer advice, and how he refuted those who differed with him.
I once asked him in a large gathering:
“There are many who differ with you, yet all of them love the noble Shaykh ‘Abdul-’Azeez ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Baaz. We would like to know the reason for that. What is it that Allaah has blessed Shaykh ‘Abdul-’Azeez ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Baaz with which causes love in their hearts for him?”
So, he responded:
“I do not know of anything except that – and all praise is due to Allaah – ever since I have come to know the truth during my youth I have called/invited to it, and I remain patient at whatever befalls me in that regard.
I do not favour anyone in that regard and nor do I adulate anyone in that regard. I speak the truth and remain patient at whatever presents itself to me. If it is accepted, then all praise is due to Allaah, and if it is not accepted, then all praise is due to Allaah. This is the path I have set out for myself, [both] verbally and in written form – whoever accepts it – accepts it, and whoever rejects it – rejects it.
So long as I am upon clear understanding, so long as I am upon [sound] knowledge in that which I [firmly] believe, then I say [what I say], and whoever from the people differs with me, then for them is their ijtihaad. Allaah grants a mujtahid two rewards if he is correct and one reward if he errs.
So I do not know of any other reason except this – that I call/invite to the truth according to my ability – and all praise is due to Allaah – and I propagate it [both] verbally and by action, and I do not admonish and nor do I cause [any] harm. If I am able, rather, I pray that Allaah grants me success and guidance – this is my way with the kings (leaders) and other than the kings.”
