On Wednesday, the 22nd of Safar, 1422, Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah) was asked the following question (regarding the saying of Salmaan al-Awdah):

Eminent Shaykh, some of them say:

الرايات المرفوعة اليوم في طول العالم وعرضه إنما هي رايات علمانيـة

The banners which are raised in the length and width of the Islaamic world are but secular banners [Taken from Salmaan al-Awdah's well known cassette "Yaa liJiraahaatil-Muslimeen"]. What is the ruling regarding this saying?

Shaykh Saalih (hafidhahullaah) said:

This saying is falsehood, passing general rulings upon people that they are disbelievers and secularists. That is mass Takfir, and Allaah's refuge is sought. Amongst the people are the believers, and amongst them are the disbelievers, and amongst them are the munaafiqoon (hypocrites), so we do not make generalized rulings upon them.

That's absolutely not permissible, to generalize kufr upon the people hence it be said, All of the people are Muslims. That is not true. Or that it be said; all of the people are disbelievers. That's not true. Or that it be said; all of the people are munaafiqoon. That is futile speech. Rather, we say: amongst the Muslims are truthful ones, and amongst them are hypocrites, and amongst them are disbelievers.

Source: Cassette recording, Sharh of Kitaabut-Tawheed (22/02/1422)

See also:

• Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan on Salman al-Awdah's Saying 'The Absent Ummah': This Necessitates the Takfir of the Whole Ummah - (see here)

And also: