and to devote every form of worship exclusively to Allah, and to abandon whatever they had been worshipping—whether a grave, an idol, a tree, or a stone. At first only one or two individuals would follow him, while the majority shouted him down, warned the rulers about him, and urged them to oppose him. End.1

This, however, does not mean that scholars were altogether absent in that period; there were many. Yet they were either content with that deplorable state of affairs, or else discontent but lacking the courage to confront it.

The Foundations of the Shaykh’s Call, may Allah have mercy on him:
He set out the principles of his call in his letters, saying:2

1. As for the religion we adhere to, it is the religion of Islam, about which Allah says: “Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.”3

2. As for what we summon people to, we call them to tawḥīd (pure monotheism), of which Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ: “Say, ‘This is my way: I invite to Allah upon clear insight—I and whoever follows me. Glory be to Allah, and I am not of the polytheists.’”4 And He, exalted is He, also says: “And the mosques belong to Allah, so do not call upon anyone besides Allah.”5