Praise be to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and Companions. The members of the Saudi Educational Committee in Yemen asked me in 1395 A.H. about the ruling on offering Salah (Prayer) behind Al­Zaydiyyah. In Ramadan 3, 1395 A.H., I answered them that I do not advocate offering Salah behind them, for they excessively seek help from, supplicate, and make vows to Ahl­ul­Bayt (members of the Prophet's extended Muslim family). This reply was based upon what came to my knowledge that Al­Zaydiyyah overglorify Ahl­ul­Bayt through means of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), such as supplicating to them and seeking their help. Then I came to know in Sha`ban, 1396 A.H. that my Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) astonished many scholars in Yemen. Some of them called me, among which were graduates of the Islamic University in Al­Madinah whose knowledge and Deen I trust. They confirmed that the majority of the scholars of Al­Zaydiyyah do not excessively honor Ahl­ul­Bayt. Rather, this occurs among some laypeople of Al­Zaydiyyah who do not have enough knowledge and insight to grasp the truth of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/ monotheism) and Shirk. They mentioned that they know that the scholars of Al­Zaydiyyah reject overpraising Ahl­ul­Bayt and Shirk. The fact that only some scholars or laypeople of Al­Zaydiyyah may commit such kind of Shirk is not a ground to accuse them all of committing Shirk. Accordingly, I had to reconsider my Fatwa, for I must acknowledge truth, since it is the sought­after goal of every Muslim; wherever he finds it, he must follow it. Therefore,

I retract my previous Fatwa for the indefinite generalization it contained. Our objective is to admit any error and call to the truth. I seek refuge in Allah from declaring a Muslim a Kafir (disbeliever/non­Muslim) or from preventing Salah behind a Muslim without a Shar`i (Islamically lawful) justification. Every person is to be punished for his sins and to be judged by his apparent words and deeds. Thus, it is not permissible to offer Salah behind any Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) known to hold extreme improper belief in

A h l­u l­Bayt or others, whether he is of Al­Zaydiyyah or others, and whether in Yemen or elsewhere. It is permissible to offer Salah behind one who is not known for this, whether he is of Al­Zaydiyyah or other Muslim sects. The basic rule is that the Muslim is free from what necessarily prevents offering Salah behind him and is free from Shirk unless there is the clear and just evidence proves his committing of Shirk or his belief in its permissibility, as I now declare to our brothers in Yemen and elsewhere. As mentioned before, truth is the objective of every Muslim; wherever he finds it, he should follow it. It is well­known that Allah and His Messengers are infallible concerning what they convey from Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Any Mufti (Islamic scholar qualified to issue legal opinions) or seeker of knowledge is liable to err. However, he should return to the truth after realizing it. This is honorable and favorable for this is the way of the people of knowledge from the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) till today. They are appreciated and praised for doing so. This is what we should all do in all circumstances. I ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to guide us to what pleases Him and to guide us and all our brothers in Yemen and elsewhere to correctly convey the truth in our words and deeds! He (Glorified and Exalted be He) is All­Hearing and Near. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!