Reddit reply in r/extomatoes: totally out of the loop why are these popular — February 5, 2026 · o3pj2ha | Ali Shukri Amin

>The references I provided take time to read, and the speed of your response shows that you did not give them the attention they deserved. I took the time to go through your lengthy video, yet you did not show the same courtesy.

I don't mind going through it. Had you presented your initial comment in a less antagonistic fashion I would have just read it. Before I do, I would just like to ask which shaykh's works are translated here?

>On the contrary, what we are seeing are Orientalist terms imported into Arabic, similar to how you tried to use "theology" and inaccurately equated it with "'aqeedah" instead of "علم اللاهوت", even though the term belongs to Christianity, as clearly shown by the reference.

>Your misunderstanding stems from treating these terms as though they align with how Arabic terminology is actually used. You are likely familiar with the principle:

This is quite pedantic to say the least. Lāhūt is the dictionary translation of the word theology but is practically not utilized in Islamic sciences. People in this field are generally aware that the English word theology here is roughly analogous to Kalām and/or 'Aqīdah.

>You missed what I intended with my criticism. That is why I said, "While you referenced some sources, your reasoning is not built upon the explanations of scholars." In other words, you may have read certain sources, but your presentation was based on your own reading and understanding, without consultation, and it did not reflect how scholars have actually explained these issues.

Why do you presume I did not consult anyone?

I primarily based the definition of 'ibadah on Shah WaliAllah al-Dihlawi from HujjatAllahi al-Baligha. The application of that definition to the issues of istighātha & tawassul is based on cross comparison with numerous statements of Athari, Ashari, & Maturidi ulama before and after ibn Taymiyyah who took issue with istighātha practices.

>I would have respected your presentation if you had framed your conclusions through the explanations of Ahlus-Sunnah scholars rather than presenting yourself as being worthy of any attention.

The purpose of the video is to present conclusions and cross compare those conclusions with other conclusions, not to directly evince the sources of these conclusions. That would be a 3+ hour video. If you'd like to take a look at the manuscript so you can see where these conclusions descend from with quotes, citations, etc. I'm more than happy to share & discuss.

Is this the same shaykh whose work is translated on your website?

https://archive.org/details/20220716_20220716_0802

Had you began this correspondence with a less aggressive stance, we could have had a more productive conversation. I don't mind taking critiques or being proven wrong. But there is an approach which requires some humility when having 'ilmī discussions.

EDIT: I see your website has an Arabic side which seems to be Walad al-Hāj Mohammad al-Afrīqī's articles. I'm unfamiliar with him but will take a look.