Question
Is this statement authentic and what is the reference for it?
سُئل شيخ الإسلام ابن تيمية: من هم أهل الحق قال: إما في السجون وإما في ساحات الوغى وإما في القبور
Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) was once asked, “Who are the people of truth?” He replied: ‘Either under the earth, in prison or in the battlefield.'”
Answer
I have not come across this statement of Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) in his books, nor have I seen other senior scholars/historians attribute it to him.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar