Can We Sit With the Common Folk from the People of Innovation?

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Can We Sit With the Common Folk from the People

of Innovation?
Author: Shaikh Abu ‘Amr Al Haajooree (may Allah preserve Him)
Translator: Abu ‘Abdis Salaam Siddiq Al Juyaanee
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Q: O Shaikh, I have a question with regards to the common

folk from the people of innovation. You have some who say that
it is ok to mix with them, go to their masaajid, and sit in their
classes for Qur’an and Arabic language for example. Some
students of knowledge say that this is ok while other students of
knowledge disapprove of this and use against them those various
proofs from the Qur’an & Sunnah, about the avoidance of sitting
with the people of innovation as well as the many statements of
the people of knowledge about this issue. The question is O
Shaikh, are these proofs from the Qur’an and Sunnah, and the
statements of the scholars about not sitting with the people of
innovation applicable to the common folk from the people of
innovation as well?

A: The proofs point to avoiding and staying far away from the
people of innovation irregardless whether they are the leaders or
followers; especially if they teach Qur’an or Arabic language,
grammar and the like. As long as they teach, it is not permissible
to sit with them and attend their classes; even if they are only
teaching Qur’an. Ibn Sareen, Allah’s Mercy be upon him, when
the innovator came to him to recite Qur’an to him, he expelled

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him and did not want to hear anything from the Qur’an from him
(or any other) innovator. It is not permissible to sit with them.

If they are the common people from the people of innovation

but they teach, they are in fact considered to be callers; if you sit
with them they might infect you with some of their doubts; due
to this it is incumbent to stay far away from them.

If they are common people from the people of innovation who

don’t really understand and they do not teach, then it is
permissible for a student of knowledge who is caller to go to
them and teach them, give them good advice, and explain the
truth to them. This is good and from giving good advice.

However, I do not advise, nor is it correct for the common

people from the people of the Sunnah to mix with the
common people from the people of innovation!

Q: May Allah reward you O Shaikh. O Shaikh, how then do we

deal with those students who are, or claim to be Salafy but are
soft and easy in this issue?

A: In general, some of them are in fact Hizbee (i.e. not Salafy);

they however, just give the appearance and act like they are Salafy.
Others are in fact Salafy but they have not studied this issue well
(and it is this lack of knowledge that causes them to be soft and
easy in this affair). While others are not Salafy, they intend well
but they do not know what Salafiyyah is.

Therefore, advise them. Meaning, advise the one who shows you
the Sunnah and that he is acting upon it. Show him the proofs
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 Can We Sit With the Common Folk from the People of Innovation?
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and evidences from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Likewise, inform
them of the statements of the Scholars. Also point them to those
books which contain therein the correct Aqeedah and Minhaj
like: Sharhus Sunnah by Imaam Al Barbahaaree, Kitaabus
Sharee’ah by Imaam Al Aajooree, and other than that from the
books of the Salaf. However, this is just for the one who shows
you the Sunnah and that he is trying to act upon it, advise this
one; whereas the Hizbee, don’t waste your time with him
and stay far away from him. Stay away from the Hizbee!

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