BENEFIT 337: Recognising Deviants by Their Large Followings

The abundance of flies and their gathering indicate the presence of carrion and filth. Likewise, in our time, a large following often signals the presence of deviants, atheists, transgressors, innovators, and other misguided individuals. This is a general rule, though there are exceptions where some righteous individuals also attract large audiences. A clear sign of this phenomenon is the fact that numerous atheists, frivolous individuals, despicable figures, and hypocrites—of both genders—amass hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of followers from among our own people. As soon as one of them establishes a platform, the blind flock to them from every direction, gathering around them like flies on carrion and maggots on a corpse. What, then, if the Dajjāl were to appear among them? Indeed, it is a great calamity that the majority of this generation is drawn to the shallow and corrupt, while they abandon scholars and reformers. Therefore, O Muslim, do not be deceived by someone’s popularity or the sheer number of their followers, for the majority is often nothing more than worthless froth—despised by the Lord of the heavens. Abu Hudhayfah Al-Abdali ḥafidhahullāh