Eighth Reflection: Support and defense of wrongdoers

Evidences: Allāh Almighty said: "And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Surely Allāh does not like those who are deceitful, sinful." [Sūrah An-Nisāʾ: 107] The Prophet ﷺ said: "Souls are like gathered troops. Those who are familiar with each other will have an affinity with one another, while those who are opposed to each other will also be divergent." [Reported by Bukhāri from ’Ā'ishah, and Muslim from Abū Hurairah] "People are of various types, just as birds are of various species." [This was said by Imām Mālik ibn Dīnar, as mentioned in Al-Ibānah by Ibn Baṭṭah, in volume two, page 480] Lessons and Rulings: -> It is forbidden to defend sinners and wrongdoers. -> Those who differ with you in methodology will bring unease to your heart, no matter how friendly you are with them. -> A person is known by their friends and companions. "Whoever hides his innovation from us, their companionship is not hidden from us." [This was said by Al-Awzā’ee (may Allāh have mercy on him), as mentioned in Al-Ibānah, volume two, page 452] Assessing Charity Organisations in Light of These Principles: -> It is a well-established fact that charity organisations defend the people of falsehood, both groups and individuals, and show leniency to those from whom disavowal is required. -> They frequently sit with the enemies of the truth, narrowing the manhaj of disavowal to the point where it is almost exclusively applied to Ahlus-Sunnah, with few others. -> One of the important issues adopted by the members of these charity organisations, which has led to significant disagreements, is the defense of prominent Hizbi figures and theorists who have been condemned by scholars for innovation. -> Their behaviour has even reached the point where they speak ill of the scholars of the Sunnah, criticising them in favour of those who deviate from the truth. This has become a clear evidence of their misguidance. "Those who sit with the people of innovation are more harmful to us than the innovators themselves." [This was said by Ibn ’Awn, as mentioned in Al-Ibānah in volume two, page 273] "Whoever sits with an innovator will not be granted wisdom." [This was said by Al-Fuḍhayl ibn ’Iyāḍh, as mentioned in Al-Ibānah by Ibn Baṭṭah, in volume two, page 459] "Whoever loves an innovator, Allāh will nullify his deeds and remove the light of Islam from his heart." [This was also said by Al-Fuḍhayl, as mentioned in Al-Ibānah by Ibn Baṭṭah, in volume two, page 459] "A follower of the Sunnah cannot side with an innovator except out of hypocrisy." [This was again said by Al-Fuḍhayl, as mentioned in Al-Ibānah in volume two, page 456] Ibn Baṭṭah then affirmed: "Al-Fuḍhayl spoke the truth, for we observe this plainly." "A person associates with and befriends those whom they love and who are like them." [This was mentioned by ibn Mas’ūd, may Allāh be pleased with him, as mentioned in Al-Ibānah by Ibn Baṭṭah, in volume two, page 476]