BENEFIT 392: Harshness Toward Ahlul-Bid‘ah Is a Virtue, Not a Crime

Some people—may Allāh guide us and them—see no issue in promoting individuals and institutions that are lenient in their dealings with Ahlul-Bid‘ah, even when these individuals themselves have serious flaws in their manhaj. Yet, when it comes to upright Salafis who remain firm against Ahlul-Bid‘ah, they are hesitant and maintain a distance. ﴿مَا لَكُمۡ كَیۡفَ تَحۡكُمُونَ﴾ "What is the matter with you? How do you judge?" [Sūrah Aṣ-Ṣaffāt: 154] We must understand: harshness toward Ahlul-Bid‘ah is a virtue, not a crime! Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allāh have mercy on him) said in Shifā' Al-‘Aleel (p. 60): «كان ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما شديداً على القدرية، وكذلك الصحابة» "Ibn Abbās (may Allāh be pleased with him) was severe against the Qadariyyah, and so were the Ṣaḥābah." Imām Mālik (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: «لا تسلم على أهل الأهواء ولا تجالسهم إلا أن تغلظ عليهم، ولا يعاد مريضهم، ولا تحدث عنهم الأحاديث» "Do not greet the people of desires, nor sit with them unless you are harsh toward them. Do not visit their sick, nor narrate ḥadīth from them." [Al-Jāmi‘ by Ibn Abi Zayd Al-Qayrawāni, p. 125) Imām Ash-Shāfi‘ee (may Allāh have mercy on him) was described by Al-Bayhaqi in Manāqib Ash-Shāfi‘ee (1/469) as: «شديداً على أهل الإلحاد وأهل البدع مجاهراً ببغضهم وهجرهم». "He was stern against the atheists and the people of innovation, openly expressing his hatred for them and boycotting them." Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: «إذا رأيت الرجل يغمز حماد بن سلمة فاتهمه على الإسلام؛فإنه كان شديداً على المبتدعة» "If you see a man speaking ill of Ḥammād ibn Salamah, then suspect his Islam, for Ḥammād was stern against the innovators." [Siyar A‘lām An-Nubalā', 7/447] When asked about Shareek (may Allāh have mercy on him), Imām Aḥmad responded: «كان عاقلاً صدوقاً محدثاً، وكان شديداً على أهل الريب والبدع» "He was intelligent, truthful, and a muḥaddith. He was also stern against the people of doubts and innovation." [Siyar A‘lām An-Nubalā', 8/209] On one occasion, Thawr—who held the Qadari belief—extended his hand to Imām Al-Awzā‘ee (may Allāh have mercy on him). Al-Awzā‘ee refused to shake it, saying: «يا ثور لو كانت الدنيا لكانت المقاربة ولكنه الدين» "O Thawr, if this were a matter of worldly affairs, then closeness would be acceptable, but this is a matter of religion." [Siyar A‘lām An-Nubalā, 11/344] Bilāl ibn Abi Burdah (may Allāh have mercy on him) was described by Ibn ‘Asākir in Tabyeen Kadhib Al-Muftari (p. 89) as: «شديداً على أهل البدع» "Stern against the people of innovation." In Tarīkh Dimashq (45/365), it is reported about ‘Umar ibn Hārūn (may Allāh have mercy on him) that: «شديداً على المرجئة، وكان يذكر مساوئهم وبلاياهم» "He was harsh against the Murji’ah, frequently mentioning their faults and misguidance." Imām ‘Uthmān ibn Sa‘eed Ad-Dārimi (may Allāh have mercy on him) was described by Adh-Dhahabi in Siyar A‘lām An-Nubalā' (13/322-323) as: «كان لهجاً بالسنة–وأظهر السنة ببلده ودعا إليها وذب عن حريمها وقمع مخالفها -، بصيراً بالمناظرة، جذعاً في أعين المبتدعة» "He was deeply committed to the Sunnah—he openly proclaimed it in his land, called people to it, defended its sanctity, and suppressed its opponents. He was skilled in debate and a thorn in the eyes of the innovators." Adh-Dhahabi further mentioned: «وهو الذي قام على محمد بن كرّام الذي ينسب إليه الكرّامية وطرده عن هراة فيما قيل» "He was the one who stood against Muḥammad ibn Karrām, after whom the Karrāmiyyah sect is named, and expelled him from Herat, as it has been reported." Imām Abū Muḥammad Al-Barbahāri (may Allāh have mercy on him) was described by Adh-Dhahabi in Siyar A‘lām An-Nubalā' (15/90) as: «كان قوالاً بالحق، داعية إلى الأثر، لا يخاف في الله لومة لائم» "He was outspoken in proclaiming the truth, a caller to the Athar, fearing no reproach in the cause of Allāh."