BENEFIT 422: Categories of Those Who Oppose the Manhaj of the Salaf and the Way of the Upright

Sheikh Abdulḥamīd Az-Zu'kari hafidahullāh wrote: 1. The disbelieving polytheists—those who worship idols and others like them. 2. The disbelievers among the People of the Book, namely the Jews and Christians. 3. Hypocrites in belief, such as the Rafidah, Qarmatians, and similar groups. 4. Innovators and followers of misguided desires who claim affiliation with Islam. Each of these groups has strayed far from the truth and has caused such division that it renders them deserving of eternal punishment in Hell—except for those among the innovators whose actions do not constitute outright disbelief. These individuals fall under Allah’s will: He may pardon them or punish them first and then admit them into Paradise. They possess goodness in proportion to the degree of their adherence to Islam. As for the first three categories, they are considered disbelievers and will dwell in Hell eternally. Allāh says: “Indeed, those who disbelieve among the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. They are the worst of creatures.” [Al-Bayyinah: 6] Regarding the hypocrites, He says: “Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire, and you will never find for them a helper.” [An-Nisā: 145] As for the innovators among the Muslims, they remain under Allāh’s will. He may forgive them from the outset, or He may purify them through punishment before admitting them to Paradise. Allah the Exalted says: “Indeed, Allāh does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” [An-Nisā: 48, 116] Despite this, innovation remains severely harmful. In the ḥadīth, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allāh has withheld repentance from every person of innovation until he abandons his innovation.” The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ also said: “This nation will divide into seventy-three sects—all of them will be in the Fire except one.” This makes clear that religious violations are unacceptable from anyone, regardless of who they are. It is necessary to disavow anyone who opposes the law of Allāh, with the level of disavowal matching the severity of the deviation. Watering down the Salafi manhaj is more often found among Muslims than among disbelievers or atheists. This is due to several reasons: - People tend to assume the best of them, as they are part of the Muslim community. - They are more knowledgeable in presenting doubts and misconceptions that those other ones. - They speak in the name of Islam, [making their influence more persuasive]. Anyone who completely opposes the religion is, in essence, plotting against it and its adherents. And anyone who harbours even a partial opposition brings with them harm equivalent to that deviation. We ask Allāh to protect us from trials, both outward and hidden, and to grant us insight in our religion. Indeed, He is the One who grants success. [التمييع...فتنة العصر (١/٦١)]