BENEFIT 467: Sitting with the People of Desires

Sheikh Sulayman Ar-Ruhaili hafidahullah states: Associating with people of innovation is dangerous, for whoever sits with an innovator is rarely safe. Sufyān Ath-Thawri said: 'Whoever sits with a person of innovation will not be safe from one of three things: (1) either he becomes a trial fitnah) for others — for if he is seen entering and exiting the gatherings of people of desires while being regarded as a righteous man, others will say: "Had there been anything wrong with them, he would not have sat with them," and so he becomes a cause of misguidance for others; or (2) something may settle in his heart that leads him astray and into the Hellfire; or (3) he may say, "By Allāh, I do not care what they say, for I trust myself," — and whoever feels secure over his religion for even a moment, Allāh may strip him of it.' Do not be deceived. Always remain cautious and vigilant — eager to uphold Tawhīd and fearful of falling into shirk, eager to stick to the Sunnah and wary of innovation. Do not say, 'By the grace of Allāh, I am upon Tawhīd and with the people of Tawhīd.' He who becomes heedless will be overtaken. Do not say, 'I am with the people of Sunnah' while being negligent toward innovations or lenient with the people of innovation — for whoever is heedless will be overtaken. Ibn Abbas (may Allāh be pleased with him) said: 'Do not sit with the people of desires, for sitting with them causes sickness of the heart.' Ismā’eel Aṭ-Ṭūsi said: 'Beware of sitting with a person of innovation.' Imām Aḥmad said concerning the people of innovation: 'No one should sit with them, associate with them, or find comfort in their company.' Ibn Qudāmah (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: 'The Salaf used to forbid sitting with the people of innovation or looking into their books.' It was said to Al-Awzā'ee — and listen well to this, O brothers, how beautiful it is — it was said to him: 'A man claims that he sits with both the people of Sunnah and the people of innovation.' He replied: 'This man wants to equate truth with falsehood.' The statements of the Salaf on this matter are extensive. Let it be noted, however, that a person is not to be blamed if he sat with an innovator unknowingly. But once he is advised, taught, and warned that this person is an innovator, then it is the duty of his brothers to make this known to him and warn him. Al-Barbahari said: 'If you see a man sitting with someone from the people of desires, then warn him and inform him. If he continues to sit with him after knowing, then beware of him — for he is a man of desires.' 📌