𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗷 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (482)

Don't refute us when you come back from Yemen! Sheikh ’Abdussalam Al-Burjis rahimahullah states: "A man once asked Abu Bakr ibn ʿAyyāsh, "O Abu Bakr, who is truly upon the Sunnah?" He replied with a profound and insightful answer: "He is the one who, when the various sects and desires are mentioned, does not become angry over any of them." Why is that? Because his sole allegiance is to the Sunnah. Thus, criticism of deviant sects and their adherents does not affect him, nor is he disturbed by critique of their books and writings. This is in contrast to one who has been stained by such sects—though he may claim to follow the Sunnah, he becomes agitated and loses composure when his or his Hizb's innovation is pointed out. What then if he is explicitly criticised? Without doubt, his rage will flare and he will erupt in anger. For this reason, you will notice that some who are affiliated with partisan groups become enraged when the flaws of their Hizb are mentioned—their faces change, and they burn with anger. Then Shayṭān comes to them and adorns their reaction, convincing them that this is righteous anger for the sake of Allāh Almighty. But the reality is that it is anger for the Hizb and its people, whether they admit it or not. Indeed, faults and misguidance must be exposed and warned against. So if someone becomes angry merely at the mention of those faults—when they are mentioned for the purpose of warning—then he is a person of desire, and there is a sickness within his heart.