BENEFIT: Consensus is Not Required Before Declaring Someone an Innovator

Question: Some people say that before applying the rule, ‘Whoever does not declare an innovator to be an innovator is himself an innovator,’ there must first be consensus (ijmā‘). Is this condition correct? Sheikh Yahya Al-Hajoori hafidhahullah: This condition is incorrect. The idea that we cannot call someone an innovator unless everyone agrees about him is false. In reality, scholars have not agreed about many innovators. There have often been disagreements among people regarding certain individuals, yet they were still considered innovators. Even the people of the Qiblah (Muslims in general) have not always unanimously agreed on such matters. However, if a person’s innovation becomes clear and established — meaning that someone understands the evidence showing that this person is an innovator, and the proof for his innovation is clear — then it is not appropriate, and in fact not permissible, for him to oppose what has become clear or to defend the people of desires and innovation. Allah says: ‘And do not argue in defense of those who betray themselves.’ As for saying, ‘We cannot declare him an innovator until the whole Ummah agrees,’ this condition would rarely ever be fulfilled with many innovators. The Salaf, may Allah be pleased with them, followed the approach that if a person’s innovation was established with evidence and recognised by qualified scholars who had expertise in these matters, then their judgment was accepted. Ahlus-Sunnah have always judged innovators to be innovators without waiting for everyone else to agree. The one who knows is proof against the one who does not know. So this condition is incorrect — indeed, it is a false condition.” Source: https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/2325