Salaf-us-Saalih.com :: The Call of the Salaf is True Islam

Following is modified from the comments by Br. Abul Abbas Moosaa Richardson:-

Ibn ‘Abdil-Barr declared a scholarly consensus (ijmaa’) about this type of boycotting(i.e. Hajr wiqaa’ee):”And the scholars have unanimously agreed that it is not permissible for a Muslim to boycott his brother for more than three days unless he fears that by speaking to him or keeping ties with him that he may corrupt his Religion, or he fears that he may cause the sprouting of some harmful affairs within himself, things that harm his religious or worldly affairs. If this is the case, then there is a concession for him to stay away from him and keep distant. Quite often a good breaking of ties is better than a harmful relationship!” [at-Tamheed, 15/79, 2nd printing of the al-Faarooq al-Hadeethah printing]

So beware of those who blame the Muslims for protecting themselves from the dangers of those who spread doubts and confusion. For their refusal to sit with such people or listen to them is a proof that they love Allaah’s Guidance, they do not see it as being cheap, and they take the necessary measures to protect it.

Know the reality of those who limit boycotting to Hajr Ta’deebee only ( – Disciplinary Boycotting), and then criticize those who practice Hajr wiqaa’ee, blaming them for boycotting in a way that does not bring a positive change to the boycotted individual, which is not even the intent behind hajr wiqaa’ee! They seek to divert the people from the safe, clear way of the Salaf, the way of safety and security, and lead them to the muddy, confusing paths of misguidance and innovation. They blame the Muslims for what is unanimously agreed upon by the scholars (as shown above) and what was even mentioned by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam):“Verily the most evil people are those who the people abandon to protect themselves from their obscene behavior.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #6054)

Note: This does not condone the mistaken practice of those with knowledge and understanding of the Religion boycotting those who are ignorant and merely mistaken. Such people are to be advised and taught, with leniency and patience.[1]

1. Meaning to leave evil.
2. With the meaning of punishment for the evil being done.

As for the first, it is mentioned in the saying of Allaah (subhana wa taa’ala):

Al-An’am (6):68 And when you (Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)) see those who engage in a false conversation about Our Verses (of the Qur’ân) by mocking at them, stay away from them till they turn to another topic. And if Shaitân (Satan) causes you to forget, then after the remembrance sit not you in the company of those people who are the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong­doers, etc.).

And the saying of Allaah (subhana wa taa’ala):

An-Nisa (4):140 And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur’ân) that when you hear the Verses of Allâh being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allâh will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell,

So these mean that one is not to witness al-Munkaaraat (the evil deeds) without necessity. Like the people who drink intoxicants or sitting with them, or people who invite to feast in which intoxicants or wind instruments are common. It is not obligatory to accept their invitation or their likes. The difference is over one who attends them intending only to abject to such behavior, or by other than his own choice. And for this is the saying, ‘One who witnesses evil is like the one who does it’ and the hadeeth:Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him not sit at the table in which Khamr is drunk.(at-Tirmidhi #2801)

This type of Hijrah is that in which one removes himself from doing evil. As he (salallaahu ‘alaihiwa sallam) said,‘The Muhaajir is one who migrates from what Allaah has forbidden him from.’(Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree)

This is the topic of migration from the lands of Kufr (disbelief) and Tamarrud (disobedience) to the lands of Islaam and Eemaan, a migration from living among the disbelievers and hypocrites for one who is incapable of doing what Allaah has ordered him to do, as Allaah has said:

Al-Muddaththir (74):5 And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols)!

So beware, beware of all the innovators. From the people of innovation whom we are obligated to distance ourselves from and boycott are: The Jahmees, the Raafidees, the Mu’tazilah, the Matureediyyah, the Khawaarij, the Sufis, the Ash’arees and anyone following their way from the groups that have deviated from the methodology of the Salaf. So the Muslim must beware of them and warn against them.”

Imaam al-Albaanee said[4], “As for those whom have acquired only very little knowledge, like some of our brothers, and then enter debates with those [innovators] that have more knowledge than them – even if their knowledge is tarnished with perversions or over-analysis of linguistics – like we’ve said previously, we advise these individuals to safeguard themselves, and to avoid the innovators, and to never debate them, because, their hearts may become affected by their perversions, as with the question that you heard at the beginning of this sitting, and its reply. They [the innovators] listen to everyone, the mellow and the strident, so that the perversion can attach itself to the flesh of the listener, until Allah makes accessible for him [the effected listener] a scholar that will rid him of this perversion [by teaching him]. For that reason, the quotes from our elder righteous scholars, such as Malik, Ahmad, and other than them, all used to warn about sitting with the people of innovation; furthermore, they used to promote and command of boycotting them, in fear that their perversions may find their way into their hearts. “

Allaamah Rabee’ al-Madkhalee said[5], “Ibn ‘Aqeel was a mountain from the mountains of the intellectuals, profoundness, and knowledge. He was advised not to go and (sit with) the mu’tazilah, (he however, did not heed the advice); he went to them and became mu’tazilee. Abu Thar was from the students of Ad Daaruqutnee the Imaam of the Sunnah; he (Abu Thar) heard a statement (from the people of innovation) which overwhelmed him and he became a shi’ite. Abdur Razaaq used to sit with Ja’far Bin Sulaimaan Ad Dabi’ee who had with him some shi’ite ways and thus he (Abdur Razaaq) changed. He adopted shi’ism and thus became a poor impoverished one from the shi’ite; although the shi’ism he had with him was not extreme, and he is not to be faulted (to the same extent of the shi’ite that is extreme); never the less he fell into shi’ism and was affected by it.

Therefore, the one who sits with the people of falsehood will most definitely be affected by them despite what they want and will. No matter what they claim, they will definitely be affected because the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) is the truthful one who is trusted. He (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) has warned against this and said, “Verily the example of the righteous sitting and the evil sitting is like that of the merchant of fine perfumes and the ironsmith. As far as the merchant of perfume, he may either give you a sample as a gift, or you may purchase some perfume from him, or (at least) you find from him a good smell. Whereas, the ironsmith will either burn your clothes (due to the flying sparks of iron oar), or you will find from him a bad smell.”

The righteous sitting, mashaa’Allah, has three possible scenarios, all of them being good. Either he will give you a sample as a gift saying “here you may have this”, put some on you, or give you a bottle of perfume (as a gift). Or, you may buy some perfume from him. You will benefit from him and this is good. You’re not buying from him alcohol or something that is prohibited; rather you are buying from him fine oils that Allah loves. Something that you are encouraged to put on before you pray and/or enter into the Masjid. So like this you will benefit from him. Or, (at least) you will find a good smell from him and this too is good.

The evil sitting is like sitting with the ironsmith. Either he will burn your clothes or you will find from him a repugnant smell (whose fumes) may cause cancer or some other type of sickness and we seek refuge in Allah from this. So the evil sitting will most definitely afflict you in a bad way and with evil.

“An individual is on the religion of his companion and close friend, so let each of you look carefully to the one whom they befriend.”

Az-Zukhruf (43):67 Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqûn (pious – see V.2:2).

The people of desires and innovation are not from them (i.e. the pious).

You have verses and ahaadeeth that warn you (about sitting with the people of innovation). (Yet despite all of this) you say, “No, get out of here (that’s not going to happen to me).” Who has granted you an impermeable protection? The Prophet (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) used to warn the Sahaabah (from sitting with the people of innovation); the Salaf who where like mountains (of knowledge, faith, adherence to the truth, etc.) used to plug their ears (from listening to the people of innovation) and did not want to hear anything from them. But you, you go to them, visit them and attend their gatherings; (you will be) afflicted by their evil, deceptions, and accusations.

We have tried abundantly; we have tried abundantly, for more than thirty years we have been trying (to get across to the likes of these people). They have been deceived, lost and broken down. Their end result has already been determined; they WILL be lost (and miserable). We ask Allah for safety!

Not matter what level of intelligences you achieve, (if you sit with them), verily Allah will punish you. Your intelligence will not avail you. You must take the necessary steps and means to safeguard and protect this religion that Allah has given to you. Do not play with this bounty!

Presently, you will find that the hizbees of this country (Saudi Arabia), all of them where originally Salafy as the origins of this country is Salafiyyah. All of these (indigenous Saudi citizens) who became hizbee where lost due to them mixing (with the hizbees), living alongside of them, reading their books and listening to the (tapes) of the people of desires.” End of Shaykh Rabee’s words.

Allaamah Abdul Azeez ar-Raajihee was asked[6], “Is it permissible for a common person or a beginner in seeking knowledge to mix with the people of desires and innovations, or is it binding to boycott them?”

So, the Shaykh replied, “Yes, it is not for a person to mix with the people of desires, as you have heard in the narrations. It is obligatory to be far away from the people of desires and innovations. A person does not sit with them, nor does he mix with them, or visit them, and they do not visit him, and he does not accept their invitation, until they leave their innovation, so that they do not cause him to be diseased, for they cause you to become diseased just like a sound healthy person is diseased by [a dog with] scabies.”

• … from ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn Yazeed who said : I heard ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood say: “Beware of the innovations which the people invent, since the Deen does not pass out of the hearts all at once – rather Shaitaan introduces innovations for him until he expels Eemaan from the heart; and it will soon happen that the people will abandon the obligatory duties which Allaah has made binding upon them – the Prayer, the Fast, the lawful and the prohibited, and speak about their Lord – the Mighty and Majestic. So who ever reaches that time then let him flee.” It was said: O Aboo Abdur-Rahman, to where? He said: “Not to anywhere, he should flee with his heart and his Deen and not sit with anyone of the people of innovation.”
• …From Mujaahid who said: “It was said to Ibn Umar that Najdah says so and so …, but he stopped himself from hearing it for fear that some of it would fall into his heart.”
• …(From) Sa’eed ibn ‘Aamir who said: I heard Ismaa’eel [i.e. Ibn Khaarijah] narrate, saying: two men from the people of the innovated sects came to Muhammad Ibn Seereen and said: “O Aboo Bakr we want to narrate something to you.” He said: “No.” They said: “Then may we recite an Aayah from Allaah’s book to you?” He said: “No.” He said: “Either you two get up and leave or I will get up.” So the two men stood up and left. So one of the people said: “What harm would it do to you for him to recite an Aayah?” He said: “I hated that he should recite an Aayah and that they would distort it and then it would enter my heart.”
• …From Aboo Qulaabah who said: “Do not sit with them and do not mix with them for I do not feel safe that they will not drown you in their misguidance and confuse you about much that you used to know.”
• …Ma’mar said: Ibn – Taawoos was sitting when one of the Mu’tazilah came and began speaking, so ibn Taawoos entered his fingers into his ears and said to his son: “O My son put your fingers into your ears and press tightly so you do not hear any of his speech.” Ma’mar said: Meaning that the heart is weak.
• …’Abdur Razzaaq narrated to us saying: Ibraaheem ibn Abee Yahya said to me: “I think that there are many from the Mu’tazilah in your area!?” I said: “Yes and they claim that you are one of them.” He said: “Will you enter this shop with me so that I can speak with you?” I said: “No.” He said: “Why?!” I said: “Since the heart is weak and the Deen is not for the one who overcomes in debating.”
• …from Muhammad ibn an-Nadr al-Haarithee, who said: “Whoever listens to a person of innovation and knows that he is a person of innovation – then he is left to himself and leaves the protection of Allaah.”