Adapted from the book "Dīn-e-Islām aur Bid‘at" by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khāliq Siddīqī
Associating and maintaining close relations with Ahl al-Bid‘ah (people of innovation) leads to misguidance. Allah ﷻ states:
﴿وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ﴾
(Surah al-An‘ām: 116)
"And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you far away from the path of Allah."
Imam Isma‘īlī نقل کرتے ہیں:
"ويرون أهل الحديث مجانبة البدعة والآثام، وترك الغيبة إلا لمن أظهر بدعة وهو يدع إليها، فالقول فيها ليس بغيبة عندهم"
(I‘tiqād Aʾimmat al-Ḥadīth, p. 87)
“The scholars of Hadith would abstain from sin and innovations. They avoided backbiting, except in the case of one who openly promoted innovation—speaking against such a person was not considered backbiting by them.”
The Prophet ﷺ foretold the division of this Ummah and the emergence of desires and innovations. Salvation was declared for the group that follows the way of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions. Thus, a Muslim must disassociate from anyone who embraces innovation and desires as a creed, or performs acts that weaken the Sunnah. One must sever ties with such a person—neither associate with them in life nor in death, abstain from participating in their occasions, and avoid even greeting them unless they repent and return to the truth.
Imam al-Baghawī explains that abandoning relations for more than three days is prohibited only when it affects love and social ties negatively. However, when done for religious reasons, especially to protect the deen, then it is not a sin. In fact, one must avoid speaking or mingling with such people until they repent.
(Sharḥ al-Sunnah: 1/223, 1/227)
“In the past, the people of Sunnah were a minority, and they will remain a minority in the future. They are those who do not associate with the arrogant or the innovators, rather they adhere to the Sunnah with patience until they meet their Lord. You too should be like them.”
(Referenced from: "Najāt Yāftah Kaun?", p. 149)
“The angels seek out gatherings of remembrance, so be mindful of whom you associate with. Do not sit with innovators, for Allah does not look toward them with mercy. One of the signs of hypocrisy is sitting with innovators.”
(Al-Ṭuyūriyyāt 2/318, Ḥilyat al-Awliyāʾ: 8/104)
He further states:
“It is more beloved to me to eat at the home of a Jew or Christian than to eat at the home of an innovator, because no one will follow me in doing the former, but many may follow me in the latter. I desire that between me and an innovator there be a wall of iron. A little action upon the Sunnah is better than a lot of deeds done with innovation. If someone sits with an innovator with the intention of advising him, that is acceptable—otherwise he should fear being overtaken by punishment. Do not consult innovators in your matters, and do not reveal your religion to them.”
(Ḥilyat al-Awliyāʾ, Abū Nu‘aym: 8/301)
During the reign of al-Mutawakkil, a messenger was sent to Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal رحمه الله to inquire whether it was better to employ Christians for government tasks or Ahl al-Bid‘ah. Imam Aḥmad responded that hiring Christians is better than employing innovators. When asked about this, he explained: “The Jews and Christians are already humiliated and their falsehood is apparent. But innovators confuse people about the truth of their own religion.”
(Al-Ādāb al-Shar‘iyyah, p. 165)
“It is forbidden to associate and mingle with the people of innovation. If the intention is to advise and reject their innovation, then it is permissible. However, being in their company leaves a dangerous impact on others. If one is unable to refute them, then they must warn others and distance themselves. It is also incumbent on scholars and authorities to curb their influence, for the danger they pose to Islam is severe.”
“Furthermore, disbelieving nations often support the spread of innovation by encouraging and aiding the innovators in various ways, seeing it as a means to undermine Islam and distort its image. We ask Allah ﷻ to aid His religion, elevate His Word, and disgrace His enemies.”
(From the book “Bid‘ah” by Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān)
Associating and maintaining close relations with Ahl al-Bid‘ah (people of innovation) leads to misguidance. Allah ﷻ states:
﴿وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ﴾
(Surah al-An‘ām: 116)
"And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you far away from the path of Allah."
Imam Isma‘īlī نقل کرتے ہیں:
"ويرون أهل الحديث مجانبة البدعة والآثام، وترك الغيبة إلا لمن أظهر بدعة وهو يدع إليها، فالقول فيها ليس بغيبة عندهم"
(I‘tiqād Aʾimmat al-Ḥadīth, p. 87)
“The scholars of Hadith would abstain from sin and innovations. They avoided backbiting, except in the case of one who openly promoted innovation—speaking against such a person was not considered backbiting by them.”
The Prophet ﷺ foretold the division of this Ummah and the emergence of desires and innovations. Salvation was declared for the group that follows the way of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions. Thus, a Muslim must disassociate from anyone who embraces innovation and desires as a creed, or performs acts that weaken the Sunnah. One must sever ties with such a person—neither associate with them in life nor in death, abstain from participating in their occasions, and avoid even greeting them unless they repent and return to the truth.
Imam al-Baghawī explains that abandoning relations for more than three days is prohibited only when it affects love and social ties negatively. However, when done for religious reasons, especially to protect the deen, then it is not a sin. In fact, one must avoid speaking or mingling with such people until they repent.
(Sharḥ al-Sunnah: 1/223, 1/227)
“In the past, the people of Sunnah were a minority, and they will remain a minority in the future. They are those who do not associate with the arrogant or the innovators, rather they adhere to the Sunnah with patience until they meet their Lord. You too should be like them.”
(Referenced from: "Najāt Yāftah Kaun?", p. 149)
“The angels seek out gatherings of remembrance, so be mindful of whom you associate with. Do not sit with innovators, for Allah does not look toward them with mercy. One of the signs of hypocrisy is sitting with innovators.”
(Al-Ṭuyūriyyāt 2/318, Ḥilyat al-Awliyāʾ: 8/104)
He further states:
“It is more beloved to me to eat at the home of a Jew or Christian than to eat at the home of an innovator, because no one will follow me in doing the former, but many may follow me in the latter. I desire that between me and an innovator there be a wall of iron. A little action upon the Sunnah is better than a lot of deeds done with innovation. If someone sits with an innovator with the intention of advising him, that is acceptable—otherwise he should fear being overtaken by punishment. Do not consult innovators in your matters, and do not reveal your religion to them.”
(Ḥilyat al-Awliyāʾ, Abū Nu‘aym: 8/301)
During the reign of al-Mutawakkil, a messenger was sent to Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal رحمه الله to inquire whether it was better to employ Christians for government tasks or Ahl al-Bid‘ah. Imam Aḥmad responded that hiring Christians is better than employing innovators. When asked about this, he explained: “The Jews and Christians are already humiliated and their falsehood is apparent. But innovators confuse people about the truth of their own religion.”
(Al-Ādāb al-Shar‘iyyah, p. 165)
“It is forbidden to associate and mingle with the people of innovation. If the intention is to advise and reject their innovation, then it is permissible. However, being in their company leaves a dangerous impact on others. If one is unable to refute them, then they must warn others and distance themselves. It is also incumbent on scholars and authorities to curb their influence, for the danger they pose to Islam is severe.”
“Furthermore, disbelieving nations often support the spread of innovation by encouraging and aiding the innovators in various ways, seeing it as a means to undermine Islam and distort its image. We ask Allah ﷻ to aid His religion, elevate His Word, and disgrace His enemies.”
(From the book “Bid‘ah” by Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān)
