The People of Innovations
are worse than the People of Sins
Chapter 15: The People of Innovations are worse
than the People of Sins
[134] Abu Moosaa said: “That I live next to a Jew and a Christian, and monkeys
and pigs, is more beloved to me than that if I were to live next to a follower
of desires (i.e. deviant), who will spread disease to my heart.” [1]
[135] Yoonus bin ‘Ubaid said to his son: “I forbid you from fornicating, stealing
and drinking alcohol. But if you were to meet Allaah having committed these
(sins), that would be more beloved (to me) than if you were to meet Him with
the views of ‘Amr bin ‘Ubaid or the followers of ‘Amr.” [2]
[136] Abul-Jawzaa said: “If the apes and the swine were to live with me in
a house, that would be more beloved to me than if a person from Ahlul-Ahwaa
(deviants) were to live with me. They have entered into the ayah: ‘And when
they meet you they say: We believe. But when they are alone, they bite the
tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: Perish in your rage. Allaah knows
what is in the hearts.’ [Surah Aali
Imran (The Family of Imran) Verse 119]”
[3]
[137] Al-‘Awwaam bin Hawshab said about his son ‘Eesaa: “By Allaah, if I saw
‘Eesaa gathering with the people of musical instruments, alcohol and falsehood,
that would be more beloved to me than if I were to see him sitting with the
people of argumentation – the innovators.” [4]
[138] Yahyaa bin ‘Ubaid said: “A man from the Mu’atazilah encountered me (one
day), so I got up and said: “Either you pass on or I will pass on, for indeed
if I were to walk with a Christian, that would be more loved to me than if
I were to walk with you.” [5]
[139] Arta’ Ibn al-Mundir said: “If my son were one of the sinful wicked people,
that would be more beloved to me than if he were a Follower of Desires (i.e.
a deviant).” [6]
[140] Sa’eed bin Jubair said: “If my son were to keep the company of a sinning
scoundrel upon the Sunnah that would be more beloved to me than if he were
to accompany a worshipping innovator.” [7]
[141] It was once said to Maalik bin Mughawal: “We saw your son playing with
the birds.” So he responded: “How wonderful that it preoccupies him from accompanying
an innovator.” [8]
[142] Al-Barbahaaree said: “If you see a person whose manner and opinion is
despicable, he is wicked, sinful, and oppressive, yet he is a person of the
Sunnah, accompany him and sit with him, since his sin will not harm you. And
if you see a man who strives hard and long in worship, is abstemious, being
continual in worship, except that he is a person of innovation, do not sit
with him, do not listen to his words, and do not walk along with him, since
I do not feel safe that you will not eventually come to be pleased with his
way and go to destruction along with him.” [9]
[143] Abu Haatim said: “I heard Ahmad bin Sinaan said: “That a Tanboor player
were to live next to me is more beloved to me than if an innovator were to
live next to me. This is since I can forbid the Tanboor player and I can break
the tanboor (a mandolin-like instrument). But as for the innovator, he corrupts
the people, the neighbors and the youth.” [10]
[144] Imam ash-Shaafi’ee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “If the servant
were to meet Allaah having committed every sin except Shirk, that would be
better for him than if he were to meet Allaah with some deviant belief.”[11]
[145] Imaam Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “The graves of sinners
from People of Sunnah is a garden, while the graves of the pious ascetics
from the People of Innovation is a barren pit. The sinners among Ahlus-Sunnah
are the Friends of Allaah, while the pious among Ahlul-Bid’ah are the Enemies
of Allaah.” [12]
Footnotes:
1. Al-Ibaanah (2/468, no. 469)
2. Al-Ibaanah (2/466, no. 464)
3. Al-Ibaanah (2/467, no. 466-467)
4. Al-Bid’a wan-Nahee ‘anhaa (56)
5. Al-Bid’a wan-Nahee ‘anhaa (59)
6. Ash-Sharh wal-Ibaanah of Ibn Battah (132, no. 87)
7. Ash-Sharh wal-Ibaanah (132, no. 89)
8. Ash-Sharh wal-Ibaanah (133, no. 90)
9. Sharh as-Sunnah (124, no. 149) [Translator’s Note: Refer
to Explanation of the Creed]
10. Al-Ibaanah (2/469, no. 473)
11. The checker of the book Sharh as-Sunnah of al-Barbahaaree
mentioned it (124) and attributed it to al-Bayhaqee in Al-‘Itiqaad (158)
12. Tabaqaat al-Hanaabilah (1/184)
Author: Jamaal bin Fareehaan al-Haarithee
Source: His book: Lam ad-Durr al-Manthoor (pg. 47-49)
Translator: abu maryam
