From the characteristics of the hypocrites of our time is they accuse the People of goodness of being 'too harsh.'

[make Jihaad] against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them. Their abode is Hell, and worst indeed is that destination. (At-Tawbah, ayah 73) This harshness and sterness is legislated when dealing with those who stubbornly reject the truth. The wisdom in this is to cause the rest of the people to have aversion to these hypocrites and disbelievers who desire to misguide the rest of the people.[1] And Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) warned against bid’ah in every khutbah[2] – before bid’ah even emerged! – and he warned against Hurqus Dhul-Khwaisrah at-Tameemee behind his back,[3] and he warned against the Khawaarij[4] and the Qadariyah by name[5] – before they emerged – and he warned against the deviant sects as a whole,[6] and he freed himself from Ahlul-Bid’ah.[7] As is well known, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiallaahu ‘anhu) severely beat Sabeegh ibn ‘Asl for spreading doubts concerning some ayaat of the Qur`aan. ‘Ali ibn Abee Talib (radiallaahu ‘anhu) executed many of the Raafidah and went to war against the Khawaarij, slaughtering them. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu ‘anhumma) said about the Qadariyah: “Inform them that I have nothing to do with them, and they have nothing to do with me.”[8] And the rest of the Salaf-us-saleh were lions in refuting Ahlul-Bid’ah – not fearing the blame of the blamers.
The Salaf-us-Saleh were Severe and Harsh against those who desired to alter the Religion
Thus, the Salaf-us-saleh (radiallaahu ‘anhum) were described as “severe and harsh against Ahlul-Bid’ah.” Athar after athar, Ta’deel after Ta’deel describing the Salaf and the Imaams of hadeeth as “Shadeedun ‘ala Ahlul-Bid’ah.” Athar after athar, Ta’deel after Ta’deel describing the Salaf as “severe and harsh against Ahlul-Bid’ah,” and “a thorn in the throats of Ahlul-Bid’ah,” and “a pole shaft in the eyes of Ahlul-Bid’ah.”[9] With all that, the Salafees today are nowhere near as harsh as the Salaf (radiallaahu ‘anhum) were with Ahlul-Bid’ah, the people of heresey who desire to change the Religion of Allaah by way of false interpretations, falsely attributing to Islaam what Islaam is free from, and outright rejection.[10] Back then, the Innovators would flee from the outspoken people of the Sunnah who would openly refute the opposers and deviants, and the innovators would flee from their towns out of fear from the people of the Sunnah and out of fear of being disparaged and refuted and rebuked and humiliated.
Imaam Abu ‘Uthmaan as-Saaboonee (d. 449H, rahimahullaah) said: “And along with that, they [the Salaf] unanimously agreed with their saying about Ahlul-Bid’ah, that they should be subdued, humiliated and disgraced, banished and driven away. That [one must] keep away from them, from those who associate with them and from those who are intimate with them. And to seek nearness to Allaah by avoiding them and fleeing from them.” [‘Aqeedat us-Salaf wa Ashaabil-Hadeeth] And here is a sample of what Imaam as-Saaboonee alluded to:
Abu ‘Abdullaah Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Mufarraj said: “Abu Ja’far Ahmad bin ‘Awn illaah (d. 378H, rahimahullaah) would show rejection against Ahlul-Bid’ah and call them to account, showing extreme harshness against them, utterly humiliating them, always seek to pick out their faults, rushing to damage them, vehemently [stern] against them, chasing them away whenever he was able to, not allowing them to remain. And every one of them (Ahlul-Bid’ah) used to be frightened of him, and would seek to hide and protect himself from him. He (Abu Ja’far Ahmad) would never compromise with a single one of them, and nor would he allow any of them to remain safe. And if he came across evil and witnessed any deviation from the Sunnah, he would oppose it and would disgrace and humiliate (its perpetrator), and he would announce the affair of this person and declare his own disownment of him by mentioning the evil of such a one in the various public gatherings, and he would incite others against him such that he either destroyed him or caused him to abandon his evil and repugnant madhhab and his evil doctrine. And he would never cease to remain upon this habit, making Jihaad therein – seeking the Face of Allaah – up until he met Allaah.” [Taareekh Dimashq 5/118].
And he is the Muhaddith, Imaam Ahmad bin ‘Awn illaah bin Hudair Abu Ja’far al-Andalusee al-Qurtubee (d. 378H, rahimahullaah).
Shaikh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (hafidhahullaah) said: “So the Salaf understood from the text of the Qur`aan and Sunnah the correct and safe stance toward the people of bid’ah and misguidance, and they compiled that in their books. And they have said that there is no harm in backbiting an innovator to warn the people from him, as it is wajib to warn against him. Ahlul Bid’ah are worse and more dangerous than any other evildoers, because they corrupt the religion of Allaah directly.”
Very few Salafees Today Implement this Legislated Harshness
Today – aside from the noble Salafee ‘ulemma (may Allaah preserve them and support them) – very few Salafees implement this legislated harshness, and thus the Innovators are becoming more bold. And this is precisely in accordance with what Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (d. 728H, rahimahullaah) said: “Whenever those who establish the Light of Prophethood [SUNNAH] become weak, that is when bid’ah becomes stronger.”
After mentioning what ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiallaahu ‘anhu) did to Sabeegh ibn ‘Asl, the students at SalafiPublications (hafidhahumullaah) wrote: “If only we had the likes of ‘Umar ibn al-Khataab in our times to make a lesson out of Yoosuf al-Qaradaawee and Muhammad al-Ghazaalee and Muhammad Sa’eed Ramadaan al-Bootee and Hasan at-Turaabee – the apostate! – and those of their ilk.”
As Abu Uwais (d. 1425H, rahimahullaah) said: “The defense of the Deen is greater than the defense of your personal self. If someone broke into your house or car, or dishonored your woman, you would deal with him. But many act cowardly toward those who attack the religion. Ahlul Bid’ah are dangerous…”
Abu Uwais also said: “Softness in its proper place, no problem with it. But softness in its improper place is not right, not correct, and not manly either.”
Shaykh ‘Ubaid ibn ‘Abdullaah al-Jaabiree (hafidhahullaah) said: “Nothing has strengthened many of ahlul-bidah today as much as the excuses made for them by some who claim to be from Ahlus-Sunnah!”
Abu Khadeejah (hafidhahullaah) said: “So if your character is weak (and you cannot refute), then at least don’t prevent others from doing it.” [Khutbah: ‘Ahlul-Bid’ah want us to shut up!’] Oh Salafi: don’t let Ahlul-Bid’ah – for even an instant – deceive you into thinking that you’re somehow to blame or at fault for staying away from their poison, and for refuting them and their falsehood.[11] By Allaah! If they’re not ashamed to disobey Allaah by seeking to change His Religion, then verily you – the Salafee – should not be ashamed to obey Allaah in staying away from Ahlul-Bid’ah, boycotting Ahlul-Bid’ah, and refuting them and their falsehood!
And do you not know that the hypocrites are from Ahlul-Bid’ah? And do you not know that Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (d. 728H, rahimahullaah) said: “Most of Ahlul-Bid’ah are hypocrites with Nifaaq al-akbar (Major hypocrisy)!!”
And don’t you know that hypocrisy is worse today.
Hypocrisy in belief has not ceased; rather it is present in alarming abundance
And lest Ahlul-Bid’ah deceive you into thinking the matter of hypocrisy has ceased – as they ignorantly and deviantly teach – know that Hypocrisy (concealing Kufr while displaying Islaam) has not ceased.
Shaikh Rabee’ said: “…Some of the people today consider that the matter of hypocrisy as a reality has ‘ended.’ They suppose that hypocrisy was only in the time of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), but as for the latter ages, then they are ‘free’ from hypocrisy occurring within them. This is clearly from their obvious ignorance and foolishness, and we seek refuge in Allaah from that.” [“A LightHouse of Knowledge From a Guardian of the Sunnah,” Pg. 241.)] [12] Hudhaifa ibn al-Yamaan (radiallaahu ‘anhu) said: The munaafiqoon (hypocrites) amongst you today are worse than those in the time of Allaah’s Messenger – sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He was asked: “How is that oh Abu ‘Abdillaah?” He replied: “Because those [in the time of the Prophet] used to hide their nifaaq (hypocrisy), whereas the hypocrites of today commit [hypocrisy] openly.” [Al-Bukhaaree (no. 7113), rahimahullaah] In another narration, Maalik ibn Deenaar (rahimahullaah) said: “I swear, if the hypocrites started growing tails, the believers wouldn’t find a spot of ground to walk on.”
This shows that hypocrisy was worse and more abundant after the death of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
Today, the hypocrites display their hypocrisy (kufr) and call to it – and fight those who refuse to go along. Allaahul Musta’aan!
Hypocrisy – with respect to belief – is of six types. Aoodhubillaah! May Allaah protect the Muslims. These six types of Hypocrisy in belief (which is the more dangerous type of hypocrisy than the hypocrisy in action) is extracted from the Qur`aan and Sunnah, and can be found in the books of the scholars, including Imaam Al-Albanee’s highly beneficial book Tawheed First, O Callers to Islaam.
Nifaaq in belief is of six types: Any one of the below six types is major hypocrisy (Nifaaq al-akbar) – disbelief, expelling one from the religion – and thus the Munaafiqeen (hypocrites) are in the lowest parts of the Fire.[1] Denying belief in the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).[2] Denying part of what the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came with.[3] Hating the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).[4] Hating part of what the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came with.[5] Pleasure in decline and diminishing of the Messenger’s (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Deen (religion), and[6] Displeasure in victory and triumph for the Messenger’s (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Deen (religion).
And do you not know that it is kufr to deny that the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad!
Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to say in Khutbat al-Hajjah: “And the best of speech is the speech of Allaah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. And the worst of all matters in the religion are the newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is a bid’ah, and every bid’ah is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the hellfire.” [An-Nasaa’ee (al-Mishkaat, no. 137), rahimahullaah] Shaikh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillaah Ar-Raajihee (hafidhahullaah Ta’aala) said in his explanation of The Nullifiers of Islaam:
“Whoever believes that there is some guidance better than the guidance of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), such as by saying: ‘The way of the philosophers, the Sabians and the Sufis is better than the way of Muhammad’ or ‘There is guidance in this way’ or ‘It is like the guidance of the Prophet.’ Such a person who says this is a disbeliever. This is because there is no guidance that is better than the guidance of Allaah’s Messenger, since [Allaah revealed about him:] Nor does he speak from his desire; rather it is only revelation that has been sent down to him. (An-Najm, ayah 3-4) So whoever says that there is a guidance better than the guidance of the Messenger of Allaah or similar to it, such as by him practicing or seeking a way towards Allaah through the philosophical or Sabian or Sufi way, then such a person is a disbeliever, an apostate!
Likewise, when someone believes that there is a judgement that is better than the judgement of the Prophet, such as when one believes that ruling by man-made laws is better than ruling by the Sharee’ah (Divine Legislation), this person is an apostate according to the unanimous agreement of the Muslims. The same goes for if one believes that ruling by man-made laws is similar to ruling by the Sharee’ah, as he also commits disbelief. Similarly, if he believes that ruling by the Sharee’ah is better than ruling by man-made laws, however it is permissible to rule by man-made laws, such as by him saying: ‘People have free choice – it is permissible for one to rule by man made laws and it is permissible for him to rule by the Sharee’ah, however the Sharee’ah is better,’ then such a person has committed disbelief according to the consensus of the Muslims. People do not have free choice in this matter. And this person has rejected something that is known from the Religion by necessity.”
Refuge in Allaah is taken!
Characteristics of The Hypocrites!
In his book The Levels of People in The Hereafter, Ibnul-Qayyim (d. 751H, rahimahullaah) said: “Then whoever considers the blameworthy characteristics with which Allaah described the hypocrites in the Qur`aan will know that they indeed deserve the lowest depth of the Fire.”
Then Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) listed the characteristics that Allaah described them with in the Qur`aan. Here are some of the characteristics that Allaah described the hypocrites with in the Qur`aan:
– they try to ‘outwit’ Allaah and His slaves
– the hypocrites’ hearts are diseased with the disease of misgivings and doubts
– causing corruption upon the earth
– mocking His religion and His slaves
– transgression
– taking misguidance in exchange for guidance
– deaf, dumb, and blind [i.e., they don’t benefit from their hearing, intellect and sight, as it concerns the hereafter] – in confusion
– laziness upon worship of Him
– fornication
– remember Allaah little
– wavering, fluctuating between the believers and disbelievers
– swearing false, baseless oaths in His name
– extreme cowardice
– absence of understanding the Religion
– lack of knowledge
– miserliness
– absence of true Eeman in Allaah and the Last Day
– hating that Allaah’s command is manifested
– grieved when the believers attain good and victory
– overjoyed when trials and tribulations befall (the Muslims)
– avidly await the Muslims being struck by setbacks
– accuse the believers of what is not found in them
– cast aspersions upon those who give in charity
– slaves of this dunya
– trouble Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and criticize him
– seek to please the creation, and do not seek to please the Lord of creation
– foulest, most polluted and most despicable of the descendents of Adam
– mock Allaah, and His ayaat (signs) and His Messenger
– command the evil and forbid the good
– hold their hands back from spending in a manner pleasing to Him
– ally themselves with the kufaar and abandon the believers
– forget the remembrance of Allaah
– friendship, affection for those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger
– say with their tongues what is not in their hearts
– when there is a dispute, and you call them to accept the judgment of the Qur`aan and Sunnah, they refuse and turn away from it
– they call you to refer for judgement to those they have set up besides Allaah
Also, from their characteristics are what Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) described them with (in the ahadeeth):
– lying when speaking
– betraying their trust
– breaking their agreement
– behaving shamelessly when disputing
– breaking their promises
Also: they oppose what Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) brought with their intellect and opinions of men
– hide the truth, seeking to dupe its people
After bringing all these characteristics of the hypocrites – extracted from the Qur`aan and Sunnah – Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) then said: “So nothing is more harmful to the Religion than this type of people, and the harm caused to the Muslims by them [the hypocrites] is greater than the harm they suffer at the hands of the open disbelievers. So the kufaar, with their kufr, are less harmful, and will be above them [the hypocrites] in the levels of the Fire.”
La hawla wala quwata illa billaah!
In his book Characteristics of The Hypocrites, Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:
“In the Qur`aan, Allaah revealed the machinations of the hypocrites, He has unveiled their beliefs, their characteristics, and made their goals clear so that the believers can be aware of them.”
“The harm they cause to Islaam is truly severe for they claim to be Muslims, they claim to aid and support Islaam, whereas in reality they are its enemies seeking to destroy it from within, covertly spreading their corruption and ignorance such that the unwary thinks that what they are upon is knowledge and right action.
By Allaah! How many strongholds of Islaam have they destroyed? How many fortresses have they rendered to ruin? How many signposts of Islaam have they effaced? How many raised flags have they lowered? How many seeds of doubt have they attempted to sow in order to uproot the Religion!?
Islaam and the Muslims have always faced trial and tribulation from them, wave after wave of doubts do they assault at it, all the while thinking that they are doing right. [Allaah said:] Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 12)…”
Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) also said about the hypocrites:
“Their capital is deception and scheming, their merchandise is lies and treachery, and their intellect is one that is employed just for this world. …The disease of desires and doubts has consumed their hearts and destroyed them, and evil objectives have permeated their motivations and intentions, and corrupted them. …Whoever falls prey to the claws of their doubts will have his faith shredded to pieces. …When one of them follows the Book and the Sunnah, he is doing so to keep up appearances; he is like a donkey carrying books: it understands none of what it is carrying.”
“They found the texts of the Book and the Sunnah combating their desires, so they laid down laws and principles by which they could reject them or weaken them. Allaah has unveiled their secrets, and propounded parables for them. Know that each generation that succeeds them is like them so He has described them for His awliyya` that they may be aware of them.
He says: That is because they hate that which Allaah has sent down (this Qur`aan and Islaamic laws, etc.), so He has made their deeds fruitless. (Muhammad, ayah 9)
This holds true for all who find the texts burdensome and see them [Qur`aan and Sunnah] coming between him and his heresies and desires; it seems to him that he has come across an unbreakable solid structure, so he trades them for false rhetoric, exchanging reality for illusion.”
The following are benefits from various tafaseer of ayaat concerning the hypocrites:
Allaah said: And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: “We believe in Allaah and the Last Day” while in fact they believe not. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 8) —-> This verse describes the first characteristic of the hypocrites: lying. This attribute is so entrenched in them that even when they spoke words that were true, Allaah still called them liars because what they said did not conform to what they believed. Allaah said: When the hypocrites come to you (oh Muhammad), they say: “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allaah.” Allaah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allaah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed. (Al-Munafiqoon, ayah 1)
Allaah said: They (think to) deceive Allaah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! (Al-Baqarah, ayah 9) —–> This verse describes the second characteristic of the hypocrites: their ignorance of Allaah, for they try to deceive One Who cannot be deceived, One Who knows what they manifest and what they hide! This verse also shows their deceptive characteristic, their third characteristic, as well as their making mockery of the Religion and looking down on it.
Allaah said: In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allaah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 10) —–> This verse describes the fourth characteristic of the hypocrites: they are plagued with the disease of doubts and desires. Imam as-Sa’dee (d. 1376H, rahimahullaah) said: “…the disease of false doubts and vile desires. Disbelief, hypocrisy, doubts and heresies all arise from the disease of doubts. …This verse also shows that it is as a consequence of one’s sins that Allaah punishes them with more sins.”
Allaah said: And when it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “We are only peacemakers.” Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 11-12) ——> This verse describes the fifth characteristic of the hypocrites: spreading corruption in the land, a direct consequence of the corruption of the hearts. Imam as-Sa’dee said: They combine spreading corruption on earth with making [apparent] that they are only putting things right, thereby altering reality and believing that the falsehood they are upon to be the truth. …Allaah rebuts them by saying: No indeed, they are the corrupters. For there is no greater corruption than disbelieving in the verses and the signs of Allaah, preventing people from His Way, trying to deceive Allaah and His awliyya`, and befriending the enemies of Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
Allaah said: And when it is said to them (hypocrites): “Believe as the people (the companions of Muhammad) have believed,” they say: “Shall we believe as the fools have believed?” Verily, they are the fools, but they know not. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 13) ——> This verse describes the sixth characteristic of the hypocrites: their belittling the Religion and those who follow it.
Allaah said: And when they meet those who believe, they say: “We believe,” but when they are alone with their Shayaatin (devils – polytheists, hypocrites, etc.), they say: “Truly, we are with you; verily, we were but mocking.” (Al-Baqarah, ayah 14) ——> This is an example of their heinious lies, saying with their tongues what is not in their hearts, in order to acquire temporal gain. Allaah said: They may hide (their crimes) from men, but they cannot hide (them) from Allaah, for He is with them (by His Knowledge), when they plot by night in words that He does not approve. And Allaah ever encompasses what they do. (An-Nisa`, ayah 108)
Ibnul-Qayyim said: “Allaah abhors their obeying Him because of the filth of their hearts and impure intentions. …Allaah said: And if they had intended to march out, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allaah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), “Sit you among those who sit (at home).” (At-Tawbah, ayah 46).”
Allaahu akbar! What more do you need to know about the hypocrites after learning that Allaah hates their obeying Him due to the filth and in-sincerity that is in their hearts! Refuge in Allaah is taken from hypocrisy and its people!
And alongside all of this, know – may Allaah protect you from the evil of the hypocrites and disbelievers – that one of the attributes of the hypocrites (and the open disbelievers) is that they falsely accuse others of what they themselves are guilty of.[13] Whereas the harshness that the Salafees implement in refuting and warning against Ahlul-Bid’ah is legislated, the harshness and lying and slandering and evil plots and ghuloo (extremism) that Ahlul-Bid’ah approach and attack Ahlus-Sunnah with is far from legislated![14] Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241H, rahimahullaah Ta’aala) said:
“All praise is for Allaah Who, in every age and interval between the Prophets, raises up a group from the people of knowledge who call the misguided to guidance, and patiently bear ill-treatment and harm. With the Book of Allaah, they give life to the dead, and by Allaah’s light they give sight to the blind. How many are those [whose eeman] have been killed by Iblees whom they have helped give life to again? How many people astray and wandering have they guided? How beautiful their effect has been upon the people, and how vile people have been towards them.
They repel from the book of Allaah the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant ones – those who uphold the banner of bid’ah and let loose the trials and discords. Who differ about the Book, oppose the Book, and agree to oppose the Book. Those who speak about Allaah and His Book without knowledge, argue about what is ambiguous in the Book and deceive the ignorant with such ambiguities. We seek refuge in Allaah from the trials of the misguided ones.” [From Imam Ahmad’s introduction to his book “Ar-Rad ‘alal Jahmiyyah waz-Zanaadiqah” (The Refutation upon the Jahmiyyah and the Heretics), pg. 2.] Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H, rahimahullaah Ta’aala) said: “Those who establish the duty of preserving what was inherited from the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) – and safeguard it from any addition or deletion – are from the greatest of the awliyya` of Allaah; they are of the beloved servants of Allaah and His party.”
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (d. 751H, rahimahullaah Ta’aala) said: “Whoever proceeds upon the Straight Path that the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his companions were upon, let him make himself get used to trouble from the ignoramuses and Ahlul-Bid’ah, such as them belittling him, attacking him, warning against him.”
Oh Allaah deal with Ahlul-Bid’ah, and twist their plots against them, and break the backs of those who don’t desire guidance and instead seek to misguide Your slaves. Ameen.
And Allaah knows best.
Notes:[1] After explaining that the origin is rifk (gentleness), Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah) then said in his explanation of al-Usool uth-Thalaathah: “As for the mu’aanid (the one who stubbornly rejects the truth) and the mukaabir (the one who rejects the truth out of pride), then he is addressed in a different manner.
Allaah Subhana said (what means): And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Tawheed with His Verses), except with those who transgress, and say (to them): “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilah (God) and your Ilah (God) is One (i.e. Allaah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims).” (Al-‘Ankabut, ayah 46)
So those who transgressed from the People of the Book and who obstinately refused the Truth and rejected the Truth with pride, then those people are not addressed in the manner which is best. Rather, they are addressed with that which will deter them.
He Ta’aala said: Oh Prophet (Muhammad, sallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)! Strive hard [make Jihaad] against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them. Their abode is Hell, and worst indeed is that destination. (At-Tawbah, ayah 73)
And He Ta’aala said about them (hypocrites): And admonish them with a saying that will have an effect upon them. (An-Nisa`, ayah 63)
There is a specific manner for addressing them because they are people who reject out of stubbornness and pride, and do not want the Truth; rather they only wish to misguide the people.”
In the well-known hadeeth narrated by Abu Waaqid Al-Laythee (radiallaahu ‘anhu), when the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the Sahaaba went to Hunayn after the Conquest of Makkah and they passed by a lote-tree, one of the new Muslims asked Allaah’s Messenger if he could assign for them a Dhat Anwaat like they (the mushrikeen) have a Dhat Anwaat (a tree to hang their swords upon, seeking blessings from the tree). So Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaahu Akbar! By The One in Whose Hand is my soul, verily these are the ways of the earlier nations. You have said the same as Baanee Israaeel said to Moosa:
يَامُوسَى اجْعَل لَنَا إِلَها ً كَمَا لَهُمْ آلِهَة ٌ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْم ٌ تَجْهَلُونَ
‘Oh Moosa: make for us an ilaahan (a god) as they have aaliha (gods).’ He (Moosa) said: ‘Verily, you are a people who know not (the Majesty and Greatness of Allaah and what is obligatory upon you, i.e. to worship none except Allaah Alone, the One and the Only True Deity of all that exists).’ (Al-A’raf, ayah 138).” [Imaam Ahmad in Al-Musnad (5/218), declared authentic by Imaam Al-Albaanee in Al-Mishkaat (no. 5408)] In his Sharh of Thalaathatul-Usool, Shaikh ‘Ubaid ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Jaabiree (hafidhahullaah) said about this: “He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) never sufficed by saying, ‘this is impermissible, you are Muslims and this is an act of Shirk.’ Instead, he uttered words that had the greatest impression upon their souls, and the utmost affect in scolding them and totally uprooting this intention from their hearts, because this was an act of Shirk!”[2] Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: …And beware of newly invented matters (in the Deen), for indeed every newly invented matter (in the Deen) is a bid’ah, and every bid’ah is misguidance, and in another narration: and every misguidance is in the fire. [Ahmad in his Musnad (4/126), Aboo Dawud (no. 4607), At-Tirmidhee (no. 2676); declared ‘saheeh’ by Al-Albaanee, rahimahumullaah] The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: If you see those who seek the verses which are not entirely clear, then they are those whom Allaah has named, so beware of them. [Bukharee, Muslim] Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Whoever introduces into this affair of ours (Islaam) what is not from it, it will be rejected. [Bukhaaree, Muslim] Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Whosoever does an action that is not from this affair of ours (Islaam), then it is rejected. [Muslim, rahimahullaah] Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said: Whoever does an action different than ours, then it is rejected. [Abu Dawood (saheeh), rahimahullaah] ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu ‘anhumma) said: “All bid’ah is misguidance even if the people see it as good.” [al-Laalikaai (126), Ibn Batta (205), Baihaqi in Madkhal ila Sunnan (191) ibn Nasr (70) with an authentic chain, rahimahumullaah] ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiallaahu ‘anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: May Allaah curse he who harbors (accommodates) an innovator. [Muslim] On the authority of Abu Umaamah (radiallaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Whoever loves for the sake of Allaah, hates for the sake of Allaah, gives for the sake of Allaah, and prevents (withholds) for the sake of Allaah, has perfected Eeman. [Abu Dawud (no. 4681), at-Tirmidhee (no. 2521), Ahmad (3/438, 440); ‘Saheeh’ due to witnesses, refer to al-Albaani’s Al-Saheeha (no. 380), rahimahumullaah] [3] So when Hurqus Dhul-Khwaisra at-Tamimee rebelled against, criticized and falsely accused the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), the Messenger of Allaah spoke about him – behind his back! – saying: There will appear from this man’s progeny [ideology] people who one of you would belittle his own prayer when compared with theirs, and his fasting compared to theirs. (But) they will pass through the religion just as an arrow passes through a target. [Bukhaaree, Muslim] [4] He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also said about the Khawaarij: There will emerge among you people whom you would belittle your prayer when compared to their prayer, your fasting compared to their fasting, and your deeds compared to theirs. They will recite the Qur`aan, but it will not reach beyond their throats. They will pass right through the religion just as an arrow may pass right through a target (game animal). One may look at such an arrowhead and see nothing remaining. He may look at the arrow rod and see nothing remaining. He may look at the feathers and see nothing. And he may look at the end-notch (to see if anything of blood stuck to it). [Bukhaaree, Muslim, Ibn Majah; rahimahumullaah] And he (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said about the Khawaarij: The Khawaarij are the dogs of the hellfire. [From the hadeeth of Ibn Abee Awfa (radiallaahu ‘anhu), recorded by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Al-Haakim (rahimahumullaah)] Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said about the Khawaarij: They are the worst of people, the worst of all creatures. [From the Hadeeth of Abu Dharr (radiallaahu ‘anhu), recorded by Imaam Ahmad, Muslim, Ibn Majah (rahimahumullaah)] And: They read the Qur`aan, thinking it is in support of them while it is actually against them.
And also said they will be: Young in age, having reckless and deficient intellects.[5] ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu ‘anhumma) narrated: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: The Qadariyyah are the Majoos (fire-worshippers) of this Ummah. If they get sick, do not visit them. And if they die, do not witness their burial. [Ibn Maajah, Abu Daawood; the hadeeth was declared ‘Hasan,’ by Al-Albaanee, rahimahumullaah] [6] Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: …And this Ummah will divide into 73 sects, all in the hellfire except one. It was asked: Which one is that, oh Messenger of Allaah? He said: That which I and my companions are upon. [At-Tirmidhee, Al-Haakim; authenticated by Al-Albaanee, rahimahumullaah] [7] Allaah, the Most High, said:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعا ً لَسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِي شَيْء ٍ إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ
Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (Oh Muhammad) have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with Allaah, Who then will tell them what they used to do. (Al-An’aam, ayah 159) After mentioning this verse, Imaam Ash-Shaatibee (d. 790H, rahimahullaah Ta’aala) then said:
“The explanation (tafseer) of this verse has come in the hadeeth from ‘Aa`ishah (radiallaahu ‘anha) who said: ‘The Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: Oh ‘Aa`ishah! Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects. Who are they? So I said: Allaah and His Messenger know best. He replied: They are the People of Desires, the People of Innovations and the People of Misguidance from this Ummah. Oh ‘Aa`ishah! For every sin there is repentance, except [for] the People of Desires and Innovations. There is no repentance from them, and I am free and innocent of them and they of me.’ …”[8] In his Sharh of Thalaathatul-Usool, Shaikh ‘Ubaid ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Jaabiree said about the statement of ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar: “This is an extremely strong censure, and this is from the etiquettes of the caller to Allaah.”[9] The following is a sample of this: http://www.thenoblequran.com/sps/downloads/pdf/BDH050012.pdf[10] Shaikh Rabee’ said: “And they (Ahlul-Bid’ah) describe the Salafee manhaj – and standing (firmly) in the face of Ahlul-Bid’ah, and defending the Sunnah – they describe it as shiddah (harshness), they describe that as shiddah, and they describe that as ghuluww (extremism), and they lied and fabricated a lie. By Allaah, besides whom there is none worthy of worship (in truth), shiddah (harshness, severity) is not found amongst the masaakeen (poor) Salafees now.
And certainly, no matter how harsh the Salafees are in facing and standing against the falsehood, and innovations, they do not reach one hundredth of what the Salaf were upon of harshness against Ahlul-Bid’ah to the degree that they (the Salaf) used to kill them*, and expel them (from the land), and boycott them, and beat them*, and humiliate them! [And as for us] the Salafees, they have nothing [of what was with the Salaf of harshness], masaakeen.” [Cassette: “Is al-Jarh wat-Ta`deel Specific to the Narrators of Hadeeth”, via Sahab.Net and SalafiTalk] [11] By Allaah, if Ahlul-Bid’ah had good manners with Allaah, they would have found the Salafees gentle with them. The Salafees’ harshness toward Ahlul-Bid’ah – refuting their falsehood, warning against them, refusing to sit with them – is not considered dispraiseworthy or “bad manners,” rather it is from obedience to Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in this affair.
Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala said:
وَقَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ أَنْ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ يُكْفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسْتَهْزَأُ بِهَا فَلاَ تَقْعُدُوا مَعَهُمْ حَتَّى يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ إِنَّكُمْ إِذا ً مِثْلُهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْكَافِرِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعا
And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur’an) that when you hear the Verses of Allaah 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, Allaah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell (An-Nisa`, ayah 140) Imaam At-Tabaree (d. 310H, rahimahullaah) said this ayah – and others with the same meaning – refer to people engaged in their batil (falsehood), whether it be shirk, bid’ah or sin.
Abu Hurairah (radiallaahu anhu) said, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: A person is upon the deen of his friend, so let each one of you look at whom he befriends. [Saheeh; Refer to Silsilah as-Saheehah of al-Albaani (no.927), rahimahullaah] Ibn Mas’ood (radiallaahu ‘anhu) said: “Indeed a person walks alongside and accompanies the one whom he loves and who is like him.” [Al-Ibaanah (2/476)] Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiallaahu ‘anhumma) said: “Do not sit with the people of desires, for verily their sittings causes diseases to enter the hearts.” [Al-Ibaanah #371] Abu ad-Dardaa (radiallaahu ‘anhu) said, “It is from the fiqh (understanding of a person) that he [chooses] those whom he walks with, whom he enters upon (visits) and whom he sits with.” [Al-Ibaanah (2/477)] Furthermore, in defending Shaykh Rabee’ (hafidhahullaah) from the slanders directed at him, Shaykh Maher ibn Dhafer al-Qahtany (hafidhahullaah) warned: The people of knowledge have said it is “oppression” to describe someone as “harsh” because of a few moments of harshness. [Especially when the harshness is legislated!] Shaykh Maher gave the example of ‘Aa`ishah (radiallaahu ‘anha) who responded harshly to the Jew who said “Death be upon you” to the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Shaykh Maher said: Does that justify someone to label ‘Aa`ishah “harsh” on account of this?! No.
Alongside Shaykh Rabee’s diligence in relaying the Sharee’ah and explaining it and distinguishing truth from falsehood and warning against what opposes the Sharee’ah – alongside all this – the examples of Shaykh Rabee’s gentleness and patience are abundant. Thus, the zanaadiqah expose themselves by defending bid’ah and its people, and opposing and attacking the inheritors of the Prophets.
Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala said:
فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنتُمْ بِه ِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا وَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاق ٍ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
So if they believe in the like of that which you (oh Muhammad and your companions) believe, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allaah will suffice you against them. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 137)[12] The statement that hypocrisy has ended is not only falsehood, but the consequences could be disastrous. Hasan al-Basree (d. 110H, rahimahullaah) said: “None but a believer fears hypocrisy, and none but a hypocrite feels secure from it.”
Ibn Abee Mulaikah (d. 117H, rahimahullaah) said: “I have met thirty of the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) all of them fearing hypocrisy for themselves and not one of them said that he had the faith of Jibreel and Mikaa`eel.” [Recorded by Bukhaaree, rahimahullaah] ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab (radiallaahu ‘anhu) used to say to Hudhayfah (radiallaahu ‘anhu): “I ask you – by Allaah – did the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) list me amongst the hypocrites?” He replied, “No, and I will not give this tazkiyyah (I will not answer this question) to anyone else after you.”
If the two khaleels (Muhammad and Ibraheem) – ‘alayhumma salaam – feared Shirk for themselves, and the sahaaba (radiallaahu ‘anhum) feared hypocrisy for themselves, then how can other than them feel secure?
Allaah said (what means): Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allaah. None feels secure from the Plan of Allaah except the people who are the losers. (Al-A’raf, ayah 99)
In his tafseer of this ayah, Imaam Ibn Katheer (d. 774H, rahimahullaah) included the statement of Al-Hasan Al-Basree: “The believer performs the acts of worship, all the while feeling fear, in fright and anxiety. The Fajir (wicked sinner, or disbeliever) commits the acts of disobedience while feeling safe (from Allaah’s torment)!”
Hasan al-Basree also said: “The believer does the best deeds yet is most fearful [that his deeds will not be accepted]. If he were to spend a mountain of wealth [in charity], he would not feel sure [of the reward] until he sees it. The more righteous and pious he becomes, the more he fears. But the hypocrite (munaafiq) says, ‘There are so many people, I will be forgiven, no problem.’ So he does wrong and evil deeds, yet holds foolish wishes about Allaah.” [Al-Dhahabee, Siyar A’laam Al-Nubalaa` 4:586.] No doubt feeling secure is a plot from the plots of Shaytaan![13] When examining the slanders that Ahlul-Bid’ah attack the Salafees with, the extremism and dispraiseworthy harshness becomes manifested upon their tongues – may Allaah twist them.
Shaikh Rabee’ said: “Nowadays there exists in the arena those who wage war against Ahlus-Sunnah and call them ghulaat (extremists). So they have insultingly named Ahlus-Sunnah with ghuloo (extremism), with which they attach them to the misguided groups. They have derisively named Ahlus-Sunnah with ghuloo because they (Ahlus-Sunnah) place the people of bid’ah in their appropriate level – just as the Salaf-us-Saleh placed them – and they deal with those people in accordance to the path of Salafiyyah, the way those people of the past (such as the companions) dealt with the people of bid’ah.
However, these people do not desire that, they do not want for you to say that Ikhwanul Muslimeen are such, nor that the Tableeghis are such, nor that so and so a group is such. They say (about themselves) that ‘we have a vast and expansive manhaj, it includes Ahlus-Sunnah and it includes the entire Ummah, it includes Ahlus-Sunnah.’ And according to them ‘Ahlus-Sunnah is Jama’ah at-Tableegh and Ikhwanul Muslimeen.’
The sect of Ikhwanul Muslimeen includes other sects from the misguided sects whom Ikhwanul Muslimeen bring together, such as the Rawaafid along with their various groups and the Soofiyah along with their various groups.

All people of bid’ah are present within the organization known as Ikhwanul Muslimeen – even the Christians enter into this organization!
So when you say that they are people of bid’ah, they describe you with ghuloo. The Tableeghis take bay’ah (oath of obedience) with the four Soofi paths; Soofiyah has within it hulool (deviant belief that Allaah exists within His creation) and Wahdat al-Wujood (deviant belief that Allaah and His creation are one and the same), Shirk, bid’ah and misguidance. When you say about them that they are Innovators, they describe you with ghuloo. Such people are from the most dangerous enemies to Ahlus-Sunnah, so beware of them and their trickery.” [Refer to Qurra al-‘Aynayn (pg. 221-222) of Rabee’ al-Madkhalee] [14] Ahlus-Sunnah (the Salafees) are commanded to disassociate themselves from Ahlul-Bid’ah and boycott them until they repent, whereas Ahlul-Bid’ah are commanded to befriend the Salafees and return to the Jama’ah.
Imaam Ash-Shatibee (d. 790H, rahimahullaah) said: “For Indeed, The Saved Sect – and they are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah – are commanded with disassociating themelves from the people of bid’ah, expelling them and punishing severely anyone who follows in their direction, whether by killing or other than that.*
The scholars have warned us against accompanying and sitting with them. That is the best way for showing hostility and hatred to them.
So the one who achieves this is the one who gives himself cause for it, by splitting away from the Jama’ah, due to what he has innovated from adhering to ways other than the believers’ way.**
It is not to be done just for the sake of showing hostility. How could this be, while we are commanded to disassociate from them, while they are commanded to befriend us and return to the Jama’ah?” [Al-I’tisaam, (1/120)] *Obviously, this punishment that Imaam Ash-Shatibee and Shaikh Rabee’ mentioned is to be carried out by the Muslim government in a Muslim land – not for anyone else. In-sha`Allaah, that is clear. Upon everyone else is to disassociate themselves from Ahlul-Bid’ah, boycott them, warn against them and their bid’ah, not to take knowledge from them, nor sit with them, nor accompany them, and one should hate them for their bid’ah until they leave off their bid’ah and return to the Jama’ah.
** And this statement of Imaam Ash-Shaatibee shows that the person of bid’ah brought this on himself by innovating in the Religion, and leaving the believers’ way – the companions way. And thus this treatment of him is not to be done just for the sake of hostility, but rather in obedience to the command of Allaah for the purpose of preserving the Religion and repelling from the Religion what does not belong to it as well as protecting the Ummah from that evil.