Translation: Aboo Aamir Al-Atharee

Uploaded: Dhul Qa'dah 9, 1436, (24 August, 2015)

The ninth point of what must be avoided by every learner, according to Ash-Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd [RahimahuLlaah] in Hilyah Tâlib Ilm, are the people of self desires – the innovators.

Ash-Shaykh Sâlih Al-Uthaymeen [RahimahuLlaah] said:

Sitting with the innovators, which include those whom their sittings are filled with ill-manners. So whether it is innovation or bad manners, or those who want to register their 'worth' in the society, or what is like; the learner must graciously shun all of them. Some innovators [and evil doers] may be eloquent in speech, indeed some speeches are beFrom Every Follower of the Whims, Guard Your Ears witching. Such people must be avoided, all the same.

But why?

We are afraid of their harm [to our Deen]. The Prophet [salaLlâhu alayhi wa sallam] had said: ‘Some speeches are bewitching.’ When we listen to such people our intellects might become influenced by their sugar-coated evil such that we fall into their innovation [and believe all their craps].

Another point is that when we sit with them, we encourage them to carry on with thier heresies. This may make [some uninformed] people flock them which makes them to increase in pride and self-delusion.

Also, the person who sits with these innovators exposes himself to criticism. The affair of the person who sits with an innovator will become clear [that he himself is evil]. When people see you frequenting an innovator, you have made yourself a target of criticisms.

Adapted from Shar’h Hilyah Tâlib Ilm, pp.238-239, Daar Diyâ Edtn.