Is knowing about the Innovated Sects of old and new important?

[Yusuf.McNulty.al.Irlandee]

Is Knowing about the Innovated Sects of Old and New Important?

The Noble Shaykh, the 'Allaamah, Zayd ibn Muhammad ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee, may Allaah
preserve him, was asked:


Questioner:

Is being aware of the Destroyed Sects [1] of old and recent times important? Or is the Muslim
sufficed that he just seeks knowledge without having to know about these sects?


Answer:

Yes, knowing about the Destroyed Sects, due to their warring against the Sunnah and it’s
people, is very important. That is (sects) like the Khawaarij, the Raafidah, the Murji’ah, the
Jahmiyyah, the Mu’tazilah, the extreme Ashaa’irah and the Mufawwidah - these are the sects
of old. From the modern day groups are the Ikhwaaniyyah, at-Takfeer wal-Hijrah, the
Tableeghiyyah, the Surooriyyah and the Qutbiyyah - these are the modern day sects [2].

Each and every sect has with them distinct contradictions to Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. So
whoever would like to become precise with his sound ‘Aqeedah and Manhaj, then let him take
to studying their textual evidences (and by studying) the beliefs and ways of the innovated
groups, so that he can refute them, their dead and their living. Verily the dead ones left their
innovation for those who came after them, in their books and in their statements.

Their foundations (Ahlul-Bid'ah) are refuted by the noble people of the Sunnah in their books
that are backed up by evidences from the Book (al-Qur’aan), the Sunnah and the sayings of the
noble Sahaabah and those who followed them from the knowledgeable Imaams (of the Salaf).
They explain these evidences in a way that makes clear the authentic ‘Aqeedah and correct
Manhaj. (In their books) they refute the innovation of the innovators and the misguidance of
the misguided ones, in order to teach the people the correct belief and sound methodology.
They restrict themselves to act in accordance with them both (correct ‘Aqeedah and Manhaj)
and so therefore learn about the corrupt beliefs and distorted methodologies in order to keep
away from them.

Indeed, it is established upon the illustrious Companion Hudhayfah ibnul-Yamaan,
may Allaah be pleased with him, that he said,

“The people used to ask Allaah’s Messenger,
may Allaah’s Salaah and Salaam be upon him,
regarding the good things,
whereas I would ask him about the bad,
for fear that it would reach me” [3]

(As the poet said),

"I learnt evil, not for the sake of evil, but rather to save myself from it,
And whosoever does not know the good from the bad shall fall into it"

So exert your efforts, O seekers of knowledge, in gaining understanding of innovation and the
innovators and from this are the modern day innovations, which I alluded to earlier by
mentioning them. Indeed they are dangerous and they have callers to them on land, (up in the)
mountains, (out in the) deserts and within the cities.

<<And whoever fears Allaah, then He shall make for him a way out
(from every difficulty).
And He shall provide for him from places he can not imagine.
Whoever puts their trust (solely) in Allaah, then He is sufficient for him>> [4]

_ _ _ _ _ _

[1] Trans. Note: Meaning the 72 sects of innovation and deviance that have been mentioned in the
famous Hadeeth of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr, may Allaah be pleased with them both, which was reported by
at-Tirmidhee in his Sunan (2643). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee, may Allaah have mercy upon him,
in Saheeh Sunanit-Tirmidhee.

[2] Trans. Note: For further, detailed information regarding these groups of innovation (and more),
then please refer to salafipublications.com and go to the section on ‘deviated sects’.
Also read the sections called ‘groups and parties’ and ‘callers and individuals’.

[3] Reported by Bukhaaree (3/1319)(3411) and Muslim (3/1475)(1847)

[4] Sooratut-Talaaq verse 2-3


- Translated by Abul-Husayn Yusuf McNulty from al-Ajwibatul-Athariyyah 'an Masaa'ilil-
Manhajiyyah, pg. 78-79, Daar Adwaa'is-Salaf, Cairo.