The Distinguished Signs of Ahlul Bid’ah (The People of Innovation)
Reading time: 7 - 11 minutes
From the book, ‘Aqeedatus-Salaf wa Ashaabil-
Hadeeth of Aboo ‘Uthmaan as-Saaboonee, -pp. 101-107)
Aboo Uthmaan as-Saaboonee (d. 44911) (rahimahumullah) said, “And the characteristics (resulting) from (the effects of) innovations upon their people are obvious and manifestly clear. The most apparent of their signs and characteristics is the severity of their enmity and hatred towards the Carriers of the narrations of the Prophet (swallallahu alaihi wasallam). Their disdain of them, their scorn of them (considering them to he valueless) and naming them with Hashawiyyah (Worthless People), Jahalah (the Ignorant), Dhaahiriyyah (Literalists) and Mushabbihah (those who liken Allaah to the creation). (And this), due to their belief (concerning) the narrations of the Prophet (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) that they are devoid of any knowledge and that the (real) knowledge is that whichShaytaan throws at them from the results of their corrupt intellects, the dark whisperings of their chests (i.e., souls), the false notions of their hearts (which are) empty of any goodness, their words and proofs which are devoid (of truth) and their unjustified and futile doubts:
“They are the ones whom Allaah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.” (Soorah Muhammad (47):23)
“And whomsoever Allaah disgraces, their is none to give honour. Verily, Allaah does whatever He wills.” (Soorah al-Hajj (22):18)
I heard al-Haakim Aboo ‘Abdullah al-Haafidh saying: I heard Aboo Alee al-Husain ibn Alee al-Haafidh saying: I heard Ja’far Ibn Ahmad ibn Sinaan al-Waasitee saying: I heard Ahmad ibn Sinaan al-Qattaan say, “There is no innovator it (this) world except that he detests the Ahlul-Hadeeth (the People of Hadeeth). So when a man innovates (into the religion) the
sweetness of the hadeeth is removed from his heart.” (This has been reported by al-Khateeb in Sharh Ashaabil-Hadeeth, p. 73 from the way of al-Husain ibn ‘Alee and said, ‘Its chain of narration is authentic.’ Ad-Dhahabee also mentioned it in At-Tadhkirah, 2/521 and also in As-Siyar 12/245.)
And I heard al-Haakim (rahimahumullah) saying: I heard Abul- Husain Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Hantalee of Baghdaad saying: I heard (Aboo Ismaa’eel) Muhammad ibn Ismaa’eel at- Tirmidhee saying, “I and Ahmad ibn al-Hasan at-Tirmidhee were with the Imaam of the Deen, Aboo ‘Abdullaah Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Ahmad ibn al-Hasan said to him, ‘0 Aboo ‘Abdullaah, they mentioned the Ashaabul-Hadeeth (the People of Hadeeth) to Ibn Abee Qutaylah of Makkah, and he said, ‘The Ashaabul-Hadeeth are an evil people.’ So Imaam Ahmad stood and while shaking off the dust from his garment he said, ‘Zindeeq, zindeeq, zindeeq (heretical apostate),’ (and he continued like this) until he entered his house.” (Al-Khateeh has reported this narration in Sharf Ashaabil Hadeeth, p. 74, Ibn al-Jawzee in Manaaqibal-Imaam Ahmaad, p. 233, Ibn Abee Ya’laa in Tabaqaatul-Hanaabilah 1/38/270 and adh-Dhahabee has
mentioned it in As-Siyar, 11/299)
(He said), And I heard al-Haakim Aboo ‘Abdullaah saying: I heard Aboo Nasr Ahmad ibn Sahl al-Faqeeh of Bukhaara saying: I heard Aboo Nasr ibn Salaam al-Faqeeh saying, “There is nothing more severe (burdensome) upon the Ahlul-Ilhaad (the People of Deviation) and nothing is more detestable to them than listening to the hadeeth and its being mentioned with its chain of narrators.” (Reported by al-Khateeb in Sharh Ashaabil-Hadeeth, pp. 73-74)
(He said), And I heard al-Haakim saying, “I heard Shaikh Aboo Bakr Ahmad ibn Ishaaq ibn Ayyoob al-Faqeeh while he was arguing with a man. Shaikh Aboo Bakr said, ‘So and so narrated to us…’ and the man said to him, ‘Enough of the one who narrated to us! Up until when will he narrate to us?!’ So the Shaikh said to him, ‘Stand up (and leave), 0 Kaafir (Disbeliever)! And it is not permissible for you, after this, to enter my house ever again.’ Then he turned to us and said, ‘I have never ever said to anyone, ‘Do not enter in my house, except to this (man).” (Its chain of narration is authentic and as-Subkee has mentioned it in At-Tabaqaat, 3/10, by way of al-Haakim with a like meaning.)
And I heard (al-Ustaadh) Aboo Mansoor Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Hamshaad, the Scholar, the Zaahid (Abstemious) (rahimahumullah) saying: I heard Abul-Qaasim Ja’far ibn Ahmad al-Muqirree ar-Raazee saying: (The following) was read out to ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Aboo Haatim ar-Raazee while I was listening: I heard my father, and he meant by that, the Imaam in his city, Aboo Haatim Muhammad ibn Idrees al-Hantalee, ar-Raazee, saying, “The sign of Ahlul-Bidah (the People of Innovation) is that they attack those who cling to the narrations.
The sign of the Zanaadiqah (the heretical apostates) is that they call Ahlus-Sunnah ‘Hashawiyyah’ (the worthless ones) seeking to invalidate the narrations thereby. The sign of the Qadariyyah is that they call the Ahlus-Sunnah ‘Mujbirah’ (those denying free-will for mankind and saying they are compelled to do their actions). The sign of the Jahmiyyah is that they call the Ahlus-Sunnah ‘Mushabbihah’ (those who liken Allaah to the creation). And the sign of the Raafidah is that they call those who cling to the narrations ‘Naabitah’ and ‘Naasibah” (Those having a hatred for ‘Alee (radhiyallahu anhu) and his offspring.) (Ibn Abee Haatim mentioned it in his Ahlus-Sunnah wal-I’tiqaadud- Deen. It was also printed in Majallah al-Jaami’atul-Islaamiyyah (Ramadaan edition, 1403H). Also Laalikaa’ee reported it in his Usoolul- I’tiqaad, 2/179 and adh-Dhahabee quoted it from al-Laalikaa’ee in his Al- ’Uluw, p. 139.)
(Aboo ‘Uthmaan) said, “I say: all of that is partisanship and their is no name to be given to Ahlus-Sunnah except one — and that is Ahlul-Hadeeth (the People of Hadeeth). (And) I say: I have seen that the Ahlul-Bid’ah (the People of Innovation), with respect to these names, which they have named the Ahlus- Sunnah with, (and not a single one of them befits them, a bounty and grace from Allaah), have behaved with them (i.e., with the Ahlus-Sunnah) in the same manner as the way (taken by) the Mushrikoon (pagans), (may Allaah curse them), with the Messenger of Allaah (swallallahu alaihi wasallam). They divided (the various sayings) amongst themselves (to accuse him with). So some of them called him a magician. Others called him a soothsayer. Others called him a madman. Others called him someone put to trial and others called him a fabricator, a forger, a liar. Yet the Prophet (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) was far removed and free from all those vices and he was nothing but a messenger, a chosen one, a prophet. Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic said:
“See how they coin similitudes for you, so they have gone astray and are not able to find a (Right) Path.” (Soorah al-Furqaan (25):9)
(And) likewise, the Innovators, may Allaah forsake them, have divided (the various sayings) amongst themselves (to accuse) the carriers of his (the Messenger’s) narrations, and the transmitters of his narrations and the reporters of his ahaadecth Those who guide themselves by him and who seek guidance from his Sunnah (known as the Ashaabul-Hadeeth) So some of them have called them ‘Hashawiyyah’ and others have called them ‘Mushabbihah’ and others have called them ‘Naabitah’ and others have called them Naasibah’ and others have called them Jabriyyah.
Yet, the Ashaabul-Hadeeth are safe and secure from these blameworthy characteristics, (they) are free, pure and unblemished. And they are but illuminated adherents of the Sunnah (Ahlus-Sunnah), a well-pleasing (model of) behaviour, straight and levelled paths (of truth and guidance), and farreaching and strong proofs. Allaah, whose Magnificence is great
and sublime, has granted them success in following His Book, His Revelation and His Speech, (in following the closest to Him among His Friends), in seeking to guide themselves by His Messenger (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) and by his narrations in which he has commanded his Ummah with the best and just of sayings and actions and has forbidden them from the evil sayings and actions. He (Allah) has supported them in clinging tightly to his (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) way and behaviour and in giding themselves by (fulfilling) the requirements of his Sunnah. He, Allaah, has made them from among the followers of His closest Friends…(A word occurs here which could not be deciphered the manuscript.) has honoured them and strengthened them upon it. And He has opened and expanded their breasts towards loving him (i.e., the Prophet) and loving the Scholars of his Sharee’ah and the Scholars of his ummah. And whoever loves a people then he will be with them on the Day of Judgement due to the ruling (in the saying) of Allaah’s Messenger (swallallahu alaihi wasallam), “A man will be with the one whom he loves.” (An authentic saying of the Prophet (swallallahu alaihi wasallam reported from a number of Companions which reaches mutawaatir, amongst them:
(i) Anas ibn Maalik, reported by Ahmad in his Musnad, Saheeh Muslim, Aboo Daawood, Tirmidhee and others.
(ii) ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood, reported by Ahmad Bukhaaree Muslim and at-Tabaraanee in As-Sagheer.
(iii) Aboo Moosaa al-Ash’aree reported by Ahmad, and Aboo Nu’aym and
(iv) Aboo Dharr, reported by Ahmad, Bukhaaree in Adabal- Daawood, ad-Daarimee and Ibn Hibbaan.)
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Then when the Sacred Months have passed, kill the Mushrikûn wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But f they repent and perform As-Salât, and give Zakât, then leave their way free. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (9:5)
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