Whoever hides his heresy (bid’ah) from us, his companionship is not hidden from us.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ article 420.

It is reported that when Sufyân Al-Thawrî – Allâh have mercy on him – came to Basrah he started to look into the matter of Al-Rabî’ – i.e. Ibn Sabîh
⁽¹⁾ – and his status amongst the people. [Sufyân] asked, “What does he believe?” [People] replied, “He believes in nothing but the Sunnah.” He asked, “Who are his companions?” They replied, “The People of Qadr (those who denied Allâh’s pre-decree).” He said, “Then he is a Qadarî (like them).”

Ibid. article 421.

⁽¹⁾ Al-Rabî’ b. Sabîh is described in biographies as being a truthful reporter, but with a bad memory; a devout worshipper and a mujâhid.

It is reported that Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd – Allâh have mercy on him – said:

The souls [of people] are in groups gathered together: those of them that identify with each other come together, and those that are different diverge. It is not possible for an adherent of the Sunnah to incline towards an adherent of Bid’ah except out of hypocrisy (nifâq).

Ibid. article 429.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ 1:188.

After reporting this narration, Imâm Ibn Battah (d. 387H) said:

To Allâh we belong and to Him we will return! We have reached that time, we have heard this and have come to know most of it and witnessed it. If a man to whom Allâh has bestowed sound reasoning looks and thinks carefully and ponders the matter of Islâm and its people and treads the rightly guided path as regards to them, it will become clear to him that most people have turned back on their heals, deviated from the correct path, and turned away from  correct proof. Many people have started to like what they used to hate, allow what they used to forbid and recognize what they used to reject. And for sure – Allâh have mercy on you – this is not the [right] character of the Muslims, nor the behaviour of those who have insight into this religion, and neither of those who believe in it and are certain about it.

Verily, Allâh has angels who seek out the circles of remembrance [of Allâh], so be careful who you sit with; make sure it is not with an adherent of bid’ah, for Allâh does not look at them. And the sign of nifâq (hypocrisy in faith) is that a man mingles with an adherent of bid’ah.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ 1:460

I heard Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd say, “It has reached me that Allâh has barred repentance from every adherent of bid’ah (religious innovation), and the worst of the people of bid’ah are those who hate the Companions of Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him.” He then turned to me and said, “Make the firmest of your deeds with Allâh your love for the Companions of His Prophet, for [then], were you to come to the standing of judgment (on the Day of Resurrection) with the likes of the Earth in sins, Allâh would forgive you; but if you come [on that Day] with even the smallest amount of hatred for them, no [good] deed will benefit you.”

Abû Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-‘Ilm 5: 412.

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ` Vol. 1 p398.

It is reported that Abû Ishâq Al-Hamdânî and Ibrâhîm b. Maysarah said, “Whoever respects an adherent of bid’ah has helped in the destruction of Islam.”

Reported from Al-Hamdânî by Al-Âjurrî, Al-Sharî’ah Vol. 5 p260; and from Ibn Maysarah by Al-Lâlakâ`î, Sharh Usûl I’tiqâd Ahl Al-Sunnah Vol. 1 p265.

Related posts:

1. Things have Changed
2. Praying for the Muslim Ruler
3. The Heretic Miracle Worker
4. Heresy and Hypocrisy [the company you keep]
5. Isn’t this that time?