Good Minhaj But Bad Character?


Questions posed to Shaykh Ahmad ibn 'Umar Baazmool (hafidhahullaah Ta'aala) by Anwar Wright & Abu Yusuf Khaleefah
Translated by Anwar Wright

Eighth Question: Some people say "I believe that the salafee manhaj is the truth, however the character of the salafees runs me away from this manhaj."
 
Answer: The answer to this question is from many aspects. The first, did you accept Islam and follow the Salafee manhaj for the people or for Allaah? For Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, (and) to follow His religion, and to seek the reward from Him, the High and Exalted. You do not seek the reward from the people. If the people make mistakes, then stay away from their mistakes. And the one who mixes with the people and is patient upon their harm is better than those who do not mix with the people. This is the first thing.
 
The second thing: if you find from your brothers some opposition, mistakes and bad manners and they are salafees, then you advise them and clarify to them, and be diligent upon guiding them.
 
Thirdly, by Allaah, your Salafee brothers with their bad manners that you complain about, they are - by Allaah - better than the hizbees, those whom you claim to possess praiseworthy mannerisms.
 
Fourthly, the Salafee with his manners is more lofty than the hizbee who has manners. Because the hizbee is lowly and disgraced due to his hizbiyyah, and his oppositions to the truth.
 
Fiftly, we say to you O brother, (that) shaytaan in regards to these salafees is diligent upon causing conflicts and disputes between them and trying to corrupt their mannerisms, so let not you be a prey for shaytaan that he distances you from your salafee brothers. Also shaytaan is far from those hizbees, because shaytaan doesn't come to a house that's already destroyed. Just as some of the Salaf would say - I think al-Awzaa'ee or other than him: "Ahlus Sunnah causes the people to flee or isolate away from them." Why? Because Shaytaan comes to them and tries to lure them and tries to flee the people away from them. As for the people of innovation, they have calmness and tranquility, so shaytaan can use them as a trap to (misguide) the people.
 
So beware, beware that you be deceived by the good mannerisms of these people and you fall into their trap, for verily this is nothing but poison and it is destruction. And beware, beware that you flee from the truth because of some alienation or some bad dealings that you find from your brothers.
 
Then - may Allaah not decree - if you do stumble across this matter, if you remain patient and seek your reward with Allaah, you will find your reward with Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. So beware of the likes of this affair, may Allaah bless you.