Monday 3 June 2019

Testing People in Order to Know Their ‘Aqeedah


Imaam Al Barbahaaree said: “Testing (people in order to know their belief) in Islam is an innovation. As for today, people should be tested with the Sunnah…”

Shaykh al-Fawzaan explained: The basic ruling regarding the Muslim is goodness and having good thought about him as long as the contrary is not known of him. This is the principle. The author (that is, al-Barbahaaree) is saying as long as nothing except good is known of the Muslim, we should accept the good from him including the hypocrite. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) accepted open attitude of the hypocrites and left their secrets to Allah the Mighty and Sublime

So, as long as nothing (bad) manifests from him, you should think well of him. However, if hatred of the Sunnah and the people of Sunnah manifests from him, then beware of him. This is the meaning of the author’s saying: Testing (people in order to know their belief) in Islam is an innovation.” Meaning if evil does not manifest from a Muslim, do not test him.

 [As for today] that is, during his time, the tests were with the Sunnah because there were many misguided sects who were inviting (others) to Islam. So it is essential to know who is upon the truth and not to be deceived by their claiming Islam. Hence, the person who loves the people of Sunnah, it is the proof that he is among the good people and the person who loves the people of innovation, it is a proof that he is among the evil people.

Source: A Gift to the Reader in Annotation of Sharhus-Sunnah, vol. 2, p. 251-252 by Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan

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