Is it true that the people of the Sunnah take from the learned innovator and certify him?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner asks: What is the position regarding a man who says that the statement of the people of the Sunnah about boycotting innovators and shunning them is specific to those who are not scholars among them, whereas regarding the learned innovator, the people of the Sunnah did not refrain from taking from him, certifying him, and traveling to him? Is his statement correct?

Answer:
This statement contains error and confusion. The people of the Sunnah used to boycott the innovator and keep their distance from him. They kept their distance from him and did not receive knowledge from him. What was mentioned is that they narrate hadith from him—hadith of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)—if he was known for truthfulness and the prohibition of lying, such as the Khawarij, such as one who calls to religious innovation. In that case, hadith is narrated from him only, but that he is sat with and knowledge is received from him, no.