What is the obligation regarding the sects that deviate from the methodology of the Salaf?

Question:
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah preserve you. Several sects have emerged in this century, and the scholars have clarified that they deviate from the methodology of the righteous Salaf. The question is: should they be treated like the old sects, by warning against their innovations and so on, or should we remain silent about their condition to avoid division and to unite the community?

Answer:
We do not know what these sects you are referring to are. Or rather, in any sect, some people may be strict in matters and consider anyone who does not agree with them to be an innovator and a deviant, when in fact the one making the accusation may be the one who is wrong. It is not permissible to hurl accusations at one another, or to declare people innovators, or to engage in figurative interpretation (ta'wil) and the like. This has rules, principles, and a reference point, which are the scholars. You should ask about these matters. You must be careful in these matters, exercise patience, avoid haste, and refrain from issuing judgments about people without verification, without deliberation, and without following the rules followed by our righteous Salaf, which are derived from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).
So, whoever is on the methodology of the Mu'tazilah, or on the methodology of the Jahmiyyah, or on the methodology of the Sufis, is an innovator without a doubt. This is an innovator because these are misguided and deviant sects. As for one who is not like that, we do not simply declare him an innovator. We must see and study his condition, look at what he holds, and present what he holds to the principles of the Shari'ah. The bottom line is: do not rush in these matters, be careful, and ask the people of knowledge.