The Role of Scholars and Rulers Toward Misguided Sects

Question:
What is the role of Muslims toward the misguided sects that are widespread among them in all countries, whose goal is to corrupt the Muslim's creed? What is the role of Muslims and scholars in the face of these people?

Answer:
It is obligatory for scholars and rulers to advise them, guide them, command them to do good, and command them to prevent them from evil. They must prevent the display of what Allah has forbidden from their corrupt beliefs. They should seek repentance from whoever does not repent, even through flogging or imprisonment if the public interest requires it, so that he does not harm people with his religious innovation. Likewise, whoever displays open sinfulness and disobedience is deterred by the authority of the ruler through flogging and imprisonment if the matter involves fixed punishments. As for the fixed punishments, they are carried out. However, whoever displays sins such as insulting people or backbiting is deterred by what the ruler deems appropriate, such as beating, imprisonment, or otherwise. People with false beliefs, such as the Rafidah, the Mu'tazilah, the Khawarij, and the deviant Sufis, are dealt with by the ruler through the scholars in a way that deters their evil and restrains their harm, whether by imprisonment, beating, or advice, if advice suffices and they restrain their evil and display goodness. In every situation, matters must be dealt with in a way that prevents their harm, whether by imprisonment, beating, exile from the country, or killing, if the Shari'ah requires his killing. Yes.