From among the people of the sects, such as the Tabligh group or those with deviant thought, who challenge us to a debate, do we respond to them?

Question:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: From among the people of the sects, such as the Tabligh group and those with deviant thought in the offshoots of the Khawarij, do we respond to them?

Answer:
They are not all the same. They are not all the same. Those with deviant thought are the people of deviation and misguidance from the Khawarij, the Mu'tazilah, and the Jahmiyyah. One responds to them, but only one who has knowledge, insight, and the ability to refute their arguments responds to them. And this, praise be to Allah, has been sufficient for us.
The books in which the Salaf responded to them are now available and accessible. As the Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) said in what you heard: "They did not leave us [in the dark]; they explained it to us and bequeathed to us an enormous wealth of beneficial books." They responded to the Khawarij, they responded to the Mu'tazilah, they responded to the Shi'ah, and they responded to all the misguided sects. It is only upon us to return to their responses, benefit from them, and publish them. We publish their books and bring them out to the people, for the need for them is pressing. This has been sufficient for us. Yes.