The Ruling on the Proliferation of Islamic Groups
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What is your opinion on the proliferation of Islamic groups?
By Allah, we have spoken about this many times, and we have clarified that this is one of the trials that the youth of the awakening have faced. This division that has occurred has led to the division of hearts. If the matter were merely a difference in methodology or opinion among the views in which differing is permissible, it would have been easier. But the trial is that these groups have come to declare one another misguided, to label one another as innovators, and perhaps even to declare one another disbelievers.Meaning: Instead of the trial coming from the people of open sinfulness and atheism, the trial now comes from among ourselves, and this is a severe test.
I see that it is obligatory for the groups to agree upon a common word in the religion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and that they should gather and study the methodology and creed upon which they stand. If they are sincere in their intention to seek the truth, they will return to the truth. I do not agree with this division; rather, I see that it is what is wrong and that it is from that which Allah has forbidden.Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Imran: 103] There is no doubt that every group has its merits and its faults. If we all gather and look at the faults and the merits, and we agree upon the merits and leave the faults, then good will result. But for each of us to speak about the other behind closed doors, to backbite him, and to disparage him, this is the trial.
The questioner: Gathering upon the Book and the Sunnah?The Shaykh: The Book and the Sunnah, after research and debate regarding the matter of the one who differs;Because one of them says: I am upon the Book and the Sunnah,It is said: If we are upon the Book and the Sunnah, the action must be one, just as the goal was one.
By Allah, we have spoken about this many times, and we have clarified that this is one of the trials that the youth of the awakening have faced. This division that has occurred has led to the division of hearts. If the matter were merely a difference in methodology or opinion among the views in which differing is permissible, it would have been easier. But the trial is that these groups have come to declare one another misguided, to label one another as innovators, and perhaps even to declare one another disbelievers.Meaning: Instead of the trial coming from the people of open sinfulness and atheism, the trial now comes from among ourselves, and this is a severe test.
I see that it is obligatory for the groups to agree upon a common word in the religion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and that they should gather and study the methodology and creed upon which they stand. If they are sincere in their intention to seek the truth, they will return to the truth. I do not agree with this division; rather, I see that it is what is wrong and that it is from that which Allah has forbidden.Allah the Exalted said:
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً وَلا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَاناًThe questioner: Gathering upon the Book and the Sunnah?The Shaykh: The Book and the Sunnah, after research and debate regarding the matter of the one who differs;Because one of them says: I am upon the Book and the Sunnah,It is said: If we are upon the Book and the Sunnah, the action must be one, just as the goal was one.