The prevalence of discussion among people regarding groups and others; what is the criterion for discussing and criticizing the Islamic groups on the scene?

The questioner : A questioner says, “O honorable Shaykh, there is a lot of talk among people about groups and others. What is the criterion for discussing and criticizing the Islamic groups on the scene, to the point that people have become divided between those who go too far and those who fall short?”

The Shaykh : In reality, the groups on the scene, as the questioner says, are a reality. But what methodology do we adopt from the methodologies of these groups? The methodology we adopt from these groups is what the Book and the Sunnah indicate regarding the obligation of unity and the prohibition of enmity, the obligation of gathering and the prohibition of splitting, and that we be callers to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) with our tongues and hearts, so that none of us repels another, none of us misguides another, and none of us innovates against another. It is obligatory for us to gather and discuss what we differ in, so that when the truth becomes clear with one side, it becomes obligatory for the other to follow it. This is because Allah said in His great Book: As for the fact that the Ummah splits into sects, and every party claims that the truth is with them, and yet they do not limit themselves to this matter, but rather they misguide others, declare others innovators, and repel them, there is no doubt that this is a stain of shame and a defect upon the Islamic Ummah. It is one of the most severe weapons striking this blessed awakening. I advise our brothers to gather, study the differences among them, and return to the truth, for returning to the truth is obligatory for every Muslim.