How to deal with the one who differs, between the lenient, whose leniency leads to dilution, and the strict, whose strictness leads to failing to establish the argument, and likewise regarding the issue of balancing?

'Abd al-Malik: The first question is how to deal with the one who differs. The leniency of the lenient leads to the dilution of the Sunnah identity, and the strictness of the strict may lead to many of the things you have mentioned us recalling, such as failing to establish the argument against the one who differs, and so on. I say this so as not to tire you by repeating what you have mentioned.

The Shaykh : May Allah reward you with good.
'Abd al-Malik: May Allah reward you with good. But some doubts arise from the actions of the Salaf, such as some of them saying, "The hearts are weak and doubts are swift" when sitting with the innovators, and likewise Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) warning against al-Harith al-...
'Ali: ... al-Muhasibi
'Abd al-Malik: al-Muhasibi, yes.

The Shaykh : Yes?
'Ali: He forbade reading his books.
'Abd al-Malik: And dealing with this one who differs based on his good deeds and bad deeds. Here is a rule that says we look at his good deeds and bad deeds, and then there is a statement from some of the Salaf about warning against the innovators even if they have good deeds?

The Shaykh : Yes.
'Abd al-Malik: May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh: What I see, and Allah knows best, is that the words of the Salaf apply in the Salafi atmosphere, meaning in the atmosphere filled with strong faith and correct following of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Companions are exactly like boycotting; a Muslim boycotting a Muslim for upbringing and discipline is a known Sunnah. But in my belief, and I have often been asked, I say our time is not suitable for boycotting. Our time is not suitable for boycotting the innovators, because that means living on top of a mountain, withdrawing from people, and isolating oneself. That is because when you boycott people, whether for their open sinfulness or their religious innovation, you will not have the effect that existed when those Salaf who spoke those words and urged people to avoid the people of innovation were present. That is undoubtedly a matter derived from the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), among which is, for example, his famous hadith The hadith is well known. So this hadith gives us what some of the countries say, such as "The companion is a dragger." The companion is a dragger. But sitting with the innovators is one thing, and staying away from them is another, even though it is often asked about, for example, so-and-so is a Sufi who seeks nearness to Allah through the prophets and messengers, and so on, and he leads people in prayer. Should I pray behind him or not? I say, pray behind him. That is one thing, and his companionship, sitting with him, and benefiting from him is another thing. And I think this supports me in this distinction and aligns with the guidance of the Salaf in some of those words you mentioned earlier, that it has reached us that it is part of the creed of the righteous Salaf to pray behind every righteous and every open sinner, and to pray over every righteous and every open sinner. So now, it would be strictness to take these words to warn people against praying behind these imams, few of whom are upon the Sunnah. The outcome would be that they are confined to their homes and shops and they would neglect the congregation of the Muslims. This contradicts their statement that it is part of the creed to pray behind every righteous and every open sinner. But it would be correct to warn these people against mixing with the people of innovation and the Sufis, as we mentioned earlier regarding the hadith and the proverb which is the summary of the hadith: "The companion is a dragger." This is my opinion, and Allah knows best.