We know that there are deviant innovations such as the Khawarij and the Mu'tazilah, so what is the criterion by which we know the sect that has gone out of Islam?
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The questioner : We know that there are deviant innovations such as the Khawarij and the Mu'tazilah, so what is the criterion by which we know the sect that has gone out of Islam?
The Shaykh : Innovations are of different types.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Some take one out of Islam, and some do not. The criterion is to return to the Book and the Sunnah. Whatever the Qur'an and the Sunnah indicate to be an innovation that entails disbelief, such as believing that among the awliya (close friends of Allah) are those who manage the universe, send down rain, admit people to Paradise, and save them from the Fire, or the like of that, is an innovation that entails disbelief. Nothing benefits him except that he repents from it before he dies.
Some innovations do not reach the level of disbelief, but rather they are minor shirk (associating partners with Allah), or a major sin among the major sins, or a transgression among the transgressions. However, all innovations are dangerous.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.
The Shaykh : Innovations are of different types.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Some take one out of Islam, and some do not. The criterion is to return to the Book and the Sunnah. Whatever the Qur'an and the Sunnah indicate to be an innovation that entails disbelief, such as believing that among the awliya (close friends of Allah) are those who manage the universe, send down rain, admit people to Paradise, and save them from the Fire, or the like of that, is an innovation that entails disbelief. Nothing benefits him except that he repents from it before he dies.
Some innovations do not reach the level of disbelief, but rather they are minor shirk (associating partners with Allah), or a major sin among the major sins, or a transgression among the transgressions. However, all innovations are dangerous.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.