How do we respond to the people of innovation, and what advice do you have for us in this regard?

The questioner : Know that it is not hidden from you that the people of innovation, from time to time, stir up matters, attempting in their opinion to obscure the lights of the Sunnah. So, should we keep pace with the people of innovation in responding to them, or what is your advice to us and our brothers, both inside and outside the country? May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : Responding to the people of innovation is not permissible except for one who is knowledgeable of the Sunnah on one hand, and of the innovation on the other. Perhaps you remember with me the hadith of Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman in the two Sahihs, in which he said: The people used to ask the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about good, and I used to ask him about evil, fearing that I might fall into it. And this is as the poet said:
"I knew evil not for the sake of evil, but to avoid it; and whoever does not distinguish good from evil falls into it."
So, whoever is knowledgeable of good and evil like Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, and is therefore, in this time, aware of the Sunnah, follows it, and urges people to it, and is knowledgeable of the innovation, avoids it, and warns people against it—this is the person for whom it is permissible to debate the people of innovation or the innovators. As for what some of our brothers do, who have been given only a small share of knowledge, and then they enter into debate with those who are stronger than them in knowledge, even if that knowledge is mixed with much innovation or the science of theology, as we mentioned earlier, we advise these people to withdraw into themselves, to isolate themselves from the innovators, and not to debate them, because they will be affected by their doubts, just like that question you heard at the beginning of the session and heard the response to it. They listen to every caller and every shouter, so the doubt attaches itself to the listener's mind, and then he waits until a scholar becomes available who can remove this doubt from him. Therefore, the texts from our righteous predecessors among the scholars, such as Malik, Ahmad, and others, are numerous in warning people, with the strongest warning, from sitting with the people of innovation. In fact, they used to order them to boycott them, fearing that something of their doubts might seep into their souls. I think this is the answer to what you asked. And the reward is for everyone, if Allah wills, as long as we are sincere and intend, first, beneficial knowledge derived from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and upon the methodology of the righteous predecessors. First, then we intend to act upon what we have learned. Then, after that, we ask Allah, Mighty and Majestic, to increase us and you in knowledge. Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I bear witness that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.
RecitationThe Shaykh : What was made easy from the Qur'an, "from Surat al-Ghafir, from verse to verse "