How should one deal with those who describe the Sunnah as being strict and rigid?
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Question:
When a person holds fast to the Sunnah as it should be held fast to—shortening his garment and letting his beard grow—many Muslims say about him: "This man is strict," "This man is rigid," and so on. What should a person's stance be?
Answer:
He should not mind them. He says: "This is the Sunnah, and may Allah guide you." He addresses them in the best manner, saying, "May Allah guide you, this is the Sunnah," and that is enough. He teaches them with evidence, and praise be to Allah. They do him no harm, and he does not mind them, just as the hypocrites did with the people of the Sunnah [Al-Mutaffifin: 30].
When a person holds fast to the Sunnah as it should be held fast to—shortening his garment and letting his beard grow—many Muslims say about him: "This man is strict," "This man is rigid," and so on. What should a person's stance be?
Answer:
He should not mind them. He says: "This is the Sunnah, and may Allah guide you." He addresses them in the best manner, saying, "May Allah guide you, this is the Sunnah," and that is enough. He teaches them with evidence, and praise be to Allah. They do him no harm, and he does not mind them, just as the hypocrites did with the people of the Sunnah
And when they passed by them, they would exchange derisive glances.
وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِهِمْ يَتَغَامَزُونَ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.