The Innovator and the Sinner

Q: When is boycotting the innovator prescribed? When is hatred in Allah prescribed? Is boycotting prescribed in this era?

A: The believer looks at these matters with the perspective of faith, the Shari'ah, and freedom from personal desire. If boycotting the innovator and keeping away from him does not lead to a greater evil, then boycotting him is correct, and the minimum status of this is that it is a recommended practice (sunnah). Likewise, boycotting one who openly commits and displays sins, the minimum status of this is that it is a recommended practice (sunnah).
However, if not boycotting is better because he sees that calling these innovators to the Sunnah, guiding them, and teaching them what Allah has made obligatory upon them will have an effect on them and increase their guidance, then he should not hasten to boycott them. But he should hate them in Allah, just as he hates the disbeliever and the sinners. However, his hatred for the disbelievers should be stronger, while calling them to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and striving for their guidance, acting in accordance with all the evidence of the Shari'ah. He should hate the innovator according to the degree of his innovation, if it is not one that entails disbelief, and the sinner according to the degree of his sin. He should love them in Allah according to the degree of their Islam and faith. By this, it is known that boycotting involves detailed consideration. Ibn Abd al-Qawi said in his poem al-Muqni', the text of which is:
Boycotting one who displays sins is a recommended practice (sunnah), and
It was said: If it deters him, it is more obligatory and stronger
And it was said: Absolutely, as long as he is open about it
And meet him with a frowning, stern face

The summary is that the stronger and better position is to look at the Shari'ah interest in that, because he (peace and blessings be upon him) boycotted some people and left others whom he did not boycott, considering the Islamic Shari'ah interest. Thus, he boycotted Ka'b ibn Malik and his two companions (may Allah be pleased with them) when they lagged behind the Battle of Tabuk without an excuse. He boycotted them for fifty nights until they repented, so Allah accepted their repentance. And he did not boycott Abdullah ibn Abi ibn Salul and a group of those accused of hypocrisy for Shari'ah reasons that called for that.
So the believer looks at what is best, and this does not contradict hating the disbeliever, the innovator, and the sinner in Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and loving the Muslim in Allah . He must consider the public interest in that. If it necessitates boycotting, he boycotts. And if the Shari'ah interest necessitates continuing to call them to Allah and not boycotting them, he does that, considering his (peace and blessings be upon him) guidance.