The People of Innovations are worse than the People of Sins

Lam ad-Durr al-Manthoor of Jamaal ibn Fareehan al-haarithee
Translated by Abu Maryam Ismaa'eel Alarcon


Abu Moosa said: “That I live next to a Jew and a Christian and monkeys and pigs, is more beloved to me than that if I were to live next to a follower of desires (i.e deviant),who will spread disease to my heart.” [1]

Yoonus bin ‘Ubaid said to his son: “I forbid you from fornicating, stealing and drinking alcohol. But if you were to meet Allaah having committed these (sins), that would be more beloved (to me) than if you were to meet him with the views of ‘Amr bin ‘Ubaid or the followers of ‘Amr.” [2]

Abul-Jawzaa said: “If the apes and swine were to live with me in a house, that would be more beloved to me than if a person from Ahlul Ahwaa (deviants) were to live with me. They have entered into the aayah: ‘‘And when they meet you they say: We believe. But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: Perish in your rage! Allaah knows what is in the hearts.’’ [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 119]” [3]

Al-‘Awwaam bin Hawshab said about his son ‘Eesaa: “By Allaah if I were to see 'Eesaa gathering with the people of musical instruments, alcohol and falsehood, that would be more beloved to me than if I were to witness him sitting with the people of argumentation, the innovators." [4]

Yahyaa bin ‘Ubaid said: “A man from the Mu'tazilah encountered me (one day), so I got up and said: “Either you pass on or I will pass on, for indeed if I were to walk with a Christian, that would be more loved to me than if I were to walk with you.” [5]

Arta’ Ibn al-Mundir said: “If my son were one of the sinful wicked people, that would be more beloved to me than if he were a follower of desires (i.e. a deviant).” [6]

Sa’eed bin Jubair said: “If my son were to keep the company of a sinning scoundrel upon the Sunnah that would be more beloved to me than if he were to accompany a worshipping innovator." [7]

It was once said to Maalik bin Mughawal: “We saw your son playing with birds” So he responded: "how wonderful that it pre-occupies him from accompanying an innovator." [8]

Al-Barbahaaree said: “If you were to see a person whose manner and opinion is despicable, he is wicked, sinful and oppressive, yet he is a person of the Sunnah, accompany him and sit with him, since his sin will not harm you. And if you see a man who strives hard and long in worship, is abstemious, being continual in worship, except that he is a person of innovation, do not sit with, do not listen to his words and do not walk along with him, since I do not feel safe that you will not eventually come to be pleased with his wa and go to destruction along with him." [9]

Abu Haatim said: “I heard Ahmad bin Sinaan said: “That a tanboor player were to live next to me is more beloved to me than if an innovator were to live next to me. This is since I can forbid the tanboor player and I can break the tanboor [mandolin-like instrument]. But as for the innovator he corrupts the people, the neighbours and the youth." [10]

Imam ash-Shaafi’ee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “If the servant were to meet Allaah having committed every sin except Shirk, that would be better for him than if he were to meet Allaah with some deviant belief." [11]

Imaam Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “The graves of the sinners from the people of Sunnah is a garden, while the graves of the pious ascetics from the people of Innovation is a barren pit. The sinners among Ahlus Sunnah are the Friends of Allaah, while the pious among the people of Innovation are the enemies of Allaah." [12]


Footnotes:

[1] Al-Ibaanah (2/468, no. 469)
[2] Al-Ibaanah (2/466, no. 464)
[3] Al-Ibaanah (2/467, no. 466-467)
[4] Al-Bid’a wan-Nahee ‘anhaa (56)
[5] Al-Bid’a wan-Nahee ‘anhaa (59)
[6] Ash-Sharh wal-Ibaanah of Ibn Battah (132, no. 87)
[7] Ash-Sharh wal-Ibaanah (132, no. 89)
[8] Ash-Sharh wal-Ibaanah (133, no. 90)
[9] Sharh as-Sunnah (124, no. 149) [Translator’s Note:: Refer to Explanation of the Creed]
[10] Al-Ibaanah (2/469, no. 473)
[11] The checker of the book Sharh as-Sunnah of al-Barbahaaree mentioned it (124) and attributed it to al-Bayhaqee in Al-‘Itiqaad (158)
[12] Tabaqaat al-Hanaabilah (1/184)

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