ALIGNING WITH A DEVIANT GROUP EVEN AFTER KNOWING THE TRUTH?

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

What many people lack that makes it difficult for them to accept the truth is the understanding of foundations of Sunnah. 

Then, there are some people who have understood the Sunnah, but they are carried away by the wave of hizbiyyah (unhealthy partisanship). Instead of them to renounce a group that is characterized by filthy ideologies right from its inception, and align completely with the Sunnah and its people, they try to play politics of carrying out some reforms within that group established upon several innovations. I know a group now being led by a pure sufi (adherent of Tijaaniyyah) after the death of its founder. This is a group we used to hold to be upon Sunnah more than two decades ago. The group is also known with its unapologetic sympathy for the shi'as. Yet, some of its members who now appears to have understood the sunnah to some extent are still very active in that group, despite their knowledge of the evils of sufism and shiism. 

Something that is void abinitio (from its foundation), what amount of reform can be carried out on it when it involves mixing up with all kinds of people regardless of 'aqeedah and manhaj? This is the problem of many of the ikhwaanee groups. Same with some brothers who belong to the tableegh group. The also affect some followers of Jabata group. They now know the truth, but they find it hard to exit the group. It is the same thing as being in the fold of the sufis trying to reform them. They will say they are sufi-sunnis. How could this be? If proper care is not taken, such a person could end up being corrupted more than he used to be. 

Some people think they can actively be in the fold of a deviant group and still maintain sound and healthy Sunnah. Their sincerity well understood, but it is not something easy. Some of those who were better than them have tried it in the past. They mixed with people of bid'ah, thinking they are wise and intelligent. They ended up being infected a great deal. Allaah's aid is sought. Some members of some deviant sects have understood the Sunnah so well, yet they want to remain in it, mixing with people of baatil, claiming they want to reform it with the Sunnah, even after realizing the truth. Since they have been trying to reform, what has so far changed? Why would someone with understanding of foundations of Sunnah give his allegiance to a deviant group in the name of da'wah methodology? Like Abu Naasir حفظه الله do say: "Don't deceive yourself!". It doesn't work like that. You will not find a deviant group except that it is filled with many ignorant people of people who pretend to be knowledgeable. In most cases, many ignorant people don't accept corrections. Their well known attitude is to argue with those who know. Sitting or being the company of people who oppose the Sunnah in whatever way is dangerous, not to talk of arguing with them or listening to lectures they give. Sheikh Fawzaan حفظه الله said:

"فمجالسة الأشرار تؤثر في الجليس"

Associating with evil people (who oppose the Sunnah in whatever way) does have impact on the associate" [Sharh us Sunnah, pg 306]

 Allaah says: 

(يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ)

O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true. [Surat At-Tawbah 119]

To be with the people truth is a must even if they are small in number. And boycotting the people of falsehood is laudable even if they are large in number. A person of wisdom will not remain with a deviant group after knowing the truth. He would run from fitnah and guard his deen passionately and jealously. This doesn't know mean da'wah should stop towards them. They should be admonished with wisdom wherever they are found. Balanced and just refutations should continue on them. But to continuously mix with them without any good reason or in a way that compromises the Sunnah is not the best. The courage of brothers and sisters who did the needful after knowing the truth is highly commendable. May Allaah preserve them upon goodness and guide us all aright.