THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR DEVIATION FROM SUNNAH

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

All the deviant sects will never be able to ascribe themselves to the Sunnah because there is no basis for them in it. 

For instance, the Sufis will not be able to defend their wahdatul wujud, heroe worship, grave worship, innovated adhkaar, khalwah, kubura, wazeefah, dhikru jamaa'iy, maolid nabiyy, fidau and so on.

We are only instructed to follow one path (Sunnah). There are too many clear evidences for this in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Any practise or ideology that offends the Sunnah should be rejected. The practice of sufism offends the Sunnah in many ways. If we follow the Sunnah as practised by the Companions رضي الله عنهم with verifiable evidences, we would not be misled. But if we chose to follow any of the innovated path, the result is misguidance. Every innovation is misguidance. On many occasions, what the Sufis term as evidence from texts are products of their desire and defective interpretation that lack basis in the words and practices of the Companions and the Taabi'een of the best generations of the ummah. Allāh's aid is sought against all the misguided paths.

The Shia's too have no proof for hating and cursing some of the noble companions. They have no proof for cutting themselves with sharp objects in the name of mourning the death of Husein رضي الله عنه. They have no proof for violent processions and disturbance of public peace.

The Ahmadees have no proof that the Prophet صلى الله عليه was not the seal of prophethood.

The tableeghis have no proof for "ijade" leaving their household for some days or months in the name of da'wah. They have no proof for not prioritizing matters of 'aqeedah in their da'wah.

The Khawaarij have no proof for making takfeer of innocent Muslims. They have no proof for killing Muslims and non Muslims unjustly. They have no proof for suicide bombing and slaughtering of human being like animals. They have no proof for attacking places of worship, destruction of resources, even if they are in a state of jihad.

The ikhwaanees have no proof for calling to unity of Muslims irrespective of creed and methodology. They have no proof for eyeing political offices at all cost. They have no proof for speaking against or attacking constituted authorities in public. They have no proof for open protests and demonstrations against constituted authorities and so on.

Before the scholars could declare any group to be part of the deviant sects, it must be that they have opposed one or some of the foundations of Sunnah. The general rule on the foundations of Sunnah (matters of 'aqeedah) is that they are static. We must belief firmly in them and act accordingly. 

It is important for us to be careful of all these sects and beware of their evils. Even though the evils of the deviant sects are in grades depending on the gravity of their bid'ah activities, we should still not compromise the truth wherever we see it. Some groups engage in bid'ah that involves shirk, while the bid'ah of some sects are not up to this. But it must be noted that no form of bid'ah can be underrated. Sheikh Fawzaan said if a perpetrator of a lesser bid'ah does not leave it, with time, it may lead to a greater one. 

We may be thinking that some groups look like a group upon Sunnah, we must be careful not to be misled. Let us not be deceived at first sight. There is no cherry picking in adherence to matters that are from the Usul ud Deen (Foundations of Islām). We must always work on one another and make sure we are on the right path. 

There is a hadith that makes it clear that the true path is one, and that we should be careful of several other paths beside it that may look like it. Ibn Mas'ud رضي الله عنه reported thus:

خَطَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَطًّا بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذَا سَبِيلُ اللَّهِ مُسْتَقِيمًا قَالَ ثُمَّ خَطَّ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَشِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذِهِ السُّبُلُ وَلَيْسَ مِنْهَا سَبِيلٌ إِلَّا عَلَيْهِ شَيْطَانٌ يَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ وَإِنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, drew a line in the sand with his hand and he said, “This is the straight path of Allah.” Then, the Prophet drew lines to the right and left, and he said, “These are other paths, and there is no path among them but that a devil is upon it calling to its way.” Then the Prophet recited the verse, “Verily, this is the straight path, so follow it and do not follow other ways.” (6:153) [Musnad Aḥmad 4423]

This Hadith and several verses of the Qur'an warning against deviation from the path of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and his Companions رضي الله عنهم are very clear for the seeker of truth follow. 

My Allaah guide us aright