From the signs of Ahl al-Bid`ah wal-Furqah

From the signs of Ahl al-Bid`ah wal-Furqah (the people who have fallen to Bid`ah and division in the religion):

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

“Allaah is pleased with you about three things and He is angry with you about three things:

1) He is pleased that you worship Him alone, not associating anything or anyone with Him in worship,

2) that you all take hold of the Rope of Allaah altogether [and do not divide],

3) that you give good advice to those that Allaah has put in authority over you.

The three that displease Him are

1) that you say: `It was said,' and, `So-and-so said’ (i.e. wasting time in unbeneficial talks),

2) asking many unnecessary questions

3) and squandering wealth.”

[al-Adab al-Mufrad of Imaam al-Bukhaaree (442) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. The Hadeeth is also reported by Imaam Muslim in his Saheeh with a slight different wording.]

Shaikh `Abdullaah al-Dhufairee حفظه الله said (paraphrased):

1) When differences emerge, the first thing they - those who have fallen into divisions and sects – the first thing they do is: they stop preaching Tawheed and warning against Shirk.

2) They try to divert the people away from the teachings of the Salaf (and call them towards the teachings of their own sects).

3) They belittle the scholars, saying: “these are the scholars for dollars”, “pets of the rulers” etc. (and introduce the people to their own opinions and understanding of the Deen).

4) They incite and provoke the people against the rulers.

5) They do not call the people towards the Kitaab and the Sunnah when differences arise.

6) They divert people away from seeking knowledge and engage them into listening to Nasheed, storytelling etc.

[from the lecture on the 23rd of Rajab 1437 by the Shaikh in Jeddah]