Guidelines for Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah in dealing with people of whims and fads

Abstract

There are numerous evidences commanding to follow the divine revelation and forbidding inventing acts of worship in it. The way there are several views of religious scholars and jurists in affirming this principle. It is compulsory on a Muslim to adhere to Islamic norms in dealing with the innovators and in making judgements on them.

The major one is to understand that the innovators are different in stages as regards their disagreement and judging them should be based on their stages. The way it is compulsory to distance ourselves in attaining any self-interest when engaging in dialogue with the innovators. And as regards their punishment and neglecting them the principle of attaining religious benefits and preventing religious evils should be considered in order to gain the religious benefit of the punishment.