The Impact of Companionship on Beliefs: A Lay Muslim’s Perspective
Condition Of The Lay Muslim
The questioner states: If an ignorant Muslim is approached by an innovator, such as a Jahmi, and the innovator confuses him until this ignorant person adopts the Jahmi belief, he is not considered an innovator but remains a Sunni without doubt, as the evidence has not been established against him.
Sheikh Yahya ḥafidhahullāh:
Whoever follows the Jahmiyyah and becomes one of them is considered to be from among them. Whoever follows the Rāfiḍhah and becomes one of them is considered to be from among them. Likewise, whoever follows any innovator and becomes one of them is considered to be from among them, as Imām Aḥmad said: “They are from among them.” The idea that someone can remain a Sunni while aligning with the Jahmiyyah is wrong, just as it is wrong to say that someone can remain a Sunni while aligning with the Rāfiḍhah, or while being among Hizbi groups and adhering to their Da’wah. Thus, they are considered to be from among them as long as [they remain with them]. It was said to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ (regarding Mālik رضي الله عنه):
((لاَ نَرَى وُدَّهُ وَلاَ حَدِيثَهُ إِلاَّ إِلَى للْمُنَافِقِينَ))
“We see him only as someone who loves and keeps company with the hypocrites.” The Prophet ﷺ did not reprimand them, as they based this on the circumstances, but he freed him based on divine revelation. This is evidence that, even if someone’s inner beliefs are hidden from us, their companionship and loyalty reveal their true nature.
من جالس جانس
‘Whoever accompanies a person becomes like them.’
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The example of a good and bad friend is like that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith who blows on the bellows.”
And Allāh ﷻ said (interpreted meaning): “And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His face, and do not let your eyes pass beyond them” [Sūrah Al-Kahf 28].
Ibn ’Abbās said: “Do not sit with the people of desires (i.e., those with deviant beliefs), for sitting with them causes sickness in the heart.” And it comes in the ḥadīth, that: “Whoever hears about the Dajjal should keep away from him, for a person may approach him thinking they are firm in their Ēmān, but the Dajjal will confuse them until they follow him.”
This indicates that the lay people who align with the Rāfiḍhah, follow their teachings, and adhere to their path are considered Rāfiḍhah. Likewise, the lay people who align with the Jahmiyyah, follow their teachings, and adhere to their path are considered Jahmi. In the same way, the lay people who align with Ahlus-Sunnah, follow their teachings, and adhere to their path are considered from Ahlus-Sunnah.