[Q]: Shaykh, from their [Ahl al-Bidʿah] doubts which they use to deter people away from the Salafis —especially the youth — is their claim: “These people do not have any manners”. By Allāh O’ Shaykh, they claim this about [a people] who have been calling to the sunnah for 20-25 years. These claimants learned about the sunnah from these very brothers (of which they now claim have no manners), then they travelled to al-Madīnah and Makkah for a year or two to study, and return claiming that these brothers are (actually) ignorant, ill-mannered and of poor character.

[A]: The people of innovation despise the people of sunnah and put blame upon them. When Ahl al-Sunnah seek proofs and evidences from the Qurʾān and Sunnah for the statements of the people of innovation, the people of innovation respond by saying: “You people have no manners.” This is not the case! Have they [i.e. Ahl al-Sunnah] cursed or insulted you? If you have been cursed or insulted, then we say to them [i.e those who have cursed you]: “Fear Allāh and do not curse and revile the Muslims!” But this is not the case.

How can you say they [the Salafis] have no knowledge or manners? Tawḥīd is knowledge, manhaj is knowledge, and they are Salafis! How do they not possess knowledge? They know Salafiyyah! Even if they do not know much, they know the correct ʿaqīdah and the correct manhaj and that is the goal.

Many of the companions of the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) were illiterate, they did not know how to read or write. Some of the companions were non-arabs but the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) accepted them, welcomed them, taught them, and they became Salafis and callers to the truth.

So this type of speech comes from the people of innovation. Ahl al-Sunnah do not speak ill about their brothers from Ahl al-Sunnah. Those who speak ill of the people of Sunnah are the people of innovation. So fear Allāh and be with [those who are] righteous — be with Ahl al-Sunnah. Speak to Ahl al-Sunnah with good speech, make duʿā for them — may Allāh reward you — and do not split the ranks of the Muslims. Stick to Ahl al-Sunnah and you will be successful in this life and the hereafter.

Translated by: Munīb al-Ṣumālī