Abu al-Ḥasan al-ʾAshʿarī announced his repentance upon the pulpit. He was a devoted muʿtazilī, rather, he was from the leaders of the muʿtazilah and he spent 40 years defending this repulsive credo. He then announced his repentance. From the signs which indicated the truthful nature of his repentance is that he began authoring books which contained cogent refutations against the muʿtazilah, swiftly dispelling their doubts.

There are signs which indicate the truthfulness of repentance. The actions [following the repentance] relinquish the doubts [surrounding the repentance]. Meaning, [there are actions] which make apparent to the people that the individual in question is genuinely following the truth. There are matters which indicate the truthfulness or dishonesty of one’s repentance. If there seems to be indications which attest to the individuals truthfulness, then he is encouraged. If there are only indications of his mere claim [to repentance], then the Salafis must observe caution because he may be a deceitful person.

This is the age of politics, hypocrisy and taqīyyah [i.e. deceitfully hiding one’s true beliefs in order to fulfil an agenda]. The sects have become widespread and they are not able to mislead the salafī youth and hinder them from the salafī methodology except by way of falsely claiming salafiyyah or returning back from their errors which oppose the salafī methodology. Once they gain the trust (of the salafī youth), they are able to lure them to their corrupt methodology, and this is a reality.

Nevertheless, if an individual’s repentance becomes evident, then he is encouraged, and if it becomes evident that the individual is posturing, then he should be warned against and the Salafis should be cognizant of such a people.

Source: Shaykh Rabīʿ on the Repentance of Those Who Have Previously Opposed the Salafī Methodology
Translated by: Munīb al-Ṣumālī