The Three Doorways to Misguidance: Beware of What You Read, What You Hear, and Whom You Sit With!

The Three Doorways to Misguidance: Beware of What You Read, What You Hear, and Whom You Sit With! 🎙️ Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ramzān al-Hājirī حفظه الله How many were once firmly upon the Sunnah, adhering to the methodology of the Salaf, only to deviate from the path they once followed? What causes a person who was once upon guidance to fall into innovation and misguidance? And how can the very sources from which a person acquires knowledge become the means through which his creed, understanding, methodology, and conduct are corrupted? In this tremendous and deeply beneficial admonition, the noble Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ramzān al-Hājirī حفظه الله addresses these profound questions, explaining the dangerous consequences of acquiring knowledge from corrupt sources and the tremendous influence that what a person reads, what he listens to, and those with whom he sits and keeps company can have upon his religion. The Shaykh explains the relationship between sound intellect, the natural disposition (fiṭrah), and authentic transmitted revelation, warning against the corruption that arises when these foundations are disturbed. He further clarifies how the three avenues of reading, listening, and companionship can become pathways through which doubts and desires enter the heart, affecting a person’s creed, understanding of the Sharīʿah, daʿwah, methodology, and conduct. The Shaykh then draws attention to a particularly dangerous contradiction: a person may listen to Salafī lectures, read Salafī books, and possess knowledge concerning the Qurʾān and the correct creed, yet those with whom he sits and associates are from the people of innovation! He reminds us of the tremendous importance the righteous Salaf attached to knowing a person’s companions and warns against those who seek to combine the gatherings of the people of truth with those of the people of falsehood. He further exposes the danger of excessive confidence in one’s own knowledge, particularly among students who imagine that they can listen to the people of falsehood, accept whatever truth they possess, and reject whatever evil they utter. But who has guaranteed that they possess the knowledge and discernment necessary to distinguish between the two? Perhaps a person will pick up a snake, believing it to be a rope! The Shaykh concludes with a powerful and heartfelt admonition to every student of knowledge: Guard your religion! Do not become like a sponge that absorbs everything, moving from one group to another, following a different direction every day! Rather, remain steadfast upon the truth, accompany the people of knowledge, read their books, and listen to their beneficial speech. Beware of exposing yourself to doubts and tribulations, for how many were once Sunnī and Salafī, firmly upon the correct path, only to become people of innovation after allowing themselves to be influenced by corrupt sources and companionship? “Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so look carefully at whom you take your religion from.” May Allāh grant us steadfastness upon the Qurʾān and Sunnah according to the understanding of the righteous Salaf, protect our hearts from doubts, desires, and misguidance, and keep us firm upon the truth until we meet Him. Āmīn. #ahlalsunnah #ahlussunnah #salafi #sunni #bidah #islam #viral