Abandon innovation but don’t quarrel with innovator

maqdoomsrkar.jpg 

Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

From the general lay public when I accept someone’s request for allegiance (baya’), I instruct him to abandon innovations (bida’) but at the same time I tell him not to quarrel with those who indulge in these sort of activities. Allah is not going to ask you why did those people indulged in them.”

Mufti Jamil Ahmad Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) adds in a footnote,
“However, the knowledgeable (scholars) have the permission do so if there is a need.”

Al-rafiq fi sawa et-tareeq, Malfuzat e Hakim al Ummat, volume 27, page 205

It is important for the novice seeker (salik) to understand this upfront.  

Indulgence in these sorts of argumentation is a waste of quality time and destroys spiritual serenity. Moreover, without having the blame worthy moral characteristics under control it leads to sinful activities, like anger, arrogance, ostentation, looking down on others, etc.

May Allah save us all from these! Amin.