Blind following of misguidance - Part 7

 

Cultish behaviour, amongst Muslims, has become far more pronounced than ever before. This forum is not the place to make takfeer (pronouncing someone to have left the faith of Islam) of anyone and no one should rush to do so anyway. However, the ongoing calling to the correct path is necessary.

The details of proper belief must be learnt from credible teachers. Titles may have value, but it is not enough. Again, when learning about the transmission of knowledge, you will find that character was one such factor that was highlighted as a key part of etiquette. This is a subject in itself. But how will those who are ignorant know this when they incline not to true knowledge? Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught mainly matters of aqeedah in the first thirteen years of his prophethood. Today, some people get into others subjects without having gained sufficient knowledge of aqeedah. The flip side of it is that those who are effectively the cult leaders, love the attention they get while some of them know the truth. This group of people will surely get more rope in the trespass. The call, in any way, to attach any attribute, which is solely Allah’s, to any of His creation is blasphemous. This is the true understanding of blasphemy. To call out anyone, specifically those who have public platforms, for their incorrect belief is important to safeguard the eemaan of many.  Slander is when you speak a lie against someone while they are, of course, not guilty of it. No preacher can claim innocence to his flock, as in a disclaimer, if he makes statements in public. You speak the truth and must stand by your statement. If, however, you made a mistake, you correct it and not leave it to the laymen. And if, another scholar corrects you, you accept and move forward with humility. Arrogance is unbecoming of anyone, let alone the one claiming to be a scholar.

Those who are in a cult do not actually realise they are in a cult. This is much like a drug addict will not initially realise that they are addicted. The truth is not like that because it allows your to differentiate between good and bad while you are in a lucid state.

 

 

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/blind-following-of-misguidance-part-6.html

 

 

Picture courtesy https://www.verywellmind.com

 

 

Blind following of misguidance - Part 6

The predominant reason for people falling into misguidance is their lack of grounding in aqeedah (belief). When a scholar makes a mistake, then because you understand that they are not infallible, you don’t have to necessarily hold them accountable. I use the word “necessarily” only as a qualification that not all mistakes can be overlooked without it being important to correct it.

Great scholars of the past have made mistakes, but when it comes to mistakes of belief then you have to be a little wary. More so when someone repeats those type of mistakes. When mistakes in aqeedah are not questioned, and you carry on as normal, then this is when you can call such a group a cult. A cult: a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object. So, therein lies a danger for those not well grounded in belief.

Every scholar has its limits in knowledge to the extent that grand imams like Imam Malik bin Anas who often would answer “I do not know” to questions even though he had such a high stature. Actually, it is through his knowledge and his accompanied diligence and humility that he gained that rank. Today, everyone has answers for everything, and their knowledge is less than a drop in the ocean of true scholars. The view of the great imams was always that if I say something which is not in conformity with an authentic hadith, then my understanding is null and void and you must take the authentic hadith. Another point that is important is how, from a knowledge (transmission) point of view, we arrived here. This is an important point because, in short, there is a chain (of transmitters, narrators, teachers) that preserved knowledge for us. Any scholar, worth his salt, will know this and not belittle this. Such a person is lacking. Yet, it is cultish behaviour to not be teachable on the truth but hang onto every dear word of your sheikh.

The primary sources of information are Quran and Sunnah. These cannot be disputed except by the ignorant who lack understanding and have issues in belief. The influence of orientalists has caused some to question or belittle hadith. However, this is in itself a core aqeedah issue which can be decisive whether or not you are within the fold of Islam.

 

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/01/blind-following-of-misguidance-part-5.html

 

See next:    The Cape Muslim Dialogue: Blind following of misguidance - Part 7

    

Picture courtesy https://konouzeg.com