Learning What Not to Learn
A person must study what is incorrect as well as what is correct.
A person must study what is incorrect as well as what is correct.
It is reported on the authority of Al-Walīd b. Mazyad that he said: I heard Al-Awzāʿī say, when I asked him, “Who is a fool?” He replied, “One who is blind to what is wrong (evil), [though] he has insight into what is good.” Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 7:116.
It is reported from Al-‘Abbās b. Al-Walīd that ‘Uqbah said: I was once with Arṭa’ah b. Al-Mundhir when one of the people in the gathering said, “What do you say about a man who sits with the followers of the Sunnah and mixes with them, but when the followers of Bid’ah are mentioned he says, […]
It is reported that Imām Al-Awzā’ī – Allāh have mercy on him – said: At the time of Fajr, or a while before it, the Salaf would be as if birds were sitting on their heads: (still ) concentrating on themselves [and their worship], so much so that even if one of their closest friends […]
It is reported that Imām Al-Awzā’ī – Allāh have mercy on him – used to say: Whoever hides his heresy (bid’ah) from us, his companionship is not hidden from us. Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā article 420. It is reported that when Sufyān Al-Thawrī – Allāh have mercy on him – came to Baṣrah he started […]
Imām Al-Awzā’ī – Allāh have mercy on him – said: Faith (īmān) is not sound except with [correct] words. Faith and words are not sound except with [good] works. And faith, words and deeds are not sound except with [the correct] intentions in conformance to the Sunnah. Those who went before us of our Salaf […]
It is reported that Imām Al-Awzāʿī (d157H) wrote: O Muslims, fear Allāh and obey Him, and accept the advice of the sincere advisers and the exhortation of the exhorters, and know that this knowledge is religion, so be careful about what you do [in it] and from whom you take [it] and who you follow […]
It is reported that Al-Awzāʿī said: Follow the narrations [ways] of those who have preceded (the Salaf) even if people reject you; and beware of people’s opinions, even if they beautify them for you. Al-Ājurrī, Kitāb Al-Sharīʿah 1:138; Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān Al-ʿIlm wa Faḍlihi 3:373.
It is reported from Al-Awzâ’î – Allâh have mercy on him – that he said: I have been told that it used to be said, “Woe to those who study [their religion] for a purpose other than worship, and those who seek to permit what is forbidden through doubts and specious arguments.” Al-Khattîb Al-Baghdâdî, Iqtdâ […]
Imâm Al-Awzâ’î – Allâh have mercy on him – said: We used to say – while the Tâbi’ûn were abundant – that Allâh is above his ‘Arsh (Throne), and we believe in what is present in the Sunnah about His attributes. Al-Baihaqî, Al-Asmâ` wa Al-Sifât and Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of Al-Awzâ’î. […]