Exercise patience upon (the authentic Sunnah) and do not give consideration to the obstinate opponents
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Imaam Barbahaaree (rahimahullaah) said: ‘Whoever realizes what the innovators have abandoned of the Sunnah and left behind and he clings to it, he is a person of the Sunnah and the Jamaa’ah. He should be followed, helped and protected. He is one of those whom the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) bequeathed should be looked after'[1]
Shaikh Saaleh al Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) commented on this above statement of Imaam Barbahaari, saying: That is [found in the statement of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)]: ‘They are those upon that which I and my Companions are upon today’
He (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) advised that one should be with them- with this Jamaa’ah; this gathering of people and this group; which is upon that which the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and his Companions were upon. However, this requires two affairs:
The First Affair is Knowledge; We learn that which the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and his Companions were upon. As for the Jaahil, he does not learn whilst thinking that what the one in opposition is upon is what the Messenger was upon, when that is not the case.
The Second Affair is (firmness): To be firm upon that which the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and his Companions were upon; because the one who traverses upon the (authentic) Sunnah will receive grief, trouble and intimidation from the people; but he must exercise patience and not turn away from the truth. He does not bargain (the truth) nor leaves anything of it; and for that reason it has been reported about the one who holds upon his Religion at the end of time is like one holding onto a burning coal or prickles as a result of what he will receive of hardship, grief and trouble from the people. So he requires patience.[2]
———————————————————
[1]Source: Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood Burbank (rahimahullaah). Explanation of the Creed
[2] Source: It-haaful Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharhis Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree, Vol2, page68-69
advise, callers to misguidance, protection, scholars, worship