بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (rahimahullaah) said:

 ‘Do not sit with a person of innovation, for I fear that curses will descend upon you’

Sheikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (hafidha-hullaah) commented on the above statement (of Imaam Barbahaaree): saying;—because punishment, anger and deviation descend upon a person of innovation, so it is feared that you will be afflicted with some of what afflicts him, and for that reason Allaah (Jalla-Wa-Alaa) stated:  ”And when you (Muhammad) see those who engage in a false conversation about Our Verses (of the Qurýaan) by mocking at them, stay away from them till they turn to another topic. And if shaitaan causes you to forget, then after the remembrance sit not you in the company of those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)’[6:68]

And Allaah (The Most High) said to the believers:

‘And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur’aan) that when you hear the Verses of Allaah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allaah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.’ [4:140]

In this is a warning against sitting with the people of misguidance and desires, and against sitting, accompanying and listening to their speech or reading their books. So it is upon you to be distant from these affairs. Wal-laahul Musta-aan, at present the one who acts upon this (i.e. the one who keeps away from the people of misguidance and desires) is said to be a secluded person and a boycotter, and that he is one who harbors doubt against the people.

[ref:1: Explanation of the Creed translated by Abu Talhah Daawood Burbank (may Allaah enlighten his grave and that of his wife]

[ref 2: It’haaful Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharh As-Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree (rahimahullaah) by Sheikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (hafidha-hullaah) (page: 318-319 Vol: 2)][Translated: Abu Mu-aawiyyah (Abdullaah Al-Gambi)