The salafi bears a responsibility; upon him is to study (beneficial) knowledge, to study the books of the salaf, the belief of the salaf, their exegesis of the Quran and their explanations of the messenger’s hadeeth (alayhis salaatu was salaam), so that he is grounded in (beneficial) knowledge, whilst he truthfully calls to Allah with knowledge and insight.

He (The Most High) said,

قُلْ هَٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدْعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۠ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى ۖ وَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.” (12:108)

Meaning, I (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) and my true followers, call to Allah with sure sighted insight; ie upon knowledge.

The caller to ignorance (misguidance, evil, innovations), such as the callers of misguidance and innovation – they are ignoramuses, ignorant of the path of truth and the (correct) call to Allah; they call to falsehood.

The people of innovation and misguidance call to falsehood, even if they are characterised as having knowledge, and even if they have certificates, then they are (still) ignoramuses, just as some of the salaf said, ‘a scholar has never brought about an innovation, rather innovations are only brought about by the ignorant ones, even if they call themselves scholars, then they are (still) ignorant.’

So learn and study the Book of Allah, and the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa salam), study the Oneness of Allah (The Blessed & Most High).

May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our, Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions.

Nafahaat al-Huda wal-Eemaan min Majaalis al-Qur’aan of Shaykh Rabee (Hafidahullah) Pg 69