The Islamic identity is linked to adherence to specific practices that can be evidenced from the Quran and Sunnah. If we are for example asked why conduct ourselves in a particular manner we can cite the fact that this has been laid out for us from the Quran and Sunnah. In this day and age there exists no one more vociferous in their assistance that we adhere to the Quran and Sunnah than the Salafis. Pages of their articles are dedicated to attacking ignorant Muslims for adhering to UnIslamic practices with a call to go back to the way of the Quran and Sunnah to attain salvation. So extreme is their thinking they even deem remembering occasions such as the birthday of the Prophet (s), his Miraj, death and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) as acts that are innovations and cannot be accommodated into the Deen, since they have no evidence from the Quran and Sunnah. The outside observer could easily be impressed by how pious these long bearded men in kaftans are! It would appeal to him, after all what is wrong in what they are saying; they are after all only insisting we adhere to the principles imposed on us by the Shariah. What these shameless Salafis fail to tell their adherents is that the scholars they admire have provided specific exemption clauses to adherence to the Quran and Sunnah, authorizing its abandonment and adoption of an alternative practice, when the aim is not to be associated with a Sunnah practiced by the Shia!
Ibn Taimiyah stated in Minhaj al-Sunnah, Volume 4 page 76:
“Therefore some scholars abandoned the Mustahab if it becomes a mark for them (Rafidha)”
We read in Minhaj al-Sunnah, Volume 4 page 69:
“The Hanafi scholar the author of al-Hidaya (book) states that the wearing ring in the right hand is the legal action but since the Rafidha do so, therefore we changed to wear ring in the left hand and many other things like this”
We read in Minhaj al-Sunnah, Volume 4 page 68:
Al-Ghazali and al-Mawerdi who are Shaffiyee scholars said: ‘Flatting the graves is the legal but as long it become a mark of the Rafidha, we therefore switched to hunching’
One would assume that the Salafis of all people would deem it essential that every aspect of their lives was in conformity with the Quran and Sunnah. Is it not curious that they can alter this stance when they fear being associated with adhering to a Sunnah practiced by the Shia. Notice there is nothing in the texts cited above that suggests that the Shia have introduced new practices. The texts acknowledgement the legitimacy of these acts, but then the scholars insist they not be adhered to, through fear of being associated with the Shia! Subhanallah, the Sunnah can be abandoned according to Salafis if it is practiced by the Shia! Let us not forget the favorite tradition and commentary that the Salafis throw at all other ‘deviants’
The Prophet (s) said “..so he follows my Sunnah has been guided, and he who follows the innovations has been destroyed.” (Ahmad)
Also:
“Whosoever introduces into this religion of ours that which is not part of it then it must be rejects.” (Ahmad)
Ibn Rajab said in his Jaami al-Ulum (1/120):
“And in this Hadith is a clear evidence that every action which is not legislated in the Shari’ah must be rejected.”
If every action that is not associated with the Sunnah is to be rejected, why have your Ulema ruled on the permissibility to willing adhere to a practice not legislated by the Shar’iah. This proves that Nawasib hatred of the Shia is such that they are even prepared that they prefer adhering to Bidah and misguidance to the Sunnah, if that Sunnah is practiced by the Shia. We congratulate the Nawasib for adhering to such a devious ideology!