Is it obligatory for one who does not possess sufficient understanding (fiqh) to discern the people of truth from the people of falsehood to follow specific strangers?
The initial "strangeness" or "alienation" (ghurbah) of Islam vanished with the advent of the religion and the establishment of the Islamic state during the era of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. This "strangeness" will return again, as the Prophet, peace be upon him, informed us, "Blessed are the strangers who reform when people become corrupt." Among the means to repel this "strangeness" are enjoining good and forbidding evil, and striving (jihad). The Prophet, peace be upon him, gave us glad tidings that the truth will remain manifest through a victorious group. These "strangers" are those who rectify what people have corrupted regarding the Prophet's ; they are a righteous few amidst a corrupt majority. They shun evil people, adhere to their religion, teach people the Sunnah and revive it, and become like strangers among their own folk. A Muslim should not feel lonely due to the scarcity of the people of truth, nor should he be deluded by the abundance of the people of falsehood. These "strangers" are truly the people of Allah, and there is no "strangeness" upon them; rather, their "strangeness" is among the misguided majority. Among the signs of "strangeness" in this era are the confusion of matters for people, the mixing of concepts, the effacement of identity, and the inability to distinguish friend from foe.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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