[Q.7]: ‘Noble Shaykh, from that which has become noticeable today is the emergence of ghuloo (extremism), and the common-folk comply with this extremism, what are the pathways to this deviation, and who is responsible?’ .....

[A.7]: “The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم warned his Ummah from extremism, he said, “Beware of extremism, since those before you were only destroyed by extremism.” [Saheeh: Related by Ahmad, an-Nisaa‘ee, Ibn Maajah and al-Haakim. It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah (no.2183). ]

And he said, “The extremists (mutanatti’oon) are destroyed, the extremists are destroyed, the extremists are destroyed,” [Related by Muslim (no. 2670). ] saying it three times.

And the mutanatti’oon are those who are extreme and fanatical in their Religion.

Allaah the Glorified and Exalted said:
“O people of the Book Do not be extreme in your Religion, and do not speak about Allaah, except that which is true.” [Sooratun-Nisaa‘ 4:171]

And Allaah the Exalted said:
“Say: O people of the Book! Do not go to excesses in your Religion without due right.” [Sooratul-Maa‘idah 5:77]

So the obligation is to be steadfast without extremism, nor negligence.

Allaah the Exalted said to His Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and to those who follow him:

“So be steadfast as you were commanded, and those who turned back with you, and do not transgress.” [Soorah Hood 11:112]

Meaning, do not exceed the limits, and do not be extreme, so it is incumbent upon the Muslims to have al-Istiqaamah (steadfastness), and that is striking the balance between negligence and extremism.

This is the methodology of Islaam, and it is the methodology of all the Prophets, and it is al-Istiqaamah upon the Religion of Allaah the Glorified and Exalted without extremism, nor fanaticism, nor excesses, nor over leniency and negligence.”

.....[Q.17]: ‘From those things that we find today unfortunately, is the zealousness of some to divide the people, and to pay attention to others doing this.’

[A.17]: “It is not permissible for the Muslim to pre-occupy himself with speaking about the people, and to divide the word of the Muslims, and to pronounce rulings upon the people without knowledge, because this causes harm.

Allaah the Exalted said:
“And do not follow that which you have no knowledge of. Verily you will be questioned about the hearing, sight and heart.” [Sooratul-Israa‘ 36]

So the obligation upon the Muslims is to strive to rectify and unite the word, and to strive to unite the ranks upon the truth, not to cause division amongst Ahlus-Sunnah, nor to turn them into parties, nor to divide them into other than that.

Rather, what is required of him, is that when he sees some deficiency amongst the Muslims, then he should strive to rectify it.

So when he sees division, he strives to unite the word of the Muslims.

This is what is required from the Muslim; that he calls to the unification of the word of the Muslims and eliminates the causes for division, because this is from the greatest of advice that can be given to the leaders of the Muslims and their common-folk.”