I believe in Salafiyyah but their character turns me away - Advice from Shaykh Ahmad Bazmool

Question: Some of the people say: ‘I believe that Salafiyah is the truth, but the manners of the Salafis, chases me away from this Minhaj.

Shaykh Ahmad Bazmool: Okay, the answer to this question is with a number of points.

The first point: Did you embrace Islam, and follow the Salafi Minhaj for the sake of the people or for the sake of Allah? (You did so) for the sake of Allah the Exalted. You followed His religion and you seek the reward from Him—the Glorified and Exalted.You are not seeking a reward from the people; if the people err then stay away from their errors. The believer who mixes with the people and is patient with their harms is better than the one who does not mix with the people. This is the first point.

The second point: If you find with your brothers mistakes, infractions, and bad manners, and they are Salafis; then you advise them and clarify to them and be diligent in guiding them.

The third point: By Allah, your Salafi brothers and their bad manners which you complain about; by Allah, they are better than the Hizbis whom you deem to have good manners.  

The fourth point: The Salafi with his manners has a higher status than the Hizbi with good manners; because the Hizbi is lowly and debased due to his hizbiyah and his opposition to the truth.

The fifth point: We say to you my brother, Shaytan—when it comes to the Salafis—he is diligent upon trying to cause disorder and harm amongst them, and to corrupt their character, so don’t be a victim for Shaytan, allowing him to use you against your Salafi brothers. And also Shaytan is far away from these Hizbis because Shaytan does not goto a ruined house. As it was said by some of the Salafi—and I believe it was Al-Awzaaior other than him—he said: Ahlus Sunnah have with them some loneliness or alienation. Why? He said: Shaytan comes to them and he tries to mislead them, and he tries to turn the people away from them. As for the innovators; they have repose and serenity, such that Shaytan is able to trap the people with them. So beware, beware of being deceived by their calmness and good manners, such that you fall into their traps; for verily it is poisonous and it is destruction. Beware of fleeing from the truth due to some alienation of some bad interaction which you find from your brothers.

And furthermore; Allah forbid you should experience the likes of some of this, but if you are patient, seeking a reward from Allah, then your reward is with Allah. Therefore pay attention to these affairs; may Allah bless you.

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee via 

http://mtws.posthaven.com/