He talked at length saying...

He talked at length saying: "Beware of those who, under the pretext of academic research and a desire to reach the truth, speak against the honor of the companions. The curse of Allah, the angels and all mankind are upon them. They wish to create doubt in people about their religion.

The Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.) said: 'If there comes to you a hadith from my companion, accept it, for, by Allah, even if you were to spend to the extent of Uhud in gold, you would not reach the standing of even a one tenth of them.'" One of the enlightened members who was accompanying me interrupted him and said: "This hadith is false and a lie against the Prophet of Allah.” The Imam and some of the audience became furious and turned to us in disbelief and aversion.

Realizing that the situation called for diplomacy with the Imam, I said to him: "O Sir, eminent teacher, what is the sin of the Muslim, who reads in the Qur'an: 'Muhammad is just a Messenger. Other Messengers have gone before him. If he dies or is killed, will you turn back upon your heels? Whosoever turns back upon his heels will not harm Allah. And Allah will reward those who are thankful' (3:144).

And what is the sin of the Muslim who reads in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim the saying of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) to his companions: 'On the day of resurrection you will be grabbed from the left, and I will say: 'Where are they [being taken] to?' It will be said: 'To hell, by God.’ I will say: 'My Lord! These are my companions.’ It will be said: 'You do not know what they did after you.

From the time you left them they never ceased to apostatize.’ I will say: 'Away with him, away with him, woe to him who changed things after me. And I do not see anyone of them being saved except that he will be like a forlorn sheep.'" Everyone listened to me in silence, alarmed. Some of them asked me if I was sure the hadith is to be found in al-Bukhari?

I responded: "Yes, just as I am sure that Allah is one, He has no companion and that Muhammad is His slave and Prophet.” When the Imam realized the effect I had on those present, due to my memorizing the hadith which I related, he said calmly: "We learnt from our shaykhs, may Allah have mercy on them, that sedition always lies dormant. May Allah curse one who awakens it.” I said to him: "O Sir, the discord in its lifetime has not been dormant. But we are sleeping.

The one amongst us who wakes up and opens his eyes to know the truth you accuse him of reviving discord.