Benefit: Do Not be Bedazzled by the Majority

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Every Muslim should be cautious against being deluded by the majority and reasoning by saying, “Everyone does this and that and everyone practices this and that (act), so I am with them”. This is a great calamity which destroyed many people of old.

So, O intelligent one, upon you is to look to your own self and hold yourself accountable. Upon you is to hold fast to the truth even if the people abandon it. Upon you is to be cautious against that which Allāh has prohibited even if the people engage in it; for indeed, the truth is more deserving of adherence. Allāh mentions:

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ
And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allāh's path.
[Sūrah al-Anʿām, 6:116]

وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ 
[Sūrah Yūsuf, 12:103]

Some of the Salaf used to say: "Do not be disheartened from the truth due to its small following, and do not be deceived by falsehood due to its large following."

Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Bāz

Source: Majmūʿ al-Fatāwa 411/12 
Translated by: Munīb al-Ṣumālī

Tags: Taqlīd, Ibn Bāz , Taqwá, Deviation