be prayers and peace. He only intends by that to invalidate the reports, suspend knowledge, extinguish the Sunna, and isolate himself with opinion, scholastic theology, innovation, and disagreement. So upon the one who says this statement is the curse of God, the angels, and all of mankind. This is among the most wicked statements of the innovators and the closest to misguidance and ruin; rather, it is misguidance.' End quote.
I say: I have clarified in my commentary on al-Sunna by Ḥarb that what is meant by imitation according to the early traditionists and the Imams of the Sunna is only following the reports, the Companions, may God be pleased with them, and the scholars of the Predecessors who followed their footsteps. This is the praiseworthy imitation. As for the blameworthy imitation according to the later scholars, it is only imitating someone whose statement is not a proof, without proof, evidence, or report.
He also said (90): 'These statements that I have described are the doctrines of the People of the Sunna and the Congregation, the reports, the people of narrations, and the bearers of knowledge whom we met, from whom we took hadith, and from whom we learned the Sunan. They were well-known Imams, trustworthy, people of truthfulness and trustworthiness, who are emulated and from whom knowledge is taken. They were not people of innovations, disagreement, or confusion, and it is the statement of their Imams and scholars who were before them.' End quote.
Al-Barbahārī (d. 329 AH), may Allah have mercy on him, said: 'So fear God regarding yourself, and adhere to the reports, the people of the reports, and imitation, for religion is only imitation - meaning: of the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and his Companions, may the pleasure of God be upon them all - and those before us did not leave us in confusion, so imitate them and rest, and do not bypass the report and the people of the report.' End quote. [Ṭabaqāt al-Ḥanābila (2/39)]
