Implication: Many Muslims assume that someone who outwardly follows certain Sunnah practices—such as keeping a beard, wearing trousers above the ankles, or using a miswak—is automatically upon the correct path and part of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā‘ah. However, the Sunnah itself teaches us that outward appearance alone is not a reliable indicator of guidance. In fact, the Prophet ﷺ warned that the Khawārij would appear extremely pious and devoted, to the point that when you witness their acts of worship, you may consider your own worship insignificant compared to theirs. Outward religiosity, therefore, does not guarantee correct belief, sound methodology, or a balanced understanding of Islam.
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Possibility? Many Muslims like to focus on hypothetical “possibilities,” yet hesitate to acknowledge the very real possibility which is explicitly stated in the Qur’an and Sunnah that a person who outwardly practices the Sunnah and engages in acts of worship can still be misguided in Islam.
