The people of the past would be careful about the beliefs they held. They loved and respected the Islamic scholars. It is reported that the Companion Abu Al-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Be a scholar or a learner, or a person who loves (the scholars) or a follower (of the scholars), but do not be the fifth.” Humayd (one of the reporters) asked Al-Hasan (Al-Basri, who reported this from Abu Al-Darda), “And who is the fifth?” He replied, “A heretic.” – Ibn Abd Al-Barr, Jami' Bayan Al
