Is it permissible to act upon weak hadiths in the virtues of deeds?

Question:
This questioner says: Is it permissible to act upon weak hadiths in the chapter of rulings, knowing that some fiqh books, such as *Minar al-Sabil* for example, contain weak hadiths? So what is your guidance?

Answer:
First, the ruling of weakness is not for everyone to say, "The hadith is weak." This ruling belongs to the scholars and the people of hadith who are firmly established in the science of hadith. It is not for a self-taught person or a beginner to encroach upon the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and say, "This is authentic, this is weak, this is such and such, and this is such and such." This is forbidden and not permissible.
But if it is established that the hadith is weak according to the scholars—not according to the beginners and students—if it is established that it is weak according to the imams, the imams of hadith, the memorizers, that it is weak, then it is acted upon in the virtues, in the virtues of deeds only. No ruling is built upon it, no ruling of making something lawful or forbidden is built upon it. This is only built upon authentic evidence. As for acting upon the virtues of deeds, there is no harm in acting upon the weak hadith. Yes.