What is the ruling on reading history books and transmitting the fighting that occurred between the Companions?
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Question:
May Allah reward you. The Honorable Shaykh says: What is the ruling on reading history books that discuss the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), fighting, and caliphate that occurred among the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and transmitting and discussing that as a matter of narration?
Answer:
This is not permissible, because this involves speaking ill of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, it is not permissible to engage in reading these histories that discuss what happened, narrating them to people, recording them on tapes, broadcasting them on the radio, or doing anything else, because this is spreading falsehood. It is hatred of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and disparaging the Companions. Therefore, this is not permissible, especially for the common people and the ignorant.
As for the people of knowledge, they know this and hold the truth regarding the Companions, and this matter does not affect them, because they are people of knowledge, insight, and understanding. But the ignorant and common people who do not know about these matters should not have the door of doubt and condition opened to them. And you, if you do not have a sound creed and insight beforehand, do not read in these histories. Yes.
May Allah reward you. The Honorable Shaykh says: What is the ruling on reading history books that discuss the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), fighting, and caliphate that occurred among the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and transmitting and discussing that as a matter of narration?
Answer:
This is not permissible, because this involves speaking ill of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, it is not permissible to engage in reading these histories that discuss what happened, narrating them to people, recording them on tapes, broadcasting them on the radio, or doing anything else, because this is spreading falsehood. It is hatred of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and disparaging the Companions. Therefore, this is not permissible, especially for the common people and the ignorant.
As for the people of knowledge, they know this and hold the truth regarding the Companions, and this matter does not affect them, because they are people of knowledge, insight, and understanding. But the ignorant and common people who do not know about these matters should not have the door of doubt and condition opened to them. And you, if you do not have a sound creed and insight beforehand, do not read in these histories. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، ما حكم قراءة كتب التاريخ ونقل ما حدث بين الصحابة من قتال؟ لمعالي الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.