Warning Against Backbiting Scholars

Question:
Abu Muhammad from Ha'il. Peace be upon you. Peace. Peace. Good evening. Please, may Allah welcome you. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. But a matter, Shaykh, you are asking about the current period, regarding the backbiting of our great scholars in gatherings and on the internet, so what is the guidance for that? May Allah reward you with good. Your question, my brother, your question, Abu Muhammad. I say, Abu Sulayman, in the current period, regarding the backbiting of our great scholars in our gatherings and on the internet, and the doubting of them and throwing arrows at them, what is the Shaykh’s view?

Answer:
Yes, backbiting is forbidden and it is a major sin among the major sins. Allah the Exalted said: And backbiting scholars is more severe because it causes people to turn away from the scholars and it creates hatred, such that people hate them and believe this backbiter. Rather, it is obligatory to respect the scholars because they are the heirs of the prophets. They must be respected and honored; because that is part of respecting the Shari'ah and respecting the religion and the knowledge they carry. Yes.