How do we respond to Ibn Hajar’s words regarding Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah?

Question : And among the matters that are considered objectionable are the issues taken from Ibn Taymiyyah. Yes. Sometimes, when a person reads such words, yes, and he knows the status of Ibn Taymiyyah and knows the position of Ibn Hajar regarding Ibn Taymiyyah, he cannot help but write some strong comments similar to what he wrote against Ibn Taymiyyah. Yes. So what is your opinion of such a thing? It is something that may humiliate one’s nature. A person sometimes accepts this, like the Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him).

Answer : There is no doubt that Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) was spoken about by people in this issue, even though the truth is with him and the right is with him. But some scholars (may Allah have mercy on them), in their position of refutation, mix their refutation with abuse, due to the zeal they have for what they believe to be false. This is the essence of Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him); we ask Allah to forgive him, and he will meet him before Allah (Mighty and Majestic), who will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. It is perhaps good that you look at two poems in the beginning of the old edition of Minhaj al-Sunnah, in which one of the enemies of Shaykh al-Islam mentioned many issues in which he disparaged Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah. Then another man from the people of the truth responded to him, in the same rhyme and meter. I saw it in the old edition.