The Meaning of Ibn al-Qayyim’s Statement Regarding Excusing the One Who Makes a Mistake
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Question:
Honorable Shaykh, he says: The words of Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) in the verses that begin with “This is not criticism by generalization” and continue to the end of the verses—does not this mean being lenient with the people of innovation? Because we look for excuses for them and rationalize their mistakes?
Answer:
It is not in the organs of the people of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). And the guiding Imams, such as Imam Ahmad: if Imam Ahmad made a mistake, you do not seek forgiveness for him or pray for his mercy, or Imam Malik, or Imam Abu Hanifah, or Imam al-Shafi'i. He is describing the Imams who exerted independent legal reasoning in Islamic jurisprudence. As for matters of creed, these are not a place for independent legal reasoning; they are based on what is prescribed. So this is his statement (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding issues that are a field for independent legal reasoning, which are issues of Islamic jurisprudence. As for creed, no; these issues are not a place for independent legal reasoning. One follows the explicit text and its meaning. It does not mean that you have approved of contradicting the explicit text. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you
Honorable Shaykh, he says: The words of Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) in the verses that begin with “This is not criticism by generalization” and continue to the end of the verses—does not this mean being lenient with the people of innovation? Because we look for excuses for them and rationalize their mistakes?
Answer:
It is not in the organs of the people of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). And the guiding Imams, such as Imam Ahmad: if Imam Ahmad made a mistake, you do not seek forgiveness for him or pray for his mercy, or Imam Malik, or Imam Abu Hanifah, or Imam al-Shafi'i. He is describing the Imams who exerted independent legal reasoning in Islamic jurisprudence. As for matters of creed, these are not a place for independent legal reasoning; they are based on what is prescribed. So this is his statement (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding issues that are a field for independent legal reasoning, which are issues of Islamic jurisprudence. As for creed, no; these issues are not a place for independent legal reasoning. One follows the explicit text and its meaning. It does not mean that you have approved of contradicting the explicit text. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you
Source
شرح نونية ابن القيم [48] — alfawzan.live (1:05:57)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.