The ruling on criticizing the imams, such as al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar

Question:
He says: The An'am [chapter] regarding misguidance in knowledge; some scholars disparage it, such as al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, interpreting it by saying that they have some figurative interpretation (ta'wil) regarding steadfastness, just as we say that Allah preserved them.

Answer:
This is not permissible. These are great imams by whom Allah preserved the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and they preserved the fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) of Islam for this ummah (Muslim community). They have great virtues. The fact that they have some figurative interpretations (ta'wil) is something Allah forgives for them; Allah forgives for them. We love them and show loyalty to them, and it is not permissible to criticize them, because they are among the imams of Islam. The fact that they have some errors and some figurative interpretations is something Allah forgives for them.