Advice on disparaging scholars

Question:
We received this question from one of the brothers, whose name is symbolized as Abu 'Abd Allah, from Riyadh. He says: Shaykh, some people do not scrupulously refrain from disparaging hadith scholars and other scholars, and from mocking them in forums, gatherings, and rest areas. We ask the Shaykh for an answer and advice?

Answer:
A Muslim must guard his tongue from speaking about people, and especially about scholars, who are the leaders of the Ummah and the bearers of the Shari'ah. One should not expose them to criticism or blame, for backbiting them is more severe than backbiting others. Backbiting is forbidden in all cases and with everyone, but backbiting scholars is more severe because they are the bearers of the Shari'ah, they are the role models, and they are the ones to whom people turn for matters of religion and problems. If you disparage them, you diminish their status, and it will not harm them; rather, it will only harm yourself. Yes.