You praised al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salam and his strictness with the rulers, and this may be confusing because you hold that public advice is permissible?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. You mentioned, may Allah preserve you, that al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salam was called the Sultan of Scholars because he did not fear the blame of any blamer for the sake of Allah, and because he was strict with the rulers, as it is said. The questioner says: I am afraid that this may be confusing for some beginners with good intentions, and that you hold that strictness with the rulers or public advice is permissible.

Answer:
With strictness like that of al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salam, he goes to them and advises them. But that he curses them in gatherings, on minbars, and on tapes, this is not permissible. This is the action of the Khawarij. But that he goes to them, meets them, and speaks to them with strength, that is good. That is what Ibn ‘Abd al-Salam did. He did not curse them in assemblies and gatherings and mention their defects. No one among the imams of the Muslims does that. This is only what the Khawarij do. Yes.