The ruling on the one who says of al-Aqra' ibn Habis (may Allah be pleased with him) that he is a fool

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner says: I listened to a tape in which its owner says of the noble Companion al-Aqra' ibn Habis that he is a fool. What is obligatory for me regarding this tape and its owner?

Answer:
The complaint is to Allah. If the Companion is a fool, then who is the sane one? That means there are fools among the Companions of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). This is a disparagement of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), a disparagement of the leaders of the Ummah and its commanders. So this is the real fool, this is the real fool and the muddled one, if we do not assume the best of him. If we assume the best of him, we say he is a fool; otherwise, this indicates misguidance in his belief regarding the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Yes.