The Shaykh was asked about a lecturer who mentioned a fabricated hadith in his sermon, was corrected on it, and then the following week expressed disapproval and responded with two phrases, the first being "I did not say"

The questioner : A lecturer in Jeddah, whose lecture I had attended, cited hadiths, one of which was fabricated and the other appeared to have no basis. This lecturer was well-known and had a large following. I then pointed out in that gathering your indication that this hadith was fabricated, namely the hadith , whose fabrication has been established. This man then praised me and said, "May Allah reward you with good." Then he came the second time and surprised me, for the following week he stood up and expressed strong disapproval that I had pointed out before the people his mention of the fabricated hadith without specifying its fabrication. He said two sentences: the first was "I did not say that the hadith is established," and the second was "this hadith does not contradict the Shari'ah."

The Shaykh : What Allah willed.

The questioner : So what is your response to these two sentences? Is it permissible for him to mention a fabricated hadith before people? And is it permissible to respond to him before the people so that his error is clarified? Please, our Shaykh.

The Shaykh : First, it is not permissible to mention a hadith that is in reality fabricated; rather, it is not permissible for him to mention a hadith unless he knows that it is established, and that it is indeed established. Second, regarding disapproving of him: if he spoke about it in a gathering full of people, it is obligatory to disapprove of him if possible in that same place, so that those who were misled by this narrator's hadith may become aware. But if it was between four walls and no one else was there, then it is between you and him, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, our Shaykh.

The Shaykh: And you too
Abu Layla : Our Shaykh, what if, for example, initially he was advised before the Shaykh disapproved of him before the people?

The Shaykh : Advised him with what?
Abu Layla : Advised him, meaning he spoke with him privately. And if he did not heed that man's correct speech the second time, he responds to him before the people.

The questioner : The people spread it, my brother... the fabricated hadith and the one who is coming as a 'umrah pilgrim.
Abu Layla : May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : We see you well, and welcome.

Another questioner : May Allah reward you, Shaykh.

The Shaykh : What do you think? Did he fear you or not?

Another questioner : No, our Shaykh, you, if Allah wills, do not fear the blame of the blamer in the truth.

The Shaykh : I was... when I told you, what is the extent of your knowledge? When I gave you that answer, which is not an answer, I wanted to tell you that I see you, may Allah preserve you, as having learned much, with broad knowledge, to the point where it was permissible for you to say "it has no contradiction"?

Another questioner : No, our Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Yes, and this is what I believe of you; if that word is withdrawn.

Another questioner : It was said we will withdraw it, our Shaykh.

The Shaykh : No, it was not said for us, but withdraw it; do not say it to others.

Another questioner : If Allah wills, consider it withdrawn.