What is the ruling on offering prayers for the scholars who fell into some errors regarding the names and attributes, such as al-Zamakhshari and al-Zarkashi?
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The questioner : May Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you, esteemed Shaykh Muhammad.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : Regarding the scholars who fell into some errors in creed, such as the names and attributes and other matters, their names pass by us in the university lecture halls. What is the ruling on offering prayers for them?
The Shaykh : Like whom?
The questioner : I mean, like al-Zamakhshari, or al-Shawkani, or others?
The Shaykh : Al-Shawkani?
The questioner : Al-Zamakhshari and al-Zarkashi.
The Shaykh : What did al-Zarkashi do?
The questioner : In some matters of the names and attributes.
The Shaykh : In any case, there are people who affiliate with a specific sect whose banner is religious innovation, such as the Mu'tazilah, for example. Al-Zamakhshari is a Mu'tazili. He describes those who affirm the attributes as Hashawiyyah and anthropomorphists, and he declares them misguided. Therefore, it is obligatory for anyone who reads his book *Al-Kashshaf in Tafsir of the Qur'an* to be cautious of his words in the chapter on attributes. However, in terms of eloquence and linguistic rhetorical implications, it is good, and one benefits greatly from his book, except that it is dangerous for a person who knows nothing about the names and attributes.
But there are scholars who are known for their goodness, who do not affiliate with a specific sect of the people of innovation, but there is some of the speech of the people of innovation in their words, such as Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on them both). Some ignorant people have criticized them completely and absolutely from every angle, to the point that it was said to me: some people say it is obligatory to burn *Fath al-Bari!* We seek refuge in Allah! Because Ibn Hajar is an Ash'ari, and this is not correct.
So these two men specifically, I do not know today that anyone has contributed to Islam in the chapter of the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as they did. And it indicates to you that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), by His power and might, and I do not attribute to Allah what is not His, has accepted them because of the acceptance of their writings among the people, among the students of knowledge, and even among the common people. Now, the book *Riyad al-Salihin* is read in every gathering, and it is read in every mosque, and people benefit from it greatly. I wish that Allah would grant me a book like this book, that everyone would benefit from it in their home and in their mosque. So how can it be said about these two that they are innovators and misguided, that it is not permissible to offer prayers for them, that it is not permissible to read in their books, and that *Fath al-Bari* must be burned? Glory be to Allah! So I say to these people, by the language of the situation and by the language of speech:
"Be lenient with them, for there is no father for your father from blame *** Or fill the place that they filled"
Who is able to contribute to Islam and the Muslims as these two men did, except what Allah wills?
So I say, may Allah forgive al-Nawawi, and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, and whoever was in their category among those through whom Allah benefited Islam and the Muslims, and be secure in that.
The student: Amen.
The Shaykh : Yes, did he call the adhan?
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : Regarding the scholars who fell into some errors in creed, such as the names and attributes and other matters, their names pass by us in the university lecture halls. What is the ruling on offering prayers for them?
The Shaykh : Like whom?
The questioner : I mean, like al-Zamakhshari, or al-Shawkani, or others?
The Shaykh : Al-Shawkani?
The questioner : Al-Zamakhshari and al-Zarkashi.
The Shaykh : What did al-Zarkashi do?
The questioner : In some matters of the names and attributes.
The Shaykh : In any case, there are people who affiliate with a specific sect whose banner is religious innovation, such as the Mu'tazilah, for example. Al-Zamakhshari is a Mu'tazili. He describes those who affirm the attributes as Hashawiyyah and anthropomorphists, and he declares them misguided. Therefore, it is obligatory for anyone who reads his book *Al-Kashshaf in Tafsir of the Qur'an* to be cautious of his words in the chapter on attributes. However, in terms of eloquence and linguistic rhetorical implications, it is good, and one benefits greatly from his book, except that it is dangerous for a person who knows nothing about the names and attributes.
But there are scholars who are known for their goodness, who do not affiliate with a specific sect of the people of innovation, but there is some of the speech of the people of innovation in their words, such as Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on them both). Some ignorant people have criticized them completely and absolutely from every angle, to the point that it was said to me: some people say it is obligatory to burn *Fath al-Bari!* We seek refuge in Allah! Because Ibn Hajar is an Ash'ari, and this is not correct.
So these two men specifically, I do not know today that anyone has contributed to Islam in the chapter of the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as they did. And it indicates to you that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), by His power and might, and I do not attribute to Allah what is not His, has accepted them because of the acceptance of their writings among the people, among the students of knowledge, and even among the common people. Now, the book *Riyad al-Salihin* is read in every gathering, and it is read in every mosque, and people benefit from it greatly. I wish that Allah would grant me a book like this book, that everyone would benefit from it in their home and in their mosque. So how can it be said about these two that they are innovators and misguided, that it is not permissible to offer prayers for them, that it is not permissible to read in their books, and that *Fath al-Bari* must be burned? Glory be to Allah! So I say to these people, by the language of the situation and by the language of speech:
"Be lenient with them, for there is no father for your father from blame *** Or fill the place that they filled"
Who is able to contribute to Islam and the Muslims as these two men did, except what Allah wills?
So I say, may Allah forgive al-Nawawi, and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, and whoever was in their category among those through whom Allah benefited Islam and the Muslims, and be secure in that.
The student: Amen.
The Shaykh : Yes, did he call the adhan?