The Ruling on Criticizing Narrators
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Regarding the criticism of narrators?
Answer:
Criticizing narrators is a form of defining and a form of advice. It falls under both: it is advice, and it is defining. Criticizing narrators—saying "this one is weak," "this one is a fabricator," "this one is an innovator," "this one makes many mistakes"—is advice to Allah and His servants, and it is also defining. It falls under defining, and it is a form of advice.
Q: Are their good deeds mentioned?
The Shaykh: No, there is no obligation. The purpose is to point out the defect so that one may guard against it. The purpose is not to point out the good deeds; the purpose is to point out the defects from which one should guard.
Regarding the criticism of narrators?
Answer:
Criticizing narrators is a form of defining and a form of advice. It falls under both: it is advice, and it is defining. Criticizing narrators—saying "this one is weak," "this one is a fabricator," "this one is an innovator," "this one makes many mistakes"—is advice to Allah and His servants, and it is also defining. It falls under defining, and it is a form of advice.
Q: Are their good deeds mentioned?
The Shaykh: No, there is no obligation. The purpose is to point out the defect so that one may guard against it. The purpose is not to point out the good deeds; the purpose is to point out the defects from which one should guard.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.