The Position of Preachers and Scholars Regarding the Widespread Proliferation of Falsehood
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Q: The guidance of people is the fruit of the spread of Islamic knowledge among them. However, it is observed that falsehood is more widespread through the press, all media outlets, and teaching curricula. What is the position of preachers and scholars regarding this?
A: This is a reality prevalent in all times, and it is a wisdom intended by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), as He the Exalted said: [Yusuf: 103]. And He the Exalted says: [Al-An'am: 116].
But this varies: in some lands it is abundant, and in others it is scarce; in some tribes it is abundant, and in others it is scarce. As for the worldly life, most of creation are upon other than guidance. However, this varies regarding some countries, some lands, some villages, and some tribes. It is obligatory for the people of knowledge to be active, and they should not be less active than the people of falsehood. Rather, they must be more active than the people of falsehood in manifesting the truth and calling to it, wherever they are: on the road, in the car, in the airplane, in the spacecraft, in the house, and in any place. They must forbid what is wrong in the best manner, and teach in the best manner, with a good style, gentleness, and softness. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says: : [An-Nahl: 125]. And He the Exalted says: [Al-Imran: 159]. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 27:14.
Therefore, it is not permissible for the people of knowledge to remain silent and refrain from speaking to the open sinner, the innovator, and the ignorant person. For this is a great error, and one of the causes of the spread of evil and religious innovations, and the disappearance and scarcity of good, and the concealment of the Sunnah.
Therefore, it is obligatory for the people of knowledge to speak the truth, call to it, and forbid falsehood and warn against it. And this must be done with knowledge and insight, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: : [Yusuf: 108]. And this is after taking care of the means of acquiring knowledge, such as studying with the people of knowledge and asking them about what is difficult, attending circles of knowledge, and increasing the recitation of the Noble Qur'an and its reflection, and reviewing the authentic hadiths, so that you benefit and spread the knowledge as you received it from its people with evidence, with sincerity, good intention, and humility. And you must strive to spread knowledge with all activity and strength, and the people of falsehood should not be more active in their falsehood. And you must strive to benefit the Muslims in their religion and their worldly affairs.
And this is the duty of the scholars, both the elderly and the young, wherever they are: to spread the truth with the evidences of the Shari'ah, to encourage people to it, to make them averse to falsehood, and to warn them against it, in accordance with the saying of Allah (Mighty and Majestic): [Al-Ma'idah: 2]. And His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He): [Al-Asr: 1 - 3].
Thus the people of knowledge, wherever they are, call to Allah, guide to what is right, and advise Allah and His servants with gentleness in what they command, in what they forbid, and in what they call to; so that their call succeeds, and everyone attains the good outcome and safety from the plotting of the enemies. And Allah is the One to be sought for help.
A: This is a reality prevalent in all times, and it is a wisdom intended by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), as He the Exalted said:
And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.
وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَAnd if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah
وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِBut this varies: in some lands it is abundant, and in others it is scarce; in some tribes it is abundant, and in others it is scarce. As for the worldly life, most of creation are upon other than guidance. However, this varies regarding some countries, some lands, some villages, and some tribes. It is obligatory for the people of knowledge to be active, and they should not be less active than the people of falsehood. Rather, they must be more active than the people of falsehood in manifesting the truth and calling to it, wherever they are: on the road, in the car, in the airplane, in the spacecraft, in the house, and in any place. They must forbid what is wrong in the best manner, and teach in the best manner, with a good style, gentleness, and softness. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says: :
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best
ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُSo by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you.
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَWhenever there is compassion in something, it adorns it, and whenever it is removed from something it disgraces it.
إن الرفق لا يكون في شيء إلا زانه، ولا ينزع من شيء إلا شانهTherefore, it is not permissible for the people of knowledge to remain silent and refrain from speaking to the open sinner, the innovator, and the ignorant person. For this is a great error, and one of the causes of the spread of evil and religious innovations, and the disappearance and scarcity of good, and the concealment of the Sunnah.
Therefore, it is obligatory for the people of knowledge to speak the truth, call to it, and forbid falsehood and warn against it. And this must be done with knowledge and insight, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: :
Say, “This is my path; I call to Allah with insight,
قُلْ هَذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَى بَصِيرَةٍAnd this is the duty of the scholars, both the elderly and the young, wherever they are: to spread the truth with the evidences of the Shari'ah, to encourage people to it, to make them averse to falsehood, and to warn them against it, in accordance with the saying of Allah (Mighty and Majestic):
cooperate in righteousness and piety
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى(1) By time, (2) Indeed, mankind is in loss, (3) Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.
وَالْعَصْرِ * إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خَسِرَ * إِلا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِThus the people of knowledge, wherever they are, call to Allah, guide to what is right, and advise Allah and His servants with gentleness in what they command, in what they forbid, and in what they call to; so that their call succeeds, and everyone attains the good outcome and safety from the plotting of the enemies. And Allah is the One to be sought for help.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.