What is the guidance for the student of knowledge who speaks ill of the scholars?

Question:
We ask you, may Allah reward you, to direct a word to the students of Islamic jurisprudence who fall into major errors, and among these errors is: speaking about the great imams, and diminishing their status without reason?

Answer:
This is also something that drives people away; speaking about the scholars drives people away from seeking knowledge, and it diminishes their value in the hearts of people. So it is obligatory to respect the scholars, to call for asking them, to benefit from them, and to encourage them to speak and act. If you know that a scholar has made a shortcoming or a mistake, you and your brothers go to him and discuss it with him, like a questioner and one seeking guidance. You encourage him in calling to Allah, in preaching in the mosques, in reminding people of Allah, and in not being heedless. You make it clear to him that the Muslims are in need of people like you, and that calling to Allah is among the most important matters, and that you and people like you are those from whom good is hoped, and from whom good is expected. So cooperation is required.
And no matter how high a scholar’s status is, he does not do without reminding, and he does not do without encouragement, no matter who he is. So the student of knowledge should not belittle himself to the point of not advising, and his concern should not be criticizing and defaming and spreading defects, so that people are driven away from the scholars, and so that they do not benefit from the scholars, and so that hatred takes the place of love. No, this is not permissible. Rather, cooperation is obligatory in rectifying conditions, in alerting the scholar to his mistake, in encouraging him to perform the task, and in alerting him to heedlessness, so that the word of the scholars is one, and united in calling to Allah, directing to good, advising the Muslims, and explaining the rulings of Allah to His servants.
And the students of knowledge should be encouragers, helpers, and observers, and bearers of knowledge, transferring it from scholar to scholar, from one side to another, from one village to another, and from one neighborhood to another. This is the path that is obligatory, and this is what the Companions used to do. They attended the gathering of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and they carried the knowledge from his gathering (peace and blessings be upon him), then they conveyed it to the people. This one goes to his people and conveys it to them, and this one goes to his people and conveys it to them. They were cooperating, and when the need arose, they took turns; each one would take the place of his brother in attending the gathering. As 'Umar said, he and one of the Ansar used to take turns: this one would come down one day, and this one would come down one day, so that they would attend the circles of knowledge. This one would return having carried what he heard to his brother 'Umar and to those around him, then 'Umar would return the next day having carried what he had carried, and so on. So if there is a need, people take turns: if the distance is far, this one comes down one day and attends the gatherings of knowledge, then the other comes down, or this one travels to a certain scholar to hear from him, then he comes and the other travels, and so on.
And the scholars today are few. The scholars of the Sunnah, the scholars of the truth, from whom good is hoped, are not numerous. As for the multitude of the name "scholars," and the presence of scholars and teachers, that exists; they are many, but they need encouragement. And some scholars may be heedless of what is obligatory upon them in some matters. So if his sons and brothers come to him and alert him and encourage him, saying: "Such and such a neighborhood is in need, and such and such a place is in need, and you, by the praise of Allah, have the knowledge you have, so fear Allah and convey to the people, and teach the people. We have seen from you such and such, and you are one who is followed as an example, so perhaps you will pay attention to this matter. We have seen from you that you are lax in attending the congregational prayer, or that you let your garments hang down, or that you take from your beard, or something similar to that." So alerting is required, but with good words, and a good manner, and observing what I mentioned previously: that the one who alerts should not be one person; they should be a group. Visiting should be in a group: two, three, four; because this is more respectful, and closer to benefiting and gaining profit.