What is the advice for those who engage in discussing the shaykhs and preachers?
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Question:
We ask your Eminence to direct a word to the young men who sit and talk about some of the shaykhs, saying: "This one is Ash'ari, and this one is a member of the Ikhwan," and the like, without knowledge. Is it permissible for these young men to engage in accusing the scholars of these accusations, whether with knowledge or without knowledge?
Answer:
It is obligatory for the young men and others to verify matters, and not to accuse anyone of anything except with insight and knowledge, so that they do not speak about Allah without truth, so that they do not lie to people, and so that they do not cause problems among people.
If the intention is calling to Allah, let him clarify the error. It is said: "This is an error," and if so-and-so said it, it is an error: such as a teacher who heard it, or a preacher who heard it, saying: "This is an error," if he knows it is an error by evidence, whether it was from so-and-so, or so-and-so, or so-and-so.
As for if his concern is denigrating and backbiting, this is not permissible, and backbiting people is not permissible; backbiting a Muslim is not permissible. Allah says: [Surah al-Hujurat: 12].
As for if the intention is pointing out the truth, and pointing out the falsehood, and clarifying that what so-and-so said is truth, and what so-and-so said is falsehood regarding the figurative interpretation of the attributes, or supporting what the Khawarij or the Mu'tazilah are upon, so that he clarifies the error in that to people; then this is rewarded, and it is obligatory. This is part of forbidding evil.
As for speaking about their internal, hidden conditions, this is backbiting. It is only permissible to speak about what has appeared of falsehood to warn against it, and of truth to call to it and encourage taking it up. As for internal matters that only Allah knows, and which are hidden, it is not permissible to address them; rather, that is backbiting.
As for what concerns the groups: the Muslim Brotherhood, the Supporters of the Sunnah, the Tabligh group, and others, it is obligatory for the one who speaks about them to speak with knowledge, and to be on insight; otherwise, let him hold back. If he has knowledge, let him say to the Muslim Brotherhood: "You did such and such, and the obligatory is such and such." Let him say to the Supporters of the Sunnah: "Such and such." Let him say to such-and-such group, meaning: he clarifies to them, between him and them, or between him and those individuals from them whom he sees, by way of advising him, if he has knowledge, just as he advises his other brothers who commit some sins, or some false fatwas, even if they are affiliated with others than these. He says: "My brother, you said such and such, and this is an error. You said such and such, and this is an error, and the evidence is such and such." But with wisdom, good speech, and a good manner, not with violence and harshness.
We ask your Eminence to direct a word to the young men who sit and talk about some of the shaykhs, saying: "This one is Ash'ari, and this one is a member of the Ikhwan," and the like, without knowledge. Is it permissible for these young men to engage in accusing the scholars of these accusations, whether with knowledge or without knowledge?
Answer:
It is obligatory for the young men and others to verify matters, and not to accuse anyone of anything except with insight and knowledge, so that they do not speak about Allah without truth, so that they do not lie to people, and so that they do not cause problems among people.
If the intention is calling to Allah, let him clarify the error. It is said: "This is an error," and if so-and-so said it, it is an error: such as a teacher who heard it, or a preacher who heard it, saying: "This is an error," if he knows it is an error by evidence, whether it was from so-and-so, or so-and-so, or so-and-so.
As for if his concern is denigrating and backbiting, this is not permissible, and backbiting people is not permissible; backbiting a Muslim is not permissible. Allah says:
or backbite each other
وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًاAs for if the intention is pointing out the truth, and pointing out the falsehood, and clarifying that what so-and-so said is truth, and what so-and-so said is falsehood regarding the figurative interpretation of the attributes, or supporting what the Khawarij or the Mu'tazilah are upon, so that he clarifies the error in that to people; then this is rewarded, and it is obligatory. This is part of forbidding evil.
As for speaking about their internal, hidden conditions, this is backbiting. It is only permissible to speak about what has appeared of falsehood to warn against it, and of truth to call to it and encourage taking it up. As for internal matters that only Allah knows, and which are hidden, it is not permissible to address them; rather, that is backbiting.
As for what concerns the groups: the Muslim Brotherhood, the Supporters of the Sunnah, the Tabligh group, and others, it is obligatory for the one who speaks about them to speak with knowledge, and to be on insight; otherwise, let him hold back. If he has knowledge, let him say to the Muslim Brotherhood: "You did such and such, and the obligatory is such and such." Let him say to the Supporters of the Sunnah: "Such and such." Let him say to such-and-such group, meaning: he clarifies to them, between him and them, or between him and those individuals from them whom he sees, by way of advising him, if he has knowledge, just as he advises his other brothers who commit some sins, or some false fatwas, even if they are affiliated with others than these. He says: "My brother, you said such and such, and this is an error. You said such and such, and this is an error, and the evidence is such and such." But with wisdom, good speech, and a good manner, not with violence and harshness.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.