Criticizm of the Scholars

Question :

What is your opinion, noble Shaykh, concerning some students of knowledge who have made it a habit to criticize and find fault with other students of knowledge and to warn others about them. Is this a legislated action that is rewarded, or is this is a sin that deserves punishment?

Answer:

In my view, this practice is unlawful. If it is unlawful to backbite a Muslim brother who is bereft of knowledge, then how can it be lawful to backbite his believing brothers who are scholars? A Muslim is required to abandon any backbiting against his brothers, for Allâh Almighty says:
"O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion; indeed, some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And fear Allah."

Someone who defames a scholar should realize that he is not only taking people away from that scholar, but he is also taking people away from the truth that that scholar is preaching. Then the sin of repressing the truth will be upon the person who has attacked that scholar, because defaming a scholar is in reality not defaming him as a person, but it is speaking evil of what the Prophet ﷺ has left in terms of inheritance.

Indeed, the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets . If the scholars are slandered, people will lose trust in the knowledge that they have, knowledge that is inherited from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. What follows is that they will not trust in anything that scholar has to say about the Shari'ah. I don't say that every scholar is without error, for every human being is susceptible to error.

If you, in your conviction, believe that a scholar has erred, call him and come to an understanding with him. If you come to realize that he is upon the truth, you are required to follow him. If you remain unconvinced about his view, but you do see his reasoning, then leave him alone to his opinion.

Now suppose, however, that you still disagree with him and you don't find any excuse for him in his opinion, then be wary of what he says because sanctioning a false view is not permissible. But don't attack his character he may be a scholar who is known for his sincerity. If we were to criticize the characters of scholars who are known for their sincerity, but who have erred in certain issues of jurisprudence, we would have had to criticize the character of some eminent scholars. Therefore, adhere to what I have just said. Thus if you discuss a matter with a scholar who you disagree with in an issue, you will either be convinced of his view and follow him, or he will be convinced of your view and follow you. In case that neither party becomes convinced of what the other presents, let each go his own way in that issue and with each guarding his tongue from slandering the other.

All praise is due to Allah, difference of opinion is not something unique to this time; difference of opinion was present in the times of the Companions and continues unabated until the present. If someone's mistake becomes clear, but he is adamant in his views, just to be in the right, you should point out the wrong opinion and warn others of it. But don't attack the character of this man or seek revenge against him, because he might be upon truth in issues other than the one you debated him in.

What is important, though, is that I warn my brothers from this affliction and sickness. I ask Allâh Almighty to cure us from anything that will harm us in our religion and in our worldly affairs.