A Matter Demanding Profound Caution, Vigilance, and Verification

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked about those people who say, “I have heard some of the scholars saying such and such, or given a Fatwa”. Then he uses this as a basis for his statement or action.

The Shaikh replied: Lying about the scholars in matters related to the Shariah is a great danger. And because of this, it is reported in a hadith that he [i.e. Allah’s Messenger- peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: “Whoever tells a lie against me [intentionally] then let him occupy his seat in Hell-fire”. [Bukhaari 107]

Therefore, telling lies about the scholars in matters related to the Shariah is a great danger because it is tantamount to lying against the Shariah. (There are) some people, may Allah guide them, when his soul finds something suitable for himself and he knows that people will not accept (i.e. what he will say or do), he chooses a scholar trusted by the people and forges a statement (i.e. attributes it to the scholar) whether he (the person) is right or upon falsehood.

An Excerpt from “Sharh Hilyati Talib Al-Ilm”. p. 224. paraphrashed