Why – these days – we investigate thoroughly and employ extra caution when people dispute?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Sometimes adults come to us and say things like: “I was with this or that teacher, and he said this or that.” Or they say: “This person or caller to Islam is harming the religion.” But when we look into what really happened and ask careful questions, we usually find personality disagreements, clashing interests, stubbornness, or incomplete information. Sometimes we find people forgot things, had too much information to process, or didn’t understand the full context. This doesn’t mean we ignore what trustworthy people tell us, but when we hear different stories about someone known for his adherence to the Sunnah, we think about it carefully and verify. Here is a reminder from Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih al-Uthaymin, may Allah show him mercy, who said:

Verification is one of the most important affairs, if not the most important. Verifying what is transmitted from others is an important matter because sometimes the transmitters harbour evil intentions, so they transmit – intentionally and deliberately – that which will tarnish the reputation of the one they transmit from. And at other times they do not harbour an evil intention, but they understand something in a manner that is opposite to what is intended by it. Therefore, it is obligatory to verify. So, when the proof (or sound source) of the transmission is established, then the one from whom the statement was transmitted is engaged in a discussion before a judgement is passed as to whether it is a mistake or not. This is because it may become clear to you – by way of discussion – that the one from whom the statement was transmitted is correct. And if not, then what is known is that if a person were to immediately pass a judgement merely based on what he hears, he will transmit things (i.e. statements, views, opinions etc) from some of the scholars – those considered to be the beacons of (Shariah) knowledge – that which the souls will dislike; but when one verifies, contemplates and establishes contact with this Shaikh, the matter becomes clarified. [1]

When young men approach us and say: “Uncle, Fulan did or said such and such”. We are reminded of the hadith: Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: “When two men come to you seeking judgement, do not judge for the first until you have heard the statement of the other. Soon you will know how to judge.'” ‘Ali said: “I did not err since then.” [2]

[1] Excerpt from Sharh Hilya Talib Al-Ilm. pages 75-76
[2] at-Tirmidhi 1331