بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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

The Salafi is not afraid of criticism or correcting his mistakes if they exist in reality, but he does not accept criticism devoid of proof

Khalid Bin Hayyaan narrated from Jafar Bin Burqaan, may Allah have mercy upon them, who said: Maymoon Bin Mihran, may Allah have mercy upon him said to me, “O Jafar! Say what I detest (i.e. the bitter truth) in my face since a man will not have (fulfilled) advice to his brother until he says in his face what he detests”. (1)

Umar Ibn Abdul Azeez, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Whoever advises his brother to rectify affairs related to his religion and gives him insight into a worldly affair has perfected their relationship and fulfilled his obligation of (brotherhood) to him”. (2)

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Speech about the people has to be with knowledge and justice, and not based on ignorance and oppression”. (3)

“The just among men is the one who informs of an affair the way it is; he neither adds to it and becomes a liar nor does he subtract from it and becomes a concealer”. (4)

The one who follows the path of justice will exalt the one worthy of being exalted and he will love and ally with him; he will give the truth its due right, exalt the truth and show mercy to the creation.(5)

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said: “The Salafiyyoon do not accept statements, except when they are based on evidence and proof”. (6)

The Shaikh also said:

When you speak about a Muslim, whether an individual who is a Mubtadi or a Sunni, firstly, examine yourself. What do you want through this speech? “Whoever believes in Allah and the last day should either speak good or remain silent”. If in this speech of yours there is good for the Muslims by warning them about this man, and your intention is to seek Allah’s Face, you intend to sincerely advice the ummah, then speak while being cautious of entering into personal desires and personal goals for revenge against this or that person. If the speech stem from an intention for revenge, this would be detrimental to the person (i.e the speaker) and would exceed the permissible allowance in this matter, whose initial basis is fundamentally prohibited. This is because Allah has forbidden backbiting and tale carrying, as these matters corrupt the lives of Muslims. A Muslim should resort to (such speech) only in cases of dire necessity. He does not unleash his tongue to speak freely. Instead, he only speaks out of necessity and when he knows completely that this matter is incumbent upon him and the people will benefit from it. May Allah bless you, be conscious (mindful) regarding this subject matter. (7)

(1) Siyar A’lam An-Nubulaa. 5/75

(2) Tarikh at-Tabari 6/572

(3) Minhaj As-Sunnah: 4/337

(4) Majmu 20/84

(5) Minhaj As-Sunnah 4/544

(6) Umdah Al-Abiy 417

(7) Fadl Al-Hajj Wat Talbiyah 43