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

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen [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 [i.e. the one who attributes such a statement to a scholar or scholars] uses this as a basis for his statement or action.

Respond: Lying about the scholars in affairs related to the Shariah is a great danger, and due to this, it has been reported in a hadeeth that he [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”. [Al-Bukhaari 107]

Therefore, telling lies about the scholars in affairs related to the Shariah [i.e. falsely saying that they said this or that, or gave a Fatwa about this or that] is a great danger because it is tantamount to lying about the Shariah. Some people, – may Allah guide them – when their soul finds something suitable and he knows that people will not accept (what he will say or do), he chooses a scholar whom the people trust and then forges a false statement about the scholar – whether he is right [i.e. regarding the statement or deed he wants the people to accept and for which he sought to transmit a forged statement] or upon falsehood. [Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ page 224.Paraphrased]