[3] Gentle Admonitions to Those Confused by Some of The Repackaged Mid and Late 90s Sentiments…

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

When or Why Should This or That Person Be Criticised—or Not—Due to His Virtue?

وطلب من شعبة أن يكف عن أبان بن أبي عياش ، وأبان بن أبي عياش رجل زاهد عابد فاضل لكنه يخلط في الحديث ، فقال : سأنظر ، ثم يلقى من نصحه فيقول له : إنه

الدين لا يسعني إلا أن أتكلم في أبان بن أبي عياش

It was requested from Shubah, may Allah have mercy upon him, to refrain from (speaking) about Abān ibn Abee Ayyash, may Allah have mercy upon him. And Aban ibn Abee Ayyāsh was a man of Zuhd, a devout worshipper, and a virtuous man, but he would mix things up in hadith transmission. So, Shubah said, “I will wait”. Then he met the person who had advised him, saying to him: “Indeed, it is a matter of religion. I cannot, but speak about Aban Ibn Abee Ayyash”.  [1]

Amir Al-Mumineen Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The truth is ancient”.

As-Sar’khasee, may Allah have mercy on him, commented on this statement of Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, saying:

“This does not only apply to the judge, rather, it applies to anyone who explains any matter of religion to others, whether one who gives admonitions, a mufti, or a judge; they are all the same in this regard. When it becomes clear to such a person that he has made a mistake, he should openly declare that he has retracted his position, for a scholar’s mistake is a cause of tribulation among the people. As for his statement, “The truth is ancient”, this means that the truth is the original principle that must be sought. The mistake of one who errs cannot remain concealed; it will inevitably become apparent. Therefore, if the person himself brings his mistake to light, that is the best state regarding his state”. [2] [End of quotes]

As for who initiates a warning or correction regarding a mistake committed by a prominent carrier of knowledge, that is not our expertise; rather, it is left to the people of knowledge to decide the appropriate timing.

Our concern is not with sentimentalism or whataboutism, but rather with how we respond when a Muslim falls into error, ourselves included. Firstly, it should sadden us, especially when the person in question is virtuous. Secondly, an error remains an error, and our concern is simply not to follow it, while supplicating for rectification for ourselves and others.

As for when an error should be addressed and advice offered, that is the responsibility of the people of knowledge, who do so with precise proofs. This is left to their own Ijtihād, regardless of whether one personally holds an opinion regarding the timing. And Allah knows best.

To be continued InShaaAllah.

[1] Gharah Al-Ash’ritah 1/71 (Al-Allamah Muqbil Bin Hadi Al-Wadi’ee, rahimahullah

[2] Al-Mabsūṭ, 16/62