SCHOLARS ARE NOT PERFECT!
By
Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori
Scholars are not to be followed blindly. Scholars are not perfect. Despite their consistency, they can still make mistakes. When they are right in their ijtihaad (juristic effort), they get two rewards. But if they make mistake, they still have one reward. Therefore, they should be followed only when they are right. When a scholar contradicts a text or ijmaa' of the Sohaabah رضي الله عنهم, he is on his own. He can be refuted very well by those who are qualified to do so. No one should be spared when it comes to protection of the deen. Islaam is not a religion of personality.
However, the manner of refuting a scholar should be one that comforms with general principles of shar'iah on correcting evils. The intention must be pure. The words to be used should not be abusive. It is unfortunate that these days, refutation of scholars has been abused. You will find people who are not even up to the level of students of knowledge trying to correct or warn against scholars with foul languages.
Refutation need not necessarily be insultive or bashy. Even when refuting a non Muslim, the methodologies of correcting evil should be followed, not to talk of a scholar. The message can be passed without needing to insult the person being refuted. Before anyone speaks, he should consider the maslahah and the mafsadah (positive and negative consequences) ofhis mode of expression, in order not to fall into a greater error while trying to correct an error. I think this is the main area where there is issue. Sheikh Rabee' Ibn Haadee Al-madkhalee حفظه الله said:
"The one who is deficient (in some aspects of the deen) we should not belittle him nor ruin him. The one who makes mistakes amongst us, we should not demolish him. May Allah bless you. Rather, we should rectify the situation with gentleness and wisdom and we should approach him with love, concern, and all the praiseworthy mannerisms. We advise him with true advice in order that he returns and repents" [See Majmoo' Khutub wa Rasaail, Vol. 1, pag 481]
May Allaah guide us aright.
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