Shaykh Sālih bin Fawzān al-Fawzān: Writing and Warning Against Deviant Groups and Sects is Obligatory If You Have Knowledge and Ability:
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzān was asked
أنوي أن أكتب عن بعض الجماعات الضالة، والتحذير منها، لكن هذه الجماعة لم تخرج من الملة، وقد مدحها البعض من العلماء وأخشى أن يدعو علي، فما توجيهكم لي علما بأن هذه الجماعة منحرفة؟
I intend to write about some of the astray groups and warn from them however, this group has not exited from the religion and one of the scholars has praised it, and I fear that he may supplicate against me. So what is your advice with the knowledge that this group is deviated?
The Shaykh's answer:
الواجب عليك بيان الحق، الواجب عليك بيان الحق، إذا كنت متأكدًا من الأخطاء التي عندهم، والضلالات التي عندهم، متأكد مائة بالمائة، وعندك مقدرة وعندك علم تستطيع البيان يجب عليك هذا. (وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ) (إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَى) ما يجوز كتمان العلم، إذا كان عندك علم ومتيقن من ضلالات بعض الطوائف فبينها للناس من أجل أن يحذروها وهذا من النصيحة. قال -صلى الله عليه وسلم- "الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ. قُلْنَا: لِمَنْ؟ قَالَ لِلَّهِ، وَلِكِتَابِهِ، وَلِرَسُولِهِ، وَلِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ" . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ [رقم: 55]. ولا تخش الناس، عليك أن تخش الله -سبحانه
وتعالى- وبيّن الحق وترد الباطل، ولا تخش الناس . نعم. اهـ
It is obligatory upon you to explain the truth, it is obligatory upon you to explain the truth. If you are sure about the errors that are with them and the misguidance(s) that are with them, sure one-hundred percent and you have the ability, you have knowledge by which you are able to clarify, then this is obligatory upon you, "And when Allāh took the covenant from those who were given the Book that you will explain, clarify it to the people and not conceal it" (Āl-'Imrān:187) [and] "Verily, those who conceal what we have revealed of clear evidences and guidance" (Al-Baqarah: 159), it is not permissible to conceal knowledge. If you have knowledge with you and you are certain about the misguidance(s) of certain factions, then explain them to the people so that they may beware of them, and this is from sincere advice. He ﷺ said, "The religion comprises sincerity of purpose" and we (the Companions) said, "To whom?" and he said, "To Allāh, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and the common folk" (reported by Muslim, no. 55). Do not fear the people, upon you is to fear Allāh, the Sublime and Exalted, and explain the truth, refute falsehood, and do not fear the people. Yes.