kashif_nazeer
~~~Alhamdulillah~~~
:salam2:
I hope this post finds everyone in the best of health and iman,inshaAllah.
Talking evil about the scholars causes separation of the ummah from its scholars
[Part 12] How do I Achieve FIQH of the Deen?
Source: How do I Achieve FIQH (understanding) of the Deen? - From the lectures of Shaikh Saleh ibn Fawzan al-Fawzaan
Translated by Shawana A. Aziz
Published by Quran Sunnah Educational Programs -www.qsep.com
Main Heading: From Whom should I take Fiqh of the Deen?
Sub-Title 12: Talking evil about the scholars causes separation of the ummah from its scholars it produces lack of trust in the people of knowledge
In these times, there is much Qeel-wal-Qaal (talk) and slander between the people of knowledge and the common people, between the commoners and students of knowledge; - they have begun talking about the scholars and accusing them, and spreading lies about them in order to separate the people of the ummah from their scholars so that the people easily fall into their doubts and misguidance, and their unity breaks apart.
This is what they want, so we have to be warned against them and from slander —even if it be with regards to the common people.
Gheebah (backbiting) and Nameemah (slandering) are Haraam (prohibited). They are Major Sins if they are with regards to the common people —so how about (if Gheebah and Nameemah were committed with regards to) the scholars!!
Backbiting the scholars, slandering them and talking (evil) about the scholars - in a way which causes harm to them - is a severe form of Gheebah, and an extreme form of Nameemah —because …
it causes separation of the ummah from its scholars, and
it produces lack of trust in the people of knowledge
—and if this occurs, then the great evil has taken place.
During the time of Allah's Messenger, hypocrites wanted to separate the people from the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam), and cause a rift amongst the Muslims - and so they gathered in their places of gathering and spoke (evil) about Allah's Messenger and his Sahabah;
"We have never seen any people who love their stomachs more or tell more lies or are more cowardly in battle than these Quran-readers", and they meant Allah's Messenger and his companions by this (statement).
They said this about Allah's Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) and his Sahabah although they knew that such was a lie - but they wanted to break the unity of the Muslims.
A Mumin young man (Auf ibn Malik (radhiallahu anhu)) was present in the gathering. He denied this saying, and said to the one who made this statement, "You have lied, and you are a hypocrite, and I will inform the Messenger of Allah."
So, he went to inform the Messenger but found that the revelation had preceded him. Allah had revealed the following verse unto Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam):
"If you ask them, they declare; 'We were only talking idly and joking.'
Say, 'Was it at Allah, and His Ayaat and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed.
If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimoon (disbelievers, polytheist, sinners, criminals, etc.)." [Soorah at-Tawbah (9): 65-66]
(Allah said, '…pardon some of them') because one of them repented to Allah, and Allah pardoned him.
As for the rest of them, they persisted in their hypocrisy and evil. Then the man, who had uttered the words, came to the Messenger apologizing - but the Prophet had already left, and mounted his riding camel.
So, the man clung to the saddle of his camel, and his feet were stumbling on the rocks, and he was saying, "O Messenger of Allah, we were only talking idly and joking!"
But the Prophet did not pay any attention to him, and he (salallahu alaihi wasallam) did not say anything more than this verse,
"Was it at Allah, and His Ayaat and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed."
This is the punishment of those who slander the scholars and the people of Khayr, and speak against them. Such a person will have a share from this verse and from this sin.
So, it is obligatory that we love the people of Ilm and the people of Khayr, and the people of Ta'a (obedience to Allah), and the people of Eeman - even if they were common people; a believer has rights, honor and sanctity —so how about the scholar?
The scholar's sanctity is greater, and he has a higher rank with Allah and with the people of Eeman,
"Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." [Soorah al-Mujadilah (58): 11]
In this verse, Allah has mentioned the people of Eeman in general, and then specifically mentioned the people of knowledge;
"Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe,"
- this is general for all the believers. They have an exalted degree with Allah and they have sanctity.
"and those who have been granted knowledge."
- (in this part of verse are mentioned) those who are superior than the believers and have increased Eeman and increased knowledge, and so their worth is greater with Allah.
It is obligatory upon us to
recognize the worth of our scholars, and
respect them, and
not accept any slander against them.
We do not say that our scholars are Ma'soom (free from errors/sins) or that they do not commit mistakes. Rather mistakes are committed by them but their virtues, and what they possess of Khayr outweighs their mistakes.
And we are not obliged to follow the secret matters of the Muslims, uncover them and speak about them. Allah says,
"O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan. And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan, then, verily he commands Al-Fahsha (indecency) and Al-Munkar (evil and wicked deeds)." [Soorah an-Nur (24): 21]
… Allah's Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Whoever conceals (the fault of) a Muslim (in this world), Allah will conceal (his faults) on the Day of Judgment." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
So, if you come to know of a Muslim's fault/mistake, then it is wajib that you conceal it, and not mention it (in public) or talk about it (amongst the people) —rather you should advise him, and explain his mistake - between you and him.
As for overtly circulating it amongst the people in gatherings - this is the work of hypocrites and of Shayateen from the Jinn and mankind, and the work of tale-bearers and slanders because the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"O you who have spoken the words of faith but faith has not truly entered your hearts!
Do not backbite about the Muslims, and do not seek out their faults. For whoever seeks out their faults, Allah will seek out his faults, and if Allah seeks out a person's faults He will expose him even in his own house." [Saheeh Abi Dawood (4083)]
Allah knows what is in the hearts, and what is in the inner-selves. Nothing is hidden from him. He knows your behavior and deeds. Rather, He knows your intentions, aims and goals —but Allah, the Exalted, screens His slaves —and if He had Willed, He would have exposed them.
(but) He, who seeks to disgrace a Muslim, and reveals the secrets of his Muslim brother, then Allah exposes him before His creation.
We have not seen anyone who has fallen into defaming the scholars and the believers except that Allah has exposed him, and humiliation and disgrace for him has been placed in the hearts of the believers, such that they despise him and never accept him - This is from Allah.
Even if a report about a mistake of a scholar reaches you, you should not accept it. Allah says,
"O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful of what you have done." [Soorah al-Hujurat (49): 6]
So, if someone tells you or you hear in a gathering that so-and-so does such-and-such or he has fallen into such-and-such —then do not accept (the news) because it is news from a hypocrite, because the backbiter is a hypocrite.
Even if the report is true, you have to cover your brother and not circulate Fahisha (evil deeds) amongst the Muslims. Allah says,
"Verily, those who like that al-Fahisha should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allah Knows and you know not." [Soorah an-Nur (24): 19]
It is required from the Muslims to cover each other, and advise each other, in order to protect the honor of each other. Allah's Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"It is sufficient evil for a man to look down upon his Muslim brother. Every Muslim is sacred to another Muslim, his blood, his property and his honour." [Saheeh Muslim]
And he (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said to his Sahabah during the farewell sermon on the day of Nahr in Mina during his Khutbah,
"Your blood, your honor and your wealth are sacred to you as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this land of yours is sacred." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
If this is with regards to the common Muslims then how about the scholars of the Muslims who are the best of the Ummah after the Prophets and his companions?... (the shaikh then spoke at length about the virtues of scholars).
I hope this post finds everyone in the best of health and iman,inshaAllah.
Talking evil about the scholars causes separation of the ummah from its scholars
[Part 12] How do I Achieve FIQH of the Deen?
Source: How do I Achieve FIQH (understanding) of the Deen? - From the lectures of Shaikh Saleh ibn Fawzan al-Fawzaan
Translated by Shawana A. Aziz
Published by Quran Sunnah Educational Programs -www.qsep.com
Main Heading: From Whom should I take Fiqh of the Deen?
Sub-Title 12: Talking evil about the scholars causes separation of the ummah from its scholars it produces lack of trust in the people of knowledge
In these times, there is much Qeel-wal-Qaal (talk) and slander between the people of knowledge and the common people, between the commoners and students of knowledge; - they have begun talking about the scholars and accusing them, and spreading lies about them in order to separate the people of the ummah from their scholars so that the people easily fall into their doubts and misguidance, and their unity breaks apart.
This is what they want, so we have to be warned against them and from slander —even if it be with regards to the common people.
Gheebah (backbiting) and Nameemah (slandering) are Haraam (prohibited). They are Major Sins if they are with regards to the common people —so how about (if Gheebah and Nameemah were committed with regards to) the scholars!!
Backbiting the scholars, slandering them and talking (evil) about the scholars - in a way which causes harm to them - is a severe form of Gheebah, and an extreme form of Nameemah —because …
it causes separation of the ummah from its scholars, and
it produces lack of trust in the people of knowledge
—and if this occurs, then the great evil has taken place.
During the time of Allah's Messenger, hypocrites wanted to separate the people from the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam), and cause a rift amongst the Muslims - and so they gathered in their places of gathering and spoke (evil) about Allah's Messenger and his Sahabah;
"We have never seen any people who love their stomachs more or tell more lies or are more cowardly in battle than these Quran-readers", and they meant Allah's Messenger and his companions by this (statement).
They said this about Allah's Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) and his Sahabah although they knew that such was a lie - but they wanted to break the unity of the Muslims.
A Mumin young man (Auf ibn Malik (radhiallahu anhu)) was present in the gathering. He denied this saying, and said to the one who made this statement, "You have lied, and you are a hypocrite, and I will inform the Messenger of Allah."
So, he went to inform the Messenger but found that the revelation had preceded him. Allah had revealed the following verse unto Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam):
"If you ask them, they declare; 'We were only talking idly and joking.'
Say, 'Was it at Allah, and His Ayaat and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed.
If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimoon (disbelievers, polytheist, sinners, criminals, etc.)." [Soorah at-Tawbah (9): 65-66]
(Allah said, '…pardon some of them') because one of them repented to Allah, and Allah pardoned him.
As for the rest of them, they persisted in their hypocrisy and evil. Then the man, who had uttered the words, came to the Messenger apologizing - but the Prophet had already left, and mounted his riding camel.
So, the man clung to the saddle of his camel, and his feet were stumbling on the rocks, and he was saying, "O Messenger of Allah, we were only talking idly and joking!"
But the Prophet did not pay any attention to him, and he (salallahu alaihi wasallam) did not say anything more than this verse,
"Was it at Allah, and His Ayaat and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed."
This is the punishment of those who slander the scholars and the people of Khayr, and speak against them. Such a person will have a share from this verse and from this sin.
So, it is obligatory that we love the people of Ilm and the people of Khayr, and the people of Ta'a (obedience to Allah), and the people of Eeman - even if they were common people; a believer has rights, honor and sanctity —so how about the scholar?
The scholar's sanctity is greater, and he has a higher rank with Allah and with the people of Eeman,
"Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." [Soorah al-Mujadilah (58): 11]
In this verse, Allah has mentioned the people of Eeman in general, and then specifically mentioned the people of knowledge;
"Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe,"
- this is general for all the believers. They have an exalted degree with Allah and they have sanctity.
"and those who have been granted knowledge."
- (in this part of verse are mentioned) those who are superior than the believers and have increased Eeman and increased knowledge, and so their worth is greater with Allah.
It is obligatory upon us to
recognize the worth of our scholars, and
respect them, and
not accept any slander against them.
We do not say that our scholars are Ma'soom (free from errors/sins) or that they do not commit mistakes. Rather mistakes are committed by them but their virtues, and what they possess of Khayr outweighs their mistakes.
And we are not obliged to follow the secret matters of the Muslims, uncover them and speak about them. Allah says,
"O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan. And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan, then, verily he commands Al-Fahsha (indecency) and Al-Munkar (evil and wicked deeds)." [Soorah an-Nur (24): 21]
… Allah's Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Whoever conceals (the fault of) a Muslim (in this world), Allah will conceal (his faults) on the Day of Judgment." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
So, if you come to know of a Muslim's fault/mistake, then it is wajib that you conceal it, and not mention it (in public) or talk about it (amongst the people) —rather you should advise him, and explain his mistake - between you and him.
As for overtly circulating it amongst the people in gatherings - this is the work of hypocrites and of Shayateen from the Jinn and mankind, and the work of tale-bearers and slanders because the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"O you who have spoken the words of faith but faith has not truly entered your hearts!
Do not backbite about the Muslims, and do not seek out their faults. For whoever seeks out their faults, Allah will seek out his faults, and if Allah seeks out a person's faults He will expose him even in his own house." [Saheeh Abi Dawood (4083)]
Allah knows what is in the hearts, and what is in the inner-selves. Nothing is hidden from him. He knows your behavior and deeds. Rather, He knows your intentions, aims and goals —but Allah, the Exalted, screens His slaves —and if He had Willed, He would have exposed them.
(but) He, who seeks to disgrace a Muslim, and reveals the secrets of his Muslim brother, then Allah exposes him before His creation.
We have not seen anyone who has fallen into defaming the scholars and the believers except that Allah has exposed him, and humiliation and disgrace for him has been placed in the hearts of the believers, such that they despise him and never accept him - This is from Allah.
Even if a report about a mistake of a scholar reaches you, you should not accept it. Allah says,
"O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful of what you have done." [Soorah al-Hujurat (49): 6]
So, if someone tells you or you hear in a gathering that so-and-so does such-and-such or he has fallen into such-and-such —then do not accept (the news) because it is news from a hypocrite, because the backbiter is a hypocrite.
Even if the report is true, you have to cover your brother and not circulate Fahisha (evil deeds) amongst the Muslims. Allah says,
"Verily, those who like that al-Fahisha should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allah Knows and you know not." [Soorah an-Nur (24): 19]
It is required from the Muslims to cover each other, and advise each other, in order to protect the honor of each other. Allah's Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"It is sufficient evil for a man to look down upon his Muslim brother. Every Muslim is sacred to another Muslim, his blood, his property and his honour." [Saheeh Muslim]
And he (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said to his Sahabah during the farewell sermon on the day of Nahr in Mina during his Khutbah,
"Your blood, your honor and your wealth are sacred to you as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this land of yours is sacred." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
If this is with regards to the common Muslims then how about the scholars of the Muslims who are the best of the Ummah after the Prophets and his companions?... (the shaikh then spoke at length about the virtues of scholars).