Whoever is blessed with such characteristics then it
is not prohibited for such a person to point out the mistakes of others.
Rather, it is binding upon them to point out the mistake of the one who has erred,
whether they are alive or not. This is the approach adopted by many of the
scholars of al-Islaam; those who are known for their uprightness and service to
the religion, those from the generation of the Salaf as well as those who came
after them. Moreover, none of them rejected to their mistakes being rectified
or an attempt being made to do so, even if they did not agree their interjection.
Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal [may Allaah have Mercy on him]
gives an example of Ishaaq bin Raahooyah. After praising and commending him he
said, “Despite his virtues, had he contradicted the texts in any of his
opinions then it is the nature of man of that they disagree with one another[1].”
In fact, he used to mention Ishaaq a lot and rely on
his opinions, and many others from the scholars of al-Islaam. He would accept
their opinions if the evidences they presented were strong and if their
opinions or the evidences/understanding they used to gain such an opinion were
weak, he would never tarnish them even though he didn’t agree with them. There
are many examples of this, and from the best of these is the story that Imaam
Ahmad narrated about Haatim al-Asam [may Allaah have mercy on him].
Once a man asked him, "Oh Haatim, you are a
non-Arab so your Arabic is not so eloquent, so if a person differs in their
opinion with you and often people seek to waver in your opinion, so how are you
so overpowering in explaining your point?”
He replied, “By three things; I rejoice when the
person who has a different opinion to me is correct, I am disappointed in
myself if I make a mistake and lastly, I protect my tongue in talking about the
one who differs in my opinion in mentioning him in a bad manner (i.e. all of
these are examples in sincerity to the truth).”
Imaam Ahmad said in describing Haatim, “How
intelligent was Haatim?[2]”
Based on all of this, refuting, rectifying weak
opinions and explaining the truth with clear evidences from the texts of the
Sharee’ah is not something prohibited or disliked with the scholars. Rather, it
is a recommended action and it and the seeker of good are both commended[3].
Rectifying opinions and clarifying mistakes does not always
fall under the prohibited act of backbiting. If a mistake has been made but the
one who seeks to rectify the mistake, with the sincere intention to explain the
facts and rid the people of mistakes in order for the truth to prevail, then
there is no prohibition in this action. Whether the one who initially made the
mistake is pleased with the rectification or not, clarifying mistakes is an
obligation on the Muslim. The Muslim is someone who loves the truth to become
apparent to fellow Muslims, regardless of whether people being pleased with it
or not.
The one with this intention falls under the Hadeeth of
being sincere to Allaah, His Book, His Messenger, His Religion, the scholars of
the Muslims and their general folk. This is the very essence of the religion as
the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] explained[4].[5]
[3] After mentioning the example of ‘Umar al-Khattaab [may
Allaah be Pleased with him], the author gives further examples for those who
came in generations after him who were also esteemed in their rank. Despite
this, they were prone to error but their reference was the Book and the Sunnah,
and this is what they supported to propagate. Nobody is perfect and everyone
has their opinions and statements either accepted or rejected, because infallibility
is only for Allaah and His Messenger. In fact, the statement of Shaafi’ee here
exemplifies the level of rejoice he would find when people were guided to the
truth, even if it conflicted with the opinion that he held. All of these
statements teach us the following points:
-The humility of the scholars that they have in front of Allaah, the
Glorified and the Exalted.
-All goodness is in being guided to the truth and following it.
-Knowledge can appear after it was hidden to some of those before them.
-The Muslim loves that his brother is Guided and Assisted by Allaah, the
Most High.
This is a summary of the attitude and sound methodology of the Salaf -
even if their brother made a mistake, they wished for him to be guided to the
truth. If he disagreed with them, then none are free from mistake. They were
saddened by mistakes and rejoiced at correctness, but despite this, their tongues
would not let them get the better of them. They were happy when their brother
is happy and sad with whatever saddens him, because “The believers to one
another are like a building which supports each other.” [Reported by
al-Bukhaaree (6026) and Muslim (2585)]
Here we have an example in Imaam Ahmad [may Allaah have Mercy on him]
who rejoiced when Aboo Haatim was correct exemplifying his level of sincerity
to him as a brother. Haatim did not get angry out of jealously towards him,
rather he was positive in regards to his opponent.
[4] It is reported in Saheeh
Muslim (55) on the authority of Tameem ad-Daaree [may Allaah be Pleased with
him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “The
religion is sincerity, the religion is sincerity, the religion is sincerity.”
The Companions asked, “To whom, oh Messenger of Allaah?” He [Peace and
Blessings of Allaah be upon him] replied, “To Allaah, His Book, His Messenger,
to the scholars and rulers of the Muslims and their general folk.”
[5] This paragraph is extremely important; what he is saying
is that explaining the truth, refuting innovations and misunderstanding, was
something that the scholars have never opposed; even if it was them at the
receiving end! It is a must that we clarify the truth and expose mistakes
however this is only the condition that the persons intent is not to defame and
insult the one who has made the mistake. So it is upon us to advise the one who
has made the mistake and point out his misunderstanding with proper etiquette.
If one is to insult the one who made the mistake and spread his faults and
defame him in public, this will only be counter-productive. As stated in the
Hadeeth of Saheeh Muslim above, it is obligatory for us to explain the truth as
this is a form of sincerity to the religion and the Muslims.
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