Muftī Ismail Moosa (may Allāh Ta’ālā preserve him)

Many people incorrectly latch onto the concept of ‘Tajrīḥ’ (criticizing a narrator) and use this as a license to condemn any scholar who holds a different view from theirs. Little do they realise that:

• A person had to be an Imām in order to comment on another narrator. Therefore, from the galaxy of narrators, there are only a few scholars who delved into this.
• Many of these Imāms feared that they should not be backbiting or slandering. They passed comments which show the great fear that they had to actually do this.
• There are stringent conditions and strict principles for judging another person.

The devil exploits this incorrect understand and makes some students feel that it is their responsibility and obligation to defend this Dīn (religion). Therefore, they have to refute the scholar.

Because they have no experience, nor have they worked on their Iṣlāḥ wa Tazkiyyah an-Nafs (rectification), they end up causing more harm, by:

• Dividing the Ummah
• Spreading misinformation
• Backbiting and slandering
• Making the public lose confidence in scholars

A few guidelines for objecting have been mentioned. In shā Allāh, if these points are considered, it will protect one from harming the Dīn, under the pretext that they are ‘defending the Dīn’.

Guidelines

Before objecting, refuting, or writing a rebuttal against any scholar, ensure the following:

1) Understand the viewpoint of that scholar properly. It is best to discuss the issue with him directly. Besides just his viewpoint, understand the context that he mentioned his view.

2) Read, research and study extensively until you are convinced that the scholar is really incorrect, and does not have any basis for his claim.

3) Consult other scholars, talk to elders, and deliberate about the ruling with teachers on the issue at hand.

4) Once you fully understood the entire ruling, confirm again with your teachers and elders whether there is a need to refute.

5) Make Istikhārah on whether you should make a public objection.

6) Examine your intentions and make sure you are doing it only for Allāh, with no other motive or objective at all. Introspect and check your Nafs (ego). Be honest to yourself and think whether you would have refuted if it was a friend or someone from your own circles?

7) Make Du’ā for that scholar by name, especially at the time of Tahajjud and after Ṣalāh.

8) Choose your words properly. Write as if you are refuting an elder of yours.

9) Let an elder read through your refutation before making it public.

10)  Make lots of Tawbah and Istighfār after you sent out your objection. It should not be because of incorrectly criticizing another scholar, a person destroys his Ākirah.

The summary is: Do it for Allāh and fear Allāh.