Question: Noble Sheikh, a Daee (Caller) makes a mistake in an affair from the affairs of minhaj (methodology) or aqeedah (creed) and this mistake has been spread either by writings that he wrote or by a tape that has been spread amongst the people; so what is the method for advising someone who has fallen into a mistake like this? And what if the one who errors remains upon his error and refuses to take the advice of the advisers, so then is it permissible for the one who knows the error from what is correct and the truth from the falsehood to make clear the condition of this man to the people, and to make clear his mistakes so they can beware of him? Or would this method be in opposition to the way of the pious predecessors? May Allah have mercy upon them, please benefit us and may you be rewarded.
Sheikh Ahmad An Najmee:
All praises belong to Allah may the peace and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and his companions; as to what follows.
Firstly: You instill fear into him of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, and you advise him a secret advice. Then you repeat the advice a second time, and a third time. And if he refuses to take the advice and he persists upon what he is upon then after that he is treated like an innovator would be treated; that is if he acknowledges being upon this minhaj mistake.
But if he denies this and swears that he did not know that and that he does not hold that belief, then in this case you turn away from him and leave him alone and his affair is with Allah.
But if he refuses to take advice and that which he is accused of is apparent upon him and obvious, then in this case his affair is made clear to the students of knowledge so that they will know his condition.
And it is possible that making clear the condition of the likes of these individuals will become obligatory, a specific obligation upon the one who knows the condition of the person.
And there are narrations of the Salafi which have been transmitted that make clear the obligation of showing sternness with this type of person; and success is with Allah.
rasheed.b
17-11-2008 @ 2:03 AM
