Dealing with those who have Errors

Dealing with those who have Errors
Shaykh Ubayd ibn `Abdillaah al-Jaabiree
Reference: Audio tape
Category: Methodology
The Second Topic is in relation to the one who has made an error. Who is he? We are certain that the one who opposes the Sunnah is in error. We are certain that so and so is mistaken. For the prophet may peace and blessing be upon him, said to the one who did not perfect his salat
“…go back and pray for indeed you have not prayedâ€‌
Didn’t he draw his attention to the fact that he made a mistake in his salat? Didn’t he inform him three times while saying to him "go back and pray for indeed you have not prayed!" and the man did so until he said:
“I swear by the One Who sent you as a prophet with the truth, I can't do any better than this, so teach meâ€‌
So the Prophet taught him to the end of the Hadeeth, which is well known to everyone, even our small ones in grammar school know this Hadeeth and the praise is for Allaah.
With this I say; how do we deal with the one in error? Pay attention to this for there are some details involved in this topic.
The one in error is of two types and if you want to you can say that his is one of two circumstances.
He is either someone upon the Sunnah and his foot slipped. His intent was the truth but he was not given the tawfeeq (success). Firstly his error is to be refuted because of what we mentioned previously and I showed you all how the mistake was not accepted with Ahlus Sunnah and I will add here that the goal is refinement of the religion and purification of it from desirous innovations and sins.
Secondly he is not to be followed in his errors with the argument that he is a scholar. Rather he is like every other Mujtahid in search of the truth and his Ijtihaad does not make it ok for you to follow him nor the fact that he is foremost in virtue or the sublimity of his rank and status nor his leadership in the religion. He is nothing more than a Mujtahid who said the truth but if you follow him along with the fact that you know he is in error and you are aware of his opposition to the truth then you are a sinner for doing such. As for him, then as long as he is a Mujtahid searching for the truth then his error is refuted and he is rewarded for his ijtihaad and the messenger may peace and blessing be upon him said:
“If the scholar makes his own interpretive judgement and he is correct he gets two rewards and if he is wrong then he gets one.â€‌
You are ordered to worship Allaah by following the evidences established in the Qur'an and the Sunnah, this is the truth, and you have not been ordered to worship Him by following the ijtihaad of anyone. For the Ijtihaadaat of the people of Knowledge and the Imams are not infallible and as a result of this they should not be taken as a Manhaj. And because of this he is excused and is not to be defamed nor rebuked or censured. Nor should the people be chased away from him because of what Ahlus Sunnah know of his sublime rank and status, him being foremost in virtue and his leadership in the religion. The scholars have mentioned: “If everyone who has erred is defamed and rebuked there would be no one left.â€‌ And they make this clear in relation to those who are known to be from Ahlus Sunnah and their principals are from the Sunnah.
For how many scholars have made mistakes, outrageous mistakes in â€کAqeedah, the acts of Ibaadah, in their procedures in certain affairs and in their dealings with people, and along with this, we know those who are fair and impartial (towards them). The scholars refute their mistakes along with preservation of their honor and reputation.
For example Ibn Qudaamah Al Maqdasi the author of the book Luma’ tul I’tiqaad (Sufficiency in Creed) mentioned in a few places in his book At Tafweedh (none knows the meanings of the characteristics of Allaah except Him) in relation to the texts concerning the characteristics of Allaah. And His Eminence Shiekh Muhammad Ibn Ibrahim refuted him with a powerful refutation and clarified the truth in that affair along with preserving and safeguarding the honor of Ibn Qudaamah May Allaah have mercy on them all.
To be continued...
Translator: Shadeed Muhammad, Abu Az-Zubayr
Date Published: Saturday, 13 May 2006
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