Is The Criticism By The Students Of Knowledge Considered Backbiting?

Question: Some of the students of knowledge direct their criticism at a group from amongst the callers to Allah who have erred pertaining to affairs of manhaj (methodology). Is this to be deemed to be backbiting or not?

al-‘Allāmah Shaikh Ahmad bin Yahyah an-Najmī [d.1429H] replied to this question saying: “It is mandatory that calling to Allāh be upon the methodology that was defined by Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) for His Prophets, as He (سبحانه و تعالى) said,

{و لقد بعثنا في كل امة رسلا ان اعبدوا الله واجتنبوا الطغوت فمنهم من هدى الله و منهم من حقت عليه الضللة فسيروا في الارض فانظروا كيف كان عقبة المكذبين}

“And verily, We have sent amongst every nation a Messenger proclaiming, ‘Worship Allāh Alone, and avoid all false deities.’ Then of them were some whom Allāh guided and of rem were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied the truth.” [Sūrah an-Nahl, 16:36

He set and established this methodology for His Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), who is the seal of the Messengers, He (سبحانه و تعالى) said,

{قل هذه سبيلى ادعوا إلى الله على بصيرة انا و من اتبعنى و سبحانه الله و ما انا من المشركين}

“Say (Oh Muhammad), ‘This is my way; I invite unto Allāh with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allāh) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allāh. And I am not of the polytheists.” [Surah Yusuf, 12:108]

So whoever comes with a methodology that opposes the methodology of the Messenger Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), and a way conflicting to the way of the Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم), end it is obligatory upon the scholars to clarify these errors and to clarify these mistakes and observations. Whoever does not clarify these mistakes and they have knowledge of this is a sinner — Oh Allāh! — unless this was clarified sufficiently by an adequate number of people. As this is something that is a command obligation. If some of the people fulfill this obligation, then the others are relinquished of this task. If the individual clarifying these affairs requires support and aid, then it is obligatory for everyone to support and assist him. Whoever claims that it is impermissible to speak about these individuals who adopt a methodology that opposes the methodology of the Messenger of Allāh and invent a way that is contrary to his way, whoever claims this is certainly a liar.

He seem intends by this to efface the enjoinment of good and forbiddance of evil, the clarification of the truth and cooperation upon righteousness and piety. If he does not intend this but he is blindly following one who did, and he has been fooled and deceived by him, then it is incumbent that he returns to the truth. He must abandon his statement that it is impermissible to criticize those who have erred in their methodology or in the way they give da’wah, for which there is a legislated path.

[al-Fatāwā al-Jaliyyah ‘an al-Manāhij ad-Da’awiyyah “The Precise Verdicts Regarding the Deviant Methodologies” Translation by Abū ‘Abdillah Hasan as-Somalī ©1434H/2013 C.E. Sunnah Publishing]

Other questions answered by Shaikh an-Najmi (رحمه الله):

• We request from your eminencethat you provideus with a biographical account of yourself?
• Why is meant by the word manhaj (methodology)?
• What is Salafiyyah & Who is their leader?
• What is your position about those who say it is unbefitting for the scholars to refute one another during these times, as this strengthens & empowers the enemies & splits the ranks?
• Some of the youth feel uncomfortable to say, “I am Salafee”. What is your advice about this?
• What is your advice to the beginning student of knowledge & what Salafee books & tapes do you recommend for them?
• Some people say you should take the good from a book or tape & you should leave the evil present, is this speech correct?
• & many more