Table of Contents
The Shaykh (حفظه الله) was asked:[1]
Is it from the manhaj of the Salaf that when I criticise an Innovator so that the people may take caution against him, that it is obligatory upon me to mention is good points so that I do not be unjust to him?
He (رحمه الله) replied:
No… no it is not obligatory when you warn against an innovation or when you mention the innovation and warn against it. This is what is demanded (i.e. warning), but it is not binding that you bring together the good points alongside the bad points. It is only required from a person that he mentions the innovation and warns against it so that others are not deceived by it.
Note:
One should note that there are those who obligate the mention of the good points of one who has deviation and innovation, and they are the ones who initially laid down this innovation of al-Muwāzanah in order to defend their ideological figureheads.
Then others came who began to say that one is permitted or at liberty to mention the good points (when refuting and warning against an individual) from the angle of the maṣāliḥ, meaning, in observation of any beneficial interests, or needs that arise.
But none of the people of knowledge have said this, as they are precise in their speech and distinguish between various scenarios. Hence, this becomes a stepping stone into further confusion, error and misguidance.
Thus, this notion of the maṣāliḥ—observation of beneficial interests—such as making it more palatable to the audience, for them to accept the criticism by acknowleding the good points of the one being refuted, was something entered afterwards, after the Major Scholars demolished this innovation.
Further, we have to distinguish between these so-called maṣāliḥ and between the use of wisdom (ḥikmah).
Yes, we have to speak and call in a way in which our speech is more likely to be accepted by those being addressed, which can include gentleness and care in speech, but this does not include praising the one being refuted or mentioning his good points.
Rather, it is better and more correct that one explains this principle to the people being addressed, namely that we are not obligated or required to mention the good of people with errors, deviation and misguidance, and their good is between them and Allāh, and that we want to warn you and protect you from their errors and being confused and deceived by them.