"…as well as those of whom the Muslims have agreed upon their guidance, knowledge, respect and reverence. And what each of them contradicted (of the Sunnah) from these (Fiqh) issues did not cause any of these scholars to be defamed or to be represented as a defect on their part. The books of the Muslim scholars from past and present, such as the books of Ash-Shaafi'ee, Ishaaq, Abu 'Ubaid, Abu Thawr and those scholars that came after them, are filled with the exposition of these writings and claims that these writings do not have too much benefit in them. And if we were to mention that in words, this discussion would be severely prolonged.

As for if the objective of the one refuting is to expose the faults of the one he is refuting and to debase him and to manifest his ignorance and shortness of knowledge, then this is forbidden, regardless if his refutation of that is done in the face of the one being refuted or in his absence. And it is the same whether the refutation is done during that individual's lifetime or after his death. This type of action falls under the acts which Allaah repudiates in His Book and which He threatens the one committing it, concerning his slander and backbiting. Similarly, it falls into the statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam): 'O you group of people that believe with your tongues and not with your hearts! Do not abuse the Muslims no seek after their faults. For indeed, he who seeks after their faults, Allaah will seek after his faults. And whomsoever has Allaah seek after his faults, He will expose them, even if he may have committed them in the privacy of his own home.'

All of this is in respect to the scholars that are followed in the Religion. As for the people of innovation and misguidance and those who imitate the scholars but are not from them, then it is permissible to expose their ignorance and to manifest their deficiencies, in order to warn others against following them. However, our discussion now is not concerning this topic and Allaah knows best." [29]

Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab (ra) also said:

"Ibn Abee Ad-Duniyaa said: Abu Saalih Al-Marwazee informed us that I heard Raafi' Ibn Ashras said: 'It used to be said: From the punishment of the liar is that his credibility is not accepted.' And I say that from the punishment of the evil sinning innovator is that his good qualities are not mentioned." [30]

Al-Kankawhee (ra) said:

"Verily, it is not befitting for the scholars to accept anything from the innovator. Nor is it befitting that they leave the people to ask them or to gather with them. So if the state of affairs is that way, no one will speak about him, his remembrance will die out and his call will not prevail. Thus, it is well known that it is permissible, rather, obligatory upon the scholars to expose his defects to the people and forbid them from taking and accepting anything from them." [31]

Today, the enemies of the Sunnah and Tawheed are capitalizing on pamphlets and cassettes of some individuals that attribute themselves to the Sunnah and Tawheed. These pamphlets and tapes are based on abusing and defaming the scholars and true callers to the Sunnah and Tawheed. Rather, what is worse in terms of danger and affliction is that these pamphlets and tapes are influencing many of the youth of this Tawheed and Sunnah! Thus, they direct their literary attacks and wrongful accusations at the scholars of Tawheed and the Sunnah and those who carry their banner and protect their sanctity. And what is worse than that in misfortune and grief, is that they attach themselves and stick with the people of innovations and misguidance in their campaign of launching poisonous missiles at them – those which the enemies of the Sunnah and Tawheed have been preparing as the ultimate attack to finish off the last remnants of the Sunnah and Tawheed. Indeed, to Allaah do we belong and indeed it is to Him that we will return!

So look carefully my brother and consider! What was the stance that Imaam Ahmad and those behind him from the Ahl-us-Sunnah took against the book Al-Mudalliseen of Al-Karaabeesee. And perhaps this book is thousands of times better and thousands of times less dangerous than the books of the people of innovations and misguidance, which the youth of Islaam defend today!! Indeed, to Allaah do we belong and indeed it is to Him that we will return, many times over!