#Misconception that one should not write or speak about deviations: Ibn Taymeeyah رحمه الله writes, When some people mentioned to Imaam Ahmad ibn Hambal رحمه الله that they felt uneasy about criticizing people, he replied, ‘If I were to remain silent, how would the ignorant masses know truth from falsehood?’ Those who introduce heretical writings and deviant religious rites contrary to Quraan and Sunnah have to be exposed and the Muslim nation warned against them, according to the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars. In fact, when Ahmad ibn Hambal was asked if one who fasted, prayed and secluded himself in the masjid was dearer to Him than one who spoke out against people involved in deviations, he replied, ‘When he fasts, prays and secludes himself, he does so for himself alone, but if he speaks out against deviations, he does so for Muslims in general which is more noble’. Hence it is clear that openly opposing innovation and deviation is of general benefit to Muslims in the practice of their religion . Purification of Allaah’s religion and the repulsion of attacks against it is a general obligation (Fard Kifaayah) on Muslims by unanimous agreement. For, if Allaah did not raise up some people to oppose the corruption preached by heretics, the religious would surely become distorted and deviant. The corruption of divinely revealed religion is far more terrible than the corruption resulting from the military conquest of kuffar over Muslims. For, when kuffar overpower Muslims, they are not able to corrupt the hearts of Muslims or their religion, except after some time, whereas, heretics corrupt the hearts from the very outset. [Majmoo`ah ar-Rasaa’il wa al-Masaa’il, 4/110 ]
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 16:40:25 +0000