BENEFIT 370: Hiding behind mistaken Fatwas

Some may hide behind incorrect Fatwas issued by some Salafi scholars on certain matters, and then ask: Are these scholars therefore deviant innovators? This reflects a fundamental misunderstanding. These scholars are qualified for ijtihad, whereas those who stubbornly follow their errors are not. Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: "Indeed, a person may misinterpret religious matters and thus be pardoned for his misinterpretation if he is engaging in the type of ijtihad for which the one who errs is excused and even rewarded for his effort. However, it is not permissible to follow him in that error, just as it is impermissible to follow anyone whose statement or action contradicts what is known to be correct, even if that person is rewarded or excused for it." [Iqtiḍha’ As-Sirat Al-Mustaqeem li-Mukhalafat As-hab Al-Jaheem (2/84)] Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allāh have mercy on him) commented in his explanation: "This is an issue that some students of knowledge overlook. They argue, 'This person is a mujtahid, and if a mujtahid errs, he still receives a reward.' We respond: Yes, that applies to him. But for you, since it has become clear that his ijtihad is incorrect, you are obligated to oppose it. However, take note of the conditions: Ibn Taymiyyah specifies that the individual must engage in the type of ijtihad for which the one who errs is excused." Similarly, imam Ash-Shinqīṭī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: "Know that blind followers (muqallidūn) have been deceived by two assumptions, believing them to be true, while they are far from the truth. Their mistaken belief in these assumptions falls under the general meaning of Allāh’s statement: 'Indeed, assumption avails nothing against the truth.' [Surah An-Najm: 28], and the saying of the Prophet ﷺ: 'Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the most false of speech.' The first assumption is their belief that the imam they follow must have had complete knowledge of all the meanings of the Book of Allah, without missing any of them, and of the entire Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), without overlooking anything from it. The second assumption is that they believe they share the same excuse for error as their imam. The explanation of this is that they assume if their imam made an error in some rulings and they blindly followed him in that error, they would be excused for it just as he is and would receive the same reward, arguing that they are merely following him and thus should be treated as he is. However, this is an undeniably false and baseless assumption. This is because the imam they follow exerted great effort in studying the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger, and the statements and verdicts of the Companions. He devoted himself fully and did not fall short in his duty to learn divine revelation, act upon it, and obey Allah in light of the revealed guidance. Such a person is indeed deserving of being excused for his mistakes and rewarded for his ijtihad." [Aḍwā’ al-Bayān (3/6110)] Sheikh Fawzān (may Allāh preserve him) said: "However, if you say to a person who follows the truth, ‘You have erred; the evidence you relied upon is incorrect; you have made a mistake in understanding the Sunnah,’ he will accept it because his goal is the truth, not the defense of his own opinion. But if you say to someone, ‘You have erred in understanding the Sunnah and the evidence,’ and he becomes angry and reacts harshly, this is a sign of the people of desires. They seek to defend their own inclinations. On the other hand, the one who follows the truth seeks to uphold the truth and is always in search of it. Indeed, wisdom is the lost treasure of the believer—wherever he finds it, he takes it." [Sharḥ As-Sunnah by Al-Barbahārī, p. 56, First Edition, Dār Ibn Ḥazm]