Watering Down of Jarḥ by Dismantling the Principles Set by the Salaf (Part 7)
19 April 2025 • 989 views
Sheikh Abdulḥamīd Az-Zu'kari hafidahullāh wrote:
[From the innovated principles is] Their Saying:
«كلام الأقران يطوى ولا يروى»
"The Criticism of Peers is to Be Folded and Not Narrated"
This phrase was said by Adh-Dhahabī, may Allāh have mercy on him, as he mentioned in Siyar A‘lām An-Nubalā’ (10/94):
«كلام الأقران إذا تبرهن لنا بهوى وبعصبيَّة لا يلتفت إليه بل يطوى ولا يروى»
"The words of peers, when proven to be motivated by bias or partisanship, should not be paid attention to; rather, they should be folded and not narrated."
And he also said in Mīzān Al-I‘tidāl (1/111):
«قلت: كلام الأقران بعضهم في بعض لا يعبأ به، لا سيما إذا لاح لك أنه لعداوة أو لمذهب أو لحسد، ما ينجو منه إلا من عصم الله، وما علمت أن عصرًا من الأعصار سلم أهله من ذالك، سوى الأنبياء والصدقين والصديقين، ولو شئت لسردت من ذلك كراريس، اللهم فلا تجعل في قلوبنا غلا للذين آمنوا ربنا إنك رءوف رحيم».
I said: "The words of peers about each other are not to be taken seriously, especially when it appears that they are driven by enmity, ideology, or envy. Only those whom Allah has protected are safe from this, and I am unaware of any era in which its people were free from such issues, except for the prophets, the truthful, and the righteous. If I wished, I could list many such instances. O Allah, do not place in our hearts any ill-will towards those who have believed. Our Lord, You are Most Compassionate, Most Merciful." [end of quote]
What he meant, as clarified by his own words, "if it is proven to be due to bias and partisanship," is that if someone's words show disdain for others, not based on religious matters but for personal gain or other reasons, then their words are not accepted. As is well-known, the conditions for both the one who criticises (mujarrih) and the one who praises (mu‘addil) are that they must be people of piety and righteousness.
However, regarding the rejection of the criticism from peers in general, the Salaf never held such a position. To claim that criticism from peers should never be accepted would lead to the loss of the religion, the emergence of innovations, and the rise of their proponents, as the criticism of their peers would be disregarded.
In reality, a person is most appropriately criticised by those who know them well and have associated with them, so be attentive to this.
[التمييع...فتنة العصر ١/٣٠٨]