(1) Either we say that their criticism and mere jarḥ, devoid of any mention of good traits, is based upon truth, justice, sincerity, knowledge, piety, fear of A

By affirming this view, the innovated and newly invented methodology of mandatory balancing between good and bad traits collapses entirely. Or (2) it must be said that their criticism—being devoid of any mention of good traits and focusing solely on faults—is based on injustice and oppression, and that their methodology is based on deception, ignorance, and a lack of piety and fear of the Lord of the worlds, and that it is far removed from the methodology of the Book and Sunnah, far from the just religion of Allāh, and far from the original foundations and principles of Islam. This would make them the most unjust of creation and furthest from fairness.” End quote. Shaykh Muqbil—may Allah have mercy on him—said in Tuḥfat Al-Mujīb (p. 166): “As for the issue of balancing between good and evil deeds—we do not accept it absolutely, nor do we reject it absolutely. However, when it comes to a Hizbi who calls to Hizbiyyah and spends vast sums of money in its service—we do not mention his good traits, not in the least." He also said: These people know they are discredited (majruh), so they want to conceal it. I say: A misguided innovator—his good traits are not to be mentioned, not in the least. And the same goes for the disbeliever. As for the one who loves goodness but erred in certain matters, then there is no harm in mentioning some of his virtues—for example, Abān ibn Abī ʿAyyāsh. Some of his contemporaries said: ‘When he narrates, he comes with severe mistakes,’ and yet he was known for virtue and worship. When one of his contemporaries was asked about him, he replied: ‘Mention what is good in him, but warn the people not to accept his narrations.’” End quote. And he said in Faḍā’iḥ wa Naṣā’iḥ* (p. 151): “Those whom we criticise say: ‘Mention the good and the bad’—so that it may serve as a means of promotion for them. We do not mention good and bad traits except in cases like Shaykh Ibn Bāz, Shaykh al-Albānī, Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Muḥsin al-ʿAbbād, Shaykh Rabīʿ ibn Hādī, and others. If any shortcomings occur from such noble scholars, we mention them along with the good they possess. But as for someone who is an innovator, arguing for innovation day and night—we do not mention for him a single virtue; by no means deserving of respect.” End quote. [التمييع...فتنة العصر ١/٣١٢]