The questioner says: Has the practice (sunnah) of Jarḥ wa Ta’dīl (appraisal and disparagment of statements and individuals) died, and what is the ruling on refu

Sheikh ’Uthaymīn raḥimahullāh says: I fear that this is a statement of truth, but what is intended by it is false. Jarḥ wa Ta’dīl is not dead, nor is it buried, nor has it fallen ill - all praise be to Allāh. It is still standing! Jarḥ wa Ta’dīl is applicable when witnesses give testimonies in front of the judge; they may disparage their adversary so evidence is requested from them. It also applies with regards to narrations. And we have just heard our Imām reciting the statement of Allah ﷻ: { یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوۤا۟ إِن جَاۤءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإࣲ فَتَبَیَّنُوۤا۟ } “O you who have believed, if a sinner comes to you with news, then verify (it).” [Sūrah Al-Ḥujurāt: 6] So Jarḥ wa Ta’dīl will exist as long as humankind continues to exist. As long as the humankind exists, Jarh wat ta'deel will exist. But I fear someone will say, 'this individual is disparaged (Majrooh)' and the case is not so, thus he exploits this fatwa to spread people's faults. That is why I say, if someone has a fault, and there is a benefit, need, or necessity which dictates clarifying that, then there is nothing wrong with that. There is nothing wrong with clarifying it. But it is better to say, 'some people do such and such', 'some people say such and such' (without naming them), due to two reasons: ● The first reason is to avoid the issue of having to specify. ● The second reason is so that the ruling is inclusive of him and others (similar to him). Unless we see a specific individual whom the people have been trialled with, and he calls to innovation or misguidance, then he has to be named so people are not deceived by him.