The source and origin of a scholar’s misguidance is to say things about Allaah without knowledge. Saying things about Allaah without knowledge is greater than shirk. As such, Allaah the Exalted said: “Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allaah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allaah that which you do not know." [Soorah al-A’raaf: 33]
In the above verse, He (Allaah) placed saying things about Allaah higher than associating partner in worship with Allaah. Therefore, it is not permissible for anyone to say anything about Allaah without knowledge such as saying: Allaah has forbidden such and such [whereas He has not forbidden it] or Allaah has permitted such and such [whereas He has not permitted it] or Allaah has legislated such and such whereas such a thing is not legislated. This is what is considered saying things about Allaah without knowledge and refuge is sought with Allaah.
[Another example is when] a person issues a verdict without knowledge; rather he lies. This is very dangerous as it constitutes inventing lie against Allaah the Exalted. “So who is more unjust than one who lies about Allaah and denies the truth when it has come to him? Is there not in Hell a residence for the disbelievers?” [Soorah Az-Zumar: 32] Hence it is not permissible to say things about Allaah without knowledge. Whenever the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked about something, which revelation has not been revealed to him, he would delay the response till revelation is revealed to him from Allaah. So how about others other than him? So many things are hidden from a scholar. If you do not possess clarity and proof from the Qur’aan and Sunnah regarding an issue and say, ‘I do not know’;[3] such will not decrease anything from your knowledge or worth. Rather, it will increase your worth in Allaah’s sight.
Imaam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about forty issues and he gave answers to some of them but he said I do not know in response to most of the questions. Then the questioner said to him: I came to you from a distant land and endured the journey and you said, ‘I do not know.’ Thereupon, Imaam Maalik said to him: ‘Embark your riding camel and go back to the land you came from and say to the people: ‘I asked Imaam Maalik some questions and he responded by saying, I do not know.’ This was the manner of the people of knowledge and those who have the fear of Allaah the Exalted.
The same applies to authorship. A person should not write a book if he does not possess the competence to write the book. Would that we were saved from many [deviant] books and treatises and nothing is left except authentic books that are in conformity with the Qur’aan and Sunnah. The problem is that these books and treatises will remain and mislead generations after your demise and you will be held responsible for them. A person should fear Allaah in his fatwa, writing, speech, discussion and lecture; he should not say anything except that which he thinks is most likely the correct thing and in conformity with the Qur’aan and Sunnah.
Source: Sharh Masaa’il
al-Jaahiliyah, pp. 285-286 by Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan (may Allaah
preserve him). Translated by Abdus-Samee’ Abdus-Salaam.
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