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."[1]
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?”[2] 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)
[1] Soorah al-A’raaf: 33
[2] Soorah az-Zumar: 32
[3] Translator’s note: When ash-Sha’bee
(may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about something then he said, ‘I do
not know.’ Then it was said to him: “Do you not feel shy to say I do not know
given the fact that you are the scholar of the people of Iraq? He replied: “But
the angel did not feel shy when they said: ‘Exalted
are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us.’” Recorded by Ibn
Abdul-Barr in Jaami’ Bayaan al-‘Ilm (2/51)
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