What is the ruling on declaring a group of the imams of Ahl al-Sunnah, such as "al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar" and others, to be innovators, on the pretext that they erred in creed?
Every human being errs and is correct; their correct opinions are accepted, and their errors are discarded. This does not exclude them from the Salafi creed if they are known to follow the Salaf. An error is anything that contradicts the legal evidence, such as the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Therefore, Imam Malik said, "There is none among us but his words may be accepted or rejected, except for the occupant of this grave" (meaning the Prophet, peace be upon him). It is obligatory to follow the truth and abandon whatever contradicts it, in accordance with His, the Almighty's, saying: (And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from) and His saying: (And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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