What is the repentance for one who has spoken against preachers, sheikhs, or scholars and regrets it, taking into account the attempt to retract the statements and the remorse for them? Is silence permissible or obligatory regarding preachers who propagate falsehood? And what is the difference between preachers who are to be repudiated and those who are repudiated entirely?

Backbiting is a major sin, and it becomes even more serious when committed against people of knowledge and virtue. However, there are exceptions where backbiting is permissible, such as warning against innovators (Ahl al-Bid'ah) to the extent that it achieves sincere advice for Muslims.

Al-Nawawi, Ibn Taymiyyah, and al-Qarafi all mentioned the permissibility of backbiting an innovator to warn others against them. They emphasized the necessity of intending sincere advice, avoiding slander, and considering this act as part of enjoining good and forbidding evil.

Innovations vary in their severity, and they must be dealt with appropriately. Some require guidance and education, some necessitate boycotting, and some require mentioning the innovation to warn others against it.

There are principles for managing interaction with those who have fallen into innovation, including: excusing righteous people if they fall into an innovation due to ijtihad (independent reasoning), not deeming a diligent mujtahid who errs as sinful or an apostate, rebuking the innovator while observing proper etiquette, and not showing enmity towards someone who has fallen into an innovation unless it is widespread and grave.

Warning against innovators must be limited to those who are qualified in knowledge, understanding, and fairness. Whoever is in doubt must refrain.