Back to search
The question

Is it permissible to expose the deviance of one who sells his religion for worldly gain and issues fatwas that contradict Sharia, and is that considered backbiting, and is his testimony acceptable, and does his deeming lawful or unlawful what Allah has forbidden make him an apostate if he believes the opposite of what he says?

Share this answer

Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

It is forbidden to accuse a Muslim of having sold his religion for worldly gain without decisive proof, especially if he is a student of sacred knowledge. The default assumption for Muslims is soundness, and the (issuer of religious edicts) may be an excusable mujtahid (one who exercises independent judgment). One must verify before slandering anyone, but clarifying an error, if it is confirmed, is important. Criticism must be conducted with politeness and respect. If a scholar conceals the truth and issues a (religious edict) based on falsehood, he is in grave danger. Ibn al-Qayyim described the consequence for one who conceals the truth and issues a fatwa contrary to it as the eradication of the blessings of his knowledge, his religion, and his worldly life, and that Allah will clothe him in the garment of disgrace, contempt, and shame. As for one who errs in his fatwa due to interpretation or following someone whose تقليد (emulation) is permissible, there is no sin upon him.

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

Read the full answer on Ftawy
Where this answer came from
Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
114024
Added here
. This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full ruling
Read the full answer on Ftawy