Warning Away Deviants/Jarh : Hamza Yusuf

Warning Away Deviants/Jarh wa Ta'dil: Hamza Yusuf It is permissible to point out mistakes in a Muslim openly under certain conditions. Imam nawawi writes in his book "Guarding the tongue" the following, "Warning and Advising the Muslims against Evil - There are several perspectives to this, of which one is: Declaring someone unreliable in the field of narrating hadeeth and giving testimony. This is permissible to do, according to the Ijmaa' (consensus of the Muslim scholars). Rather, it becomes obligatory due to its necessity." Imam Nawari also writes that it is permissible "When one openly exposes his acts of evil or his innovation - An example of this is when someone has openly exposed his consumption of alcohol, or his illegal confiscation of people's money and raising of their taxes unjustly and his usurping command wrongfully. It is thus permissible for one to talk about what that individual has made public. But it is forbidden to mention any of his other defects, unless they fall under one of the categories, which we have mentioned that backbiting is permissible." ===================== Alî b. Abî Khâlid -- Allâh have mercy on him -- reports: I once said to Ahmad, "This shaykh -- referring to an older man who was with us -- is my neighbor. I told him not to keep the company of a certain person, and he would like to hear what you have to say about him: I am referring to Hârith Al-Qasîr (Al-Hârith Al-Muhâsibî). Many years ago, you saw me with him and told me not to sit with him nor speak with him. I have not spoken to him since that time. This shaykh, however, does sit with him. So what do you say?" I saw Ahmad go red with anger, his eyes bulging; I had never before seen him like this. He started to say, "Him! May Allâh do such-and-such to him! Only those well-informed of him know what he really is, only those who really know him know what he is. Al-Mughâzilî, Ya'qûb and so-and-so sat with him, and he caused them to adopt the views of Jahm (Ibn Safwân, leader of the Jahmites). They were destroyed because of him." The old man said, "But Abû 'Abdillâh, he reports hadîth, and he is mild and humble; he has done such-and-such [good works]." Abû 'Abdillâh (Imâm Ahmad) became angry and began repeating, "Let not his humility and softness deceive you". He also said, "Do not be fooled by his bowed head, he is an evil man; only those well-informed of him through experience know him. Do not speak to him -- with all disrespect to him. Are you going to sit with everyone who narrates from Allâh's Messenger -- may the praise and peace of Allâh be upon him -- though he be a heretic (mubtadi')? No, with all disrespect." Tabaqât Al-Hanâbilah, article 325.