Question:
If we mention the condition of a innovator, is it required that we also mention the good he has with him?
Answer:
That which is sought for legislatively is to clarify the condition of the opposer’s. Allah the Most High said:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ
And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail, that the way of the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners), may become manifest.
And the Most High said:
وَلَا تُجَادِلْ عَنِ الَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا
And argue not on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Verily, Allah does not like anyone who is a betrayer of his trust, and indulges in crime.
Thus, if we warn of evil from a person of evil, then this is beneficial enough for the people as a warning from his evil. As for to defend him by mentioning things like he prays, he fasts, or he does this or that…then this is an error and deceiving (others) by way of him.
This is a modern day innovation.
Furthermore, if you notice that someone has mentioned the good and bad affairs of someone then this is context of narrating their general biography, and not from the same angle as criticizing and warning.
Answered by: Shaykh, the Allamah, the Trustworthy Advisor, Abu Abdirrahman Yahya bin Ali Al-Hajuri – may Allah preserve him
Source: https://t.me/Nasih_amin/40
Translated by: Abu Mālik Nāsir bin Rāshid Al-Ma’mary