Question:-
What is the ruling on name calling and labeling (especially towards the Ulama and others in general?)
Answer:-
It is important that one maintains Adab and respect for every Alim of Deen and every human being in general. It is dangerous to criticize and humiliate the Ulama without a valid reason as these are the custodians of the Shariah and the heirs of Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam[1]. Yes, if one has some concerns then it should be raised in a respectable and appropriate manner whereby the honour and reputation of the opposite party is not tarnished in anyway.
Hadrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Sahib Rahimahullah states in his Ma’ariful Quraan under the verse:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌۭ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَآءٌۭ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا۟ بِٱلْأَلْقَـٰبِ ۖ بِئْسَ ٱلِٱسْمُ ٱلْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ ٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
O you who believe, Men should not mock at other men for perchance they (those mocked at) may be better than them (those who mock.) Neither should any women mock other women, perchance they (the mocked ones) may be better than them (those who mock.) Never find faults with yourselves (with other Muslims) and do not call each other (by derogatory and insulting) names. The name of sin (to be referred to as a person who commits a particular sin) after (he has accepted) Imaan is indeed evil. Those who do not repent are indeed oppressors (of their own selves because they will be subjecting themselves to punishment.)
Sayyiduna Ibn-‘Abbas states that calling others with derogatory names means that if a person committed a sin or performed an evil deed from which he repented and mended his ways, then it is Haraam for anyone to call him by denigrating names, such as a thief, an adulterer, a drunkard or any such name.
Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said: “Anyone who denigrates a Muslim who has committed a sin for which he has repented, then Allah takes it upon Himself that He will get the person to commit the very same sin and humiliate him in this world and in the Hereafter. (Narrated by Qurtubi)
[Re: Ma’ariful Quraan Vol:8 Pg:117]
Notwithstanding the above, if an Alim or a group of Ulama are involved impermissible practices or involved in leading people astray then it is the duty of the remainder to caution and warn the masses of these wrongs. If they fail to warn the public then they have failed their duty of prohibiting from evil. The Hadith Sharif states that when wrong is openly perpertrated and the Ulama do not stop the wrong inspite of having the ability to do so, then soon the punishment of Allah Ta’ala will engulf the people, the righteous and the general people. Another narration states that people of my Ummat will emerge from their graves in the form of monkeys and swine due to compromising with the people of sin. They kept silent from their wrongs whilst having the ability (of preventing them from their wrongs.) This indicates that the Ulama should always stand for the truth. The Quraan Sharif states, “O you who have Imaan! Be firm in establishing justice and be witness (to the truth) for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents and relatives….” [Re:- Verse 135; Surah Nisa]
In conclusion, respect of the Ulama should be always maintained. However, there is no compromise in matters of Deen, thus if a group of Ulama deviate from the correct path or engage in impermissible practices then they should be exposed and prevented from their wrongs. Also, it these wrongs were perpetrated publicly, then a public repentance and retraction is necessary else such Ulama are a danger and threat to society and not worthy of being followed.
وَأخرج الْخَطِيب فِي رُوَاة مَالك من طَرِيق أبي سَلمَة عَن أَبِيه عَن النَّبِي صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَالَ إِن الله لايعذب الْعَامَّة بِعَمَل الْخَاصَّة حَتَّى يرَوا الْمُنكر بَين ظهرانيهم وهم قادرون على أَن ينكروه فَلَا ينكرونه فَإِذا فعلوا ذَلِك عذب الله الْخَاصَّة والعامة
وَأخرج الْخَطِيب فِي رُوَاة مَالك من طَرِيق أبي سَلمَة عَن أَبِيه عَن النَّبِي صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَالَ وَالَّذِي نفس مُحَمَّد بِيَدِهِ ليخرجن من أمتِي اناس من قُبُورهم فِي صُورَة القردة والخنازير داهنوا أهل الْمعاصِي سكتوا عَن نهيهم وهم يَسْتَطِيعُونَ (الدر المنثور ص127 ج3)
[1] إنَّ العلماءَ ورثةُ الأنبياءِ وإنَّ الأنبياءَ لم يُورِّثوا دينارًا إنما وَرَّثوا علم (رواه أبوداود والترمذي)ً
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date: 26 Jumadal Ukhra 1445 / 09 January 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
