VERIFICATION
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan - hafidahullaah
- relates:
"Allaah - the Majestic, the Most High -
orders us to verify any news that reaches us concerning a group or party from
amongst the Muslims, when an evil news reaches us which necessitates fighting
or opposing this group. Allaah - the Mighty, the Most High - orders us not be
hasty and rush into this affair, until we have verified the matter. Allaah -
the Most Perfect - said:
"O you who
believe! When a wicked person comes to you with some news, ascertain and verify
it, less you harm someone in ignorance and then afterwards regret for what you
have done." [Soorah al-Hujuraat 49:6]
Meaning: If
some news reaches you about a group or party from amongst the people,
concerning an action that they have done and which deserves to be fought
against, then do not be hasty about the matter, nor announce war against them,
nor attack them - until you have verified the authenticity of the report."[1]
Imaam Muslim
relates in his Saheeh (no.5): Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu 'anhu
relates that the Prophet sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:
"It is
enough to render a man a liar that he relates everything he hears."
Shaykh 'Alee Hasan al-Halabee said: "The daa'ee (caller) must be careful in everything, particularly with regards to what he hears from people, or what he reads in books. So it is an obligation upon him to check and verify everything which reaches his ears or eyes, before spreading it and circulating it amongst the people. His carefulness will be increased with regards two cases: Firstly, when what is being conveyed to him is connected to the Deen and the Sharee'ah, such as something being quoted as a hadeeth, or a fiqh ruling, and its like. Secondly, If someone reports something bad about a person, or an evil word from someone. He must check it correctness, carefully find out the reality and what is correct, and not hasten to transmit it and add it to the stream of news!"[2]