A Tip about Verifying Information

[Abu.Adam.Jameel]

Bismillah:

Before the reader is a specific question that was posed to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, pertaining to verifying information.

This question and answer is presented in Dr. Ahmad Baazmool’s book: “Protection for the Salafee” (1) under the chapter heading: “The False Principle of Rejecting the Reports of the Trustworthy and Trying to Cast Doubt in Them.” (2)

This is an issue (i.e verifying the reports of the trustworthy) that Shaykh Ahmad, may Allah preserve him, has debated and refuted Ali Hasan al-Halabee about.

Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen [d. 1421 AH], may Allah have mercy on him, was asked:

Question:

Some callers to Allah accuse another caller to Allah [of things], and when he (i.e. the accuser) is questioned about his accusation, he says: 'A person well known for his knowledge and uprightness informed me [about what I have accused him with].'

However, it may be said to him (i.e. the accuser): 'Verify your information.' In turn, he (i.e. the accuser) replies: 'Verification is [reserved] for the reports of a disobedient person.' What is your opinion [about this situation, Shaykh]?

Answer:

The position of the accuser is correct. If a trustworthy individual informs you of any news, there is no need to verify it. This is because Allah, The Most High, said: ‘O you who believe! If a faasiq (liar, evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it...’ [Surah al-Hujuraat (49): 26] (3)

However, [even with that being said], it is possible that a trustworthy person has desires with him. So, because of those desires, the degree of his trustworthiness lessens.

Translated by:
Abu Adam Jameel Finch
9th of Shawwaal, 1432/September 7th, 2011

__________

(1) Pp. 281-282

(2) [TN]: Accepting the reports of a trustworthy individual seems to be principle that is sensible and overwhelmingly accepted. However, it seems that it becomes an issue when personalities are criticized, then, accepting information of the trustworthy becomes questionable. And Allah knows best.

(3) Imaam as-S’adee [d. 1376 AH], said: “...In this verse is a proof that the news of a truthful, upright individual is accepted and the news of a lying, evil person is rejected, [until verified]...” - See Tafseer as-S'adee.