In a talk given by al-Allaamah, Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, which is on cassette, titled "As'ilat al-Irlandiyyah" (Questions from Ireland), a man was presenting principles to the Shaikh from Adnaan Ar'oor and the Shaikh was replying to the baatil principles. One of the principles presented was:
"It is from justice (adl) and equity (insaaf) when giving advice (about innovations) and warning from innovations that we mention their (the perpetrators') good aspects alongside their bad aspects."
The Shaikh replied, in anger for the sake of the truth, "I say to you, No! …No! …No! … This is an error. Listen to me O man (Yaa Rajul)! Listen O man, when refuting it is not good that I mention the good points of the person. If I mention his good points while I am refuting, this weakens my refutation of him."
The questioner asked: "And this is so even if he is from Ahl us-Sunnah O our Shaikh?"
The Shaikh replied: "Whether from Ahl us-Sunnah or other than Ahl us-Sunnah… How can I refute him and then praise him. This is unintelligible."
(In another discussion on cassette titled "al-As'ilat as-Suwaidiyyah")
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen said, "…However, when you desire to refute his innovation, then it is not absolutely desirable that you mention his good points. For mentioning the good points while refuting him only weakens and impairs the refutation. The reader or the one being addressed will say, "In that case, this (i.e. good) counters that (i.e. the bad), and all praise is due to Allah". Hence, every situation requires a different type of speech. And therefore, evaluation and appraisal has its own circumstances and ruling and likewise refuting the falsehood has its own circumstances and ruling…"
Then the questioner said, "In that case, when one is explaining the errors or mistakes or innovations of a person in order to warn and give advice (to others), it is not necessary to employ the principle of al-Muwaazanah?"
The Shaikh replied, "No, it is not good or befitting as I have said to you. Since, if you mention his good points, the aspect of refuting his falsehood will become weak, and it is for this reason that we find the Scholars who refute the Ahl ul-Bid'ah and others do not mention their good points."
(Entire text from SPUBS publication titled A Reply to the Doubts of the Qutubiyyah Concerning Ascription to Sunnah and Salafiyyah Article ID : SLF010004 (p. 69-70)
via westlondondawah archive #688
