AlSabuny reported in his sixth article as well as in some of his previous articles from ShaykhulIslam, Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah be merciful with him) that "Scholars are the Advocates of `UlumulDin (sciences of the religion) and AlAsha`irah are the Advocates of UsululDin (principles of the religion). (End of quote).
He then added that the saying is quoted from the fourth volume of AlFatawa. Yet, referring to AlFatawa, (vol. 4, p. 16), it was discovered that the saying belongs to Jurist Abu Muhammad and not to ShaykhulIslam. Thus, the mistake of AlSabuny as regards the misquotation becomes manifest.
Supposing his words is true, they do not prove that AlAsha`irah are not to be condemned for their mistakes. For the Shar`i rule which is pointed out by ShaykhulIslam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah be merciful with him) and other scholars dictate that a scholar is praised for the matters in which he conforms to the Qur'an and the Sunnah and is condemned for things in which he disagrees with the Qur'an and the Sunnah.
This saying of ShaykhulIslam (may Allah be merciful with him) is the truth, which is adopted by AhlulSunnah WalJama`ah for AlAsha`irah and others are to be praised for what they stated and wrote in support of truth in UsululDin as well as in other fields but they are blamed for their mistakes out of the affirmation of the truth and in refutation of falsehood, so that less enlightened people would not be confused. It is Allah Alone whose help we seek.
AlSabuny stated in his sixth article, "It is reported in the authentic Hadith that 'Three are from the roots of faith; to refrain from (harming) whoever says: 'There is no god but Allah', and not to declare him a disbeliever because of a sin, and belief in decrees' or words to that effect. (End of quote)
Consulting the reliable collections of Hadith reveals that it is very weak (Da`if), and AlSuyuty referred to it in Al Jami` with the sign of Da`if.It is also reported by Abu Dawud from Yazid ibn Abu Nushbah from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) but Yazid is an unknown person as stated in AlTahdhib Wa AlTaqrib.
AlManawy said in Fayd AlQadir, "No one of the authors of the Six Hadith Compilers, except Abu Dawud, reported from Yazid ibn Abu Nushbah, who is unknown, as stated by AlMezy and others.
Thus, it becomes clear that the affirmation by AlSabuny that it is an authentic (Hadith) is incorrect. Rather, it is more appropriate to say about the likes of this hadith, "Ruwiya i.e. narrated" from the Prophet (peace be upon him)" using the formula of weakness "Ruwiya i.e. narrated" as the scholars state in their narration of the Da`if hadiths.
AlSabuny, however, did not cite its wording as it was mentioned. Here is, dear reader, the wording of itthrough the narration of Abu Dawud for more benefit, "Sa`id ibn Mansur from Abu Mu`awiyah from Ja`far ibn Burqan from Yazid ibn Abu Nushbah from Anas ibn Malik who said that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, 'Three are of the fundamentals of faith: (I) Refraining from (harming) whoever says: 'There is no god but Allah', and abstaining from declaring a person a disbeliever because of a sin and from regarding him not Muslim because of a deed. (II) Jihad (striving for Allah's Cause) shall continue since Allah sent me as a prophet until the last of my Ummah (nation) fight the Dajjal (Antichrist), neither the tyranny of a tyrant nor the justice of a just one may cease it. (III) The belief in decrees.' (End of quote)
The meaning indicated by the hadith is referred to in other authentic hadiths, and acknowledging its meaning is the belief of AhlulSunnah WalJama`ah, as they believe that whoever testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, adheres to its meaning and abstains from what invalidates Islam, we should refrain from harming them and his affairs are with Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).
This is in line with the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him)related by the Two Shaykhs (Al Bukhari and Muslim)from Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both): I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, perform the Prayer, and pay Zakah. If they do that, their blood and property are guaranteed protection on my behalf except when justified by law, and their affairs rest with Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted).
Another belief of AhlulSunnah is that the Muslim is not to be declared a disbeliever if he commits one of the sins that do not rise to disbelief or be expelled from the fold of Islam through one of the acts that do not make him a polytheist unlike the view of AlKhawarij (separatist group that believes committing a major sin amounts to disbelief).
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says, Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills
It seems as if AlSabuny mentions this hadith to draw the conclusion that it is obligatory to avoid engaging in talk about AlAsha`irah and exposing their mistakes and, likewise, the mistakes of other Islamic sects. The case is not as he alleged, since the mentioned hadith taking it as authentic does not indicate the legitimacy of refraining from exposing the mistakes of those who disagrees with what is right.
It does not prove abandonment of enjoining good and forbidding evil or of exposing the mistakes of mistaken peoples and the errors of erring parties of AlAsha`irah and others. Rather, all the proofs from the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah imply the obligation of enjoining good and forbidding evil, repudiating the claims of those who disagree with the truth, and guiding them to the straight path, so that those who were to be destroyed (for their rejecting the Faith) might be destroyed after clear evidence, and those who were to live (i.e. believers) might live after clear evidence, as was indicated above.
Yet, the meaning of the hadith in case it is authentic is to refrain from fighting those who declare Islam and utter the Kalimah of Monotheism (La ilaha illaAllah)
until their affairs are reviewed afterwards, and to treat them in the way they deserve according to legal evidence. This is indicated by other authentic Hadiths to which we have already referred above. Allah (Exalted be He) is the Guide to success, and He (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us). Indeed, there is no might or power but with Allah.
Finally, all Praise is due to Allah. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon His servant, Messenger, and Trustee over Revelation, Chosen servant, the Imam of Mujahids, and the Prophet of the Lord of the Worlds our prophet Muhammad, and upon his family, Companions, and those who follow his way and guidance until the Last Day.