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Imam Ahmad questioned the religion of anyone who spoke evil of Hammad ibn Salamah. And this, Baarak Allahu feekum, is from that which is known from the Manhaj-as-Salaf. And we understand that that which [causes] an individual to dispraise the carriers of the methodology of the Sunnah is that which [the message itself that] they carry.   As an example, it is mentioned o brothers, that when an individual [a Zindeeq (heretic) who] began to dispraise the companions, at the head of them Abu Hurrairah, was asked before his neck was put to the sword and killed by the ruler: Why did you defame the likes of Abu Hurairah, and fabricate lies regarding those from amongst the greatest of mankind? Why did you do so? The Zindeeq said: "For indeed, we understood that if we were able to get rid of the carriers of the message, then how easy would it be for us to get rid of the message itself."

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I say that this is a claim of falsehood. Rather, it is binding to accept this. Because the one who is speaking about the person who possesses the (aforementioned) descriptions and conditions, he only spoke about an opposition which is well known and which the Scholars have clarified many times in their writings, lessons and lectures; and they are recorded with their voices - those who are still living and remain [among us] and are known to the people and those who have died; these words are written in their books and mentioned in their recordings. So when a person speaks ill against the Companions and defames the Companions of the Prophet - radiyallaahu 'anhum - they, the Companions, are those who have transmitted the Religion to us. So if they are spoken against, this issue is well known and widespread amongst the Muslims that no one speaks against the Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) except one who is daallun mudill (misguided, misguiding others) and also an innovator and heretic. We ask Allaah for the safety. This is because the Companions are those who transmitted and conveyed the Religion to us, and they transmitted the Qur`aan to us, so if they are spoken against, that which they carried and transmitted to us will also fall, and this is the Qur`aan and the whole of the Religion! The whole of the Religion which they transmitted to us will then fall! So in reality the ones who speak ill against them only intend to bring down the Qur`aan and this Religion. So to speak ill against these individuals (who speak about the Companions) is first and foremost and they are heretics! So this issue is something which is famous and well-known, and likewise speaking ill against the Scholars and the people of knowledge in general; and also speaking ill against the Scholars of the Salafee Da'wah. These are from the affairs which are apparent which are known to everyone. So verily those who warn against individuals who are upon this way and methodology, even if they are not from the Scholars, they are, however, conveying the speech of the Scholars in these issues. And these affairs are well-known and the Scholars have spoken against them in these issues and their voices are still recorded. So they convey the statements of the Scholars concerning those who defame the Companions, the statements of the Scholars regarding those who speak ill against the Scholars, the statements of the Scholars against those who speak against the rulers and incite the people against them. So if when they mention these things, even if they are not from the Scholars, they did not mention this to say that they are Scholars, rather they relayed this from the Scholars themselves, and they conveyed from them and they say that the people of knowledge say whoever does such and such then he is an innovator. Whoever speaks ill against the Companions then he is a Raafidee, and whoever speaks ill of the Scholars and the rulers, then he is a Khaarijee. So the likes of these people, we convey the speech of the people of knowledge concerning them. So even if you are not the Scholars, and you do not claim to be from amongst the Scholars, however you conveyed the speech of the Scholars. However, these individuals desire to reject the truth from their brothers who are the students of knowledge in America or Europe or in the west or the east or any place in the world. They want to reject the Salafees' warning against the misguided innovators, those who reject the methodology of the Salafus-Saalih, by speaking against the Companions and speaking against the Scholars and the rulers; and they did not find any other way out, except to try to trick the people and say to them: these individuals are not Scholars and we do not accept from them because they are not Scholars! We say that these (students) are conveying the fataawaa of the Scholars, so do not try to trick the people, because the people of knowledge have clarified that whoever treads upon this path, it is incumbent to stay away from him. So the only thing being done by you in America or other than that is conveying the fataawaa and warnings of the Scholars." End of Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Haadee's words.