Question: Noble Sheikh, a Daee (Caller) makes a mistake in an affair from the affairs of minhaj (methodology) or aqeedah (creed) and this mistake has been spread either by writings that he wrote or by a tape that has been spread amongst the people; so what is the method for advising someone who has fallen into a mistake like this? And what if the one who errors remains upon his error and refuses to take the advice of the advisers, so then is it permissible for the one who knows the error from what is correct and the truth from the falsehood to make clear the condition of this man to the people and to make clear his mistakes and warn them from him or is this in opposition to the methodology of the Salaf, may Allah have mercy upon them? Provide us with a ruling, may Allah reward you.
Sheikh Ahmad An-Najmee:
All praises belong to Allah may the peace and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and his companions; as to what follows.
Firstly: You advise him to fear Allah the Mighty and Majestic, and you advise him a secret advice. Then you repeat the advice a second time, and a third time. So if he refuses to accept the advice and he persist upon what he is upon then after this he should be treated with the treatment of an innovator, if he acknowledges that this is a minhaj error. But if he denies this, and swears he did not know this and that he does not have this (incorrect) belief in this situation you turn away from him and leave him and his affair is with Allah.
Yes, if he refuses to take advice and that which he is accused of is apparent upon him and clear, then in this situation his affair is made clear to the students of knowledge so they will know his condition. Rather in some situations clarifying the condition of individuals like this becomes an obligation specifically upon the person who knows his condition. And some of the narrations transmitted from the Salaf make clear the obligation to be stern with the person who is like that. And with Allah lies all success.