Who are these individuals and are they reliable?

Firstly, i’d like to point out that it is against the pure teachings of Islam to criticise, slander or abuse any individual. However, if asked about the authenticity or reliability of a certain religious authority then to shed information on such an issue would not fall under the category of Haraam.

Imaam Muslim Rahmatullahi alaihi has established a chapter in his famous Muqaddamah (introduction) of Sahih Muslim on the science of Hadith, titled: To defend the integrity of Islam is not backbiting which is Haraam. In this, he has mentioned the opinions of various Hadith authorities on some Narrators who were known to be either liars or weak. The purpose of establishing this chapter is to prove the point that if Scholars make a judgement on others who are considered authorities, who in actual fact are not, then to expose them in this manner will be necessary and would not be considered Haraam.

Here also, we will look at the above-mentioned Scholars in same light as Imaam Muslim has. May Allah give us all the same sincerity. Aameen.

1) Shaikh Riyaadh ul-Haq is a prominent figure of the Muslim community of the UK. He is considered an authority and therefore, reliable.

2) Same as Shaikh Riyaadh ul-Haq.

3) Sayyid Abu al-A’la Maududi, according to the majority didn’t possess any certified knowledge of Islam. However, due to being a journalist, his writing was influential. The knowledge of Islam has been passed down from bosom to bosom and any person claiming to be an authority must have a sound chain (sanad). Unfortunately, Maududi is short of this. Also, the requirements that need to be met in order to commentate on the Qur’an are not found in Maududi due to which his tafseer on the holy Qur’an is not accepted by the Ulamaa. His literature must be avoided.

4) He is unknown to us.

5) Shaikh Ibn Baaz was a prolific Saudi Scholar who belongs to the Salafi sect. If a person is inclined to Salafism then he will find the works of Ibn Baaz very fruitful. However, he has faced great criticism for his close relationship with the Saudi authorities. Shaikh Abdullah Faisal has produced a good account of the Saudi Salafis. The title of his speech, which is available in some bookshops is, ‘The devils deception of the Saudi Salafis’.

6) Mufti Mustafa is the Principle of the Darul Uloom in Kent. We were very fortunate to have studied under him. This was the same Madrasah the I and the Ulamaa affiliated with this site graduated from. May Allah make the Madrasah more successful.
7) Shaikh Suhaib Hasan is the Khateeb of Tawhid Masjid situated in Leyton, London. He is a Salafi Scholar who belongs to the sect, ‘Ahl-e-Hadith’. I feel that although the Shaikh has a good grasp on the knowledge of Islam, he is very biased views on Taqleed (following one of the famous four Law Schools).

And Allah knows

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Mufti Yaseen Shaikh