Character of scholars

Assalam alaikum all,

So I have read scholarly rulings online that mention the character of the person as one consideration when deciding if the fiqh rulings of a scholar are worthy to follow, but it seems to me that is often just glossed over or ignored.

Obviously, our greatest example (the Prophet (ﷺ)) didn't have this issue. However, for example, I've read that if a narrator in a hadith chain was known to have some character fault, that was counted as a point against them (in lowering the authenticity of that hadith).

So in a situation where a scholar, or Quran translator, or faqih, or sheikh, or teacher or even Imam has a questionable character what would be the ruling on reading their scholarship, or following their rulings, or learning from them, or praying behind them?

What if they are known to have done immoral things and never repented, but maybe don't display them in the open or acknowledge them? What if they are suspected to have done them- is it our duty to further investigate before reading their scholarship, or following their rulings, or learning from them, or praying behind them?

Obviously, references to actual scholars opinions being requested!

submitted by /u/OptimalPackage
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/3s5SO7F