As it is said: "the flesh of the scholars is poisoned whoever smells it falls sick, whoever eats it gets destroyed"!!!

Allamah Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan on declaring Ibn Hajar, an-Nawawee et. al as innovators (and what would he say if he heard some crooks calling them disbelievers?)

QUESTION: Some people declare some of the Imams such as Ibn Hajar, an-Nawawee, Ibn Hazm, ash-Shawkaanee, al-Bayhaqee as innovators. Is this statement of theirs correct?

ANSWER: These scholars possess virtues, torrential knowledge, benefit to people, great stride in preserving the Sunnah and spreading it, great compilations that overwhelm what they may possess of mistakes, may Allaah be pleased with them all.

About these affairs, we admonish the student of knowledge not to busy himself with them because it will deny him of knowledge. The one who follows this affair will be denied from seeking knowledge and he becomes engrossed in Fitnah and love of conflict among people.

We admonish everyone to seek knowledge and strive on that and occupy himself with it far away from that which contains no benefit.

An-Nawawee, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Hajar, ash-Shawkanee, al-Bayhaqee; these great Imams occupy high status of trustworthiness with the people of knowledge. They have great compilations and references for Islam which Muslims resort to- which outweigh their mistakes and slips, may Allaah be pleased with them all.

But, you, O poor soul, what do you possess? O you who points a finger and spy on Ibn Hajar and Ibn Hazm and others, how have you benefitted the Muslims? What have you gathered of knowledge? Do you know what Ibn Hajar and an-Nawawee know? Have you offered what Ibn Hazm and al-Bayhaqee sent forth in service of Islam?

Subhanallaah!!! May Allaah have mercy on a man who knows his limitations.
Your knowledge is narrow so you became daring
and your piety is limited so you began to speak.’
(Ajweebatul Mufeedah p.235)