Take From Him His Knowledge, But Leave Alone His Actions
Question:
"What is your opinion regarding some who invited to Allaah, outwardly displaying sincerity in intention and deed, but who perpetrate some acts of disobedience and sin? Should this stop us from benefitting from their knowledge and what they are inviting to?"
Answer:
"It is not a requisite for a teacher or caller to be perfect in order for us to listen to him, rather benefit can be derived from him even if he has some deficiencies in his character. This, however, should not prevent us from advising him and instructing him to do what is good with gentle words and in a good manner. The teacher may be lazy about praying in congregation, so he must be advised. He might be someone who lets his garment fall below the ankles, so he must be advised. He might shave his beard and so he must be advised, for the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
"Trim your moustaches and let your beards grow, and be different from the dilators." [Al-Bukhari no. 5892 and Ahmad 2/229]
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin Baaz
Source: Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 8 Page 47
"What is your opinion regarding some who invited to Allaah, outwardly displaying sincerity in intention and deed, but who perpetrate some acts of disobedience and sin? Should this stop us from benefitting from their knowledge and what they are inviting to?"
Answer:
"It is not a requisite for a teacher or caller to be perfect in order for us to listen to him, rather benefit can be derived from him even if he has some deficiencies in his character. This, however, should not prevent us from advising him and instructing him to do what is good with gentle words and in a good manner. The teacher may be lazy about praying in congregation, so he must be advised. He might be someone who lets his garment fall below the ankles, so he must be advised. He might shave his beard and so he must be advised, for the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
"Trim your moustaches and let your beards grow, and be different from the dilators." [Al-Bukhari no. 5892 and Ahmad 2/229]
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin Baaz
Source: Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 8 Page 47