A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The requirements of academic integrity.
Just as academic integrity requires attributing statements and actions to their originators,
it also requires that one does not claim anything without knowledge or verification.
Allah the Exalted says:
“(O man), follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge. Lo! the hearing and the sight and the heart - of each of these it will be asked.” (17:36)
“(O man), follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge. Lo! the hearing and the sight and the heart - of each of these it will be asked.” (17:36)
That is, do not follow that of which you have no knowledge.
Do not let your ears hear what they have not heard,
nor your eyes see what they have not seen,
nor claim knowledge of what you do not know.
The Noble Qur'an calls upon a person not to follow anything
except that which they know with certain knowledge,
and the authenticity of which has been established for them.
This must be accompanied by the uprightness of the heart and the constant awareness of Allah.
For all of these, one will be held accountable.
Verification is required for the report of a transgressor, but not for that of a trustworthy person.
The saying of Allah the Exalted:
“O ye who believe! If an evil-liver bring you tidings, verify it, lest ye smite some folk in ignorance and afterward repent of what ye did.” (49:6)
“O ye who believe! If an evil-liver bring you tidings, verify it, lest ye smite some folk in ignorance and afterward repent of what ye did.” (49:6)
It indicates, by the concept of implication (mafhum al-mukhalafah),
that the report of a righteous person is to be accepted without doubt.
The fundamental principle is to assume trustworthiness among the community of believers.
As for the transgressor, he is an exception to this principle.
Therefore, it is mandatory to verify his report,
as a precaution against the harm he might cause if he were lying.