Beware of well-known persistent wrongdoers who cloak themselves in victimhood

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Al Awzaaee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

If Allah wishes evil for a people, He opens for them the door of argumentation and prevents them from action. [1]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih, may Allah have mercy upon them, said:

O student of knowledge! It is obligated to you to abandon (blameworthy) debate and argumentation because debate and argumentation is a means to cutting off the path to what is correct, makes a person speak to give the upper hand to himself. Even if the truth is made clear to him, you will find him either rejecting it or misconstruing the truth -out of disliking it- to give himself the upper hand and compel his opponent to accept his statement. Therefore, if you notice (blameworthy) debate and argumentation from your brother when the truth is very clear, but he does not follow it, flee from him like you would flee from a lion, and say, “I do not have anything other than the truth I have mentioned to you”. [2]

Beware of those who ignite conflict yet parade as peacemakers. Unlike firemen arsonists who set fires only to douse them for recognition, these people refuse to extinguish the damage they cause. They cling to their clear errors, hurl accusations at others, and cloak themselves in victimhood. Their aim is not resolution but control, not truth but sympathy at others’ expense. The true danger does not only lie in their mistakes, but in their refusal to confront them. A fire left burning consumes everything around it; so too does a heart that feeds on blame while denying responsibility. Wisdom is found in discerning such spirits, stepping back from their snares, and seeking peace with those who value truth over appearances.

[1] Siyar 7/121

[2] An Excerpt from Sharh Hilyah Talib Al-Ilm page 246