Is it permitted to learn from a scholar who holds that Muawiyah (ra) was a transgressor?

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I pray that this finds you well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good and success in this life and the next.

Someone who speaks ill of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and companions) has innovation (bid`a) in matters of belief, and is going against the way of Ahl al-Sunna in this matter. Speaking ill of the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)is a dangerous sign, and it is feared that such a person may have other methodological variances--intellectual or nafsanic--from the way of mainstream traditional Islamic scholarship.

One should, thus, be wary of such a scholar, and consult reliable scholars are about the specifics of the case to determine how to proceed.

But remember, too, that we shouldn''t give credence to mere rumors and rumor-mongers--talebearing is a major sin, and the worst of talebearing is that which is about the scholars and righteous.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani