How does one recognize that an Aalim is crooked and should not be followed?

Answer

What is difficult in the simple process of distinguishing between Haqq and Baatil? Allah Ta‟ala has given you sound Aql which has to be utilized. The correct employment of Aql is reliant on Ilkhlaas (sincerity). A sincere person will not fail to understand who a crooked Aalim is.

Signs of the Ulama-e-Soo are the display of their snouts on the evil, haraam internet media; their clownish antics displayed in videos; they do not exercise valid Shar‟i purdah; they intermingle with women; they lure women from their homes to attend their talks; they freely indulge in pictography; they work for banks; they participate in kufr interfaith dialogue; they invite kuffaar to tour the Musaajid under guise of da‟wah; they encourage voting for Taghooti governments; they organize bid‟ah mass mock i‟tikaaf, etc., etc.

Also among the signs of these vile molvies is their arrogance. The are affronted and become extremely annoyed if criticized or if laymen proffer them naseehat. They believe themselves to be on some elevated pedestal, hence laymen should not advise them of their wrongs.

Another sign is that zulmat (spiritual darkness) darkens their faces. They are the ones whom Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) feared more than Dajjaal. Do not allow even their shadows to darken you. Stay far, very far from them. Their poison will contaminate your Imaan.