What is the status of Al-Baani, Sheikh Bin Ba'z, Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen and Sheikh Ibn Taimiyyah?

Answer

The Math-habs are as old as Islam. The Math-habs are not new developments such as the Salafi sect. Al-Baani was not even a qualified Aalim of the Deen. He had no Isnaad which is imperative for a qualified Aalim. Sheikh Bin Ba'z and Sheikh Uthaymeen were Saudi Ulama of recent years. They generally followed the Fiqh of Imaam Ahmad Bin Hambal (rahmatullah alayh) although they did not adhere strictly to his Math-hab. They laboured in the misconception that they had the ability to diverge from the path of the Four Math-habs and formulate their own laws based on their understanding.

Sheikh Ibn Taimiyyah was an Aalim of the 7th Islamic century. He had considerable knowledge, but his knowledge was more than his understanding. He too had deviated from the Path of the Ahlus Sunnah in certain issues.