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Consult the Scholar?

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Consult the Scholar?
sohuman
03/21/04 at 01:42:58
[slm],
Do you gotta be a scholar in order to understand the Quran and ahadith?  The reason I ask this because I know of a sista who will consult her scholar for everything.  I think that's kinda dangerous.  

I was thinking.  Am I stupid or an idiot or what?  I don't have no scholar that I can consult.  And I know scholars have differences of views and opinions.  In the end you gotta decide which scholar you wanna side with.  

But again I was thinking.  Who do the scholars consult when they have problems?  Surely it is Allah and His Messenger?  Or am I wrong on that or what!?  

So I'm justa of the opinion that we gotta go direct to Allah.  The Quran.  
03/21/04 at 01:44:30
sohuman
Re: Consult the Scholar?
Nomi
03/21/04 at 02:08:06
[slm]

[quote author=SoHuman link=board=madrasa;num=1079851378;start=0#0 date=03/21/04 at 01:42:58]
I was thinking.  Am I stupid or an idiot or what?  I don't have no scholar that I can consult.  And I know scholars have differences of views and opinions.  In the end you gotta decide which scholar you wanna side with.  
[/quote]

No, you are quite okay but i'm an idiot thats why i keep it simple by following a school of thought (not blindly though... i dont even use glasses alhamdulillah). So there are fatwa works for all school of thoughts avaiable on the internet that are also available in form of books.

All of them are right but to come out of state of this "confusion", follow one, simpUL.

If we can trust scholars of today who can in "no way" match the taqwah and knowledge of Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'e, Imam Ahmad bin humbal, Imam Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on them) then we can surely rely on works of those imams. And since i'm thick so i dont want to invent the "basic" wheel again, of course "accessories" can be added to this wheel but at least i wont go inventing it again.

Others are free to do whatever they want, like all of us are entitled to our own opinions.

[slm]
Re: Consult the Scholar?
bhaloo
03/21/04 at 02:46:52
[slm]

[quote author=SoHuman link=board=madrasa;num=1079851378;start=0#0 date=03/21/04 at 01:42:58] [slm],
Do you gotta be a scholar in order to understand the Quran and ahadith?  The reason I ask this because I know of a sista who will consult her scholar for everything.  I think that's kinda dangerous.  
[/quote]

Yes, because the common person isn't able to figure out what is being said or the context in which it is used and maybe these verses or hadiths apply to certain issues.  The best thing to do for the Quran is to get a good book on tafsir, such as the one by Ibn Kathir.    Why do you think its dangerous that she consults a scholar for everything?  That's great, and I hope he provides her with the evidence .

[quote]
I was thinking.  Am I stupid or an idiot or what?  I don't have no scholar that I can consult.  And I know scholars have differences of views and opinions.  In the end you gotta decide which scholar you wanna side with.  
[/quote]

Go with one that you trust, and with the one that provides detailed proof on the matter and that you think is closer to the truth in the matter at hand, insha'Allah.  

[quote]
But again I was thinking.  Who do the scholars consult when they have problems?  Surely it is Allah and His Messenger?  Or am I wrong on that or what!?  

So I'm justa of the opinion that we gotta go direct to Allah.  The Quran.   [/quote]

Yes, these are some of the sources from where they take their opinions from, but if we knew every single ayah (truly understood it, the language, the context in which the verse was used) and understood every single hadith, and its proper usage, then sure, but that's not the case.
03/21/04 at 02:47:33
bhaloo
Re: Consult the Scholar?
sohuman
03/22/04 at 01:00:27
[quote author=bhaloo link=board=madrasa;num=1079851378;start=0#2 date=03/21/04 at 02:46:52]
Yes, because the common person isn't able to figure out what is being said or the context in which it is used and maybe these verses or hadiths apply to certain issues.  The best thing to do for the Quran is to get a good book on tafsir, such as the one by Ibn Kathir.    Why do you think its dangerous that she consults a scholar for everything?  
[/quote]

Ya know I think a common person may see things in the Quran that even a scholar can't.  All depends on the will of Allah, if He opens the heart, He is the only one who can give understanding and wisdom to the reader of the Quran.

A common person is not able to figure out the Quran?  Whew!  I thought it was a book that was easy to understand.  Even for a simple person.  

Wow.  I do consider myself a common person.  So all this time I hadn't a clue what the Quran really was saying?  Ummmm.  I think I kinda know the basics and am pretty clear about that.  I mean the paradise and hell part.  Only one God.  Worship Him alone.  Or else!!  

Yeah!  sure its dangerous.  You don't think so?  The scholar that sista always going to is not Allah ya know.  Not good to consider the scholar as if he knows everything.  Kinda going close to shirk.


Re: Consult the Scholar?
timbuktu
03/22/04 at 03:21:23
[slm] you know something, all of you are right :)

let me explain. The basics are pretty clear. The fiqh based on Quran and AHadith is there, but there are sometimes different interpretations, or different weightages, or different circumstances.

Do I know all of these circumstances?
No, I don't.

Do I have access to all the background that needs to be there before I can make a judgment?
No, I don't.

so what is my practice. Ever since I managed to get hold of the right books, I found I was lucky that scholars have treated many problems in a systematic and comprehensive manner. So, I bought those books, read up on all the available material, and came to a judgment on what is best. I do not follow just one scholar. I used to read everyone before I settled on Salafi ones, and even then my practice isn't always Salafi, (although I would consider the Salafi position as the correct one).

Suppose I acted on my limited knowledge or understanding.

You know the Khawarij. What was their problem? They misapplied some verses to give fatwa of kufr on sins, or on misunderstanding. and they will be in Hell. may Allah (swt) keep us away from it.

You must try to understand the Quran and Hadith on your own, but do not discard the scholars. ask them questions and their reasoning. Or, better still, become a scholar.

You see, at times you may have to ask someone with knowledge. This is what we have been commanded.

but blind following is not. ask and try to understand, and if your brain isn't upto it, then you are excused, I think.
03/22/04 at 06:31:40
timbuktu
Re: Consult the Scholar?
Maliha
03/22/04 at 06:20:04
[slm]
There are certain clear cut areas that don't require us to go to scholars. As a matter of fact it is the basic necessities "ilm bil Dharura" that every Muslim man and woman should know. Our Aqeedah, Faraidh (obligatory), and other knowledge of the unseen that is not up to scholarly interpretation (e.g. the existence of hell and heaven etc). All these are clear, we have to reflect on, know, and carry out in our daily lives.

Yet, there are other unclear things such as in the area of transactions or even certain ibadaat issues that someone comes across and is unsure what to do. In these areas we are required to ask those who know.

Allah tells us in the Quran: “so ask the people of remembrance if you, yourself, do not know…”[16:43].

And the Rasul [saw] was quoted many times chastizing his Sahabi for making the wrong decisions and not asking when needed. For instance there was a time a Sahabi died because his fellow companions insisted he perform full ghusl (even though he had a gashing wound on his head). The Rasul [saw] was really angry, for tayyammum would have sufficed for that matter.

It shows sometime in the gray areas we may end up taking an unduly harsh position on ourselves and others, if we do not have enough ilm.

But the scope for asking others remain in the areas where there are differences of opinion or personal interpretation does not suffice. In those areas, the scholar takes in all the evidence, texts, hadiths, any other precedences and make their decisions based on that.

Our role even in asking should be proactive, to understand the evidences used, to be critical enough to weigh the differences outlined by the scholar, and to pray to Allah to be guided to the right decision. "blindly" accepting is abhorred, for it goes against the many Quranic injunctions telling us to think, reflect, understand, etc. The act of seeking a scholar should be an educational and empowering act, so that next time when faced with a similar situation we act on knowledge not ignorance.

If someone doesn't know the basic necessities then we are encouraged to go learn. Seek the ilm, understand, internalize and apply. But at any point there is no injunction to "idolize" someone wanaudhubillah..simply seeking to learn.

At the second/third generation of our Predecessors, people were known to travel for months, simply to learn one Hadith!  Subhana Allah..Seeking knowledge is Fardh for us, and we learn these precious gems from the Shuyukh's hearts not simply books. For a book can never teach you the proper adab, will often be misinterpreted, and at times mislead one to think this is *the* opinion and nothing else out there exists.

Wa Allahu Ta'ala A'alam.
[wlm]
03/22/04 at 06:25:50
Maliha
Re: Consult the Scholar?
timbuktu
03/22/04 at 06:49:59
[quote author=Nur_al_Layl link=board=madrasa;num=1079851378;start=0#5 date=03/22/04 at 06:20:04] ........... Seeking knowledge is Fardh for us, and we learn these precious gems from the Shuyukh's hearts not simply books. For a book can never teach you the proper adab, will often be misinterpreted, and at times mislead one to think this is *the* opinion and nothing else out there exists.[/quote]

Subhan`Allah, I think sister Nur_al_Layl has very clearly explained what I wanted to say, and also pointed out where I may be at fault.

It is very true, that reading only books make the heart hard. One needs to be in company of those who have Taqwa to feel it, and also in the company of ordinary mortals like me to see what ails us.


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