There was a course being offered on the Basics of Islam at a local Masjid in our area. I mentioned this to a friend who I have been out on Jamaat with, and suggested that we take this course. He immediately said that, he will bring it up with Mufti Saab, and let me know if it?d be appropriate to take this course. I got a feeling that, we are doing the exact same thing as the Christians do with their priests, where they consult them, and regard them as an intermediary to God in every matter. What does this Mufti Saab (with all due respects to him) who never comes to this Masjid, and is 30 miles away, have to do with me taking a course on Islam?. Another ?Saathi? tried to do a Tashkeel to go out in Jamaat during this course, knowing fully well that I am in the middle of this class. All these are well educated people. I am really getting concerned about this whole movement.
We do not seem to understand the inference made between us and the
Christians regarding the posing of questions on ‘trivial issues’.
The Christians regarded their priests as Lord. The Muslims on the other hand
do not regard their Ulama as Lords or ‘intermediaries’. The Ulama are merely
teachers and guides who point out the correct path. A great multitude of
Muslims are unaware of even the basic teachings of Islam. This is why the
Musjid has offered a course of the basics of Islam.
As to your second question, you should have explained to him that you are in
the middle of a course and unable to go out presently. They cannot force you
to go out as this is a voluntary participation. Sometimes, people in every
movement become fanatical and tend to transgress the limits and forego the
principles laid down by the movement.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Muhammad Kadwa
FATWA DEPT.
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