Answered by SunniPath Answer Service Team
I have been reading a lot of books on Islam so that I may further my knowledge, but I have been finding so many things that contradict each other. This is really affecting my Iman and my abilities to practice properly. When I read fiqh-us-sunnah and Sahih Bukhari I find things that contradict things I have been taught. For example, I was told that I cannot wipe over socks, but in both books it is said that I can do this. Plus in Sahih Bukhari it says that there is no such thing as qada prayer. I am really confused because I do not know who or what to adhere to. Please clear these questions up for me and tell me of what reliable sources I can refer to and scholars/authors.
Wa Alaykum Assalam wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu,
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful & Compassionate
It is commendable that you wish to further your knowledge of Islam, May Allah grant you every success in your endeavour, Ameen. One often experiences the troubles you speak of, when one is unaware of authentic scholarship. Since anyone can publish a book these days, it is vital that we know what we are reading and who wrote it, especially in the early days of advancing one’s knowledge not doing so, and delving into the large sea of books on Islam that exists today can bring about great confusion.
With Regards to Fiqh-us-Sunnah, please see the following post by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani:
Fiqh al-Sunnah: Is it reliable?
As for reading Sahih al-Bukhari, Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller addressed the issue, and in short: “What is not to be hoped for in reading hadith (without personal instruction from a sheikh for some time) is two things: to become an alim or Islamic scholar, and to deduce fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) from the hadiths on particulars of sharia practice.” You would do well to read the entire article:
Would you advise individuals to study hadith from al-Bukhari and Muslim on their own?
It is important to remember that although something of Sacred Knowledge can be sought through books, the true key to the wisdoms they contain are living scholars who are part of a chain of scholars that leads back to the Beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him abundant peace). Please see the following links about taking legal rulings from books:
Why learn from a teacher?
The Fatwa in the Madhhab & How To Take Sacred Knowledge
The articles on Sidi Masud Khan’s excellent site: http://www.masud.co.uk/ are a valuable resource, and make for great reading material. Whenever you are unsure about something it is always of benefit to ask as you have, rather than to assume or wander in the darkness confusion.
As Shaykh Faraz Rabbani said: “When in doubt, it is better to ask than to make assumptions and then fall on one’s face. Allah has given us a very simple approach to take when one has a problem: He told us, “Ask those who know if you know not.” [Qur’an, 16.43].” As many have said, “The only dumb question is the one that is not asked.” Please feel free to ask the scholars on www.sunnipath.com any other questions you may have. Anyone serious about their study of Islam should be contact with reliable living scholars.
Please see the following links which relate to specifics you mentioned in your question:
Socks and Prayer
What are the characteristics of the socks which makes wiping over them permissible? What do I do if I have been wiping over my socks (thin and thick ones) for years?
Fiqh Books in the Shafii School
Curriculum
Make-Up Prayers
There is absolute scholarly consensus (ijma`) that past missed prayers must be made-up.
Is it obligatory to make up missed prayers?
Following a Madhab
One part of having consistency in one’s practice of Islam and in curbing the confusion of seemingly contradictory hadiths is to follow a jurisprudential school (madhab).
Why Have Madhabs When We Have the Qur’an and Sunnah?
May Allah Azza wa Jall guide us all to the way most beloved to Him, ameen.
Wassalam
Sunni Path Q/A Team