Recalling Discussions With Inquisitive Pupils
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Discussion With Inquisitive Pupils In Year 6 (2009)
The discussion started when the son of a student of knowledge – a young inquisitive learner- asked about the definition of a beard.
Another pupil said: “My dad has a different opinion.”
Teacher said: “Your dad is more knowledgeable than us, but I’m citing Imam Albani, may Allah have mercy on him.”
Pupil: “How can I determine if my dad’s arguments are stronger or weaker?”
Teacher: “Ask your dad to explain his view clearly, and then in our next lesson I can present my evidence from other scholars.”
Pupil: “Which scholar is more knowledgeable?”
Teacher: “We’ll address that later based on what the senior scholars of our time have said. For now, consult your dad, and we can discuss it afterward.”
Pupil: “But Ustadh, if my dad knows more than you, he will grasp the proofs better.”
Teacher: “That’s true, but the senior scholars have a deeper understanding of the proofs than he does.”
Pupil: “So, who should I follow?”
Teacher: “As you are still young, follow what the elder teachers in the Masjid convey from the senior scholars. When you grow older and can understand the scholars’ views independently, you will gain a broader perspective, InShaAllah, while studying in Saudi Arabia and meeting both senior scholars and younger scholars, as well as advanced students of knowledge.”
A third pupil said: “Who is more knowledgeable, Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah or Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi?”
Teacher: “Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah is, but also Al-Allamah Rabee is very capable of making his own judgement from the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the understanding of the Salaf without blindly following Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah”.
Here we would like to recall a statement made by Imam Ash-Shawkaanee, may Allah have mercy on him, which the young learners do not know. The Imam stated:
Know that when differing arise among Muslims regarding whether this thing (matter) is a Bidah or not a Bidah, (something) disliked or not disliked, prohibited, or not prohibited, or other than that, there is a consensus among Muslims (i.e. their scholars) —both the early generations and those that followed, from the era of the Companions to the present day, which is the thirteenth century since the advent of the Prophethood—that the obligation in any differing – in any issue among the issues of the religion – between Imams of Ijtihad is to refer back to the Book of Allah, the Exalted, and the Sunnah of His Messenger, as stated in Allāh’s Book:
فَإِن تَنَٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ
And if you disagree among yourselves over anything then refer it back to Allāh and the Messenger. [An-Nisa 59]
The meaning of referring back to Allah, the Exalted, is to refer to His Book, and the meaning of referring to His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, is to refer to his Sunnah after his passing. This is a matter about which there is no differing among the Muslims.
If a Mujtahid among the Mujtahideen says that this (thing) is lawful while another says this (thing) is unlawful, neither is any of the two more entitled to the truth than the other, even if he possesses more knowledge, older, or closer to the (early era of Islam). This is because each of them is a servant of Allāh among the servants of Allāh, (required) to worship (Allāh) based on what is found in the pure Sharia- that which is found in Allāh’s Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and what is required of him is required of other than him among Allāh’s servants. His abundant knowledge, the attainment of the level of Ijtihad, or even surpassing it, does not exempt him from any of the religious laws legislated by Allah for His servants, nor do they exclude him from those who have reached the age in which one is held accountable for his actions among the servants (of Allāh). [1] [Paraphrased]
Discussion with a pupil in year 11 on Saturday 19th 2025
Pupil: Is it permissible to call yourself a Maliki?
Teacher: To my knowledge, no scholar has raised objections to this view, as many have explored the Madhahib, recognising that the four Imams are all upright scholars within Ahlus Sunnah. However, the upright scholars associated with a particular Mad’hab, such as Imam Ibn Abdil Barr al-Maliki, Imam Abi Al-Izz Al-Hanafi and others, were not blind followers nor did they reject clear proof, instead, they were Mujtahidoon who adhered to the evidence when it was presented to them. This principle also applies to students who have reached the level where they can comprehend the proofs.
Pupil: “Can you send me something about this?”
Teacher: Firstly, you and I have not reached the level where we can investigate the evidences, but we can depend on what the reliable students of knowledge transmit from the senior scholars. As for some information on Mad’habs, visit this link: https://abukhadeejah.com/taqleed-blind-following-four-imams-salafis/
Here we would like to add a statement of Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, who said:
If a person is a student of knowledge and adheres to the Hanafi Madhab in certain matters that are clear to him to be correct and his Madhab is stronger than other than it; then follows Ash-Shafi’i, Maliki’s, or Ahmad’s in other matters where it appears that their Madhab in those matters is correct based on the proofs, there is no harm in this because a believer wherever Allāh gives him knowledge, he follows the proof and looks to the proof.
So, what is established with proof, it is obligatory to adhere to it, regardless of whether it aligns with the Madhab of Shafi’i, Abu Hanifa, Maliki, Ahmad, or any other scholars. The important thing is that it must agree with the proof – substantiated by a verse or a noble sound hadith from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him.
However, as for following whims or personal desires, then no. Playing about – sometimes this and other times that (arbitrarily between opinions), this is not permissible. But it is incumbent upon him to seek to know the proof and asking the people of knowledge regarding what is difficult for him. If he knows the proof, acquainted with the proof that this madhab in this issue is more valid while another is more valid in a different matter, there is no harm in this; otherwise, he should consult the scholars, seek their verdicts guidance, and act according to what they guide him to based on knowledge. [2] [Paraphrased] [End of quote]
In the above clarification provided by Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, he mentioned that one should avoid following personal desires. Does this imply that a student of knowledge cannot consult more than one scholar?
Question: If I ask a scholar and he gives me a verdict, is it impermissible to ask other than him? Also, the brother says: I present these two questions because I have heard them from some of the Mashayikh who give verdicts to the peopl, since I am not fully convinced by their responses. Firstly, it is said that if you ask a scholar and he gives you a verdict, you should follow what he says and not seek another verdict (a verdict from other than him). Is this correct, or am I able to ask until my heart is assured?
The response: This is incorrect, instead, it is obligated to the questioner to strive to ask until they find peace in their heart. They should seek -among the people of Shariah knowledge – for the [الأعلم فالأعلم – most knowledgeable in levels of knowledge] and [والأورع فالأورع – the ones known to possesses more fear of Allah that makes a person stay away from doubtful matters out of fearing of falling into something forbidden] until his (the questioner’s) heart is at ease that the verdict is correct, appropriate and in accordance with the Shariah, as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated, “Righteousness (birr) is good morality, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in your soul and which you dislike people finding out about.” He , peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Consult your heart. Righteousness is that about which the soul feels tranquil and the heart feels tranquil, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in the soul and moves to and fro in the breast even though people again and again have given you their legal opinion [in its favor].” [I] A believer seeks knowledge and understanding in the religion, and asks the people of knowledge until his heart is at ease that the verdict aligns with the Shariah based on his ability and how far he can strive.
Question: With regards to the student of knowledge, if someone approaches him for a verdict and it is known that the individual has already sought a verdict from someone else, is the student permitted to respond to this request for a verdict.
The Shaikh responded: There is no objection (or hindrance), but the mufti must diligently seek out the Shariah proofs and should not be lackadaisical. He should refer to the Quran and the Sunnah to provide the questioner with what he knows of Allah’s Shariah- the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. He should not be lackadaisical (or approach the matter lightly), instead it is obligated to him to strive and investigate thoroughly so that he only issues rulings based on insight and knowledge. If a questioner asks him a question, while he knows that he has asked someone else, there is no objection (or hindrance). If he is asked, he says: “What did so-and-so say?” This is so that he would be able to either agree or disagree with the previous response. There is no harm in this. The companions used to do this, asking those who asked them (questions): “What did so-and-so say?” He (the questioner) said: “So and so says”, then he (i.e. the one asked the question) either says that he is in agreement with the verdict or he opposes it and says: “The verdict is such and such”.
Question: What if he refrains from giving a ruling, does that constitute concealment of knowledge?
The Shaikh: If he knows that the verdict is false (i.e. refrains from saying what is correct), it is tantamount to concealment of knowledge. However, if it is based on Ijtihad, investigation, and opinion, then there is no issue. [3] [Paraphrased] [II]
Another question: In light of verdicts and giving verdicts, many of our brothers ask about a single topic from more than one student of knowledge, and they may encounter differing opinions. What guidance do you offer to those who ask questions, should they be satisfied with the response of one individual, or can they ask this one and that one until they reach their desire (understanding or goal)?
If the Fatwa does not reassure the questioner’s heart, while he intends good, knowledge, and Al-Wara (i.e. his intention is the fear of Allah that keeps a person from doubtful matters lest they fall into what is forbidden), there is no harm. He asks until his heart is assured with the proof and that this is the Shariah ruling. However, if his intention is driven by personal desire, that is not permissible. If he is seeking what agrees with his desires, this is not permissible; instead, it is incumbent upon him to strive to know the truth based on its proof until his heart is assured and seek for those he believes to be closer to good conduct and knowledge among the scholars of fatwa- seeking a verdict from one regarding whom his heart is at ease with that they are closer to knowledge of the truth.
He searches for the people of knowledge, and when seeking their verdicts – from whom he thinks is most closer to reaching the truth. Thus, he gives importance to assurance and to reach the truth, and not seeking for what agrees with his desire. The one who asks questions to this one and that one so that his heart is at ease and upon tranquility with the verdict based on its proof, there is no harm on him in doing so because this is part of seeking confirmation of the truth. [4] [Paraphrased] [end of quotes]
In saying all this, Taqleed has its precise place. Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated on this link that the layperson or the beginner in the path of knowledge has no option but to make Taqleed because they do not have the ability to make Ijtihaad, so they make Taqleed of the people of knowledge, as Allah said:
فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Ask Ahl Adh-Dhikr (the people of Shariah knowledge) if you do not know. [5] [Paraphrased]
In recent times, following the passing of the senior scholars, such as Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, Imam Al-Albani, Al-Allamah Muqbil Bin Hadi Al-Wadi’ee, Al-Allamah Ubaid Bin Abdillah al-Jabiri, Al-Allamah Al-Luhaydan, and Al-Allamah Al-Ghudiyaan, may Allah grant them mercy, everyone has reflected and realised the importance of these great scholars. However, there are still senior scholars in their 80s and 90s alive today, such as Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad, and Al-Allamah Abdul Aziz Aala Ash-Shaikh. May Allah protect them, prolong their lives upon everything that is pleasing to Him and protect all the Muslims Aameen.
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[I] https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/27/righteousness-and-sin
[II] https://abukhadeejah.com/differing-where-there-is-room-for-ijtihad-should-not-damage-our-unity/
[1] Sharh As-Sudoor Bi-Tahreem Raf Al-Quboor pages 1-2
فاعلم أنه إذا وقع الخلاف بين المسلمين في أن هذا الشيء بدعة او غير بدعة ، أو مكروه او غير مكروه ، او محرم او غير محرم ، او غير ذلك ، فقد اتفق المسلمون : سلفهم وخلفهم ، من عصر الصحابة الى عصرنا هذا – وهو القرن الثالث عشر منذ البعثة المحمدية – أن الواجب الاختلاف في أي أمر من أمور الدين بين الأئمة المجتهدين : هو الرد الى كتاب الله سبحانه ، وسنة رسوله الناطق بذلك
الكتاب العزيز ( ٤ : ٥٩ فإن تنازعتم في شيء فردوه إلى الله والرسول ( ومعنى الرد الى الله سبحانه : الرد الى كتابه
ومعنى الرد إلى رسوله ال : الرد الى سنته بعد وفاته وهذا مما لا خلاف فيه بين جميع المسلمين . فإذا قال مجتهد من المجتهدين
هذا حلال . وقال الآخر : هذا حرام : فليس
أحدهما أولى بالحق من الآخر وإن كان اكثر منه علماً ، أو اكبر منه سنا ، او اقدم منه عصراً لأن كل واحد منهما فرد من أفراد عباد الله ، ومتعبد بما في الشريعة المطهرة، مما في كتاب الله وسنة رسوله ، ومطلوب منه ما طلب الله من غيره من العباد . وكثرة علمه وبلوغه درجة الاجتهاد او مجاوزته لها لا يسقط عنه شيئاً من الشرائع التي شرعها الله لعباده ، ولا يخرجه من جملة المكلفين من العباد
[2] https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/8426/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%82%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A9
[3]
هل إذا سألت عالماً وأفتاني فلا يجوز سؤال غيره؟
السؤال: أيضاً يقول الأخ المؤمن: هذان سؤالان أعرضهما لأنني سمعتهما من بعض المشايخ الذين قد يفتون للناس، ونظراً لأنني لم أطمأن إليهما سألت عنهما.
الأول: يقال: إذا سألت عالماً فأفتاك فنفذ ما قاله لك ولا تستفت غيره، فهل هذا صحيح أو أنني أستطيع السؤال حتى يطمئن قلبي؟
الجواب: ليس هذا بصحيح، بل ينبغي للسائل أن يجتهد في السؤال حتى يطمئن قلبه، ويتحرى الأعلم فالأعلم والأورع فالأورع من أهل العلم حتى يطمئن قلبه إلى أن الفتوى صحيحة وأنها مناسبة وموافقة للشرع، كما قال النبي ﷺ: البر حسن الخلق، والإثم ما حاك في نفسك وكرهت أن يطلع عليه الناس ويقول ﷺ: استفت قلبك، البر ما اطمأنت إليه النفس واطمئن إليه القلب والإثم ما حاك في النفس، وتردد في الصدر، وإن أفتاك الناس وأفتوك.
فالمؤمن يطلب العلم ويتفقه في الدين ويسأل أهل العلم حتى يطمئن قلبه إلى أن الفتوى موافقة للشرع، حسب اجتهاده وطاقته.
المقدم: طيب بالنسبة لطالب العلم إذا أتاه شخص ليستفتيه وعلم منه أن قد استفتى شخصاً قبله، هل له أن يجيبه على هذا الاستفتاء؟
الشيخ: لا مانع، لكن على المفتي أن يتحرى الأدلة الشرعية، وألا يتساهل، أن يتحرى الكتاب والسنة فيعطي السائل ما يعلمه من شرع الله؛ كتاب الله وسنة النبي ﷺ ولا يتساهل، بل ينبغي له الاجتهاد والتحري حتى لا يفتي إلا عن بصيرة وعن علم.
وإذا سأله سائل يعلم أنه قد سأل غيره فلا مانع، وإن سأله قال: ماذا قال لك فلان؟ حتى يستطيع بذلك إما أن يوافقه أو يخالفه فلا بأس.
كان الصحابة قد يفعلون هذا، قد يفعلون هذا يسألون من سألهم: ماذا قال لك فلان؟ يقول: قال فلان، فيقول: هو على فتواه، وقد يخالفه فيقول: الفتوى كذا والفتوى كذا. نعم.
المقدم: طيب لو امتنع عن فتواه، هل يعتبر ذلك من كتمان العلم؟
الشيخ: إن كان يعلم أن الفتوى باطلة يكون من كتمان العلم، أما إذا كان بالاجتهاد والتحري والرأي فلا بأس
https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/5402/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%87#:~:text=%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%3A%20%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B3%20%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7%20%D8%A8%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%8C%20%D8%A8%D9%84,%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%20%D9%85%D8%A7%20%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%85%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%AA%20%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%87%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B3
[4]
حكم سؤال أكثر من عالم لاتباع المستفتي هواه
بمناسبة الفتوى والاستفتاء سماحة الشيخ؛ كثير من إخواننا يسأل عن موضوع واحد أكثر من طالب علم، ولربما وجد اختلافًا في القول، فما هو توجيهكم لأولئك الذين يسألون، هل يكتفون بسؤال شخص واحد؟ أم يسألون هذا، وذاك حتى يصلوا إلى مبتغاهم؟
إذا كان السائل لم يطمئن قلبه للفتوى، وهو قصده الخير، وقصده العلم، قصده الورع؛ فلا حرج، يسأل حتى يطمئن قلبه للدليل، وأن هذا هو الحكم الشرعي، أما إذا كان يقصد الهوى هذا لا يجوز، إذا كان يطلب ما يوافق هواه هذا لا يجوز، لكن عليه أن يجتهد في أن يعرف الحق بدليله؛ حتى يطمئن قلبه للفتوى، ويتحرى من يظنهم أقرب إلى الخير، وأقرب إلى العلم من أهل الفتوى يعني: يستفتي من يطمئن قلبه إلى أنه أقرب إلى معرفة الحق، يتحرى في أهل العلم، وفي استفتائهم من يظن، ويغلب على ظنه أنه أقرب إلى إصابة الحق، فهو يهتم بالطمأنينة، وإصابة الحق لا بما يوافق هواه، فالذي يسأل هذا وهذا لينشرح صدره، وليطمئن إلى الفتوى بدليلها؛ نرجو أن لا حرج عليه؛ لأن هذا من باب التثبت في الحق.
المقدم: جزاكم الله خيرًا.
https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/16116/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87
[5] https://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/ar/node/15726