Acquiring Deeni Knowledge

Method of verifying whether someone is a Mufti

1 day ago By user2

Q: What is the proper Islamic method of verifying whether someone who publicly presents himself as a Mufti is genuinely qualified? 

Suppose a person claims to have studied the Mufti course under certain scholars or at a particular institution, but those teachers or that institution choose not to publicly confirm or deny his qualification. At the same time, some other scholars and members of the community question whether he is truly qualified or even properly trained. In such a case: 

1. Is a person’s own claim that he studied the Mufti course and was authorized normally sufficient, or does claiming the title of Mufti require independent verification? 

2. What actually establishes that someone is a Mufti: completion of an Ifta course, a formal ijazah or diploma, recognition by qualified scholars, demonstrated ability in fatwa, or a combination of these? 

3. If the institution or teachers remain silent, should anything be inferred from their silence? 

4. If scholars themselves disagree regarding the person’s qualifications, how should students and the general public proceed? 

5. Can a person’s fatwas, writings, teaching, and demonstrated knowledge be used by qualified scholars to assess whether he is actually fit to issue fatwas, even if his formal credentials are unclear? 

6. Is there a distinction between someone being an Alim and being qualified to independently issue fatwas as a Mufti? 

7. How much verification is required from an ordinary Muslim before taking religious rulings from someone? Can they rely on public reputation, or should they refrain when there are serious doubts? 

8. Finally, when does questioning or investigating someone’s scholarly credentials become impermissible backbiting or slander, and when is it a legitimate or necessary form of protecting people from taking knowledge from someone unqualified? 

I am asking for the general principles rather than a ruling on any specific individual.

Woman with no deeni qualification conducting online Islamic classes

1 week ago By user2

Q: A woman with a master’s degree in psychology conducts online Islamic lessons, programmes, and individual consultations, combining psychological concepts with Islamic teachings. However, she lacks systematic Islamic training and qualified teachers, having studied primarily through YouTube lectures and books. 

She makes statements such as, “I do not have a teacher. Allah Himself teaches me the wisdom I share in my lessons,” “Ilham comes into my heart like rain,” and “I do not have a murshid; wisdom comes into my heart, and then I weigh it against the Qur’an and Sunnah.” She frequently claims to receive divine inspiration and guidance through dreams and uses her students’ dreams to support her teachings. 

One of her programme assignments is muraqabah, in which students are instructed to describe ordinary daily activities using expressions such as, “Allah made me wash the dishes and look after my children.” 

We would like to ask the following questions: 

1. What is the Islamic ruling on her conduct, teaching methods, claims of ilham, use of dreams as evidence, and attribution of ordinary actions to Allah in this manner? Is it permissible for someone without systematic Islamic training or qualified teachers to conduct Islamic programmes and offer consultations as an Islamic psychologist, combining psychology with Islamic teachings? 

2. Is it permissible for women to consult qualified male scholars regarding her teachings and practices when no suitably qualified female scholars are available? The woman objects to this, arguing that sharing materials from her women-only Telegram channel violates the amanah (trust). Are women permitted to share relevant materials with scholars for the purpose of obtaining an accurate Islamic ruling?

Learning deen through self-study

1 month ago By user2

Q: I am a common Hanafi layperson and I follow the Hanafi madhhab. I would like to study the book Nur al-Idah by reading it myself. 

Am I permitted to read and study Nur al-Idah as a layperson and follow the rulings mentioned in it, even though I am not a scholar or student of advanced Islamic studies? 

If it is permissible, are there any precautions I should take while studying it, such as relying on a teacher or commentary to understand difficult or technical matters?

Sitting cross-legged when learning deen due to difficulty

6 months ago By user2

Q: I attend Madrassah for a full day and often find it difficult to sit in the jalsa position for long periods as I start to experience hip and knee pain. I was told sitting cross legged imitates the kufaar and not good etiquette so I avoid sitting that way. I also don't like to lift one leg up as I feel it's disrespectful to have the knee above the desk where the Kitaabs and Quraan are. 

What are some permissible ways to sit when acquiring deeni knowledge, this applies to even attending taleem and other programs besides Madrassah... and also, is it permissible for me to use a pillow under my hip (not for salaah) but in a program or in Madrassah?

Women going around to give bayaans

10 months ago By user2

Q: A very concerning matter facing us here in the UK and I believe in many countries. The matter is that some ladies have opened a door of going around place to place to give bayaans. They become speakers and attend as well as put together conferences where they attract audiences based on their skills in language and the ability to deliver an entertaining talk. 

Some of them podcast on social media for everyone to listen to. Men have full access to listen to them live or to the saved video recordings. Some of them do so in niqaab and some without. 

This oratory by these women has become very appealing to young girls who see this as a goal to achieve in their spiritual growth. 

These women openly encourage other ladies to do the same and as a result there are teams of such ladies going around almost like shaikh and mureeds. They attract big followings and people are being misled to believe that the sahabiyaat use to also lecture and advise men in the matters of deen. 

They lure young girls with the snare of online quran classes and then lead them to the same desire to be lecturers and hold their own conferences. This has also become a business in the name of deeni efforts. This looks very attractive to modern muslim families that their wives and daughters are getting some kind of exposure to deeni knowledge and it is also very convenient in keeping them busy and as it is said rather keep them off the streets. 

Women and girls are also attracted through emotional activities of social and welfare work. In most cases the harms are not immediately apparent. 

Should innocent families be warned about this? To what extent should women be allowed to have these kind of lecture conferences? How should people be made aware ? Will appreciate your guidance on this matter

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