Acquiring Deeni Knowledge

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?

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?

Q: The boys in madrasah were discussing, is it correct to leave out doing a sunnah because you are doing something which will help the deen? Example, like leaving out going to the graveyard for burial because you are studying or teaching.

Q: Is there a specific way, method or structure to seek knowledge? I have heard that there is a ‘manhaj’ for seeking knowledge but do not know if this is correct.

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

Q: What is the ruling on a person of the Hanafi Maslak taking knowledge or rulings from people such as 'Sheik Assim Al-Hakeem' who is a Salafi?

Q: Someone told me to inquire about the incident mentioned in Fazail-e-Durood (story#46) and also ask for its detailed explanation. 

Can anyone see Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in a wakeful state? 

Is it okay to put your hand on a deceased woman's stomach? If not, then did it happen in reality, or was it a spiritual state or was it a dream? 

Are there any other such incidents where Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) met someone in a wakeful state and solved their problem? Is this incident correct from the point of view of authenticity and can it be narrated to others during taleem hadith session in the mosque?