Aqaaid

Difference of opinion in Deen

Q: There is much confusion amongst people of knowledge regarding the term, 'difference of opinion'. Many students and scholars alike latch onto this term when it comes to social distancing in salaah and the closure of Masaajid. To clarify this dilemma, please provide us with guidance regarding the following:

1. Is social distancing in Salaah and Musjid closure a valid difference of opinion?

2. What are the limits of and what type of valid difference of opinions ought to be respected?

Slaughtering an animal for a Jinn

Q: I was reading about those who slaughter an animal for the Jinn. I read that if the slaughtered animal is dedicated to a Jinn or Shaitaan, this will be an act of major Shirk (associating partners with Allah Ta'ala).

I have heard the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah mention, “There is scholarly consensus that it is not permissible to prostrate to anyone or anything besides Allah Ta'ala. However, without the intention of worship, then this is not outright disbelief (kufr).”

My question is that in the first case, where they slaughter the animal for the Jinn, if someone who did this claimed that it was not shirk because it’s like the example mentioned about prostration, then how would you respond to them?