Q: I have recently seen some of the YouTube videos of Sheikh Imran Hosein from Trinidad. However, I have some doubts and reservations regarding some of the things which he has mentioned in his lectures on YouTube.
I have also read some of his Islamic books and articles, and find that he is promoting certain beliefs which are in contrast to the beliefs that we have learnt in madrasah. Among the beliefs which he subscribes to and promotes are the following two beliefs:
1. He claims that Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) had been crucified, and thereafter, Allah Ta’ala gave him life.
2. He claims that the manner in which a certain verse is recited today is incorrect and is not part of the actual Qur’aan that was revealed by Allah Ta’ala upon Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Rather, the people who came after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) made a change to that word of the Qur’aan Majeed. He says that the verse “وَاِنّه لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعة” can only be read as وَاِنّه لَعَلَمٌ لِّلسَّاعة and it is incorrect to read it as وَاِنّه لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعة .
Can Mufti Saheb please explain whether this person’s beliefs are acceptable or whether they go against the correct beliefs of Islam and will render one out of the fold of Islam for subscribing to them?
I have also heard that Sheikh Imran Hosein is coming to South Africa soon. Will it be permissible for people to attend his lectures?
A: At the onset, it should be understood that watching YouTube videos which contain pictures of animate objects is not permissible is Islam.
Severe warnings have been sounded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith for those who perpetrate the grave sin of photography and picture making.
Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “The people who will be inflicted with the worst punishment on the Day of Qiyaamah will be the picture makers.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #5950)
Therefore, you should make sincere taubah for watching the YouTube videos which contain the lectures of Imran Hosein.
As far as the beliefs of Imran Hosein which you have mentioned are concerned, these beliefs contradict the beliefs of Islam. Hence, it is not permissible for people to read his works, attend his lectures or listen to his discourses.
Below we will respond to the two extremely serious issues which you have raised in your question, together with reproducing his statements verbatim from his writings.
First Belief – Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) was Crucified and Killed
Sheikh Imran Hosein believes that Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) was crucified on the cross. He clearly states this in his book “The Messiah, the Quraan and Akhir al Zaman Pg. 124”:
“We now have information which explains why the Jews were convinced that they had killed Jesus (عليه السلام) and that he died by crucifixion. They were justified in coming to that conclusion since Allah took the soul of Jesus before their very eyes while he was nailed on the cross. In other words, they saw him with their very eyes 'give up the ghosť (a usual expression for dying) while he was on the cross.”
In the above quotation, Imran Hosein makes the following claims:
1. The Jews were justified in their conviction that Isa (‘alaihis salaam) was crucified.
2. Allah Ta’ala took the soul of Isa (‘alaihis salaam) while he was on the cross.
This belief clearly contradicts the clear text of the Qur’aan Majeed. In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala clearly states:
وَمَا قَتَلُوْهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوْهُ
And they (the Jews) did not kill him (Nabi Isa [‘alaihis salaam]) and they did not crucify him (Surah Nisa: 157)
In this Aaayat, Allah Ta’ala openly declares that Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) was NOT killed by the Jews and was also NOT crucified by them.
Hence, if anyone rejects this clear verse of the Qur’aan Majeed and believes that Nabi Isa (alaihis salaam) was crucified, then he will come out of the fold of Islam, as there is consensus among the Ulama that any person who rejects a single verse of the Qur’aan Majeed will come out of the fold of Islam. Therefore, this belief of Imran Hosein is a blasphemous belief resulting in kufr.
Second Belief – Mistake in the Qur’aan Majeed
As for the second belief which Imran Hosein subscribes to that a certain Aayat of the Qur’aan Majeed has not been revealed in the way it is being recited throughout the centuries of Islam, and that the word in the Aayat has been changed by some of the latter people, after the era of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), then this belief is also a blasphemous belief tantamount to kufr.
This belief is extremely serious as one is making an allegation against Allah Ta’ala that Allah Ta’ala has not preserved the Qur’aan Majeed, whereas Allah Ta’ala has taken the responsibility of protecting and preserving the Qur’aan Majeed in its original form.
In the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala mentions:
اِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا الذِّکۡرَ وَاِنَّا لَهُ لَحٰفِظُوۡنَ
Indeed, We have revealed the Zikr (i.e. the Qur’aan Majeed) and We will most certainly preserve it
The accepted belief of Islam is that the Qur’aan Majeed is preserved in its original form and there is no change made in the Qur’aan Majeed from the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) until this time, and this authenticity and integrity of the Qur’aan Majeed will continue until the end of time.
Below is the verbatim statement of Imran Hosein from his book:
“We are hence confident that our explanation that Jesus (عليه السلام) is a Sign of the Last Hour is correct, and that the diacritical marks inserted by human beings for the word علم in that verse (al-Zukhruf, 43:61), causing it to be read as 'Ilm, or knowledge, rather than 'Alam, or Sign, are incorrect.” (The Messiah, the Quraan and Akhir al Zaman Pg. 153)
The Qur’aan Majeed was taught to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) directly by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) taught it to their students in exactly the same manner they learnt it from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). The diacritical marks were inserted in accordance to the correct recitation which came down from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hence, to claim that لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعة is not correct is a negation of this Aayah. Such negation is kufr.
Conclusion
After referring to the books and writings of Imran Hosein to verify his actual beliefs in this regard, we conclude that Imran Hosein subscribes to such blasphemous beliefs that cause one to come out of the fold of Islam. Hence, it is not permissible for people to read his works, attend his lectures or listen to his discourses.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Checked & Approved: