Learning Religious Knowledge and Gaining Understanding in the Religion
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Fatwa No. ( 18848 )
Q: I am a student of knowledge, holding a bachelor's degree in Islamic jurisprudence. In the mosque of our neighborhood in al-Na'jah, they tell me that I am the most knowledgeable about the rulings of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Therefore, most people—especially those who know me—do not ask anyone but me about their religious matters, due to the absence of a qualified imam.
Our imam in the mosque is of a weak level and has little knowledge, if not considered among the common people. This is evident from his sermons and fatwas, which are merely a collection of scholars' opinions recited to the people, i.e., mere transmission and nothing else. Consequently, people turn to me for consultation on Islamic rulings, as well as for marriage contracts and for ruqyah (healing by Qur'anic recitation) for those afflicted by jinn. At the beginning, I was responsive to them. However, recently, when my father heard about this, he swore by Allah (the Exalted) that I should not do so, and threatened that if I did, he would expel me from the house. Therefore, I stopped performing these duties. The people now blame me for this and have not accepted my excuse that my father does not allow me to do so. This also applies to leading the people in prayer, as there is no one to lead them in the five daily prayers. Please answer us, may Allah reward you with good.
A: I advise you to increase your diligence in learning Islamic knowledge, understanding the religion, and benefiting people with what you have learned of the religion of Allah (the Exalted) to the best of your ability. It is obligatory for you to stop doing what you do not know until you ask the people of knowledge about it. As for your father preventing you from performing ruqyah for those afflicted by possession and from handling marriage contracts—if you can convince him of the benefit and utility of this for the people, that is good. Otherwise, you are obligated to obey your father, and there is good in that, if Allah wills. As for leading the people in prayer, if there is someone else who
is proficient in recitation and knows the rulings of prayer, then you are not obligated to lead them. However, if there is no one qualified for the imamate except you, then it becomes obligatory for you to lead them; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Ibn Majah 980Sahih (Darussalam) the hadith. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Q: I am a student of knowledge, holding a bachelor's degree in Islamic jurisprudence. In the mosque of our neighborhood in al-Na'jah, they tell me that I am the most knowledgeable about the rulings of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Therefore, most people—especially those who know me—do not ask anyone but me about their religious matters, due to the absence of a qualified imam.
Our imam in the mosque is of a weak level and has little knowledge, if not considered among the common people. This is evident from his sermons and fatwas, which are merely a collection of scholars' opinions recited to the people, i.e., mere transmission and nothing else. Consequently, people turn to me for consultation on Islamic rulings, as well as for marriage contracts and for ruqyah (healing by Qur'anic recitation) for those afflicted by jinn. At the beginning, I was responsive to them. However, recently, when my father heard about this, he swore by Allah (the Exalted) that I should not do so, and threatened that if I did, he would expel me from the house. Therefore, I stopped performing these duties. The people now blame me for this and have not accepted my excuse that my father does not allow me to do so. This also applies to leading the people in prayer, as there is no one to lead them in the five daily prayers. Please answer us, may Allah reward you with good.
A: I advise you to increase your diligence in learning Islamic knowledge, understanding the religion, and benefiting people with what you have learned of the religion of Allah (the Exalted) to the best of your ability. It is obligatory for you to stop doing what you do not know until you ask the people of knowledge about it. As for your father preventing you from performing ruqyah for those afflicted by possession and from handling marriage contracts—if you can convince him of the benefit and utility of this for the people, that is good. Otherwise, you are obligated to obey your father, and there is good in that, if Allah wills. As for leading the people in prayer, if there is someone else who
is proficient in recitation and knows the rulings of prayer, then you are not obligated to lead them. However, if there is no one qualified for the imamate except you, then it becomes obligatory for you to lead them; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
The people should be lead by the one who is most well-Versed in recitation of the Book of Allah
يؤم القوم أقرؤهم لكتاب الله
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.