Seeking knowledge before calling others to Islam and issuing fatwas
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If one of the brothers is seeking knowledge from the shaykhs, and his congregation and the people of his village are falling into wrongdoings, and most of them may be falling into acts of shirk (associating partners with Allah),And when you tell him: Go to your village and convey the religion of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and so on, with what you have.He says: I am still seeking knowledge, so will the argument be against him—O Shaykh—regarding his village?Answer: We tell him: Seek knowledge first, then go to your village second, because how can he call his people when he does not know? And what harmed the people except those who speak of what they do not know? And reflect on the fatwas on the scene, and you will find the most astonishing things from the fatwas of half-knowledge, fatwas that have no control. And woe to those who rush in issuing fatwas; they will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection, where they said about Allah what they do not know.Allah, Blessed and Exalted, said: [Al-A'raf: 33] And O, the glory of Allah! If a doctor were to practice medicine on people while he does not know, and many people died by his hand, what would people say about this doctor? Did he do wrong or right? He did wrong, and how much wrong. This is in the medicine of bodies, so how about the medicine of hearts, which is the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law)?? Then, it is amazing for those who rush to leadership that they are pointed at with fingers.And it is said: So-and-so is a scholar!! My brother: Do not rush! Be patient! If Allah has decreed leadership for you, you will get it, and if not, you will not get it. And this rushing does not increase you except in lowliness in the sight of Allah and in the sight of the servants of Allah. Everything that is written for a person will be given to him in his life.The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (Indeed, no soul can die until it has completed its provision and its term) Even if only a grain of rice remained for him of his provision to eat, and even if only a moment remained of his term, he would reach it, So I warn these people who rush in issuing fatwas, and I say: Be patient, drink deeply from knowledge, then issue fatwas. And I warn people also from paying attention to their fatwas.
So we say about this man: Read the knowledge first, then go to your village. And if it is possible to combine this and that by coming to your village one day of the week and clarifying the truth to them, then that is good.
Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know."
قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَالْأِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَنْ تُشْرِكُوا بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَاناً وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَSo we say about this man: Read the knowledge first, then go to your village. And if it is possible to combine this and that by coming to your village one day of the week and clarifying the truth to them, then that is good.