Continuation of the discussion regarding al-Bouti's book on Madhhabism.

The Shaykh : These intellectuals who have studied comparative jurisprudence and have the books of the Sunnah at their disposal, studying the evidence of both sides, see that the evidence of this school is stronger than the evidence of the second school, and say, "This is what we must adopt." This is what al-Bouti denies. It is not that al-Bouti is denying someone who comes, as it were, from behind the cows, saying, "I want to understand from the Book and the Sunnah," while he is not able to recite a verse from the Book of Allah or a hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him); because this is a matter on which there is consensus to deny it. Do you understand me or not?

The questioner : Do you understand?

The Shaykh : Well, there is no one who responds to al-Bouti's response; because there is no Muslim on the face of the earth. Even when I told him, "Do you think that this al-Khujandi— he speaks of a French Christian, may Allah guide him, who converted to Islam— I tell him, it is obligatory for you to understand the legal ruling from the Book and the Sunnah. And he does not know the Arabic language at all. Who would believe that in a world of Muslims, it is said that every Muslim must be a mujtahid? This is what a person says, my brother. So, in reality, he is responding to imaginary people who do not exist on earth. And when the subject is specified, the truth becomes clear. So, what is your opinion about Dr. al-Bouti now? Can he not be of the Shafi'i school? I am asking you this question directly: is he able to do so, considering he is a scholar and studies at the Faculty of Sharia?

The questioner : Correct, but I cannot answer such a question on his behalf because he...

The Shaykh : Well, like...

The questioner : Through his writing, if you want to answer on his behalf through his writing, yes, he can.

The Shaykh : I am telling you, through his writing.

The questioner : Through his writing, yes, he can.

The Shaykh : Well, what is his reality?

The questioner : I do not know.

The Shaykh : We know. This is the problem between those who know and those who do not. So, you—may Allah bless you—do not know the Islamic world in which you live from the legal aspect, from the jurisprudential aspect, from the aspect of independent legal reasoning. You say, "Within the limits of what I have read in al-Bouti's book and was impressed by, he can." Well, what is al-Bouti's reality? Al-Bouti still lives and will die saying, "I am of the Shafi'i school." What is your opinion? And so are most of the Muslim scholars existing today. Meanwhile, what is the obligation of these scholars? It was not obligatory for the first ones.

The questioner : It is obligatory for someone like al-Bouti to be a scholar and a mujtahid.

The Shaykh : That is it. Therefore, the truth is very clear that someone like al-Bouti does not have to say, "I am Shafi'i"; because al-Zarqa comes and says, "No, I am Hanafi," and another says, "I am Maliki," and another says, "I am Hanbali"; and so the Muslim scholars are divided, and the heads are divided by the division of the followers. But when they come and get close to each other and apply a verse in the Qur'an My brother, Dr., do not blame me. Do you not feel our pain in this matter? Now, if we settle the matter of al-Bouti and al-Zarqa and I do not know who, and they pray behind one imam, do you know that each one's prayer is different? This one does it this way and this one does it that way, he almost covers his 'awrah, and this one does it this way and this one does it that way, and all of them, as they say, are seeking from the Messenger. Do you see how the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do it? What is the reason for this division? And in one of the four practical pillars of Islam, the first pillar is prayer. Each one's prayer is different. What is the reason? Because so-and-so says, "I am Hanafi," and the second says, "I am Shafi'i." My brother, why do you not unite yourselves, especially in a worship that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform five times a day in public? What is the matter with you that you do not agree on this apparent form? Do we not want to enter into the theoretical and intellectual matters only? The practical ones, yes, yes, yes. Why does this difference remain? Because they practice religion by the school. This is the problem.

The questioner : Do you allow me a question?

The Shaykh : Not just one question, Jood— he laughsThe Shaykh : May Allah have mercy on him.

Another questioner : On the margin of the question

The Shaykh : Please go ahead.

The questioner : I say, is it permissible to test people with titles for which Allah has not sent down any authority?

The Shaykh : Which one?

The questioner : And that it is necessary to say Shafi'i or Hanbali or Maliki?

The Shaykh : Leave that for now.