If you say "the stronger position," do you mean the stronger position according to you, or in general? And likewise, "it is not befitting"—does that mean it is forbidden?
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The questioner : I say, the question is for me, O Shaykh. Some scientific terms regarding your eminence: If Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen says "the stronger position" and does not specify by saying "according to me," is it the stronger position according to the Shaykh, or in general?
The Shaykh : No, it is the stronger position according to me.
The questioner : According to you?
The Shaykh : Yes, if "the stronger position" or "the correct one" is said, it means according to me.
The questioner : According to you.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The questioner : Even if you do not specify.
The Shaykh : And if I do not specify, yes.
The questioner : All right, if Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen says "it is not befitting", does it rise to the level of prohibition?
The Shaykh : No, it is not for prohibition.
The questioner : Or "I do not see that"?
The Shaykh :"I do not see that" is also not for prohibition.
The questioner : It is a recommendation.
The Shaykh : It is not for prohibition, because in reality, sometimes the matter is ambiguous, so I say "I do not see it" and I do not say "forbidden," for example, or "disliked," because that requires evidence. For this reason, the Imams, of whom we are the smallest of their fingers, would say "it is not befitting" or "I do not see it." Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), when asked about something, would say "I do not see it," "I dislike that," or "it is not befitting," because prohibition is not easy. Prohibition and permissibility are difficult. And some scholars would not call something forbidden except what the Qur'an explicitly stated as forbidden, or the Sunnah.
The questioner : And your saying, O Shaykh, "it is not permissible"?
The Shaykh : People ask many questions.
The questioner : Do you allow it, O Shaykhs? Perhaps it is of general benefit.
The Shaykh : The point is, "it is not permissible" means forbidden.
The questioner : "It is not permissible" according to you means forbidden.
The Shaykh : According to me and others.
The Shaykh : No, it is the stronger position according to me.
The questioner : According to you?
The Shaykh : Yes, if "the stronger position" or "the correct one" is said, it means according to me.
The questioner : According to you.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The questioner : Even if you do not specify.
The Shaykh : And if I do not specify, yes.
The questioner : All right, if Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen says "it is not befitting", does it rise to the level of prohibition?
The Shaykh : No, it is not for prohibition.
The questioner : Or "I do not see that"?
The Shaykh :"I do not see that" is also not for prohibition.
The questioner : It is a recommendation.
The Shaykh : It is not for prohibition, because in reality, sometimes the matter is ambiguous, so I say "I do not see it" and I do not say "forbidden," for example, or "disliked," because that requires evidence. For this reason, the Imams, of whom we are the smallest of their fingers, would say "it is not befitting" or "I do not see it." Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), when asked about something, would say "I do not see it," "I dislike that," or "it is not befitting," because prohibition is not easy. Prohibition and permissibility are difficult. And some scholars would not call something forbidden except what the Qur'an explicitly stated as forbidden, or the Sunnah.
The questioner : And your saying, O Shaykh, "it is not permissible"?
The Shaykh : People ask many questions.
The questioner : Do you allow it, O Shaykhs? Perhaps it is of general benefit.
The Shaykh : The point is, "it is not permissible" means forbidden.
The questioner : "It is not permissible" according to you means forbidden.
The Shaykh : According to me and others.