Issue of Islamic Scholars
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It seems that there is a general disregard for the need of religious scholars in understanding the Quran these days. I would like readers comments on my understanding and their comments. Please tell me where am I wrong? Does every one agrees?
When I talk of religious scholars, I mean those who spend their time and effort understanding the Quran. Not mullahs and molvis. The scholars who are well known for their learning, (Taqi Usmani, Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, Ibn Uthaymeen, Ibn Taymeea, Al-albani to name a few) excluding the likes of self professed modernized reformist Mullas of today Tahir-ul-Qadri and the late Maulana Maudoodi.
While we must not blindly follow anyone, to think that there is no need for an expert on religion is a mistake. It is only natural to have more knowledge on what we have studied and spent our time on. A cardiologist will know the ins and outs of the heart. A cobbler will know the ins and outs of a shoe. If we need our shoe repaired we will go to a cobbler and if we have a heart problem, we will see a doctor. But while seeking advice we should be able to tell the difference between a doctor and a quack. Other wise we face ludicrous and often life threatening consequences. Similarly, unlike a Mullah, a religious scholar who has studied the Quran in Arabic, the history surrounding it, the example of the Prophet (SAW) will be far better equipped in understanding Islamic laws.
I am repeating myself we need experts in every field Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Agriculture, Teaching, every field, including Religion. In every field of life, common sense and logic dictates that the most sensible thing to do is to go the specialist, the one who has studied the discipline and specialized in it yet when it comes to religion we think illogically, coming up with answers that are the most convenient for us but are not the most correct and evidence based.
Some people having no systematic knowledge of Islamic disciplines often become deluded by their superficial information based on self-study, and that too, in most cases, through translations of the Holy Qur?an and ahadith. By virtue of this kind of cursory study, they presume themselves to be the masters of the Islamic learning, and start criticizing the former Muslim jurists. This attitude is incorrect and devoid of any justification. The inference of juristic rules from the Holy Qur?an and Sunnah is a very meticulous exercise which cannot be carried out on the basis of a sketchy study.
This is just like a layman who forget knowing medical terminology, doesn?t even know the language in which it is taught ie. English. Yet, when he gets his hands on a medical textbook by chance, he starts trying to read it and says that my conclusions are better and different than all the trained doctors and specialists out there just because I came across some quacks on the way who didn?t know how to treat me. All of the doctors who have ever studied medicine are wrong and I am right. That medicine is not only the doctors ?personal domain? and that every common man has a right to perform surgeries just like me! Tell, me what would you say about a person like that? Yet that is exactly what each of us tries to do? I mean we don?t know even the language in which the vast majority of Islamic sources and knowledge is in! We are not even in 1st grade and we have the gall to say all of the specialists (jusrists and scholars) out there are wrong just because we have come across some quacks (mullahs) on the way!
While studying a particular juristic subject one has to collect all the relevant material from the Holy Qur?an and from the ahadith found in different chapters and different books, and to undertake a combined study of this scattered material. He has to examine the veracity of the relevant ahadith in the light of the well settled principles of the science of hadith. He has to discover the historical background of the relevant verses and traditions. In short, he has to resolve a number of complicated issues involved. All this exercise requires very intensive and extensive knowledge which is seldom found in the contemporary 'Ulama, who have specialized themselves in the subject, let alone the common people who have no direct access to the original sources of Shari?ah.
In spite of the command to fight, Allah exempts a group of people from Jihad so that they can continue religious education and benefit the rest of society and thus emphasizes the importance of having specialized scholars for this job who the common man can go to for knowledge.
009.122 ?And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware.?
However, using scholars to understand the Quran does not absolve Muslims from understanding Islam by our own effort, but just as it is to our advantage if we draw on the knowledge and experience of a doctor in treating an illness. It is only to our benefit if we take advantage of religious scholars.
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And before thee also the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration if ye realize this not, ask of those who possess the Message.This verse is referring to the People of the Book but it gives a principle of guidance that those people who are not experts in knowledge and sciences should ask the specialists in this field and act accordingly. It is imperative that we turn to Ahl ?uz Zir (people having knowledge of the message). Every unaware should refer to the aware. Quite common sense.
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Salaamun alaikum,
While I see your point, I think you should know as well as the first thing Allah commanded those who wish to become believers is 'laa taqulu raaina'/do not HERD US (2/104). We are to observe ayaat/signs and gather ilm/knowledge. We cannot have a professional class of scholars, this isn't Quranic at all.
These Islamic disciplines you speak of has very little to do with the true Quranic philosophy. They are more interested in constructing a whole other philosophy to the Quraan.
Let us all become scholars.
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in my opinion, the very first thing a person needs to learn even before trying to understand Quran is to learn abt nature, natural law, life, human behavior, various culture, Art, Music, Science......mostly our serroundings with our general knowledge. Whe we can master the art of observing things or analysing from all these perspectives, only than one can understand the message of Quran.
to be it seems that organized or academic TITLED scholars are made to enslave those who know less.....
peace to all
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Salaamun alaikum guys,
Mehdithis is what the so called Scholars create.. a hierarchy which in itself is not Islamic... because it creates an enviroment where people simply give up their own personal responsiblity and start to follow others
what you say is true, Mehdi. However, I think we need to remember that 4/59 tells us to obey commanders (ameers). These 'ameerships' need not necessarily be permenant, but do exist at various points in time. Leadership is a must to move forward, but everyone should eventually become leaders.
Shamsulin my opinion, the very first thing a person needs to learn even before trying to understand Quran is to learn abt nature, natural law, life, human behavior, various culture, Art, Music, Science......mostly our serroundings with our general knowledge. Whe we can master the art of observing things or analysing from all these perspectives, only than one can understand the message of Quran.
Absolutely brother. Al-Quraan becomes detailed for people with information (41/3). We need more experience in life in order to understand Al-Quraan.
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we need experts in every field
- Religion is a composition of our beliefs. No expert can tell you what to believe. Beliefs are self-discovered.
- Also, think about your assumption "we need experts in every fields". What is the basis for this assertion? For example, medicine requires experts and the justification is that the layman cannot spend 12 years in medical school when he needs to treat an injury. However, does relgion require an expert? IMO, no. Quran is our source of religion and anyone can pick it up to understand.
- Experts can not explain Quran. Only God can. God makes clear unto you His messages (2242)
Some people having no systematic knowledge of Islamic disciplines often become deluded by their superficial information based on self-study
You fear that us common people will incorrectly understand Quran and thus deviate. The same is possible with these so-called experts, after all they have no mandate to interpert nor are they infallible. However, the greater danger of misinterperting lies with the experts since many times their opinions are blindly followed. Thus, these experts are in a ready position to manipulate the masses. We should avoid elevating other to positions of "experts" in Quran.
Yet, when he gets his hands on a medical textbook by chance, he starts trying to read it and says that my conclusions are better and different than all the trained doctors and specialists out there just because I came across some quacks on the way who didn?t know how to treat me.
Medical books' are not intended for the layman.
Quran's target audience is everyone.
This divine writ - let there be no doubt about it ? is a guidance for all the God-conscious (22) The intended reader of the Quran is anyone that is God conscious.one has to collect all the relevant material from the Holy Qur?an and from the ahadith found in different chapters and different books, and to undertake a combined study of this scattered material. He has to examine the veracity of the relevant ahadith in the light of the well settled principles of the science of hadith. He has to discover the historical background of the relevant verses and traditions. In short, he has to resolve a number of complicated issues involved.
No. Remember I said medicine requires experts because it takes 12 years to become a doctor. Twelve years to read mountains of books and gain experience. The same is not true for understanding Quran. The Quran does not rely on mountains of Hadith for explanation. God explains the Quran. Quran is self-sufficient.
Your oft repeated analogy likening a doctor to a Quran scholar is a false one. Treating illnesses requires an expert. Understanding Quran does not require an expert.
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Salaamun alaikum AMS,
Your oft repeated analogy likening a doctor to a Quran scholar is a false one. Treating illnesses requires an expert. Understanding Quran does not require an expert.
I disagree. I do think Al-Quraan is very plug and play. You can read the shorter chapters and live your life ever so simply. This doesn't contradict the fact that it also gives the deepest and most accurate analysis. Al-Quraan is at least as complex as humankind.
No. Remember I said medicine requires experts because it takes 12 years to become a doctor. Twelve years to read mountains of books and gain experience. The same is not true for understanding Quran. The Quran does not rely on mountains of Hadith for explanation. God explains the Quran. Quran is self-sufficient
12 years doesn't one an expert either. There are doctors who misdiagnose and end up killing patients.
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12 years doesn't one an expert either. There are doctors who misdiagnose and end up killing patients.
True.
I do think Al-Quraan is very plug and play. You can read the shorter chapters and live your life ever so simply. This doesn't contradict the fact that it also gives the deepest and most accurate analysis. Al-Quraan is at least as complex as humankind
This is also true.
But what do you think about
Understanding Quran does not require an expert.
Did you disagree with this part? -
peace All,
Many great minds have been considered "laymans" in their time. In the field of science, Einstein was relatively unlearned when he first presented ground-breaking hypotheses. No doubt many others too.
However, I see your point. Having someone learned in a particular field is good, but that doesn't mean they are always correct. I prefer to do the research when I can.
The seeking knowledge part is almost as important as the knowledge itself.
Wakas
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Salaamun alaikum AMS,
But what do you think about
AMS377 wrote
Understanding Quran does not require an expert.
Did you disagree with this part?No, I don't. I'm just concerned about the limiting of Al-Quraan's role. Supposing you take just 2 suras, 112 and 103. 112 gives you an understanding of monothiesm and 103 gives u a plan of action. You needn't read Al-Quraan any more for salvation because salvation only comes from intentional action, not understanding.
The thing is, Al-Quraan has another role, which is inspiration, 'wahi'. 29/45 tells to read that which inspires (maa yuhaa ilaika) and establish our salaat/commitments. So Al-Quraan has a whole other role to play and you can activate this role by keeping on your reading.
Speaking my personally, my very limited experience with Al-Quraan has taught me that Al-Quraan can really help remind us why we're here. The way to do that is to continously seek an adventure of ideas. Last year, I had a brief experimentation with Marxism. I studied it and tried to see how Al-Quraan dealt with it. Alhamdulillah, I saw an aspect of Al-Quraan which I never saw before. This is no way makes me an 'expert' , but it kept stoking the fires of Islaam in me. Al-Quraan is really irreproducible but you have to keep experimenting and keep seeking information to keep seeing that, imho.
thanks and peace.
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It seems that there is a general disregard for the need of religious scholars
Religion means straight path, the Siratun Mustaqeem. Unless Allah shows the way none can walk into it.
" It is thy we Worship; It is thy help we seek; Show us the straight path".
The Path is with Allah. He shows the way to who He Wsihes. There can thus be no self proclaimed scholar if the claimer is a mumin. And none can confer scholarship upon anyone, ignoring the dictum Allah bestows wisdom upon who He wsihes. If any community elevates a man as scholar, the scholar is a rejecter and the community is committing kufr.
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When I talk of religious scholars, I mean those who spend their time and effort understanding the Quran.
There is no ayat supporting this view. If there is one welcome.
While we must not blindly follow anyone, to think that there is no need for an expert on religion is a mistake.
If you mean what you say, you should see "eye to eye" with the expert, in which case there is no expert but oneself, living with humility if he turns to Allah for His every need in life. An expert shall make his people to turn to Allah alone.
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It is not that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the prophetic office, should say to people "Be ye my worshippers rather than Allah's" on the contrary "Be ye worshippers of Him Who is truly the Cherisher of all For ye have taught the Book and ye have studied it earnestly."It is only natural to have more knowledge on what we have studied and spent our time on.
Quran understanding has nothing to do with the time you spent on it. Be doing good believing in the Last Day with iman in Allah. Allah only rewards these people.
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When Yusuf attained His manhood, We gave him power and Wisdom thus do We reward those who do right. -
A cardiologist will know the ins and outs of the heart. A cobbler will know the ins and outs of a shoe. If we need our shoe repaired we will go to a cobbler and if we have a heart problem, we will see a doctor. But while seeking advice we should be able to tell the difference between a doctor and a quack.
A cobbler does know about the shoe but not about the feet. He cannot save the feet. Similarly a cardiologist claims he knows about the medicines for the heart, yet he cannot cure any disease of the heart, for he does not know about the heart. For example, a high blood pressure patient dies of only heart complications, due to blood pressure. Until today a specialist does not know why there is blood pressure? Only hypotheses exist in medicine, unfit for cure. In the absence of ability to diagnose and cure, these doctors/specialists are quaks to the core.
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If Allah do touch thee with affliction, there is none can remove it but He if He intends good for thee, there is none can keep back His favour He causeth it to reach whomsoever of His servants He pleaseth. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.It is a tragedy if we have religious quaks to be followed to enter the straight path. We will be destined for hell forever! On the Last Day these religious quaks disown us. We will plead with allah for doubling their punishements in hell accusing them to be the spoilers on the earth. But allah will say "To all of you there shall be double punishment!"
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"Our Lord! these led us astray therefore give them a double chastisement of the fire". He will say "Every one shall have double but you do not know". -
In spite of the command to fight, Allah exempts a group of people from Jihad so that they can continue religious education and benefit the rest of society and thus emphasizes the importance of having specialized scholars for this job who the common man can go to for knowledge.
009.122
And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware.The understanding of the above ayat is
Never opt for fighting tooth and nail with all your physical strength, but observe patience in the path of allah and do good fearing the judgement of Allah. In every troop let them be a section of people who restrains them to stay with patience and conduct them in doing good, by entrusting their affairs with Allah. Despite this if they went for war and return with losses, warn them and admonish them for their hastiness that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may bewareHowever, using scholars to understand the Quran does not absolve Muslims from understanding Islam by our own effort, but just as it is to our advantage if we draw on the knowledge and experience of a doctor in treating an illness. It is only to our benefit if we take advantage of religious scholars.
Both the parties are horrible quaks. Doctors are the worst. Look out! Who you take for an example! Religious scholars next, there is none on the earth who can undo the mischief they play.
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And before thee also the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration if ye realize this not, ask of those who possess the Message.In the above verse Allah asks the messenger himself to ask those who posses the message, who are not messengers at all. So beware! Before you pickup and ask the socalled scholars you shall acquire the stauts with the Wisdom Endowed by Allah so that you may rightly indentify the people inspired with Al Wahy!
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And those to whom the Wisdom has been given see that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, that is the truth, and it guides into the path of the Mighty, the Praised.
