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Seeking Knowledge

Last updated: 6th February 2005
Question ID: #350
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My question is regarding seeking knowledge in relation to the position of the awam. Taleed is agreed upon as wajib for the aammi. ijtihad is haram for him because he does not have the requisite tools. If he studies the dalil for interpreting he is in danger of harming himself and others. So where does that leave him in terms of seeking knowledge? What I mean is? I have friends in my locality who go to regular fiqh classes. Currently they are studying Hanbali fiqh then they will proceed to Shafi. They are studying the evidence for each masalah. They choose which one they feel is the strongest. As a follower of the haniafi school, what should I do, as they ask me to join. I am under the impression that those who wish to seek knowledge should do it in the proper structure i.e. learn the rules of jurisprudence (nasikh/mansuk, balagah, learning the Arabic language etc,) before learning the dalil. I heard ibn wahbin a muhaditteen, he memorized so many hadiths that he became really confused, because of they many indications of the hadiths. So where does it leave the lay person in this country who wishes just to practice Islam. It is obligatory for everyone to seek knowledge but what knowledge? Please comment?


Bismihi Ta'ala

Your question is of great relevance and importance.

The fact Rasoolullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam stated that the seeking of knowledge is necessary for evey individual Muslim doesn't mean that the legal proofs and evidences must be sort by the laymen. This is the responsibilityof the Fuqahaa (jurists). If certain individuals feel that they can study one School of Fiqh and then proceed to another, encompassing the entire Shari'ah according to its law Schools and feel that this is sufficient for them to now leave Taqleed, then this is a grave mistake. To leave Taqleed, you must be a jurist of a high calibre, and by attending regular Fiqh circles in no way equals to that. A person must be well aquainted with Usool of Fiqh and many other conditions must be fulfilled.

Of course, if you feel that the classes are being conducted by a Scholar who is qualified to teach Fiqh, and his views are correct, then there is no harm in attending the lessons to increase the knowledge. But if there remains a doubt that this could deviate you from the path of Taqleed (which is necessary for even those who have studies all four Schools, unless proven a jurist) then lessons as such should be avoided.

And Allah knows best.
Mufti
Answer last updated on:
26th April 2005
Answered by:
Ulamaa ID 01
Location:
Mufti Yaseen Shaikh