A Fatwa on Fatwas

Hafiz Muhammed Amin Khowaldia

The power of true knowledge is such that it conquers the respect of any sane individual who has even the slightest aquaintenance with learning. There is no substitute for true knowledge.

“Say can those who know be on the same level as those who do not know.” Surah Zumar 39:9

True knowledge is one of the few luxuries that even prophets crave: “...And say, O My Lord! Increase me in knowledge!” Surah TaHa 20:114

All prophets are given true knowledge as the Quran, the manifestation of true knowledge, mentions again and again. So, it is true knowledge which prophets associate with and disseminate. So, it is true knowledge which is sought by anyone who seeks to see what prophets sough. ANd it is only true knowledge which draws the attention of Allah. The source of both the truth and knowledge.

True knowledge has to be acquired through means which guarantee true knowledge: all other means are not worthy of any consideration. It is only common sense to learn medicine from a means whic cultivates medical expertise and not from a means which may offer some thoughts and fantasies on the issues of medicine out of interest. Has any one ever heard of someone who became a doctor by being in the company of a lumberjack?

Allah, the Teacher, instructs seekers to learn from the true source.

“He is Rahman: so ask any acquainted (experienced) person about Him.” Surah Furqaan 25:59

This definitely rules out learning about Allah and His commands from the inexperienced and undeveloped.

Allah, The Discerning, strongly reprimands the ideas of half-baked mediocres: “And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge: because hearing, seeing and the mind (referring to the faculties of acquiring knowledge) will be asked about on the Day of Judgment.” Surah Bani Israel 17:36

The bearer of true knowledge discerns and knows that the purpose of informing people is to guide them and show them a way to reach their desired destination and goal. The bearer of true knowledge knows that the application and dissemination of true knowledge is an art itself and requires a certain amount of sagacity and acumen.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) explained this true concept to his students in the followign eloquent words:

“Give people good tidings (motivate them to perform good deeds.) Do not chase them away (by being bigots.) Make it wasy for them (to understand and practice Islam.) Do not make it difficult for them (by not paying attention to their problems.”) Bukhari: The Book of Knowledge.

Obviously the Prophet did not g ive the green light to create new shariah in this statement. Rather he was informing his students, the Sahaba, to display concern for people who have not yet reached their level of islam. He was informing them that the purpose of informing people about islam is to help them reach their desired goal, Allah, by practicing and following Islam. Such was the knowledge of the bearer of true knowledge of prophethood.

True knowledge co-exists with mediocre and false knowledge. The Prophet knew that true knowledge is always confronted with its adversary, falsehood and make-believe knowledge. Following his own example, the Prophet, showed concern and warned us about this phenomena.

“Until there will remain no more scholars, so people will adopt ignorant leaders who will be asked so they will offer fatwas (verdicts and opinions) without (true) knowledge. Consequently, these leaders will go astray themsleves and lead others astray as well.”  (Bukhari: the Book of Knowledge.)

This prediction and concern is frightfully reflective of contemporary situations. Being a Mufti or offering fatwas should not be considred to be a blessing by any means. Indeed, the early bearers of true Islamic knowledge were always very apprehensive about it. They were justified in being apprehensive because they knew the serious responsibility they were undertaking. The problem today is that some people who read a few books on Islam assume the role of educating every Muslim they come in contact with and offer “canned and drive-through” fatwas.

Is this our standard of true knowledge?

Originally published in the print edition of

, May-June 1990

Visit Hafiz Muhammed Amin Kholwadia’s site at http://blog.darulqasim.org/