Q13. There are four schools of thoughts and we can follow any one of them. Is it permissible to follow two schools of thought to suit the situation ? For example, the Shafi school of thought considers 2.25 pm as the time for Asr prayers in our town while the Hanafi school of thought has fixed time at 3.08. So can we follow any of these two timings to suit our necessity ?
1. Muslims should be united
Muslims today, are divided amongst themselves. Such divisions are not endorsed by Islam. Islam believes in fostering unity amongst its followers.
The Glorious Qur’an says:
“And hold fast, altogether, by the rope Which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves.” [Al-Qur’an 3:103]
Which is the rope of Allah that is being referred to in this verse? It is the Glorious Qur’an. The Glorious Qur’an is the rope of Allah which all Muslims should hold fast together. There is double emphasis in this verse. Beside saying ‘hold fast all together’ it also says, ‘be not divided’.
The Qur’an further says,
“Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger” [Al-Qur’an 4:59]
All the Muslims should follow the Qur’an and authentic Ahadith and ensure that they are not divided among themselves.
2. It is prohibited to make divisions in Islam.
The Glorious Qur’an says:
“As for those who divide Their religion and break up Into sects, you have no part in them in the least: Their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” [Al-Qur’an 6:159]
In this verse Allah (swt) says that one should disassociate oneself from those who divide their religion and break it up into sects.
But when one asks a Muslim, “who are you?” the common answer is either ‘I am a Hanafi or Shafi or Maliki or Hanbali. Some call themselves ‘Ahle-Hadith’.
3. Four Schools of Thoughts
The Islamic world has produced several learned Islamic scholars (Imams), but out of these, four became more famous and their teachings spread in different parts of the world.
It is a misconception that a Muslim should follow any one of these four schools of thoughts i.e. Hanafi, Shafi, Hanbali or Maliki. There is no proof whatsoever in the Qur’an or any authentic Hadith that a Muslim should only follow one of these four Imams.
4. Respect all the Great Scholars of Islam.
We must respect all the great scholars of Islam, including the four Imaams, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Hanbal and Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with them all). They were great scholars and may Allah reward them for their research and hard work. One can have no objection if someone agrees with the view and research of any one or more from these four great scholars of Islam.
5. All Four Imam said follow the Qur’an and Sunnah.
All the four great Imams said that if any of their Fatwas or teachings contradict Allah’s word, i.e. the Qur’an, or the sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) i.e. authentic Hadith, then that particulars Fatwa of theirs should be rejected, and the Sunnah of the Prophet should be followed.
Refer:
a. Eeqaadh al-Himam, Al Fulaanee (Imam Abu Hanifa)
b. Al-Majmoo’ of an-Nawawee (1/63) (Imam Shafi)
c. Jaami ‘Bayan al-Ilm, Ibn Abdul-Barr (Imam Malik)
d. Eeqaadh al-Himam (Imam Hanbal)
To give you an example in this context – Imam shafi said that when a women touches a man who is in a state of wudhu, the wudhu of the man breaks. However, this ruling of Imam Shafi contradicts the authentic saying of the Prophet.
Narrated Aisha
The Prophet (may peace be upon him) kissed one of his wives and went out for saying prayer. He did not perform ablution. (Sunan Abu Dawood Vol. 1 Chapter No. 70 Hadith No. 179)
Thus this particular teaching of Imam Shafi contradicts the authentic saying of the Prophet. So I reject this specific ruling of Imam Shafi who himself said , “ If I say something, then compare it to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His messenger and if it agrees to them, then accept it and that which goes against them, then reject it and throw my saying against the wall” – This is a saying of ash-Shafi’ee-rahimaullah. See Al-Majmoo’ of an-Nawawee (1/63).
Thus by rejecting this particular teaching of Imam Shafi which contradicts the authentic Hadith, I am practically a better follower of Imam Shafi than those who call themselves ‘Shafi’.
Similarly in practice, I claim to be a better follower of Imam Abu Hanifa than those who call themselves ‘Hanafi’. I claim to be a better follower of Imam Hanbal than those who call themselves ‘Hanbali’. I claim to be a better follower of Imam Malik than those who call themselves ‘Maliki”. If being a ‘Ahle-Hadith’ means following Qur’an and authentic Hadith then I claim to be a better follower of the Qur’an and authentic Hadith than those who call themselves ‘ Ahle-Hadith’. All these are mere labels (Hanafi, Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki, Ahle-Hadith) that are not endorsed by the Qur’an or the Sahih Ahadith.
The only label or title given by the Qur’an and the Sahih Ahadith is MUSLIM.
6. All the Groups have sub divisions
I personally have no objection if someone calls himself Hanafi, Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki or Ahle Hadith. People give different labels to themselves to identify which set of teachings they prefer to follow and to disassociate themselves from those people who follow wrong practices. From history we come to know that all the labels given to different groups, at a later stage the people from that group themselves did not follow their teachings and made new sub-groups. Therefore in all the groups you find a sub-division.
But as far as giving a label to identify what a person practices in Islam is concerned, there can not be better label than what Allah (swt) has given i.e. a Muslim.
7. Our Prophet was a Muslim
“Who was our beloved Prophet (pbuh)? Was he a Hanafi or a Shafi, or a Hanbali or a Maliki ?” No! He was a Muslim, like all the other Prophets and Messengers of Allah before him.
It is mentioned in chapter 3 verse 52 of Al-Qur’an that Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim.
Further , in chapter 3 verse 67, Al-Qur’an says that Ibrahim (pbuh) was not a Jew or a Christian but was a Muslim.
8. Qur’an says call yourselves Muslims
There is no Qur’anic verse or any authentic Hadith that says you should call yourselves Hanafi, Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki or Ahle Hadith.
If anyone poses a Muslim the question who are you, he should say “I am a Muslim, not a Hanafi or a Shafi or a Ahle-Hadith”.
In Surah Fussilat chapter 41 verse 33 Allah (swt) says: “Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am of those Who bow in Islam (Muslim)?’ “[Al-Qur’an 41:33]
The Qur’an instructs, “Say: I am of those who bow in Islam”. In other words, say, “I am a Muslim”.
The Prophet (pbuh) dictated letters to non-Muslim kings and rulers inviting them to accept Islam. In these letters he mentioned the verse of the Qur’an from Surah Al Imran chapter 3 verse 64:
Say ye: “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (submitting to Allah’s Will).”[Al-Qur’an 3:64]
9. Lip Service Muslims
Allah knew that even in the Muslim Ummah there will be many people who claim to be Muslims (i.e. claim to submit their will to Allah) but practically will not follow Allah’s commands.
Allah refers to such people in the Qur’an as lip service Believers (Al Qur’an 5:41). Thus we can conclude that those who claim to be Muslims but do not follow Qur’an and Sunnah are Lip-Service Muslims. Those who follow the Qur’an and authentic Hadith should not change their label, and stick to the best label given by Allah (swt) i.e. Muslim and which the Prophet also called himself.
10. The Prophet had said that there would be 73 sects.
Some may argue by quoting the Hadith of our beloved Prophet, from Sunan Abu Dawood Hadith No. 4579. In this Hadith the Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, “My community will split up into seventy-three sects.”
This hadith reports that the prophet predicted the emergence of seventy-three sects. He did not say that Muslims should be active in dividing themselves into sects. The Glorious Qur’an commands us not to create sects. Those who follow the teachings of the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, and do not create sects are the people who are on the true path.
According to Tirmidhi Hadith No. 171, the prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, “My Ummah will be fragmented into seventy three sects, and all of them will be in Hell fire except one sect.” The companions asked Allah’s messenger which group that would be. Where upon he replied, “It is the one to which I and my companions belong”.
The Glorious Qur’an mentions in several verses, “Obey Allah and obey His Messenger”. A true Muslim should only follow the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith. He can agree with the views of any scholar as long as they conform to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith. If such views go against the Word of Allah, or the Sunnah of His Prophet, then they carry no weight, regardless of how learned the scholar might be. A true Muslim will not follow any ruling or teaching of any great scholar of Islam if that particular ruling or teaching contradicts the Qur’an and Saheeh Hadith.
Thus, the only school of thought that a Muslim should follow, is that of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The only Madhab that a Muslim should follow, is the Madhab of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). And Allah knows the Best.
11. Time for Asr Salah
As far as your specific query regarding the timing of Asr Salah is concerned, it is mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawood Vol. 1 Chapter No. 147 Hadith No. 393,
Narrrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said : Gabriel (pbuh) …. prayed the Asr Salah with me when shadow of everything was as long as itself….. On the following day he prayed the Asr Prayer with me when his shadow was twice as long as himself….. Then turning to me he said : Muhammad, this is the time observed by the prophets before you, and the time is anywhere between these two times.
It is mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawood Volume No. 1 Chapter No. 158 Hadith No. 426,
Umm Farwah said :
The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) was asked : Which of the actions is best ? He replied: Observing prayer early in its period.
Therefore it is preferable to pray early (i.e. at the beginning of the prescribed period for Salaah).
For all the Salaah except Isha, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said it is preferable to pray early.
Narrated Saiyar bin Salama :
The Prophet loved to delay the Isha… and he disliked sleeping before it and speaking after it.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 1 Hadith No. 522)
However, if a person is unable to pray at the early hour, it is permitted to pray at any time within the prescribed period for Salaah.
Only If all the Muslims read the Qur’an with understanding and adhere to Sahih Hadith, Insha-Allah most of these differences would be solved and we could be one united Muslim Ummah.
And Allah Knows the Best.
Aoa brother
I want to ask Dr zakir naik he has mentioned 4 fiqahs or books or watever by 4 imams when he’s telling that we should reject their fatwas if they go against the Quran-o-sunnah.Should we avoid or reject these four referencs he mentioned or we should just follow these particular books by 4 imams? I’m a bit confused about has he given these four references like Eeqaadh al himam n rest 3 are to be rejected or followed..
Thank you
as salam walekum wa rahematulahi barkatahu | jazakALLAH KHAIR for the answer i was in search of this from many day and many muslim brother are aroused over ths issue in my town| inshallah i understand the full answer and may allah guides us aminnn thanx thany thanx
dear brother he has only given refrences of the books where these islamic personalities have endorsed the people to follow Qur’aan, authentic ahadith and not to follow them which is prohobitted or haraam
I have questions about the shadow of Prophet
Muhammad(peace b upon him.) and saying Aameen in loud.
please visit http://www.muftisays.com/viewarticle.php?article=zntaqleed to get full details where Dr Zakir Naik mentioned part of the verse of the Quran. We should avoid him in fiqh issues.
ASSALAM WALEKUM MY QUESTION IS ABOUT DARGHA AND WALI ALLAH CAN U EXPLAIN IN DETAIL
Asalaam-o-Alyikum,
Indeed I truly respect Dr. Zakir Naik, and I must accept that its his teachings that converted me from an atheist to a Muslim. Why I am saying this ? Because He is the one who changed my “source of trust/authenticity” from “simple logic science” to “Quran and Hadeeth”. He is the one woh proved me from the knowledge I previously possessed (i.e logic and reason), that God do exist and Quran is indeed God’s words.
But I must also agree that he is not an appropriate consultant to consult on a Fiqah issues. Lets consider an analogy to understand it, when you studied your 10th standard you had a different set of knowledge which was more simpler, but as you go forward in your studies, the subject you were specializing in, got deeper and complex, and hence the grade of teacher increases as well, so if you prefer that your 10th standard’s teacher’s qualification should be at least B.Sc, you will prefer that your B.Sc teacher’s should be atleast M.Phil and your M.Sc teacher should be a Ph.D and so forth.
Similarly you will prefer a subject expert to teach you that particular subject, you will never ask a physics teacher to teach you history ? would you ?
In simpler words you will select or prefer an appropriately qualified subject matter expert as your teacher when you decided to specialize in a particular subject further.
Respected Dr. Zakir Naik in my opinion is a wonderful and recommended teacher for students who do not believe in God or does not approve Quran as the true word of God or are confused about which religion to follow etc etc etc. As he HIMSELF said on various occasions that he is a student of “COMPARATIVE RELIGION”, and yes he is indeed an expert on that matter. The problem is with us (the people), that we are continuously dragging him in to different subjects like Fiqa, Taqleed etc, by asking questions about those things.
So its us (the people) who understands and promptly follow this simple logic in our daily lives when it comes to ours or our childern’s worldly eduction, that we select appropriate set of teachers for each standard/subject, but wants one person to mentor us all the subject from 1st Grade to Ph.D when it comes of religion.
We need to change our attitudes.
May Allah guides us all towards Siraat-e-Mustaqeem.
Assalamu Alaikum Abdulla brother,
I appreciate that your attitude has changed with Dr.Zakir Naik’s teachings or directions. Buddy to me, Zakir sahab is teaching or preaching or directing us only in Allah’s way. He is asking us to follow Quran and Sahi Hadith, not him. When Quran and Sahi Hadit teaches everything of our life then we don’t need to go to any other teacher. Yes of course if we don’t understand the context of the Quran Ayat or Hadith then we may refer to some ULAMA(Scholor). Whomever the Scholor is they again teach the same written in Quran and Hadith.
If we say LA ILAHA ILLALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLA(PBUH), then we just got to follow Allah and His Rasool. I think that is what Dr.Zakir sahab is also telling us.
Your logic of 10th Class and Highest degree makes sense but whatever the degree is basics are always the same (i.e. A,B,C,D..)
allah’s blessings be on all those who follow the Right Way
all the respected readers! i may humbly add that i have often read such type of narrations in the ulema’s decrees i.e. fatawa that one cannot become a doctor by simply reading medical books untill he joins a medical college and learns under supervision of expert professors hence how can one comment on religious matters without having its proper knowledge. by resorting to such ruse, they only want to maintain their supremacy and that people may always remain dependants in religious matters. followers of this school of thought have never regarded maudodi like scholars, dr. israr, dr. zakir naik, and all those great scholars who had had no opportunity of studying in any madrisah. their version needs rejection in toto.
i may add that dr. zakir naik is delivering great speeches on monotheistic beliefs but he has never uttered a single word against taghoot i.e. the elements who have been detrimental in the Right Way, may they be the devil, one’s own nafs, the big shots of the world viz. chodhris, waderas, politicians or of the religion viz. mystic sofias, clergy men i.e. molvis and pirs who enjoy the power and ability to mould public opinion in their favour and in that way they dragg them way from the Right Way and pave the way of hell. i could not check the saying of Imam Ahmed bin Hambal about rejecting his version on finding it contrary to the quran and sunnah, however, i know and have searched out that it is well established dogma of hambli school of thought that soul of a deceased person returns to his grave on his burial which is quite against the koranic injunction which affirms that soul a dead person will only return on the day of judgement and never before (surah al-mominoon ayat 16, 17, etc.). such a belief of ahmed bin hambal has not been rejected by followers of his fiqah till todate and kitabus salah distributed by saudi government among the pilgrims every year, still contains that very dogma. it will be in your knolwedge that saudi government follows hambli fiqah.
dr. zakir naik is respectfully requested to comment upon above situation that whether we should hold all hamblis as the refuters of the koran on professing an anti koranic belief of return of sould before the day of judgement, or we should still have respect and high esteem for imam of such fiqah who has given such a belief against the koran?
munawar sultan
i ask dr zakir naik that majority of people who follow quran and sahih hadith in Saudi Arabia
i want to ask Dr Zakir Nayak on what is the process for this school for foreigners to came like people from Afghanistan to get admission.
ASALAMU ALAIKUM
Dr.zakir Naik is shining star of the Sky.May ALMIGHTY GOD grace him.I request him to establish a school,where Al quran hafiz and Alim course parelalily with general course in india for the greater benefit of the Indian people .
assalamwalekum…
i have completed my +2 and i want 2 further study about my religion…plz help…what should i do
iam inspaired of dr.jakir naik sir. thanx.to him& iwant to join a insitute for more knowlege about islam. so plz help me that what is the qualification.
Assalamualaikum pleaze sendme ur websites name which provide knowledge about Fatayha thnk u.
i had a big confusion about all this, now it iz clear. thank u, May ALLAH give we people a better understanding. inshaallah.
“And hold fast, altogether, by the rope Which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves.” [Al-Qur’an 3:103]”
i see that more and more each day… it should be one islam! like we have one Allah!
people following traditions rather than islam!
With respect to “which school of thought to follow” i believe this should be handled very carefully. It is easy to say that respect all of the four school of thoughts but difficult to act upon because one does not live alone but within a society where the teachings of different schools of thoughts have deeply penetrated into generations around you. Moreover, if a person had so much time and access to authentic source of information at any given time to ensure (through Quran and Hadith) if certain teachings of any Imam is correct or not, there would have been no need to follow any of the Imam. In absence of such access & time, one looks bound to follow a specific school of thought (Taqlid). My point of view is that it is better to follow “that” Imam’s teachings that are common in the area (or within a family) to avoid disputes.
May GOD guide all of us to the right path. Ameen.
We should follow the IMAMS because we r “AMMi”
assalamualykam all respects to dr zakir nak i have understood what he has sai but my questioun to him is that does he believe in the four imams an why are people in my house stooping me from listning to him this is becuase they say he is wrong because he does not believe in the four imams as highly as all muslims should, desprate need answer back as sonn asap
Assalamualikum ,i’m a Bangladeshi college student.Dr zakir i hope u will never stop ur ongoing.All of ur deobandi critics will understand what u r wishing for.