Differences of Opinion amongst Scholars
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
How do we understand differences of opinion amongst scholars, and what do we follow? Should I seek knowledge and just sit in the Mosque all day, which leads to the Muslim community being backward?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
The difference of opinion of the scholars is part and parcel of the guidance Allah Most High has sent us through the beloved Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace).
The intentional ambiguity of the Quran and the breadth of expression used by the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) lead to a vast array of valid and authentic understandings in various areas of the religion.
Know that the main aspects of Islam are agreed upon across the board as they apply to everyone in every place and time.
However, the remaining areas are circumstantial and may change according to people’s circumstances, thus Allah Most High and His Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) gave us principles through which the appropriate guidance can be derived.
The derivation of guidance from these principles is the role of the scholars and muftis and is the bedrock of the four schools of legal interpretation (madhab): the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools of thought.
It is this difference of opinion that the scholars referred to as a ‘Mercy.’ [Khadimi, Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya]
What Do I Follow?
As for the common person they are responsible to follow the advice and teachings of scholars who have a vast understanding of the Sacred Law, who understand the time and place in which they live, and who understand the utility of alternative opinions in facilitating religious practice for people.
Allah Most High says, “Ask the people of knowledge if you do not know…” [Quran; 16:43]
Through seeking and increasing in knowledge and understanding of the religion, one will attain a level of clarity that will allow them to know what to do in each circumstance they face. Your questions about purification and misgivings (waswasa) are facilitated through this knowledge.
Are the Muslims Backwards?
The claim that Muslims are backwards is a lie put forth by people of earlier generations that had a political and religious vendetta against the nascent Islamic nations. This claim couldn’t be any further from the truth. In fact, it clearly depicts an ignorance of history.
The greatest mathematicians, astronomers, philosophers, artists, inventors, etc… were from the Muslims. In fact, many of these sciences were founded and pioneered by the Muslims. More than half the named stars in the sky have Arabic names.
It is important for Muslims to remember this history.
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
