Is Apologetics Needed to Defend Sacred Law?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Controversial laws like a father marrying off prepubescent children without their consent, polygamy, etc. are usually addressed by scholars with secular laws in addition to marriage contracts and is seen as a good initiative. Is Sacred Law not enough?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Allah Most High says, “Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen Islam as your way. But whoever is compelled by extreme hunger—not intending to sin—then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran; 5:3]
Sacred Law is divine and, therefore, perfect. Human understanding and interpretation of Sacred Law aren’t perfect and, therefore, often require explanation and contextualization by reliable orthodox scholars.
There are also flexible areas within Sacred Law which is a mercy from Allah to us. All the above must conform to the Quran, Sunna, and interpretations of the Orthodox scholars (Ahl Al-Sunna wa Al-Jama’a).
Interpretations of Sacred Law that do not comply with the above framework are likely heterodoxic and should be avoided, and Allah knows best.
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I pray this is of benefit.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
