bismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

Quite often, all of us encounter issues or questions on a daily basis for which we intend to seek guidance in order to ensure that we lead our lives within the guidelines and parameters of Islam. In an attempt to help resolve such issues or answer such questions and to perpetually share the knowledge of deen of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), we have initiated this website. THIS IS BY NO MEANS A FATWA WEBSITE. We, as students of knowledge, do not claim to be scholars. All the answers to the questions on this website are provided based on authentic sources – the Qur’an and the Sunnah and the opinions of the scholars of Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah.

Before we go further, here is my brief intro: My name is Afdal, and my kunya is Abu Zeenat Afdal. I live in Houston, Texas (USA). See below for my brief profile.

An important issue that needs critical explanation in this drive is that of madaahib – these are the opinions of the people of knowledge and their understanding of some of the masaa’il (issues) and their deductions. However, it is important to note that the following of these opinions and deductions, and understandings were not made obligatory either by Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) or His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم). No doubt, the imams learned fiqh (jurisprudence) from the Qur’an and Sunnah, and they are mujtahideen in this regard. However, verily in their fiqh is that which is correct and that which is wrong and is not exclusively correct, except that which is established or confirmed upon the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم). And much of what these Imams chose as their opinion in a particular matter was changed by them after the truth was manifested.

To have an unambiguous understanding, we need to refer to the wording of the four great imams:

  1. Abu Haneefah (rahima-hullaah): “When I say something contradicting the Book of Allah the Exalted or what is narrated from the Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم), then ignore my saying.” (Al-Fulaanee in Eeqaaz al-Himam (p. 50))
  2. ash-Shaafi’ee (rahima-hullaah): “In every issue where the people of narration find a report from the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) to be sahih which is contrary to what I have said, then I take my saying back, whether during my life or after my death.”  (Abu Nu’aym (9/107), Harawee (47/1), Ibn al-Qayyim in I’laam al-Muwaqqi’een (2/363) and Fulaanee (p. 104))
  3. Maalik Ibn Anas (rahima-hullaah): “Truly I am only a mortal: I make mistakes (sometimes), and I am correct (sometimes). Therefore, look into my opinions: all that agrees with the Book and the Sunnah, accept it; and all that does not agree with the Book and the Sunnah, ignore it.” (Ibn ‘Abdul Barr in Jaami’ Bayaan al-‘Ilm (2/32), Ibn Hazm, quoting from the former in Usool al-Ahkaam (6/149), and similarly Al-Fulaanee (p. 72)
  4. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (rahima-hullaah): “The opinion of Awzaa’i, the opinion of Maalik, the opinion of Abu Haneefah: all of it is an opinion, and it is all equal in my eyes. However, the proof is in the narrations (from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) and his Companions).” (Ibn ‘Abdul Barr in Jaami’ Bayaan al-‘Ilm (2/149))

So the correct manhaj (methodology) is that the one who is able to derive rulings from the Qur’an and Sunnah should take from them, but it is not right to follow taqleed (blindly), one of the madaahib; rather, it is permissible for one to follow in matters in which he is unable to come to a conclusion based on the authentic sources. Consequently, our answers will refer to the opinions of these great imams, as and when required. Last but not least, there is no place for the opinions of deviated sects on our forum.

Whosoever intends to ask a question should use the link ‘Ask a Question‘. We will try to answer the question in the order received. Also, we request all visitors to register their email and start following the latest posts.

Please remember us in your dua’a (prayers), and we pray Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to bless us and grant us success in our attempt to share the knowledge of His deen.

Jazak Allahu Khayran

Wa Salaam

Abu Zeenat Afdal

Brief Profile:

  • Bachelor in Islamic Studies (Mishkah University – Islamic University of North America) – 2014
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Islamic Banking and Insurance (Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance – IIBI, London, UK) – 2010
  • Currently Pursuing – Diploma in the Arabic Language – 2023 (Expected)
  • Currently Pursuing – Master of Arts in Islamic Studies (International Open University) – 2023 (Expected)
  • Currently Pursuing – Master in Islamic Finance (Guidance College) – 2023 (Expected)