Overlooking “doubtful” things
QUESTION:-
It is recorded in Fataawa Qadhi Khan, and also in Al-Ashbah Wan Nazaa’ir, that our era is not an era of abstaining from Mushtabihaat (doubtful things). Please expound on this?
ANSWER:-
It is recorded in the commentary of Al-Ashbah Wan Nazaa’ir that Abu Bakr Ibn Ibrahim was questioned with regards to doubts (doubtful things) that are close to Haraam. He replied, “This is not the time of (worrying about) doubtful things.” Verily Haraam will make us independent,” meaning that, if you refrain from Haraam, it will suffice you.
Qadhi Khan mentions in his famous Fatwa Kitaab that this is not the time to refrain from doubtful things as it is not possible to do so. It is necessary upon a Muslim to refrain from apparent Haraam which can be perceived, or, in regard to which one is informed by a just and reliable person or a number of people.
Undoubtedly, this is the text of the jurists which creates ease for the masses. However, the Hadith of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam which instructs us to refrain from doubtful things will always enjoy superiority over these isolated views. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said that he who refrains from doubtful things has protected his Deen and honour. Also, Taqwa demands that one stays away from doubtful things so that one does not fall into Haraam, particularly in our era when finding Halaal is a challenge. This is within our ability, and many people do practice upon caution hence, the Hadith will be given preference.
قَوْلُهُ: لَيْسَ زَمَانُنَا زَمَانَ اجْتِنَابِ الشُّبُهَاتِ إلَخْ.
رُوِيَ عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ إبْرَاهِيمَ أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ عَنْ هَذِهِ الشُّبُهَاتِ أَيْ عَمَّا يَكُونُ إلَى الْحَرَامِ أَقْرَبَ فَقَالَ: لَيْسَ هَذَا زَمَانَ الشُّبُهَاتِ إنَّ الْحَرَامَ أَغْنَانَا يَعْنِي إنْ اجْتَنَبْتَ الْحَرَامَ كَفَاكَ كَذَا فِي التَّجْنِيسِ. (غمز عيون البصائر في شرح الاشباه والنظائر ص223 ج3)
وقال قاضجيان، في فتاواه المشهورة: قالوا: ليس زماننا زمانَ اجتناب الشبهات، لعدم إمكان ذلك، وغنما الواجب على المسلم أن يتقي الحرام الْمُعَايَن، وكذا صاحب الهداية (الدرر المباحة في الحظر والاباحة 80 ج1)
قَالَ الْإِمَامُ قَاضِي خَانْ فِي فَتَاوِيهِ قَالُوا لَيْسَ زَمَانُنَا زَمَانَ) اعْتِبَارِ (الشُّبُهَاتِ) بِالِاحْتِرَازِ وَالتَّوَقِّي (وَعَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَتَّقِيَ الْحَرَامَ الْمُعَايَنَ) بِالْحِسِّ أَوْ بِخَبَرِ الْعَدْلِ أَوْ الْعَدَدِ (بريقة محمودية ص250 ج4)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date:- 22 Dhul Qa’dah 1444 / English Date: 12 June 2023