Talks of the Ulama are discouraging

Question:-

I am going through a stage of depression. The talks and discussions of the Ulama seem so negative. We are discouraged from wearing masks in the Masajid, whereas the custodians of the two Holy Mosques have enforced the wearing of masks, and social distancing. Will it better to avoid the talks of the Ulama?

Answer:-

The Ulama do not formulate the laws of Shariah, rather they simply inform us of the laws of Shariah. The laws of Shariah are deduced from the Quraan and Hadith and it is these laws that are compiled in the Kitaabs of Fiqh and spoken about in the lectures. Now, although we may look at certain rulings of Shariah in a negative light, but in reality there is only positivity and goodness in it for us, which we are possibly unable to comprehend.

For example, the West, and perhaps almost all the governments of the world, claim that the death sentence and other capital punishments are barbaric, yet the Quraan Sharif states, “For you, in Qisaas is life, O people of intelligence, so that you have Taqwa.” (Baqarah, verse 179)   

This means that, if a person, using a deadly weapon, intentionally kills another person, then the Quranic injunction is that the killer’s life must be taken in return. This obviously refers to an Islamic state where the Shariah is enforced and the sentencing has been passed by the Muslim judge, then the authorities will ensure that the judgment is enforced in accordance to the requirements of Shariah. Although this law is considered as barbaric to the world, the Quraan states that by enforcing the law there is life. How is that? If a murderer is prosecuted and killed (for unjustly killing an innocent person), then the rest of the murderers (in the country) will take heed and refrain from perpetrating such a crime, due to fear of their lives. Hence, in implementing the law of Shariah, the lives of others will be spared. So, although the law of Shariah may outwardly seem negative and harsh, it is full of goodness and wisdom as it has been formulated by Allah who is Al-Hakeem (The Being that is All-Wise.)  This is just one example that I have quoted to understand the point. The Masaa’il of Shariah contain many numerous benefits which we (Ulama and non-Ulama) may not be able to comprehend due to our limited ability of comprehension.

However, it is not necessary for us to understand the benefit and wisdom behind every law of Shariah. We are simply required to practice upon such laws as it is the command of Allah and the teachings of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. A true Muslim is one that submits to the Will of Almighty Allah (without raising any objections whatsoever). It’s a different matter that we seek clarification on any issue so that we are able to act upon the injunctions of Shariah correctly, but we shouldn’t raise unnecessary objections simply on the basis that it doesn’t appeal to our logical minds.

The aspect of being permitted to wear the mask in the Haram of Makkah Sharif in no way implies that wearing of the mask is totally permitted in Shariah without any abhorrence, if your intention of mentioning of the Haram is to point out to us that the custodians of the Haram have no issue with it. You may be thinking that Makkah Sharif is where the blessed House of Allah Ta’ala is situated and there are many scholars therein, hence they cannot be violating a law of Shariah by permitting the donning of masks during Salaah, then let us inform you that impermissible photos are also taken in the Haram itself, television is available in every hotel room and every hotel foyer, a musical concert was held just outside Makkah Sharif and those intending to participate could easily obtain a visa online within a matter of a few days, yet the same visa could not be used to perform Umrah. More than 700 000 people attended a rave in Saudia with total disrespect being shown to the Kalimah Tayyiba, etc. and the list goes on. These are just some of the issues that we are pointing out for your understanding. Would this mean that these acts too are in order since it is carried out within the confines of the Haram or just out of the boundaries of the Haram? Certainly not!

The ruling/s of Shariah that are applicable to your Salaah in your local Masjid is also applicable at any other Masjid in the world, whether it be the Haram of Makkah Sharif or the Haram of Madinah Sharif.

Therefore, avoiding talks of the Ulama is not the solution to the problem, particularly when they are propagating the Haqq (truth) as explained above. It’s a matter of being pleased to carry out the commands of Allah Ta’ala and follow the Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. If you are prepared to accept the command/s of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, then you wouldn’t consider any law of Shariah as negative nor will you consider the talks of the Ulama as negative. We hope that the above has clarified the doubts in your mind.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 01 Jumadal Ukhra 1443 / 04 January 2022