Respect Religious Leaders, But Don't Paralyze Your Mind
By Prof Dato' Dr Mohd Asri bin Zainul Abidin
1. Islam is a religion built upon logic and clear proof (evidence). The main sources of Islamic teaching are the Quran and the Sunnah (the Prophet's teachings). Other references like Ijma' (consensus) and Qiyas (analogy) must always rely on the Quran and Sunnah. No ruling from Ijma or Qiyas exists without a basis in those two main sources. There is no Islam without logic and evidence. Any baseless talk is not worthy of being linked to this pure religion. This is because Islam is the religion of God, the All-Creator and All-Knowing. Therefore, it is impossible for Islamic teachings to contradict true facts or scientific reality. Any opinion made in the name of Islam that lacks proof or evidence is not an Islamic teaching, regardless of how many religious titles the person holds or what religious clothing they wear.
2. Similarly, any view linked to Islam is not from Islam at all if it clearly goes against the reality of the universe, certain scientific facts, or the clear, genuine welfare (maslahah) of humankind. The great Islamic scholar, Al-Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (d. 751 AH), said:
“Indeed, the structure and foundation of the Islamic Law (Shariah) are based on wisdom and the well-being of people in this life and the Hereafter. The Shariah is entirely justice, entirely mercy, and entirely wisdom. Therefore, every matter that deviates from justice toward oppression, from mercy to its opposite, from benefit to corruption, and from wisdom to futility—it is not part of the Shariah, even if it is entered into the Shariah by interpretation.”
3. Any view regarding Islam that contradicts the Quran, the Sunnah, proven facts, or the fundamental principles of well-being (maslahah) that align with the Shariah must be rejected, no matter who the religious figure is. The opinion of every person—whether they are a Mufti, a teacher, or an Ustaz—can be accepted or rejected, unless it is based on correct reasoning from the Quran and Sunnah.
The opinion of anyone—even a major scholar—has the right to be questioned if it goes against the clear texts of the Quran and Sunnah. In Islam, no one is ma’sum (infallible) or free from error except the Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him-. We should not blindly accept every religious opinion given by a leader or teacher. God says in Surah Al-Isra, verse 36 (meaning):
“And do not follow that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart—all of those [one’s faculties] will be questioned about what they did.” 4. For this reason, Al-Imam Al-Shatibi (d. 790 AH) said:“It is mandatory for us to follow the one who is protected from error (meaning the Messenger of God, peace be upon him) and to stop following anyone who is not protected from error when confusion appears in their guidance. Instead, we must present what comes from the imams (scholars) to al-Quran and the Sunnah. What the two accept, we accept; and what the two do not accept, we leave it.”
5. While Islamic texts command us to respect and show good manners to ulama (scholars), this never stops a person from offering a well-reasoned critique or questioning a scholar's view, provided he maintain the good conduct and discipline required by our religion and customs during his conversation and discussion.This has been the way of respectable Islamic scholars for centuries.
6. Look at the great scholar Al-Hafiz Al-Dhahabi (d. 748 AH), who studied the lives of Muslim figures. When discussing the great scholar Waki’ Ibn al-Jarrah, Al-Dhahabi praised his greatness, calling him "among the oceans of knowledge and the imams of Huffaz (Hadith memorizers)." He then mentioned that Waki’ used to fast every day and recite the entire Quran in one night.
Al-Dhahabi commented on Waki’s actions: "I say: This is admirable worship. However, it is not appropriate for an imam of the Hadith scholars to do. Indeed, the prohibition by the Prophet (peace be upon him) against fasting every day and reading the Quran in less than three days has been authenticated. Religion is easy. Following the Sunnah is better. May God be pleased with Waki’! Where can one find a man as great as Waki’?! Yet, he often drank the nabiz (a fermented drink) of Kufah, which can intoxicate if consumed heavily. He had his own interpretation (ta’wil) for drinking it [believing it was allowed if not intoxicating]. If he had left it out of piety, it would have been better for him. This is because whoever avoids doubtful matters protects his religion and his honor. Indeed, the prohibition of that nabiz has been authenticated. But this is not the place for that discussion. The opinion of every person can be accepted or rejected (except for the Messenger of God). The mistakes of a scholar should not be taken as a model." (Al-Dhahabi, Siyar A’lam al-Nubala, 9/142-144)
Look at how Al-Hafiz Al-Dhahabi addressed this: even though Imam Waki’ bin al-Jarrah was a major scholar, a scholarly mistake must be treated as a scholarly mistake. It is clear that we are asked to respect others, especially religious teachers, but this does not stop us from speaking the truth, provided we follow the manners and morals taught by Islam.
7. I discuss this topic because some people in society are afraid to question anyone they see as an Ustaz, teacher, or scholar, even if what the person says is completely baseless. These religious figures seem to be given huge freedom to say anything in the name of religion, even without strong proof or evidence. They try to paralyze the public’s minds so people will obey them absolutely without question, claiming that ordinary people are ignorant of religion. Meanwhile, what the figures are doing clearly goes against known facts.
