What follows is the Fatwa (religious verdict/ruling) of one of the Sunni worlds most revered scholars, Shaikh Mahmood Shaltoot with regard to the Shia. Shaikh Shaltoot was the head of the renowned al-Azhar Theological school in Egypt, one of the main centers of Sunni scholarship in the world. It should be of interest to know that a few decades ago, a group of Sunni and Shia scholars formed a center at al-Azhar by the name of Dar al-Taqreeb al-Madhahib al-Islamiyyah which translates into Center for bringing together the various Islamic schools of thought. The aim of the effort, as the name of the center indicates, was to bridge the gap between the various schools of thought,and bring about a mutual respect, understanding and appreciation of each schools contributions to the development of Islamic Jurisprudence, among the scholars of the different schools, so that they may in turn guide their followers toward the ultimate goal of unity, and of clinging to one rope, as the well-known Quranic verse, Hold fast to the Rope of Allah and do not diverge clearly demands of Muslims.This massive effort finally bore its major fruit when Shaikh Shaltoot made the declaration whose translation is appended below. It should be made unequivocally clear as well, that al-Azhars official position, vis a vis the propriety of following any of the Madhaahib, including the Shiite Imami school, has remained unchanged since Shaikh Shaltoots declaration. Head Office of al-Azhar University: IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL Text of the Verdict (Fatwa) Issued by His Excellency Shaikh al-Akbar Mahmood Shaltoot, Head of the al-Azhar University,on Permissibility of Following al-Shia al-Imamiyyah School of Thought His Excellency was asked: Some believe that, for a Muslim to have religiously correct worship and dealing, it is necessary to follow one of the four known schools of thought, whereas, al-Shia al-Imamiyyah school of thought is not one of them .... Do your Excellency agree with this opinion, and prohibit following al-Shia al-Imamiyyah al-Ithna Ashariyyah school of thought, for example? His Excellency replied: 1) Islam does not require a Muslim to follow a particular Madhhab (school of thought). Rather, we say: every Muslim has the right to follow one of the schools of thought which has been correctly narrated and its verdicts have been compiled in its books. And, everyone who is following such Madhahib [schools of thought] can transfer to another school, and there shall be no crime on him for doing so. 2) The Jafari school of thought, which is also known as al-Shia al-Imamiyyah al-Ithna Ashariyyah (i.e., The Twelver Imami Shiites) is a school of thought that is religiously correct to follow in worship as are other Sunni schools of thought. Muslims must know this, and ought to refrain from unjust prejudice to any particular school of thought, since the religion of Allah and His Divine Law (Shariah) was never restricted to a particular school of thought. Their jurists (Mujtahidoon) are accepted by Almighty Allah, and it is permissible to the non-Mujtahid to follow them and to accord with their teaching whether in worship (Ibadaat) or transactions (Muamilaat). Signed,Mahmood Shaltoot. Fiqh Jafri is a legitimate Islamic Sect Imam of Ahlul Sunnah Allamah Shaykh Sharawi Azhari in his famous Egyptian Risala Al Ahraam ul Sunnah page 103 periodical number 32932 wrote: The Imam of the Shia Imamiya is Hadhrath Imam Jafer Sadiq who was the teacher of Imam Abu Hanifa. These are the Imamia Jafari about whom we explained before, are those who follow a pure religion and at is with regards to them that our Shaykh Shaltoot issued a fatwa that to adhere to their madhab is permissible because this is a correct Islamic madhab, that is acts as a source of guidance for its adherents, In Egypt we have introduced certain principles of Shia on divorce and inheritance in out Law. Shaykh Hasan Ayubs Fatwa about the Shia. Of the Islamic Sects Shia is the OLDEST one..... (Tabseethul Aqaid Islameeya page 300) Similarly Dr Umar Farokh Misree Al Faisal al Adad number 30 page 24-25 (printed 1979) said: Islam has many Sects Malikee, Hanafi Shaafee, Hanbali and Jaafri (shia). Sunni Scholar Allamah Abdul Fataah Abdul Maqsood Misree wrote in Sabeel ul Wahdah page 514 (Egypt edition): It is my faith that Shia Islam is the true face and sect of Islam, history is testament that in protecting the Deen the Shia made many great sacrifices that day is not far when all Muslim Sects shall unite on one front. Sunni academic Allamah Muhammad Hasan Azmee Principal of Arabic College, Karachi commented: The Shia Imami Ithna Ashariyya testify in Tauheed - that Allah is one, neither is he begotten nor does he beget, no one is like Him, Muhammad (s) was sent by Him, that all Prophets were on the path of truth. aldhiaa/english/book/book/beliefs_library/religions_and_sects/devils_deception_of_the_nasibi_wahabis/010.html
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 14:57:36 +0000
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