Fatwas of Ibn Baz | The rank and role of scholars in the society

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تصفح برقم المجلد > Volume 7 > The rank and role of scholars in the society

Q 2: People, whether scholars, seekers of knowledge or Du`ah (callers to Islam), always disagree. What are the matters about which disagreement is permissible? What are the matters about which disagreement is impermissible? What is the right approach for settling disputes  so that the target is achieved? A: It is incumbent upon the people of knowledge and Du`ah to depend on the evidence of Shari`ah when examining the truth and to verify their sayings, deeds or fatwas so that the proofs are clear for the Muslim masses whom they guide. Allah has prohibited them to say anything without knowledge. The people of knowledge, therefore, have to examine the matters, the rulings they issue, and the recommendations and prohibitions they utter so that they can issue these rulings with sure knowledge and deep insight.With regard to the matters about which disagreement is impermissible, they are what have been explained by the texts from the Book and Sunnah. Everyone has to agree with what is indicated by the Book and Sunnah and to avoid disputing over it. They may differ in the matters subject to Ijtihad (juristic effort to infer expert legal rulings) which are not established by any evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah. Scholars may differ and exercise Ijtihad concerning such matters to deduct certain rulings based on the rules of Shari`ah. The one who is correct will receive a double blessing and the one who is wrong, when he has deep insight and knowledge and is qualified to perform Ijtihad, will receive one reward. (Part No. 7; Page No. 125) To sum up, if the scholar who is sufficiently qualified in knowledge exercises his best Ijtihad, then the effort is blessed, whether he gets it right or makes a mistake. He will receive a double blessing if he is correct, and if he makes a mistake, then he will receive a single blessing and his mistake is forgiven. As for the matters for which there is clear evidence from the Book and Sunnah, it is impermissible to dispute over them. Rather, the people of knowledge must unanimously agree with them.