Can I Teach Worldly Subjects Without Having Formally Learned About Them?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I’m learning about NFTs (business/trading NFT) through YouTube and the internet. I have no experience in it, never tried it, because I am young so I don’t have enough money to trade NFTs. I have an Instagram page where I teach people about NFTs and give them advice.
All the information and the advice I give are from the internet or from YouTube, and from someone who has experience. So, I’m not teaching anything from my head. I just bring info/advice about NFTs from the internet and post it. Am I doing anything wrong? Because I’ve heard that talking without knowledge about something might be unlawful.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what is pleasing to Him. Amin.
It is not strictly prohibited in sacred law to convey matters of worldly knowledge to others if there is general benefit therein. Sacred Knowledge, however, should only be conveyed from sound sources and formal learning with Scholars.
Allah says: “Say, “My Lord has only forbidden open and secret indecencies, sinfulness, unjust aggression, associating ˹others˺ with Allah ˹in worship˺—a practice He has never authorized—and attributing to Allah what you do not know.” [Quran, 7:33]
Caution in Sharing Knowledge of Worldly Matters
Regarding your question about teaching others about NFTs on your Instagram page, it is essential to remember that providing information and advice to others about a topic you do not have expertise in can be risky, mainly if people rely on your advice and suffer harm as a result. As such, it is crucial to ensure that you provide accurate and reliable information to the best of your ability.
It is permissible to learn about new business and trading practices, such as NFTs, as long as it is done lawfully and does not involve any prohibited activities such as gambling, usury or speculation. Islam encourages learning and acquiring knowledge and sharing that knowledge with others for the benefit of the community.
However, if you are teaching others about NFTs and providing advice you are not qualified to provide, and someone suffers harm or loss, you may be held responsible for that harm. Therefore, it is recommended that you exercise caution and take steps to ensure that you are providing accurate and reliable information to your audience.
In conclusion, it is essential to ensure that any information and advice you provide to others about NFTs is accurate and reliable and that you do not make claims or give advice that you are not qualified to provide. May Allah guide us all to what is proper and beneficial.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
