Do We Need Scholars for Understanding All Aspects of Religion?

Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

Do we need to rely on scholars to understand all aspects of religion, or does our simple understanding suffice in some cases?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

The Role of Scholars in Religion

Generally, we need to consult scholars and seek their understanding regarding matters of our religion and worldly affairs that are connected to it. Scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, endowed with the ability to understand the guidance of Allah (Most High) and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace). Allah commanded us to seek knowledge from scholars, saying:

“If you  do not know, then ask those who have knowledge (of the Scriptures).” [Quran, 16:43]

Consulting Scholars for Practical Guidance

Just as the Companions (Allah be pleased with them) used to ask the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) about matters of their religion and worldly lives, and he would clarify the rulings and guide them to what is correct and best, we too should seek such guidance from scholars in our time.

It was said to Salman al-Farisi (Allah be pleased with him):

“Your Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) has taught you everything, even how to relieve yourselves?” He replied:

“Indeed! He forbade us from facing the Qibla while defecating or urinating, or cleaning ourselves with the right hand, or using fewer than three stones, or using dung or bones.” [Muslim]

However, consulting scholars about your religious obligations does not mean you must become a scholar yourself, fully versed in all rulings and methods of deriving them. It simply means seeking knowledge about what directly affects you in your daily life.

For instance:

• If you are a merchant, you must ask scholars about the rulings on trade, types of partnerships, valid and invalid sales, and the rulings on riba (usury).
• If you are wealthy and liable to pay zakat, you must ask about its rulings, such as how to calculate it, who is eligible to receive it, and the types of wealth subject to zakat.
• If you intend to perform Hajj, you must learn about its requirements, such as ihram, tawaf, and sa‘i.

Whenever a specific religious obligation pertains to you, it is incumbent upon you to ask scholars for guidance. Ignorance or following one’s whims—especially in matters of belief—can lead to the corruption of both one’s faith and worldly life.

The Consequences of Neglecting Knowledge

The severity of neglecting to seek knowledge is illustrated in the story narrated by Imam Awza‘i (Allah be pleased with him), who reported that Ata’ Ibn Abi Rabah heard Ibn ‘Abbas say:

“A man was injured during the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). He later experienced a wet dream and was told to perform a ghusl (ritual bathing), which caused his death. When this was reported to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), he said: ‘They killed him; may Allah destroy them! Could they not have asked, for indeed the cure for ignorance is asking.’” [Ahmad]

Thus, consulting scholars ensures that one avoids the pitfalls of ignorance and safeguards both faith and practice.

And Allah knows best.

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa

Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.

He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.

He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.

Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.