Saudi's Grand Mufti

[hazratji]

Saudi's grand mufti is Hanbali ??
Ghair muqalids say that all Ulama of makkah and madina are Ghair Muqalids. :S Whereas i have heard that Madina people follow hanbali fiqh.

[Straightpath]

Generally, the most common madhab in Saudi is the Hanbali Madhab. Practice of Taqleed is done by people, but in the end evidence from Quran and Sunnah prevail. In Sharea colleges Hanbali Fiqh is taught, but all opinions are presented, and if there is stronger evidence in the Hanafi, Maliki, or Shafi'i Madhab, it is considered the correct opinion by the sheikh/professor. Fatwas are usually detailed and with evidences presented explaining the basis of the Fatwa. This is considered the way of Ahl Al Hadeeth, ahlussunah wal jama'ah.

When someone here says shiekh so and so is Hanbali or Maliki etc, it usually means with Hanbali or Maliki background. The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia most certainly doesnt limit himself to Hanbali Fiqh, but like others, makes the Fatwas based on evidences from Qur'an, and Sunnah if it is authentic.

This is not to enter a debate on the definition of Taqleed/Ijtihaad, to what extent it should be done, and blind following of Madhabs etc, but to explain what is practiced

[hope1]

Assalamu aliakum brother,

What happens if my understanding of the Qur'an and sunnah of the same ayat and hadith presented by the muftis/shaykhs differs from his conclusion? Can I follow my understanding instead of his?

[Usman]

Generally, the most common madhab in Saudi is the Hanbali Madhab. Practice of Taqleed is done by people, but in the end evidence from Quran and Sunnah prevail. In Sharea colleges Hanbali Fiqh is taught, but all opinions are presented, and if there is stronger evidence in the Hanafi, Maliki, or Shafi'i Madhab, it is considered the correct opinion by the sheikh/professor. Fatwas are usually detailed and with evidences presented explaining the basis of the Fatwa. This is considered the way of Ahl Al Hadeeth, ahlussunah wal jama'ah.

When someone here says shiekh so and so is Hanbali or Maliki etc, it usually means with Hanbali or Maliki background. The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia most certainly doesnt limit himself to Hanbali Fiqh, but like others, makes the Fatwas based on evidences from Qur'an, and Sunnah if it is authentic.

This is not to enter a debate on the definition of Taqleed/Ijtihaad, to what extent it should be done, and blind following of Madhabs etc, but to explain what is practiced

Actually, the way of so-called Ahlul Hadeeth is totally opposite. They do not regard the opinion of any fiqh as considerable at all. This is rather the practice of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah , and by that I mean Fiqh Hanafi , Maliki, Shafii, or Hanbali. The self-proclaimed ahlul hadeeth deduce rulings using their own heads from the Qur'an and hadeeth. This is proven through their books. Now it's a different thing they don't admit to it.

[Straightpath]

Assalamu aliakum brother,

What happens if my understanding of the Qur'an and sunnah of the same ayat and hadith presented by the muftis/shaykhs differs from his conclusion? Can I follow my understanding instead of his?

Walaikom assalam warahmat Allah brother,

Shiekhs arent infallible. They are human and make mistakes and misjudgements. But that doesnt mean opening the door for individuals to apply their own limited understanding. So it depends of your level of knowledge, if you dont have enough knowledge then no, you follow the opinion of a shiekh that you have trust in his judgement and knowledge. Especially if the issue is a branched complicated one. Many these days give too much undue weight to their opinions. One must be humble and know how much he doesnt know.

But if the issue is somewhat clear, like his sheikh has an opinion that isnt that common, and based on a single hadeeth says X is haram, and one finds out that 90% of the top scholars of Hadeeth hold another opinion and say the hadeeth is fabricated or weak, then he shouldnt follow him.

Similarly, if he finds out his sheikh says that he reached a level where the angels no longer write sins against him and that Allah has freed him (yes someone did say that, and its on tape), and that he shouldnt blindly follow for sure.

So yes humbleness is required, and essential, as is knowing ones limitations, but not to the point where the brain is handed out to others.

Theres a thin line between not following whims/desires and not having knowledge, and totally renting your brain to others in the name of humbleness.

Hayyak Allah.

[Abdul Azim]

The Mufti is a Muslim, the Madhab Obsession on Deo forum is annoying.

[ahamed_sharif]

Assalamu alaykum

but in the end evidence from Quran and Sunnah prevail. In Sharea colleges Hanbali Fiqh is taught, but all opinions are presented, and if there is stronger evidence in the Hanafi, Maliki, or Shafi'i Madhab, it is considered the correct opinion by the sheikh/professor. Fatwas are usually detailed and with evidences presented explaining the basis of the Fatwa.

Why can't they give single document, universally followed, covering the whole deen.

Why give hanafi, maliki or shafii opinion. Why can't there be an independently generated madhab. When they have disassociated from the madhabs, then why go back to madhabs.

I have asked this to many (who reject the four madhabs) in this forum.

[Straightpath]

Assalamu alaykum



Why can't they give single document, universally followed, covering the whole deen.

Why give hanafi, maliki or shafii opinion. Why can't there be an independently generated madhab. When they have disassociated from the madhabs, then why go back to madhabs.

I have asked this to many (who reject the four madhabs) in this forum.

Its possibly because you assume that madhabs are "rejected". They arent. But you cant form an opinion on an issue without knowing the different views on it historically, and the basis of each view, and even the many different opinions in the same madhab, as within a madhab there can be many opinions. They are just against complete and total blind following of a single person on every single issue completely ignoring Quran and Sunnah as evidence even in cases where its clear.

They are with Taqleed, but in moderation.

They cant give "universal single documents", as differences of opinion cant be eliminated and must be respected.

[dr.ati]

Assalamu alaykum



Why can't they give single document, universally followed, covering the whole deen.

Why give hanafi, maliki or shafii opinion. Why can't there be an independently generated madhab. When they have disassociated from the madhabs, then why go back to madhabs.

I have asked this to many (who reject the four madhabs) in this forum.

Brother their failure to produce a single universally followed document is not due to the rejection of Taqleed. I am sure that there is no "universally followed single document" of the Hanafi madhab as well. There are variety of issues in which the Hanafi scholars differ.
In Saudia , there are specific Ulema who do Taqleed in Usool of Hanbali Madhab. They basically follow rules laid down for the instinbaat of rulings from Nasoos. This is something very different from the definition of the Taqleed propagated in subcontinent.

['Abdullaah]

It might be better to just continue the thread after ramadhan. There are plenty of threads like this already at sunniforum.