Letter from an Aalim of SA who now lives in Madina - response to "Islamic" TV

[ENIGMA]

From reading the thread, it seems Mufti Taqi sahib, Mufti Rafi sahib etc do not class images displayed on the tv as pictures, and have never done so. Mufti Rafi's stance on video recording(of himself) is evident from the link Mufti Javed posted. Also on the link, Mufti Rafi sahib makes a clear distinction between being recorded on video to a picture being taken for the newspapers.

So ultimately, we just accept their stance. Agree or not is ones own personal issue.

Anyone listened to Radio Islam on saturday just gone(10am UK time)?

[ENIGMA]

Mufti Taqi and Mufti Rafi sahib do not class video images as coming under the prohibition of making pictures thus they don't need to defend that position.

The issue that might need to be clarified is women watching non mahram men(scholars etc) on tv even if the content is allowed.

[UmHasan]

So ultimately, we just accept their stance. Agree or not is ones own personal issue.

I wrote that pages back. Yet we all went round and round for 29 pages and now we've come to the same conclusion.

On these premises, we should allow the ulamah to settle on a conclusion on this amongst themselves or accept that there is a difference of opinion without the layman resorting to condemnation of those with an opposing view.

The issue that might need to be clarified is women watching non mahram men(scholars etc) on tv even if the content is allowed.

This thread has run it's course. Maybe that topic can be discussed on a new thread.

[ENIGMA]

My posts were not about the pro's or cons of tv. Or atleast they were not to be. The point I was trying to make is that the difference of opinion mantra should be afforded to all and not just when there is a difference within Deobandi affiliated scholars.

Can people honestly say,hand on heart that if the view of our current scholars such as Mufti Taqi,Mufti Rafi etc was of prohibition of scholars on tv etc, and say very knowledgable and pious from Arab ulema viewed it as halal, would we be still saying the same as 'difference of opinion' and respect all sides and follow who you want etc.....

[UmHasan]

My posts were not about the pro's or cons of tv. Or atleast they were not to be. The point I was trying to make is that the difference of opinion mantra should be afforded to all and not just when there is a difference within Deobandi affiliated scholars.

Can people honestly say,hand on heart that if the view of our current scholars such as Mufti Taqi,Mufti Rafi etc was of prohibition of scholars on tv etc, and say very knowledgable and pious from Arab ulema viewed it as halal, would we be still saying the same as 'difference of opinion' and respect all sides and follow who you want etc.....

But that is another discussion altogether is it not? The topic of that thread should be 'Why do we take the opinion of certain scholars above the opinion of others?' and people can respond to that in a more general context and not just limit themselves to this example of television/digital photography.

In any case, I speak for myself only and echo a point made by someone earlier (Br. omar2006, I think) that I, as a layperson have faith in the verdict of some scholars over others. If I know little about an Arab scholar then I cannot determine whether his opinion is acceptable to me or not. This doesn't mean I disregard the opinion of everyone but the Deobandi scholars, but it does mean that I reflect on many masaail to make microdecisions in my daily life about whether to do or not to do. In some cases, its easier to just take a verdict that has already been decided upon instead of going into the detail of ikhtilaf and reasoning. We ALL do this.

[jav12345]

But that is another discussion altogether is it not? The topic of that thread should be 'Why do we take the opinion of certain scholars above the opinion of others?' and people can respond to that in a more general context and not just limit themselves to this example of television/digital photography.

In any case, I speak for myself only and echo a point made by someone earlier (Br. omar2006, I think) that I, as a layperson have faith in the verdict of some scholars over others. If I know little about an Arab scholar then I cannot determine whether his opinion is acceptable to me or not. This doesn't mean I disregard the opinion of everyone but the Deobandi scholars, but it does mean that I reflect on many masaail to make microdecisions in my daily life about whether to do or not to do. In some cases, its easier to just take a verdict that has already been decided upon instead of going into the detail of ikhtilaf and reasoning. We ALL do this.

Jazakillah khayran Umm Hasan for hitting the nail on the head.

I won't be discussing this topic any further, as all that needs to be said has been said in my humble opinion, and anyone who does contribute to the discussion is repeating what has already been said.

Wassalam