By Muftī Ismāīl Moosa
The unfortunate truth of today’s times is that the Qur ‘ānic injunction of ‘Nahī ‘anil Munkar’ (prohibition of evil) and the Prophetic commandment of ‘al-Bugḍ lillāh’ has been tainted by the ego.
Hence, if a YOUNG scholar from our circle has to commit a MAJOR crime, we will brush it under the carpet.
However, if a senior scholar who we are not affiliated to passes a verdict which has the scope of falling under the ambit of ‘valid differences of opinion’ (and hence, is not even wrong to begin with), we will refute and even ridicule him. Often, it tends to even lead to outright hatred and apparent animosity.
As students of Dīn, we need to be sincere with ourselves and contemplate on whether we are really defending this beautiful religion, or, is our alliance with a particular camp. Have we been obliged to defend the ways of those who we are affiliated to and oppose whoever disagrees with them, even if it is a legitimate difference?
If we are ignoring the wrongs of ‘our people’, and intensifying the minor mistakes of others, how will we ever unite this Ummah?
If we are utilizing our resources and energy in refuting all those who hold a valid different view from ours, when will we ever get time to focus on the clear sins that this Ummah his plunged into?
Unless we are not just, the masses will distrust. Therefore, we need to adjust, and this is definitely a must.