About Islamic Scholarship

Assalam alaikum peacemaker,

Many thanks for the above links. They were most illuminating. And thank you for the time you put into finding them.

Following Islam correctly (as fas as possible) is my main aim. It is why I ask so many questions.
But I am still concerned that notible scholars varied with their teachings.

Maalik ibn Anas   said:-
'This particular knowledge is a matter of religion. Be careful in choosing who to learn from. I have met more than 70 people who often quoted the Prophets statements accurately close to those pillars of his mosque. You could trust any of them with the state treasury and you would be sure that he would discharge his trust most meticulously. BUt I did not take anything from them because they were not of the scholarly type'

then you have this version of the same:-

'This knowledge is religion itself. Be careful from whom you acquire your religion. I know of seventy people who, while pointing to the Prophet's mosque, would say: `The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said while at these very columns . . . ,' but I have never believed anything they said. They were people who would prove to be honest if they were to be entrusted with the public treasury, but when it comes to academic honesty they would fail to live up to that expectation. Thus we avoided consulting these people until Ibn Shihaab came to us and we started to crowd at his door seeking reliable knowledge. [Al Intiqaa', 16.]

So which from the above 2 quotes of Maalik's is the original, or does it not matter? (Obviously he was warning others who they listened to).

We read in the sunni link of Maalik that ' He was one of the pioneers in establishing the science of hadeeth reporting and making juristic verdicts. The hadeeth which he collected and the verdicts he made are contained in his book Al Muwattaa', in which he compiled the reliable ahaadeeth known to the people of the Hijaz, the sayings of the Companions, and the verdicts of the second generation of Muslims which he verified.'

Then why did he say ? (when the khaleefah al Mansoor wanted to have several copies made of the Al Muwattaa' and distributed to the new Muslim regions with the intention of getting people to follow its line and thus put an end to differences and dissension)

'People [in various parts of the Muslim lands] already possess a body of knowledge based on reports they have received and sayings of the Prophet they have heard prior to this. Each group of people acts according to what came to it first, and so there are variations in people's practices. Leave the people of each region to follow what they themselves choose.

Was he condoning other muslim sects with that statement?

I can understand the latter part of the following statement and is my point behind the thread :-

Differences of opinion among genuine scholars were, to begin with, a source of blessing which helped develop Islamic jurisprudence, establish the relevance of Islam to changing circumstances, and safeguard public welfare. Later, differences of opinion became one of the most critical and dangerous factors contributing to disunity and internecine strife among Muslims. Indeed it became a scourge which dissipated much of the energies and potential of the Muslim Ummah; it caused people to become engrossed in matters which did not deserve the attention given to them.

Perhaps I should have asked the question 'what constitutes a sect and who are the saved sect?'
If sects are so different, interpretation of the hadiths will be different. Not all sects can be correct can they?

Salams peacemaker,

I found the quoted hadith of Maalik at this link.

http://www.muslimheritage.com/day_life/default.cfm?
ArticleID=471&Oldpage=2

I am trying to understand then which quoted hadiths from whom I should follow. :(

And it is true that there should be no sects. And the Prophet (pbuh) in his last sermon (as you have put in your post) clearly says that no prophet or apostle will come after him..

So, I am correct to follow the sunni path then. All others are wrong. Is this what you are saying?

I don't want to be following a wrong sect because of ignorance of those in Islam. It would be a waste of time to do so wouldn't it.

Asalaam alaikum peacemaker,

Brother, I am SO grateful for the help you have given me. But I am still not any clearer than before.

If I was Sunni then I would follow Sunni scholars, if I was Shia then I would follow Shia scholars. That does not make sense.

The prophet(pbuh) said there should be no sects. THe Quran clearly says there should be no sects. So then I am best to not declare myself as anything. And the hadiths were not written by Muhammed(pbuh)To follow the hadiths just because others tell me to would not be correct.
I think it would be an insult to Allah to go against what the Quran teaches.

As I cannot declare myself as anything, nor trust that anything comes from the correct source it would be better for me to read the Quran and learn from that only.

I am not rejecting Islam in any way, but obviously I cannot say I am a muslim as I don't know where I belong.
It is better I am known as a mere human being, and no longer as muslim. Anyway,this will be what people will say of me now. THat is fine. As they like.

THank you so much though for your help. I must just rely on God and believe all will be OK.

May Allah bless you for your efforts.

abuayisha,

THere are no masjids to attend locally. THere are no trusting muslims locally. In fact since being in this new area I have not even seen a sister to speak to. I once saw an older brother at the local garbage dump lol.

So that is it. NOt good is it. :(