Question:
As Salaamu Alaikum
Most Respected Mufti Saheb
The scholar, Moulana Wahiduddin Khan – is he credible? Are his beliefs according to Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaat? Is it fine to read the translation of Qur’an Kareem which he has done and what about the books by the organisation led my his son Saniyasnain Khan?
Jazakumullahu Khairan
Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
We are based in South Africa. We frequently receive queries about following Ulama and Mashaikh in different parts of the world. For us to come to a fair and balanced opinion regarding a person, we would need to study all their works. Thereafter, we would need to revert to the scholar for clarification. Until this is not done, it is not appropriate for us to comment on a specific person without having detailed information about his views, his environment and circumstances. Therefore, we advise people to refer to their local Ulama and Mashaikh and seek their guidance.
Hereunder are some general guidelines one should use to determine who one should follow:
1) The person has studied under a reputable scholar and has a certificate of attestation with permission to impart knowledge, as is the general norm for graduates.
2) The Aqidah of the person is sound. He is from the Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah
3) The person adheres to one of the four madhhabs of fiqh, namely the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali madhhabs.
4) The teachings and statements of the person are not contrary to the generally accepted rulings of the madhahib (schools of thought).
5) The person is not engaged in acts of bid’ah (innovation) and does not promote bid’ah.
6) The person does not openly violate the laws of Sharīʿah, for example, intermingling with the opposite gender, non-observance of hijab etc.
7) The person is recognised and accepted by other Ulama-e-Haq who are known for their adherence of Shariah and Taqwa.
If any of the above guidelines are violated, then one should not follow such a person.
