How are these initiated? Is there a nomination process of some sort?
On a related note, is there an approved list of Islamic scholars who can make “official rulings” or can anyone be a scholar? Are these the same folks who generate hadiths?
it's a free for all..
at least as far as educated Muslims go.. they are free to follow what they want.. and they really enjoy the differences to the fullest picking and choosing and mixing and matching whatever 'rulings' suit them from whichever scholar.
It varies a lot with Sunnis but i think Shias do tend to follow Sistani more than anyone.
Re: Islamic Rulings
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Stu: *
How are these initiated? Is there a nomination process of some sort?
On a related note, is there an approved list of Islamic scholars who can make "official rulings" or can anyone be a scholar? Are these the same folks who generate hadiths?
[/QUOTE]
People send questions to scholars of their choice, and these scholars provide responses (some of these are available via websites as well). Depending upon people's confidence in the knowledge of the scholar they may consider this as a 'fatwa' or religious ruling and follow it accordingly. In case different scholars have different opinions, people should follow the opinion, they feel has better evidence supporting it.
Anyone can become a scholar. There are dedicated educational institutions and universities that offer courses in Islamic fiqh. Some people claim to be scholars without any formal education as well. It all depends on how much confidence people have in that scholar, and that will dictate how much weight his opinion will carry. In most cases, these scholars will refer to an earlier ruling by another scholar for matters that were previously decided upon. In some cases, for newer issues, a fresh opinion is issued.
In some muslim states, including Pakistan, there are separate Sharia bench of the courts that issue formal Islamic rulings. The nomination to these courts requires years of formal and informal study and reputation.
Thanks for the info, the process is not as "organized" as I had thought. The thing that occurs to me is what's the difference between a religious reference like the bible that has been changed over time and one that has remained unchanged, yet the interpretations and rulings vary so widely?
Well, according to the muslim belief, the words of divine guidance are unchanged, and the message is universal (and not limited by time and place). The interpretations are dependent on human mind, which keeps on evolving, so these may vary with time.
Hmmm, it could also be seen as a recipe for trouble I guess. Hopefully God thought that one through
As I said before, in another discussion, reaching a wrong conclusion is not the worst thing someone can do. More important is to make a good faith effort to gain knowledge and apply that knowledge to how you live your life. Two people can read the same message and come to two very different conclusions. This is fine and is part of the powers of human mind. The aim is to make us think and live a productive life, instead of providing a note book with each step marked to the final dot.
There's no formal process in Sunni Islam. Theoretically, anyone with a sufficient knowledge of Islam can issue rulings. What constitutes "sufficient knowledge", and whether that ruling is binding, is subjective and varies from Muslim to Muslim.
It means that there is no single "official" version of Islam, in the same way as there is an "official" version of Roman Catholism (that exercised by the vatican). Islam today consists of a myriad of similar beliefs that are based on a core set of principles that all Muslims agree on.
Those who deviate from the core principles get considered to be heretics.
if it really just boils down to a core set of principles that everyone agrees to then what's the need for the Koran?
The Quran is the first and main source on which the core set of principles are built on.
After all it is considered the word of Allah :swt:, and there can be no doubt about its authenticity.
Quran has a lot of guidance.. in terms of direct orders, stories of prior nations, indications of life in the hereafter and a lot of other information. Majority of the guidance in the Quran requires thinking and coming to conclusions.
seems like a contradition to me. How can it make life simpler when everyone is left to come to their own conclusion(s) or to accept/reject specific rulings?
That is why Islam encourages everyone, man or woman, to gain knowledge and educate themselves.
are there specific verses in the Koran where muslims are encouraged to gain knowledge and educate themselves from sources other than the Koran?
^ It is general. Islam exhorts all Muslims to gain knowledge, in all fields. And we always pray for beneficial knowledge. The following passages explain the importace of knowledge.
The first order of God to mankind was “iqra” or recite. This command is given to Prophet Muhammad in the cave on Mt. Hira as the first revelation. This command was intended for all of humanity and not only for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). “Recite in the Name of your Lord who created the human being out of a mere clot. Recite and your Lord is most bountiful. He who taught by the pen taught the human being which he knew not” ( 96:1-5).
The Quran again reasserts, “Are those who have knowledge and those who have no knowledge equal? Only the men of understanding are mindful” (39:9).
The second most important source of guidance for Muslims is the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad :saw:)
The Prophet :saw:who said, **“The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.” **
I hope that explains..
Have you got the reference for this hadith?
As far as Ive heard this is fabricated.
It was related by Khateeb in the History of Baghdad 2/193. He also said it was fabricated.
hmmm^ didn't know that...
apparently u r not quite understanding the system....
Quran is the basic set of rules....
any issue decided by Quran is final and u have to follow it as the Quran says....
if not, u go to the sunnah of the prophet (saw), and see what his actions/rulings were on the issue....
if u still dont find an answer, u try to use the framework of the Quran and sunnah to come to a conclusion that does not contradict the Quran and sunnah....
since a normal muslim is not fully aware of all the Quran and sunnah rulings, he/she is advised to seek a scholar for help....
the scholar may decide individually or a group of prominent scholars decide and come to a common conclusion....
it is very systematic and organized....
and the freedom of individuals thinking out for themselves is dependent on the rule that he/she must be fuly aware of what the Quran and the sunnah say with regards to the issue under consideration....
if he/she is not aware and knows that he/she is not educated enuff to make a decision, then if he/she still persists on her own view, then a wrong conclusion is a sin on his/her part....