.al-Azhar
Verdict on the Shia
What follows is the Fatwa (religious
verdict/ruling) of one of the Sunni world's most revered scholars,
Shaikh Mahmood Shaltoot with regard to the Shia. Shaikh Shaltoot was the
head of the renowned al-Azhar Theological school in Egypt, one of the
main centers of Sunni scholarship in the world. It should be of interest
to know that a few decades ago, a group of Sunni and Shia scholars
formed a center at al-Azhar by the name of "Dar al-Taqreeb al-Madhahib
al-Islamiyyah" which translates into "Center for bringing together the
various Islamic schools of thought". The aim of the effort, as the name
of the center indicates, was to bridge the gap between the various
schools of thought, and bring about a mutual respect, understanding and
appreciation of each school's contributions to the development of
Islamic Jurisprudence, among the scholars of the different schools, so
that they may in turn guide their followers toward the ultimate goal of
unity, and of clinging to one rope, as the well-known Quranic verse,
"Hold fast to the Rope of Allah and do not diverge" clearly demands of
Muslims.
This massive effort finally bore its major fruit when Shaikh Shaltoot
made the declaration whose translation is appended below. It should be
made unequivocally clear as well, that al-Azhar's official position, vis
a vis the propriety of following any of the Madhaahib, including the
Shi'ite Imami school, has remained unchanged since Shaikh Shaltoot's
declaration.
Some people who follow pseudo-scholars in Hijaz may beg to differ; that
notwithstanding, what you see below is the view held by the overwhelming
majority of Sunni scholars, and not just those at al-Azhar. Let it be
known to those who strive to divide us, that their efforts are but in
vain.
For the readership's reference the phrase "al-Shia al-Imamiyyah al-Ithna
'Ashariyyah" means the Twelver Imami Shi'ite School of thought which
comprises the overwhelming majority of Shi'ites today. The phrase "Twelver
Shi'ites" is used interchangeably with "Ja'fari Shi'ites" and "Imami
Shi'ites" in various literature. They are merely different names for the
same school of thought.
"al-Shia al-Zaidiyyah" are a minority among the Shi'ites, concentrated
mainly in Yemen located in the Eastern part of Arabian peninsula. For a
more detailed description of the Zaidis vs. the Twelver Shi'ites, please
refer to the book, "Shi'ite Islam" written by the great Shi'ite scholar,
Allamah Tabataba'i, and translated by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, and published
by the State University of New York Press (SUNY).
And as for Shaikh Shaltoot's declaration ...
Head Office of al-Azhar University: IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE
BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL Text of the Verdict (Fatwa) Issued by His
Excellency Shaikh al-Akbar Mahmood Shaltoot, Head of the al-Azhar
University, on Permissibility of Following "al-Shia al-Imamiyyah" School
of Thought
His Excellency was asked:
Some believe that, for a Muslim to have religiously correct worship and
dealing, it is necessary to follow one of the four known schools of
thought, whereas, "al-Shia al-Imamiyyah" school of thought is not one of
them nor "al-Shia al-Zaidiyyah." Do your Excellency agree with this
opinion, and prohibit following "al-Shia al-Imamiyyah al-Ithna
Ashariyyah" school of thought, for example?
His Excellency replied:
1) Islam does not require a Muslim to follow a particular Madh'hab
(school of thought). Rather, we say: every Muslim has the right to
follow one of the schools of thought which has been correctly narrated
and its verdicts have been compiled in its books. And, everyone who is
following such Madhahib [schools of thought] can transfer to another
school, and there shall be no crime on him for doing so.
2) The Ja'fari school of thought, which is also known as "al-Shia al-
Imamiyyah al-Ithna Ashariyyah" (i.e., The Twelver Imami Shi'ites) is a
school of thought that is religiously correct to follow in worship as
are other Sunni schools of thought.
Muslims must know this, and ought to refrain from unjust prejudice to
any particular school of thought, since the religion of Allah and His
Divine Law (Shari'ah) was never restricted to a particular school of
thought. Their jurists (Mujtahidoon) are accepted by Almighty Allah, and
it is permissible to the "non-Mujtahid" to follow them and to accord
with their teaching whether in worship (Ibadaat) or transactions (Mu'amilaat).
Signed,
Mahmood Shaltoot.
The above Fatwa was announced on July 6, 1959 from the Head of al-Azhar
University, and was subsequently published in many publications in the
middle east which include, but are not limited to:
1. al-Sha'ab newspaper (Egypt), issue of July 7, 1959.
2. al-Kifah newspaper (Lebanon), issue of July 8, 1959.
The above segment can also be found in the book "Inquiries about Islam",
by Muhammad Jawad Chirri, Director of the Islamic Center of America,
1986 Detroit, Michigan. |