About understanding of religion (only muslim please)?

Question

This subject is about my understanding vs. the Imam.

Prophet Muhammad SAW said "if you have a doubt or question about Islam, please refer to the Holy Qur'an and my Hadist".

I always learn to see something, referring to both of them.
That is why, i don't want to hear anything about the words from the Imam (following the mashab). I follow them only to guide my how to pray and do my duties. But for the relative understanding, I don't. (eg: the 1000 night (lailatl qadr), relation between muslim and kafir, etc)

My reason is, the matter of god, is between me and him. No imam will told me how to do, how will i interact with him. Because, I'm the one who take a burden of my mistake, not them (i don't want to depend on anybody).

So, is it wrong or not? anybody have the same opinion with me?

to Stan:

I'm not up to something, i just tired cos my family always say that what i'm doing is wrong (thay referring to one teaching from Imam Syafii if i'm not mistaken).
The biggest disagreement happened in the last ramadhan.
They said that the Lailatl Qadr come in the last ten days of ramadhan especially in the odd night. I said to them,"please, even the prophet (pbuh) doesn't now when is the night of 100 month, why do feel certain about it" and the start referring to the mashab again.
it continue over and over in so many things.

to jamal:

Firstly I try to understand the problem with my brain, think about it very carefully.
Secondly I let my heart to consider it very wisely using clear conscience.
Finally i think again about my decision, if it somehow offended other people in the process, I repeat it from the first step.

For Tariq:

I always take Islam for my guidance. Every step i take, every breathe i make.

Answer 1

Asalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu...

You are correct with regards to refering back to Qur'an and ahadith:

"O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (SAW), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination."
( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #59)

Prophet Muhammad, sall'Allahu alayhi wasalam, was also commanded to refer the people to the scholars and people of knowledge if they did not understand. That way they would avoid going astray by following what the believed to be the correct opinion as oppossed to finding out the actual truth.

"... So ask of those who know the Scripture (learned men, scholars) if you know not." ( سورة النحل , An-Nahl, Chapter #16, Verse #43)

It is better to ask a scholar or learned person such as the Imam when we do not have knowledge of something because taking an opinion for ourselves is forbidden, as stated in Qur'an:

"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error."
( سورة الأحزاب , Al-Ahzab, Chapter #33, Verse #36)

So what I'm trying to say is, yes, it's good to refer to Ahadith and Qur'an, but it is also good idea to take the advise of the Imam as long as it does not contradict Qur'an wa sunnah

Allahu alem

Answer 2

First, brother, remember that we are indebted to a lot of people who taught us what we know. We can not say I will not respect or follow those who taught me the basics. An Imam who is knowledgeable and humble can perhaps teach you a lot more than you know or would ever know.

Whether you follow him or not is really your prerogative. But it is clear that you were born in the last century. You are in debt to millions who came before you and those who taught you the basics. You can not just say I do not owe anything to them.

Plus, the Quran is clear too which says "A'ti Allah, wa a'ti arrasool wa Oolil'amri minkum".. that is Obey Allah, Obey the Prophet and those who have been given command over you.
If we were enough to guide ourselves, then Allah could have easily sent us the Quran and ask us to follow it. Why did he send the Prophet with the Quran? Because we need not only Theory but Practicals too. For practicals we have to watch and learn a person, so we can ask questions and doubts or seek resources where we can find our own answers. Thus when we are young, we learn from our parents. As we grow older, we need men of knowledge and understanding and humility to see and learn from them.

Satan is our ultimate enemy. Always wants to put ourselves on a pedestal. The Imam of a mosque is the first one to put his forehead on the ground before those who are following him. THAT is the way of Islam. The most Knowledgeable and the most powerful should be the most humble one.

If this is not understood, nothing is understood about Islam.

Answer 3

If you are depending on your own personal ijtihad then you are in danger of going astray. However, it is always good to disagree and to ponder on the meanings of things. It seems to me that you have a great love of Islam and that is where your concern comes from. You can channel this energy in a very positive way. I think you should consider getting a real education in the classical Islamic sciences (Arabic, Qurah, Hadith, fiqh, etc) so you can really discuss these questions with full knowledge, and perhaps teach others.

At this point you are floundering, but Allah (swt) is merciful and you would gain much, and maybe the rest of us, from such an endeavor.

As far as the question of Laylat-ul-Qadr goes - it is true that even Prophet Muhammad did not remember the exact night, but did give it as one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan - and so here is the thing - isn't it better to do extra acts of worship such as standing in prayer on each of these nights in the hope of catching that special night? Your actions are known by your intentions, so if your intentions on each of these nights is pure then your reward will be great.

Peace and Blessings,

Imam Salim

Answer 4

you're right and he's wrong, as long as what you want to do does not go against the Quran and Hadith then you can do it and no imam can say anything about it. Innovation has no place in islam. But if something is addressed in the Quran/Hadith and you are not sure of it's interpretation then it's okay to ask the opinion of a knowledgable and trusted person, and still you will have to make sure that the opinion he gives you is a valid one, because there are many misinformed people out there now, even imams.

Answer 5

Religion, like subjects in school, is just a guide how to become a good person. I am a free thinker, and I've studied quite a little of each religion. All religious teachings have their own rules but the world has changed since the religious teachings are recorded and some things need to change too. Like you said, you take the burdens of the sins you commit. No one can help you except yourself. The thing that matters most is as long as you help others, do good deeds and the actions that you do brings good, then it will be sufficient. You bring good to this world then you will live a good life and probably go to heaven.

Answer 6

It is Correct to follow Quran and Sunnah, however when one doesn't have the correct understanding or is confused on a matter, then you would reach out to someone who is more knowledgable in order to make that person understand, yet it still has to be backed up with Quran and Sunnah, one can't just follow blindy in what a Imam has to say, if it contradicts the Quran and Sunnah, simply you just don't follow it.

Answer 7

I say ask around but don't ask just one person.. and when someone answers always ask for a reference from the Quran or Hadith... then go check the tafseer... this way you're not trusting others... you're taking responsibility... it's very hard to research every single thing in religion.. so if someone else already did and you can benefit from that research why not :)

Answer 8

Make certain you learn the "low rated" solutions seeing that Muslims fee down something that's precise approximately their faith. And you made a nasty option to get a Muslim boyfriend. If you are that shrewd, there is not any desire for you. Ignore what every person says.

Answer 9

Islam is religion of nature and society. How can you act on your thinking in society. So it is better to follow Islam in all life. Your personal will not be others personal as love, quarell, money, benefits, losses, beating, sex, family etc. So you are wrong!!!

Answer 10

I would say you are on to something.
but that begs the question.... so why ask yahoo?

Ohh, no dude, What I mean is that you know your answer, as you prove your answer correct in your question, so you should not even worry what anyone here has to say, as you know your truth already. Other people could only cloud your judgment with 100 different answers that are all wrong anyway.