Lessons

Faith

When you are unsure: why scholars differ and who to ask

Understand why scholars sometimes disagree and learn how to seek guidance when you have questions.

2 short lessons · about 2 min · every point has its source

1. Asking those of knowledge

Embracing Islam is a journey full of beautiful first steps, but it also brings many fresh questions. You might wonder about the details of your daily prayer, your fasting, or how to handle new situations in life. If you do not know, ask the people of the message.¹

Turning to reliable teachers protects you from guesswork. The Prophet ﷺ taught that Allah takes away knowledge by taking away religious scholars. When learned people are no longer present, people turn to unqualified individuals who answer questions without knowledge, wandering astray and leading others astray.²

Seeking guidance also shapes the heart. The Prophet ﷺ instructed believers to ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and to seek refuge with Allah from knowledge that has no benefit.³ Approaching your faith with sincerity ensures that your learning draws you closer to your Creator.

Whenever you encounter an unfamiliar rule or feel confused, do not try to invent your own solution. Reach out to an imam, a community prayer leader and teacher, or another trusted person of knowledge. Asking those who have studied the religion will give you clarity and calm your mind.

2. Why scholars may reach different conclusions

When learning about Islam, you may notice that teachers or books sometimes give different answers to practical questions. This can feel surprising at first. Yet, qualified scholars differ because they carefully study the texts to apply them to life. Believers are instructed to refer any disagreements back to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.⁴

Scholars dedicate their lives to seeking the truth through careful study. The Prophet ﷺ taught that when a judge makes an effort to decide according to the best of his knowledge and is correct, he receives a double reward.⁵

Even if a judge exerts himself to reach the truth but makes an error, he still receives a reward.⁵ In Paradise, people will be told that their effort has been appreciated.⁶ There is no blame on those who do good, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.⁷ Their aim is always to discover what Allah loves.

Knowing this brings peace of mind. Differing views on practical details reflect deep dedication rather than division. When you encounter differing opinions, you can simply ask a local imam—a leader of prayer and learning in your mosque community—to help guide your practice with confidence.

Sources

1. Quran 16:43 (An-Nahl)
   And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know
2. Sahih al-Bukhari 100 Read it in full
   Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As: I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray
3. Sunan Ibn Majah 3843
   It was narrated from Jabir that :the Messenger of Allah said: "Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge with Allah from knowledge that is of no benefitGrading: Al-Albani: Hasan; Muhammad Fouad Abd al-Baqi: Hasan; Zubair Ali Zai: Isnaad Hasan
4. Quran 4:59 (An-Nisa)
   O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result
5. Sahih al-Bukhari 7352 Read it in full
   Narrated `Amr bin Al-`As: That he heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "If a judge gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct (i.e. agrees with Allah and His Apostle's verdict) he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, (i.e. against that of Allah and His Apostle) even then he will get a reward
6. Quran 76:22 (Al-Insan)
   [And it will be said], "Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated
7. Quran 9:91 (At-Tawbah)
   There is not upon the weak or upon the ill or upon those who do not find anything to spend any discomfort when they are sincere to Allah and His Messenger. There is not upon the doers of good any cause [for blame]. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful

Every point in this lesson rests on a verse of the Quran or a hadith, listed above. Hadith come from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, or from other collections only where every listed scholar graded them sahih or hasan. Found a mistake? Tell us.

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