Don't Deem Other Madhhabs' Followers Kafir: Tantawi

By Sobhi Mujahid, IOL Correspondent

CAIRO, June 2, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – No Muslim has the right to accuse another of being Kafir (disbeliever), based on difference of Madhhab (religious school or sect), as long as assets and pillars of Islam are respected and the difference is limited to signs of practicing religious rituals, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar has asserted.

"No body has the right to brand anyone as disbeliever unless they deny the assets and pillars of Islam; that is believing in Allah, His angels, His Books and Messengers," Sheikh Mohamed Sayyid Tantawi said in a message to Prince Ghazi Bin Mohamed, the advisor of Jordan's King Abdullah II.

The message, a copy of which was obtained by IslamOnline.net Wednesday, June 1, was written in response to a number of questions raised by Prince Ghazi on fatwas claiming followers of Islamic Madhhabs such as Abadiyyah, Zahiriyyah, Ja'afariyyah, Zaydeiyyah, Ashirites and Sufism are infidels.

"Therefore, followers of these Islamic Madhhabs, which pronounce belief in Allah and in His angels, Books, Messengers and the Hereafter, can't be declared infidels," Tantawi added.

"Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says the true Muslim is he who pronounces that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, performs the prayers, pays the Zakah, observes the holy fasting month of Ramadan and makes pilgrimage if he is able to."

Differing on Means

The Grand Imam explained that difference on how to perform rituals could not be grounds for deeming followers of minor Islamic Madhhabs Kuffar (disbelievers).

"Consequently, they can't be classified as infidels as they pronounce there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger and acknowledges the pillars of Islam."

Tackling aspects of some Islamic Madhhabs, Tantawi said the Ashiri religious school urges followers to obey the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

"The essence of Sufism also calls for praising Allah, asceticism, and getting closer to Allah by performing the good and avoiding the bad. Hence, it is not allowed to describe Sufis or Ashirites as disbelievers."

Qualifications

On qualifications required for Muslim scholars to stand eligible to give fatwas (religious edicts), Tantawi said a Mufti must know the Noble Qur'an by heart, understand its meanings and must memorize sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

"In addition, he must be well-acquainted with the rulings of the Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence) and what is halal (allowed) and haram (forbidden) a well as other issues of concern to the everyday affairs of the people."

Tantawi went on, "a Mufti must also be pious and only wants by his fatwa to serve the public interest, right and justice."

Last May, a bunch of prominent Muslim scholars had called for overcoming differences among Islamic Madhhabs to live up to the current challenges facing Muslims.