Date : 19-08-2018

Question :

What is the ruling on interpreting Sharia texts against their apparent meaning as a pretext to attack women?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.



It is prohibited to interpret Sharia texts or use them as a pretext to prove someone's opinion without having the specialized knowledge in the field of Sharia.It is the task of qualified scholars to derive and issue rulings on a certain religious issue.



As for the legal rulings which rely on Ijtihad (Independent reasoning), they are easy for jurists to grasp and the commentary attached to each leaves no space for aberrant opinions. Moreover, ordinary people or people with certain agendas should be banned from discussing religious matters without having the required knowledge. This is in order to prevent sedition and suspicious matters. In addition, the only way for seeking the truth and the right ruling is by asking Sharia scholars, since Allah, The most Exalted, said (What means):" if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message."[An-Nahl/43]. Not every person is qualified to conduct Ijtihad as this is the specialty of the learned men of the faith. In this regard, Allah, The most Exalted, said (What means):"If they had only referred it to the Apostle, or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have Tested it from them (direct). [An-Nisa/83].



Therefore, it isn`t permissible to interpret or use the texts of Sharia-without having the right knowledge-to prove a certain view, achieve personal goals or serve certain agendas, because whoever does so should await his punishment in this life and the Hereafter. And Allah knows best.