One Islamic scholar that I admire due to his adab is Dr Daud Bakar. He is one of the worlds foremost experts on Islamic banking and has done substantive research. But what I find admirable is his delineation of knowledge. In one of my conversations with him a few years ago, I asked him a question that I thought was quite basic (I do not remember the question anymore). His response was Afwan Sheikh. I do not know. That is not in my area of expertise. I was struck by his response. I have met so many shuyukh who will give an opinion about everything from how to take wudu to running a country. Ask them a question and they will most likely give you an answer. And here was a world renown scholar saying he did not know. It occurred to me then that he refrained from giving an opinion about things that was not his specialty. Thus, when he actually spoke, we can be assured that he knows. And that is such an important attribute of a scholar. As Imam Malik said, saying I do not know is a shield of the scholar. When he gives it up, he may be attacked. And I similarly welcome Nouman Ali Khans recent status about not extending his discussions beyond his area of expertise. His primary research is on the Quran and he has disavowed discussing fiqh and other matters that are outside of his area. Some however, take issue with his statement because of his previous comments about politics. He has some understanding of politics and in my discussion with him, I find him to be humble and eager to learn more. But he still lacks understanding of the subject beyond a basic level. I take his recent post to indicate a departure from such discussions too. And that is an admirable decision. It is difficult for most of us, especially those seen to be scholars, to state the limits of our knowledge. Noumans position should be applauded. And I hope more will follow his lead. This is the adab of a scholar. Asking an Ustadz who has no training in politics to craft political strategies and statements is almost as bad as a politician with no training in Islamic sciences giving fatwa. And yet both happens. And the lack of knowledge for both affects all of us. May all of us learn to recognise our limits. And consult those who know better than we do.
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 04:59:58 +0000
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