A young man is studying with a sheikh who deals with jinn in order to
treat the possessed people and those suffering from spells. This young
man knew about this recently. Should he stop learning from this sheikh
and leave the place? Bearing in mind that he has only few months left
to complete his Qura'anic studies with him. What isthe ruling on
seeking knowledge through this sheikh and what is the ruling on the
alms given to this student by his sheikh?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Dealing with the jinn is aserious issue, and is a door that leads to
evil and mischief; how often have people are affectedby this evil? It
is sufficient for you to know that shirk only came to mankind through
them. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said,
telling us how Allaah taught His slaves: " 'I have created all My
slaves with the inclination to worship Me alone, but the devils come
to them and turn them away from their religion. They forbid to them
that which I have permitted to them, and they tell them to associate
others with Mefor which I have not sentdown any authority.'" Narrated
by Muslim (2865).
There are believers and Muslims among the jinn, and also kaafirs and
evildoers. But the fact that they are concealed from man means that
wecannot be sure about any one of them, and gives us cause for concern
about their tricks and treachery, especially with the spread of
ignorance andbid'ah (innovation), which is the harbinger of shirk.
Usually these creatures make man fall into that which is haraam, and
bring only a little benefit.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the
males among the jinn, but they (jinn) increased them (mankind) in sin
and transgression"
[al-Jinn 72:6]
Hence the fatwas of the scholars state that it is haraam to deal with
the jinn at all – whether with the believers or thekaafirs among them
– and it is essential not to take this matter lightly, so as to close
the door tofitnah and confusion, and out of concern for those who have
faith in Allaah.
It says in al-Insaaf by al-Mardaawi (10/351):
"As for the one who claims to have power over the jinn and claims that
he can summon them and they obey him,he should not be denounced as a
kaafir orexecuted, but he should be given a ta'zeer punishment." He
should be given a severe ta'zeerpunishment that should not reach the
extent of execution, according to the correct view of our madhhab; and
it was said that his ta'zeer punishment may reach the extent of
execution. End quote.
It says in al-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah (14/18):
As for seeking help from anyone other than Allaah, it is either from
humans or from the jinn.If it is seeking help from the jinn, then this
is forbidden and it may be shirk and kufr. "And verily, there were men
among mankind who took shelter with the males among the jinn, but they
(jinn) increasedthem (mankind) in sin and transgression" [al-Jinn
72:6].
Shaykh al-Albaani said inal-Silsilah al-Saheehah (hadeeth no. 2760):
This also includes some who appear outwardly to be righteous treating
people by means of that which they call "spiritualmedicine (al-tibb
al-roohaani)", whether that is in the ancient manner by contacting his
qareen or jinn companion – as they used to do during the Jaahiliyyah
– or it is done by means of what they call "summoning the spirits".
Similar to that in my opinion is hypnotism. All of these are means
that are not acceptable in sharee'ah, because they all boil down to
seeking the help of the jinn who were the cause of the mushrikeen
going astrayas it says in the Holy Qur'aan (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the
males among the jinn, but they (jinn) increased them (mankind) in sin
and transgression"
[al-Jinn 72:6]
The claims of some of those who seek their help, that they only seek
the help of the righteousamong them, are false claims, because they
usually cannot mix with them and live with them in ways that will show
whether they are righteous or not. We know from experience that most
of the humans with whom you keep company turn out not to be good
friends. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there
are enemies for you (who may stop you from the obedience of Allaah);
therefore beware of them!"
[al-Taghaabun 64:14]
This has to do with people who can be seen,so what do you think about
the jinn, concerning whom Allaahsays (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, he [Shaytaan] and Qabeeluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or
his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them" [al-A'raaf 7:27]?
End quote.
We have previously quoted fatwas from the scholars on this topic, in
the answers to the following questions: 10518 , 11114 and 78546 .
Secondly:
The first thing that the seeker of knowledge must do is to choose
trustworthy scholars, people who are religiously-committed,
trustworthy and pious. He should only acquire knowledge from those who
are qualified, and those who are truly qualified are those who have
the knowledge andact upon it, by obeying Allaah and adhering to His
laws and commands. The teacher has the greatest effect on the student,
so he should have the quality of fear of Allaah (taqwa).
It was narrated that Ibraaheem al-Nakha'i said:
When they came to a man to acquire knowledge from him, they would look
at his character, his prayer andhis situation, then they would take
knowledge from him. Al-Jaami' li Akhlaaq al-Raawi (1/127).
The scholars stated that this is especially important with regard to
learning the Qur'aan.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Tibyaan fi Adaab
Hamalat al-Qur'aan (p. 13):
It should not be learned except from one who is fully qualified and
whose religious commitment is apparent,whose knowledge is proven to be
sound and whose piety is well known. Muhammad ibn Sireen, Maalik ibn
Anas and others among the salaf said: This knowledge has to do with
religion, so look to whom you take your religion from. End quote.
Al-Zarnooji (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Ta'leem al-Muta'allim (p. 7):
He should choose the most knowledgeable, the most pious and the
oldest, as Abu Haneefah chose Hammaad ibn Abi Sulaymaan after much
thinking and consideration, and he said: I found him to be a patient,
forbearing and dignified old man. End quote.
Ibn Jamaa'ah al-Kinaani said in his book Tadhkirah al-Saami'
wa'l-Mutakallim (p. 133):
The seeker of knowledge should look and pray istikhaarah, asking
Allaah for guidance concerning theone from whom he will take knowledge
and learn good attitude and manners; if possible he should be one who
is fully qualified, and is proven to be kind, compassionate and
chivalrous, and who is well known for his chastity and piety, and who
is well versed and has deep understanding.
The student should not continue to learn when there is a shortcoming
in(the teacher's) piety or religious commitment, or his attitude is
not good. It was narrated from one of the salaf: This knowledge has to
do with religion, so look to whom you take your religion from.
If you explore the lives of the earlier and later generations, you
will find that the student usually only benefits andsucceeds if the
Shaykh is clearly sincere towards his students.
Even if you look at books, you will find that you will benefit from
books authored by thosewho are more pious andhave less interest in
worldly gains. End quote.
Thirdly:
Our advice to this seeker of knowledge is to leave this teacher who
uses the services of the jinn – if there is certain proof of that –
and he should not learn anything from him of knowledge, attitude or
religion. Thatis the most cautious approach, to be on the safe side,
if he is able to make up what he has missed and complete his studies
with a Shaykh who follows the Sunnah and is righteous.
But if there are no righteous people in his city who can do that for
him, then what we thinkis that he should complete the short time that
remains of his studies, if the situation isas described and he
onlyuses the jinn for treatingthose who are bewitched or sick, and he
is not known to practice sihr (witchcraft)or harm the Muslims, or
transgress against their wealth or honour. The basic principle
accordingto the scholars is that one may be pardoned for continuing
that which one may not be pardoned for starting. Although we would
tell aseeker of knowledge notto begin studying with aShaykh who
follows bid'ah, or who is obviously deviant in his knowledge or
action, in cases such as this, there is a concession allowing him to
continue these studies until he finishes, especially since the
remaining time is very short, and especially since he cannot find an
alternative teacher in hiscity who is a righteous follower of the
Sunnah.
But what we have said here should also be balanced against the fact
that this Shaykh maybe following the opinionof those who say that it
is permissible to employ the jinn with regard to permissible matters,
such as those mentionedin the question; he may be excused for
followingthat (weak) view and in that case we cannot say that he is a
follower of bid'ah (innovation) or is misguided.
Although some of Ahl al-Sunnah are of this view, the correct view is
that which we mentioned first of all, which is that it is forbidden to
employ the services of the jinn at all.But the correct view concerning
the issue is one thing, and finding an excuse for those who follow a
weaker view is something else.
Fourthly:
Our advice concerning the charity is also to try to do without it, and
always look for ways of earning a living by yourself, without falling
short in seeking knowledge or spending all your time and effort in
seeking a living. Rather you should be moderate and refrain from
taking that which is in people's hands (i.e., by earning your living
by your own efforts), and strive to learn aboutissues of religion, and
thus you will attain the pleasure of Allaah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever
follows a pathseeking knowledge, Allaah will make a path to Paradise
easy for him." Narrated by Muslim (2699).
But if a seeker of knowledge cannot earn enough to live on and he has
no choice but to accept charity given by this teacher, there is no sin
on him, in sha Allaah,if he takes it.
And Allaah knows best.
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And Allah Knows the Best!
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M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
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'' Our Lord ! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter and save us from the torment of the Fire '' [Ameen]
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(Surah Al-Baqarah ,verse 201)
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