Title: Aren't your Viewpoints too Liberal and Misleading Sometimes? Question: Although I like what I read from your articles and the ones posted on your website(s) and the viewpoints seem very logical, but still sometimes, one part of my mind is cautious because it says that maybe you and your colleagues' opinion might be a little too liberal. In your articles you/your colleagues might have given the path to the righteousness to the reader but still the actual answer in clear terms is not given and is left to the reader's decision. I am not saying that this is wrong, but since this leaves a little room for the final decision to be based on the reader's capabilities and intelligence, this could result in the reader taking the wrong conclusion. Any comments? Jazaakumullah Khair . Atif Aziz Pakistan Answer: I do not ascribe to or present any opinion because it is liberal. On the contrary, I only present the opinion, which I consider to be correct and in accordance with the directives and the spirit of the Shari`ah . I do submit that my understanding, interpretation or presentation can be incorrect on any given issue. However, I assure you that I try my best to keep my heart and mind open for any opinion that is contrary to the one that I have presented as well as for any criticism on my opinion, which comes my way and which is presented on a mutually communicable basis. I sincerely pray to the Merciful, the Almighty to not only guide me to the correct opinion wherever I have faltered but also to save me and everyone else from any negative effects of any such opinions. As for the second part of your comment, one of the basic principles I try to keep in mind when answering specific questions/comments is to restrict myself to the explanation of any of the express directives of the Shari`ah for the issue under consideration and to my understanding of the spirit of the directives of the Shari`ah in that respect. For all those issues about which the Shari`ah has not given any specific directive, I avoid giving a final answer to the reader, as I consider doing so as beyond my own jurisdiction or even that of any other student of religion. Thus, in principle, I consider it inappropriate for any scholar or a student of religion, like myself, to restrict the options granted by the Shari`ah to the individual in any given issue by being overly specific and 'final' in such issues. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad January 7, 2003