Title: How to Judge between Scholars Question: Where I live, and I supposed to a large extent, around the entire muslim world, religious scholars are held in high esteem. Laymen like myself are not supposed to question their opinions and "fatwas." However when scholars disagree between each other, it presents a huge problem for people like me. How do I decided which scholar has the correct interpretation of Islam on the issue? Take the issue of music for example. The majority of scholars declare music, per se as prohibitted. other scholars say that per se, it is not (you being one of them). How can I, with my very limited knowledge of Islam, which of the two camps are presenting the correct interpretation of Islamic teachings with regard to this issue. This is not a question about music, but rather the difference of opinions b/w scholars. What makes matters more difficult is that most of the scholars have an Exclusionist approach. They declare their opinions to be correct an absolute sense and accuse the scholars that don't agree with them of being ignorant or deliberately perverting Islam to their own personal preferance. Some of thuse issues are quite sensitive, for instance, the degree of interaction allowed b/w the two sexes, the issue of hijab, of jihad... issues that are difficult to avoid. Further, adherents of different schools of thought aggressively promote their own understanding so it's difficult to ignore them. Whenever I reach a certain conclusion about a matter pertaining to my deen, someone comes up and earnestly tells me I wrong and requests me to change my views. Although I know Allah will not judge us on the mistakes we make because of our limited understanding, it still upsets me greatly when my understanding is challenged because then I go thro the entire delimma of reconsidering my views on the matter and falling into self-doubt. It might be that the best thing to do is to go to some deserted island, and live there in isolation for the rest of my life. I can understand how the muslims near the prophet's time were such good muslims. They may have gone through very tough times, but at least they had the conviction that they were following exactly what Allah wished for them to follow. The muslims of our time are going thro a delimma that they didn't have to face. I would like to be a good muslim, but for so many different facets of life, there are so many different interpretations on how to go about doing things. How do I decide which one of them Allah wants me to follow. Is there a set of guidlines I could follow to decide about a certain issue, following which, even if I'm wrong, I can rest my mind in peace that Allah will not hold me to account for it? jazakallah khair . Atif Rehman Pakistan Answer: Difference of opinion among the scholars and jurists about religious issues is inevitable. These differences of opinion occur only in the spheres where Allah and the Apostle have not given any specific and have left the issue for decision by the Muslims themselves. There generally does not, and should not, occur any difference in the main contents of the belief. The reason of this difference is due to the fact that while drawing inferences, the factor of the understanding of the particular scholar making the inference comes into play. No scholar can claim to be absolutely right in a certain issue because every human endeavor is prone to errors. Despite the miraculous clarity of the Qur`anic text, its message can be and has been, misinterpreted by readers on many occasions because of their human limitations. Therefore, difference of opinion among jurists is neither surprising nor regrettable. All we are required is to use intellect and weigh the reasoning they give in support of their conclusions and follow the ones most sound. The divine law cannot be in contradiction to the human intellect, basic moral values and the human nature. These are the abilities bestowed upon every human being. Therefore we need to consider the opinion held by the scholars and judge them on the above criteria. Thus, after having the various views analyzed we could come to a conclusion and follow the one that we consider to be most appropriate and in keeping with the spirit of the teachings and directives of the Shari`ah . Even after due care on our part, if the view we hold is erroneous we will not be held accountable as all we are required to do is to follow what we believe to be right. I hope this helps. Tariq Mahmood Hashmi November 10, 2002