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بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيم



Question: I am a simple layman who truly wishes to change his life. However, due to so many differences of opinion prevailing amongst the Ulama, I am very confused as to how to go about this. Please advise me.




Answer: Firstly, clearly identify your objective. Objectives differ. Some people seek information and merely wish to be educated. Others love to be updated with controversy and enjoy being part of a debate. Yet, others find solace in knowing or befriending a pious person or a Sheikh. Whilst each of the above has some merits, the ultimate objective should be to forge a strong bond with Allah Azza Wajal. You can have all the education, win all the debates, and know and befriend the greatest Ulama, but if you do not focus on the objective, you will be lost and confused until you meet a certainty called death.

Secondly, you need to identify a person or an organization to guide you along. Divergences are part and parcel of every facet in life. Differences of opinion are prevalent in every relationship. Father and son, husband and wife, brother and sister, doctors, lawyers all have differences amongst one another. You have been blessed by Allah with a faculty which distinguished you from an animal — a faculty called Aql (Intelligence). In your worldly decisions you apply this faculty and make choices which will serve your best interest. Similarly, you are expected by Allah to exercise your Aql and choose the correct person or organization to guide you along. Since there is an abundance of quacks, Bidatis, liberals, modernist and a whole host of others, you need to be extremely careful as to how you exercise your choice. The following criteria will assist you in your quest to have a relationship with Allah and in safeguarding your Imaan, Insha-Allah. Follow a person or organization who has the following:



1.Basic Deeni Knowledge.
2.Amal (practising) upon that knowledge: Remember, this does not mean the person will make no mistakes or sin. Yes, he will not habitually sin and transgress the Shariah.
3.Firmness on the Sunnah: A person who does not follow the Sunnah or who treats it lightly can never lead you to Allah.
4.Zuhd (Abstinence): Whom you follow should not covet wealth, status or fame. It is a different matter if Allah bestows this upon someone without him expecting it.
5.Compassion: Just as firm as this guide of yours will be on The Shariah and The Sunnah, so much compassion and mercy will he shower upon you in order to free you from the clutches of Shaytaan and your Nafs. At times he may have to be firm and display anger. Bear with him for it is for your own good. In fact, consider this to be your good fortune as he does this out of affection for you.


If there are several such persons, then, Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi رحمه الله has suggested, you correspond or sit in the company of each one and see whose disposition attracts you most and whom you feel is benefiting you the most spiritually. After making a choice, you should not attend the discourses of any other person or listen to any other Deeni programs. This will be a temporary phase to prevent you from relapsing into confusion.



Insha-Allah, sooner or later, depending on your courage, you will be endowed with the immense wealth and treasure of Ta’alluq Ma-Allah. (A special relationship with Allah)