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Fatwa CenterLack of scholars does not justify abandoning Da`wah
Question
I live in a European country where there is a large Muslim community. This community mainly consists of unreligious Muslim youth. Therefore, a group of righteous Muslim young men, including me, try to understand our religion better by holding sessions to study some books that teach the creed of the followers of the Sunnah. Whenever we disagree about anything we refer to the scholars. One of our brothers told me that such sessions should not be held except if a scholar is present to correct any mistakes. Nevertheless, I noticed that these sessions are very fruitful and affect the youth in a positive way. This brother added that each should only care for himself and try to learn his religion very well, because we live in an era of temptation and trials. He based his idea on the verse in which Allaah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you when you have been guided}[Quran 5:105]. Does this verse actually apply to us or not? May Allaah reward you well.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.
Firstly, we supplicate Allaah The Almighty to reward you for your efforts in Da'wah, reformation and spreading goodness. We hope you will enjoy the prophetic glad tidings regarding those who teach people their religion and call to Allaah. Please see Fataawa 83104 and 83103.
It is not necessary to have a scholar present in all your Da'wah efforts. However, you must not make a decision about anything contingent on an Islamic ruling, except after you find out the ruling by asking scholars.
As for the brothers who suggested that enjoining the good and forbidding the evil should be abandoned based on the verse mentioned in question; this brother has misunderstood this verse and is using it in a wrong context. The part (which means): {will not harm you when you have been guided} implies enjoining the good and forbidding the evil as it is an essential sign of guidance. Therefore, if a Muslim does this he will not be harmed by those who have gone astray. Please see Fataawa 92253and 85108.
Allaah Knows best.
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