Lesson 2 - Introduction to Kitab Zad al Mustaqni 1

note 2026-06-11

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https://archive.org/details/ZadAlMustaqni/page/n3/mode/2up

Introduction 3

On the topic of Bismillah

Some fiqh discussions may seem small at first, such as whether Bismillah is recited aloud, silently, or considered part of al-Fātiḥah. But these issues show that real fiqh differences exist, and they come from deeper principles, not random disagreement.

Understand that scholars have methods behind their conclusions and having humility is incredibly important

Fiqh al-Aqalliyyāt / Fiqh of weakness

Fiqh al-aqalliyyāt means fiqh for Muslim minorities.

There is also the idea of dealing with weakness, restriction, and difficult circumstances. Sometimes Muslims are not living in ideal Islamic conditions. They are restricted by politics, work, law, culture, and social pressure.

So the question becomes:

How do Muslims practise Islam properly when they cannot fully control their environment?

This does not mean “do whatever you want.” It means scholars may consider hardship, necessity, public harm, and minority realities when giving fatwa.

We are the minority but khalas in a few years,

We get the somalis on the case. 3 Abdis and 2 hamdis each. Imam has 5 abdis. Sprinkle some zahids etc and we’ll raise population by 50% inshallah.

Political and cultural reality

In our time, sticking blindly to one opinion may not always address every situation. Muslims live in very different contexts now.

Even strict madhhab followers may sometimes rely on fatwas from other schools when the situation becomes genuinely difficult.

But the danger is fatwa shopping.

A person should not search for the easiest opinion just to follow desire. There must be fear of Allah before looking for a fatwa.

Example: wiping over socks

Wiping over ordinary socks is an example where there is major disagreement.

Many scholars and madhāhib placed conditions on what can be wiped over. Some later scholars allowed more flexibility, especially where hardship exists.

For example, someone at work may struggle if they have to fully wash their feet in a difficult bathroom setting. In that kind of situation, scholars may consider hardship and practicality.

But again, this should not become an excuse to abandon proper fiqh or betray one’s madhhab without knowledge.

Islamic finance and modern muʿāmalāt

Modern Islamic finance is another example.

A scholar dealing with muʿāmalāt today is not only reading classical texts. They also have to understand banks, contracts, debt, markets, regulation, and the financial system in the West.

Because Muslims live in a different time, scholars may need to discuss instruments that did not exist in the same form before.

This is not something to celebrate carelessly, because there is danger in people becoming misguided. But it shows why fiqh needs scholars who understand both the tradition and the current reality.

Semantics and wording

Language matters in Islamic knowledge.

Example:

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله
Lā ilāha illā Allāh

This is often translated as:

“There is no god worthy of worship except Allah.”

The phrase “worthy of worship” is important because people may worship many things: idols, desires, money, status, or the self.

The meaning is not that people do not worship anything else. The meaning is that nothing deserves worship except Allah.

Introduction 3

On the topic of Bismillah:

Discussions about a bunch of sheikh just throwt that these issues exis

Fiqh al aqaliyad / Fiqh al da’ad. Fiqh of utter weaknes. We cant do what we want to do. If we do, we get thrown into the sea.

Joke:

Political Reality + People/Cultural, sticking to one opinion doesnt cut it anymore. We are in a time where we are in such a diff realities, even the staunchest madhab followers who say cant look anywhere else find fatwas with others.

Fatwa shopping etc. Its still a real fear and people are weak.

Regarding wiping the socks: most madhabs dont allow it. Except for a small minority. The amount of people following it actually and the madhabs/betraying their madhhab. But if they know they get caught a second time in the bathroom by their boss. Working environment, thats like difficult. Dark dark days haha.

Another way different madhhab sheikh: Very big sheikh Muamalat and Islamic Finance. Main instruments for islamic finance in the west. We are in a different time. We dont celebrate it. Because there is a danger because people will be misguided.

Have some fear of allah before finding a fatwa.