Delivering Bayan is Haraam for the one not an Islamic scholar

Question: Can the Islamic sister who is not a scholar deliver Bayan in the Ijtima’ (congregation) of Islamic sisters?

Answer: The one not possessing enough knowledge should not deliver religious Bayanaat. Therefore, A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said in Fatawa Razawiyyah in volume 23 on page 378: The permission from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is the most important in delivering Bayan and in every other matter. It is Haraam for the one not having enough knowledge to deliver Bayan and listening to such a Bayan is also not permissible. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ forbid, if someone is a religious bigot, he is the puppet of Satan, and listening to his talk is rigidly Haraam (he must be prevented from delivering Bayan in Masjid), if somebody’s Bayan causes quarrel, the Imam and other responsible people have the right to prevent such a person. However, nobody has the right to stop a Sunni scholar, who has correct beliefs, to deliver Bayan. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has said in part 2, Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 114:

The definition of Islamic scholar

Question: Is it necessary to pass Dars-e-Nizami for becoming a Muballigh (preacher)?

Answer: Neither passing Dars-e-Nizami is a pre-condition nor its mere degree is enough for becoming an Islamic scholar; instead, knowledge is needed. According to the definition put forward by A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, an Islamic scholar is the one who is not only aware of all the beliefs completely and consistently, but is also able enough to find out rulings from books without anyone’s help. Knowledge can also be acquired by studying books and listening to scholars’ speeches etc.

(Summarized from: Ahkam-e-Shari’at, vol. 2, pp. 231)

We learnt that neither the degree of Dars-e-Nizami is necessary nor it is enough for becoming an Islamic scholar; similarly, knowing different languages such as Arabic or Persian etc. is not a precondition. Instead, knowledge is prerequisite. Therefore, A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said, ‘There is no importance of degree at all; a number of degree-holders have no knowledge and they are not able enough to become even the students of those who don’t have any degree; knowledge is necessary.’

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 23, pp. 683)

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ! One can get the honour of becoming an Islamic scholar by acquiring knowledge about necessary beliefs and deeds reading and comprehending many books published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah in Urdu such as Fatawa Razawiyyah, Bahar-e-Shari’at, Qanoon-e-Shari’at, Nisab-e-Shari’at, Mirat-ul-Manajih, ‘Ilm-ul-Quran, Tafseer-e-Na’eemi and Ihya-ul-‘Uloom.Asking and consulting scholars is also a way of enhancing knowledge. Apart from acquiring knowledge through the aforementioned books, passing Dars-e-Nizami will further enhance skills and expertise.