QUESTION

An imaam asks, "Representatives from all the masjids in my city have formed a council. This council votes on Islaamic affairs, and at times, when the issue they are voting on has an established ruling in the Sharee'ah, they have gone against that and went with the majority's vote. Of course, the members of this council have different 'aqeedahs. We have advised them to follow the Book, the Sunnah, upon the understanding of the Salaf, but they have not taken our advice. Is it permissible for us to sit with this council, seeking to benefit the Muslims in some issues?"

ANSWER by Shaykh Rabee' ibn Haadee Al-Madkhalee, well-known scholar and retired professor from the Islaamic University of Al-Madeenah

What kind of benefits? To benefit the masjid?

[ The questioner responds: "No, the general affairs of the Muslims in the city."]

If they are gathering in a masjid, seeking good for the Muslims, benefitting them, and they are from Ahlus-Sunnah, then he should be with them. But if they are people of innovation, then he should not.

SOURCE

This was translated exclusively for www.bakkah.net from a cassette recording with the knowledge and permission of the shaykh, file no. AARM004, dated 1423/7/23.

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