Assalaamu alaikum,
(mildly) Respectfully, I must point out that Sheikh Khaled Abou El Fadl has obtained both ijazas from the Middle East (Egypt and Kuwait), as well as degrees (including a doctorate of Law) from American universities. I have read several of his books, and they are well-written (though a bit inaccessible for the general pubic, I find) and thoughtful.
It may be that one may disagree with some of his opinions (which is what fatawa are- opinions), but one cannot just dismiss him. Even less should one suggest that he does not have knowledge.
This sheikh accesses the Qur’an, the Sunnah, as well as a wide range of classical Islamic texts (he has 40,000 books in his personal library alone) when searching to understand Allah’s Will. His training and his learning are formidable, and even more importantly, his manners are very good. (smile) You may wonder at this last, but a person who has poor behaviour cannot be truly knowledgeable in Islam.
I personally am not very in favour of pets in a house. (smile) The fact that I am allergic to them may colour my views considerably, though. I would also like to state that I had the understanding that dogs were not permissible unless they had a use, and that they should be kept outdoors. But after reading Sheikh Abou El Fadl’s comments (and he has published others, too, not just the ones quoted above), I have filed his opinion (and he is not alone in his opinion, it seems) as one amongst others that inform my understandings.
Would I suggest that Muslims should rush out to acquire dogs? No. But I feel that I should not speak or judge harshly those Muslims who do have dogs. (mildly) Because it may be that my understandings are wrong. And because this question is relatively minor in my opinion. Behaving well, fulfilling our duties, working to promote justice and kindness… it seems to me that we Muslims have so many things that we could potentially be thinking and working on, that to get overly wrapped up in minor questions -especially if it may cause dissension and hurt- would border on sinful in and of itself.
Bhabha, my dear, no one is forcing you to abandon your dogs (or your parents!). They are stating their opinions, and you are free to disagree with them and make your own choices. (gently) Just as they are free to disagree with you and make their own choices.
And in the end, we will all be Judged by God, the High, the Knowing, for what we have done, haven’t done, tried to do, and our intentions.
(smile) Ramadan Mubarak my dear brothers and sisters in Islam! May Allah, the Compassionate, help us to restrain ourselves for His Sake, and may He Accept our efforts to so Please Him.
they make me shriek like a 6 year old girl, no lies. Just yucky bulbous ugh vile things
eace:
