BinZiad
06-12-2002, 22:46
>By Mufti Taqi Usmani
>25 Ramadan 1423, 30 November 2002
>
>--------------------------
>Q.) There are media reports of a new Al Azhar
>declaration on Interest. This poses a serious dilemma
>for us in the West and your guidance is needed as to
>how we should deal with it. [Abdul Hai Patel]
>--------------------------
>
>A.) I have not yet seen the text of so-called Fatwa
>issued by Majma-ul-Bahoos of Al-Azhar of Egypt. What I
>have seen is the press reports that have appeared in
>different newspapers and magazines which have reported
>that Majma-ul-Bahoos has allowed fixed interest by a
>resolution adopted by it with a majority of 20 to 1.
>The following points may be kept in view about this
>resolution:
>
>1. Majma-ul-Bahoos, at present, does not comprise of
>very competent scholars of Shariah. There was a time
>when this institution was regarded as the most
>prestigious research institute with regard to Shariah
>and great scholars from all over the world used to
>attend its meetings. At that point of time this very
>institute had issued a detailed resolution about the
>prohibition of bank interest which was adopted
>unanimously by the personalities not less than Sheikh
>Abu Zahra, Hassanain Makhloof, Mustafa Zarqa etc. At
>present no one of that caliber is available in this
>institution.
>
>2. It is well known that Sheikh Tantavi had issued his
>opinion about the permissibility of bank interest as a
>Mufti of Egypt after which he was elevated by the
>government to the post of Sheikh of Al-Azhar. His
>views were forcefully rejected and refuted by the
>Shariah scholars throughout the world and he was
>condemned by them for the Fatwa issued by him in this
>regard. It seems that the same Sheikh Tantavi has
>somehow managed to get this resolution issued by the
>Majma-ul-Bahoos which has at present has no
>outstanding scholars in it.
>
>3. The importance in Shariah is always of the evidence
>produced from the Qur'an and Sunnah and not from the
>individual opinion expressed by some scholars. Since
>all the noteworthy Shariah Scholars have declared the
>bank interest as Riba and prohibited by Qur'an. This
>scanty opinions expressed by some unknown persons
>cannot contradict the position taken by the Ummah
>throughout the centuries.
>
>(Source: Al-Balagh Islamic E-zine)
>25 Ramadan 1423, 30 November 2002
>
>--------------------------
>Q.) There are media reports of a new Al Azhar
>declaration on Interest. This poses a serious dilemma
>for us in the West and your guidance is needed as to
>how we should deal with it. [Abdul Hai Patel]
>--------------------------
>
>A.) I have not yet seen the text of so-called Fatwa
>issued by Majma-ul-Bahoos of Al-Azhar of Egypt. What I
>have seen is the press reports that have appeared in
>different newspapers and magazines which have reported
>that Majma-ul-Bahoos has allowed fixed interest by a
>resolution adopted by it with a majority of 20 to 1.
>The following points may be kept in view about this
>resolution:
>
>1. Majma-ul-Bahoos, at present, does not comprise of
>very competent scholars of Shariah. There was a time
>when this institution was regarded as the most
>prestigious research institute with regard to Shariah
>and great scholars from all over the world used to
>attend its meetings. At that point of time this very
>institute had issued a detailed resolution about the
>prohibition of bank interest which was adopted
>unanimously by the personalities not less than Sheikh
>Abu Zahra, Hassanain Makhloof, Mustafa Zarqa etc. At
>present no one of that caliber is available in this
>institution.
>
>2. It is well known that Sheikh Tantavi had issued his
>opinion about the permissibility of bank interest as a
>Mufti of Egypt after which he was elevated by the
>government to the post of Sheikh of Al-Azhar. His
>views were forcefully rejected and refuted by the
>Shariah scholars throughout the world and he was
>condemned by them for the Fatwa issued by him in this
>regard. It seems that the same Sheikh Tantavi has
>somehow managed to get this resolution issued by the
>Majma-ul-Bahoos which has at present has no
>outstanding scholars in it.
>
>3. The importance in Shariah is always of the evidence
>produced from the Qur'an and Sunnah and not from the
>individual opinion expressed by some scholars. Since
>all the noteworthy Shariah Scholars have declared the
>bank interest as Riba and prohibited by Qur'an. This
>scanty opinions expressed by some unknown persons
>cannot contradict the position taken by the Ummah
>throughout the centuries.
>
>(Source: Al-Balagh Islamic E-zine)