Islamic clerics and scholars

[gnostic]

Should clerics and scholars be respected?

I don't know the Qur'an as well as I do the bible, but like Jews and various sects of Christianity, they (Muslim clerics & scholars) do sometimes have different interpretations than others.

Many I could say are clearly intelligent, but many I don't think they are. They may know their scripture, but don't know anything else.

A clear example is Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi, the Iranian senior cleric, who blame women who dress provocative or commit adultery for causing earthquakes - clearly show how ignorant he is with the science of seismology. I am sure that because of his rank as senior cleric, many people just as ignorant would believe that sort of nonsense. I think there are insidious agenda behind Hojatoleslam's baseless claim, to force Iranian women to dress how they want.

And there are those who literally believe in the Quran's verse that it is okay for husbands to hit their wives, as the Melbourne cleric - Samir Abu Hamza.

There are many more who have make claims (according to their interpretation of Qur'an and Islamic teachings) that other Muslims reject.

There are many clerics who believe it is okay to kill Americans and Jews, whether it affect their community (or country) or not.

I don't know if it is lack of training, for one to become a cleric, because the level of understanding are certainly not the same. Hence all clerics or scholars are not equal.

Why do they deserve the respects they get, when they cause problems, not only for non-Muslims, but for Muslims themselves?

What's involved in becoming a cleric? Or a scholar?

 

[Badran]

Well the answer is that they don't deserve it. They should be assessed just like any body else depending on how good they perform their job. I completely agree with you.

I think the main reason for the fact that some of them are so ignorant and naive is that they are not good at any thing else like you said. They studied and memorized their scriptures, and didn't bother to study anything else. You see it's hard to gain a place of respect in society, but in the eyes of most religious people, the most righteous is the best and the most worthy of respect. So, since these people memorized the whole Quran for example, and studied their religion and are making their life devoted to religion, people well basically assume that they are good until they do or say something bad, and even in some cases when a scholar does or say some thing bad, some people just listen to him without criticizing him or what he says, and that is due to most people's lack of information or misunderstandings about their very own religion.

Also like you said obviously some of them is intentionally ignorant, or intentionally making outrages claims and statements, just to meet the needs or wishes of whatever group he represents or is a part of.

However those of them who do contribute good work to society deserve respect because they are helping people become better, and helping them get closer to god through understanding their religion more.

 

[gnostic]

Hey, Badran.

I didn't think any Muslim members here was going to reply to this topic...probably because of the nature of my topic/post, questions or criticism.

It is the criticism of some of the Islamic clerics that are out there, who have made claims. I don't deny that I am not impress in what some of these statements they have made. But I am wondering if they deserve the respects and followings they are getting.

Clearly being a cleric, from what I've seen in recent years, intelligence and wisdom are not essential requirements.

How does one become cleric or scholar in Islam?

The word "scholar" probably has the same usage as elsewhere in the world, where one devote a large of their life in the study of some sort, like literature, philosophy, moral or ethic, law, etc.

In the case, with religion (and I am talking religion in general), then I would assume that they (scholars, but again, not just Islamic scholars) would study the scriptures, interpret the scriptures and other teachings that may not be found in the scriptures. And the Islamic scholars are probably no different in that respect, to say, of Jewish or Christian scholars.

Do such the scholar have sort of rank in Islam?

Are they more knowledgeable than those who claimed to be clerics?

Do a cleric to be a scholar, before becoming a cleric? Or vice-versa?

Let just say for example, you have question with regard to something (anything relating to Islam, issues relating to teaching, law or way of life), should one go ask a scholar or a cleric?

 

[Tanuki]

In Shia Islam the position of Hujjat'ul'Islam is the station preceding that of Ayatollah, as such he is not in a position to give fatwa (legal rulings) - Alhamdulillah, in this case. Therefore what he says regarding women's dress and earthquakes would be taken with a pinch of salt by most Shia.

In order to give legal rulings it takes many years of intensive study, and not everyone makes it. Some clerics remain Hujjat'ul'Islam for the rest of their life.

 

[Badran]

Hi gnostic

I am going to answer your questions mainly through examples of how things work in my country, and then i am going to generalize.

Basically in Islam and specially in the Arab countries there are two types of people who preach and teach religion, certified scholars and other types of preachers who also study religion but not through any university or organization that will make them certified for doing so. For example in my country, there is a university called Al Azhar university, this university is the standard rout for anyone that want to study religion and devote their life for that. Graduating through that university makes one a certified scholar. You become part of an organization of scholars who also graduated from that university. This is for example the main kind of scholars in my country. You can study on your own of course and be a preacher, go on TV and advise people and stuff, but there are certain privileges that won't include you if you do so.

For example, I don't know if you have ever heard the term "Fatwa" before, but this term basically mean the ruling in new matters that weren't around in the days of our prophet to tell us what to do about it, it is not obligatory but more of a standard opinion on the matter, that represents the opinions of Islamic scholars on the matter. Only certified scholars are supposed to give a "fatwa", but others might do, but it won't be taken seriously or legitimately as from the certified scholar.

As for the rankings, it's more as a job ranking really, except for one rank, i don't know what to call it in english, but it is basically the main man who is responsible for "fatwa" in the country. He is taken with more seriousness and respect, but his fatwa isn't binding or obligatory, but it will be considered the main opinion.

This explanation basically covers most Arab countries and the "Sunni" sect.

Shia Muslims differ a little bit, in that scholars are taken more seriously and that they have different rankings for them.

As for your last question, one would go to a scholar basically and most of the time, there are also telephone numbers where you could call and tell them the problem or the situation you have and they would tell you the supposed Islamic view on that situation.

 

[gnostic]

Thanks for answering my questions, badran.

And the clerics? How are they different from scholars?

You've mention "preachers". In the western world, preachers are generally associated with clergymen or priests. Are clerics considered to be "preachers"?

Most of my issues are with clerics, which are generally negative, because they generally receive the most media attention.

Are they similar educated to the extent of the "certified" scholars?

 

[Badran]

The term cleric as i understand it, is a man that is associated with religion, in that case then that term would cover both the scholars and those preachers.

You see our scholars, the ones who go through that university, most them wear a uniform, you must have seen it once, i don't know how to describe the uniform in english, but it's obvious when you see the uniform that the man wearing it is associated with religion.

So the people you see on TV are mostly scholars. As for preachers, they are just men who could have studied religion anywhere, including on there own, and they basically just advise people and stuff, and some of them has their own TV show. Preachers aren't official in any way, it's a random thing and no one has control on them.