The is the second #wtfiqh collection which includes examples of faulty legal reason. The first is available here.
Disclaimers
- Many #wtfiqh entries also apply to non-Muslim law. I would not entrust myself to a faqīh or lawyer who makes use of them.
- Keep in mind that #wtfiqh is about failures in legal reasoning. It should not be confused with #WhatIsTheFiqh.
- If you find yourself inclining towards any of these things, please reconsider.
“X can’t be right since it makes me uncomfortable.”
There is scholarship, and then there’s emotional handwaving. #wtfiqh
The correctness or fallibility of a fiqh position is not determined by its conformance to the norms & expectations of non-Muslims. #wtfiqh
“I reject abrogation—”
—of Quran or Sunnah by the like, yet wholeheartedly embrace it when it comes from the 20th century. #wtfiqh
“I feel—”
Fiqh before feels. #wtfiqh
“Islam must change a, b, … z”
And thus the new religion Theseusism sets sail. #wtfiqh
(Yes, this was a not too subtle reference to Theseus’ paradox.)
“X is ḥarām, otherwise the Prophet ﷺ would have done it.”
Heﷺ knew it was done & didn’t object, & heﷺ wasn’t silent over the ḥarām. #wtfiqh
“3rd century AH Imāms didn’t have an authentic view as they were influenced by their history.”
In contrast to 20th century CE you? #wtfiqh
“Evidence x must be dismissed as it is in conflict with concept z!”
You do realize that concept z is derived from evidence x, right? #wtfiqh
“The textual evidence is wrong since it doesn’t match today’s norms.”
And it’s the evidence that must be wrong & not the norms? #wtfiqh
“Y’s erroneous & abusive misapplication of x proves the fallibility of x.”
And you don’t see this as evidence of y’s fallibility? #wtfiqh
“X must be The Truth™ because hadith y supports it.”
What others reject as cherry-picking, you embrace as normative method. #wtfiqh
“I reject X even if it is backed by tawātir & ijmāʿ. What do you think of that?”
Allah & His Messengerﷺ know best. #wtfiqh
“These Arab & Asian sheikhs shouldn’t makes fatwas for the west.”
Yet you’re free to do so for Arabia & Asia? How exceptional. #wtfiqh
“Did you hear: a mufti who said husbands can eat wives?”
I did. Odd those journalists never report how they fall for a faux fatwas. #wtfiqh
“…many of these “authentic” hadiths contradict the spirit of Islam…”
What man would know its spirit better than its Messengerﷺ? #wtffiqh
“Those “authentic” hadiths contradict the spirit of Islam—”
No: “clarify,” as was hisﷺ responsibility Q16:64 http://quran.com/16/64 #wtfiqh
A: “X is a poor reason against Y. #wtfiqh”
B: “Oh, so you support Y!”
That itself deserves its own #wtfiqh
“On his website & books, Sheikh says X (💔😠). Obscure Activist says he says ~X (💖😏) & that must be his official position!” #wtfiqh
My friend’s hafiz, so I can interpret Quran however I want.”
My mate’s a neurosurgeon… See where I’m going with this? #wtfiqh
Corollary to the previous #wtfiqh:
Why would any male study if he can just marry a few mujtahidahs?
(#badadvice #poly #wtfiqh)
“My degree leaves me free to interpret as I see fit without being tethered by a sanad back to the Prophet ﷺ.” #wtfiqh