Ask for advice ...

If one wants to seek advice from a person, then 3 criteria in regards to that person should be considered:

1. He must be sincere.

2. He must have knowledge of Deen.

3. He must have experience and knows the field in which he is being asked for advice.

He must be sincere because if he is not sincere, he can advise you incorrectly out of jealousy. He can lead you astray on purpose so that you do not succeed in your work.

He must have knowledge of Deen because he may think that he is giving you good advice but his advice is not correct according to the Shari’ah.

Finally, he must have knowledge in the field that he is advising you in order to give you a correct advice. A sincere person who has knowledge of Deen cannot advise you if he is not proficient in his field. Therefore, together with sincerity and knowledge of Deen, one should choose a person who is in the field. Very often, we make this mistake. We ask for advice in regards to Deen from one who does not have this knowledge. Not everyone who claims to know Deen, has the knowledge of Deen. Not everyone who speaks regarding Deen, has the knowledge of Deen. Knowledge of Deen is acquired through learning Deen under qualified teachers. So, we must be very careful when asking for advice concerning Deen.

[English version of "Dimane conseil …" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.7]