Conferring Sanads – Maulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanwi

It is Khiyanah (Treachery) to confer Sanads to those who do not deserve them

Each and everyone is not capable of becoming a leader. You will also find a few who are not fit for it. Conferring sanad’s to such persons and saying that they are qualified and thereby making them leaders is actually khiyanat.

The Shar’ee status of conferring sanads and graduation turbans

It is the habit of certain Madaris, that once a student completes studying the prescribed books, they confer the sanad and graduation turban on him irrespective of whether he possesses the competency or not. However, it should be borne in mind that the conferring of this sanad and graduation turban is actually an attestation from the teachers to the masses that according to us this person is sufficiently qualified for you to refer to him for all your religious matter and masail and act upon whatever he says. In short, this person is capable of being followed with regards to your Deen. If this is the reality of this, then it will be Wajib for all the pre-requisites for a Shahadah (attestation/testimony) to be found in this. One of the main pre-requisites of a testimony is that the person who is testifying must have complete knowledge and full conviction from the matter regarding which he is testifying is one hundred percent correct. This is so that he does not get the sin of lying and deluding others so that others are not harmed by this testimony.

Similarly, the person who is being conferred with a sanad must be thoroughly investigated and checked whether he is capable of becoming a leader in religious affairs or not. If all the ‘Ulema present are satisfied and are pleased with his theoretical and practical condition, then this graduation is very good and also a good practice in that those who are aware will come to know the person who had qualified. However, this is on the condition that they (the madaris) do not indulge in too many formalities which will necessitate show and wastage (Israaf). However, if the person does not deserve to be graduated, then this conferring of graduation turbans should never ever take place, nor should the sanads be conferred to such a person. Apart from misleading the masses, what other benefit is there in this?

(Etiquette for Teachers and Students, compiled by Mufti Muhammad Zayd Mazahiri Nadwi from the writings of Maulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanwi)

 See also:

• The death of an ‘Alim is the death of the ‘Alam (world)

Distinct Muslim Personality and the importance of Etiquette

Islam advocates this etiquette and stresses it so as to perfect the Muslim personality and to bring about harmony among people. There is no doubt that embodying such manners and virtues enhances personal style and qualities, refines personality and brings us closer to the hearts and minds of others. The forthcoming manners and etiquette are central to Islam, its purposes and its aims. Calling it ‘etiquette’ by no means implies that it is marginal to life and social behaviour. It does not mean Muslims have the option of ignoring this code of behaviour, or that it is merely preferable to adhere to it.

In pointing out that manners rank higher than deeds, Imam Al-Qarãfi in his book Al-Furwüq said, ‘Learn that a little etiquette is better than a lot of good actions.’ Rwúaim, the righteous scholar, told his son, ‘Oh my son, make your deeds salt, and your manners flour.’ Many good manners with few good deeds are better than many good
deeds with few good manners. Even if some of these rules appear to be simple common courtesy, it is important to highlight their significance. Many Muslims commit errors which blemish the Islamic personality, whose purpose is meant to be unique in its beauty, perfection and traits. Our master, the Messenger of Allah ((PBUH)) directed the blessed companions by saying: ‘You are on your way to meet your brothers, put on a nice dress and fix your riding so you appear distinct among people as a fleck [on a beautiful face]. Allah does not like roughness nor rough manners.’

When the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘No one will enter Paradise if they have at heart a grain of arrogance.’ A man asked: ‘A
man may like his dress to be nice and his shoes nice’ The Prophet answered ‘Allah is beautiful and likes beauty. Arrogance is to deny rights and look down at people.’

Shaikh Ibn Taimia said that the beauty that Allah likes include nice clothes. Hence it could be said that Allah likes all nice things. Therefore, a Muslim ought to be recognized by neat dress, cleanliness and graceful appearance.

(Islamic Manners, Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah)

See also:

• Islamic Manners, Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah