28 March - 3 April 2002
Issue No.579
|
Al-Ahram Weekly Online 28 March - 3 April 2002 Issue No.579 |
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Making for consensus fatwa
Mona El-Nahhas talked to the new mufti about Dar El-Iftaa's expected role
Ahmed Mohamed El-Tayeb, born in Luxor in 1946, was appointed Mufti on 10 March, succeeding Nasr Farid Wassel, who had reached retirement age. El-Tayeb is said to harbour liberal Islamic views, similar to those of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi. Tantawi and Wassel did not see eye to eye on a number of issues, which is what led some commentators to hint that Tantawi was behind El-Tayeb's nomination. So far, El- Tayeb has declined to comment on some of the controversial issues that have aroused heated debate, such as bank interests, organ transplants and normalisation with Israel.
(photo: Adel Anis)
After beginning his religious studies at the Esna Islamic Institute, El-Tayeb enrolled at the Qena Islamic Institute, where he completed his studies. He joined the Faculty of Religious Fundamentals in 1965, graduated in 1969, was appointed lecturer and started his graduate studies. In 1971, he received an MA degree in aqida (doctrine) and Islamic philosophy from the University of Al-Azhar, and in 1977, a PhD degree in the same field. El-Tayeb has published 19 books on philosophy, Shari'a and aqida. He has also translated several books from French to Arabic.
Prior to assuming the post of Mufti, El- Tayeb was the dean of the Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Al-Azhar University's Aswan branch. He also spent a year as dean of the Faculty of Religious Fundamentals at the Islamic University in Islamabad.
El-Tayeb has travelled to universities in France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Switzerland on several missions. He is married and a father of two.
How do you see the current role of the Dar El-Iftaa?
Dar El-Iftaa's role is not well known to Muslims. Unfortunately, many people think the job is limited to exploring the new Ramadan moon and other higri months.
Dar El-Iftaa provides answers to people's questions on a daily basis. It also organises training courses for judges and muftis from other Islamic countries. I think the most important mission currently awaiting Dar El-Iftaa is to spread the true image of Islam abroad. It has lately been tarnished in the West following the September events.
How do you intend to accomplish such a mission?
By coordinating with Al-Azhar and the various Islamic institutions abroad, Dar El- Iftaa plans to project the true Islamic doctrine, which calls for tolerance and respect for the views of others. People in foreign countries should realise that Islam is a religion of dialogue, not a religion of confrontation or violence.
To complement this effort, Dar El-Iftaa also plans to hold several symposia in which men of religion and intellectuals from Egypt and other countries will participate in properly defining terrorism, which was wrongly linked to Islam and the legitimate defence of rights, land and sacred sites.
You have announced that there will be some coordination between Al-Azhar and Dar El-Iftaa. How will this be done in the matter of issuing fatwas [religious opinion]?
There are two kinds of fatwas. The first kind is on issues concerning ordinary people in their daily lives. These kinds of fatwas can be issued by researchers at Dar El- Iftaa, without resorting to the opinion of other Islamic institutions.
The second kind of fatwa is more complicated because it deals with controversial issues that may affect the state's interests. On such issues, it would be very dangerous if the mufti gave an opinion without consulting other Islamic bodies. In such cases, the issues are better referred to the Islamic Research Academy, which is chaired by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and includes the mufti and other Azharite Ulama [scholars] as members. Topics are thoroughly discussed and studied at the academy until fatwas are finally issued, either in consensus or through a majority of votes.
When we proceed in this manner, the fatwa is guaranteed to be correct and in compliance with the spirit of Islamic Shari'a.
Is it safe to say that the phenomenon of conflicting fatwas between the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the mufti that reached a peak last year has ended?
Of course. This will also help stop the issuing of conflicting fatwas by Islamic institutions, which has lately caused a state of confusion among the public and an apparent division between Muslims.
What is your view on women occupying leading positions in society?
Islam does not prevent women from work, nor from occupying leading positions in society. Islam does not mind if women work as university professors, ministers, ambassadors or in any other high-ranking post, as long as they abide by Islamic values in behaviour and dress.
How do you expect the Arab summit to help the Palestinian cause?
I hope Arab leaders can arrive at a certain formula that will bring the long Palestinian struggle to a successful ending. We expect the summit to help in restoring occupied lands and sacred sites and the return of Palestinian refugees. I hope this happens in the near future, God willing.
A few years ago, Dar El-Iftaa began setting up an Islamic satellite aimed at unifying the beginnings of higri months in all Arab countries. Do you intend to complete this project ?
Yes, we intend to continue the efforts of former Mufti Dr Wassel. We hope to complete the project very soon, as it will help in unifying Muslim countries.
© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
| ARCHIVES Letter from the Editor Editorial Board Subscription Advertise! |
WEEKLY ONLINE: www.ahram.org.eg/weekly Updated every Saturday at 11.00 GMT, 2pm local time weeklyweb@ahram.org.eg |
 Al-Ahram Organisation |
Recommend this page