Q. I find most Ulama are vague when responding to questions. The answers do not clarify the issues. Due to such vagueness, laymen find much scope for committing sins. Also, the teachings of the Deen are watered down by the vagueness of the responses. Is this proper? Please comment.
A. The ‘vagueness’ of the answers of the molvis/muftis is due to their forked-tongues which they employ to promote their nafsaaniyat and baatil. Some are complete supporters of baatil while others are fencesitters who do not want to annoy donors. But all are promoters of baatil and concealers of the Haqq. That is why they speak dubiously. In the words of the Qur’aan Majeed: “They are neither here nor there. They vacillate between this (with doubt and uncertainty between truth and falsehood).” In fact the vagueness is understood to mean “perfect permissibility” and that there is nothing wrong with indulgence in the act.
With dubious statements of this nature, the molvis create the evil condition of Istikhfaaf in the minds of laymen. The ahkaam, are viewed with insignificance and regarded unimportant because of the dubious ‘hikmah’ (misplaced and stupid ‘wisdom’). The forked-tongue answers of most muftis of this era are nafsaani motivation. Since they themselves indulge in such practices or they do not want to annoy donors, they issue dubious and vague fatwas.