Question:-
I believe Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem will visit our shores soon. Personally, I don’t watch videos, but I have been told by others about the views expressed by him. I am not comfortable with the views expressed by this person but Mufti Sahib can kindly enlighten us. Should people attend the talks of this Sheikh or refrain? I’m not sure about his Aqeedah which may be misleading.

Answer:-
We are not fully aware of the Sheikh in question. His website states that he studied at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah and Umm-al-Qura University in Makkah. He appears on two television channels, which is Haraam for any Muslim, and is a presenter on a radio station. He enjoys a good relationship with other Salafi leaders and has studied in Salafi institutes. It is highly possible that we would differ with him in matters of Aqeedah.

Secondly, from some of his posts on the internet, we understand that he is quite liberal in his rulings. He permits females to utilise nail polish during their menses which is a Kuffar custom. He states that it is superior to recite Quraan Sharif from memory rather than reciting from the Mushaf, which is contrary to the teachings of the Hadith Sharif. It is recorded in Shuabul Imaan of Baihaqi, that Hadrat Uthmaan Bin Abdullah Bin Aus Thaqafi reports from his grandfather that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Reciting the Quraan from memory is equal to a thousand rewards, and reciting while looking into the Quraan increases it to two thousand.” [Fadhaa’il-e-Aa’maal Pg.344 Virtues of the noble Quraan] In a query posed to him by a female, saying that she doesn’t love her husband, he responds by saying, “Technically, if you unable to live with him or fulfil his rights, then you can divorce him,” whereas a female is unable to divorce in Islam. It is evident from the above that we would differ with him in various matters.

We, therefore, advise the Muslims to refrain from attending his lectures during his visit to South Africa, as he will cause more confusion in the Ummah. Again, there are many knowledgeable and righteous Ulama in our country who are worthy of being followed. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all. Ameen!

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 19 Shawwal 1444 / 10 May 2023