I have a very important question for me and many other women in my community. Please answer as soon as possible we are waiting anxiously. We have set up for the past few years Dhikr session where a senior Muslim lady does Tafseer of the Quran and goes over Hadeeth with us. She had started but not completed an Aalim course years ago. First of all I would like to say that she is a most dear and pious woman, and tries to be the best Muslim possible. We respect her a lot. However recently we have begun to become confused, we have come across many issues in which there is some controversy where some scholars believe one way and other scholars believe another way, i.e. photography, And there are even some issues in which mostly every scholar agrees with, for example, she says combining prayers is Haraam, dyeing hair is Haraam. However, if she stresses upon what she believe and calls what the other scholars have said or issued Fatwa on as absolutely wrong and even has said those things are "Haraam". Even on things that most everyone agrees on. Second she says that if there is something in which there is doubt you should refrain from that just to be on safe side. We believe that if we are given 2 points of view from different scholars we should see what seems logical to us what satisfies our mind. Our question is should we continue to attend the sessions with this dear lady or should we refrain. Also should the parts which we know she is saying wrong should we confront her with evidence or let it go for the sake of not upsetting her? Also what do you think about when there is doubt what should one do. Many Muslim sisters will be greatly awaiting and appreciative of your quick response.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

We have already issued Fatwa 85494 clarifying how the stand of a Muslim should be when he is faced with different and various Fataawa, and we issued Fatwa 81816 about the Fatwa system.

We advise our dear sisters to continue attending circles of knowledge and benefit from their female teacher as long as she is following the methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah in presenting, deducting and inferring religious principles and teachings. Even if she is very stern in some issues, yet this should not prevent you from attending her sessions and benefiting from her knowledge provided she is following the methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah, as previously clarified.

As regards the issue of combining prayers, it is not permissible to do so without a sound religious reason. Allaah Says (what means): {Indeed, the prayer has been decreed upon the believers at fixed times.}[Quran 4:103]. This means that the prayer is prescribed at fixed and known hours, and it is not permissible to delay them or advance them from this fixed time with the exception of some cases in which it is legislated to combine the prayers, like when travelling, when it is raining, and when one is sick. For more benefit in this regard, please refer to Fataawa 89365, 84463 and 84024.

With regard to her statement that it is forbidden to dye the hair, if she only refers to dyeing the hair with black colour, then many scholars are of the view that it is forbidden to dye hair with black colour. For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 81850 and 82802.

Concerning her other views which you know that they are wrong, then there is no harm for you in advising her and clarifying the truth to her with evidence from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Prophet but with respect and while observing the required etiquettes and manners. You should remember the saying of Allaah (which means): {And had you been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have broken away from about you.}[Quran 3:159].

Finally, it should be noted that if it is known from this female teacher that she is not following the methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah in creed and in presenting, deducting and inferring religious principles and teachings, then we advise you to stay away from her. Muhammad Ibn Sireen said: 'This knowledge is religion, so choose from whom you take your religion.' [Muslim]

Allaah Knows best.