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Fatwa CenterLearning Tafseer from Teacher who Disagrees with Scholars
Question
I have two questions and that is that I am really interested in learning Tafseer and one of my teachers has started teaching to a few interested students. I usually read Tafseer Ibn Kathir and Maududi (he was a Pakistani scholar). The class is conducted so that each of us reads Tafseer of our own choice and then we discuss it under his supervision. However sometimes he put in his own ideas and does not agree with what Ibn Kathir or Maududi might have said, saying his explanation makes more sense. However I stick to my own belief that Ibn Kathir 's Tafseer is valid. I go there for learning purposes and whatever is mentioned in Ibn Kathir and Maududi I believe and usually reject his explanation of his own ideas. Is it permissible to attend his classes? At times he rejects Ibn Kathir explanation which is authentic. I have no other place to go and I gain a lot from his class. Some people have advised me not to go because they consider him wrong and he has very different ideas about certain things like music, etc. My second question is that I met a recently converted male on the Internet. He is 17, wants to learn about Islam, and has no Muslims nearby. He wants to keep in touch with me. Is it okay if I do and make sure its within the limits of Sharia so as to help him make his transition because he needs moral support as his parents are non Muslims?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
No one should take the risk of interpreting and explaining the Quran without sufficient knowledge of the Sharee'ah or dare to interpret depending on his own view that is not based upon good knowledge of the Arabic language. Ibn 'Abbaas 
narrated that the Prophet said: “If anyone interprets the Quran in the light of his own opinion and is right, he has erred.” [At-Tirmithi and Abu Daawood – Al-Albaani: Dha’eef (weak)]
Imam Al-Qurtubi conveyed that Ibn Attiyyah said, 'such a situation (the above-mentioned) is as if one is asked about the meaning of some verse of the Quran, then he takes the risk to give the explanation depending on his opinion, without taking care of explanations of scholars nor rules of knowledge of syntax, grammar, or principles of Fiqh and so on.
Here, we have to know that linguists who explain the language of the Quran or the jurists who expound its meanings depending on established principles of knowledge and contemplation are not included in the above state; i.e., we do not consider them as those who dare to explain the Quran depending on their opinions.'
Thus, if the man mentioned in your question explains and interprets the Quran in accordance with the above-mentioned standards and there is separation between males and females, then you can attend such circles of knowledge; otherwise, it is not permitted since such a man is an innovator, and scholars warn Muslims against taking part in such an action.
As for the man who newly embraced Islam, it is not permissible for you to exchange emails with him because temptation may lead you to what is forbidden.
So, if such a man is serious to be a good Muslim, he has to look for some Islamic Centers spread in Europe or to contact some Muslim brothers to help him find some scholar to teach him.
We think that such a solution will keep you safe both in yourself and religion.
Allah knows best.
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