Fatwa ID: 06879

Answered by: Mufti Yūsuf Badāt

Question:

I am in love with a Dawūdī Bohra girl. Dawūdī Bohra is Musta’ti Ismā’ilī Shias and firmly believe in their high priest (Dā’ī ul Muṭlaq). They never go against his commands or teachings. Every child upon reaching puberty takes an oath to follow Dā’ī’s teachings. This is done in a ceremony called Mithāq. They also believe their Dā’ī can perform karamāt and do not hesitate to turn to Dā’ī for their needs. They believe their Dā’ī can hear them even if not present among them. One common practice among them is to keep Dā’ī’s picture in their wallet for barakah. She wants to practice her firqa and does not wish to change her beliefs about Dā’ī’s supernatural abilities. I do not believe in firqas but I believe only Allāh can fulfill our wishes and the only karamāt that can be performed by any human is through du’ā. No man himself possesses any godly quality. In light of these differences do you think our marriage is permissible and also if it is suitable?

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The described beliefs of turning to a leader for needs as one would do to Allāh and believing that one’s leader can hear them even in physical absence or distance constitute shirk (associating partners with Allāh). This is in opposition to the creed described in the Qur’ān and authentic sunnah (prophetic teachings).

Nikāḥ is not valid with a person who has the described beliefs according to Sunni Islam. – (See: Rad Al-Muḥtār, Vol 3, Page 45, Dār Al-Fikr¹)

Some examples of Ismā’ilī beliefs are listed below:

• God does not have attributes.
• Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) is not the final prophet, rather Muḥammad Ibn Ismā’īl is, who was granted the status equal to prophethood.
• The physical bodies of their “imams” are unlike other humans, rather they are made from the direct light of God.
• They disrespect and express their enmity and hatred to various Companions including Abū Bakr and Omar (may Allāh be pleased with them both).
• The bounties of Paradise and the punishments of the hellfire are only virtual (not physical).
• Every verse of the Qur’ān has a hidden meaning that only a selected few can access. The verdicts (farmāns) of the Aga Khan are more important and valuable than the Qur’ān itself.
• They reject the reality of Judgment Day.
• They believe in reincarnation of souls after death in this world.
• They believe in 7 pillars. Wilāyah is the first pillar.
• Their real pilgrimage (Ḥajj) is to be in the presence or get a glimpse of the Aga Khan.
• They only pray 3 times a day. The formal method of prayer (ṣalāh) is left to the explained procedure of the Aga Khan, which is, in current times, just making supplications rather than the procedure expounded by the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him).
• Prostration to the Aga Khan is not only permissible but obliged since he is considered the manifestation (mazhar) of God in this world.

(Reference: The Ismailis, Their History and Doctrines, Institute of Ismaili Studies)

Only Allāh knows best

Written by Mufti Yūsuf Badāt

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

1 وَحَرُمَ نِكَاحُ الْوَثَنِيَّةِ نِسْبَةٌ إلَى عِبَادَةِ الْوَثَنِ وَهُوَ مَا لَهُ جُثَّةٌ أَيْ صُورَةُ إنْسَانٍ مِنْ خَشَبٍ أَوْ حَجَرٍ أَوْ فِضَّةٍ أَوْ جَوْهَرٍ تُنْحَتُ وَالْجَمْعُ أَوْثَانٌ وَالصَّنَمُ صُورَةٌ بِلَا جُثَّةٍ هَكَذَا فَرَّقَ بَيْنَهُمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ اللُّغَةِ وَقِيلَ لَا فَرْقَ وَقِيلَ يُطْلَقُ الْوَثَنُ عَلَى غَيْرِ الصُّورَةِ كَذَا فِي الْبِنَايَةِ نَهْرٌ وَفِي الْفَتْحِ وَيَدْخُلُ فِي عَبَدَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ عَبَدَةُ الشَّمْسِ وَالنُّجُومِ وَالصُّوَرِ الَّتِي اسْتَحْسَنُوهَا وَالْمُعَطِّلَةُ وَالزَّنَادِقَةُ وَالْبَاطِنِيَّةُ وَالْإِبَاحِيَّةُ وَفِي شَرْحِ الْوَجِيزِ وَكُلُّ مَذْهَبٍ يَكْفُرُ بِهِ مُعْتَقِدُهُ – كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار ج٣ / ص٤٥ دار الفكر