Mufti Abu Layth Archive: dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogueAnswers on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue, newest recording first.https://muftiabulayth.org/feeds/topics/dialogue-sunni-shia-dialogue.atom.xml2023-02-22T00:00:00ZMufti Abu Layth Archivepipeline/feeds.pyShould Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/2023-02-22T00:00:00Z2023-02-22T00:00:00ZShould Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?
Mufti Abu Layth says no: it only leads to sectarian fighting. Answer people who come asking, but Sunni-Shia debating does no good. Mufti Abu Layth says he is not personally for Sunni-Shia debating because he feels it does no good and only does harm.
Answer from 22 February 2023 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Muslim Scholars Allying With LGBTQ Community ? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 35:08)
A more recent answer on society/dawah-and-debate-culture exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/
Watch on YouTube at 36:24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOfS_0uGn4E&t=2184s<p><b>Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says no: it only leads to sectarian fighting. Answer people who come asking, but Sunni-Shia debating does no good. Mufti Abu Layth says he is not personally for Sunni-Shia debating because he feels it does no good and only does harm.</p>
<p>Answer from 22 February 2023 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Muslim Scholars Allying With LGBTQ Community ? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 35:08)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on society/dawah-and-debate-culture exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/">How should Muslims engage people with very different views of the religion?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOfS_0uGn4E&t=2184s">Watch on YouTube at 36:24</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Open the segment</a></p>What do Sunni Muslims think of the twelve Shia imams?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/vrr5cww8asg/s/1/2021-12-22T00:00:00Z2021-12-22T00:00:00ZWhat do Sunni Muslims think of the twelve Shia imams?
The Shia imams are generally respected in Sunni Islam but are not used as reference points; he suspects Ja'far al-Sadiq was closer to the Shia picture of him than Sunnis admit, as an assumption. Sunnis and Shia should agree to disagree and be fair to each other. Mufti Abu Layth says he feels that Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq may have been closer to what the Shia claim him to be than to what the Sunnis claim, while calling this an assumption and not a known fact.
Answer from 22 December 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: 12 Shia Imams According To Sunni Islam? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 0:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrR5CWw8asg&t=0s<p><b>What do Sunni Muslims think of the twelve Shia imams?</b></p>
<p>The Shia imams are generally respected in Sunni Islam but are not used as reference points; he suspects Ja'far al-Sadiq was closer to the Shia picture of him than Sunnis admit, as an assumption. Sunnis and Shia should agree to disagree and be fair to each other. Mufti Abu Layth says he feels that Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq may have been closer to what the Shia claim him to be than to what the Sunnis claim, while calling this an assumption and not a known fact.</p>
<p>Answer from 22 December 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: 12 Shia Imams According To Sunni Islam? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrR5CWw8asg&t=0s">Watch on YouTube at 0:00</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/vrr5cww8asg/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>What actually separates Sunnis and Shia, and is mut'ah really a Shia thing?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/wmzc28plysq/s/2/2021-03-15T00:00:00Z2021-03-15T00:00:00ZWhat actually separates Sunnis and Shia, and is mut'ah really a Shia thing?
The Sunni-Shia split is only about who has the right to rule, the Shia holding it stays in the Prophet's bloodline. Mut'ah and wiping the feet have nothing to do with being Shia; Sunnis used them as propaganda. Mufti Abu Layth says the whole Sunni-Shia split is based on who has the right to rule, the Shia holding that it must remain within the Prophet's sacred bloodline.
Answer from 15 March 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Why isn't Mufti from the Mu'tazilah? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:24)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 2:24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmzC28PLYSQ&t=144s<p><b>What actually separates Sunnis and Shia, and is mut'ah really a Shia thing?</b></p>
<p>The Sunni-Shia split is only about who has the right to rule, the Shia holding it stays in the Prophet's bloodline. Mut'ah and wiping the feet have nothing to do with being Shia; Sunnis used them as propaganda. Mufti Abu Layth says the whole Sunni-Shia split is based on who has the right to rule, the Shia holding that it must remain within the Prophet's sacred bloodline.</p>
<p>Answer from 15 March 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Why isn't Mufti from the Mu'tazilah? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:24)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmzC28PLYSQ&t=144s">Watch on YouTube at 2:24</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/wmzc28plysq/s/2/">Open the segment</a></p>Do I have to believe Umar and Uthman were better than Ali?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/b1ooltqtptw/s/4/2021-03-02T00:00:00Z2021-03-02T00:00:00ZDo I have to believe Umar and Uthman were better than Ali?
No: preferring one close companion over another is a personal preference, and he calls arguing over the ranking childish; treating Ali as infallible is equally wrong. Mufti Abu Layth says that, in his opinion, arguing over which of the Prophet's close companions was better is just childishness.
Answer from 2 March 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #204 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 21:49)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 21:49: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1OOltqtPTw&t=1309s<p><b>Do I have to believe Umar and Uthman were better than Ali?</b></p>
<p>No: preferring one close companion over another is a personal preference, and he calls arguing over the ranking childish; treating Ali as infallible is equally wrong. Mufti Abu Layth says that, in his opinion, arguing over which of the Prophet's close companions was better is just childishness.</p>
<p>Answer from 2 March 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #204 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 21:49)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1OOltqtPTw&t=1309s">Watch on YouTube at 21:49</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/b1ooltqtptw/s/4/">Open the segment</a></p>Was Ali born inside the Kaaba?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/b1ooltqtptw/s/3/2021-03-02T00:00:00Z2021-03-02T00:00:00ZWas Ali born inside the Kaaba?
It may have happened but is uncertain, and most likely means the homes of Banu Hashim attached to the Kaaba rather than the cube itself; Ali's greatness does not depend on it. Mufti Abu Layth says Ali's value should not be based on whether he was born in the Kaaba or not.
Answer from 2 March 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #204 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 15:22)
A more recent answer on history/sirah exists (9 May 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oag-f3hxcdy/s/3/
Watch on YouTube at 16:03: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1OOltqtPTw&t=963s<p><b>Was Ali born inside the Kaaba?</b></p>
<p>It may have happened but is uncertain, and most likely means the homes of Banu Hashim attached to the Kaaba rather than the cube itself; Ali's greatness does not depend on it. Mufti Abu Layth says Ali's value should not be based on whether he was born in the Kaaba or not.</p>
<p>Answer from 2 March 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #204 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 15:22)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on history/sirah exists</b> (9 May 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oag-f3hxcdy/s/3/">How did the Prophet balance gentleness and strength?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1OOltqtPTw&t=963s">Watch on YouTube at 16:03</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/b1ooltqtptw/s/3/">Open the segment</a></p>Why isn't the Mufti a Mu'tazili?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/--pntsar8ck/s/14/2021-02-16T00:00:00Z2021-02-16T00:00:00ZWhy isn't the Mufti a Mu'tazili?
Mufti Abu Layth says he is simply Sunni; sects are defined by core doctrines, the Shia by the sacred bloodline's right to rule, and mut'ah was pinned on them as propaganda. Mufti Abu Layth says mut'ah had nothing to do with being a Shia, and that tying it to them was a propaganda campaign.
Answer from 16 February 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #202| Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 44:58)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 44:58: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--PntsaR8ck&t=2698s<p><b>Why isn't the Mufti a Mu'tazili?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says he is simply Sunni; sects are defined by core doctrines, the Shia by the sacred bloodline's right to rule, and mut'ah was pinned on them as propaganda. Mufti Abu Layth says mut'ah had nothing to do with being a Shia, and that tying it to them was a propaganda campaign.</p>
<p>Answer from 16 February 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #202| Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 44:58)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--PntsaR8ck&t=2698s">Watch on YouTube at 44:58</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/--pntsar8ck/s/14/">Open the segment</a></p>Why does Bukhari accept a narrator who praised Ali's killer while Shia narrators are rejected?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/hlhgb2tyt-c/s/1/2021-02-15T00:00:00Z2021-02-15T00:00:00ZWhy does Bukhari accept a narrator who praised Ali's killer while Shia narrators are rejected?
Mufti Abu Layth calls it a double standard that al-Bukhari accepts as trustworthy a narrator who praised Ibn Muljam for killing Ali, while reports from Imam Jafar and other Shia imams are rejected because of their source. Mufti Abu Layth says it is prejudice and a double standard that al-Bukhari accepts as trustworthy a narrator who openly praised Ibn Muljam for killing Ali, while reports from Imam Jafar and the other Shia imams are rejected because they come from Shia sources.
Answer from 15 February 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Hypocrisy in the Sunni Hadith Methodology | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)
A more recent answer on hadith/bukhari exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/10/
Watch on YouTube at 0:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLHgB2tyt-c&t=0s<p><b>Why does Bukhari accept a narrator who praised Ali's killer while Shia narrators are rejected?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth calls it a double standard that al-Bukhari accepts as trustworthy a narrator who praised Ibn Muljam for killing Ali, while reports from Imam Jafar and other Shia imams are rejected because of their source. Mufti Abu Layth says it is prejudice and a double standard that al-Bukhari accepts as trustworthy a narrator who openly praised Ibn Muljam for killing Ali, while reports from Imam Jafar and the other Shia imams are rejected because they come from Shia sources.</p>
<p>Answer from 15 February 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Hypocrisy in the Sunni Hadith Methodology | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on hadith/bukhari exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/10/">Why did Mufti Abu Layth challenge hadith in BukhariGate, and can the Prophet be called the most beloved of creation?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLHgB2tyt-c&t=0s">Watch on YouTube at 0:00</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/hlhgb2tyt-c/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Do Shia scholars treat ordinary people better than Salafi scholars do?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/eo90sv4jvho/s/29/2021-01-05T00:00:00Z2021-01-05T00:00:00ZDo Shia scholars treat ordinary people better than Salafi scholars do?
The problem lies in the extremes of both; from the few clips he has seen he cannot promote Ammar Nakshawani, though he may be wrong.
Answer from 5 January 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #196 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:14:41)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 2:14:41: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo90sV4JVHo&t=8081s<p><b>Do Shia scholars treat ordinary people better than Salafi scholars do?</b></p>
<p>The problem lies in the extremes of both; from the few clips he has seen he cannot promote Ammar Nakshawani, though he may be wrong.</p>
<p>Answer from 5 January 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #196 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:14:41)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo90sV4JVHo&t=8081s">Watch on YouTube at 2:14:41</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/eo90sv4jvho/s/29/">Open the segment</a></p>Did early Muslims really not count Ali as the fourth rightly guided caliph?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/eo90sv4jvho/s/27/2021-01-05T00:00:00Z2021-01-05T00:00:00ZDid early Muslims really not count Ali as the fourth rightly guided caliph?
Ali is a hero of Islam and preferring him is a personal matter, but he rejects the story of Umar burning Fatima's door and urges moving on. Mufti Abu Layth says that if somebody considers Ali the best of all the companions, to him that is not a problematic statement but a personal preference.
Answer from 5 January 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #196 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:05:12)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 2:05:48: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo90sV4JVHo&t=7548s<p><b>Did early Muslims really not count Ali as the fourth rightly guided caliph?</b></p>
<p>Ali is a hero of Islam and preferring him is a personal matter, but he rejects the story of Umar burning Fatima's door and urges moving on. Mufti Abu Layth says that if somebody considers Ali the best of all the companions, to him that is not a problematic statement but a personal preference.</p>
<p>Answer from 5 January 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #196 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:05:12)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo90sV4JVHo&t=7548s">Watch on YouTube at 2:05:48</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/eo90sv4jvho/s/27/">Open the segment</a></p>How can we stop Salafi ideas from dominating how people see Islam?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/eo90sv4jvho/s/13/2021-01-05T00:00:00Z2021-01-05T00:00:00ZHow can we stop Salafi ideas from dominating how people see Islam?
Denounce every preacher of hatred, Shia or Salafi, and spread a reasoned narrative; he feels the Salafi dawah is already losing ground.
Answer from 5 January 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #196 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 54:29)
A more recent answer on society/extremism-crime-and-justice exists (29 September 2024): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/hmurvu2c9yq/s/3/
Watch on YouTube at 54:50: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo90sV4JVHo&t=3290s<p><b>How can we stop Salafi ideas from dominating how people see Islam?</b></p>
<p>Denounce every preacher of hatred, Shia or Salafi, and spread a reasoned narrative; he feels the Salafi dawah is already losing ground.</p>
<p>Answer from 5 January 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #196 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 54:29)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on society/extremism-crime-and-justice exists</b> (29 September 2024): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/hmurvu2c9yq/s/3/">How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo90sV4JVHo&t=3290s">Watch on YouTube at 54:50</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/eo90sv4jvho/s/13/">Open the segment</a></p>Did Imam Malik and Abu Hanifa study under Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, and what did they learn from him?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/phrss-nir30/s/2/2020-12-06T00:00:00Z2020-12-06T00:00:00ZDid Imam Malik and Abu Hanifa study under Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, and what did they learn from him?
Malik and Abu Hanifa kept Imam Jafar's company and attended his circles but transmitted nothing from him, which Mufti Abu Layth explains by their disagreement with teaching that largely reflected the Shia da'wah. He calls the claim that they took only 'spirituality' from him absurd. Mufti Abu Layth thinks Imam Malik and Abu Hanifa attended Imam Jafar's circles and kept his company but transmitted nothing from him to Sunni circles because the bulk of his teaching reflected the Shia da'wah, which they did not agree with, and he calls the explanation that they took only 'spirituality' from him absurd.
Answer from 6 December 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Why don't sunni imams transmit from Imam Jafar? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 6:37)
A more recent answer on hadith/collections-and-compilation exists (10 March 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/vhqvm47pns0/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 6:37: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhrSS-NiR30&t=397s<p><b>Did Imam Malik and Abu Hanifa study under Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, and what did they learn from him?</b></p>
<p>Malik and Abu Hanifa kept Imam Jafar's company and attended his circles but transmitted nothing from him, which Mufti Abu Layth explains by their disagreement with teaching that largely reflected the Shia da'wah. He calls the claim that they took only 'spirituality' from him absurd. Mufti Abu Layth thinks Imam Malik and Abu Hanifa attended Imam Jafar's circles and kept his company but transmitted nothing from him to Sunni circles because the bulk of his teaching reflected the Shia da'wah, which they did not agree with, and he calls the explanation that they took only 'spirituality' from him absurd.</p>
<p>Answer from 6 December 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Why don't sunni imams transmit from Imam Jafar? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 6:37)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on hadith/collections-and-compilation exists</b> (10 March 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/vhqvm47pns0/s/7/">Is the Muwatta of Imam Malik more authentic than Sahih al-Bukhari?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhrSS-NiR30&t=397s">Watch on YouTube at 6:37</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/phrss-nir30/s/2/">Open the segment</a></p>Why don't Sunni imams like Malik and Abu Hanifa transmit from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/phrss-nir30/s/1/2020-12-06T00:00:00Z2020-12-06T00:00:00ZWhy don't Sunni imams like Malik and Abu Hanifa transmit from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq?
Mufti Abu Layth's theory is that the early imams of the Ahl al-Bayt were for the most part as the Shia describe them, so Malik and Abu Hanifa, though respectful of them, did not transmit from them because it would have caused a political storm. He adds that this does not make the Shia theological claims more authentic. Mufti Abu Layth offers as his own theory that the early imams of the Ahl al-Bayt up to Jafar al-Sadiq were for the most part as the Shia describe them rather than Sunni, and that Imam Malik and Abu Hanifa, though on good terms with them, did not transmit from them because their views would have caused a political storm, while adding that this does not in his view make the Shia theological claims more authentic.
Answer from 6 December 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Why don't sunni imams transmit from Imam Jafar? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:02)
A more recent answer on hadith/collections-and-compilation exists (10 March 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/vhqvm47pns0/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 0:02: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhrSS-NiR30&t=2s<p><b>Why don't Sunni imams like Malik and Abu Hanifa transmit from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth's theory is that the early imams of the Ahl al-Bayt were for the most part as the Shia describe them, so Malik and Abu Hanifa, though respectful of them, did not transmit from them because it would have caused a political storm. He adds that this does not make the Shia theological claims more authentic. Mufti Abu Layth offers as his own theory that the early imams of the Ahl al-Bayt up to Jafar al-Sadiq were for the most part as the Shia describe them rather than Sunni, and that Imam Malik and Abu Hanifa, though on good terms with them, did not transmit from them because their views would have caused a political storm, while adding that this does not in his view make the Shia theological claims more authentic.</p>
<p>Answer from 6 December 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Why don't sunni imams transmit from Imam Jafar? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:02)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on hadith/collections-and-compilation exists</b> (10 March 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/vhqvm47pns0/s/7/">Is the Muwatta of Imam Malik more authentic than Sahih al-Bukhari?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhrSS-NiR30&t=2s">Watch on YouTube at 0:02</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/phrss-nir30/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Is it right to curse the companions or beat oneself in mourning for Husayn?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/iabl5vis3rg/s/18/2020-10-16T00:00:00Z2020-10-16T00:00:00ZIs it right to curse the companions or beat oneself in mourning for Husayn?
Mufti Abu Layth condemns using Husayn's mourning to curse the companions, a disservice to Husayn, and calls self-flagellation ignorance that many Shia authorities also reject. Mufti Abu Layth says he condemns using the mourning of Husayn as an excuse to curse the companions, which he feels is a disservice to Husayn.
Answer from 16 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Karbala & it's precursors | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:01:53)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 1:01:53: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaBL5ViS3Rg&t=3713s<p><b>Is it right to curse the companions or beat oneself in mourning for Husayn?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth condemns using Husayn's mourning to curse the companions, a disservice to Husayn, and calls self-flagellation ignorance that many Shia authorities also reject. Mufti Abu Layth says he condemns using the mourning of Husayn as an excuse to curse the companions, which he feels is a disservice to Husayn.</p>
<p>Answer from 16 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Karbala & it's precursors | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:01:53)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaBL5ViS3Rg&t=3713s">Watch on YouTube at 1:01:53</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/iabl5vis3rg/s/18/">Open the segment</a></p>Should Muslims mourn Husayn every year on Ashura?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/iabl5vis3rg/s/15/2020-10-16T00:00:00Z2020-10-16T00:00:00ZShould Muslims mourn Husayn every year on Ashura?
Mufti Abu Layth does not see annual mourning for Husayn as an Islamic practice and does not do it, but he does not condemn those who do. Mufti Abu Layth says that in his opinion ritual annual mourning for Husayn is not an Islamic practice, though he does not condemn people who choose to do it.
Answer from 16 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Karbala & it's precursors | Mufti Abu Layth (at 54:55)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 54:55: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaBL5ViS3Rg&t=3295s<p><b>Should Muslims mourn Husayn every year on Ashura?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth does not see annual mourning for Husayn as an Islamic practice and does not do it, but he does not condemn those who do. Mufti Abu Layth says that in his opinion ritual annual mourning for Husayn is not an Islamic practice, though he does not condemn people who choose to do it.</p>
<p>Answer from 16 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Karbala & it's precursors | Mufti Abu Layth (at 54:55)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaBL5ViS3Rg&t=3295s">Watch on YouTube at 54:55</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/iabl5vis3rg/s/15/">Open the segment</a></p>Where did the idea that Aisha was six or nine come from?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/a6h5lye4mn8/s/13/2020-07-14T00:00:00Z2020-07-14T00:00:00ZWhere did the idea that Aisha was six or nine come from?
Mufti Abu Layth says the six-and-nine narration seems to originate with Aisha's nephew Urwa, countering rumours spread against her, and that every chain runs through him. Mufti Abu Layth says the narration of Aisha being six and then nine seems to come from her nephew Urwa, who was trying to combat rumours about her.
Answer from 14 July 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth 173 (at 54:44)
A more recent answer on history/sirah/age-of-aisha exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/4/
Watch on YouTube at 54:44: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6H5lYE4MN8&t=3284s<p><b>Where did the idea that Aisha was six or nine come from?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says the six-and-nine narration seems to originate with Aisha's nephew Urwa, countering rumours spread against her, and that every chain runs through him. Mufti Abu Layth says the narration of Aisha being six and then nine seems to come from her nephew Urwa, who was trying to combat rumours about her.</p>
<p>Answer from 14 July 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth 173 (at 54:44)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on history/sirah/age-of-aisha exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/4/">Why does Mufti Abu Layth see the Quran-only movement as a reaction of anger?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6H5lYE4MN8&t=3284s">Watch on YouTube at 54:44</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/a6h5lye4mn8/s/13/">Open the segment</a></p>Did revelation end with the Prophet, or does inspiration continue?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/xznxiyp0b5s/s/5/2020-07-03T00:00:00Z2020-07-03T00:00:00ZDid revelation end with the Prophet, or does inspiration continue?
The guest says that for Shi'is, Sufis and arguably jurists some form of revelatory inspiration continues; Mufti Abu Layth says the Quran will always continue to mean different things to different people over time.
Answer from 3 July 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Prof. Dr Khalil Andani | The Oral Text & the Ontology of The Quran | Mindtrap with Mufti #28 (at 19:58)
A more recent answer on quran/hermeneutics exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/24/
Watch on YouTube at 19:58: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xznXIYp0B5s&t=1198s<p><b>Did revelation end with the Prophet, or does inspiration continue?</b></p>
<p>The guest says that for Shi'is, Sufis and arguably jurists some form of revelatory inspiration continues; Mufti Abu Layth says the Quran will always continue to mean different things to different people over time.</p>
<p>Answer from 3 July 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Prof. Dr Khalil Andani | The Oral Text & the Ontology of The Quran | Mindtrap with Mufti #28 (at 19:58)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on quran/hermeneutics exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/24/">Does 3:188 mean everyone who likes praise will be punished?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xznXIYp0B5s&t=1198s">Watch on YouTube at 19:58</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/xznxiyp0b5s/s/5/">Open the segment</a></p>Why didn't Ali take back Fadak when he became caliph?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/5/2020-02-28T00:00:00Z2020-02-28T00:00:00ZWhy didn't Ali take back Fadak when he became caliph?
Mufti Abu Layth finds it a huge open question that Ali never reclaimed Fadak as caliph, and says the Shia answers he heard did not make sense to him. Mufti Abu Layth says it is a huge question mark that Ali never took Fadak back during his caliphate.
Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 19:52)
A more recent answer on history/umayyads-and-abbasids exists (10 March 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/vhqvm47pns0/s/12/
Watch on YouTube at 19:52: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=1192s<p><b>Why didn't Ali take back Fadak when he became caliph?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth finds it a huge open question that Ali never reclaimed Fadak as caliph, and says the Shia answers he heard did not make sense to him. Mufti Abu Layth says it is a huge question mark that Ali never took Fadak back during his caliphate.</p>
<p>Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 19:52)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on history/umayyads-and-abbasids exists</b> (10 March 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/vhqvm47pns0/s/12/">Why was Imam Malik flogged?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=1192s">Watch on YouTube at 19:52</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/5/">Open the segment</a></p>Who was right about Fadak, Fatima or Abu Bakr?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/4/2020-02-28T00:00:00Z2020-02-28T00:00:00ZWho was right about Fadak, Fatima or Abu Bakr?
Both, in his view: Fatima was right that prophets can be inherited from, but Fadak was fay' belonging to the public, so Abu Bakr was right to keep it under the state. Mufti Abu Layth says he feels Fatima was right from the perspective of inheritance, since the Quran suggests prophets do inherit.
Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 16:39)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 16:39: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=999s<p><b>Who was right about Fadak, Fatima or Abu Bakr?</b></p>
<p>Both, in his view: Fatima was right that prophets can be inherited from, but Fadak was fay' belonging to the public, so Abu Bakr was right to keep it under the state. Mufti Abu Layth says he feels Fatima was right from the perspective of inheritance, since the Quran suggests prophets do inherit.</p>
<p>Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 16:39)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=999s">Watch on YouTube at 16:39</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/4/">Open the segment</a></p>Why did Abu Bakr refuse to give Fadak to Fatima?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/3/2020-02-28T00:00:00Z2020-02-28T00:00:00ZWhy did Abu Bakr refuse to give Fadak to Fatima?
Abu Bakr cited the hadith that prophets leave no inheritance; Shia sources say Fadak had been gifted to Fatima, while Sunni sources say the Prophet did not give it to her.
Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)
Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 10:15)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 10:15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=615s<p><b>Why did Abu Bakr refuse to give Fadak to Fatima?</b></p>
<p>Abu Bakr cited the hadith that prophets leave no inheritance; Shia sources say Fadak had been gifted to Fatima, while Sunni sources say the Prophet did not give it to her.</p>
<p>Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)</p>
<p>Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 10:15)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=615s">Watch on YouTube at 10:15</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/3/">Open the segment</a></p>What was Fadak and why did it matter?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/2/2020-02-28T00:00:00Z2020-02-28T00:00:00ZWhat was Fadak and why did it matter?
Fadak was fertile land near Khaybar that came to the Prophet as fay', without war, and he used its produce for travellers, his household and public needs. Mufti Abu Layth says Fadak came to the Prophet as fay', land obtained through a truce rather than through war.
Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 4:33)
A more recent answer on quran/tafsir exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/30/
Watch on YouTube at 4:33: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=273s<p><b>What was Fadak and why did it matter?</b></p>
<p>Fadak was fertile land near Khaybar that came to the Prophet as fay', without war, and he used its produce for travellers, his household and public needs. Mufti Abu Layth says Fadak came to the Prophet as fay', land obtained through a truce rather than through war.</p>
<p>Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 4:33)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on quran/tafsir exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/30/">Why are two of the daily prayers recited silently when 17:110 says not to be silent?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=273s">Watch on YouTube at 4:33</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/2/">Open the segment</a></p>A visit to the Al-Mahdi Institute symposium on Fadakhttps://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/1/2020-02-28T00:00:00Z2020-02-28T00:00:00ZA visit to the Al-Mahdi Institute symposium on Fadak
Mufti Abu Layth describes attending a Sunni-Shia symposium on Fadak at the Al-Mahdi Institute in Birmingham and calls for more collaboration.
Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 0:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=0s<p><b>A visit to the Al-Mahdi Institute symposium on Fadak</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth describes attending a Sunni-Shia symposium on Fadak at the Al-Mahdi Institute in Birmingham and calls for more collaboration.</p>
<p>Answer from 28 February 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Recording: Fadak between Fatima (r) & Abu Bakr (r) Detailed Overview | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qevhjqnt4&t=0s">Watch on YouTube at 0:00</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/51qevhjqnt4/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Is mut'ah (temporary marriage) haram?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/awhva-p9rto/s/1/2019-11-04T00:00:00Z2019-11-04T00:00:00ZIs mut'ah (temporary marriage) haram?
Mut'ah is not haram in his understanding: the reports prohibiting it are contradictory and it is very hard to prove haram. Nobody is obliged to do it, and much of the hostility to it is anti-Shia sentiment.
Answer from 4 November 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Banning Mutah? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:03)
A more recent answer on fiqh/polygamy-and-mutah exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/4/
Watch on YouTube at 0:03: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwhVA-P9rTo&t=3s<p><b>Is mut'ah (temporary marriage) haram?</b></p>
<p>Mut'ah is not haram in his understanding: the reports prohibiting it are contradictory and it is very hard to prove haram. Nobody is obliged to do it, and much of the hostility to it is anti-Shia sentiment.</p>
<p>Answer from 4 November 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Banning Mutah? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:03)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on fiqh/polygamy-and-mutah exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/4/">Is there an LGBTQ push in media and schools?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwhVA-P9rTo&t=3s">Watch on YouTube at 0:03</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/awhva-p9rto/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Is it okay to criticise the companions of the Prophet?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ahty-xxh79g/s/1/2019-09-19T00:00:00Z2019-09-19T00:00:00ZIs it okay to criticise the companions of the Prophet?
Mufti Abu Layth advises most people to view the companions with veneration, but says anyone who chooses critical, academic study must apply it to every companion, Ali included, rather than selectively. Mufti Abu Layth says one may either venerate the companions or study them critically as fully human, that critical study must then apply equally to every companion including Ali, and that he personally advises people to take the venerating approach.
Answer from 19 September 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Can we criticise the companions of the Prophet (s) | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 1:19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhTy-xxH79g&t=79s<p><b>Is it okay to criticise the companions of the Prophet?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth advises most people to view the companions with veneration, but says anyone who chooses critical, academic study must apply it to every companion, Ali included, rather than selectively. Mufti Abu Layth says one may either venerate the companions or study them critically as fully human, that critical study must then apply equally to every companion including Ali, and that he personally advises people to take the venerating approach.</p>
<p>Answer from 19 September 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Can we criticise the companions of the Prophet (s) | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhTy-xxH79g&t=79s">Watch on YouTube at 1:19</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ahty-xxh79g/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Rumours of a Sunni-Shia debate, and building bridges with the Shiahttps://muftiabulayth.org/r/31rnfwtybwu/s/1/2019-08-02T00:00:00Z2019-08-02T00:00:00ZRumours of a Sunni-Shia debate, and building bridges with the Shia
Mufti Abu Layth is not interested in Sunni-Shia debates: he believes the split is permanent and prefers building bridges, avoiding contested questions such as who was the better caliph. Mufti Abu Layth says he personally believes the Sunni-Shia split is there for good and will not go away.
Answer from 2 August 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Mufti's engagements with the Shia | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:01)
A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 0:01: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31RnFwtYbwU&t=1s<p><b>Rumours of a Sunni-Shia debate, and building bridges with the Shia</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth is not interested in Sunni-Shia debates: he believes the split is permanent and prefers building bridges, avoiding contested questions such as who was the better caliph. Mufti Abu Layth says he personally believes the Sunni-Shia split is there for good and will not go away.</p>
<p>Answer from 2 August 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Mufti's engagements with the Shia | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:01)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/sunni-shia-dialogue exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/">Should Sunnis preach to Shia Muslims about what they get wrong?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31RnFwtYbwU&t=1s">Watch on YouTube at 0:01</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/31rnfwtybwu/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Can reports from Shia sources about Hasan and Husayn be trusted?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/pkjtq8axgre/s/9/2019-07-24T00:00:00Z2019-07-24T00:00:00ZCan reports from Shia sources about Hasan and Husayn be trusted?
Mufti Abu Layth accepts the reports as factual, saying the Shia had no reason to invent earrings for their own Imams, and calls it hypocrisy that Sunnis accept Imran ibn Hittan, a Khariji who praised Ali's killer, as a narrator in Sahih al-Bukhari while rejecting anything from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. Mufti Abu Layth says he believes Hasan and Husayn wore earrings, that dismissing every Shia report as a lie is prejudice, and that accepting the Khariji narrator Imran ibn Hittan, who praised Ali's killer, in Sahih al-Bukhari while rejecting Imam Jafar's reports is a hypocrisy.
Answer from 24 July 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Holistic Overview: Can Men Wear Earrings? -Mufti Abu Layth (at 31:22)
A more recent answer on hadith/authentication/narrator-criticism exists (19 April 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zkklciv1tk8/s/2/
Watch on YouTube at 31:22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkjtq8AXGRE&t=1882s<p><b>Can reports from Shia sources about Hasan and Husayn be trusted?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth accepts the reports as factual, saying the Shia had no reason to invent earrings for their own Imams, and calls it hypocrisy that Sunnis accept Imran ibn Hittan, a Khariji who praised Ali's killer, as a narrator in Sahih al-Bukhari while rejecting anything from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. Mufti Abu Layth says he believes Hasan and Husayn wore earrings, that dismissing every Shia report as a lie is prejudice, and that accepting the Khariji narrator Imran ibn Hittan, who praised Ali's killer, in Sahih al-Bukhari while rejecting Imam Jafar's reports is a hypocrisy.</p>
<p>Answer from 24 July 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Holistic Overview: Can Men Wear Earrings? -Mufti Abu Layth (at 31:22)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on hadith/authentication/narrator-criticism exists</b> (19 April 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zkklciv1tk8/s/2/">Why does the practice of Madinah matter more than a single hadith?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkjtq8AXGRE&t=1882s">Watch on YouTube at 31:22</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/pkjtq8axgre/s/9/">Open the segment</a></p>What is the Bukhari deathbed report in which the companions ask whether the Prophet is delirious?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/iijbmtxueow/s/5/2018-09-01T00:00:00Z2018-09-01T00:00:00ZWhat is the Bukhari deathbed report in which the companions ask whether the Prophet is delirious?
The Bukhari deathbed report in which the companions dispute and ask whether the Prophet is speaking deliriously portrays the companions badly and is not true, Mufti Abu Layth says, and Sunnis hand the Shia a weapon by accepting it. Mufti Abu Layth says the Bukhari deathbed report in which the companions dispute before the Prophet and ask whether he is speaking deliriously portrays the companions badly and is not true, and that Sunnis allow the Shia to use it against the companions by accepting it.
Answer from 1 September 2018 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: BukhariGate Part 2: Sahih Bukhari is NOT so Sahih -Mufti Abu Layth (at 15:38)
A more recent answer on hadith/bukhari exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/10/
Watch on YouTube at 15:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IijbMTxUEOw&t=938s<p><b>What is the Bukhari deathbed report in which the companions ask whether the Prophet is delirious?</b></p>
<p>The Bukhari deathbed report in which the companions dispute and ask whether the Prophet is speaking deliriously portrays the companions badly and is not true, Mufti Abu Layth says, and Sunnis hand the Shia a weapon by accepting it. Mufti Abu Layth says the Bukhari deathbed report in which the companions dispute before the Prophet and ask whether he is speaking deliriously portrays the companions badly and is not true, and that Sunnis allow the Shia to use it against the companions by accepting it.</p>
<p>Answer from 1 September 2018 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: BukhariGate Part 2: Sahih Bukhari is NOT so Sahih -Mufti Abu Layth (at 15:38)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on hadith/bukhari exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/10/">Why did Mufti Abu Layth challenge hadith in BukhariGate, and can the Prophet be called the most beloved of creation?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IijbMTxUEOw&t=938s">Watch on YouTube at 15:38</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/iijbmtxueow/s/5/">Open the segment</a></p>Is mut'ah a matter of belief that divides Sunnis and Shia?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/o3so0hmtatc/s/1/2018-07-21T00:00:00Z2018-07-21T00:00:00ZIs mut'ah a matter of belief that divides Sunnis and Shia?
No: accepting temporary marriage or not is a question of fiqh, not belief, so Sunnis are unfair to attack the Shia over mut'ah. Mufti Abu Layth says that whether one accepts temporary marriage or not is a matter of fiqh, not a matter of iman.
Answer from 21 July 2018 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Sunni & Shia differences on Mutah, theological or political? - Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)
A more recent answer on fiqh/polygamy-and-mutah exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/4/
Watch on YouTube at 0:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3SO0Hmtatc&t=0s<p><b>Is mut'ah a matter of belief that divides Sunnis and Shia?</b></p>
<p>No: accepting temporary marriage or not is a question of fiqh, not belief, so Sunnis are unfair to attack the Shia over mut'ah. Mufti Abu Layth says that whether one accepts temporary marriage or not is a matter of fiqh, not a matter of iman.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 July 2018 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Sunni & Shia differences on Mutah, theological or political? - Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on fiqh/polygamy-and-mutah exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/4/">Is there an LGBTQ push in media and schools?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3SO0Hmtatc&t=0s">Watch on YouTube at 0:00</a> · <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/o3so0hmtatc/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>