Mufti Abu Layth Archive: society/cults-and-religious-abuseAnswers on society/cults-and-religious-abuse, newest recording first.https://muftiabulayth.org/feeds/topics/society-cults-and-religious-abuse.atom.xml2021-04-13T00:00:00ZMufti Abu Layth Archivepipeline/feeds.pyWas Adam a real person?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/46/2021-04-13T00:00:00Z2021-04-13T00:00:00ZWas Adam a real person?
Yes: Mufti Abu Layth believes Adam was a literal person, the father of the cognitive revolution, though he accepts some read him as a metaphor. Mufti Abu Layth says he believes Adam was a literal person, the father of the cognitive revolution, while accepting that some see him as a metaphor.
Answer from 13 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #210 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 3:06:04)
A more recent answer on quran/stories-of-the-prophets/adam-and-creation exists (19 January 2022): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/voxmweq6rz4/s/1/
Watch on YouTube at 3:06:04: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XuHMCz2N3U&t=11164s<p><b>Was Adam a real person?</b></p>
<p>Yes: Mufti Abu Layth believes Adam was a literal person, the father of the cognitive revolution, though he accepts some read him as a metaphor. Mufti Abu Layth says he believes Adam was a literal person, the father of the cognitive revolution, while accepting that some see him as a metaphor.</p>
<p>Answer from 13 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #210 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 3:06:04)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on quran/stories-of-the-prophets/adam-and-creation exists</b> (19 January 2022): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/voxmweq6rz4/s/1/">Where do Neanderthals fit in the Islamic story of Adam?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XuHMCz2N3U&t=11164s">Watch on YouTube at 3:06:04</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/46/">Open the segment</a></p>Is Mufti Abu Layth against Salafis?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/21/2021-04-13T00:00:00Z2021-04-13T00:00:00ZIs Mufti Abu Layth against Salafis?
No: Mufti Abu Layth says he has no problem with anyone being Salafi; his objection is to cult-like dogmatism in any group. Mufti Abu Layth says his objection is not to Salafis as a denomination but to dogmatic, cult-like mentality in any group, which he says suffocates religion.
Answer from 13 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #210 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:18:09)
A more recent answer on belief/sectarianism-and-takfir/salafism-and-wahhabism exists (19 August 2022): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/t0phqrnjjby/s/19/
Watch on YouTube at 1:18:09: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XuHMCz2N3U&t=4689s<p><b>Is Mufti Abu Layth against Salafis?</b></p>
<p>No: Mufti Abu Layth says he has no problem with anyone being Salafi; his objection is to cult-like dogmatism in any group. Mufti Abu Layth says his objection is not to Salafis as a denomination but to dogmatic, cult-like mentality in any group, which he says suffocates religion.</p>
<p>Answer from 13 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #210 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:18:09)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on belief/sectarianism-and-takfir/salafism-and-wahhabism exists</b> (19 August 2022): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/t0phqrnjjby/s/19/">What does the Mufti think of Ibn Taymiyya and Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XuHMCz2N3U&t=4689s">Watch on YouTube at 1:18:09</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/21/">Open the segment</a></p>Why do some religious people dislike laughter?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/19/2021-04-13T00:00:00Z2021-04-13T00:00:00ZWhy do some religious people dislike laughter?
Mufti Abu Layth says humour lets ordinary people see absurdity and question authority, which is why institutional religion dislikes it and why reports against laughter were fabricated. Mufti Abu Layth says institutionalised religion has always disliked humour because satire lets ordinary people see absurdity and question authority, and that reports against laughing much were fabricated for this reason.
Answer from 13 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #210 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:10:13)
A more recent answer on hadith/false-and-fabricated exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/4/
Watch on YouTube at 1:10:13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XuHMCz2N3U&t=4213s<p><b>Why do some religious people dislike laughter?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says humour lets ordinary people see absurdity and question authority, which is why institutional religion dislikes it and why reports against laughter were fabricated. Mufti Abu Layth says institutionalised religion has always disliked humour because satire lets ordinary people see absurdity and question authority, and that reports against laughing much were fabricated for this reason.</p>
<p>Answer from 13 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #210 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:10:13)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on hadith/false-and-fabricated 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=8XuHMCz2N3U&t=4213s">Watch on YouTube at 1:10:13</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/19/">Open the segment</a></p>Why are some clerics so hostile to Mufti Abu Layth?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/13/2021-04-13T00:00:00Z2021-04-13T00:00:00ZWhy are some clerics so hostile to Mufti Abu Layth?
Mufti Abu Layth says clerics who oppose him see in his approach the end of their institutional religion, and calls their reaction its final pangs.
Answer from 13 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #210 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 50:26)
A more recent answer on dialogue/the-mufti-and-the-channel exists (18 May 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/t9ei_hrzl84/s/2/
Watch on YouTube at 51:44: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XuHMCz2N3U&t=3104s<p><b>Why are some clerics so hostile to Mufti Abu Layth?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says clerics who oppose him see in his approach the end of their institutional religion, and calls their reaction its final pangs.</p>
<p>Answer from 13 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #210 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 50:26)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/the-mufti-and-the-channel exists</b> (18 May 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/t9ei_hrzl84/s/2/">Response to accusations over Palestine remarks and claims he is not Muslim</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XuHMCz2N3U&t=3104s">Watch on YouTube at 51:44</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/13/">Open the segment</a></p>How was Mufti Abu Layth's video on Aisha's age received?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zz85auzek5w/s/18/2021-04-06T00:00:00Z2021-04-06T00:00:00ZHow was Mufti Abu Layth's video on Aisha's age received?
Mufti Abu Layth is proud of the video: many people, especially women, told him it brought them back to Islam, while most clergy resent it because questioning the inherited ruling threatens their authority and livelihood.
Answer from 6 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #209 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:41:54)
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 1:42:34: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ85AUzeK5w&t=6154s<p><b>How was Mufti Abu Layth's video on Aisha's age received?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth is proud of the video: many people, especially women, told him it brought them back to Islam, while most clergy resent it because questioning the inherited ruling threatens their authority and livelihood.</p>
<p>Answer from 6 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #209 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:41:54)</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=zZ85AUzeK5w&t=6154s">Watch on YouTube at 1:42:34</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zz85auzek5w/s/18/">Open the segment</a></p>Why are some clerics so harsh in their rulings on women?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zz85auzek5w/s/12/2021-04-06T00:00:00Z2021-04-06T00:00:00ZWhy are some clerics so harsh in their rulings on women?
Mufti Abu Layth says harsh rulings from some clergy, especially towards women, come from sexual deprivation and a closed madrasa culture, and that love and a normal life soften people. Mufti Abu Layth says that many clergy issue harsh rulings, especially towards women, out of sexual deprivation and frustration, and that their rulings would change if they lived normal lives.
Answer from 6 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #209 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:12:51)
A more recent answer on fiqh/hijab-and-niqab exists (9 May 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/49_s1ud7utk/s/2/
Watch on YouTube at 1:12:51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ85AUzeK5w&t=4371s<p><b>Why are some clerics so harsh in their rulings on women?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says harsh rulings from some clergy, especially towards women, come from sexual deprivation and a closed madrasa culture, and that love and a normal life soften people. Mufti Abu Layth says that many clergy issue harsh rulings, especially towards women, out of sexual deprivation and frustration, and that their rulings would change if they lived normal lives.</p>
<p>Answer from 6 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #209 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:12:51)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on fiqh/hijab-and-niqab exists</b> (9 May 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/49_s1ud7utk/s/2/">Did scholars let slave women uncover more than free women?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ85AUzeK5w&t=4371s">Watch on YouTube at 1:12:51</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zz85auzek5w/s/12/">Open the segment</a></p>Can I carry a child while I pray?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zz85auzek5w/s/6/2021-04-06T00:00:00Z2021-04-06T00:00:00ZCan I carry a child while I pray?
Mufti Abu Layth says one may carry a child while praying and that Hanafi rulings such as the three-movement rule, or that laughing or reading something breaks the prayer, are made up. He sees the campaign against the preacher who showed this as sectarian jealousy. Mufti Abu Layth says that one may carry a child while praying and that Hanafi rulings such as the invalidation of prayer by three consecutive movements, by laughing or by mentally processing information are made up.
Answer from 6 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #209 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 23:17)
A more recent answer on fiqh/madhhabs-and-following/hanafi-school exists (10 December 2022): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/s-vm6mgbll8/s/12/
Watch on YouTube at 23:17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ85AUzeK5w&t=1397s<p><b>Can I carry a child while I pray?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says one may carry a child while praying and that Hanafi rulings such as the three-movement rule, or that laughing or reading something breaks the prayer, are made up. He sees the campaign against the preacher who showed this as sectarian jealousy. Mufti Abu Layth says that one may carry a child while praying and that Hanafi rulings such as the invalidation of prayer by three consecutive movements, by laughing or by mentally processing information are made up.</p>
<p>Answer from 6 April 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #209 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 23:17)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on fiqh/madhhabs-and-following/hanafi-school exists</b> (10 December 2022): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/s-vm6mgbll8/s/12/">What did Abu Hanifa say about Imam Malik?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ85AUzeK5w&t=1397s">Watch on YouTube at 23:17</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zz85auzek5w/s/6/">Open the segment</a></p>Is jinn possession real?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ijwbevcc6o8/s/26/2021-02-02T00:00:00Z2021-02-02T00:00:00ZIs jinn possession real?
There is no such thing as jinn possession, Mufti Abu Layth says; these are mental health issues, and exorcisms can be abuse.
Answer from 2 February 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #200| Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:50:29)
A more recent answer on belief/unseen-beings/jinn-possession exists (26 April 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/17/
Watch on YouTube at 2:50:29: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijwBevcC6o8&t=10229s<p><b>Is jinn possession real?</b></p>
<p>There is no such thing as jinn possession, Mufti Abu Layth says; these are mental health issues, and exorcisms can be abuse.</p>
<p>Answer from 2 February 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #200| Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 馃槈 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:50:29)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on belief/unseen-beings/jinn-possession exists</b> (26 April 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/17/">Do obscene or blasphemous thoughts during prayer ruin my salah?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijwBevcC6o8&t=10229s">Watch on YouTube at 2:50:29</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ijwbevcc6o8/s/26/">Open the segment</a></p>Why are Salafi scholars now saying masturbation is not a sin after years of calling it haram?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/yzrvpdckjxq/s/3/2021-01-04T00:00:00Z2021-01-04T00:00:00ZWhy are Salafi scholars now saying masturbation is not a sin after years of calling it haram?
Mufti Abu Layth says these scholars owe an apology to the Muslims they guilt-tripped for decades, since Ibn Hazm's and the Hanbali view were known to them all along and nothing new has come to light. He attributes the reversal to imams saying what the public expects until they feel they can say otherwise.
Answer from 4 January 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Yasir Qadhi on Masturbation | Mufti Abu Layth (at 6:38)
A more recent answer on fiqh/sexual-ethics exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/3/
Watch on YouTube at 6:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZrVPdcKjxQ&t=398s<p><b>Why are Salafi scholars now saying masturbation is not a sin after years of calling it haram?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says these scholars owe an apology to the Muslims they guilt-tripped for decades, since Ibn Hazm's and the Hanbali view were known to them all along and nothing new has come to light. He attributes the reversal to imams saying what the public expects until they feel they can say otherwise.</p>
<p>Answer from 4 January 2021 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Yasir Qadhi on Masturbation | Mufti Abu Layth (at 6:38)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on fiqh/sexual-ethics exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/3/">Did some Muslim scholars say homosexuality is not haram?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZrVPdcKjxQ&t=398s">Watch on YouTube at 6:38</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/yzrvpdckjxq/s/3/">Open the segment</a></p>Are madrasas failing their students?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zasz48lx_wi/s/4/2020-12-11T00:00:00Z2020-12-11T00:00:00ZAre madrasas failing their students?
Mufti Abu Layth says the madrasa phenomenon is dysfunctional and dumbs students down though it supplies the raw materials; both say those who leave orthodox positions are ostracised, and the guest recommends a few years of traditional study combined with academic study.
Answer from 11 December 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Dr Javad T. Hashmi | Axis of Morality & Archetypal Myths in the Quran | MindTrap 46 |Mufti Abu Layth (at 10:05)
A more recent answer on dialogue/the-mufti-and-the-channel exists (18 May 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/t9ei_hrzl84/s/2/
Watch on YouTube at 10:05: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAsz48lX_WI&t=605s<p><b>Are madrasas failing their students?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says the madrasa phenomenon is dysfunctional and dumbs students down though it supplies the raw materials; both say those who leave orthodox positions are ostracised, and the guest recommends a few years of traditional study combined with academic study.</p>
<p>Answer from 11 December 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Dr Javad T. Hashmi | Axis of Morality & Archetypal Myths in the Quran | MindTrap 46 |Mufti Abu Layth (at 10:05)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/the-mufti-and-the-channel exists</b> (18 May 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/t9ei_hrzl84/s/2/">Response to accusations over Palestine remarks and claims he is not Muslim</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAsz48lX_WI&t=605s">Watch on YouTube at 10:05</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zasz48lx_wi/s/4/">Open the segment</a></p>Is the jinn exorcism and ruqya industry a fraud?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/6apj1fumn24/s/9/2020-11-21T00:00:00Z2020-11-21T00:00:00ZIs the jinn exorcism and ruqya industry a fraud?
The ruqya industry is largely a fraud drenched in abuse; the Mu'tazila, who rejected possession, were never afflicted, and al-Jahiz already recorded a practitioner using a possession claim to explain away a lost virginity. Mufti Abu Layth says the exorcism and ruqya industry is largely fraudulent and drenched in abuse, and he cites al-Jahiz's observation that no Mu'tazili, who rejected possession, was ever afflicted by a jinn.
Answer from 21 November 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: There is no jinn possession in Islam (reply to Sh Omar Suleiman's video) | Mufti Abu Layth (at 43:12)
A more recent answer on belief/unseen-beings/jinn-possession exists (26 April 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/17/
Watch on YouTube at 43:12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aPj1fuMN24&t=2592s<p><b>Is the jinn exorcism and ruqya industry a fraud?</b></p>
<p>The ruqya industry is largely a fraud drenched in abuse; the Mu'tazila, who rejected possession, were never afflicted, and al-Jahiz already recorded a practitioner using a possession claim to explain away a lost virginity. Mufti Abu Layth says the exorcism and ruqya industry is largely fraudulent and drenched in abuse, and he cites al-Jahiz's observation that no Mu'tazili, who rejected possession, was ever afflicted by a jinn.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 November 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: There is no jinn possession in Islam (reply to Sh Omar Suleiman's video) | Mufti Abu Layth (at 43:12)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on belief/unseen-beings/jinn-possession exists</b> (26 April 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/17/">Do obscene or blasphemous thoughts during prayer ruin my salah?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aPj1fuMN24&t=2592s">Watch on YouTube at 43:12</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/6apj1fumn24/s/9/">Open the segment</a></p>Why do popular preachers promote belief in jinn possession?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/6apj1fumn24/s/1/2020-11-21T00:00:00Z2020-11-21T00:00:00ZWhy do popular preachers promote belief in jinn possession?
Mufti Abu Layth will answer Omar Suleiman's clip as a prime example of preachers promoting superstition; he says they appease the market that buys their commodity.
Answer from 21 November 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: There is no jinn possession in Islam (reply to Sh Omar Suleiman's video) | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:02)
A more recent answer on dialogue/views-on-contemporary-scholars exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/1/
Watch on YouTube at 0:02: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aPj1fuMN24&t=2s<p><b>Why do popular preachers promote belief in jinn possession?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth will answer Omar Suleiman's clip as a prime example of preachers promoting superstition; he says they appease the market that buys their commodity.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 November 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: There is no jinn possession in Islam (reply to Sh Omar Suleiman's video) | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:02)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/views-on-contemporary-scholars exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/1/">Should scholars publicly condemn a scholar said to have joined in a libation ritual?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aPj1fuMN24&t=2s">Watch on YouTube at 0:02</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/6apj1fumn24/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Why do scholars avoid showing unity across Barelvi, Deobandi and Salafi lines?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/v-1hd1uambm/s/4/2020-10-20T00:00:00Z2020-10-20T00:00:00ZWhy do scholars avoid showing unity across Barelvi, Deobandi and Salafi lines?
Scholars from different sects who met privately refused even a group photo, saying their followers were not mature enough to see it. Mufti Abu Layth says this shows preachers feeding their followers' expectations out of fear of being disowned.
Answer from 20 October 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Why people run from the Bukhari debate? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 10:33)
A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/
Watch on YouTube at 10:33: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-1HD1uAMBM&t=633s<p><b>Why do scholars avoid showing unity across Barelvi, Deobandi and Salafi lines?</b></p>
<p>Scholars from different sects who met privately refused even a group photo, saying their followers were not mature enough to see it. Mufti Abu Layth says this shows preachers feeding their followers' expectations out of fear of being disowned.</p>
<p>Answer from 20 October 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Why people run from the Bukhari debate? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 10:33)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations 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=v-1HD1uAMBM&t=633s">Watch on YouTube at 10:33</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/v-1hd1uambm/s/4/">Open the segment</a></p>Why do preachers attack views in public that they tolerate in private?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/v-1hd1uambm/s/3/2020-10-20T00:00:00Z2020-10-20T00:00:00ZWhy do preachers attack views in public that they tolerate in private?
Most preachers are controlled by the crowd that follows them: the same figures who are friendly off camera attack Mufti Abu Layth on camera because their followers expect it. Al-Farabri likewise took an opportunity that brought fame, which does not oblige others to be blind.
Answer from 20 October 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Why people run from the Bukhari debate? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 6:37)
A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/
Watch on YouTube at 6:37: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-1HD1uAMBM&t=397s<p><b>Why do preachers attack views in public that they tolerate in private?</b></p>
<p>Most preachers are controlled by the crowd that follows them: the same figures who are friendly off camera attack Mufti Abu Layth on camera because their followers expect it. Al-Farabri likewise took an opportunity that brought fame, which does not oblige others to be blind.</p>
<p>Answer from 20 October 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Why people run from the Bukhari debate? | Mufti Abu Layth (at 6:37)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations 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=v-1HD1uAMBM&t=397s">Watch on YouTube at 6:37</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/v-1hd1uambm/s/3/">Open the segment</a></p>Don't madrasas expel students for sexual abuse?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/tr4-gh0qez4/s/19/2020-08-04T00:00:00Z2020-08-04T00:00:00ZDon't madrasas expel students for sexual abuse?
Mufti Abu Layth says madrasas now respond to abuse claims more because they fear the police and the press than from conviction. Mufti Abu Layth says he thinks madrasa teachers' heightened response to sexual abuse in recent years comes from worry about trouble with the police, not personal conviction.
Answer from 4 August 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth #176 *Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted!* 馃ぃ (at 1:30:19)
A more recent answer on society/cults-and-religious-abuse exists (13 April 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/46/
Watch on YouTube at 1:30:51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR4-gh0qEZ4&t=5451s<p><b>Don't madrasas expel students for sexual abuse?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says madrasas now respond to abuse claims more because they fear the police and the press than from conviction. Mufti Abu Layth says he thinks madrasa teachers' heightened response to sexual abuse in recent years comes from worry about trouble with the police, not personal conviction.</p>
<p>Answer from 4 August 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth #176 *Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted!* 馃ぃ (at 1:30:19)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on society/cults-and-religious-abuse exists</b> (13 April 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/46/">Was Adam a real person?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR4-gh0qEZ4&t=5451s">Watch on YouTube at 1:30:51</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/tr4-gh0qez4/s/19/">Open the segment</a></p>How common is sexual abuse in madrasas?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/tr4-gh0qez4/s/15/2020-08-04T00:00:00Z2020-08-04T00:00:00ZHow common is sexual abuse in madrasas?
Mufti Abu Layth says abuse in madrasas is far more common outside the West and is often taken lightly; he would never send young boys to a madrasa in Pakistan. Mufti Abu Layth says he would never recommend that young boys go to a madrasa in Pakistan.
Answer from 4 August 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth #176 *Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted!* 馃ぃ (at 1:14:42)
A more recent answer on society/cults-and-religious-abuse exists (13 April 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/46/
Watch on YouTube at 1:15:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR4-gh0qEZ4&t=4538s<p><b>How common is sexual abuse in madrasas?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says abuse in madrasas is far more common outside the West and is often taken lightly; he would never send young boys to a madrasa in Pakistan. Mufti Abu Layth says he would never recommend that young boys go to a madrasa in Pakistan.</p>
<p>Answer from 4 August 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth #176 *Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted!* 馃ぃ (at 1:14:42)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on society/cults-and-religious-abuse exists</b> (13 April 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/46/">Was Adam a real person?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR4-gh0qEZ4&t=4538s">Watch on YouTube at 1:15:38</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/tr4-gh0qez4/s/15/">Open the segment</a></p>How do some imams use religion to exploit young women?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/a6h5lye4mn8/s/40/2020-07-14T00:00:00Z2020-07-14T00:00:00ZHow do some imams use religion to exploit young women?
Imams who use religion to sell girls a fantasy of a pious relationship are despicable; girls should wake up from such fantasies and crimes should be reported. Mufti Abu Layth says imams who sell girls fantasies of a pious relationship, knowing there is a clientele for it, are as far as he is concerned absolutely despicable.
Answer from 14 July 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth 173 (at 2:20:55)
A more recent answer on relationships/marriage/choosing-a-spouse exists (10 December 2022): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/s-vm6mgbll8/s/11/
Watch on YouTube at 2:20:55: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6H5lYE4MN8&t=8455s<p><b>How do some imams use religion to exploit young women?</b></p>
<p>Imams who use religion to sell girls a fantasy of a pious relationship are despicable; girls should wake up from such fantasies and crimes should be reported. Mufti Abu Layth says imams who sell girls fantasies of a pious relationship, knowing there is a clientele for it, are as far as he is concerned absolutely despicable.</p>
<p>Answer from 14 July 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth 173 (at 2:20:55)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on relationships/marriage/choosing-a-spouse exists</b> (10 December 2022): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/s-vm6mgbll8/s/11/">What is the story of the woman who tricked Abu Hanifa into a marriage proposal?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6H5lYE4MN8&t=8455s">Watch on YouTube at 2:20:55</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/a6h5lye4mn8/s/40/">Open the segment</a></p>Should Muslims expose the private lives of religious figures?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/a6h5lye4mn8/s/39/2020-07-14T00:00:00Z2020-07-14T00:00:00ZShould Muslims expose the private lives of religious figures?
What consenting adults do privately is their business, but abuse must be reported through proper channels; and do not meet anyone, even a famous reciter, in a car park.
Answer from 14 July 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth 173 (at 2:17:52)
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 2:17:52: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6H5lYE4MN8&t=8272s<p><b>Should Muslims expose the private lives of religious figures?</b></p>
<p>What consenting adults do privately is their business, but abuse must be reported through proper channels; and do not meet anyone, even a famous reciter, in a car park.</p>
<p>Answer from 14 July 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth 173 (at 2:17:52)</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=a6H5lYE4MN8&t=8272s">Watch on YouTube at 2:17:52</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/a6h5lye4mn8/s/39/">Open the segment</a></p>What are the allegations against the Quran reciter on Twitter?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/a6h5lye4mn8/s/38/2020-07-14T00:00:00Z2020-07-14T00:00:00ZWhat are the allegations against the Quran reciter on Twitter?
Mufti Abu Layth shows the allegations circulating on Twitter against a well-known Quran reciter, says he cannot tell whether they are true, and says criminal claims should go to the police.
Answer from 14 July 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)
Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth 173 (at 2:12:50)
A more recent answer on society/technology-and-media/social-media exists (15 May 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/umku_ocftes/s/2/
Watch on YouTube at 2:12:50: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6H5lYE4MN8&t=7970s<p><b>What are the allegations against the Quran reciter on Twitter?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth shows the allegations circulating on Twitter against a well-known Quran reciter, says he cannot tell whether they are true, and says criminal claims should go to the police.</p>
<p>Answer from 14 July 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)</p>
<p>Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti Abu Layth 173 (at 2:12:50)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on society/technology-and-media/social-media exists</b> (15 May 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/umku_ocftes/s/2/">What can ordinary people do about the Palestinian crisis, and do social-media posts help?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6H5lYE4MN8&t=7970s">Watch on YouTube at 2:12:50</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/a6h5lye4mn8/s/38/">Open the segment</a></p>Opening: introducing Edip Yuksel, who refuses titles and insists all are equalhttps://muftiabulayth.org/r/zmirskjob4o/s/1/2020-06-26T00:00:00Z2020-06-26T00:00:00ZOpening: introducing Edip Yuksel, who refuses titles and insists all are equal
The guest rejects titles such as professor, saying that in religion, philosophy and politics only the words count, not the name or rank of the person speaking.
Answer from 26 June 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)
Recording: Prof. Edip Yuksel | Rejecting Hadith, Rashad Khalifa & Realizing '19' | MindTrap with Mufti #27 (at 0:35)
A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/
Watch on YouTube at 0:35: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmIrskjob4o&t=35s<p><b>Opening: introducing Edip Yuksel, who refuses titles and insists all are equal</b></p>
<p>The guest rejects titles such as professor, saying that in religion, philosophy and politics only the words count, not the name or rank of the person speaking.</p>
<p>Answer from 26 June 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)</p>
<p>Recording: Prof. Edip Yuksel | Rejecting Hadith, Rashad Khalifa & Realizing '19' | MindTrap with Mufti #27 (at 0:35)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations 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=ZmIrskjob4o&t=35s">Watch on YouTube at 0:35</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/zmirskjob4o/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Is it worse to use religion as a cover for wrongdoing?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/y9p342tx6t0/s/2/2020-06-01T00:00:00Z2020-06-01T00:00:00ZIs it worse to use religion as a cover for wrongdoing?
Mufti Abu Layth says people should not use religion to cover what they do; dressing seduction in religious language is a sick game. Mufti Abu Layth says that if you are going to do something as a human being you should just do it and not use religion.
Answer from 1 June 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: A mufti, a convert & hanky panky! | Mufti Abu Layth (at 6:20)
A more recent answer on fiqh/sexual-ethics exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/3/
Watch on YouTube at 6:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9P342Tx6T0&t=380s<p><b>Is it worse to use religion as a cover for wrongdoing?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says people should not use religion to cover what they do; dressing seduction in religious language is a sick game. Mufti Abu Layth says that if you are going to do something as a human being you should just do it and not use religion.</p>
<p>Answer from 1 June 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: A mufti, a convert & hanky panky! | Mufti Abu Layth (at 6:20)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on fiqh/sexual-ethics exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/3/">Did some Muslim scholars say homosexuality is not haram?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9P342Tx6T0&t=380s">Watch on YouTube at 6:20</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/y9p342tx6t0/s/2/">Open the segment</a></p>If a religious teacher seduces someone, is the other person also to blame?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/y9p342tx6t0/s/1/2020-06-01T00:00:00Z2020-06-01T00:00:00ZIf a religious teacher seduces someone, is the other person also to blame?
Mufti Abu Layth says both the mufti and the woman in the shared story are to blame, and dismisses the claim of a magic spell.
Answer from 1 June 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: A mufti, a convert & hanky panky! | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)
A more recent answer on society/cults-and-religious-abuse exists (13 April 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/46/
Watch on YouTube at 0:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9P342Tx6T0&t=0s<p><b>If a religious teacher seduces someone, is the other person also to blame?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says both the mufti and the woman in the shared story are to blame, and dismisses the claim of a magic spell.</p>
<p>Answer from 1 June 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: A mufti, a convert & hanky panky! | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on society/cults-and-religious-abuse exists</b> (13 April 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/8xuhmcz2n3u/s/46/">Was Adam a real person?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9P342Tx6T0&t=0s">Watch on YouTube at 0:00</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/y9p342tx6t0/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Did Abu Hanifa hold that there is no hadd punishment for sodomy?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/housirokbvu/s/29/2020-04-19T00:00:00Z2020-04-19T00:00:00ZDid Abu Hanifa hold that there is no hadd punishment for sodomy?
The guest says Abu Hanifa held there is no hadd for sodomy, that Salafis attack Hanafis for it, and that a Salafi mufti used the same view to shield one of their own scholars.
Answer from 19 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)
Recording: Shaykh Kashif Khan | Policing thought, Pornography & Pandora's box | MindTrap with Mufti #15 (at 2:28:54)
A more recent answer on fiqh/madhhabs-and-following/hanafi-school exists (10 December 2022): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/s-vm6mgbll8/s/12/
Watch on YouTube at 2:28:54: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOusirOkBVU&t=8934s<p><b>Did Abu Hanifa hold that there is no hadd punishment for sodomy?</b></p>
<p>The guest says Abu Hanifa held there is no hadd for sodomy, that Salafis attack Hanafis for it, and that a Salafi mufti used the same view to shield one of their own scholars.</p>
<p>Answer from 19 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)</p>
<p>Recording: Shaykh Kashif Khan | Policing thought, Pornography & Pandora's box | MindTrap with Mufti #15 (at 2:28:54)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on fiqh/madhhabs-and-following/hanafi-school exists</b> (10 December 2022): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/s-vm6mgbll8/s/12/">What did Abu Hanifa say about Imam Malik?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOusirOkBVU&t=8934s">Watch on YouTube at 2:28:54</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/housirokbvu/s/29/">Open the segment</a></p>Why do people react so strongly when a scholar challenges established views?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/housirokbvu/s/15/2020-04-19T00:00:00Z2020-04-19T00:00:00ZWhy do people react so strongly when a scholar challenges established views?
The guest says people feel threatened when their views are challenged, and that independence from groups and donors is what lets a scholar research and speak honestly.
Answer from 19 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)
Recording: Shaykh Kashif Khan | Policing thought, Pornography & Pandora's box | MindTrap with Mufti #15 (at 1:19:17)
A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/
Watch on YouTube at 1:19:17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOusirOkBVU&t=4757s<p><b>Why do people react so strongly when a scholar challenges established views?</b></p>
<p>The guest says people feel threatened when their views are challenged, and that independence from groups and donors is what lets a scholar research and speak honestly.</p>
<p>Answer from 19 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)</p>
<p>Recording: Shaykh Kashif Khan | Policing thought, Pornography & Pandora's box | MindTrap with Mufti #15 (at 1:19:17)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations 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=hOusirOkBVU&t=4757s">Watch on YouTube at 1:19:17</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/housirokbvu/s/15/">Open the segment</a></p>Do some muftis use lenient rulings for themselves but give strict ones to others?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/housirokbvu/s/12/2020-04-19T00:00:00Z2020-04-19T00:00:00ZDo some muftis use lenient rulings for themselves but give strict ones to others?
The guest says some muftis take concessions such as the Ahl al-Hadith view on triple talaq for themselves while giving people harsh rulings, citing an account about a mufti in his neighbourhood.
Answer from 19 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)
Recording: Shaykh Kashif Khan | Policing thought, Pornography & Pandora's box | MindTrap with Mufti #15 (at 1:04:24)
A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/
Watch on YouTube at 1:04:24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOusirOkBVU&t=3864s<p><b>Do some muftis use lenient rulings for themselves but give strict ones to others?</b></p>
<p>The guest says some muftis take concessions such as the Ahl al-Hadith view on triple talaq for themselves while giving people harsh rulings, citing an account about a mufti in his neighbourhood.</p>
<p>Answer from 19 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)</p>
<p>Recording: Shaykh Kashif Khan | Policing thought, Pornography & Pandora's box | MindTrap with Mufti #15 (at 1:04:24)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations 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=hOusirOkBVU&t=3864s">Watch on YouTube at 1:04:24</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/housirokbvu/s/12/">Open the segment</a></p>Do religious scholars lose their independence when they depend on donations?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/housirokbvu/s/5/2020-04-19T00:00:00Z2020-04-19T00:00:00ZDo religious scholars lose their independence when they depend on donations?
The guest refuses to earn from religion because dependence on a group or donors forces scholars to say what their audience wants; Mufti Abu Layth says denominational dependency cripples independent thinking.
Answer from 19 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Shaykh Kashif Khan | Policing thought, Pornography & Pandora's box | MindTrap with Mufti #15 (at 20:12)
A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/
Watch on YouTube at 20:12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOusirOkBVU&t=1212s<p><b>Do religious scholars lose their independence when they depend on donations?</b></p>
<p>The guest refuses to earn from religion because dependence on a group or donors forces scholars to say what their audience wants; Mufti Abu Layth says denominational dependency cripples independent thinking.</p>
<p>Answer from 19 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Shaykh Kashif Khan | Policing thought, Pornography & Pandora's box | MindTrap with Mufti #15 (at 20:12)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations 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=hOusirOkBVU&t=1212s">Watch on YouTube at 20:12</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/housirokbvu/s/5/">Open the segment</a></p>What was in the letter attacking Shaykh al-Yaqoubi, and who sent it?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mlnpcjxypqm/s/2/2020-04-06T00:00:00Z2020-04-06T00:00:00ZWhat was in the letter attacking Shaykh al-Yaqoubi, and who sent it?
A Bradford-based board wrote to Shaykh al-Yaqoubi demanding he declare Shia, Deobandi and Salafi figures kafir and condemn The Study Quran and Hamza Yusuf, which Mufti Abu Layth calls a sectarian bullying session. He recognised only two signatories and was surprised to see Pir Saqib Shaami's name.
Answer from 6 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: People Attacking Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:37)
A more recent answer on belief/sectarianism-and-takfir exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/7/
Watch on YouTube at 2:37: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLNpcjXYpqM&t=157s<p><b>What was in the letter attacking Shaykh al-Yaqoubi, and who sent it?</b></p>
<p>A Bradford-based board wrote to Shaykh al-Yaqoubi demanding he declare Shia, Deobandi and Salafi figures kafir and condemn The Study Quran and Hamza Yusuf, which Mufti Abu Layth calls a sectarian bullying session. He recognised only two signatories and was surprised to see Pir Saqib Shaami's name.</p>
<p>Answer from 6 April 2020 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: People Attacking Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:37)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on belief/sectarianism-and-takfir 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=mLNpcjXYpqM&t=157s">Watch on YouTube at 2:37</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mlnpcjxypqm/s/2/">Open the segment</a></p>Is al-Yaqoubi's edition of Sahih al-Bukhari really the most authentic copy on earth?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/otqqc3k4hwa/s/7/2019-08-21T00:00:00Z2019-08-21T00:00:00ZIs al-Yaqoubi's edition of Sahih al-Bukhari really the most authentic copy on earth?
No special claim can rest on being based on the Sultaniyya, Mufti Abu Layth says, since every copy of Bukhari is. He sees the advertising as business, which he does not mind in itself, but calls the tactics problematic.
Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: A Reply to Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on Sahih Al-Bukhari| Mufti Abu layth (at 20:54)
A more recent answer on hadith/bukhari exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/10/
Watch on YouTube at 20:54: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtQqc3K4HWA&t=1254s<p><b>Is al-Yaqoubi's edition of Sahih al-Bukhari really the most authentic copy on earth?</b></p>
<p>No special claim can rest on being based on the Sultaniyya, Mufti Abu Layth says, since every copy of Bukhari is. He sees the advertising as business, which he does not mind in itself, but calls the tactics problematic.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: A Reply to Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on Sahih Al-Bukhari| Mufti Abu layth (at 20:54)</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=OtQqc3K4HWA&t=1254s">Watch on YouTube at 20:54</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/otqqc3k4hwa/s/7/">Open the segment</a></p>Does Mufti Abu Layth regard Sufi tariqahs led by pirs as cults?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/otqqc3k4hwa/s/4/2019-08-21T00:00:00Z2019-08-21T00:00:00ZDoes Mufti Abu Layth regard Sufi tariqahs led by pirs as cults?
Mufti Abu Layth says all such tariqahs are in essence cults, though al-Yaqoubi's is a better and less harmful one than the usual exploitative pir. The SKT charity boycott, he says, shows how much power such shaykhs now wield.
Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: A Reply to Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on Sahih Al-Bukhari| Mufti Abu layth (at 10:33)
A more recent answer on dialogue/views-on-contemporary-scholars exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/1/
Watch on YouTube at 10:33: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtQqc3K4HWA&t=633s<p><b>Does Mufti Abu Layth regard Sufi tariqahs led by pirs as cults?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says all such tariqahs are in essence cults, though al-Yaqoubi's is a better and less harmful one than the usual exploitative pir. The SKT charity boycott, he says, shows how much power such shaykhs now wield.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: A Reply to Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on Sahih Al-Bukhari| Mufti Abu layth (at 10:33)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/views-on-contemporary-scholars exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/1/">Should scholars publicly condemn a scholar said to have joined in a libation ritual?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtQqc3K4HWA&t=633s">Watch on YouTube at 10:33</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/otqqc3k4hwa/s/4/">Open the segment</a></p>How did Shaykh al-Yaqoubi become so influential in the UK?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/otqqc3k4hwa/s/3/2019-08-21T00:00:00Z2019-08-21T00:00:00ZHow did Shaykh al-Yaqoubi become so influential in the UK?
After his earlier UK hosts parted with him, al-Yaqoubi found a devoted following in the Barelvi community of the Midlands and the north, learnt to avoid praising Deobandi scholars, and rose to prominence, wealth and power on its back.
Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: A Reply to Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on Sahih Al-Bukhari| Mufti Abu layth (at 6:36)
A more recent answer on dialogue/views-on-contemporary-scholars exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/1/
Watch on YouTube at 6:36: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtQqc3K4HWA&t=396s<p><b>How did Shaykh al-Yaqoubi become so influential in the UK?</b></p>
<p>After his earlier UK hosts parted with him, al-Yaqoubi found a devoted following in the Barelvi community of the Midlands and the north, learnt to avoid praising Deobandi scholars, and rose to prominence, wealth and power on its back.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: A Reply to Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on Sahih Al-Bukhari| Mufti Abu layth (at 6:36)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/views-on-contemporary-scholars exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/1/">Should scholars publicly condemn a scholar said to have joined in a libation ritual?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtQqc3K4HWA&t=396s">Watch on YouTube at 6:36</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/otqqc3k4hwa/s/3/">Open the segment</a></p>What does Mufti Abu Layth think of Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/otqqc3k4hwa/s/2/2019-08-21T00:00:00Z2019-08-21T00:00:00ZWhat does Mufti Abu Layth think of Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi?
Mufti Abu Layth likes al-Yaqoubi as one of the more level-headed and knowledgeable pirs, from a family of scholars, though he has only seen his generic talks. He recalls meeting him in Damascus two decades ago as an ordinary, respected academic with no entourage.
Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: A Reply to Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on Sahih Al-Bukhari| Mufti Abu layth (at 2:35)
A more recent answer on dialogue/views-on-contemporary-scholars exists (22 February 2023): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/1/
Watch on YouTube at 2:35: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtQqc3K4HWA&t=155s<p><b>What does Mufti Abu Layth think of Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth likes al-Yaqoubi as one of the more level-headed and knowledgeable pirs, from a family of scholars, though he has only seen his generic talks. He recalls meeting him in Damascus two decades ago as an ordinary, respected academic with no entourage.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: A Reply to Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on Sahih Al-Bukhari| Mufti Abu layth (at 2:35)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/views-on-contemporary-scholars exists</b> (22 February 2023): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/mofs_0ugn4e/s/1/">Should scholars publicly condemn a scholar said to have joined in a libation ritual?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtQqc3K4HWA&t=155s">Watch on YouTube at 2:35</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/otqqc3k4hwa/s/2/">Open the segment</a></p>Did the Prophet teach a formal creed of what Muslims must believe?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ewmbn7jv9dk/s/4/2019-08-21T00:00:00Z2019-08-21T00:00:00ZDid the Prophet teach a formal creed of what Muslims must believe?
The Prophet taught faith, not a creed: beyond a handful of beliefs no hadith prescribes what to believe, and for 150 years the salaf up to Imam Malik wrote down no dogma. Policing people's ideas is the antithesis of Islam, so think for yourself. Mufti Abu Layth holds that the Prophet never taught a creed beyond a handful of beliefs, that the salaf up to Imam Malik never taught or wrote down dogma for over a hundred and fifty years, and that forcing faith and policing people's ideas is the antithesis of what Islam came with.
Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Don't let people bully you into beliefs | Mufti Abu Layth (at 15:41)
A more recent answer on belief/reason-and-revelation exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/27/
Watch on YouTube at 15:41: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWmBN7JV9Dk&t=941s<p><b>Did the Prophet teach a formal creed of what Muslims must believe?</b></p>
<p>The Prophet taught faith, not a creed: beyond a handful of beliefs no hadith prescribes what to believe, and for 150 years the salaf up to Imam Malik wrote down no dogma. Policing people's ideas is the antithesis of Islam, so think for yourself. Mufti Abu Layth holds that the Prophet never taught a creed beyond a handful of beliefs, that the salaf up to Imam Malik never taught or wrote down dogma for over a hundred and fifty years, and that forcing faith and policing people's ideas is the antithesis of what Islam came with.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Don't let people bully you into beliefs | Mufti Abu Layth (at 15:41)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on belief/reason-and-revelation exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/27/">Why did Mufti Abu Layth bring up 3:188 against the Quran-only position?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWmBN7JV9Dk&t=941s">Watch on YouTube at 15:41</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ewmbn7jv9dk/s/4/">Open the segment</a></p>How should I deal with religious circles that pressure me into beliefs?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ewmbn7jv9dk/s/3/2019-08-21T00:00:00Z2019-08-21T00:00:00ZHow should I deal with religious circles that pressure me into beliefs?
Leave the judgmental bubble of religious circles and be true to your faith and yourself rather than letting people bully you into beliefs. He cites a shaykh attacked for calling for updated thinking and Usama Canon's regret at having deprived himself for fear of what others said. Mufti Abu Layth advises religious people to expand and burst the 'religious people bubble', which he calls among the most judgmental places to be trapped in, and to be true to their faith and to themselves rather than be bullied into beliefs.
Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Don't let people bully you into beliefs | Mufti Abu Layth (at 9:10)
A more recent answer on wellbeing/personal-stories exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/5/
Watch on YouTube at 9:10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWmBN7JV9Dk&t=550s<p><b>How should I deal with religious circles that pressure me into beliefs?</b></p>
<p>Leave the judgmental bubble of religious circles and be true to your faith and yourself rather than letting people bully you into beliefs. He cites a shaykh attacked for calling for updated thinking and Usama Canon's regret at having deprived himself for fear of what others said. Mufti Abu Layth advises religious people to expand and burst the 'religious people bubble', which he calls among the most judgmental places to be trapped in, and to be true to their faith and to themselves rather than be bullied into beliefs.</p>
<p>Answer from 21 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Don't let people bully you into beliefs | Mufti Abu Layth (at 9:10)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on wellbeing/personal-stories exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/5/">Is there a middle way between rejecting all hadith and accepting every hadith?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWmBN7JV9Dk&t=550s">Watch on YouTube at 9:10</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ewmbn7jv9dk/s/3/">Open the segment</a></p>Do you need to appear perfectly pious to be a good Muslim?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ypfqphdsbgg/s/5/2019-08-01T00:00:00Z2019-08-01T00:00:00ZDo you need to appear perfectly pious to be a good Muslim?
No one needs to pretend to be pious; being genuinely human makes the deen more workable, while sanctimonious fake preaching drives people from faith. Mufti Abu Layth says one does not need to pretend to be pious, and that it is okay just to be human.
Answer from 1 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Umm Abdullah & Hasanat Scandal | Mufti Abu Layth (at 25:17)
A more recent answer on wellbeing/religious-guilt-and-scrupulosity exists (16 April 2022): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/gzkvxypy-gi/s/1/
Watch on YouTube at 25:17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPFQpHdSbGg&t=1517s<p><b>Do you need to appear perfectly pious to be a good Muslim?</b></p>
<p>No one needs to pretend to be pious; being genuinely human makes the deen more workable, while sanctimonious fake preaching drives people from faith. Mufti Abu Layth says one does not need to pretend to be pious, and that it is okay just to be human.</p>
<p>Answer from 1 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Umm Abdullah & Hasanat Scandal | Mufti Abu Layth (at 25:17)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on wellbeing/religious-guilt-and-scrupulosity exists</b> (16 April 2022): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/gzkvxypy-gi/s/1/">Am I only praying because I fear God will punish me?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPFQpHdSbGg&t=1517s">Watch on YouTube at 25:17</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ypfqphdsbgg/s/5/">Open the segment</a></p>Why is it harmful when religious influencers present a fake perfect life?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ypfqphdsbgg/s/2/2019-08-01T00:00:00Z2019-08-01T00:00:00ZWhy is it harmful when religious influencers present a fake perfect life?
Mufti Abu Layth says their private lives were their own business, and that the harm lay in preaching standards they could not live by and selling an unattainable ideal of marriage in God's name.
Answer from 1 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Umm Abdullah & Hasanat Scandal | Mufti Abu Layth (at 4:26)
A more recent answer on society/technology-and-media/social-media exists (15 May 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/umku_ocftes/s/2/
Watch on YouTube at 4:26: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPFQpHdSbGg&t=266s<p><b>Why is it harmful when religious influencers present a fake perfect life?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth says their private lives were their own business, and that the harm lay in preaching standards they could not live by and selling an unattainable ideal of marriage in God's name.</p>
<p>Answer from 1 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Umm Abdullah & Hasanat Scandal | Mufti Abu Layth (at 4:26)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on society/technology-and-media/social-media exists</b> (15 May 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/umku_ocftes/s/2/">What can ordinary people do about the Palestinian crisis, and do social-media posts help?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPFQpHdSbGg&t=266s">Watch on YouTube at 4:26</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ypfqphdsbgg/s/2/">Open the segment</a></p>Introducing the controversy over a famous Instagram 'couple goals' pairhttps://muftiabulayth.org/r/ypfqphdsbgg/s/1/2019-08-01T00:00:00Z2019-08-01T00:00:00ZIntroducing the controversy over a famous Instagram 'couple goals' pair
Mufti Abu Layth introduces the social media controversy around a famous Muslim Instagram couple accused of living double lives.
Answer from 1 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Recording: Umm Abdullah & Hasanat Scandal | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)
A more recent answer on society/technology-and-media/social-media exists (15 May 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/umku_ocftes/s/2/
Watch on YouTube at 0:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPFQpHdSbGg&t=0s<p><b>Introducing the controversy over a famous Instagram 'couple goals' pair</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth introduces the social media controversy around a famous Muslim Instagram couple accused of living double lives.</p>
<p>Answer from 1 August 2019 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Recording: Umm Abdullah & Hasanat Scandal | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:00)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on society/technology-and-media/social-media exists</b> (15 May 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/umku_ocftes/s/2/">What can ordinary people do about the Palestinian crisis, and do social-media posts help?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPFQpHdSbGg&t=0s">Watch on YouTube at 0:00</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/ypfqphdsbgg/s/1/">Open the segment</a></p>Exploitation by 'babas', and the solution: proper help and mental healthhttps://muftiabulayth.org/r/pifqxkwyrwg/s/9/2018-04-15T00:00:00Z2018-04-15T00:00:00ZExploitation by 'babas', and the solution: proper help and mental health
Magic healers exploit desperate people; seek real help from your network or professionals, and communities should take mental health seriously. Mufti Abu Layth says the solution is to seek proper help from one's social network or the relevant professional.
Answer from 15 April 2018 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Magic: Myth and Reality in Islam by Mufti Abu Layth (at 46:15)
A more recent answer on wellbeing/depression-and-anxiety exists (26 April 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/18/
Watch on YouTube at 46:15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiFqxkWyrwg&t=2775s<p><b>Exploitation by 'babas', and the solution: proper help and mental health</b></p>
<p>Magic healers exploit desperate people; seek real help from your network or professionals, and communities should take mental health seriously. Mufti Abu Layth says the solution is to seek proper help from one's social network or the relevant professional.</p>
<p>Answer from 15 April 2018 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Magic: Myth and Reality in Islam by Mufti Abu Layth (at 46:15)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on wellbeing/depression-and-anxiety exists</b> (26 April 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/18/">Are young people today facing an existential crisis?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiFqxkWyrwg&t=2775s">Watch on YouTube at 46:15</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/pifqxkwyrwg/s/9/">Open the segment</a></p>Is jinn possession just a difference of opinion among scholars?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/lexzvtf9yga/s/17/2018-04-15T00:00:00Z2018-04-15T00:00:00ZIs jinn possession just a difference of opinion among scholars?
Mufti Abu Layth refuses to treat it that way: although scholars from Fakhr al-Din al-Razi to Shaltut, Ibn Ashur and al-Shawkani rejected possession while Ibn Taymiyya affirmed it, this is not a harmless fiqh difference like raising the hands in prayer, because the belief drives abuse and exploitation and brings ridicule on Islam. Mufti Abu Layth refuses to treat possession as one of two acceptable opinions, since unlike a difference such as raising the hands in prayer it unleashes mass exploitation and abuse and brings ridicule on Islam and the Prophet, and he notes that a number of scholars, among them al-Razi and al-Shawkani, rejected it.
Answer from 15 April 2018 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Jinn: Myth and Reality in Islam by Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:05:31)
A more recent answer on fiqh/legal-theory exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/23/
Watch on YouTube at 1:05:31: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeXzvtf9YGA&t=3931s<p><b>Is jinn possession just a difference of opinion among scholars?</b></p>
<p>Mufti Abu Layth refuses to treat it that way: although scholars from Fakhr al-Din al-Razi to Shaltut, Ibn Ashur and al-Shawkani rejected possession while Ibn Taymiyya affirmed it, this is not a harmless fiqh difference like raising the hands in prayer, because the belief drives abuse and exploitation and brings ridicule on Islam. Mufti Abu Layth refuses to treat possession as one of two acceptable opinions, since unlike a difference such as raising the hands in prayer it unleashes mass exploitation and abuse and brings ridicule on Islam and the Prophet, and he notes that a number of scholars, among them al-Razi and al-Shawkani, rejected it.</p>
<p>Answer from 15 April 2018 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Jinn: Myth and Reality in Islam by Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:05:31)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on fiqh/legal-theory exists</b> (18 October 2025): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/23/">If reason helps us understand the Quran, does the reasoning of earlier scholars matter too?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeXzvtf9YGA&t=3931s">Watch on YouTube at 1:05:31</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/lexzvtf9yga/s/17/">Open the segment</a></p>Why does it matter whether people believe in jinn possession?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/lexzvtf9yga/s/9/2018-04-15T00:00:00Z2018-04-15T00:00:00ZWhy does it matter whether people believe in jinn possession?
Because the belief brings mockery on Islam and sustains an industry of abuse, with beatings, sexual violence and extortion, including a house gifted to a practitioner as a 'cure'. Mufti Abu Layth says Islam will bear the blame and future generations will treat it as mythology. Mufti Abu Layth holds that the belief in possession must be confronted because it exposes Islam to mockery and underwrites an industry of beatings, sexual violence and financial exploitation, for which Islam itself will be blamed by coming generations.
Answer from 15 April 2018 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Jinn: Myth and Reality in Islam by Mufti Abu Layth (at 34:00)
A more recent answer on belief/unseen-beings/jinn-possession exists (26 April 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/17/
Watch on YouTube at 34:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeXzvtf9YGA&t=2040s<p><b>Why does it matter whether people believe in jinn possession?</b></p>
<p>Because the belief brings mockery on Islam and sustains an industry of abuse, with beatings, sexual violence and extortion, including a house gifted to a practitioner as a 'cure'. Mufti Abu Layth says Islam will bear the blame and future generations will treat it as mythology. Mufti Abu Layth holds that the belief in possession must be confronted because it exposes Islam to mockery and underwrites an industry of beatings, sexual violence and financial exploitation, for which Islam itself will be blamed by coming generations.</p>
<p>Answer from 15 April 2018 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Jinn: Myth and Reality in Islam by Mufti Abu Layth (at 34:00)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on belief/unseen-beings/jinn-possession exists</b> (26 April 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/17/">Do obscene or blasphemous thoughts during prayer ruin my salah?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeXzvtf9YGA&t=2040s">Watch on YouTube at 34:00</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/lexzvtf9yga/s/9/">Open the segment</a></p>Why not treat jinn possession as just a difference of opinion among scholars?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/7z8yu8kr83y/s/25/2017-09-20T00:00:00Z2017-09-20T00:00:00ZWhy not treat jinn possession as just a difference of opinion among scholars?
Because it is not a harmless difference like raising the hands in prayer: belief in possession underwrites mass exploitation, a multi-million pound industry and ridicule of Islam and its Prophet. Al-Razi, al-Maraghi, Ibn Ashur and al-Shawkani are among those who denied it, and the abuse must end. Mufti Abu Layth refuses a diplomatic stance that treats possession as one of two valid opinions, because unlike a difference over raising the hands in prayer this belief underwrites mass exploitation and abuse and brings ridicule on Islam and its Prophet.
Answer from 20 September 2017 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Jinn Possessions: Myth and Reality in Islam by Sh. Akram Nadwi & Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:56:14)
A more recent answer on history/scholars-and-imams exists (10 December 2022): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/s-vm6mgbll8/s/2/
Watch on YouTube at 1:56:14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z8yu8Kr83Y&t=6974s<p><b>Why not treat jinn possession as just a difference of opinion among scholars?</b></p>
<p>Because it is not a harmless difference like raising the hands in prayer: belief in possession underwrites mass exploitation, a multi-million pound industry and ridicule of Islam and its Prophet. Al-Razi, al-Maraghi, Ibn Ashur and al-Shawkani are among those who denied it, and the abuse must end. Mufti Abu Layth refuses a diplomatic stance that treats possession as one of two valid opinions, because unlike a difference over raising the hands in prayer this belief underwrites mass exploitation and abuse and brings ridicule on Islam and its Prophet.</p>
<p>Answer from 20 September 2017 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Jinn Possessions: Myth and Reality in Islam by Sh. Akram Nadwi & Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:56:14)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on history/scholars-and-imams exists</b> (10 December 2022): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/s-vm6mgbll8/s/2/">How did Abu Hanifa become a scholar after starting out as a merchant?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z8yu8Kr83Y&t=6974s">Watch on YouTube at 1:56:14</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/7z8yu8kr83y/s/25/">Open the segment</a></p>What harm does belief in jinn possession do?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/7z8yu8kr83y/s/17/2017-09-20T00:00:00Z2017-09-20T00:00:00ZWhat harm does belief in jinn possession do?
Belief in possession sustains beatings, sexual violence, exploitation and the extraction of money and even houses, and because it is dressed as Islam, Islam will be dismissed as mythology by the coming generation. Neurosis and psychosis are introduced as the frame for the psychological cases. Mufti Abu Layth says the belief in possession must be tackled because it mocks Islam and its Prophet and sustains a tyranny of abuse, from beatings and sexual violence to the extraction of money and property, and that Islam will be left to carry the blame as mythology.
Answer from 20 September 2017 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: general teaching
Recording: Jinn Possessions: Myth and Reality in Islam by Sh. Akram Nadwi & Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:24:46)
A more recent answer on belief/unseen-beings/jinn-possession exists (26 April 2021): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/17/
Watch on YouTube at 1:24:46: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z8yu8Kr83Y&t=5086s<p><b>What harm does belief in jinn possession do?</b></p>
<p>Belief in possession sustains beatings, sexual violence, exploitation and the extraction of money and even houses, and because it is dressed as Islam, Islam will be dismissed as mythology by the coming generation. Neurosis and psychosis are introduced as the frame for the psychological cases. Mufti Abu Layth says the belief in possession must be tackled because it mocks Islam and its Prophet and sustains a tyranny of abuse, from beatings and sexual violence to the extraction of money and property, and that Islam will be left to carry the blame as mythology.</p>
<p>Answer from 20 September 2017 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: general teaching</p>
<p>Recording: Jinn Possessions: Myth and Reality in Islam by Sh. Akram Nadwi & Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:24:46)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on belief/unseen-beings/jinn-possession exists</b> (26 April 2021): <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/oyiipehuiha/s/17/">Do obscene or blasphemous thoughts during prayer ruin my salah?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z8yu8Kr83Y&t=5086s">Watch on YouTube at 1:24:46</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/7z8yu8kr83y/s/17/">Open the segment</a></p>Why does the guest warn women never to go to exorcists?https://muftiabulayth.org/r/7z8yu8kr83y/s/7/2017-09-20T00:00:00Z2017-09-20T00:00:00ZWhy does the guest warn women never to go to exorcists?
Exorcists exploit women: the guest recounts a girl coached to feign possession to hide her lost virginity, and says many women have been made pregnant by such men in India and on a large scale in Britain. Every illness has a cure that must be sought by proper effort.
Answer from 20 September 2017 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors
Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)
Recording: Jinn Possessions: Myth and Reality in Islam by Sh. Akram Nadwi & Mufti Abu Layth (at 34:55)
A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations exists (18 October 2025): https://muftiabulayth.org/r/onzjd7xmdhe/s/32/
Watch on YouTube at 34:55: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z8yu8Kr83Y&t=2095s<p><b>Why does the guest warn women never to go to exorcists?</b></p>
<p>Exorcists exploit women: the guest recounts a girl coached to feign possession to hide her lost virginity, and says many women have been made pregnant by such men in India and on a large scale in Britain. Every illness has a cure that must be sought by proper effort.</p>
<p>Answer from 20 September 2017 路 auto-transcribed, may contain errors</p>
<p>Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)</p>
<p>Recording: Jinn Possessions: Myth and Reality in Islam by Sh. Akram Nadwi & Mufti Abu Layth (at 34:55)</p>
<p><b>A more recent answer on dialogue/guest-conversations 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=7z8yu8Kr83Y&t=2095s">Watch on YouTube at 34:55</a> 路 <a href="https://muftiabulayth.org/r/7z8yu8kr83y/s/7/">Open the segment</a></p>