13:02 there are several…23:01 because the only cure…31:15 whatever was…
Seeking knowledgeFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Why sincere scholars can disagree

Masjid ‘Eesa · Zakareeya Baksh

“The only cure of ignorance is to ask.”

The khateeb, at 23:01

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Disagreement is natural and can be rewarded when qualified scholars sincerely pursue truth, but believers must distinguish legitimate differences from deviation and seek guidance from qualified scholars and the earliest generations.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Establishes that human beings naturally differ, while religious truth remains objective.
  2. Explains that sincere scholarly effort is tested and rewarded, even when mistaken.
  3. Describes why scholars differ, including missing texts, authenticity questions, and interpretation.
  4. Warns against unqualified people issuing religious verdicts online or independently.
  5. Distinguishes tolerable fiqh disagreements from red-line deviations and emphasizes returning to the Companions’ understanding.
Try this week
Ask qualified people of knowledge when you do not know instead of issuing personal religious judgments.
Distinguish legitimate fiqh disagreements from red-line deviations through study and qualified guidance.
Evaluate online religious content cautiously, especially when unqualified people issue fatwas.
Use the understanding and teachings of the Companions and earliest generations as a religious benchmark.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 21The story of Dawud and Sulayman shows that prophets could differ in judgment while both were praised for knowledge and judgment.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“there are several wisdoms behind this number one is Allah Azzawajal He wants to test the believers to test those who sincerely want to follow the truth”
Masjid ‘Eesa · Hollis, NY
Play from 13:02
“because the only cure of ignorance is to ask not to make judgment on your own”
Masjid ‘Eesa · Hollis, NY
Play from 23:01
“whatever was sufficient for them is gonna be sufficient for us”
Masjid ‘Eesa · Hollis, NY
Play from 31:15
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that disagreement is part of human life, and even prophets and Companions sometimes differed. Sincere, qualified scholars may be rewarded even when they reach different conclusions, but not every opinion is equally correct. People who do not have the necessary knowledge should ask trustworthy scholars instead of making their own religious rulings. The speaker especially warned against accepting fatwas from unqualified online personalities. He encouraged Muslims to measure religious understanding against the teachings of the Companions and the earliest generations.

  1. When have you seen two sincere people understand the same issue differently?
  2. How can we tell whether someone online is qualified to give religious advice?
  3. Who are trustworthy people we can ask when we do not know something about Islam?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid ‘Eesa ibn Maryam90-20 191st St, Hollis, NY 11423Jumu'ah 1:15 PMKhateebZakareeya BakshMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Masjid ‘Eesa62 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Seeking knowledge

All on this topic
IMAN Center · Kirkland, WA · Sep 19, 2026Knowledge matters only when it changes us“Sometimes the problem is knowledge without action.”Daar-Ul-Islam · Ballwin, MO · Oct 3, 2026The first revelation calls us to learn and serve“Before any type of great transformation occurs outwardly, there must be deep reflection inwardly.”CCIL-KBW · Laval, QC · Sep 26, 2026Protect your heart from information overload“Faire confiance à Allah ne signifie pas rester sans rien faire.”