Learning Shari`ah and understanding religion

A: We recommend that you exert more effort to learn the knowledge of Shari`ah (Islamic law) and acquire more knowledge in religion, so that you benefit people by the knowledge you have learnt as much as possible. You have also to refrain from answering that which you do not know until you ask a scholar about it.As for your father's forbidding you to perform Ruqyah for those afflicted by Jinn and concluding marriage contracts, if you can convince him that this is something beneficial to the people, that will be great; otherwise, you have to obey your father, and it will bring you welfare in shaa' Allah (if Allah wills).As for leading the people in congregational Salah, if there is another person who can perform this task; (Part No. 25; Page No. 254) he recites the Qur'an in a sound way and knows the rulings on Salah, you do not have to be the Imam. However, if there is no one who can lead the people in Salah other than you, you have to do it. This is according to the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him), The one who is most versed in Allah's Book should act as Imam for the people. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.