A BROTHER’S RETRACTION AND APOLOGY
I, AHMAD MOOLLA, hereby retract my earlier statement published in The Majlis VOL.27 regarding the Shelly Beach Musalla incident. My comments were based on unverified reports circulating on social media, even on female groups, not on first-hand facts.
Having spoken with those present and gained clarity from Mufti Sahb, I learned the true account: When the trustee brought the Qari for Maghrib Salaah, Mufti Sahib simply and gently indicated — by holding his beard — that the Qari could not lead the salaah. The trustee fully agreed. The Qari was slightly upset, but there was no dispute, no attempt to override Mufti Sahib’s authority, no anger, and no vehicle damage.
The trustees are pious, bearded Musallis with great respect for Mufti Sahb and other ulema. They were even the Mureeds of Marhoom Qari Ismail Desai RA. They acted without knowing the Mas’alah, and now they are aware.
I regret my error in not verifying the facts before sending my letter, and I humbly seek forgiveness from Mufti Sahb, the trustees, and the community.
For clarification, Mufti Sahb can be contacted at: 73 7o2 7867
(End of the Retraction)
Comment
This retraction applies to only Ahmad Moolla, not to The Majlis. The answer given by The Majlis remains 100% valid.
Furthermore, Musjid trustees should be aware of the very basic masaa-il pertaining to their office of trusteeship. It is surprising that all the bearded trustees were unaware of the mas’alah, namely, that it is not permissible to allow a faasiq to lead the Salaat regardless of his expertise in qiraa’t or his knowledge.
If the trustees are unaware of anything pertaining to the Musjid, it is then their waajib obligation to refer to the Ulama of guidance. They do have a Mufti in the presence with whom they could have consulted.
2 Rabiul Awwal 1447 – 26 August 2025