During one of the lessons, Sharafantah sat in a small circle inside the mosque, listening to the Sheikh giving his usual lecture. Sharafantah was a curious young man who loved researching and investigating, but he was accustomed to listening before judging. The Sheikh stood at the pulpit and said in a loud voice:
Brothers, modern studies have proven, and Western scientists have confirmed—and a medical team conducted a decisive experiment—that supplication (Du'a) changes a person's genetic makeup, and that Zamzam water has physical properties that do not exist in any other water!
Sharafantah raised his eyebrows in surprise but remained silent, waiting for evidence. The Sheikh continued: "A team of Japanese researchers conducted an experiment on a drop of Zamzam water and found that its molecules take the shape of the word 'Allah' when 'Allahu Akbar' is proclaimed over it!" At this point, our friend could no longer remain silent. He raised his hand and asked politely:
Sheikh, could you tell us the name of the research or the scientist who conducted this experiment?
The Sheikh's face darkened, but he hid his annoyance and replied in a confident tone:
My son, these are proven matters; you can search for them yourself!
But have you read the research yourself, Sheikh, or have you only heard about it?
Silence prevailed for a few seconds, then the Sheikh broke it by saying:
The point is, these matters do not require skepticism. Believing in them is mandatory, questioning them is an innovation (Bid'ah), and doubting them is disbelief (Kufr), God forbid.
What do you mean by saying that questioning is an innovation and doubting is disbelief?
It means it is not permissible to ask about things that scholars have agreed upon or to demand evidence. It is not permissible to doubt their consensus and agreement.
But Sheikh, Abraham asked his Lord to show him how He revives the dead so that his heart would be reassured. Despite this, his Lord did not call him a disbeliever or condemn his question, because Allah legislated questioning, and there is no type of question that is prohibited from being asked.
Expel this heretic from our circle so he doesn't pollute your thoughts!
And why would I pollute their thoughts just by asking you for evidence for your words?! Do Muslims worship Allah on such fragile ground that their beliefs change because of a mere question?!
Get this "blockhead" out of our circle.
I'm leaving, Sheikh, I'm leaving. But I'm not a blockhead; I am Sharafantah.
Our friend understood everything. It wasn't about science; it was about using science as a tool to prove preconceived notions, even if there was no real evidence, and a desperate attempt to patch up a narration that contradicts reason and logic. He smiled to himself, then stood up and left the circle quietly, whispering to himself:
"Whenever you hear a cleric say: 'Studies have confirmed,' 'Modern science has proven,' 'Researchers have affirmed,' 'Scientists conducted,' or 'A medical team performed an experiment...'
Run away immediately, because everything you hear after that is just an attempt to patch up a crumbling narration."