• "We are the scholars of Islam and its jurists, and we express the word of Islam as we see it, not as politicians see it. Politicians have to listen to the scholars who have studied what is called socialism, and they have seen that Islam is of a higher standing and a more noble direction." - Sheikh Muhammad Abu Zahra
• "Al-Maraghi cannot prohibit what Allah has permitted." - Sheikh Al-Maraghi
• "When the mufti is asked, he must answer as long as he knows the ruling." - Late Sheikh of Al-Azhar Abdul Majid Saleem

The book "Historical Stances of Muslim Scholars," published in 1984, offers a glimpse into the historical stances of Muslim scholars, particularly those from Al-Azhar, who presented rare examples of esteemed scholars who spoke the truth in the face of power, undazed by position or wealth, nor intimidated by any ruler or president.

 Al-Azhar Notables

The author of the book, Dr. Muhammad Rajab Al-Bayoumi, former Dean of the College of Arabic Language in Mansoura, reviews a series of stances taken by the prominent figures of Al-Azhar in defense of truth and standing up against falsehood. He emphasizes the need to document, record, and preserve these immortal positions, urging that the voices of scholars and jurists should not be silenced so that everyone knows that the Quranic spirit that inspired Sa'id bin Jubair, Sa'id bin Al-Musayyib, Ibn Hanbal, and Al-Izz ibn Abdu-Salam is the same strong spirit that resided in the hearts of Al-Azhar scholars, who confronted falsehood with a clear and truthful tongue.

 The Great Scholar Muhammad Abu Zuhra

The valuable insights of the book, spanning 235 pages, recount the wisdom of the esteemed Egyptian scholar Sheikh Muhammad Abu Zuhra (1898 – 1974) when he was invited to a major Islamic conference in one of the Arab capitals. On the opening day of the conference, the head of state attended to deliver the inaugural address, claiming that socialism is the Islamic doctrine. No one stepped forward to comment on what the president had said, but Abu Zuhra asked for the floor and boldly stated: "We are the scholars and jurists of Islam, and we have come to this conference to present the word of Islam as we perceive it, not as politicians see it. It is the duty of politicians to listen to scholars and to recognize that they are specialists, knowledgeable individuals, not to be deceived by misleading appearances. They have studied what is referred to as socialism and have concluded that Islam is greater in value and nobler in direction than to be confined within its limits. The participants will express their opinions as they believe, not as politicians wish, for they are the decision-makers in this domain."

Al-Bayoumi comments in his richly illustrated book of stances, lessons, and morals that the conference, which was supposed to last a full week, did not continue its activities, and the reception party served as its conclusion, following the historical, decisive, and rare position taken by Abu Zuhra.

 Sheikh Muhammad Mustafa Al-Maraghi, Former Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar

The late Sheikh Muhammad Mustafa Al-Maraghi (1881 – 1945) is regarded as one of the prominent stars in the book "Historical Positions of Muslim Scholars," having recorded a stance that will remain etched in the memory of history, one that displayed no fear of power or authority.

The book recalls the severe ordeal that Al-Maraghi faced during his tenure as a judge. When King Farouk divorced his wife, Queen Farida, the king wanted to prohibit her from remarrying after him. Al-Maraghi refused to issue a fatwa to that effect. The king visited him while he was being treated at Al-Mawasah Hospital. Al-Maraghi famously declared: "As for the divorce, I do not approve of it, and as for the prohibition, I do not possess the authority to enact it." When the king pressed him, the Sheikh exclaimed: "Al-Maraghi cannot prohibit what Allah has made permissible."

Late Al-Azhar Sheikh Abdul-Majid Salim

In another instance, the writer documents a historical position when the late Al-Azhar Sheikh Abdul-Majid Salim (1882 – 1954), who was the Mufti of Egypt, received a question from a magazine opposing the king regarding the legitimacy of holding dance parties in the palaces of the elite. The magazine's message was delivered to him by one of the secretaries of fatwas at the Fatwa House, who pointed out that the king had held a dance party at Abdeen Palace, thus the fatwa was politically motivated, aiming to create discord between the Sheikh and the king. He responded, "And what is wrong with that? If the mufti is asked, he must answer as long as he knows the ruling," and issued his fatwa declaring these parties as forbidden.

Sheikh Gad El-Haq Ali Gad El-Haq

The book discusses several positions taken by the late Al-Azhar Sheikh Gad El-Haq Ali Gad El-Haq (1917 – 1996). He was the first to announce that the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina was a Crusade aimed at the extermination of Muslims. He was also the first to call for an Islamic conference at Al-Azhar Mosque after Friday prayers to support the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina needed money and weapons more than they needed fighters.

No Peace with the Jewish Occupiers

When the U.S. Congress decided to move the American embassy to Jerusalem, the late Imam issued a clear and explicit statement in which he condemned the ongoing Zionist aggression against Jerusalem, denounced the American decision as support for the oppressive aggressors, and rejected the policy of normalization with "Israel." He stated that there is no peace with the Jewish occupiers and that peace can only be achieved by liberating Arab lands. He also declared his rejection of Muslims visiting Jerusalem after some scholars ruled it permissible following the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. Regarding the Egyptian prisoners killed deliberately by "Israel" during the June 1967 War, he stated that willful murder of our prisoners deserves retribution.

Rejection of the Population Conference Document Held in Cairo in 1994

The Grand Imam had a notable stance against the Population Conference held in Cairo in 1994, as the late Sheikh engaged in a fierce battle against some of the clauses in the conference document. He issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the conference document, affirming that Islam does not acknowledge any sexual relationships outside of legitimate marriage between a man and a woman. Moreover, Islam prohibits adultery, sodomy, and deviance, and forbids the abortion of a fetus, even if conceived through adultery. The statement urged the Islamic nation not to adhere to any clause or provision that contradicts the laws of God.