Is there any advice for a person like this who issues fatwas without knowledge and may lead others into error?
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The questioner : Is there any advice for a person like this who issues fatwas without knowledge and may lead others into error?
The Shaykh : Our advice to this person and those like him who issue fatwas without knowledge is to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and to know that when they issue a fatwa, they are speaking about Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and saying things about Allah. Allah has forbidden this for Himself, and He has forbidden His servants to say about Him what they do not know. He coupled this with associating partners with Him, so He said (Glorified and Exalted is He):[Al-A'raf 7:33] Therefore, the believer should beware of falling into what Allah has forbidden for him. He should not issue a fatwa except with knowledge. If he is among the scholars, he should do so with the knowledge Allah has given him. If he is among the common people, he should do so with what he has heard and is certain of from the scholars. Even so, it is recommended for the common person to be extremely cautious when he asks a scholar for a ruling. Some common people ask questions but describe the matter in a way that does not reflect its reality, so the scholar issues a ruling based on what he heard, and a great error results. Some common people describe the matter accurately, but they do not understand the answer in its true sense, so they also fall into great danger, becoming misguided and leading others astray.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
This questioner, Abu Bakr al-Amin from Jeddah, sent two questions.
The Shaykh : Our advice to this person and those like him who issue fatwas without knowledge is to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and to know that when they issue a fatwa, they are speaking about Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and saying things about Allah. Allah has forbidden this for Himself, and He has forbidden His servants to say about Him what they do not know. He coupled this with associating partners with Him, so He said (Glorified and Exalted is He):
Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know."
قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَالإِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَنْ تُشْرِكُوا بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَThe questioner : May Allah bless you.
This questioner, Abu Bakr al-Amin from Jeddah, sent two questions.