Is there any advice for those who undertake issuing fatwas without knowledge?
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The questioner : But is there any advice for such people who undertake issuing fatwas? Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, the advice for those who undertake issuing fatwas without knowledge.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : That we say to them and to those like them ... from this forbidden act, for Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says:[Al-A'raf 7:33] So, Glorified and Exalted is He, He linked speaking about Him without knowledge to associating partners with Him, and it is well known that shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the greatest of sins and the largest of them. Speaking about Allah without knowledge includes speaking about Allah in His essence, speaking about Allah in His names and attributes, speaking about Allah in His rulings, and speaking about Allah in His actions. So, those who issue fatwas regarding the rulings of the Shari'ah are speaking about Allah in His rulings, and it is not permissible for them to issue fatwas without knowledge. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Sunan Abi Dawud 3651Sahih (Al-Albani) So, these muftis (scholars who issue fatwas) in reality commit a great sin, and I do not know what drives these muftis to rush in issuing fatwas and to compete in them. I do not know what drives them, even though the matter is very serious and great, and the person who is a mufti is an intermediary between Allah and His servants in conveying His Shari'ah: [Az-Zumar 39:32].
So I advise this brother the mufti to issue fatwas without knowledge; I advise him, meaning regarding issuing fatwas without knowledge, and I warn him of that, as well as others. And I say, praise be to Allah, if you know and you have knowledge, then issue fatwas with what you know, seek help from Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and ask Him for success and guidance. And if you do not know, then it is only upon you to be patient until you review the issue and clarify it from the words of the scholars of knowledge. Then, it is obligatory for a person, when a difficult case befalls him, especially difficult cases, to turn to Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, in asking for success in correctness, and to seek forgiveness from Allah, Mighty and Majestic, when issuing a fatwa. Some scholars have derived this from His saying, the Exalted:[An-Nisa 4:105-106].
The questioner : This listener is Abu Bakr Habib al-Hatimi from Somalia ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, the advice for those who undertake issuing fatwas without knowledge.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : That we say to them and to those like them ... from this forbidden act, for Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says:
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."
قل إنما حرّم ربي الفواحش ما ظهر منها وما بطن والأثم والبغي بغير الحق وأن تُشركوا بالله ما لم يُنزّل به سلطاناً وأن تقولوا على الله ما لا تعلمونHe who lies about me deliberately will certainly come to his abode in Hell.
من كذب علي متعمداً فليتبوأ مقعده من النارwho is more unjust than one who lies about Allah and denies the truth when it has come to him
ومن أظلم ممن كذب على الله وكذَّب بالصدق إذ جاءهSo I advise this brother the mufti to issue fatwas without knowledge; I advise him, meaning regarding issuing fatwas without knowledge, and I warn him of that, as well as others. And I say, praise be to Allah, if you know and you have knowledge, then issue fatwas with what you know, seek help from Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and ask Him for success and guidance. And if you do not know, then it is only upon you to be patient until you review the issue and clarify it from the words of the scholars of knowledge. Then, it is obligatory for a person, when a difficult case befalls him, especially difficult cases, to turn to Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, in asking for success in correctness, and to seek forgiveness from Allah, Mighty and Majestic, when issuing a fatwa. Some scholars have derived this from His saying, the Exalted:
(105) Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate. (106) And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
إنا أنزلنا إليك الكتاب بالحق لتحكم بين الناس بما أراك الله ولا تكن للخائنين خصيما، واستغفر الله إن الله كان غفوراً رحيماThe questioner : This listener is Abu Bakr Habib al-Hatimi from Somalia ... .