The ruling on issuing fatwas based on what one hears from programs

Question:
This questioner, 'Abd al-Qalq, says: Honorable Shaykh, I always listen to these good programs from the Radio of the Noble Qur'an and from the program "Light on the Path" with the honorable scholars, and I listen to those fatwas of our distinguished scholars regarding some issues. Sometimes I have spoken about some of those issues. So, should I answer based on what I heard from our distinguished scholars on the radio, knowing that I do not know much about the matters of religion, but I am the imam of a mosque, and as I told you, some people ask me? Should I answer or not?

Answer:
Do not answer people except with knowledge. If you have knowledge with which you can answer the questions, then you answer. But if you do not have knowledge and only listen to programs or read in newspapers or books, it is not permissible for you to issue fatwas, because you may have misunderstood. Often, fatwas are attributed to the scholars that they did not issue, based on the misunderstanding of the listener or the transmitter. So, you must refer them to the scholars when they ask you. Tell them: Go to the scholars and ask them.