The Student of Knowledge's Position When a View Opposing the Fatwa of His Country's Scholars Becomes Stronger for Him
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The questioner:
What is the position of a student of knowledge if it becomes apparent to him, or if he considers it more likely, that in a certain issue there is an opinion that contradicts the fatwa upon which his scholars are?
The Shaykh:
He should discuss it with his brothers. If he has something that contradicts the position of the people of the country, he should discuss it with the scholars. He should not rush. It is possible that he is the one who is mistaken. So he should discuss it with his brothers and the shaykhs, and explain his point of view. If the truth becomes clear to him, that is obligatory. As it is said, “If you concede something, return to it.” They are not infallible. No one is infallible. Not the followers of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab, nor the righteous Salaf, nor anyone else. No one is infallible. Every person’s words are subject to review, as he (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “None of us is free from error, except the one who holds this opinion.”
Another questioner:
But, with your permission, if a fatwa is issued in the country by the mufti and those authorized to issue fatwas, and a student of knowledge finds a matter that appears to him to be an issue, should he issue a fatwa and tell people, "This is wrong, and this is such and such," or should he go and discuss it with the mufti?
The Shaykh:
He should discuss it with the muftis so that there is no disagreement or conflict. He should go to them and try to understand their position before it becomes a public issue. As for if it is between him and his brother without publication, that is an easier matter. But if he argues with the shaykhs whom he considers more knowledgeable than himself, or if he throws evidence at them that guides him, that is fine.
Another questioner:
May Allah guide you. They take old fatwas from some scholars and publish them now in the mosques, even though the mufti has retracted them, or the case had specific circumstances or something. This is happening now.
The Shaykh:
May Allah guide you. I do not know of any issue with it. If the fatwa is clear with its evidence, I do not know of any issue with it, or if nothing appears to be wrong with it. Unless there is a contradictory fatwa, in which case he should verify it. If there is a contradictory fatwa, he should consult the mufti, and consult another scholar if he sees contradictory matters.
What is the position of a student of knowledge if it becomes apparent to him, or if he considers it more likely, that in a certain issue there is an opinion that contradicts the fatwa upon which his scholars are?
The Shaykh:
He should discuss it with his brothers. If he has something that contradicts the position of the people of the country, he should discuss it with the scholars. He should not rush. It is possible that he is the one who is mistaken. So he should discuss it with his brothers and the shaykhs, and explain his point of view. If the truth becomes clear to him, that is obligatory. As it is said, “If you concede something, return to it.” They are not infallible. No one is infallible. Not the followers of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab, nor the righteous Salaf, nor anyone else. No one is infallible. Every person’s words are subject to review, as he (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “None of us is free from error, except the one who holds this opinion.”
Another questioner:
But, with your permission, if a fatwa is issued in the country by the mufti and those authorized to issue fatwas, and a student of knowledge finds a matter that appears to him to be an issue, should he issue a fatwa and tell people, "This is wrong, and this is such and such," or should he go and discuss it with the mufti?
The Shaykh:
He should discuss it with the muftis so that there is no disagreement or conflict. He should go to them and try to understand their position before it becomes a public issue. As for if it is between him and his brother without publication, that is an easier matter. But if he argues with the shaykhs whom he considers more knowledgeable than himself, or if he throws evidence at them that guides him, that is fine.
Another questioner:
May Allah guide you. They take old fatwas from some scholars and publish them now in the mosques, even though the mufti has retracted them, or the case had specific circumstances or something. This is happening now.
The Shaykh:
May Allah guide you. I do not know of any issue with it. If the fatwa is clear with its evidence, I do not know of any issue with it, or if nothing appears to be wrong with it. Unless there is a contradictory fatwa, in which case he should verify it. If there is a contradictory fatwa, he should consult the mufti, and consult another scholar if he sees contradictory matters.
Source
لقاءات لابن باز - جلسة مع الدعاة - ابن باز — archive.org (17:57)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.