The Ruling on Issuing Fatwas by Citing the Different Opinions of Scholars

Question:
In his second question, he says: Shaykh Salih, if a person asks me about an issue and I say, "The scholars have disagreed on this," and I mention the first opinion, stating that such-and-such a scholar, whose knowledge I trust, held it, and I mention the second opinion, stating that such-and-such a scholar, whose knowledge I trust, held it, is that permissible for me?

Answer:
It is not permissible for you to do that. Only the people of knowledge issue fatwas. As for transmitting opinions and issuing rulings based on them, that is not permissible, because it is not known what the basis of these opinions is, or whether they are valid or not. Therefore, one does not issue rulings based on them. The mere opinions of people are not a basis for issuing rulings; rulings are issued based on evidence, and this is something only the people of knowledge can do. So it is not permissible for you to engage in this on the basis that such-and-such a scholar said this, and such-and-such a scholar said that. Do not engage in this. Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: