Issuing a fatwa without knowledge, or not issuing a fatwa out of fear of concealing knowledge. Some people fear both, so what should they do?
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The questioner : They are asked questions and they fear answering, out of fear of issuing a fatwa without knowledge. They also fear not answering, out of fear of concealing knowledge. So what is the solution to this, so that they are safe from both matters?
The Shaykh : Yes, the solution to this is that they should be scrupulous and refrain from issuing fatwas unless they have knowledge, because Allah has clarified this completely, saying:[Al-Isra 17:36].
And Allah the Exalted said:[Al-A'raf 7:33].
This is the solution, and they are saved from concealing knowledge. Yes, regarding concealing knowledge, we say: they did not know, so they did not conceal it. If they had known the ruling to be such and such, it would have been obligatory for them to clarify it, but they do not have knowledge.
The questioner : Some of the apparent issues?
The Shaykh : Even sometimes, what is apparent to people is not in accordance with the truth.
The questioner : Meaning, it cannot be called a fatwa?
The Shaykh : For example, if he is asked about riba (usury or interest), is it forbidden or lawful? Yes, he says: it is forbidden.
The questioner : Issues in prayer or similar?
The Shaykh : Even in prayer, are all its issues known?The questioner : Meaning, the ruling on the one who leaves it?
The Shaykh : There is no harm. What is known is known, but as long as they have a doubt or hesitation, they must refrain. In this case, they should ask the brother questioners to write the questions down.
The questioner : Writing the questions.
The Shaykh : Writing the questions, and then these people present them to the scholars.
The Shaykh : Yes, the solution to this is that they should be scrupulous and refrain from issuing fatwas unless they have knowledge, because Allah has clarified this completely, saying:
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.
وَلا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاًAnd Allah the Exalted said:
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 وَالْأِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَنْ تُشْرِكُوا بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَاناً وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَThis is the solution, and they are saved from concealing knowledge. Yes, regarding concealing knowledge, we say: they did not know, so they did not conceal it. If they had known the ruling to be such and such, it would have been obligatory for them to clarify it, but they do not have knowledge.
The questioner : Some of the apparent issues?
The Shaykh : Even sometimes, what is apparent to people is not in accordance with the truth.
The questioner : Meaning, it cannot be called a fatwa?
The Shaykh : For example, if he is asked about riba (usury or interest), is it forbidden or lawful? Yes, he says: it is forbidden.
The questioner : Issues in prayer or similar?
The Shaykh : Even in prayer, are all its issues known?The questioner : Meaning, the ruling on the one who leaves it?
The Shaykh : There is no harm. What is known is known, but as long as they have a doubt or hesitation, they must refrain. In this case, they should ask the brother questioners to write the questions down.
The questioner : Writing the questions.
The Shaykh : Writing the questions, and then these people present them to the scholars.