We are teachers and we answer students' questions with what we know; is this considered issuing a fatwa and fabricating against Allah?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh. We are teachers, and some questions are directed to us, so we answer the students with what we know. Is this considered issuing a fatwa and being bold with Allah (Mighty and Majestic)?
The Shaykh : If it is based on what you know to be the truth, then there is no boldness in it.
The questioner : But now, it is as if we have become in the position of a mufti, answering them.
The Shaykh : The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2669Sahih (Darussalam) The point is, are you certain of this or not?
The questioner : If the ruling is apparent and clear.
The Shaykh : For example, if a student asks you, "What do you say about zina?" and you say, "It is forbidden," there is no problem with that. But if he asks you about an issue that only a student of knowledge would know, and you think or imagine that it is permissible or that it is forbidden, and you issue a ruling on it, that is not permissible. But the thing that is apparent is clear, do you understand?
The questioner : The difficulty lies in the fact that the ruling may be hidden at the present time; one may know the ruling but not be certain of it, for example, due to forgetting the evidence.
The Shaykh : No, rather, he should wait and tell the student, "Wait until I research it, or until I ask," because as long as the word is in your heart, you own it, but once it comes out, you do not own it. Yes, that is right.
The Shaykh : If it is based on what you know to be the truth, then there is no boldness in it.
The questioner : But now, it is as if we have become in the position of a mufti, answering them.
The Shaykh : The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Convey from me, even if it be an Ayah
بلغوا عني ولو آيةThe questioner : If the ruling is apparent and clear.
The Shaykh : For example, if a student asks you, "What do you say about zina?" and you say, "It is forbidden," there is no problem with that. But if he asks you about an issue that only a student of knowledge would know, and you think or imagine that it is permissible or that it is forbidden, and you issue a ruling on it, that is not permissible. But the thing that is apparent is clear, do you understand?
The questioner : The difficulty lies in the fact that the ruling may be hidden at the present time; one may know the ruling but not be certain of it, for example, due to forgetting the evidence.
The Shaykh : No, rather, he should wait and tell the student, "Wait until I research it, or until I ask," because as long as the word is in your heart, you own it, but once it comes out, you do not own it. Yes, that is right.