So can we say that the spread of knowledge, the abundance of scholars, and research are what led to this knowledge that was hidden from them?
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The questioner : So can we say that the spread of knowledge, the abundance of scholars, and research are what led to this knowledge that was hidden from them?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is so.
The questioner : Yes, from ... Allah, Abdul Aziz from the Eastern Region ..
The Shaykh : But in truth, before we part, what is to be feared is that...
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Some people rush to issue fatwas without verifying what they say, and this is a very serious matter, because we hear this often, read it often, and it is frequently reported to us.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : There are issues in which we issue fatwas, knowing that if the mufti had researched and investigated, he would have found that the correct ruling is contrary to what he issued, but he did not wish to bear the hardship of seeking the truth. So you find him issuing a fatwa based on what he sees, saying, "I see such and such, and I see such and such." The common people do not distinguish between his saying "I see such and such" and his saying "This is the ruling of Allah." They believe that if someone they consider a scholar says "I see such and such," it means that this is the Shari'ah, whereas the matter is otherwise. I advise my brothers not to rush, for this rushing to issue fatwas without research, verification, and knowledge is in fact a serious disease. A person must know that if he issues a fatwa on a ruling from the rulings of the Shari'ah, he is merely conveying the Shari'ah of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to His creation, and he is accountable for that.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So let him beware of this great matter.
The Shaykh : Yes, that is so.
The questioner : Yes, from ... Allah, Abdul Aziz from the Eastern Region ..
The Shaykh : But in truth, before we part, what is to be feared is that...
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Some people rush to issue fatwas without verifying what they say, and this is a very serious matter, because we hear this often, read it often, and it is frequently reported to us.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : There are issues in which we issue fatwas, knowing that if the mufti had researched and investigated, he would have found that the correct ruling is contrary to what he issued, but he did not wish to bear the hardship of seeking the truth. So you find him issuing a fatwa based on what he sees, saying, "I see such and such, and I see such and such." The common people do not distinguish between his saying "I see such and such" and his saying "This is the ruling of Allah." They believe that if someone they consider a scholar says "I see such and such," it means that this is the Shari'ah, whereas the matter is otherwise. I advise my brothers not to rush, for this rushing to issue fatwas without research, verification, and knowledge is in fact a serious disease. A person must know that if he issues a fatwa on a ruling from the rulings of the Shari'ah, he is merely conveying the Shari'ah of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to His creation, and he is accountable for that.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So let him beware of this great matter.