Verifying the Source of Fatwas

Q: Some scholars have criticized the callers to Islam and some students of knowledge, and they have spoken on matters of the Shari'ah although they are not qualified for it. This matter has spread among the general Muslim population, causing confusion for them. We ask you, Your Eminence, to clarify this issue. May Allah protect you.

A: It is obligatory for the Muslim to be cautious regarding his religion and not to take a fatwa from just anyone, whether written, broadcast, or through any other means that is not verified. This applies whether the speaker is a scholar or not. One must verify the fatwa, because not everyone who issues a fatwa is qualified to do so. Therefore, verification is necessary. The point is that the believer should be cautious regarding his religion, not rush in matters, and not take a fatwa from those who are not qualified. Rather, he should verify until he is certain of the truth, and ask scholars known for their uprightness and abundance of knowledge, so that he may be cautious regarding his religion. Allah the Exalted said: [Surah al-Nahl: 43]. The people of knowledge are the scholars of the Book and the Sunnah. Therefore, one should not ask someone who is suspected in his religion, or whose knowledge is unknown, or who is known to be deviating from the path of the people of the Sunnah.