The Ruling on Haste in Issuing Fatwas and Pronouncing Judgments

Question:
A disturbing phenomenon has spread among some committed youth, which is haste in issuing fatwas and rushing to pronounce judgments. We ask for your guidance on the danger of this behavior?

Answer:
Yes, we have warned about this. It is obligatory for students of knowledge to be cautious in matters and not to rush into issuing fatwas before they know the rulings with certainty. Haste in this is a great danger. However, the student of knowledge should be cautious. When he knows the evidence and is certain that he is hitting the truth, he can speak. It is reported about Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) that he did not take on the role of issuing fatwas until he asked the scholars, his teachers: "Is he qualified for that?" When they advised him and said, "Yes," he issued fatwas.
The point is that scholars do not dare to issue fatwas except after being cautious and feeling assured that they have sufficient knowledge for issuing fatwas, and that they are clear in their understanding of the words of Allah and His Messenger, after consulting with scholars, between themselves and the scholars, until he realizes and knows that he is clear in what he says, and does not rush. And whenever he has the slightest doubt, he does not rush, but rather directs them to someone he knows is qualified for issuing fatwas, or delays them until he studies the topic and looks into the legal evidence, if he is qualified for that, until he conveys the legal ruling to them after being cautious and after knowing the evidence. This position is very serious and worthy of care.