Warning Against Fatwas That Are Not Based on Evidence
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Your Eminence, these fatwa rulings have started to spread in newspapers and magazines, whether the newspapers are from inside or outside the country. Some Muslims may rely on them. Do you have any guidance for us?
Answer:
It is obligatory not to rely on fatwa rulings published in newspapers, or broadcast on the radio, or on television, until the believer is certain of the person to whom they are attributed. If he is certain of it, and the person is qualified to issue fatwas, then there is no harm; because many people may lie nowadays, and may confuse the issue. So if a male or female believer hears a fatwa, it is obligatory for him to verify it, and not to be certain of it unless he hears it from the voice of the mufti, and he knows his voice. Otherwise, he must ask the mufti by phone or in writing to ensure that it was issued by him.
We have learned that many people lie about me and about others regarding many fatwas, just as they lied about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Companions. So what happened in the past of lying about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Companions is not surprising to happen in our time, rather it is more likely.
So it is obligatory in such cases to verify, and not to believe whoever says: So-and-so said, and so-and-so said, and so-and-so issued a fatwa, and so-and-so issued a fatwa.
Likewise, what is published in newspapers may be distorted, may not be as it is, and may be a lie. All of this obligates the male and female believer to verify what is broadcast and published of fatwas, and what people transmit, until he is certain by meeting the person who issued the fatwa and asking him, did this fatwa come from him, whether by meeting, or in writing, or by phone, until he is certain of the matter and until he is cautious with his religion. And Allah is the One to be asked for help. Yes.
The presenter: And Allah is the Helper, may Allah reward you with good.
So, if the fatwa is in the voice of the mufti, is that the one to be relied upon?
The Shaykh: Yes, the problem is resolved if he hears his voice and understands it well, the problem is resolved. But if his voice is confused to him, then he should also ask.
The presenter: So your guidance regarding those fatwas in the various newspapers and magazines.
The Shaykh: As mentioned previously.
The presenter: And he?
The Shaykh: It is obligatory not to rely on them except after verifying that they were issued by the one who issued them, and after knowing that he is qualified for that.
The presenter: Yes, so it is obligatory to know who the mufti is.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The presenter: If he is qualified to issue fatwas, then rely on his fatwa, and if he is not, then the matter is different.
The Shaykh: After asking him, and ensuring that it was issued by him.
The presenter: May Allah reward you, and may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh: And you likewise.
Your Eminence, these fatwa rulings have started to spread in newspapers and magazines, whether the newspapers are from inside or outside the country. Some Muslims may rely on them. Do you have any guidance for us?
Answer:
It is obligatory not to rely on fatwa rulings published in newspapers, or broadcast on the radio, or on television, until the believer is certain of the person to whom they are attributed. If he is certain of it, and the person is qualified to issue fatwas, then there is no harm; because many people may lie nowadays, and may confuse the issue. So if a male or female believer hears a fatwa, it is obligatory for him to verify it, and not to be certain of it unless he hears it from the voice of the mufti, and he knows his voice. Otherwise, he must ask the mufti by phone or in writing to ensure that it was issued by him.
We have learned that many people lie about me and about others regarding many fatwas, just as they lied about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Companions. So what happened in the past of lying about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Companions is not surprising to happen in our time, rather it is more likely.
So it is obligatory in such cases to verify, and not to believe whoever says: So-and-so said, and so-and-so said, and so-and-so issued a fatwa, and so-and-so issued a fatwa.
Likewise, what is published in newspapers may be distorted, may not be as it is, and may be a lie. All of this obligates the male and female believer to verify what is broadcast and published of fatwas, and what people transmit, until he is certain by meeting the person who issued the fatwa and asking him, did this fatwa come from him, whether by meeting, or in writing, or by phone, until he is certain of the matter and until he is cautious with his religion. And Allah is the One to be asked for help. Yes.
The presenter: And Allah is the Helper, may Allah reward you with good.
So, if the fatwa is in the voice of the mufti, is that the one to be relied upon?
The Shaykh: Yes, the problem is resolved if he hears his voice and understands it well, the problem is resolved. But if his voice is confused to him, then he should also ask.
The presenter: So your guidance regarding those fatwas in the various newspapers and magazines.
The Shaykh: As mentioned previously.
The presenter: And he?
The Shaykh: It is obligatory not to rely on them except after verifying that they were issued by the one who issued them, and after knowing that he is qualified for that.
The presenter: Yes, so it is obligatory to know who the mufti is.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The presenter: If he is qualified to issue fatwas, then rely on his fatwa, and if he is not, then the matter is different.
The Shaykh: After asking him, and ensuring that it was issued by him.
The presenter: May Allah reward you, and may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh: And you likewise.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.