Defining the Scholars of Fatwa
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Who are the scholars of fatwa whose rulings the general Muslim public must follow? We have a brother in Allah who is a believing Muslim with good conduct in religion and in public life, but he is not a jurist to the extent that he can issue fatwas. In some matters, he gives us his opinion and says, "This is at my own responsibility." Should we follow his opinion or not? And does he have the right to issue fatwas or not?
Answer:
The scholars of fatwa are those who have gained understanding of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and who have acquired good knowledge of what Allah has made lawful, what He has forbidden, and what He has made obligatory. The people of knowledge, jurisprudence, and goodness have testified to their knowledge and that they are qualified to issue fatwas. It is not permissible to seek a fatwa from just anyone, even if he claims affiliation with religion, worship, or knowledge, until the people of knowledge are asked about him, and the questioner investigates through those who know him and in whom he has confidence, until they inform him that he is qualified for fatwa and capable of issuing rulings on what is lawful and forbidden, and the like.
The point is that this requires caution in the matter and a lack of laxity. Not everyone who claims affiliation with religion, worship, or knowledge is suitable for this. Rather, one must have jurisprudence in religion and insight, and one must have scrupulousness and mindfulness of Allah. One must also be cautious of laxity in issuing fatwas and boldness in doing so without knowledge and without right. There is no power and no strength except with Allah.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Who are the scholars of fatwa whose rulings the general Muslim public must follow? We have a brother in Allah who is a believing Muslim with good conduct in religion and in public life, but he is not a jurist to the extent that he can issue fatwas. In some matters, he gives us his opinion and says, "This is at my own responsibility." Should we follow his opinion or not? And does he have the right to issue fatwas or not?
Answer:
The scholars of fatwa are those who have gained understanding of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and who have acquired good knowledge of what Allah has made lawful, what He has forbidden, and what He has made obligatory. The people of knowledge, jurisprudence, and goodness have testified to their knowledge and that they are qualified to issue fatwas. It is not permissible to seek a fatwa from just anyone, even if he claims affiliation with religion, worship, or knowledge, until the people of knowledge are asked about him, and the questioner investigates through those who know him and in whom he has confidence, until they inform him that he is qualified for fatwa and capable of issuing rulings on what is lawful and forbidden, and the like.
The point is that this requires caution in the matter and a lack of laxity. Not everyone who claims affiliation with religion, worship, or knowledge is suitable for this. Rather, one must have jurisprudence in religion and insight, and one must have scrupulousness and mindfulness of Allah. One must also be cautious of laxity in issuing fatwas and boldness in doing so without knowledge and without right. There is no power and no strength except with Allah.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.