Taking knowledge from the scholars.

Question:
From whom do we take knowledge and fatwas, and what are the characteristics of the people of knowledge and the people of issuing fatwas?

Answer:
Answer: You take knowledge from the scholars, whether in the mosques if they sit in the mosques, or through the regular educational system in schools, institutes, and colleges. You take it from the scholars, and you do not take knowledge from the ignorant, nor do you take it from papers, reading, and books. This is not taking knowledge, and it may lead to the opposite of what is intended. You may misunderstand, or you may read in a book that contains evil and doubt, and that may cause your thinking to be corrupted. So you must connect with the scholars constantly and always, in the mosques, in the schools, and in the houses of knowledge. Those from whom fatwas are taken are known to the people. As for general fatwas, these are referred to the Department of Ifta. As for individual fatwas, these are taken from one in whose knowledge and religion you have confidence.