All this talk about Fatwas....

[Curious Christian]

What is a Fatwa?


Who can issue a Fatwa?


Are Fatwas binding?


What happens if one breaks a Fatwa?


What happens if one Fatwa contradicts another Fatwa?

[wel_mel_2]

Bismillah:

What is a Fatwa?

Fatwa is a legal opinion or ruling issued by an <b>Islamic scholar.</b> for example, am not a Scholar and so am not in a position of issuing a Fatwa, i rather go to a Muslim scholar if i have some unanswered questions.

Who can issue a Fatwa?

a Muslim Scholar.

Are Fatwas binding?

No, its up to you whether to follow or not. Scholar says his opinion whether this matter is Halal or Haram, and you have to choose which way to go.

What happens if one breaks a Fatwa?

Nothing. Its up to the individual to follow those Fatwas or not. for example, few years ago there was a Fatwa issued by more than 200 Scholars in which that said that smoking is completely prohibited, and yet so many Muslims are smoking today.

What happens if one Fatwa contradicts another Fatwa?

We follow the majiority.


please note that if there is any Fatwa that goes against the teaching of Islam (The Qur'an and the Sunnah), then it carry no weight.


Salam


Wael.

[Curious Christian]

Bismillah:


Fatwa is a legal opinion or ruling issued by an <b>Islamic scholar.</b> for example, am not a Scholar and so am not in a position of issuing a Fatwa, i rather go to a Muslim scholar if i have some unanswered questions.


a Muslim Scholar.


No, its up to you whether to follow or not. Scholar says his opinion whether this matter is Halal or Haram, and you have to choose which way to go.


Nothing. Its up to the individual to follow those Fatwas or not. for example, few years ago there was a Fatwa issued by more than 200 Scholars in which that said that smoking is completely prohibited, and yet so many Muslims are smoking today.


We follow the majiority.


please note that if there is any Fatwa that goes against the teaching of Islam (The Qur'an and the Sunnah), then it carry no weight.


Salam


Wael.

Thanks. I think I understand.


One follow up question: What qualifications does an Islam Scholar carry? Does he have to be elected or approved by some governing body before that title is attained?