A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The general need of the Ummah for legal rulings (fatwa).
The need of the general public for those who can provide them with constant and urgent legal guidance.
Especially regarding matters that are widespread and frequently encountered in their societies.
Allah the Exalted said:
"So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know."
And Allah the Exalted said:
“And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and to such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).” (4:83)
“And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and to such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).” (4:83)
“And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred it to the messenger and to such of them as are in authority, those among them who are able to think out the matter would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).” (4:83)
Issuing legal rulings to people regarding their religion is a trust.
Issuing legal rulings to people regarding their religion is a grave trust.
For the mufti conveys the ruling of the religion on behalf of Allah and His Messenger regarding what he is asked about.
The general public relies upon the fatwa of their mufti.
They implement it as if it were the ruling of Allah.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon muftis not to issue a fatwa except based on what they know.
It is forbidden for them to speak about Allah without knowledge.
For Allah has forbidden that.
He has coupled the prohibition of it with polytheism, indecency, injustice, and sin.
The Exalted said:
“Say: My Lord forbiddeth only indecencies, such of them as are apparent and such as are within, and sin and wrongful oppression, and that ye associate with Allah that for which no warrant hath been revealed, and that ye tell concerning Allah that which ye know not.” (7:33)
“Say: My Lord forbiddeth only indecencies, such of them as are apparent and such as are within, and sin and wrongful oppression, and that ye associate with Allah that for which no warrant hath been revealed, and that ye tell concerning Allah that which ye know not.” (7:33)
“Say: My Lord forbiddeth only indecencies, such of them as are apparent and such as are within, and sin and wrongful oppression, and that ye associate with Allah that for which no warrant hath been revealed, and that ye tell concerning Allah that which ye know not.” (7:33)
"And that you say about Allah that which you do not know."
Issuing false legal rulings is a fabrication against Allah.
Issuing false legal rulings to people is a lie and a grave fabrication against Allah.
Its perpetrator will never succeed.
Allah the Exalted said:
“And speak not, concerning that which your own tongues qualify (as clean or unclean), the falsehood: "This is lawful, and this is forbidden," so that ye invent a lie against Allah. Lo! those who invent a lie against Allah will not succeed.” (16:116)
“And speak not, concerning that which your own tongues qualify (as clean or unclean), the falsehood: "This is lawful, and this is forbidden," so that ye invent a lie against Allah. Lo! those who invent a lie against Allah will not succeed.” (16:116)
"Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed."
A warning to those who issue false legal rulings.
A statement in accordance with the principles of Shari'ah.
Do not lend a religious veneer to corrupt actions.
For that would be a form of deceiving the public and a ruse against the Shari'ah.
If you are to commit corruption, do not do so in the name of the Shari'ah.
The fatwa is based on two types of knowledge.
The fatwa is based on two types of knowledge.
Knowledge of the rulings of the Shari'ah.
And knowledge of the reality to which the ruling is to be applied.
The difference between the constancy of rulings and the variation of fatwas.
The rulings of the Shari'ah are constant and do not change.
Regardless of how times, places, circumstances, or customs may change.
What may change is the fatwa.
According to the change in the basis of the ruling and its context.
Meaning that the fatwa regarding a ruling.
May change due to something else external to it that relates to it.
It does not change the essence of the ruling itself.
Rather, it changes based on the change in its context and basis.
An example of this:
The sale of grapes is fundamentally permissible.
That is a constant ruling in its essence.
However, if it is known that the person buying the grapes will turn them into wine.
Then selling to him is not permissible, based on the principle of blocking the means to evil.
And the prohibition against cooperating in sin and transgression.
Thus, the prohibition applies specifically to the sale to this person.
Due to a condition related to him that prevents the sale to him.
As for the sale of grapes in general.
It remains permissible for those to whom this condition does not apply.
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.