ISSUING FATWA

Training is required before carrying out anything. Without training, nothing turns out right. Without good training, a person cannot mount a rubber on a rim. Regarding such a job, one may read something to this effect that says: "The bursting of the tyre may be due to a bad mount on the rim. The assembling or dismantling must only be carried out by people who have received adequate training."

It is a task that people normally consider as a bit gross/crude/uncouth. And for that also, one must have ADEQUATE FORMATION. Otherwise, there is the possibility of never returning home again. Deen is much more sensitive than that. One should study in order to know Deen. To study does not mean to read a book. To study means to learn under those who have the knowledge of Deen and have learned it in a professional way. Otherwise, there would have been no need for Allah Ta'aala to send Prophets. He would have merely sent down books that everyone could read, understand and practice.

Now, before a person teaches what he has learned, he requires training in order to teach effectively as teaching is completely different from learning.

To issue a Fatwa or some clarification is even more sensitive. First of all, one should study Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh, the principle of Tafseer, the principle of Hadith and the principle of Fiqh in a professional manner. And after that, one should be trained by the professionals and experts in the field for a minimum of one or two years before being trained to issue Fatwa. It is not permissible for a person who did not get this training to give Fatwa by looking in books, in the same way that a person who is not qualified in medicine does not have the right to give a prescription merely by looking in books. If there is physical death here, there it is a spiritual death. One should be very careful as when a person performs Salah or speaks regarding Deen or does some task in the Madrassah or in a Masjid, it does not mean that he knows Deen to the extent that he can issue Fatwa.

[English version of "Donne fatwa" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.3]