What is a Fatwah and is it Mandatory to Follow
Philosophers/100satin
The word fatwa, mean opinion or a scholarly opinion. A fatwa from a religious scholar would carry a very strong opinion, not the same as your mother's opinion. It is indeed a religious ruling that should be followed in most cases. If the fatwa calls for something against Islamic teaching, the fatwa's should be ignored. In Islam a Muslim is not allowed to take the life of another Muslim. A Muslim cannot kill a woman, child or an elder person.
A Fatwa is Not Mandatory
According to the scholars in Saudi Arabia, it is important not to say to Allah, what Allah has not said. In other words, it is important not to interpret the Blessed Quran and the sunnah unless you have knowledge of such things. Stay away from the ignorant and follow those who are scholars. Memorizing the Quran does not make you a scholar or a sheik.
A fatwa is not mandatory. When there was a fatwa about not smoking, although it is considered haram in Islam, it is not mandatory or "fard." A fatwa is a suggestion about how Muslims should act and conduct their daily lives. The same is true about the boycotting of Denmark products. It is not mandatory but a scholarly suggestion.
What Happens to Muslims Who do Not Follow Fatwas?
There is much discussion on this point. First anyone can give a fatwa but Muslims should not follow the fatwas of everyone. This means to look for the scholar or sheik that is the most knowledgeable in your country and follow the guidance of that person. There are some sheiks at local mosque who issue fatwas and those fatwas are not considered to be good fatwas.
A Muslim must look for a fatwa in their daily life also. So is consuming Denmark products going to send you to the hellfire? Allah knows best, but it is assumed that this fatwa would only give you blessings for defending your prophet, not condemn you in anyway. Prophet Mohammad will intercede for the Muslims on judgment day who "submit." What does submit mean? It means those who followed the commands of Allah and their prophet. It does not mean those who followed the commands of their sheik.
Where to Find Qualified Websites on Fatwas?
There are many sites on the internet that offer recent fatwas from taking pictures on your phone to what to say at funeral prayers. One site that offers a lot of information is Fatwa Islam. com. Another site that offers many fatwas is Fatwa-online.com. When reading any fatwa, always question the validity of the answer received.
Taking Pictures on You Mobile
This fatwa is being given as an example for people to know what a fatwa is. A recent fatwa was given about the permissibility of taking pictures on your mobile phone. Islam forbids the taking of pictures:
According to Shaykh Saalih al -Fawzan, (fatwa Islam. com). For HIM there is no prohibition in that, as for the Sunnah and the evidences then picture taking/making in general is Haraam (prohibited) and the picture maker is cursed. And he will receive from the most severest of punishments on the Day of Judgment. So what is it that takes the mobile phone out from this generality? The Messenger made picture making Haraam without exception by any means; (whether that be by way of) a mobile phone, a camera, by hand (sculpting) or by drawing, he made it absolutely Haraam. So who is he that makes an exception from what the messenger sallallaahu alaihi wasallam said and attempts to redress the messenger.
Apart from that the Muhaqqiqeen (verifiers) from the Scholars make an exception in the case of necessity, if a person is in need of taking a picture for a necessity then it is allowed due to this necessity due to His saying - the Most High: "while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity?" [Surah al-'An'aam:119]
As for picture taking as a hobby or as a form of art by the use of the camera or by hand or by any object then it is Haraam and it is not allowed except in case of necessity only. In accordance to the necessity it is a concession. It is a concession due to a necessity only.
Summary of Fatwa and Its Validity:
Question all fatwas and ask if they follow what Islam has ordained. Allah does not anyone to protect him or defend him, but Muslims are instructed to defend Prophet Mohammad. Knowing the sunnah (ways) of the prophet will guide you in following the correct paths. A fatwa which strengthens the Muslim's faith in the five pillars of Islam is a good fatwa to follow and a fatwa to keep close.
A Fatwa is Not Mandatory
According to the scholars in Saudi Arabia, it is important not to say to Allah, what Allah has not said. In other words, it is important not to interpret the Blessed Quran and the sunnah unless you have knowledge of such things. Stay away from the ignorant and follow those who are scholars. Memorizing the Quran does not make you a scholar or a sheik.
A fatwa is not mandatory. When there was a fatwa about not smoking, although it is considered haram in Islam, it is not mandatory or "fard." A fatwa is a suggestion about how Muslims should act and conduct their daily lives. The same is true about the boycotting of Denmark products. It is not mandatory but a scholarly suggestion.
What Happens to Muslims Who do Not Follow Fatwas?
There is much discussion on this point. First anyone can give a fatwa but Muslims should not follow the fatwas of everyone. This means to look for the scholar or sheik that is the most knowledgeable in your country and follow the guidance of that person. There are some sheiks at local mosque who issue fatwas and those fatwas are not considered to be good fatwas.
A Muslim must look for a fatwa in their daily life also. So is consuming Denmark products going to send you to the hellfire? Allah knows best, but it is assumed that this fatwa would only give you blessings for defending your prophet, not condemn you in anyway. Prophet Mohammad will intercede for the Muslims on judgment day who "submit." What does submit mean? It means those who followed the commands of Allah and their prophet. It does not mean those who followed the commands of their sheik.
Where to Find Qualified Websites on Fatwas?
There are many sites on the internet that offer recent fatwas from taking pictures on your phone to what to say at funeral prayers. One site that offers a lot of information is Fatwa Islam. com. Another site that offers many fatwas is Fatwa-online.com. When reading any fatwa, always question the validity of the answer received.
Taking Pictures on You Mobile
This fatwa is being given as an example for people to know what a fatwa is. A recent fatwa was given about the permissibility of taking pictures on your mobile phone. Islam forbids the taking of pictures:
According to Shaykh Saalih al -Fawzan, (fatwa Islam. com). For HIM there is no prohibition in that, as for the Sunnah and the evidences then picture taking/making in general is Haraam (prohibited) and the picture maker is cursed. And he will receive from the most severest of punishments on the Day of Judgment. So what is it that takes the mobile phone out from this generality? The Messenger made picture making Haraam without exception by any means; (whether that be by way of) a mobile phone, a camera, by hand (sculpting) or by drawing, he made it absolutely Haraam. So who is he that makes an exception from what the messenger sallallaahu alaihi wasallam said and attempts to redress the messenger.
Apart from that the Muhaqqiqeen (verifiers) from the Scholars make an exception in the case of necessity, if a person is in need of taking a picture for a necessity then it is allowed due to this necessity due to His saying - the Most High: "while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity?" [Surah al-'An'aam:119]
As for picture taking as a hobby or as a form of art by the use of the camera or by hand or by any object then it is Haraam and it is not allowed except in case of necessity only. In accordance to the necessity it is a concession. It is a concession due to a necessity only.
Summary of Fatwa and Its Validity:
Question all fatwas and ask if they follow what Islam has ordained. Allah does not anyone to protect him or defend him, but Muslims are instructed to defend Prophet Mohammad. Knowing the sunnah (ways) of the prophet will guide you in following the correct paths. A fatwa which strengthens the Muslim's faith in the five pillars of Islam is a good fatwa to follow and a fatwa to keep close.