Islamic Scholars and other stakeholders have urged clerics to deepen their knowledge before stating their position on any Islamic matters.
The scholars made the call at the 16th annual Islamic International Conference organized by Daaru Naim Academy for Sharia Science of Nigeria held in Lagos with the theme, “The Jurisprudence of Fatwa and its relationship with Maqasid-based Fiqh”.
The scholars urged Muslim clerics to ensure that their messages are in line with the details of the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad which also includes peaceful coexistence.
Speaking at the event, the Conference Supervisor and Director General, Daaru Naim Academy for Sharia Science of Nigeria, Sheikh Imran Abdulmajeed Eleha said that the emergence of clerics misleading their followers with their Fatwa is a major challenge and all hands must be on the desk to reduce such trends.
“We saw the need to address the issue around fatwa at this year’s conference and to also curb misinformation about Sharia. It is also to ensure that Fatwa is aligned with fundamental objectives of sharia,” he stated.
Undersecretary, Minister for Islamic Affairs, Saudi Arabia, Dr. Awwad bin Sabti Al-Anazi; said Prophet Muhammad emphasized the importance of knowledge.
He urged clerics to seek knowledge to avoid passing wrong information to people, adding that in his country, the government is concerned about Fatwa and scholars are regulated to avoid misinformation and incorrect fatwa.
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“The responsibility of keeping the fatwa within the limit allowed by Islam is a formal responsibility between the governments and the governed. In Saudi Arabia, there is a laid own principle of how Fatwa should be conducted and given. A body was established with the full authority of the government known as The Committee of Crown Scholars. Also, there is a grand Mufti from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and it is by law the body that has the right to give fatwa, especially on issues that have general implications.”
Dr. Bilal ElHallak from the United States said fatwa should not be based on personal opinions and misinterpretation around it should be tackled as quickly as possible by eminent scholars to reduce the spread.
Prof. Abdulrazzaq Abdulmajeed Alaro, Islamic Law Department, University of Ilorin; explained that the danger inherent in allowing everybody to become a mufti to give a fatwa is one of the reasons for misinformation today.
“When we talk of fatwa, it is something that is critical to the practice of the religion because it means when people are confused or lack knowledge of what to do, they need someone to tell them, this is what is the position of Islam but unfortunately a lot of people are giving fatwa without paying attention to the fundamental objectives of Islam itself.”
Delegates at the conference came from Saudi Arabia, United States, Oman, Algeria, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Congo, Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, including Nigeria.
