The Salaf -????? ????- used to refrain from issuing Fataawa from themselves because of its tremendous affair and great accountability for fear that they would say something about Allaah which they have no knowledge of.
One who issues religious verdicts is in actuality informing about Allaah and clarifying His legislation. So if one says something about Allaah which he has no knowledge of, he has fallen into what is equal to Shirk! Listen to the saying of Allaah Taaalah:
{Say (O Muhammad) The things that my lord has indeed forbidden are Al Fawaahish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual acts) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge.}
So Allaah Subhaanahu equated Shirk with saying about Him that which one has no knowledge of. Allaah Subhaanahu also said:
{And follow not (O man i.e. say not, or do not or witness not) that which you have no knowledge of. Verily the hearing, sight, and the heart, of each of these one will be questioned (by Allaah).}
So one should not be hasty in issuing Fataawa, rather one should wait, contemplate and review the issue. If there is little time, one should refer the issue to someone who is more knowledgeable than him in order to safeguard himself from speaking about Allaah without knowledge.
If Allaah knows that a persons intention is sincere and that he wants good, then that person would reach the level that he wants with his Fatwaa. Whoever has Taqwaa of Allaah, He will grant him success and raise him in rank.
One who issues Fataawa without knowledge is more astray than the ignorant one. Because an ignorant person says:
I do not know.
He knows his capability as well as being truthful. As for the one who compares himself with the most knowledgeable of scholars, rather he may even favor himself over them and in so doing he would misguide himself as well as the people, he would make mistakes in issues that even the smallest of students of knowledge wouldnt. So the evil of this person is tremendous and his danger is great. |
