Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Malik ibn Anas’ (r.a.) Caution in Issuing Fatawa

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Malik ibn Anas (r.a.) was extremely cautious in regard to issuing fatawa.  Imam Rabi’ah ibn Farrukh ar-Ra’iy (r.a.) reported, “We were with Imam Malik, when a man entered upon us, and asked Imam Malik, ‘Abu Abdullah!  Tell me about the verse: 

سُوۡرَةُ طٰه

ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ (٥) 

The Beneficent One, Who is Established on the Throne. (Surah ThaHa:5) 

How is He established?’ 

Imam Malik (r.a.) was immediately overwhelmed and lowering his head he started poking the earth with a twig, and continued in this state until he was entirely soaked in perspiration.  Then raising his head, he said, ‘The how is incomprehensible; the establishment is not unknown; belief in it is compulsory; asking about it is an innovation; and I do not think that you are anything but a person of innovation.’  Then he commanded that the man be shown out.”