Five Qualities to Issue a Fatwa

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal (r.a.) said, “No man should set himself up to issue fatawa, until he has attained five qualities: He should have a good intention, for if he does not have a good intention, he will not be Blessed and there will be no Blessings in his words; he should be knowledgeable, forbearing, dignified and calm; he should have a strong grasp of knowledge; he should have a strong personality, and not be affected by people’s criticism; and he should know what people are like.  These five qualities are the foundation for issuing fatawa.  If any of them are lacking, there will be a commensurate defect in the scholar.”




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