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.”