ABU DHABI — Prominent Muslim scholars and intellectuals here have called for a unified fatwa (religious edict) for the entire Islamic world to avoid conflicting fatwas and misuse of the religion.
| This will cheez off the Soodis. |
| It implies some sort of Islamic Pope, which carries its own disadvantages. |
The scholars call, which came during an Islamic conference that concludes today, was probably prompted by the controversy over the issuance of public fatwas permitting the killing of foreigners in Iraq and elsewhere by individuals.
| As I've said before, so many times I'm tired of the same thought running through my head, any idiot can issue a fatwah, and many do... |
A fatwa clarifies the Islamic ruling in an answer given to a question or a set of questions usually related to an Islamic issue. It does not make any difference whether the questioner is a person or a group of persons. It stands to reason that fatwa is not an easy task, but an arduous one. Not every individual has the right to issue fatwas and make pronouncements on matters.
This is because the one who commits himself to issuing fatwas acts on behalf of Allah's Messengers and Prophets, the scholars said.
| No word on whether al-Aksa Paul will be allowed to continue issuing fatwas. |
Criticising the establishment of a council for fatwa and research in Europe, Dr Mohammed Saeed Ramadan Al Booti, a renowned Muslim scholar, said: "At this dangerous turning point we call for unification of our word and unification of our authority which issues fatwas.
| They're afraid the Council's gonna move to Avignon... |
Unfortunately there are a lot of activities, which swim against the current, and we need not set up a new authority council for fatwa in Europe or elsewhere. The more authorities we have the more negative effects we have, including chaos. Once we unify our authority, we will get rid of our chronic headache of conflicting fatwas," Dr Booti stated.
| "And if we can't, we'll issue a fatwa against the renegades!" |
| "You only need one bunch to issue fatwahs, and you're lookin' at it!" |
He said that the one nominated to hold the position of Mufti (the scholar who issues fatwas) should possess several characteristics including deep insight, equanimity and tranquility, a firm religious background and deep knowledge and a nine-year old bride be aware of daily life and contemporary issues.
| "He should also have a turban and be able to roll his eyes real good!" |
Dr Ahmed Holeil, Minister of Auqaf and Islamic Affairs in Jordan, said the conflicting fatwas issued at present by different parties call for unifying the fatwa at the Islamic world level. "We hear nowadays shocking fatwas on satellite TV channels issued by ignorant individuals who are becoming dangerous to our religion. We hope that we will have one authority in the Islamic world," Dr Holeil stated.
| Unless he's ignorant and dangerous as well. |
He, however, noted that if this is a mission impossible, then we can have an authority in each country," he noted. |