AS increasing numbers of people are switching on the television for their religious guidance, the Kingdom s Islamic leaders are warning against the blind following of live fatwas. There are many programs that appear on the satellite channels, hosting famous sheikhs, who are issuing fatwas without getting back to books of Fiqh, says Dr. Abdul Aaziz Al-Mishal.Like many clerics in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Al-Mishal is concerned that too many people are abandoning traditional methods of learning in favor of the new culture of television teaching, that seems to be sweeping the nation.
However, his biggest concern is that many of these celebrity sheikhs do not appear to be following the traditional Islamic convention of providing evidence for their rulings. These kinds of fatwas need to have verses from Quran or Sunnah supporting them, said Dr. Al-Mishal.
The only authorized authority in Saudi Arabia to issue fatwas is the Council of the Senior Ulema. A fatwa is a legal statement in Islam, issued by a mufti or a religious scholar, on a specific issue and it is vital that this ruling is not based upon the muftis own whims and ideas, he must base it on the Qur an or Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). The Mufti has a great role in his society because he educates the public about the Islamic rules and their relationship with Allah, said Sheikh Muhammad Al-Salami.
| I did not make up that name. Really. |
Many commentators believe the danger arises from the fact that most of the programs deal with individual callers, discussing their personal problems, where rulings are offered in respect of their specific circumstances. They are then being interpreted by the average lay viewer to be general fatwas. The fatwas in live programs should not tackle the personal problems because it will be generalized it; should discuss Fiqh issues that teach people more about their religion, argues Al-Mishal. This sentiment is supported by regulars who admit they tune in looking for guidance, although they are worried by the speed with which many of these fatwas are issued.
I like to watch the Islamic channels, especially the programs that have live fatwas. Most of the time I feel that they are talking about problems that concern me, but I am never totally satisfied with the answers the sheikhs always give because they are so fast, yet I still follow what they say anyway, said Amal Ali, 45, from Jeddah.
The concern of many is that following these fatwas blindly can lead to the forbidding (making haram) of that which Allah has made permissible (halal). Islam declares that the legislating authority is Allah alone, nobody is allowed to forbid something that Allah has permitted and if he does so then he would be exceeding the limits set by Allah and claiming for himself the power reserved only for Allah, says Sheikh Taha Hassan, also of Jeddah. This in itself is a grave sin as declared in the Quran.
The lawful is what Allah has made lawful in His Book and the unlawful is that which He made unlawful. What He has left out is a mercy from Him, so accept Allah s mercy. Surely Allah would not forget a thing......
.....And the Lord is never forgetful. (19:64)Certain observers feel this new trend of trigger-happy fatwa-issuing is making life very precarious for the average Muslim. When we read or hear about the religion in the Prophet s day, we feel that they used to live at a time when every thing was acceptable but now you feel uncomfortable to do any thing, fearing that you will commit a sin, said Turki Marghalani.