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Fatwa: Difference between revisions
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{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=1|Content=1|Language=1|References=1}} | {{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=1|Content=1|Language=1|References=1}} | ||
A '''Fatwā''' (فتوى; plural ''fatāwā'' فتاوى) is an [[Islam|Islamic]] religious ruling, a scholarly opinion on a matter of [[Islamic Law|Islamic law]], issued by a recognized religious authority in Islam. | A '''Fatwā''' (فتوى; plural ''fatāwā'' فتاوى) is an [[Islam|Islamic]] religious ruling, a scholarly opinion on a matter of [[Islamic Law|Islamic law]], issued by a recognized religious authority in Islam. The Islamic jurist issuing the fatwa is called a ''mufti.'' Due to the absence of a formal religious heirarchy in Islam, adherents of the religion and Islamic governments effectively choose to follow whichever rulings they find most convincing (or, perhaps, most attractive). | ||
== Binding vs. non-binding fatwas == | |||
This dichotomy between state and scholar, however, was absent during Muhammad's life and the early [[Caliph|caliphates]] of Muhammad's [[Sahabah|companions]], and the dichotomy remains absent in modern day Iran. This is because: Muhammad himself was considered infallible, the companions who ruled as caliph after Muhammad were themselves considered scholars of the law capable of giving (at the time [[Fiqh|informal]]) fatwas, and [[Shi‘ite|Shi‘ites]] hold their Imams and Ayatollahs (modern-day rulers of Iran) to be infallible as well. In these cases, the governmental rulings were ''binding'' (and while ''belief in agreement with'' the rulings of the companions was not required, compliance was - this is distinct from most others who would come to claim the title of caliph, as most subsequent caliphs throughout history would not be considered competent jurists or muftis capable of delivering fatwas). | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://islamqa.info/en IslamQA.com - Islam Question and Answer] | *[http://islamqa.info/en IslamQA.com - Islam Question and Answer] | ||