alIfta

Al-Ifta, or al-Ifta, denotes the office or authority within Islamic governance or scholarship that issues fatwas, or formal religious opinions, on questions related to Sharia. A mufti is the jurist authorized to issue these opinions. Fatwas can address a broad range of matters, including ritual practice, commerce, family law, and public policy.

Fatwa (plural fatawa) is generally a non-binding legal opinion. It interprets sources such as the Quran and Sunnah, supported by jurisprudential methods like ijma (consensus) and qiyas (analogy). The authority and force of a fatwa depend on who issues it, the institution backing it, and the legal context in which it appears.

Institutions of al-Ifta typically employ a chief mufti and a staff of jurists who study questions, consult authorities, and issue opinions after evaluating textual evidence and precedents. Modern fatwas are often published publicly, sometimes with rationales, and may be issued in response to individual inquiries or broad policy issues across a community or state.

Practices vary between Sunni and Shia traditions. In many Muslim-majority states, official fatwa offices operate within government or court structures. Independent muftis and academic centers may also issue fatawa. In Shia Islam, authority to issue fatawa is linked to qualified jurists or maraji al-taqlid who guide followers.

Al-Ifta remains influential for personal decisions and public debates on finance, bioethics, technology, and social conduct. Fatwas can shape behavior and policy even when not legally binding, but they may be debated or contradicted by other scholars or institutions, reflecting ongoing differences within Islamic legal thought.