fatawa

Fatawa (plural of fatwa) is a formal ruling or advisory opinion on a question of Islamic law issued by a qualified Islamic jurist, or mufti. A fatwa interprets Sharia to address contemporary issues or everyday questions and may concern ritual practice, ethics, business, science, or public policy. The word fatwa comes from the Arabic verb 'fata,' meaning to articulate or declare. In practice, fatawa are not universal laws; they are opinions that may be binding only within a particular community if endorsed by a ruler or religious authority, or simply advisory for individuals seeking guidance.

Fatwas are based on primary religious sources such as the Qur'an and hadith, supplemented by juristic methods like ijma (consensus) and qiyas (analogical reasoning). Jurists may also appeal to precedent, local custom, or the principles of a particular school of jurisprudence. There are different types of fatawa, ranging from those addressing personal conduct to those that have broader social or political implications; some authorities issue binding rulings for their followers, while others publish general guidance.

Institutions such as Al-Azhar in Egypt, the Office of the Grand Mufti in various countries, or Shia marja' taqlid bodies in Iran and Iraq, issue fatawa or religious opinions. In modern contexts, fatawa frequently address issues arising from new technologies, finance (such as Islamic banking), bioethics, and social norms.

Fatawa have played a central role in Islamic jurisprudence since the medieval period and continue to influence religious practice, public policy, and debates about authority, interpretation, and reform. Critiques emphasize variability among jurists and the non-binding, juristic nature of fatwas within diverse Muslim communities.