Fatwās A Fatwā (فَتْوَىٰ) is generally understood as a juristic ruling on Islamic law, often issued by religious scholars or Imams. Its binding nature varies: in the Sunni tradition, a fatwā is advisory and non-binding, whereas in the Shia tradition, it may carry the force of law.
God as the Sole Lawmaker
The Quran unequivocally states that God alone is the source of religious law, and no human being, regardless of their knowledge or status, has the authority to legislate in matters of faith:
أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْتَغِى حَكَمًۭا وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مُفَصَّلًا
Afaghayra Allāhi abtaghī ḥakaman wa-huwa alladhī anzala ilaykumu al-kitāba mufassalan.
Shall I seek other than God as a lawmaker when it is He who has brought down to you the Book fully detailed?
(6:114)
The Role of the Messenger
The Quran clarifies that even Prophet Muhammad did not have the authority to create or modify religious laws. His role was strictly to deliver God’s message:
مَّا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ
Mā ʿalā al-rasūli illā al-balāghu.
The sole duty of the messenger is the delivery, and God knows what you reveal and what you conceal.
(5:99)
When Prophet Muhammad attempted to prohibit something that God had not forbidden, he was immediately corrected:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ مَآ أَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ لَكَ
Yā ayyuhā al-nabiyyu lima tuḥarrimu mā aḥalla Allāhu laka.
O you prophet, why do you prohibit what God has made lawful for you…
(66:1)
God Issues Fatwas
The Quran confirms that fatāwā (plural of fatwā) are to be issued by God alone. When the people asked Prophet Muhammad for a fatwā, he was instructed to respond that God provides the rulings:
يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ
Yastaftūnaka qul Allāhu yuftīkum.
They ask you for a fatwa regarding women. Say, 'God gives you a fatwa…'
(4:127)
This verse, coupled with the prohibition against adding or subtracting from God's laws, establishes that no human, including religious scholars, can issue fatāwā that legislate new religious rulings.
Consequences of Man-Made Fatwas
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Unlawful Innovation: By issuing fatāwā, human beings usurp the exclusive role of God as the legislator, violating the command in 6:114.
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Shirk (Associating Partners with God): Those who accept man-made fatāwā are guilty of associating their scholars with God as lawgivers:
Or do they have partners who legislate for them of the religion what God did not authorise? (42:21)
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Undermining God's Sovereignty:
Following fatāwā issued by humans effectively replaces God's commands with human opinions, which is a grave sin.
Conclusion
Fatāwā Are Unlawful:
Any religious ruling or fatwā issued by human beings is invalid and constitutes an infringement on God's exclusive right as the only legislator.
Qualification for Issuing Fatāwā:
No human, regardless of their scholarly qualifications, has the authority to issue fatāwā. All religious laws must come directly from the Quran.
Binding Nature:
Fatāwā from humans are not binding, and following them constitutes an act of shirk. True believers must rely solely on the Quran for guidance.
Accountability:
Those who issue or follow man-made fatāwā will be held accountable by God for violating His commands and associating others in His authority.
By understanding the Quranic position, believers can safeguard themselves from innovations and maintain their devotion to God as the sole source of law.