Islamic scholars have urged clerics to deepen their knowledge about Sharia and avoid misinformation.
They noted that this was important given in the age of technology where many misleading preaches and messages may find their way to social media leading to conflict.
The scholars made the call at the 16th annual Islamic international conference organised by Daaru Na’im Academy for Sharia Science of Nigeria held in Lagos with the theme “The Jurisprudence of Fatwa and its relationship with Maqasid-based Fiqh.”
Speaking at the event, the Conference Supervisor and Director General, Daaru Na’im Academy for Sharia Science of Nigeria, Sheikh Imran Eleha, said the emergence of clerics misleading their followers with their Fatwa was a major challenge and all hands must be on deck to reduce such trends.
“We saw the need to address the issue around Fatwa at this year’s conference and to also curb misinformation about Sharia. It is also to ensure that Fatwa is critical that it is aligned with fundamental objectives of Sharia,” he stated.
The Undersecretary, Minister for Islamic Affairs, Saudi Arabia, Dr. Awwad bin Sabti Al-Anazi, said Prophet Muhammad emphasised the importance of knowledge and urged clerics to seek knowledge to avoid passing wrong information to people, adding that in his country, the government was concerned about Fatwa and scholars were regulated to avoid misinformation and incorrect Fatwa.
“The responsibility of keeping the Fatwa within the limit allowed by Islam is a formal responsibility between the governments and the governed. In Saudi Arabia, there is a laid down principle of how Fatwa should be conducted and given. A body was established with the full authority of the government known as The Committee of Crown Scholars.
“Also, there is a grand Mufti from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and it is by law the body that has the right to give fatwa, especially on issues that have general implications.”
The United States Delegation Representative, Dr. Bilal ElHallak, on his part, said Fatwa should not be based on personal opinions and misinterpretation, it should be tackled as quickly as possible by eminent scholars to reduce the spread.
Prof. Abdulrazzaq Alaro from the Islamic Law Department, University of Ilorin, explained that the danger inherent in allowing everybody to become a mufti to give a Fatwa is one of the reasons for misinformation.
