Fatwa Activism or Educational Activism

FATWA ACTIVISM OR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVISM For example, there are many social evils against which muftis have issued fatwas in the present age. Yet, in the words of Maulana Abdul Haq Haqqani, the result has been that their fatwas did not work, while the evils continued as before. For instance, fatwas against innovations, polytheistic customs, dowry in marriages, television and cinema, loudspeakers, bank interest, not keeping a beard, Western dress, and English education. As is well known, all these fatwas remained without result and had no effect on society. According to my study, the correct position is that only the person directly concerned has the right to seek a fatwa regarding his own case, and only in such matters should a mufti issue a fatwa. For example, if someone asks a mufti whether congregational prayer is valid behind an imam of a particular mosque whose beard is short, such a query is a source of discord rather than a genuine request for guidance. A mufti should not respond to such a query. Seeking a fatwa concerns the personal matter of the questioner, not matters concerning others beyond his own person. Now the question arises: what is Islam’s method for general or social reform? This method is the method of reminder and counsel, not the method of issuing fatwas. That is, explaining matters to people through writing and speech. This effort should be carried out