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I would be very much greatfull if you could kindly tell me the definition of fatwa and its important. insyaAllah with ur sharing i will share the knowledge to my friends .

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I would be very much greatfull if you could kindly tell me the definition of fatwa and its important. insyaAllah with ur sharing i will share the knowledge to my friends .

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In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalāmu ῾alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh
 
If we research the literal meaning of fatwa in the Hans Wehr Dictionary, we would conclude that it is to structure a formal legal opinion or a deliverance of formal legal opinions. A fatwa is a legal declaration in Islam, issued by an Islamic law expert on a specific issue. The plural of fatwa  is fataawa. Usually a fatwa is issued at the request of an individual to settle a question concerning fiqh or Islamic jurisprudence. A scholar skilled in issuing fataawa is famously known as a Mufti. Issuing of  fataawas is a great responsibility. Fatwa (Judicial verdict) holds a vital role in Islam as it helps to explain Allah Ta’ala’s law in both religious and worldly matters. The Muftis are particularly cautious when announcing fatwa’s, due to their far reaching implications and the Ulama are well aware of the importance of fatwa, thus handling it as meticulously as possible. They have researched and analyzed every discussion of Usul al-Fiqh (principles of jurisprudence), briefly or at great length, then ventured out into the field of Islamic law.

The usage of the word fatwa can be found in the Holy Quran:


يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ قُلِ اللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِي الْكَلَالَةِ
“They ask thee for a legal decision. Say: Allah directs (thus) about those who leave no descendants or ascendants as heirs. “(Surah-al-Nisa verse 176)   


وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِي النِّسَاءِ قُلِ اللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَى عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ فِي يَتَامَى النِّسَاءِ اللَّاتِي لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَنْ تَنْكِحُوهُنَّ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الْوِلْدَانِ وَأَنْ تَقُومُوا لِلْيَتَامَى بِالْ