Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, custodian of Islam's two holiest mosques has issued a royal decree saying only approved scholars can issue fatwas or Islamic religious edicts.
The Saudi monarch in his decree cited that the fatwas were being issued by unqualified persons which was a violation of Islamic teachings and caused disputes and dissents among the Muslims, Saudi's official SPA agency reported.
The King's ruling which came during the first week of Ramadan, the holy fasting month for Muslims worldwide, also imposed a total ban on edicts on topics involving 'strange or obsolete view.'
"We have followed this issue and noted many violations that we cannot allow. It is our religious obligation to confront it firmly to safeguard religion, preserve unity and to prevent evil," the decree said.
The king said, "As part of our religious and national duty we want you to ensure that fatwas are only issued by members of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars and other permitted people."
Abdullah said for the time being only members of the Council of Senior Ulemas (scholars) headed by Grand Mufti would only be allowed to issue fatwas. He also asked the Scholars' Council to report on those fully qualified and eligible to issue fatwas.
The king further said that the differences of opinion among scholars should be confined to their own circles and not involve other people.
"Individual fatwas on personal matters such as matters of worship, dealings, personal matters are exempt from this ruling, but they should be between the questioner and the scholar," the decree noted.
The king, who is the custodian of Islam's two holiest mosques at Mecca and Medina, in his decree also said, "We find some people undermining the role of official establishments and crossing into state jurisdiction. They pose as eligible scholars to dispute these religious establishments," he further said.
According to him, this situation has prompted us to face them with determination in order to return them to the right path and make them understand the great role played by our religious establishments.
The public has been urged to ask for fatwas from authentic sources. Scholars have been noticed against issuing fatwas on silly issues.
A number of leading clerics have reportedly welcomed king Abdullah's decision.
Image: Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
