A non-binding scholarly opinion in answer to a question.
In Islamic law
A fatwa answers a specific question in specific circumstances. Two fatawa can differ legitimately if the facts or the school differ, which is why a general fatwa found online may not fit your family.
In Canadian law
A fatwa has no legal force in Canada. It guides what you instruct; the will is what binds.
We have not yet researched whether the four Sunni schools differ on this term, so we are not going to tell you either way. Where a specific case turns on it, ask a qualified scholar rather than relying on a general summary.
This is legal information only. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a lawyer.
Citations & sources
Every factual claim on this page traces to a source below. Details change — check the original source before relying on any figure, fee or legal position.
- Egyptian Dar al-Ifta — Dar al-Ifta al-Missriyyah
- Al-Azhar Al-Sharif — Al-Azhar University
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
- Oxford Islamic Studies / Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press