Fatwa Issuance in Shariah

Many aspects of the halal slaughter and market developments require authoritative responses as and when new issues arise. These responses are often provided by the state muftis who are experts in shariah. Fatwa is defined as a response given by a qualified scholar to a particular issue raised by a person or a group of persons or an organization. This chapter examines the conditions of fatwa, qualifications of a mufti, and other fatwa regulations in shariah. It begins with an overview of fatwa in shariah, its history of development, and its role in bringing the shariah closer to the realities of people’s lives. This is followed by brief information on fatwa-related developments in Malaysia.