Scotland: Shaykh-ul-Islam Prof. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri Delivers Keynote Lecture on Fatwa, Their Legal and Shariah Status

Scotland, UK: His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam Prof. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivered an intimate and highly beneficial session of nasiha for the scholars of Minhaj-ul-Quran International UK and a few invited guests in Scotland. His Eminence was accompanied by Prof. Dr Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri, Chairman Supreme Council, Minhaj-ul-Quran International, and Shaykh Ahmed Mustafa al-Arabi al-Qadri.

The detailed scholarly lecture focused on the meaning and scope of a fatwa, its legal and Shari‘ah status, the principles governing takfir and the critical analysis of religious texts within their proper theological, legal and historical context.

The importance of this subject has become increasingly evident at a time when complex religious matters are often reduced to short quotations, isolated references and narrow interpretations circulated through social media. Religious opinions are frequently presented without proper understanding of traditional Islamic scholarship, the established principles of jurisprudence or the wisdom and balance required when interpreting sacred texts.

Shaykh-ul-Islam emphasised that fatwa and theological judgement cannot be based upon personal opinion, emotion or fragmented reading. Such matters require deep knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah, the classical scholarly tradition, the objectives of Shari‘ah, the circumstances surrounding a text and the wider body of evidence relating to the issue.

Particular emphasis was placed on the seriousness of takfir and the need for exceptional scholarly caution before declaring any individual or group outside the fold of Islam. The lecture highlighted the dangers of hasty judgement, sectarian thinking and the misuse of religious texts without due knowledge, context and responsibility.

The session provided invaluable guidance on how scholars must respond to contemporary challenges with wisdom, balance, intellectual discipline and a firm grounding in the traditional teachings of Islam. It was a truly historic and intellectually enriching lecture, offering immense benefit to all those privileged to attend.