In the past, scholars of Islam used to gain prominence by issuing important fatwas (religious edicts) that were characterized by their objectivity and integrity. But things have changed. Today, fatwas in Egypt are issued just about daily to forbid anything from the internet and satellite dishes to mobile phones and yoga. "Most of the fatwas issued recently are stupid, silly and against any kind of modernity," said Ahmed Shawki Al Fangari, an Islamic researcher and a writer at Rose El Youssef magazine. "These fatwas are a strong indication of the ignorance and frivolity of their issuers who want to keep people away from other important issues like democracy and technology," he added.
| Rule with an iron first and technological backwardness are the Way of Allan... |
According to Al Azhar scholars, proper fatwas play a very important role in the everyday life of Muslims. "World and life circumstances change every day and fatwas are one of the means by which Islam adapts to this change," said Mohammed Abu Laila, a professor of Islamic Studies at Al Azhar University and a member of the Dar Al Iftaa committee, the Al Azhar body responsible for overseeing interpretations and fatwas. "There are issues in modern life that are not mentioned in the Koran and the Sunna and so fatwas try to find an answer to questions concerning these issues," he told the Middle East Times. Today, however, sheikhs and scholars are issuing strange fatwas almost daily in mosques, in newspapers, on radio and on television. One recent fatwa forbade the practice of yoga on the grounds that it is an ascetic Hindu practice. Another declared that Muslims should not use the internet because it makes them waste their time. Most recently, a fatwa announced that ironing women's pants was forbidden as women are not allowed to wear pants in Islam.
| That little detail's about the only thing Islam's got going for it. I always say "Down with Pants! Up with Skirts!" |
This kind of fatwa has proliferated due to the lack of credible muftis (fatwa issuers). While official muftis require official qualifications, as well as a number of years served at Al Azhar and membership in Dar Al Iftaa, these criteria do not apply to unofficial muftis.
| In that case, shouldn't their fatwahs be unofficial, too? What happens if you just ignore them, or use them instead of three pebbles? |
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