Is Opting for the Easiest Fatwa Among Differing Scholarly Opinions Sinful?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
If someone consults three Islamic scholars and each provides a different opinion, would it be considered sinful to follow the most lenient opinion? Is it wrong to choose the easiest fatwa to follow? Additionally, what if the easiest opinion is also the most authentic, or it is supported by a slightly larger number of scholars? Is it sinful to follow a minority opinion?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Choosing the easiest opinion is not inherently sinful, especially if the decision is made sincerely and in pursuit of what one honestly believes to be pleasing to Allah. However, this is not a license to simply “shop” for fatwas to follow one’s desires while disregarding the weightier opinions, and Allah knows best.
Why Are There Differing Views?
In Islamic jurisprudence, the concept of legal responsibility, or taklif, is central to understanding whether an individual’s actions are deemed sinful. When a Muslim seeks guidance from scholars and receives different opinions (fatwas), this indicates a situation known as “ikhtilaf” or a legitimate difference of opinion among scholars.
Such differences can exist because Islamic jurisprudence is derived from several sources — the Quran, the Sunna, consensus (ijma’), analogical reasoning (qiyas), and a variety of interpretation methodologies and hermeneutical tools, all of which may yield various interpretations.
Opting For The Easiest Opinion
If an individual seeks the opinion of qualified scholars and each provides a different ruling, choosing the easiest opinion is not inherently sinful, especially if the decision is made with sincerity and in pursuit of what one honestly believes to be pleasing to Allah. It is also essential to consider the principles of ease (taysir) and removing hardship (raf‘ al-haraj), which are well-established in Islamic Law. Allah says, “He has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.” [Quran, 22:78]
Fatwa Shopping
However, this is not a license to simply “shop” for fatwas to follow one’s desires while disregarding the weightier opinions. The person should consider the evidence presented, the qualifications of the scholars, and the rationale behind each opinion.
If one opinion is not just easier but also deemed more authentic or is supported by a piece of more convincing evidence, and this evidence aligns with a well-established school of thought or a larger number of scholars, it may indeed be the most appropriate to follow.
Following Minority Opinions
Following minority opinions is not inherently sinful either. In many cases, minority opinions arise due to differing methodologies in interpreting the sources of Sacred Law. It is worth noting that an opinion’s validity is not merely determined by the number of scholars who support it but by the strength of the evidence upon which it is based.
Knowledge The Roadmap of Guidance
What is obligatory for every Muslim is to act based on knowledge. Ibn Raslan of the Shafi’i School beautifully mentions in his poem ‘Matn al-Zubad,’
Anyone who, without knowledge, acts – their actions are rejected, not accepted
[Ibn Raslan, Matn al-Zubad]
A similar sentiment was echoed when Imam Bukhari titled a chapter of his great work in Hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari:
The Chapter of Knowledge Before Speech or Actions due to Allah’s statement “Know that there is no god save Allah” – Thus Beginning with Knowledge.
Ibn al-Munir (Allah have mercy on him) comments on this, saying, “What is meant is that knowledge is a prerequisite for the soundness of a statement or deed; thus they do not count except with it (knowledge). Knowledge, therefore, precedes both because it produces a good intention, which then produces sound actions.” [‘Ayni; ‘Umdat al-Qari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari]
Guidance
A person should not be considered sinful for following a valid, easier opinion provided by a qualified scholar, especially if it is chosen with the intention of easing genuine hardship and not for the purpose of following one’s desires against clear, established evidence. Moreover, in matters where scholars have historically disagreed, this diversity of opinions is a mercy that accommodates different circumstances and contexts.
Ultimately, these matters should be approached with piety, good faith, and a sincere search for what is most pleasing to Allah. It may also be advisable to consult a trusted scholar about these concerns, especially when dealing with complex issues.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
