When must a layperson ask scholars, and is it obligatory to ask if one has previously committed an act that has no lingering effect and will not be repeated, or if one intends to say something whose ruling is unknown?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A Muslim must not undertake an action before knowing Allah's ruling on it. It is forbidden for him to undertake anything he suspects might be unlawful. What he does not intend to do, he is not obligated to ask about. As for what he doubts is permissible, he must inquire about it. If he has done something in the past and doubts its permissibility, he must ask about it so he can repent from it if it was unlawful and know its expiation. Whispers [] should be dismissed and ignored, as excessive contemplation of them leads to great evil.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/185245
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 185245
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy