Is the declaration of God's ruling by scholars accompanied by authority, or is it merely a declaration, leaving the choice to whoever wishes to be guided and whoever wishes to go astray?

Allah took a covenant from the people of knowledge to clarify the truth to people and not conceal it, and He condemned those who conceal it. The basic principle is that the role of people of knowledge is to convey and clarify without compelling people. A fatwa is an informative statement about a Shariah ruling without being binding, whereas a judicial ruling (qada’) is an informative statement about aariah ruling that is binding. Nevertheless, a Muslim is permitted to change evil by hand when capable of doing so and when the benefit outweighs the harm, and it becomes obligatory for the scholar and others if the conditions are met.