Why might a person whose heart is devoid of the fear of God be more knowledgeable than scholars who do fear God, especially since Allah Almighty said: "It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving" (Fatir/28)?

Beneficial knowledge leads to the fear of Allah, and the more true knowledge increases, the more fear increases. Scholars are of different types: some are knowledgeable about worldly matters but heedless of the hereafter; some are knowledgeable about the Shari'ah but have apostatized and gone astray; some sell their religion for their worldly life; and some are hypocrites who seek knowledge to be called scholars. As for the sincere scholar, his knowledge leads him to the fear of Allah.

Differentiating among scholars in terms of their level of knowledge is not easy. The people of true and beneficial knowledge are the people of fear [of Allah]. There may be someone who is outwardly counted among the scholars, yet is the most wicked of people inwardly.

If a scholar is known for being lenient in issuing fatwas and seeking dispensations, then he should be avoided. Such a person is called "the frivolous mufti," who corrupts people's religion. It is not permissible to be lenient in fatwas, nor to act upon them based on whims and desires. This is among the most impious of transgressions and the greatest of major sins.