ما هي شروط المفتي المقلد؟

The conditions for a mufti (issuer of religious edicts) have been previously explained in several fatwas. A mufti is required to be a mujtahid (one capable of independent reasoning in Islamic law) with a profound understanding, knowledgeable in grammar, language, logic, principles of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and rhetoric. As for the mufti who is a muqallid (one who adheres to a specific school of thought), he is someone who memorizes his madhhab (school of thought), the sayings of his imam (founder of the school) and his companions, and the mujtahidun within it. He then prioritizes some of these over others due to his knowledge of their general and specific implications, issuing fatwas based on what he has comprehended. It is permissible for someone who does not know the principles of fiqh to issue a fatwa based on what has been transmitted from his imam or one of his companions, provided it meets the conditions and he has memorized the narrations and sayings. The mufti must possess the qualities of justice, piety, sound intention, and keen intellect. Merely reporting what is found in fiqh books does not qualify a person as a mufti except metaphorically, as he is a narrator or reporter. In this case, honesty, trustworthiness, and understanding of what is transmitted are required.