What is the ruling of Islamic law regarding a shaykh who requests payment for issuing a fatwa, especially if this is unusual in his city and he is one of the few qualified scholars?

Scholars have differed on the ruling of taking payment for issuing a fatwa (definition) (religious edict). Some prohibited it absolutely, while others permitted it on the condition that issuing the fatwa is not an individual obligation for the mufti (definition) (issuer of the fatwa), or that the payment comes from the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal), or from the funds of the local community if they need someone dedicated to issuing fatwas. It is preferable for the mufti not to take anything and to volunteer their time. However, if they are in need, it is permissible for them to receive sustenance from the public treasury if they do not have sufficient means and issuing the fatwa is not an individual obligation for them. As for receiving payment from those seeking the fatwa, it is not permissible according to the Shafi'is, Hanafis, and Hanbalis, whereas the Malikis permitted it as long as issuing the fatwa is not an individual obligation for him. It is permissible to take payment for writing down a fatwa, as it is akin to transcribing.