RIYADH, Jan 17: Muslim scholars from around the world gathered in Makkah on Saturday for a conference aimed at giving guidance on fatwas.

The five-day Fatwa and its Regulation conference organised by the Muslim World League was to address the crafting and issuing of fatwas in the modern age, when complex matters and the rapid dissemination of rulings over the internet have led to contradictory and controversial opinions by those interpreting shariat. Conference organisers said they hoped to come out with overall guidelines for issuing fatwas.

“Some people make their fatwas on issues that they do not know in-depth and without due consideration for the shariat requirements,” league Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Turki said earlier this week.

“Issuing a fatwa is a very serious matter as it involves making a decision on the basis of the law laid down by Allah and explained by the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” Turki said, according to the local daily Arab News.—AFP