THE CONDITIONS FOR MODIFYING A FATW IN OUR TIME according to Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawî

Today, if there is a question generating confusion, causing numerous practical difficulties and perhaps crises resulting in mafasids taking over all Muslims, it is the question of fatâwâ. Competent people, and others incompetent, have taken on the task of dealing with this issue. Many jurisprudential requirements and many scientific rules have escaped these people. These errors caused certain confusion in the issuance of fatâwâ. The problems worsened when some fatâwâ addressed major issues affecting Muslims. The confusion then spread. It was aggravated by the speed with which it became possible to publish thanks to the abundance of current means of communication. These new challenges require ulama' to guide Muslims to follow the right path.