Five
Essential Qualities of a Mufti
Ibn
Battah records that Imām Ahmad – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
No
man should appoint himself to issue verdicts (fatwa) until and unless he
fulfills five characteristics:
First, he should
have a [firm and good] intention; for if he does not, he will have no light
upon him, and nor will his words.
Second, he should be forbearing, tranquil and serene.
Third, he should be strong upon what he is involved in, strong in its knowledge.
Fourth, he should
have sufficient means (wealth), otherwise the people will chew him up.
Fifth, he should
know people and their ways.
Ibn Battah, Ibtāl Al-Hiyal p24.
After
quoting this statement, and before his commentary on it, Ibn Al-Qayyim states:
This
is one of the proofs of the eminence of Imām Ahmad and his lofty status in
knowledge and insight; for these five are the pillars of fatwā, and to the
extent that there is deficiency in any of them, to that extent faults will
appear in the mufti.
I’lām Al-Muwaqi’īn, 6:106
Taken from: https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/five-essential-qualities-of-a-mufti/
