Konsep Kepatuhan Fatwa: Perspektif Ulama Silam dan Kontemporari serta Pengamalannya di Malaysia

The Concepts of Fatwa Compliance: Perspectives of Classical and Contemporary Scholars and its Practice in Malaysia

Abstract

Compliance with fatwa has become a significant issue due to differing views between classical scholars, who emphasized the obligation of laypeople to follow the fatwa of a mujtahid, and the contemporary Malaysian context, where compliance becomes binding once a fatwa is gazetted. Variations in public acceptance of fatwa and confusion about its authority and binding nature highlight the need to re-examine the concept of fatwa compliance from both classical and modern perspectives. This emphasizes the importance of this study. The study aims to critically analyze the concept of fatwa compliance from the viewpoints of classical and contemporary scholars, as well as its practice in Malaysia. The research adopts a qualitative approach based on textual analysis and expert interviews with authoritative muftis. The findings show that fatwa compliance is rooted in scholarly authority in ijtihad, the strength of evidentiary proof, and its binding legal force. In the Malaysian context, a fatwa is considered legally binding only when it is gazetted. The results further confirm that fatwa compliance is a vital mechanism for maintaining doctrinal integrity, reducing social conflict, and guiding Muslims to practice their religion harmoniously. It also helps fatwa administration agencies develop effective policies and guidelines to strengthen the authority of fatwa and increase public adherence to legal rulings.

Kepatuhan terhadap fatwa menjadi isu penting apabila wujud perbezaan pandangan antara pendekatan ulama silam yang menekankan kewajipan orang awam mengikut fatwa mujtahid, dengan realiti kontemporari di Malaysia yang mengikat pematuhan hanya selepas fatwa diwartakan. Perbezaan tahap penerimaan masyarakat terhadap fatwa serta kekeliruan mengenai autoriti dan kewajipan mematuhinya menimbulkan keperluan untuk mengkaji semula konsep kepatuhan fatwa dalam kedua-dua konteks klasik dan moden. Hal ini menjustifikasikan kepentingan kajian ini dijalankan. Kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis secara kritis mengenai konsep kepatuhan fatwa menurut perspektif ulama silam dan kontemporari serta pengamalannya di Malaysia. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kualitatif berteraskan analisis teks dan temu bual pakar bersama mufti berautoriti. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa kepatuhan fatwa berpaksi kepada autoriti keilmuan dalam berijtihad, kekuatan dalil dan kuasa perundangan yang bersifat mengikat. Dalam konteks Malaysia, sifat fatwa yang mengikat hanya terhasil apabila fatwa diwartakan. Dapatan turut mengesahkan bahawa kepatuhan fatwa merupakan mekanisme penting dalam memelihara keutuhan akidah, meredakan konflik sosial dan membimbing umat Islam dalam menjalani kehidupan beragama secara harmoni. Ia turut membantu pihak pentadbiran fatwa merumus dasar dan garis panduan dengan berkesan dalam mengukuhkan autoriti fatwa serta meningkatkan kepatuhan masyarakat terhadap keputusan hukum yang dikeluarkan.