Training muftis is an effective approach to resolving fatwa chaos. This solution to the narrative of chaos is the main element of fortification against extremist trends that rely primarily on fatwas issued by people who lack scholarly and psychological skills and qualifications in a bid to legitimize their aberrant ideas. The General Secretariat therefore believes that any solution that does not take into account training, wastes resources and derails efforts towards a combative stand against extremism. As a result, it decided to launch an initiative aimed at developing a competency-training program for a group of trainees working in the field of Islamic legal sciences and fatwa issuance to enhance and promote the performance efficiency of fatwa authorities.
This training will include three levels. The first level will comprise integrated training and will extend over a period of two years. The next level is designed to improve trainees’ performance of fatwa issuance and its duration will range from six months to one year. Finally, the last level is designed to improve the qualitative competence of trainees in a specific area of fatwa issuance and its duration will range from one to three months.
The General Secretariat aims through this initiative to promulgate absolute commitment to a moderate methodology of fatwa issuance, observe the objectives of Islamic law during fatwa issuance, promote fatwa-related ideals, take into account the qualitative standards of fatwa issuance, and effectively improve performance management of fatwa issuance and management of fatwa institutions to maintain societal security and stability.
The training department at the Secretariat contributes towards refining the skills and competency of preachers and muftis along with giving them the knowledge and skills needed to tackle contemporary developments consciously and efficiently.
This department provides numerous training programs which aim at the following:
- Providing Muslim minorities living in non-Muslim countries with the know-how to deal with various rising issues and their shari’a- based solutions.
- Offering training to researchers in Islamic legal research and the skills of issuing fatwas.
- Conducting educative programs on the rulings of Islamic jurisprudence.
- Arranging training sessions in the craft of ifta` to mosque imams worldwide to help them answer the inquiries of mosque visitors.