32. Ruling of Legal Committee (Fatwa)

Any person may, by letter addressed to the Chief Executive, request the Majlis to issue a fatwa or ruling on any point of the Muslim law.

On receiving any such request, the Chief Executive must forthwith submit the same to the chairperson of the Legal Committee.

The Legal Committee must consider every such request, unless in its opinion the question referred to it is frivolous.

After considering the request, the Legal Committee may, if it thinks that it is appropriate or necessary, prepare a draft ruling in relation to or as a result of the request.

If such draft ruling is unanimously approved by the Legal Committee or those members thereof present and entitled to vote, the chairperson must on behalf and in the name of the Majlis forthwith issue a ruling in accordance therewith.

If in any such case the Legal Committee is not unanimous, the question must be referred to the Majlis, which must in like manner issue its ruling in accordance with the opinion of the majority of its members.

The Majlis may at any time of its own motion make and publish any such ruling or determination.

If in any court any question of the Muslim law falls for decision, and such court requests the opinion of the Majlis on the question, the question must be referred to the Legal Committee which must, for and on behalf and in the name of the Majlis, give its opinion thereon in accordance with the opinion of the majority of its members, and certify such opinion to the requesting court.

For the purposes of subsection (7), “court” includes the Syariah Court constituted under this Act.