Fatwas for cash scandal

The Fatwas for cash scandal was a bribery scandal that erupted in a prominent Islamic school in India in September 2006 when a TV channel broadcast a Sting operation which showed a number of clerics taking or even demanding bribes in return for issuing fatwas.

The clerics involved included Mufti Habibur Rehman, the chief of the fatwa department of India's most famous Islamic seminary, the Darul Uloom Deoband.[1][2] The sting operation was carried out by the Star TV channel in association with Cobrapost over a period of six months by undercover reporters wearing hidden cameras and was broadcast on Star TV's 'Benaqaab' program.[3] It showed some of the clerics accepting bribes as low as $60, and handing out fatwas in Urdu on subjects requested by the reporters. The fatwas were of a varied nature including: disallowing Muslims from using credit cards, double beds, or camera-equipped cell phones, and acting in films, donating their organs, teaching their children English, against watching TV as well as another fatwa in support of watching TV.[1][2]

Reactions

The ulemas and muftis (senior scholars and clerics) described the taking of bribes for fatwas as "shameful" and "condemnable". Mufti Ahsan Qasmi of Darul Uloom Waqf, Deoband said taking money to issue Fatwas was 'illegal' and an offence in Shariayt.[4]

The scandal also led to a debate among the ulemas and muftis as well as the Muslim populace on questions like "what constitutes a fatwa" and "who has legitimate authority to issue a fatwa".[1] Students of one madrassa denounced the clerics and the congregation of a mosque who's Mufti had been caught on camera, refused to offer prayers until the Mufti came before them, admitted to taking the money, and apologized.[1]

References
  1. Adiga, Aravind (21 September 2006). "India's Cash-for-Fatwa Scandal". Time.
  2. "Islamic school hit by cash-for-fatwas scandal". IOL. 19 September 2006.
  3. Ali, S.A. (18 September 2006). "Muftis Caught On Camera Taking Money To Issue Fatwas". Arab News.
  4. "Senior Mufti of Deoband suspended after shown receiving money". One India. 17 September 2006.
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