Fatwas play a central role in the articulation and contextualization of Islamic law. Despite its lofty status within Islam’s juristic tradition, the authoritative value and function of fatwas in contemporary Muslim societies is undergoing significant change. Whereas historical fatwas generated immense solidarity within Islam’s legal schools and traditional ulama (religious scholars), Muslims today are confronted with an unprecedented supply of fatwas from various religious actors, institutions and digital platforms vying to speak for Islam. Using Australia as a case study, this article investigates the role, demand, and relevance of fatwas in Australia. It draws on empirical fieldwork conducted between 2018 and 2019 with Muslim religious actors including imams/sheikhs, educators, academics and members of the Australian Muslim community. The findings show Australian Muslims are largely sceptical about the relevance and credibility behind fatwa-making in Australia. Among the findings, participants demand greater scholarly expertise, legal analysis, and institutional output in the production of fatwas. Participants additionally expressed desire to establish locally based fatwa councils with the ability to produce context-specific fatwas for Australian Muslims.

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法特瓦可有可无？审视法特瓦在澳大利亚的当代相关性和权威

Fatwas 在伊斯兰法律的阐明和语境化方面发挥着核心作用。尽管法特瓦在伊斯兰教的法律传统中具有崇高的地位，但法特瓦在当代穆斯林社会中的权威价值和功能正在发生重大变化。虽然历史上的法特瓦在伊斯兰教的法学院和传统的乌里玛（宗教学者）内部产生了巨大的团结，但今天的穆斯林面临着来自各种宗教行为者、机构和数字平台的前所未有的法特瓦供应，这些宗教行为者、机构和数字平台争相为伊斯兰代言。本文以澳大利亚为案例研究，调查法特瓦在澳大利亚的作用、需求和相关性。它借鉴了 2018 年至 2019 年期间与包括伊玛目/酋长、教育工作者、学者和澳大利亚穆斯林社区成员在内的穆斯林宗教行为者进行的实证实地调查。调查结果显示，澳大利亚穆斯林在很大程度上对澳大利亚追捕令制定背后的相关性和可信度持怀疑态度。在调查结果中，参与者要求在制作法特瓦时有更多的学术专业知识、法律分析和机构产出。与会者还表示希望建立以当地为基础的法特瓦委员会，能够为澳大利亚穆斯林制定符合具体情况的法特瓦。