Religious authority, ifta' culture, and sectarianism in modern Pakistan the impact of its intra-islamic pluralism

• Main Authors: Khan, Muhammad Kalim Ullah, Bakar, Osman
• Format: Article
• Published: International Islamic University Malaysia 2022
• Subjects: BL Religion
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/42095/

This article seeks to provide an overview of the interrelationship between religious authority, Ifta' culture and sectarianism in Pakistan. This overview includes a discussion of the decentralised and fragmented state of religious authority in the country and the prevailing fatawa-delivery practices and its shaping factors the most important of which is madhhab pluralism. We argue that what we term ``war of the fatawa'' further degenerated into sectarian violence. In viewing the interrelationship between religious authority, fatawa issuance and sectarianism in the country this article identifies the madrasas as the best group actor to illustrate its dynamics. We also argue that collective fatwa would be the best answer to the problems generated by sectarian fatawa. In the conclusion of the article, we emphasise that there are two main issues related to the Ifta' culture in Pakistan that need to be urgently addressed. One is the issue of authoritative fatwa delivery, which pertains to the qualification and expertise of the mufti and the merit of the fatwa issued. The other is the issue of the separation of powers between muftis and judges and of their respective professional and social standing. The two issues need to be viewed as part of the larger problem posed by Pakistan's intra-Islamic pluralism.