The Phone and the Person Seeking Fatwa

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There are ways that the person seeking the Fatwa can be pleasant when speaking to the Muftee and from these are the following;

To begin with saying the Islamic greeting; ‘As-Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaathuhu’. He then can make a positive supplication for him by saying something such as; ‘May Allaah give you good’ then to ask the question by saying something like; ‘my question is…’. Before ending the conversation you should thank him by saying something like; ‘Jazakallaahu Khair, May Allaah reward you’ and then ending with the greeting; ‘As-Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaathuhu’.

These are some mannerisms on using the phone, to be brief, not to make the conversation long and tiring, and being brief may also give you the opportunity to ask another question if it is possible.

However, there are certain things that one should be wary of as these could cause harm. Some people ask questions to the Muftee on issues which they have already researched, and they know the answer, yet they ring to be stubborn and dispute with the Muftee.  This has happened recently with those who pursue startling the scholars and they have indulged in this.

Also, some seek to get a sense of closeness to a particular Muftee and once this is established they seek to get a Fatwa from the Muftee on a particular subject, this is what some of the youth do. They try to do this to test him and to probe him for any innovation in his religion. This is because these types of youth have extremism deeply penetrated within them and by this they create distance between the scholars and the youth of this Ummah. 

Also from the ways of these youth is to create confusion between the Muftees.

Any way that the questioner can disturb the Muftee is by asking too many questions in order for the ruling to be lightened upon them, so that they are given leeway.

The caller can also disturb the Muftee by calling him at an inappropriate time, and when they call they extend his time by asking long questions that have no benefit.

One must also bear in mind that when he is calling the Muftee on his personal phone, it is something that is personal to him. Thus, he must also pay attention to the fact the number of the Muftee belongs to him, so spreading his number without his permission is a form of deception, the explanation of this in detail will follow.

[Taken from the book, 'The Manners and Characteristics when Talking on the Phone' by Shaykh Bakr Aboo Zayd (May Allaah have Mercy on him), Pg14-15]