Thanks to the wonderful world of Wikipedia, we are able to learn more of the power of fatwās and the Ulama, and we are glad to say that the Catholic Web-Alim's opinions fit perfectly with the adequate principles of jurisprudence (the usul al-fiqh), adapted to Catholic Law:
According to the usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence), the fatwā must meet the following conditions in order to be valid :
-1) The fatwā is in line with relevant legal proofs, deduced from [Scriptural] verses and a hadith [Canon of the Code of Canon Law]; provided the hadith was not later abrogated by [the Supreme Authority]. [CHECK: no Canon of the Code is left unmentioned.]
-2) It is issued by a person (or a board) having due knowledge and sincerity of heart; [CHECK: the Catholic Web-Ulama are persons; the Web-Alim goes on and on about his Law formation, and his sincerity of heart about giving his fatwās about everything, even when he knows as much about the facts as the ordinary man or woman, cannot be doubted.]
-3) It is free from individual opportunism, and not depending on political servitude; [CHECK: who can doubt it? He always makes sure to say he is a professional. Of course, political servitude is what the Ulama are all about, but it is all hidden under the veneer of technical legalism.]
-4) It is adequate with the needs of the contemporary world. [CHECK: stress on "contemporary world", and the defense of very high clerics motivated by political expediency.]
The issuing of web-fatwās is very useful to muddle the discussion of the grave injustices perpetrated by the very high clerics who merely wish to cuddle with political authorities and remain at ease with the demands of the secularized world, and instead force the vast majority of ignorant men and women to argue about the commas and numbers of the several hadiths while the very high clerics continue their deeply unjust behavior, shielded by a legalistic view of the law. And, while the Web-Ulama say their web- fatwās are non-binding, the lowly ignorant faithful should remember well the risk of disagreeing with one who knows the Law. It really works like a charm, time and again.
Note: The Law is wonderful and can be beautiful, and is of the essence of a strictly hierarchical and sacramental Holy and Apostolic Church. But we are not Pharisees or Muslims: for Christians, the Law is an instrument for the salvation of souls, and should not provide legalistic cover for persecution, injustice, and hypocrisy. "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you tithe mint, and anise, and cummin, and have left the weightier things of the law: judgment, and mercy, and faith. These things you ought to have done, and not to leave those undone." (Mt xxiii, 23)
