Critical Analysis of Fatwa Issuance Methodology Regarding Prayer-Related Issues in Malaysia

The fatwa issuance methodology is central to the validity and acceptance of a fatwa among Muslims. In Malaysia, the fatwa institution, managed by the respective Mufti Department in each state, plays an important role in issuing fatwa on various aspects of Islamic religious life, including prayer. However, the methodological aspects pertaining to the prayer-related fatwa issuing process are rarely studied critically and in depth. This study aimed to critically analyse the methodology for issuing prayer-related fatwa in Malaysia by examining reference sources, legal deduction (istinbat hukm) methods, fatwa deliberation process, and the level of consistency in fatwa decisions between states. This qualitative study used the document analysis method involving primary and secondary reference sources concerning prayer-related fatwa issued by respective State Mufti Departments throughout Malaysia. The findings indicate that the methodology for issuing prayer-related fatwa in Malaysia generally follows the comparative jurisprudence (fiqh muqaran) method, with the Shafi'i school as the basis, but with flexibility in considering other schools’ (madhhabs’) thoughts when needed. Findings also indicated methodological gaps, including inconsistencies in the application of fiqh rules and differences in fatwa decisions between states on the same issue. This study recommends improvements to the methodological framework of prayer-related fatwa in Malaysia to achieve higher levels of consistency and credibility.