Dr. Ahmad Yusuf Sulayman, professor of Shari`ah at Cairo Univ., states: “One who asks a scholar for a Fatwa should adhere to some Islamic ethics as follows:
1. He has to ask about useful knowledge, not to ask about future suppositions or unreal incidents. In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah says, “O ye who believe! Ask not of things which, if they were made known unto you, would trouble you.” (Al-Ma’idah: 101)
2. Like a patient when visiting a physician, one who asks for a Fatwa has to present all information regarding his question and not conceal anything so that the Fatwa will be adequate.
3. He has to fear Allah and act according to the Fatwa he gets, not to misuse it.
4. Having received a Fatwa, one’s heart should be filled with tranquility and comfort. This is in accordance with the Prophetic guidance: “Check the state of your heart, even if people issue Fatwas on your behalf”, meaning that a God-fearing heart feels pleased with compliance with Allah’s Ordinances, and vice versa and not depends solely upon people’s views.
5. He has to ask scholars of profound knowledge. Allah says, “Ask the followers of the Remembrance if ye know not!” (An-Nahl: 43)
6. He should give priority to scholars who are known for piety and righteousness.”