Abstract:
The Fatwa Foundation was established in Algiers during the
Ottoman period and lasted until The French Entry from 1520 to 1830, and has
never existed before, and the Ottoman rulers have designated the Great Mosque
of Algiers as its center..
Algeria lived under a doctrinal dualism during the Ottoman period,
where the Hanafi doctrine, the official doctrine of the Ottoman caliphate,
spread, in the presence of the Maliki doctrine is the dominant doctrine in the
country, and thus found duality in the judiciary, each doctrine of mufti and
judge of its own, but about their appointment, he appointed the Mufti and judge
Hanafi in Istanbul and sent to Algiers to serve the post of fatwa and at the end
of his term, he will assign another work and settle in Algiers, and with regard
to the Maliki doctrine, the Mufti and the Judge shall be appointed, the mufti
and the judge. In Algiers by the Sheikh of Islam under certain conditions.
This doctrinal duality was characterized by a great coexistence and
understanding that preferred the scholars in the Maliki doctrine and the Hanafi
doctrine and their understanding where they had a relationship of friendliness
and respect, and the Ottoman rulers approached the scholars and made them a
prominent place in society and the scholars became a link between the
population and the rulers. In addition, there is an ad-religious doctrine, which
represented a minority of the inhabitants of Algiers, where it practiced its
doctrine separately.
The Ifta Foundation played a major religious role in society,
contributing to the dissemination of science and knowledge in mosques and
scientific centers, preserving the Book of God almighty, teaching the rules of
Islamic law at all stages of education, and organizing endowments, which were
the main suppliers of science and students.
It also played a prominent political role, as evidenced by the relationship of
scholars to the ruling authority, their relationship was characterized by
respect, friendship and permanent communication, and also in the field of
justice, the Mufti and the judge worked to resolve the daily conflicts and
problems of the population, hence it is clear that the foundation of fatwas is
very important in the life of the society of Algiers
