(pl. muftīn) An Arabic word derived from the root f-t-y; a jurisconsult who is authorized to give a fatwa. The mufti should have a sound knowledge of the Islamic schools of law (madhāhib). When issuing fatwas, the muftī usually cites the Holy Qur’an, the sunna of the Prophet Muhammad, established precedents, consensus of the ʿulamāʾ, or another accepted authority (e.g., the Imams in Shi‘i traditions) within the school of law to which he adheres.
