What methods and stages are followed in issuing a fatwa by a fatwa institution?

Summary

Every issue requiring a fatwa passes through four stages: al-taswir (forming a picture of the issue), al-takyif (classifying the issue under the appropriate area of fiqh discussion), al-hukm (determining the ruling from recognised sources and evidence) and al-ifta’ (delivering the fatwa to the questioner). At the first stage the mufti considers time, place, the individual and circumstances. At the final stage the answer must take into account decisive texts, other textual evidence and the principles of public interest. The ruling on smoking is used as an example throughout.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.