IPA: //ˈfæt.wɑː//
KK: /ˈfæt.wɑː/
A legal opinion or ruling given by an Islamic scholar or religious leader.
The imam issued a fatwa regarding the new law.
Fatwa originates from Arabic "فتوى" (fatwā), meaning a legal opinion or decree. It is derived from the root "ف ت ي" (f-t-y), which relates to the concept of giving an opinion or making a decision.
Think of a legal opinion or decree given in response to a question — that's what a fatwa represents.