Who is allowed to give fatwa?

It is reported that Imam Malik (Rahimahu Allah) was asked: Who is allowed to give religious rulings (fatwa)? He replied:
Issuing fatwa is not allowed except for a person who knows what the people have differed in. It was said: Do you mean the different views of the people of opinions ( those who depend more on analogy and speculation)? He replied: No,  (I mean) the different views of the Companions of Mohammed (Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) And he most also know the textual evidence that abrogates ( other rulings) and that which is abrogated ( by other texts) both in the Quran and the hadeeth of Allah's Messenger (Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) .
Such a person can issue fatwa.




SOURCE:  Ibn 'Abd Al-Barr, Jâmi' Bayân Al-'Ilm wa Fadlihî article 1529.