If the fatwa of the Imaam contradicts the Hadith, should we follow the fatwa or the Hadith?

Answer

The Fatwa of the Imaam never contradicts the Hadith. While it may ostensibly appear to those who lack knowledge and who have read only about the Hadith that the Fatwa is in conflict with the Hadith, this is not the case. The Aimmah had issued a command to their Students who were great Fuqaha that if they found any conflict between their Fatwa and the Hadith, they should amend the Fatwa to conform to the Hadith. That was the age when all the Ahaadith had not yet reached every Imaam. Thus, if there was any conflict it was sorted out more than thirteen centuries ago. There is absolutely no scope for such action in this era.