FETVÀ. – Turkish pronunciation of the Arabic fatwā, a technical term indicating a legal ruling issued by a muftī or renowned jurist in response to a question posed by a judge or any private individual. Below is a Turkish fatwā as an example of the formula followed on such occasions (Zejd and 'Amr are fictitious names, like our John Doe and Richard Roe).
A non-Muslim named Zejd sells and delivers to a non-Muslim Ottoman subject named 'Amr, in Islamic territory, a certain quantity of his goods at a fixed price. Later, Zejd, having not received the payment, goes to non-Muslim territory and remains there for 30 years without being able to collect the debt. Now, if Zejd were to return and demand the money from 'Amr, could 'Amr argue: “Your right has lapsed by the mere fact that you spent 30 years abroad,” and thus be justified in refusing payment?
Answer: “No; but God is wiser.”