03-07-2025
What is fatwa? Iran issues fatwa against President Donald Trump, here's what it means
Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi declared a new fatwa against President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling them the "enemies of God" on Sunday. Here's what it means.
"Any person or regime that threatens the Leader or Marja (May God forbid) is considered a 'warlord' or a 'mohareb'," Makarem said in the ruling, according to news officials. Adding, "Any cooperation or support for that enemy by Muslims or Islamic states is haram or forbidden. It is necessary for all Muslims around the world to make these enemies regret their words and mistakes."
This religious decree follows the Israeli bombing that started June 13, killing Iran's top military commanders and scientists leading its nuclear program, in effort to prevent them from developing a nuclear weapon — to which, Iran retaliated.
The United States joined Israel's fight on June 22, launching airstrikes on three of Iran's nuclear facilities, before a ceasefire was reached on June 24.
A fatwa is a non-binding legal opinion in Islam, issued by a qualified religious scholar (mufti) on a specific issue, serving as interpretations of Islamic law (Sharia) and guiding Muslims on various aspects of life, from religious practices to ethical dilemmas, according to The Commission of Fatwa and Sharia Affairs.
While Muslims are not obligated to follow fatwas, the weight of the fatwa is usually influenced by the authority that has issued it.
Fatwas can cover a wide range of topics, such as permissions, dietary rules, financial matters, family issues or more complex issues, like social or religious interpretations.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on What is fatwa? Iran issues fatwa against Trump, Netanyahu, what it means
