Egypt’s grand mufti rejects fatwa for jihad against Israel as 'irresponsible'

Egypt’s Grand Mufti Nazir Ayyad on Monday said it was "irresp0nsible" for the International Union Of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) to issue a fatwa that said all "able Muslims" are under an obligation to wage "jihad" against Israel due to its atrocities in Gaza. 

The IUMS said all Muslim countries are under a legal duty "to intervene immediately militarily, economically and politically to stop this genocide and comprehensive destruction" and to impose a siege on Israel.

“The failure of the Arab and Islamic governments to support Gaza while it is being destroyed is considered by Islamic law to be a major crime against our oppressed brothers in Gaza,” its secretary general, Ali al-Qaradaghi, said in a decree issued on Friday.

In response, Ayyad, who is the highest authority for issuing religious opinions in Egypt, rejected the fatwa, saying that "no individual group or entity has the right to issue fatwas on such delicate and critical matters in violation of Sharia principles and its higher objectives".

"Such actions may endanger the security of societies and the stability of Muslim states," he added.

"Supporting the Palestinian people in their legitimate rights is a religious, humanitarian and moral duty. However, this support must be provided in a way that truly serves the interests of the Palestinian people, and not to advance specific agendas or reckless ventures that could lead to further destruction, displacement, and disaster for the Palestinians themselves."

Ayyad said that the declaration of jihad in Islam must be made by a "legitimate authority".

"In our current era, this authority is embodied in the recognised state and political leadership, not in statements issued by entities or unions that lack legal authority and do not represent Muslims either religiously or in practice," he said.

'Calling for jihad without regard to the nation’s capabilities and its political, military and economic reality is an irresponsible act that contradicts Sharia principles'

- Nazir Ayyad, Egypt's grand mufti

"Calling for jihad without regard to the nation’s capabilities and its political, military and economic reality is an irresponsible act that contradicts Sharia principles, which call for preparedness, prudence, and consideration of consequences."

Instead of calling for military intervention and jihad, it is wise of Muslim nations to attempt to deescalate instead, Ayyad added.

Qaradaghi is one of the region’s most respected religious authorities and his decrees carry significant weight among the world’s 1.7 billion Sunnis.

A leading Egyptian pro-government Salafi cleric, Yasser Burhami, this week also rejected the IUMS fatwa, saying it was unrealistic and contrary to Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel. 

Burhami, the head of Egypt's Salafi movement, is among the main supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and a backer of his 2013 coup against his democratically elected predecessor Mohamed Morsi. 

A "fatwa" is a non-binding Islamic legal ruling from a respected religious scholar, usually based on the Quran or the Sunnah - the sayings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad.

Qaradaghi's statement, which was also backed by 14 other prominent Muslim scholars, called on all Islamic countries to “review their peace treaties” with Israel and for Muslims in the United States to pressure President Donald Trump to “fulfill his election promises to stop the aggression and establish peace”.

Israel has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians since its war on Gaza began in October 2023. It has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave, displaced most of its inhabitants and in recent weeks enforced a siege that has blocked all food and medical aid from entering.

A case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice has accused Israel of waging genocide. The International Criminal Court has also issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant.