In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric and religious decree, Iran's Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a highly influential Shiite cleric, has issued a fatwa (religious ruling) declaring President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "enemies of God." ๐คฏ This potent pronouncement comes amidst simmering tensions and just days after a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel following a 12-day conflict.
A Religious Decree with Profound Weight ๐
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi's fatwa, delivered in Arabic, directly condemns threats against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Shia clerics. The ruling explicitly states that "threatening the life of any person who is a pillar of the Islamic system, the Marja'iyyat (religious authority), and leadership, especially the supreme leader, is forbidden and religiously prohibited." It further asserts that "it is obligatory to defend them and to confront the perpetrators of such threats, and violating this sanctity is one of the greatest sins." ๐ซ๐ก๏ธ
The fatwa also calls on Muslims across the globe to unite and "make these enemies regret their words and mistakes," signaling a call to action against the two leaders. Crucially, the decree adds that any support or cooperation by Muslims or Islamic states with Trump and Netanyahu will be considered "haram" (forbidden). ๐๐ซ
Roots of the Fatwa: Threats and Accusations ๐ฃ๏ธ
This significant religious ruling follows recent provocative statements from both Trump and Netanyahu. Days before the fatwa, Donald Trump claimed he had saved Khamenei from "an ugly and ignominious death" and asserted knowledge of his whereabouts. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had also reportedly stated that if Khamenei had been "in our sights, we would have taken him out" during the recent 12-day conflict. These remarks appear to have directly prompted the question to Ayatollah Shirazi that led to this fatwa. ๐ฅ๐
By labeling Trump and Netanyahu as "Muharib" โ a term in Islamic jurisprudence often translated as "one who wages war against God" โ the fatwa carries immense religious and political weight within Iran, where such a designation can lead to severe legal consequences, including the death penalty. โ๏ธโ ๏ธ
Escalating Tensions Beyond the Ceasefire ๐๏ธโก๏ธ๐ช๏ธ
The issuance of this fatwa underscores the deep-seated animosity and ideological confrontation between Iran and its adversaries, despite recent attempts at de-escalation. While a ceasefire was declared after intense clashes, the religious decree from a top cleric signifies that the ideological battle lines remain sharply drawn.
This move is likely to further inflame regional tensions and complicate any future diplomatic efforts. It solidifies a religious justification for opposing the actions of the U.S. and Israel, potentially mobilizing segments of the Muslim world. The international community will be closely watching the ramifications of this fatwa, as it injects a potent religious dimension into an already volatile geopolitical landscape. ๐โ The call for global Muslim unity against Trump and Netanyahu reverberates, signaling a long and arduous path to any genuine peace. โณ