A fatwah is a severe decree in Islam, making the target subject to “execution and crucifixion.”
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
A senior Iranian cleric issued a fatwah, or an Islamic decree, against US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a 12-day military conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US.
Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, one of Iran’s most senior Shia clerics, has pronounced a fatwah against the leaders, declared them “enemies of God” and “mohareb”—those who wage war against Allah.
A fatwah is a severe decree in Islam, making the target subject to “execution and crucifixion.” According to Islam, anyone who assists someone under a fatwah is subject to having a limb cut off or exile.
The decree is in response to Israel and the US military bombing nuclear facilities in Iran and doing significant damage to the country’s nuclear program.
The fatwah has been interpreted as a justification to commit global acts of terrorism. It is noteworthy for its long-reaching effects after it was issued against British novelist Salman Rushdie following the publication of his controversial novel The Satanic Verses.
Rushdie was the target of several assassination attempts and lost his eye to an attacker in 2023.
In response to the decree, Netanyahu said, “Israel will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and interests.”
The Trump administration has not yet issued an official response to the fatwah.
Trump and Khamenei became embroiled in a war of words on social media following the war.
US President Donald Trump used harsh words on Saturday in response to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s claim that the US was exaggerating the damage its strikes had inflicted on Iran’s nuclear facilities and that the US forces in the region would receive an additional “slap.”
Trump wrote on social media, “During the last few days, I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery.”
“But instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief and more,” Trump wrote, calling Khamenei’s remarks “blatant and foolish.”
“As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie,” Trump said, and repeated earlier statements that the nuclear sites were “obliterated.”
Trump also repeated a claim he posted on social media during the conflict that he knew where Khamenei was hiding and added that he saved him from being assassinated by Israel.
“I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death,” Trump said.
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