Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a prominent Shia cleric in Iran, has issued a religious fatwa strongly condemning threats against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking Shia religious figures. The decree, reported by the Jerusalem Post, underscores the religious and political tensions surrounding the leadership of the Islamic Republic, particularly in light of perceived threats from Western leaders.
In his Arabic-language fatwa, Makarem Shirazi:
-
Declared that threatening the life of key Islamic figures, especially Khamenei and religious authorities (Marja'iyyat), is “religiously forbidden”.
-
Stated that defending such figures is obligatory under Islamic law, and any violation of this sanctity is among the gravest sins.
-
Condemned U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling them as “enemies” of Islam.
-
Urged Muslims worldwide to unite against these perceived enemies and actively resist any aggression toward Iran’s leadership.
-
Warned that any Muslim or Islamic government cooperating with these figures would be committing an act that is “haram” (forbidden).
Significantly, Shirazi invoked the term “Muharib” to describe those behind such threats. In Islamic jurisprudence, especially in Iran, a Muharib is someone who is considered to be “waging war against God”, a charge that can carry the death penalty under Iranian law. This designation elevates the religious and legal seriousness of the threat, framing it not just as a political matter but a profound religious violation.
The fatwa comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with Iran frequently accusing the U.S. and Israel of trying to destabilize the Islamic Republic through covert operations, sanctions, and cyber warfare. Shirazi’s fatwa appears aimed at consolidating internal support, reinforcing the religious legitimacy of the regime, and issuing a warning to foreign adversaries and their allies within the Islamic world.
This religious decree further cements the alignment between Iran’s political leadership and its religious authority, and signals that any perceived threats to that leadership may invoke the full weight of both state and religious power.
