Scholars' Council
Rulings library
The Council's joint rulings are published here in full. Below them, the rulings recognised scholarly bodies have already issued on the five cases, each linked to its own text.
The Council's rulings
None yet: the Council's first joint rulings are due in month 4 of the plan.
Rulings already issued by recognised bodies
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind – National Governing Council
National Governing Council resolutions, Bhopal
Adopted resolutions on the Waqf Act, Islamophobia, the 'love jihad' narrative, protection of madrasas, the Uniform Civil Code, the situation in Assam and the genocide in Palestine. The source names these resolutions but does not give their operative text.
India's MuslimsPalestine2025-11-29 · Ummid – India going through extremely sensitive, worrying phase: Jamiat Ulama (ummid.com)Al-Azhar
Statement condemning massacres of civilians in El Fasher
Condemns killings, bombings and denial of essential services to civilians in El Fasher. Calls on Sudan's leaders and the international community to take swift, decisive action to stop the massacres, and warns against outside interference. Says Al-Azhar is ready to send humanitarian aid and urges delivery of food and medicine and a lasting ceasefire.
Sudan2025-10-30 · MisrConnect – Al-Azhar prays for Sudan's safety and condemns civilian massacres in El Fasher (misrconnect.com)Muslim World League – General Secretariat (Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa)
Statement condemning Rapid Support Forces crimes in El Fasher
Strongly condemns crimes against civilians during the Rapid Support Forces' attacks on El Fasher. Calls for adherence to the Jeddah Declaration on protecting civilians and for serious dialogue to end the war, and rejects anything that escalates or prolongs it.
Sudan2025-10-28 · Okaz – Muslim World League statement on El Fasher (okaz.com.sa)Muslim World League – Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa
Statement on the official declaration of famine in Gaza
Responds to the IPC report (the UN-backed food-crisis classification) confirming famine in Gaza City. Calls on the international community to 'take swift, serious action to end the famine and genocide' in Gaza and to halt the occupation government's military operations.
Palestine2025-08-23 · Riyadh Daily – MWL Urges Immediate Action as Famine Officially Declared in Gaza (alriyadhdaily.com)Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind – Working Committee (chaired by Maulana Mahmood Madani)
Working Committee resolutions on Assam evictions and on Gaza
Condemns eviction drives in Assam that it says displaced more than 50,000 families. Demands the removal of Assam's Chief Minister and hate-speech proceedings against him, rehabilitation of the displaced, and impartial surveys before any eviction. Separately condemns the genocide in Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian corridors.
India's MuslimsPalestine2025-08-21 · Maktoob Media – Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind demands Assam CM's removal (maktoobmedia.com)Muslim World League (MWL) – Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa
Statement condemning Israel's plan to reoccupy Gaza
Condemns the plan as 'a dangerous decision' that violates international law. Urges the international community to take serious action to halt the war.
Palestine2025-08-08 · Gulf Times – Muslim World League slams Israeli plan to reoccupy Gaza (gulf-times.com)Al-Azhar – Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb
Global appeal on famine in Gaza (later withdrawn)
Calls the situation in Gaza 'a fully-fledged genocide' and appeals to 'the conscience of free people around the world' to act urgently. It was published briefly in Egyptian media and then removed. Officials said it was 'under revision'; no revised version was published.
Palestine2025-07-23 · The New Arab – Egypt forces Al-Azhar to take down statement condemning Gaza 'genocidal starvation' (newarab.com)Majlis Ittehad-e-Ummat Pakistan (alliance of Pakistani religious parties and ulama, including Mufti Taqi Usmani and Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman)
Declaration of the National Conference 'Palestine and the Responsibility of the Muslim Ummah', Islamabad
Declares that jihad has become a religious obligation on the whole Muslim nation, and holds Muslim leaders responsible before God. Calls on Islamic states with ties to Israel to suspend relations, withdraw their ambassadors and expel Israeli envoys until an unconditional ceasefire. Calls on the OIC to set up an emergency relief fund for Palestinians. Mufti Taqi Usmani said jihad had become compulsory on every Muslim government according to its means.
Palestine2025-04-10 · Al Jazeera Arabic – دعوات ماليزية باكستانية لتحركات عملية لنصرة غزة (Malaysian and Pakistani calls for practical action to support Gaza) (aljazeera.net)Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (Egypt's official fatwa authority), Grand Mufti Sheikh Nazir Ayyad
Statement rejecting the IUMS jihad fatwa
Rejects the IUMS fatwa. It says only the state and its political leadership can declare war, not 'unions that do not enjoy any religious authority or represent Muslims'. It says supporting Palestinians' rights is a duty, but that support must serve their real interests and not lead to reckless military adventures.
Palestine2025-04-07 · The New Arab – 'Jihad against Israel' fatwa pits IUMS against Egypt's Dar al-Ifta (newarab.com)Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama
Supreme Court petitions against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025
Both bodies filed petitions in India's Supreme Court challenging the Act. Jamiat called it 'a dangerous conspiracy to strip Muslims of their religious freedom'. Samastha called it 'a blatant intrusion' into the rights of religious denominations under Article 26 of the Constitution. These are legal filings, not fatwas.
India's Muslims2025-04-07 · The Tribune – 2 Muslim bodies move Supreme Court against Waqf Amendment Act (tribuneindia.com)International Union of Muslim Scholars – Ijtihad and Fatwa Committee
Fatwa declaring armed jihad against the Israeli occupation obligatory
Says armed jihad (armed struggle) against the Israeli force is a religious obligation for every able Muslim. It makes military, financial, political and legal support for the Palestinian resistance obligatory. It calls on Arab and Islamic states to form a military alliance and intervene militarily without delay, and to impose a full land, sea and air blockade on Israel. It forbids supplying Israel with oil, gas or other resources, rejects normalising relations with Israel, and calls for review of Arab states' peace agreements with Israel, for boycotts and for 'financial jihad' (giving money) for Gaza. Secretary-General Ali al-Qaradaghi shared it on X on Friday 4 April 2025. Sources give different dates: The New Arab dates the first fatwa to 28 March 2025, and Yeni Şafak reports it on 7 April 2025.
Palestine2025-04-04 · Siasat Daily – Islamic scholars issue fatwa calling for war against Israel (siasat.com)Muhammadiyah – Center for International Relations and Cooperation (Chair Prof. Syafiq A. Mughni)
Statement on one year of genocide in Gaza: continue boycott of pro-Israel products
Condemns Israel's campaign in Gaza as 'moral barbarity'. Calls on Muslims and the Indonesian nation to keep up the boycott of products affiliated with or supporting Israel. Calls on the US and Western powers to put humanitarian values first.
Palestine2024-10-07 · Republika – One Year of Genocide in Gaza, Muhammadiyah: Continue Boycott of Pro-Israel Products (en.republika.co.id)Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI, Indonesian Council of Ulama)
Fatwa No. 83 of 2023 on the ruling on support for the Palestinian struggle
Rules that supporting the Palestinian struggle is obligatory. Urges Muslims to avoid transactions with, and use of, products affiliated with Israel or supporting occupation and Zionism; it gives no list of brands. Encourages fundraising, prayer and prayers for the dead for Palestinians. Recommends that the Indonesian government press Israel through diplomacy at the UN and the OIC. The full text is published on MUI's site at https://fatwamui.com/storage/554/Fatwa-MUI-Nomor-83-Tahun-2023-tentang-Hukum-Dukungan-Terhadap-Perjuangan-Palestina.pdf, but that site could not be reached during this search.
Palestine2023-11-10 · Infobanknews – Tegas! MUI Keluarkan Fatwa Haram Beli Produk Israel, Ini Isinya (MUI issues fatwa forbidding the purchase of Israeli products – its contents) (infobanknews.com)International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS)
Fatwa on the duty of Islamic governments towards the Israeli invasion of Gaza
Announced at a press conference at IUMS headquarters in Qatar. It says Arab regimes and their armies 'must intervene urgently to save Gaza from genocide'. It calls military intervention a Shariah (Islamic law) obligation on the countries bordering Palestine: Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. It also calls it a legal duty to supply military equipment and expertise. It calls on scholars, elites and institutions to act, and says abandoning Gaza and Palestine 'is a betrayal of Allah and His Messenger'.
Palestine2023-10-31 · Siasat Daily – Arab regimes must stop genocide in Gaza, IUMS issues fatwa (siasat.com)Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU, executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama), signed by KH Yahya Cholil Staquf
Pernyataan Sikap dan Seruan PBNU: Hentikan Kekerasan dan Ketidakadilan di Gaza (PBNU position statement and call: stop the violence and injustice in Gaza)
A seven-point statement. It calls for an end to using religion to justify oppression and an end to violence and destruction in Gaza, and urges religious leaders worldwide to unite. It calls on states to uphold international agreements, supports the Indonesian government's diplomacy, and urges Muslims to perform special prayers and qunut nazilah (a prayer said in times of calamity). It calls for fundraising for Palestinians through LAZISNU, NU's charity arm.
Palestine2023-10-31 · NU Online – Pernyataan Sikap dan Seruan PBNU (nu.or.id)Al-Azhar
Al-Azhar statement after the Gaza hospital strike
Condemns what it calls 'genocide, ethnic cleansing' against Palestinians. Urges Arab and Muslim nations to reconsider their reliance on Western powers and to stand firmly behind Palestine.
Palestine2023-10-17 · Morocco World News – Al-Azhar scholars call on Arab, Muslim countries to stand firmly with Palestine (moroccoworldnews.com)Australian National Imams Council (ANIC)
Statement on the persecution of Uyghurs in East Turkestan
Condemns the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Uyghurs and describes 'genocidal acts'. It cites the internment of over a million people without trial, forced labour, torture, forced sterilisation and the destruction of mosques. It says Muslims 'must not remain silent'.
The Uyghurs2022-07-29 · Sydney Criminal Lawyers – Australian Imams Call Out Beijing's Oppression of the Uyghur People (sydneycriminallawyers.com.au)Global Imams Council (President Imam Mohammad Baqir al-Budairi)
Ruling prohibiting participation in and attendance at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
Rules that 'participation and attendance in Beijing 2022 are prohibited' for Muslims. Its reason is that the Games serve 'a tyrannical and oppressive regime that's responsible for the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Uyghurs'.
The Uyghurs2021-12-30 · The Epoch Times – Global Imams Council Bans Muslims From Attending Beijing Winter Olympics (theepochtimes.com)International Union of Muslim Scholars
Virtual conference on Muslims in India (Assam and Kashmir)
Condemns the destruction of Muslim homes, schools and mosques in Assam on 25 September 2021 and criticises BJP rule in Kashmir. Urges imams to raise the issue in sermons. Calls on the OIC, Arab League and GCC to use 'political and economic means' of pressure.
India's Muslims2021-10-15 · The News International – Scholars urge prayer leaders to highlight Indian atrocities (thenews.com.pk)International Union of Muslim Scholars
Statement of concern over persecution of Muslims in China
Expresses concern over the persecution of Muslims in China and calls on the Chinese government to respect the religious rights of its Muslim community. The source gives the date only as June 2018.
The Uyghurs2018-06 · Uyghur Human Rights Project – UHRP Commends Muslim Voices Rejecting Clerics' Tour (uhrp.org)Muslim World League – Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa
Statement on the Rohingya: Myanmar killings 'no less criminal than ISIS'
Condemns the bloodshed against the Rohingya as no less criminal than the terrorism of ISIS and al-Qaeda. Commits to humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Thailand, and plans to send an official delegation when conditions allow.
Myanmar2017-09-18 · Asharq Al-Awsat – MWL Sec-Gen on Rohingya (en-archive.aawsat.com)Al-Azhar – Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb
Statement on massacres of Muslims in Myanmar
Calls on the Arab League, OIC, EU and UN to take immediate action, especially in the Security Council. Calls on Arab and Muslim leaders to put political and economic pressure on Myanmar's government. Calls for investigation of the crimes and for the perpetrators to be pursued before the International Court of Justice.
Myanmar2017-09-09 · Daily News Egypt – Al-Azhar calls for immediate action to stop 'massacres against Muslims in Myanmar' (dailynewsegypt.com)International Union of Muslim Scholars
Statement that Muslims are obliged to help the Rohingya
Rules that Muslims are obliged to help Rohingya fleeing Rakhine 'within their abilities'. Calls on Muslim countries to boycott Myanmar, on leaders to make political efforts to protect the Rohingya, on relief agencies to give aid, and on all mosques to address the issue in Friday sermons.
Myanmar2017-09-06 · Daily Sabah – Islamic scholars union says Muslims obliged to help Rohingya (dailysabah.com)International Union of Muslim Scholars
Call for a 'Friday of rage' in solidarity with the Rohingya
Calls on Muslims worldwide to hold protests in solidarity with the Rohingya on Friday 9 December 2016. Criticises the silence of the Islamic world and calls on Arab and Muslim governments to take harder diplomatic stances towards Myanmar. Calls on relief organisations to provide immediate aid.
Myanmar2016-12-09 · Sunni Online – Muslim scholars urge solidarity with Myanmar's Rohingya (sunnionline.us)Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM), for ulama and NGOs across ASEAN
ASEAN Ulama & NGOs Declaration on the Myanmar Genocide of Rohingya
Says there is enough evidence of a 'full genocide operation' by Myanmar's security forces. Demands International Criminal Court prosecution, an end to the violence and restoration of the Rohingya's citizenship, including action on the 1982 Citizenship Act. Calls on Muslim leaders to show unified solidarity, on the UN and ASEAN to intervene, including with peace troops, and on the OIC to activate its protection mechanisms.
Myanmar2016-11-29 · Transcend Media Service – The ASEAN Ulama & NGOs Declaration on the Myanmar Genocide of Rohingya (transcend.org)International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA, OIC) – Secretary General
Statement on colonial crimes in Gaza, calling for prosecution of war criminals and concrete steps to end the Gaza genocide
Calls the events in Gaza 'a massive and organized genocide'. Calls on Muslim peoples and governments to give full aid and to pursue accountability for war crimes. Recognises resistance to occupation 'by all legitimate means'. Calls for Arab and Islamic summits, urges Palestinian unity, and asks religious leaders to teach the relevant rulings of Islamic law.
Palestine2008-12-30 · IIFA – Statement on Colonial crimes in Gaza (iifa-aifi.org)International Islamic Fiqh Academy – Secretary General Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi
Declaration of condemnation of the Israeli extermination campaign against the Gaza Strip
Condemns 'heinous crimes and widespread massacres' in Gaza. Calls on Palestinian leaders to unite and on the international community to enforce its laws and support the people's rights to their land.
Palestine2008-03-02 · IIFA – Declaration of condemnation of the Israeli extermination campaign against the Gaza Strip (iifa-aifi.org)International Islamic Fiqh Academy – Secretariat General
Statement on the current events in the Gaza Strip
Condemns the blockade of Gaza. Calls on international organisations to 'rush to stop this injustice and urgently lift the blockade', and calls on Muslim nations to send urgent humanitarian aid.
Palestine2008-01-23 · IIFA – Statement on the Current Events in the Gaza Strip (iifa-aifi.org)