Mufti
This article is about an Islamic scholar. Mufti can also refer to civilian dress.A
Mufti () is an
Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law (
Sharia), capable of issuing
fataawa (plural of
"fatwa").
In
theocracies like
Saudi Arabia and
Iran, and in some countries where the
constitution is based on sharia law, such as
Egypt, the
Grand Mufti rules if capital punishment is in accord with Islamic
jurisprudence and the sharia and sometimes overrules criminal courts.
An example of the influence of the mufti can be taken from this incident in Tunisia:
Habib Bourguiba, the late President of
Tunisia once argued that "
fasting" during
Ramadan (
Arabic:
رمضان ); a Holy month in the
Islamic calendar, a
lunar calendar and one of the
Five Pillars of Islam, should not be observed for it reduces productivity.In a matter of minutes, the
Grand Mufti of Tunisia went on television and addressed the audience and read
sura Al-Baqara:185 (2:185) :
"The month of
Ramadan in which was revealed the
Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So
whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of)
the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home),
he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [worship and say Allah is the Most Great] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.
Allah (
God) said the truth" (
Arabic:
صدق الله العظيم ),
and President Habib Bourguiba lied."
*
Ayatullah*
Grand Ayatullah*
Grand Mufti of Jerusalem
