Iranian Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi has issued a religious ruling (fatwa) condemning threats against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top Shia leaders. According to the Jerusalem Post, Shirazi declared US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "enemies" of Islam and strongly criticized their actions.

In his fatwa, Shirazi said that harming or threatening any important religious leader, especially the Supreme Leader, is strictly forbidden in Islam and is considered a major sin. He added that it is the duty of all Muslims to defend these leaders and oppose anyone who threatens them.

Shirazi also urged Muslims worldwide to unite against the US and Israel and to stand firm against their leaders. He said that any support or cooperation with these "enemies" is "haram" (forbidden) in Islam. He warned that if Muslims do not act, those responsible for such crimes will face severe punishment from God and will be avenged.

Shirazi used the term "Muharib" to describe those who commit such acts. In Islamic law, this term means "one who wages war against God" and is considered a very serious crime in Iran, sometimes punishable by death. 

Trump’s warning to Khamenei

US President Donald Trump recently made strong comments against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Trump called Khamenei a liar for saying that Iran had defeated the US and Israel. Trump said, “You got beat to hell.” He also claimed that the US had destroyed three important nuclear sites in Iran: Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, which badly hurt Iran’s nuclear program.

Trump said he knew where Khamenei was hiding during the conflict and stopped US and Israeli forces from killing him. He said he “saved” Khamenei’s life but never got a thank you. Trump warned that if Iran started its nuclear work again, the US would attack once more.

Trump also shared that he planned to remove some sanctions to help Iran but stopped after Khamenei made angry and harsh comments. He blamed Khamenei for stopping any chance of peace talks. Trump warned that if Iran did not change and join the world peacefully, it would become a destroyed country with no future, a weak army, and a broken economy. He suggested that Iran should act in a friendlier way, saying, “You get more with honey than vinegar.”

Lastly, Trump said he stopped Israel from launching a big attack that would have killed many Iranians, saying he prevented even more damage.

What is a fatwa?

A fatwa is a religious ruling given by a top Islamic cleric. Muslims are expected to follow it. For example, in 1989, Iran’s leader gave a fatwa calling for the death of author Salman Rushdie because of his book The Satanic Verses. Rushdie had to hide for many years, and in 2022, he was stabbed during an event in New York by someone believed to be following that fatwa.