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). A muftiat or diyanet is a council of muftis.

Role of a Mufti in governments

In various Muslim countries, the person in the position of mufti rules if the application of the criminal law is in accord with Islamic jurisprudence and the sharia and sometimes overrules criminal courts. Muftis in some Islamic countries have authority over warfare and army issues.

Qualifications

A Mufti will generally go through an Iftaa course and the person should fulfill the following conditions set by scholars in order that he may be able to issue verdicts (fataawa). They are five:

First: He must be a Muslim.

Second: He must have reached the age of puberty.

Third: He must be just and trustworthy.

The scholars have unanimously agreed upon these first three.

Fourth: Ijtihad. This is the opinion of a majority of the scholars.

Fifth: He must have the qualities of intellect and be of a good mind. So the verdict of a one who makes too many mistakes is not correct.^[1]

The authority of the Mufti

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 in 1961 (1381 Muslim Calendar) that "fasting" during Ramadan (Arabic: ????? ) should not be observed for it reduces productivity. He then appeared on television with his cabinet, eating and drinking during Ramadan. Bourguiba then asked the Grand Mufti of Tunisia, Sheikh Altaher Ibn Ashoor (Arabic: ????? ?????? ?? ????? ), to issue a fatwa accommodating the desires of the state.

The Grand Mufti of Tunisia went on television and addressed the audience and read sura Al-Baqara:183 (2:183) :

O you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become the pious.

God said the truth" (Arabic: ??? ???? ?????? ), and President Habib Bourguiba lied." Then issued a fatwa that not observing Ramadan is a sin and whoever doesn't observe the fasting has knowingly rejected his well-known religious duty forcibly and added that fasting does not reduce productivity.

See also

• Ali Gomaa - Grand Mufti of Egypt
• Ayatullah- A similar position in Shia Islam
• Amin al-Husayni- Former Mufti of Jerusalem, infamous for his ties with Nazi Germany
• Ahmad Bader Hassoun- Syrian Mufti
• Muhammad Abduh- Former Egyptian Mufti, known for revitalising Mutazili thought
• Musa al-Qarni
• Abdul-Azeez ibn Abdullaah Aal ash-Shaikh
• Atassi family, Muftis of Homs, Syria
• Muhammad Rafi Usmani - Grand Mufti of Pakistan
• Muhammad Taqi Usmani - Justice (Retired) Allama Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani (Usmani)
• Grand Mufti of Jerusalem
• Dr Mufti Syed Shujaat Ali Qadri - Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan

References

1. ↑ Salaah-ul-'Aalam bi-Iftaa-il-'Aalim, (pg. 3 - 8), Haamid Ibn 'Ali Al-'Imaadi