Iran-based Shia Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi has issued a signed and sealed Fatwa (religious edict) in response to an Estefta (formal religious query), declaring U.S. President Donald Trump “Mohareb” (an enemy of Allah), and has called on “Muslims of the world” to kill the U.S. president, promising them rewards befitting “warriors of Allah.”

The Fatwa has been released by the office of the Grand Ayatollah and published by Islamic Republic state media, including the government-affiliated ISNA, IRGC-linked Fars News and Tasnim News, and Tehran municipality-run Hamshahri.

The family of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Islamic Republic’s founder and first Supreme Leader, has also indirectly endorsed the murder Fatwa, with their news outlet Jamaran publishing and promoting the text.

Text of the Estefta (Formal Religious Query):

“To blessed Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, Marja of Shia Muslims of the world,

Over the past few days, U.S. President and leaders of the Zionist regime have threatened to assassinate the Supreme Leader and other religious leaders.

We implore you to declare what the religious edict is for threatening the religious guide and leader of Islamic society. And Allah forbid, if such an act is carried out by the American government or anyone else, what would be the responsibility of every Muslim across the world?

May Allah protect and preserve all religious leaders and the Supreme Leader in the shadow of , and remove the threat of the infidels and enemies of Allah's faith.

: A group of believers and Muslims.”

Text of the Fatwa (Religious Edict):

Anyone who aims to harm the Muslim Ummah and threatens the Supreme Leader or other religious leaders or, Allah forbid, strikes out, is hereby declared Mohareb .

Any collaboration with or assistance to them is Haram for Muslims and Islamic states.

It is upon all Muslims across the world to make these enemies regret their words and their wrongdoing, and if harm or hardship befalls them, they will be rewarded as Mojaeh in the path of Allah, if Allah wills it.

May Allah protect the Islamic society and hasten the arrival of .

What Does Mohareb Mean?

Mohareb is the subject or agent that carries out the act of “Moharebeh,” also spelled “Moharibah,” which is widely translated as “enmity against Allah,” or “waging war against Allah” in English.

Surah Al-Ma'idah, Ayat 33 (5:33 Quran) says: “The penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and spread corruption on the Earth is death, crucifixion, cutting off their hands and feet on opposite sides, or exile from the land. This is a disgrace for them in this world, and they will suffer a tremendous punishment in the Hereafter.”

As per Article 279 of the Islamic Penal Code in effect in Iran, Moharebeh is punishable by death. The charge is regularly used against dissidents.

Additional Notes

(ONE) The Fatwa, in nature if not wording, is similar to the February 1989 Fatwa issued by the Islamic Republic’s first Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, calling for the killing of British author Salman Rushdie in reaction to his novel The Satanic Verses. Despite Khomeini dying in 1989, the Fatwa remained in force, and the Islamic Republic celebrated its partial fulfillment in 2022 when Hadi Mattar stabbed and injured Rushdie in an assassination attempt.

(TWO) This Fatwa genuinely exists and clearly states a call to murder the President of the United States, unlike the nonexistent Fatwa the Islamic Republic claims prohibits the development of nuclear weapons.

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