In a statement released ahead of Ashura, Ayatollah Arafi expressed his deep appreciation for what he called a “new and decisive chapter in Islamic legal history,” referring to the issuance of Muhareb (enemy of God) rulings against individuals and institutions that have issued or supported threats against Iran’s highest religious and political leadership.
“We are witnessing a significant and historic moment,” the statement reads. “A united front of scholars, jurists, and religious institutions has issued a clear and collective ruling: those who threaten the high positions of religious authority and leadership are classified as Muhareb – enemies of God and the Islamic order.”
Ayatollah Arafi emphasized the sacred and foundational role of fatwas in preserving the identity, dignity, and independence of the Islamic Ummah throughout history. He noted that this consensus echoes past moments of unity during critical junctures, such as the era of the Sacred Defense (the Iran-Iraq war), when grand jurists and Islamic leaders jointly defended the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic.
“This ruling and fatwa represent the consensus of all religious authorities, scholars, and fatwa holders across the Islamic world,” he declared, urging vigilance and unity in the face of global threats, particularly from the forces of international arrogance and Zionism.
The statement also voiced gratitude to the Iranian people and the broader Resistance Axis for their continued resilience and support of the religious leadership. It called on scholars of all Abrahamic faiths, as well as cultural, academic, and governmental institutions around the world, to take a clear stand in this moral and spiritual battle between oppression and justice.
“This is a struggle between truth and falsehood, the oppressed and the arrogant. We expect all believers, governments, and institutions to adopt a clear and committed stance, and to take meaningful action in support of divine justice,” Ayatollah Arafi stated.
The declaration comes amid heightened tensions following open threats by Western and Zionist leaders against Iran’s Supreme Leader, sparking widespread reaction and unity among Shia clerical authorities across the region.
