Mufti

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This article is about an Islamic scholar. Mufti can also refer to civilian dress.

A mufti (مفتي) is an Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law (Sharia). A muftiat or diyanet is a council of muftis. These individuals and councils are capable of issuing fataawa (plural of "fatwa").

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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: رمضان ) 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: الشيخ الطاهر بن عاشور ), 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: صدق الله العظيم ), 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.

[edit] See also

de:Mufti el:Μουφτής es:Mufti fr:Mufti id:Mufti it:Mufti he:מופתי ms:Mufti nl:Moefti no:Mufti pl:Mufti pt:Mufti ru:Муфтий sl:Mufti sr:Муфтија sv:Mufti tr:Müftü uk:Муфтій yi:מופטי

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