‘Islam”s teachings face ”orchestrated campaign of distortion”

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayeb said Islam’s teachings and legacy face an unprecedented wave of distortion at the hands of those who issue fatwas without licences and adequate knowledge. “Unfortunately, some have been allowed to issue flawed fatwas that distort Islamic Sharia and violate Islam’s true teachings,” said El-Tayeb, at a conference on […]

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayeb said Islam’s teachings and legacy face an unprecedented wave of distortion at the hands of those who issue fatwas without licences and adequate knowledge.

“Unfortunately, some have been allowed to issue flawed fatwas that distort Islamic Sharia and violate Islam’s true teachings,” said El-Tayeb, at a conference on “The role of fatwas (Islamic edicts) in stabilising society”.

He urged Islamic scholars and clerics to take utmost care when issuing fatwas.

El-Tayeb said “While some unlicensed figures were allowed to issue bizarre fatwas, others issued flawed fatwas that go against Islam’s teachings, such as equalising women and men in matters of inheritance.”

“I wonder why Al-Azhar faces a wave of programmed attacks every time it gives an opinion on a certain issue, such as the inheritance question,” said El-Tayeb, accusing the fatwa institution in Tunisia, which allowed equality in inheritance between men and women of making “a big assault on Islam.”

El-Tayeb also said muftis – or those who are officially entrusted with issuing fatwas – should have a deep background of Islamic learning and honesty in order to explain Islam’s noble values to the people. (Ahram Online)