The 23rd session of the Islamic Fiqh Council concludes its work by issuing decisions and statements on a number of issues and developments

Al-Issa thanks the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia... and appreciates the efforts made by the muftis of the Islamic nation and its senior scholars


The 23rd session of the Islamic Fiqh Council concludes its work by issuing decisions and statements on a number of issues and developments


    The council affirms women’s right to education and recommends that all Muslims around the world empower women to learn

    Condemning the campaigns that try to legalize and justify “homosexuality” and calling on states to confront them.

    The Council denounces insulting the followers of religions and attacking their sanctities, a matter which leads to fighting Islam and insulting its noble Prophet.

    Appealing to governments outside the Islamic world to grant Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays to Muslims residing there

    The Council issues decisions regarding “gastric sleeve,” “gender transition,” observing the "sighting of the crescent" with a “CCD camera,” and “burial in a non-Islamic cemetery.”


After deliberations that lasted for three days in Riyadh, and in two morning and evening periods with the participation of senior scholars and jurists of the Islamic world and minority countries, the twenty-third session of the MWL Islamic Fiqh Council concluded its work, issuing a number of statements and decisions regarding a group of issues and developments after studying them thoroughly and comprehensively and circulating them, according to a disciplined scientific methodology at the hands of scientists and specialized experts in various fields.


His Excellency the MWL Secretary General, Vice President of the Islamic Fiqh Council, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, extended his sincere thanks for the hospitality and great appreciation shown to the scholars of the Islamic nation by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness Royal Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect them and reward them abundantly for what they have done and are giving to Islam and Muslims. He appreciated the efforts made by the muftis of the Islamic nation and its scholars, the scientific committee, researchers and experts to make this important jurisprudential meeting a success.


The Council issued a statement regarding “The Wisdom to be observed in Calling to God and in Uniting Hearts,” indicating that the wisdom in calling to God is: “Putting the call in its proper place, and calling each one according to what suits his mentality and conditions. God has commanded His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to adhere to what is mentioned in the following holy verse: ” Invite ˹all˺ to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in the best manner. Surely your Lord ˹alone˺ knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is ˹rightly˺ guided.”


The Council denounced the act of insulting the followers of religions and attacking their sanctities, which leads to fighting Islam and insulting its Prophet, PBUH, in accordance with what the Almighty Allah says: “O believers!˺ Do not insult what they invoke besides Allah or they will insult Allah spitefully out of ignorance. This is how We have made each people’s deeds appealing to them. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them of what they used to do."


The Islamic Fiqh Council also issued a statement on “Women’s Right to Education in Islam,” in which it explained that Islam is the religion of knowledge and civilization, as the verses of the Qur’an began their revelation with a noble divine call to read, with this regard, the Almighty Allah says what means: ((Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created—)).


The Council affirmed in its statement that God has made it obligatory for Muslims to learn according to their ability and need, individually and collectively. He, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim,” and it is an obligation that includes men and women.


In its statement, the Fiqh council recommended to all Muslims around the world to enable women to learn useful knowledge in its various fields, and not to deprive them of that, so that they can fulfill their assigned role in serving their communities and nations.


The council issued a statement regarding “Granting Muslims outside the countries of the Islamic world vacations on the days of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha,” In this statement, the council appealed to non-Muslim countries to work towards granting the Muslims, there, vacations on the days of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. Similar to what non-Muslims enjoy on their holidays in the Ilsamic states.


The Council affirmed that this demand is humanitarian and legal, in order to achieve the concept of equal citizenship, which reflects positively on the future of religious coexistence and societal harmony.


The complex also issued a statement regarding “the official charitable electronic platforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

In the statement, the council recommended that Muslims - citizens and residents - in the Kingdom pay their zakat and alms to these reliable platforms announced by the state, to reach those who deserve it, stressing that dealing with the aforementioned platforms would control donation operations and preserve funds, until it reaches its beneficiaries in a safe and official manner.

In a statement on “homosexuality,” the Islamic Fiqh Council confirmed that it is following - with great pain - the campaigns issued by some countries, entities and individuals to legislate and justify homosexuality, and the attempt to impose this trend on peoples and nations, claiming that this act falls within the personal freedom of individuals.


The Council condemned these malicious campaigns as they spread this reprehensible crime that violates normal human nature, destroys moral values, and conflicts with the divine legislation of all prophets and messengers, peace be upon them.


The Council stressed that it is the duty of states to confront this phenomenon and fight it, regardless of the justifications advocated, calling on those in charge of educational institutions, the media, media platforms, and social media to do their duty to protect young people from these dangerous deviations.

The council praised the positions of Islamic countries and other entities which denounce homosexuality, calling on all countries and organizations of the world, especially human rights organizations, to take a similar position to reject these shameful calls.


The council issued a statement regarding “the ruling on gender transition” and a statement regarding “the use of artificial intelligence,” indicating that artificial intelligence is a double-edged sword. If it is used for good purposes that benefit humanity, far from Sharia prohibitions, then it is permissible according to Sharia law. However, if it is used for corruption, such as rigging voices and pictures, deception, causing harm to others, and other moral evils it is deemed forbidden by Islamic law.


In addition to these important statements, the Islamic Fiqh Council also issued a number of decisions, after studying a number of issues and calamities, in depth, to clarify theit correct picture before stating the legal ruling on them, which will be a beacon for Muslims around the world to guide them in their dealings.


It included decisions regarding “trading in currencies through modern means, including electronic platforms,” “observing the sighting of the crescent moon through (CCD camera) technology,” which is an advanced camera mounted on a telescope and used in astronomical photography, as well as “making the perpetrator bear the treatment costs of the victim.”


The council also issued decisions regarding “changing the condition of the donor for the benefit and disposal of what increases the proceeds of the endowment,” and “the ruling on gastric sleeve,” which is a surgical medical procedure through which part of the stomach is removed, or food is diverted directly to the small intestine, as well as “travelling to countries in which the day is shortened in order to fast therein,” and the issue of “investing the endowments of charitable organizations,” and “tricks for not paying zakat,” which is intended to drop zakat or reduce it by means that are originally lawful, and “using light screens in prayer and sermons,” in addition to to “burial in places designated for Muslims within the general fence of the non-Islamic cemetery.”


It is noteworthy that the “Islamic Fiqh Council” is concerned with clarifying the Sharia rulings facing Muslims in terms of problems and calamities, and highlighting the capacity and distinction of Islamic jurisprudence and its ability, in light of its Sharia texts, to address all jurisprudential developments.