Friday 17/October/2025 – 06:09 PM
Dr. Shawqi Allam, the former Grand Mufti of Egypt, warned of the escalation of the phenomenon of deviant and extremist fatwas spreading through social media, stressing that this intellectual chaos represents a danger to religious and societal awareness, and fuels division among the people of the nation instead of uniting them around the purposes and morals of religion.
The former Mufti: The chaos of fatwas on social media threatens religious awareness…and we must differentiate between areas of ijtihad and consensus
He explained during television statements that what we recently witnessed of the wide controversy surrounding the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday is a clear example of the mismanagement of the jurisprudential dispute, as the dialogue between extremist parties turned into a conflict that does not take into account the civilized methodology in dealing with the difference of jurists, stressing that the jurisprudential difference has origins and tools, and its management must be a sophisticated administration that benefits the nation, not divides it.
Dr. Shawqi Allam pointed out that social media has become a fertile arena for promoting uncontrolled fatwas and extremist ideas, calling for the need to be aware of the danger of circulating fatwas from unauthorized people.
He said: “I advise those who are at the forefront of the scene to speak gently, and to realize where there are areas of diligence in which the violator is excused, and where are the areas of consensus in which the violator is not excused.”
The former Mufti of the Republic added that it is the duty of young people and society in general not to take knowledge or fatwas from any random source, but rather from specialized scholars and trusted specialists, stressing that verifying and verifying the source of information has become a legal duty in an era in which information flows without control or verification.
He stressed that the fluidity of information and the multiplicity of unqualified platforms are among the most prominent challenges facing contemporary jurisprudence, noting that some of those who speak about religious, political, or economic affairs on digital platforms may direct public opinion toward undeclared or misleading goals.
Dr. Shawqi Allam stressed that controlling religious and fatwa discourse is a national and religious necessity, calling for restoring confidence in official scientific and jurisprudential institutions, and adhering to the moderate approach that unites and does not divide, and preserves awareness and identity in the face of extremism and intellectual chaos.
