Saudi Grand Mufti
Saudi Grand Mufti Condemns Hamas, Declares Their Actions an Affront to Islam
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a rare and powerful declaration, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, has issued a scathing condemnation of Hamas, asserting that the terror and violence witnessed in Gaza are fundamentally opposed to Islamic teachings. According to a report on Thursday on the jfeed.com web site, the Grand Mufti stated: “What we saw today in Gaza is a disgrace to Islam, an act of blasphemy against Allah, and a sin that does not represent the followers of the Prophet, peace be upon him, or the honorable religion of Islam.”
Al-Sheikh’s remarks, reported by jfeed.com, underline a significant shift within influential religious circles in the Arab world, as more leaders disavow radical groups that claim to act in the name of Islam. By directly condemning Hamas, the Grand Mufti has taken an unequivocal stance against those who exploit religion to justify their violence.
According to the information provided in the jfeed.com report, Al-Sheikh expanded on his remarks by emphasizing that Islam upholds the sanctity of all human life, including that of non-Muslims. This fundamental belief, he explained, stands in direct contradiction to the brutality displayed by Hamas. By desecrating this core tenet of Islam, Hamas has, in his words, “deviated from the path of Islam, turning its back on the principles that define the faith.”
This denunciation carries weight, as Al-Sheikh is not merely voicing personal condemnation—his role as Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia makes him one of the highest religious authorities in the Muslim world. His public rejection of Hamas’s actions signals a growing divide between mainstream Islamic scholarship and extremist factions that attempt to justify their violence through religious rhetoric.
As the jfeed.com report highlighted, this is not the first time the Grand Mufti has taken a firm stance against terrorism. In 2017, Al-Sheikh issued a fatwa (religious ruling) explicitly forbidding fighting against Jews, making clear that such acts are not permissible under Islamic law. In that same ruling, he labeled Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, aligning his position with the broader Saudi policy that views these groups as threats to stability.
Furthermore, the report on jfeed.com indicated that in 2013, Al-Sheikh issued another fatwa categorically denouncing suicide bombers, stating that they are “criminals who rush themselves to hell by their actions.” His strong rebuke of suicide attacks marked a clear Islamic rejection of the tactics used by extremist groups like Hamas, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS.
The Grand Mufti’s condemnation of Hamas is an important moment in the broader battle against extremism. Saudi Arabia has increasingly distanced itself from radical groups, moving toward a policy of counterterrorism and religious reform under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership. Al-Sheikh’s latest comments align with these efforts, reinforcing the notion that Islam cannot be used as a justification for terrorism.
The Jfeed.com report emphasized the significance of this statement in the wider geopolitical context. While Hamas has long attempted to frame itself as a legitimate resistance movement, the explicit rejection by one of the most authoritative Sunni Muslim scholars in the world weakens their religious and ideological claims. His words serve as a direct rebuttal to those who seek to use Islam as a tool for violence and destruction.
The importance of religious leaders speaking out against extremism cannot be overstated. According to jfeed.com, Al-Sheikh’s strong denunciation of Hamas serves as a wake-up call to the Muslim world, urging communities to reject radicalization and instead embrace the true principles of Islam—peace, respect, and coexistence.
By discrediting Hamas and its ideology, Al-Sheikh contributes to efforts aimed at dismantling the narrative that terrorism can be justified through faith. His statements also place pressure on other religious scholars to take a clear stance, reinforcing the message that groups like Hamas do not represent Islam.
The condemnation of Hamas by Saudi Arabia’s top cleric reflects a broader regional shift in how Hamas is perceived. While some factions in the Middle East have historically supported Hamas, the increasing willingness of Arab leaders to denounce the group as illegitimate and dangerous is a sign of changing dynamics.
With Saudi Arabia inching toward normalization with Israel, statements such as those from Al-Sheikh demonstrate a calculated distancing from extremist movements. This shift not only weakens Hamas’s diplomatic position but also isolates them further within the Arab world.
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I invite the Grand Mufti, Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh to become Jewish - because as the son of Abraham (like Jews too) it says in our holy writings that Muslims will converted to Judaism and bow down to God in the rebuild third Temple - the world needs more of Grand Mufti, Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh - I bless him with long life, with health with peace and may his conversion to judaism be expedited