Muslim clerics divided on fatwa against Shahrukh

Just on the heels of the Mumbai Aman Committee, a religious organisation, complaining to the police on the comments made by Shahrukh Khan on Prophet Mohammed, Darul-uloom-Mazhar-e- Islam, an Islamic seminary, spent no time in issuing fatwa to the actor. But the Muslim clerics are divided on issuing the decree.

Mufti Mohammed Shoeb Raza Qadri and Mufti Muti-ur-Rehman of the Darul-uloom-Mazhar-e- Islam, who issued fatwa on Shahrukh said that a person who makes remarks like the one made by the actor is a non-believer and is to be thrown out of Islam. They added that such a person should apologise to get back to the faith.

However, many Muslim religious leaders are of the opinion that it is not necessary to issue fatwa to Shahrukh, as he has denied saying anything against Prophet Mohammed. Markazi Darul Ifta dismissed the decree issued to the actor, saying that it is unnecessary. Markazi Darul Ifta's spokesperson said that
there is no need issue fatwa if a person has denied making statements against the Prophet.

Ashraf Usmani, spokesperson of Darul-Uloom Deoband said that they have no plan to issue fatwa on Shahrukh. Another cleric Maulana Yaseen Misbahi said that the decree should not be issued based on media reports and speculations.

Shahrukh, who is currently busy shooting for Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan in Los Angeles, said that he has been misquoted. He said that there is no figure in history more important than Prophet Mohammed and that standing up for the tenets of Islam is his most important agenda in life.

Last week, the police has filed an FIR against the actor following complaint from Mumbai Aman Committee, who said that he has hurt the sentiments of the Muslims by his comments on Prophet Mohammed.