: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leader
Examples of fatwa in a Sentence
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Today, the rise of ISIS and insecurity in the region—as well as greater clerical authority and the issuing of authoritative fatwas—have made the new militias more cohesive and strategically minded.
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Payam Mohseni, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2017
In recent weeks, at least one high-profile Iranian official has issued a fatwa, or ruling grounded in Islamic law, against the Republican and also against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Iran's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, issued a fatwa, or religious edict, against Trump on June 29.
—Mandy Taheri
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Khomeini issued a fatwa, or religious edict, ordering the execution of political prisoners, including large numbers of Kurdish dissidents.
—Shukriya Bradost, The Conversation, 28 June 2025
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Payam Mohseni, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2017
In recent weeks, at least one high-profile Iranian official has issued a fatwa, or ruling grounded in Islamic law, against the Republican and also against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Iran's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, issued a fatwa, or religious edict, against Trump on June 29.
—Mandy Taheri
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Khomeini issued a fatwa, or religious edict, ordering the execution of political prisoners, including large numbers of Kurdish dissidents.
—Shukriya Bradost, The Conversation, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatwa
Cite this Entry
“Fatwa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatwa. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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