Trump-Netanyahu Fatwa: Has Iran Ever Punished ‘Enemies Of God’ Or Moharebeh? How?

Last Updated:June 30, 2025, 17:42 IST

Fatwa Against Trump, Netanyahu: Iran’s Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi asked global Muslims to make enemies of God or Moharebeh “regret their words"

Iranian fatwa declared US President Donald Trump (left) and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu enemies of God or moharebeh. (Reuters File)

Trump-Netanyahu Fatwa: Days after the Israel-Iran conflict ended with US intervention, Iran’s Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi has issued a fatwa against US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling them “enemies of God" and urging Muslims worldwide to take action.

“Any person or regime that threatens or attacks the leadership and authority in order to harm the Islamic Ummah and its sovereignty is considered a warlord or criminal of moharebeh," Makarem declared in his fatwa. He stated that support or cooperation with such figures is forbidden for Muslims. He stressed the need for global Muslims to make Trump and Netanyahu “regret their words and mistakes" and said they would be rewarded as “mujahid fi sabilillah" — warriors in the path of God — if they suffered hardships, the Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) reported.

Who is moharebeh or enemy of God mentioned in Trump-Netanyahu fatwa?

Moharebeh — enemy of God — is a term derived from Islamic law (Sharia) and is used in Iran’s legal system.Article 279 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code defines moharebeh as: “Drawing a weapon on the life, property, or chastity of people or to cause terror, in a way that creates insecurity in the environment."The charge of moharebeh is often applied to individuals who engage in armed conflict against the state, including those involved in armed opposition groups, separatist movements, or acts of terrorism.

What is the punishment for moharebeh?

According to the Iranian law, a person proven to be a moharebeh can face severe legal consequences.

Those convicted can face the death penalty.

Have ‘enemies of God’ ever been punished?

1980s: After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the regime executed thousands of people — especially leftists, communists, and opponents of Ayatollah Khomeini — branding many as moharebeh. The 1988 mass executions of political prisoners (estimated to be 4,000–5,000) were justified using religious charges, including moharebeh.2009: After protests against alleged election fraud, some demonstrators were arrested and charged with moharebeh. A few were executed, including Mohsen Rouholamini, a young protester who died in custody, sparking outrage.2022–2023: During the Mahsa Amini protests, Iran sentenced several young protesters to death under moharebeh or “corruption on Earth" (another religious charge). Executions included those of Mohsen Shekari in December 2022 (for blocking a street and injuring a Basij paramilitary) and Majidreza Rahnavard (hanged for allegedly killing security forces. Dozens more faced similar charges and unfair trials, according to Amnesty and UN experts.

How does the Iranian legal system work?

The Iranian legal system operates under the Islamic Penal Code, which is the codified national criminal law of Iran.

The current Islamic Penal Code was enacted in 2012 and came into effect in 2013, replacing the previous 1991 code. It is based on interpretations of Islamic Sharia law, particularly the Shia Jaafari school of jurisprudence.

The foundation of the code is Islamic Sharia law, which includes concepts like Hudud (fixed punishments for crimes against God), Qisas (retribution), Diyyeh (blood money), and Tazir (discretionary punishments).

With Agency Inputs

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News explainers Trump-Netanyahu Fatwa: Has Iran Ever Punished ‘Enemies Of God’ Or Moharebeh? How?