Grand Mufti Chairs Session at International Islamic Fiqh Academy Conference

During his address at the 26th session of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy Conference in Doha, Dr. Nazir Ayyad, the Grand Mufti of Egypt and President of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide emphasized that Islamic law has long prioritized the psychological, social, and humanitarian dimensions in matters of legal competence and accountability. 

He highlighted the growing complexity of mental health issues today and underscored the urgent need for collective ijtihad (juristic reasoning) that integrates Islamic jurisprudence with medical and psychological sciences.

Dr. Ayyad explained that Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta adopts a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach by engaging with specialists across various fields, including medical professionals, to ensure that fatwas are grounded in both sound scholarship and contemporary realities. This methodology ensures that legal rulings remain relevant, precise, and aligned with the higher objectives of Shari'ah.

The Grand Mufti concluded by affirming that acknowledging psychological factors in Islamic legislation is not a departure from scriptural texts, but rather a sincere application of the Shari'ah principles: mercy, justice, and the alleviation of hardship. 

He urged ongoing collaboration between juristic institutions and experts in medicine and related fields to produce contemporary, human-centered legal frameworks that uphold human dignity, serve the public interest, and contribute to social stability.