fatwa

noun

fat·​wa ˈfət-wə 

ˈfät-wä

: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leader

Examples of fatwa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But when The Satanic Verses was published in 1988, the novel was declared by some as blasphemous, and then-Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa for Rushdie to be assassinated, leading the author to go into hiding until 1998. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

Before the attack, Matar discussed the fatwa against Rushdie and Hezbollah's support for it with individuals in Iran, Australia and Canada, according to prosecutors. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Matar repeatedly broached the fatwa with contacts in messaging apps in 2021 and 2022, according to exhibits shown in court. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

Rushdie has spent almost 40 years under threat of death from Islamic extremists after the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him, claiming Rushdie’s novel The Satanic Verses blasphemed Islam and mocked the Prophet Muhammad. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Arabic fatwā

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above