State Mufti of Brunei

The State Mufti holds the highest authority in Brunei's religious governance. Unlike in many other countries, this position possesses the exclusive power to issue fatwas, or Islamic legal rulings, which carry enforceable authority within the nation.

Role

The State Mufti is the most senior religious authority in the country. His main role is to give opinions on legal matters and on social affairs base on Islamic Koran, Hadeeth, Qiyas and Ijma' of Ulema.

History

The first State Mufti of Brunei was Ismail [Omar Abdul Aziz] from 1962 to 1965. He had been Mufti of Johore in Malaysia. In 1967, Ismail again became Brunei's State Mufti until his death. In 1994, Brunei-born Vice State Mufti Abdul Aziz Juned became the country's State Mufti.