Analysis of Islamic Fatwas from the Point of View of the Legislation of the Russian Federation and the Canons of the Orthodox Church: Theory and Practice

Abstract

This article presents a legal and canonical analysis of controversial Islamic fatwas (rulings), examining their compatibility with the legislation of the Russian Federation and Orthodox Christian doctrine. The study focuses on two high-profile theological initiatives issued as fatwas: one concerning the permissibility of polygamy, and another regarding the possibility of performing the Muslim prayer ritual (namaz) within Orthodox churches. The authors conclude that these fatwas not only contravene secular law, specifically the Family and Criminal Codes of the Russian Federation, but also infringe upon the internal precepts of the Russian Orthodox Church, and thus could be perceived as offensive to the religious sentiments of Orthodox Christians. Based on an analysis of Holy Scripture, the writings of the Holy Fathers, and the canons of the Ecumenical Church (notably the 80th canon of St. Basil the Great), the article asserts the absolute inadmissibility of polygamy in Christianity. When considering the fatwa on prayer in an Orthodox church, the authors refer to the Apostolic Canons (10, 45, 65) and the canons of the Council of Laodicea (Canon 6) to emphasize the prohibition on joint prayer with those of other faiths, viewing such acts as potentially provocative and aimed at destabilizing interreligious relations. The article concludes that the analyzed fatwas, by undermining traditional values and inciting interreligious tension, pose a threat to the constitutional order and national security of Russia and could be interpreted as exhibiting signs of religious extremism.