Well, we can’t really comment on the thought process behind issuing these fatwas (a ruling based on a point of Islamic law given and endorsed by a recognized authority), but to a common mind they hardly make any sense. Being a Muslim I know how important Fatwas are in Islam, however in the past few years their importance have decreased. Only God knows if they are valid on invalid, but for a common mind, it’s just way to hard to accept that they are valid in Islam.
1. Chess Is Haram
“The game of chess is a waste of time and an opportunity to squander money. It causes enmity and hatred between people,”
– Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah (Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia)
2. A Couple Should Not Have Sex In A Naked State Or Their Marriage Will Be Nullified
A former dean of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, issued a fatwa saying that a marriage would be considered void if the couple had sex in a naked state. According to Him, a man and a women need to be covered while having sex otherwise their marriage will be of no value. (Source)
3. Women Should Avoid Eating Cucumbers, Bananas, and Carrots As They Might Turn Them On
An Islamist preacher living in Europe said women cannot eat phallic-shaped fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, bananas, and carrots because having them might turn them on and it might make them do things off limits. (Source)
4. Women And Men Can Only Work Together If The Women Breastfeed Them So That They Become Their Sons…
A fatwa was released by cleric Ezzat Attiya which allowed unrelated men and women to work alone together on one condition – the woman breastfeeds the man, thus making him her son. (Source)
5. Building Snowman is Haram (Forbidden)
Cleric Mohammad Saleh Al Minjed released a fatwa saying that making snowman is unIslamic and not acceptable in Islam (Source)
6. Women Should Not Watch Football As They Follow It Only To Stare At Men’s Thighs
A Saudi cleric issued a fatwa against women watching football, claiming that they only follow the game to stare at men’s thighs. Saying that it should be Haram or prohibited for women. According to Him women don’t care about who wins or loses, all they care about is watching men. (Source)
7. It’s Okay For A Man To Look At His Fiancee Naked Only If He Intends To Marry Her
Ossama Al Quosy, a preacher, said it was absolutely okay for a man to take a quick look stealthily at his fiancee while she showers, only if the guy intends to marry her. (Source)
8. People Should Not Read Romantic Novels Because They Take You In Fantasy Land
Sheikh Salman al-Oadah says you can’t read romantic novels because they leave you in a world of fantasy! But isn’t that why people read these books. He stated that ‘Certain Academics need to read it first to know what is in it’. (Source)
9. Mickey Mouse Is Satan’s Soldier And Should Be Removed From Muslim TV Channels
M. Al Munajid issued a fatwa calling Mickey mouse ‘One of Satans soldiers’. he also added that this cartoon must be killed and that it should be removed from Muslim TV channels. (Source)
10. Emoticons Are Imitation Of Allah’s Creatures In A Way Or Another So It’s Haram
According to Muslim Internet Forum Multaqa Ahl al Hadeeth, “Emoticons are forbidden because of its imitation to Allah’s creatures whether it is original or mixture or even deformed one and since the picture is the face and the face is what makes the real picture then emoticons which represent faces that express emotions then all that add up to make them Haram.” (Source)
11. Playing Or Watching Pokemon Is Haram As It Promotes Gambling
Saudi Arabia’s Higher Committee for Scientific Research and Islamic Law issued a fatwa making it Haram to play or watch Pokemon video games and cards because in their words, ‘such activities promote gambling and possess the minds of young people. (Source)
12. Sitting On Chair Means Exposing Themselves To An Extra-marital Affair By Satan
One Al-Habib Omar Bin Muhamad issued a fatwa saying that women should not sit on chairs because by doing so, they expose themselves to an extra-marital affair by ‘jinn’. (Source)
13. Women Should Not Drive As It Might Damage Their Ovaries
Women who drive risk damaging their ovaries and producing children with clinical problems, according to a conservative Saudi cleric. According to him women shall not be allowed to drive to avoid societal chaos. (Source)
14. It Is Prohibited To Have Food In a Buffet
Member of the Standing Committee of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan declared eating food in a buffet as haram as it doesn’t quote a clear price for the transaction. (Source)