Crypto Is Just The Latest: 5 Weirdest Things Pakistani Clerics Have Issued Fatwas Against
Crypto Is Just The Latest: 5 Weirdest Things Pakistani Clerics Have Issued Fatwas Against Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 12:54 IST As a
Crypto Is Just The Latest: 5 Weirdest Things Pakistani Clerics Have Issued Fatwas Against Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 12:54 IST As a major new fatwa labels crypto haram in Pakistan, a look at the surprisingly random everyday things that clerics have ruled against. Here is a look back at the surprisingly random, everyday things that Pakistani clerics have issued fatwas against over the years. Pakistan’s ambitious push to position itself as a regional cryptocurrency hub hit an unexpected roadblock as one of the country’s most influential Islamic seminaries Karachi-based Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi issued a formal fatwa declaring that cryptocurrencies, in their current form, are haram (impermissible) under Islamic law. Read more: What Is A Fatwa? Why Aamir Khan’s Interfaith Marriage Has Triggered Religious Controversy The ruling argues that digital currencies fail to qualify as recognized wealth (maal) under Sharia. As the decree bears the heavy endorsement of Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani- one of the world’s most respected scholars of Islamic finance- it has sent shockwaves through the local tech sector.
Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) was quickly forced to seek clarification as it scrambles to draft a workable licensing framework for digital assets. Here is a look back at the surprisingly random, everyday things that Pakistani clerics have issued fatwas against over the years. Valentine’s Day: Perhaps the most predictable annual showdown concerns February 14th. For years, conservative clerics have denounced Valentine’s Day as an un-Islamic, Western conspiracy that promotes relationships outside of marriage. These religious decrees have routinely influenced government advisories, occasionally leading to temporary official bans on public celebrations. Read more: Is Bitcoin ‘Haram’? Pakistan’s Most Influential Cleric Bans Crypto For Muslims, Triggers Selloff Selfies: As smartphones became ubiquitous, the clergy took aim at front-facing cameras. Some scholars issued decrees against excessive photography and selfies, arguing that the practice fuels vanity pride, and unnecessary self-promotion. TikTok: When TikTok exploded in popularity across Pakistan’s youth, clerics quickly labeled the platform a breeding ground for “immodesty." Similar concerns regarding morality, privacy and the wasting of precious time have periodically targeted almost every major social media app.
Ringtone: In a classic case of tech outpacing tradition, the rise of mobile phones led to a wave of fatwas against using Quranic verses or the Azaan (call to prayer) as ringtones. The logic? Sacred recitations should not be abruptly cut off by a spam caller nor should they ring while a phone is in a bathroom. PUBG and Pixels: Video games have not escaped the crosshairs either. Popular multiplayer games like PUBG have faced severe backlash from clerics who argued that the digital battlegrounds promote real-world violence, cause severe addiction and distract the youth from their religious duties. What Is A Fatwa? A fatwa is a non-binding legal opinion issued by a qualified Islamic scholar. It is not state law, nor does it automatically bind all Muslims. However, in Pakistan, where faith is deeply woven into the social fabric, a decree from an institution as prestigious as Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi carries massive social and financial weight. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will Pakistan regulate crypto despite religious rulings?
The BriefWire