Sara Ali Khan Faces Fatwa After Kedarnath Temple Visit
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi issues a fatwa against Sara Ali Khan, calling her prayers at Kedarnath Temple impermissible under Sharia.
A fresh religious storm has erupted following Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan's recent pilgrimage to the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand. Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, a prominent cleric from Bareilly and the National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, has issued a fatwa declaring the actress's actions as "impermissible" under Islamic law.
Cleric Terms Temple Rituals 'Haram'
Speaking to ANI, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi stated that the fatwa was issued after several young Muslims approached him seeking clarity on whether the actress's actions were acceptable according to Sharia. The cleric was firm in his stance, asserting that participating in the faith or rituals of another religion is strictly forbidden for any Muslim, regardless of gender.
"For any Muslim, whether a man or a woman, to participate in the faith of another religion, offering prayers and performing religious rituals, is considered impermissible (najayaz) under Sharia," the cleric stated.
The Maulana further clarified that if Sara Ali Khan visited the Kedarnath Temple, offered prayers, and sought blessings of her own free will, she has committed a sin, labeling the act as "haram." He has urged the actress to seek forgiveness (tauba) from Allah for violating these religious principles.
A Deep Connection to the Himalayas
Sara Ali Khan, the daughter of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, has maintained a visible and spiritual bond with Kedarnath since the start of her career. She made her acting debut in 2018 with the film Kedarnath, co-starring the late Sushant Singh Rajput. Since then, she has frequently shared images of her visits to the Himalayan shrine, describing the experience as a source of spiritual solace.
During her most recent trip, reports indicated that the actress did not merely visit the site but actively participated in puja and aarti rituals at both the main Kedarnath Temple and the nearby Bhukunt Bhairav Temple.
A History of Controversy
This is not the first time the actress has found herself at the center of a socio-religious debate. Back in 2018, right-wing organizations protested her debut film due to its storyline. Simultaneously, she has frequently been targeted by conservative Islamic figures on social media who criticize her practice of following multiple faiths.
Professional Update
While the controversy unfolds, Sara Ali Khan continues to make waves in the film industry. She was recently featured in the spy-comedy Udta Teer, directed by debutant Akash A Kaushik. Starring alongside Ayushmann Khurrana, the film features a massive ensemble cast including Rahul Bose, Ram Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, and Raghubir Yadav. According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the movie had a strong start, earning over Rs 4 crore on its opening day.