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 (fatwas) 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.Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama Negara Brunei Darussalam : SEJARAH PENUBUHAN JABATAN HAL EHWAL SYARIAH
List of state muftis
State Mufti PortraitMinisterTerm startTerm endTime in officeRef.Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz1 April 196231 March 19658 March 19673 February 1994Abdul Aziz Juned1 September 1994Incumbent
Deputy State Mufti PortraitMinisterTerm startTerm endTime in officeRef.Suhaili Mohiddin1 September 199431 August 2015Dr Hj Japar Hj Mat Dain1 September 2015Incumbent
References