“And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world – We will give him thereof, and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And we will reward the grateful.” Aal-Imran: 145

It was with hearts full of faith in the Almighty’s destiny and His inevitable decree and surrendered to the Almighty with chests full of confidence in the extent of the Most Merciful’s mercy that the Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy received with great sadness at dawn on Monday 12 Dhul Quida 1445, corresponding to 20 May 2024, the news of the tragic death of His Excellency Ayatollah Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Eminence Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-Hashem, Representative of the Supreme Leader, His Excellency Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and other senior officials, who departed to Allah’s Ultimate Mercy, which accommodates all, following a terrible helicopter accident on their return from the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On this somber occasion, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, along with its members, experts, and affiliates, stands in solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s government and people. We share in their profound grief and extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy on this monumental loss. We beseech the Almighty to amplify their reward and that of the Ummah and to compensate them and the Ummah for their fortitude in the face of this loss of their esteemed scholars.

May the Almighty, in His infinite mercy, envelop them in His benevolence, forgive their mistakes, and welcome them into His Paradise, among the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, the virtuous, and companions. We implore the Almighty to bestow patience and solace on the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian people, the entire Ummah, and the families of the departed for their profound loss.

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,* Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” * Those are the ones upon whom blessings from their Lord and mercy are given. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.” Al-Baqarah: 155 – 157.

Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano

Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy