10/06/2026
Statement of the Islamic Centres and Hazara Community Organisations of Australia on the Passing of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Ishaq Fayyad
We, the undersigned Islamic Centres and Hazara Community Organisations, are deeply sad for the passing of Shi’a Islamic scholar and distinguished jurist Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Ishaq Fayyad in Najaf, in Iraq on 4 June 2026. His death constitutes a great loss for his Shi’a followers, the Hazara community in Australia and the entire Islamic world.
We extend our condolences for the passing of Grand Ayatollah Fayyad to His Eminence Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance), the Islamic world, the religious seminaries, his followers and respected family, and our broader Hazara community in Australia.
Grand Ayatollah Fayyad was born in 1930 in a poor farming family in Jaghori District of Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Despite experiencing poverty, discrimination, and hardshipduring his childhood, he travelled from his village to Iraq where he worked hard and rose from the depth of deprivation and marginalisation to achieve the title of Grand Ayatollah (i.e., the highest rank in Shi’a religious studies), virtue, and authority.
At the time of his passing on 4 June 2026, he was a leading and highly respected religious authority of the Shi'a Islamic world and a spiritual guide for millions of believers around the world, including in Australia.
For more than half a century, his teaching in the city of Najaf, Iraq, served as one of the most influential scholarly circles amongst the Shi’a Muslims. He made significant contributions to the fields of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), legal theory (usulal-fiqh) and religious biographical studies (rijal).
Below are some of his most prominent religious and socio-political contributions:
• Grand Ayatollah Fayyad advocated for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence with other communities. He explicitly warned his followers against religious extremism, fanaticism, and the promotion of hatred.
• In response to questions concerning the role of women in society, which were later compiled in his book, The Status of Women in Islamic Political System, he considered it permissible for women to occupy public offices including as head of government and judiciary.
"I do not see any difference between men and women in society. A woman may work while maintaining her hijab, dignity, and honour. There is no obstacle to her undertaking any task she is capable of performing; in my view, she may even become president. Experience today has shown that women often demonstrate greater dedication than men. For example, female students frequently show greater commitment than their male counterparts at universities. I do not distinguish between men and women in matters of judicial authority or religious leadership. If a woman acquires the necessary knowledge and becomes a marjaʿ (source of emulation), what objection could there be?"
• He called for Muslim unity and advised his followers toabide by laws and regulations of any country that they live in. He asked his followers to represent their faith and religious culture through understanding and positive behaviour.
• He opposed personal deception and political manipulation. He reportedly stated that “ethics, commitment, and piety are essential conditions for religious political engagement, although such principles are unfortunately observed too rarely today."
Grand Ayatollah Fayyad was committed to scholarly understanding of Islamic religion throughout his life. He also devoted his life to worship and community service.
We respect the life and example of this distinguished scholar as a model of faith, religious tolerance and service to humanity. While striving to follow his example, we consider his passing a profound loss not only for the Hazara community in Australia but for the entire Islamic world.
We also take this opportunity to sincerely thank our fellow Muslims, particularly the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), who expressed their sympathy and solidarity through various means since the passing of the Grand Ayatollah Fayyad. We are especially grateful to the people and government of our brotherly nation, Iraq, who demonstrated utmost respect and appreciation for Grand Ayatollah both during his study and teaching in Najaf and his funeral ceremony.
We believe that such honour and respect for Grand Ayatollah Fayyad in Iraq will further strengthen the bonds of solidarity, friendship, and mutual respect between the peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly among the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt.
We kindly ask our community members in Australia to seek inspiration from the wise guidance of Grand Ayatollah Fayyad. His life and scholarship would help us to strengtheninternal unity and continue to live peacefully with other communities in Australia.
