Taliban Leader: “Clerics’ Words Are Law, and People Will Be Forced to Obey”

Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Taliban, made controversial remarks during a meeting with teachers accompanying Hajj pilgrims in Kandahar. He stated that the words of Taliban clerics are no longer mere “fatwas” (religious opinions), but binding “commands” that must be followed. If people resist, he added, they will be forced into compliance.

These statements were released today, Sunday, April 13, in an audio file published by Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy Taliban spokesperson. In the recording, Akhundzada emphasized the increased authority of clerics within the Taliban structure, saying: “Previously, you were muftis; now you are judges and rulers. Your words are obligatory.”

Referring to the evolving role of religious leaders, he said: “Being a cleric was easy… if someone accepted your words or not, it was just a fatwa. But now your words are law. If someone doesn’t accept, we will force them. And if that doesn’t work, we are prepared for that too.”

Akhundzada described the Taliban regime as a “blessing for Afghanistan and the world” and urged the teachers to defend the “Islamic system” during the Hajj pilgrimage and promote a positive perception of it.

In response to international criticism of recent public executions, Akhundzada defended the implementation of Islamic legal punishments, such as qisas (retributive justice), calling them part of “Sharia law.” He claimed that global opposition stems from “infidels preventing Muslims from practicing their religion.”

On Friday, April 11, the Taliban executed four individuals accused of murder in the provinces of Badghis, Farah, and Nimroz. According to the Taliban Supreme Court, the executions were carried out after three stages of judicial proceedings and were approved by Akhundzada himself, as the victims’ families refused to grant clemency.

The United Nations, Amnesty International, and various human rights organizations have condemned the executions, calling them violations of human dignity and urging the Taliban to halt all public corporal punishments and executions.

Since returning to power three and a half years ago, the Taliban have publicly executed at least 10 individuals.

Additionally, the Taliban have installed loyal clerics across all government institutions.