Lebanon's Council of Muslim Scholars: Origins, Objectives, and Methodology
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4 min read • Smart built-in readerI. Definition and Establishment
The Association was founded during a highly sensitive Lebanese and regional phase, marked by political and sectarian divisions, the fallout from the Syrian uprising, and the mounting challenges linked to the situation of the Sunni community in Lebanon. The Association was announced in the capital, Beirut, in late May 2012, attended and endorsed by hundreds of scholars and preachers from various Lebanese governorates and regions. The founding statement was issued on 1 June 2012. In its official definition, the Association affirms that it serves as a unifying framework for scholars of the Sunni Muslim community in Lebanon across all their spectrums and schools of thought, seeking to unify ranks, eliminate causes of discord, and bring viewpoints closer together.
II. Motivations Behind the Founding
The establishment of the Association came in response to an urgent need for a framework that brings together Sunni scholars, unifies their positions, and empowers them to play a more effective role in religious, social, and national affairs:
- Empowering Religious Institutions: Activating the role of Sunni Muslim institutions, foremost among them Dar al-Fatwa (the Office of Religious Endowments) and the Supreme Islamic Sharia Council, while safeguarding their independence and shielding them from political exploitation.
- Standing with the Oppressed: Defending rights and freedoms, rejecting politically motivated detention and torture, and demanding swift and effective justice.
- Just Causes and Humanitarian Engagement: A principled commitment to the Palestinian cause and the protection of holy sites, alongside relief efforts for Syrian displaced persons affected by the regional crisis.
III. Core Strategic Objectives
Unifying the Scholarly Voice
Bringing Lebanon's scholars and preachers under a unified banner and establishing a comprehensive institutional framework for their work.
Active Civic Engagement
Mobilizing scholarly involvement in matters of public concern and adopting responsible positions on the issues that affect society.
Clarifying Rulings and Emerging Issues
Articulating Sharia rulings on public affairs and contemporary challenges in a manner that bridges authentic tradition with modernity.
Refining Religious Discourse
Cultivating a measured religious discourse, championing rigorous scholarship, and promoting a culture rooted in wisdom and moderation.
Preserving Identity and Rights
Safeguarding the identity of the Sunni community in Lebanon, championing their causes, and defending their legitimate rights.
Advancing Institutional Capacity
Strengthening the institutions serving Sunni Muslims, foremost among them the Dar al-Ifta, and elevating the role and standing of scholars within them.
Rejecting Sectarian Exploitation
Opposing the political and sectarian manipulation of Muslims, and advocating relations grounded in equity, justice, and citizenship.
Standing with the Oppressed and Championing Justice
Confronting tyranny, politically motivated detentions, torture, persecution, and the obstruction of fair trials, while steadfastly defending civil liberties.
Protecting the Family and Moral Values
Upholding ethical values and strengthening the role of the Muslim family, shielding it from disintegration and moral decay.
Championing Just Causes
Advocating for just Islamic and Arab causes—chief among them the Palestinian question and the status of Jerusalem—alongside pressing humanitarian concerns.
IV. The Body's Methodology and Its Position in the Lebanese Landscape
The body presents itself as a unifying scholarly framework rather than a political party, striving to bring together scholars from a broad spectrum of jurisprudential and intellectual traditions. It places particular emphasis on the principles of consultation (Shura), respect for jurisprudential pluralism, and deference to Islamic authority as the ultimate reference—while centering the values of justice, peaceful coexistence, and civil harmony. At the same time, its work extends well beyond purely devotional matters; it engages responsibly in public discourse on national and societal issues, championing truth, preventing bloodshed, and fostering reconciliation among communities.