Bangsamoro Darul Ifta'

The Regional Darul Ifta (RDI) of Bangsamoro was created during the existence of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Then-ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman institutionalized Islamic jurisconsult in the region when he issued Executive Order No. 9, series of 2014, in September 2013, creating a transitional office of the jurisconsult that would oversee religious activities in the ARMM as well as the propagation of Islam.^[1] The office was temporary, with the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly considering the establishment of a permanent jurisconsult body.^[2]

The Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 323, signed by Governor Hataman in 2015, superseded Executive Order 9 and formally established the Regional Darul Ifta’ of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as the Islamic religious authority responsible for issuing fatāwā (opinions on religious law) and addressing matters concerning Muslims in the region.^[1] The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for this law took effect in March 2017.^[2]

The Islamic body continued to operate when the ARMM was succeeded by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In its present structure, the RDI is largely headed by scholars identified with the Salafī (Madẖalī) movement, reflecting a more reactionary approach to Islamic governance within the BARMM.^[3] Nevertheless, several traditionally trained Sunnī scholars, particularly those educated at Al-Azhar University and adhering to the Ashʿarī school of theology and Shafi‘i maḏhab (school of jurisprudence), continue to serve within the council, ensuring the representation of Azhari Sunni perspectives alongside contemporary reformist views. Its counterpart in western Mindanao is the Grand Mufti of Darul Ifta Region 9 and Palawan.^[4]

The Darul Ifta of Bangsamoro's primary role is the promulgation and issuance of fatwa or legal opinions concerning Muslim personal laws as well as jurisprudence with the Article VIII, Section 20 of Republic Act 9054 as the basis for this function. Republic Act 9054 tackles the expansion of the Organic Act of the ARMM. The jurisconsult body also has an advisory role, serving as a consultant to the Bangsamoro regional government in affairs related to Islamic laws, jurisprudence and ecclesiastical matters as well as the religious guide for the region's politicians, government employees and professionals.^[1][5]

The Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 323 mandates the establishment of provincial offices in the then-extant ARMM which should be headed by a provincial mufti selected among the resident Ulama of the relevant province.^[1]

• Abuhuraira Udasan (until 2023)
• Abdulrauf A. Guialani (2023 – present)