Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, the leading religious institution for Sunni Islam, has issued a fatwa prohibiting the viewing of ‘Muawiya,’ a Saudi-made historical drama on the founder of the Umayyad dynasty, citing religious concerns over the portrayal of Prophet Muhammad’s companions.

The film is set to air during Ramadan 2025.

The General Authority of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar declared that depicting figures like Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, a controversial historical figure and the fifth Caliph in Sunni Islam, is “religiously unacceptable.”

Abdel Fattah Abdel Ghani Al-Awari, a senior scholar, also argued that dramatizing disputes over Islamic leadership risks misinterpretation and contradicts religious teachings.

Al-Azhar’s fatwa follows heated debate over the show’s portrayal of key historical figures, including members of the Prophet’s family and prominent companions. Al-Azhar has consistently opposed such depictions in film and television.

Although revered by Sunni Muslims, Muawiya is not viewed favorably by Shia Muslims due to his animosity toward Prophet Muhammad’s family. Before converting to Islam, Muawiya had fought against the Prophet.

Later, he waged war against Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Imam in Shia Islam and the fourth caliph in Sunni Islam, who was also the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law.

This battle marked the beginning of deep political and sectarian divisions in early Islamic history.

Muawiya infamously broke the peace treaty with Hassan ibn Ali, the Prophet’s grandson and second Imam in Shia Islam, ultimately declaring himself king and establishing a hereditary monarchy in Islam.

He appointed his son Yazid as his successor, a controversial figure known for his indulgent lifestyle.

Yazid later ordered the massacre of Hussain ibn Ali, the Prophet’s grandson and third Imam in Shia Islam, in the Battle of Karbala after he refused to pay Yazid his allegiance. This event remains one of the most tragic moments in Islamic history, particularly for Shia Muslims.

Despite the controversy, the Saudi-owned MBC Group released a trailer promoting Muawiya as an epic political drama about the rise of an empire. The high-budget series, estimated at $100 million, was filmed in Tunisia and features a star-studded Arab cast. 

Iran’s Audiovisual Media Regulation Authority has also officially banned the broadcast of Muawiya, for presenting a new narrative on the life of Muawiya and attempting to whitewash the reputation of the Umayyad dynasty.

The ban also extends to Iraq, where the series has been blocked due to concerns over its potential to cause social unrest and undermine national cohesion.

Originally slated for Ramadan 2023, the series was postponed due to its sensitive subject matter. It delves into the ‘Great Fitna’ and Islam’s first civil war, a topic that has historically sparked division.

While Muawiya is one of the most expensive Arab productions, its release has ignited debate over the boundaries of historical representation in Islamic media.