Fatwa issued against Sara Ali Khan over Kedarnath temple visit

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan’s visits to Kedarnath have often grabbed attention. Now, her latest trip to the shrine has sparked controversy after Uttar Pradesh based Islamic cleric Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi issued a fatwa over her offering prayers there.

Sara visited the temple on October 25 and was seen waiting in a queue for darshan. After offering prayers, she was photographed outside the shrine with her hands folded.

What did the cleric say?

In a video statement, the cleric objected to Sara participating in worship associated with another religion, describing it as “impermissible and haram under Sharia”. He also urged the actress to seek forgiveness from Allah.

He said his remarks came after youngsters asked him about Sara’s prayers at Kedarnath. Sara and her team had not responded to his statement at the time of the reports.

“I have received information, and many young Muslims have also asked me regarding actress Sara Ali Khan visiting the Kedarnath Temple and offering prayers. Is this permissible in light of Sharia, and does Sharia allow for such actions? Regarding this, I would like to clarify the perspective of Islamic Sharia and what its ruling is on this matter. For any Muslim, whether a man or a woman, to participate in the faith of another religion, offering prayers and performing religious rituals, is considered impermissible (najayaz) under Sharia. Such actions are not permitted,” he said.

#WATCH | Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh: All India Muslim Jamaat National President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi says, "I have received information, and many young Muslims have also asked me regarding actress Sara Ali Khan visiting the Kedarnath Temple and offering prayers. Is this… pic.twitter.com/USbZpmsr4W

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2026

Temple committee confirms affidavit

Meanwhile, the visit also brought attention to the affidavit requirement for non-Hindu devotees seeking to offer prayers at Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee CEO Sohan Singh Rangar told News18 that Sara’s team had submitted the required affidavit before her visit.

Sara has returned to Kedarnath regularly over the years. The destination also holds a connection to her film career, as she made her Bollywood debut opposite the late Sushant Singh Rajput in the 2018 film Kedarnath.

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