Following the report Saudi media accused Iranian media of fabricating the fatwa, noting that the fatwa was not on the official’s website.

The Grand Mufti had previously issued controversial fatwas, such as a decree permitting the marriage of minors under the age of 15.

Saudi Arabia follows the ultra conservative Wahhabi school of Sunni Islam.

Last year, Al-Sheikh came out against ISIS and al-Qaida, saying they were “enemy number one of Islam” and not in any way part of the faith.