The office of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Ishaq Al-Fayyad has announced his passing at the age of 96, marking the loss of one of the most prominent religious authorities of the holy city of Najaf.

Born in Afghanistan in 1930, Sheikh Al-Fayyad devoted his life to the pursuit of Islamic scholarship and religious service. He later settled in Najaf, where he rose to become one of the leading figures of the Hawza and among the most respected religious authorities in the Islamic world.

In a statement, his office affirmed that he dedicated his blessed life to serving Islam, teaching Islamic sciences, nurturing generations of scholars and students, and promoting the teachings of the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them). It also highlighted his tireless efforts to clarify and preserve the principles and rulings of Islamic jurisprudence.

The statement described his passing as a profound loss for the religious seminaries (hawzas), the scholarly community, and believers around the world, given his distinguished scholarly stature and the enduring intellectual legacy he leaves behind.

Grand Ayatollah Al-Fayyad was widely regarded as one of the foremost religious authorities in Najaf and a pillar of its renowned seminary. Throughout decades of teaching, scholarship, and guidance, he left an indelible mark on Islamic thought and religious education, earning the respect of millions of followers across the Muslim world.