That bit of history is generally where the misuse of the term entered the western world.
The issued fatwa was an interpretation of law that concluded his assassination was legal and even expected punishment under the law. But the phrase then came to be used in the west when Islamic religious law prompted anyone to take an illegal/extremist action in the west.
It would be like a southern baptist pastor calling for a lynching or the electric chair on moral grounds.
Some reference material: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabbing_of_Salman_Rushdie
That bit of history is generally where the misuse of the term entered the western world.
The issued fatwa was an interpretation of law that concluded his assassination was legal and even expected punishment under the law. But the phrase then came to be used in the west when Islamic religious law prompted anyone to take an illegal/extremist action in the west.
It would be like a southern baptist pastor calling for a lynching or the electric chair on moral grounds.
It seems likely that the person who told OP meant it in the misused way, which makes the intent to intimidate clear.
Could you explain why you think that is misuse of the word?