Fatwa on Terrorism by Islamic Scholar

-- Historical Launching of Fatwa Against Terrorism --

LONDON. In the wake of the massacre of innocent citizens, and explosions, and suicide bombing on the streets and markets of Pakistan and Afghanistan at mosques and other public places by the terrorists and radicals, the timing of a religious verdict Fatwa couldn't be more pertinent.

A staggering 600-page Fatwa (religious edict) by one of the leading Muslim authorities Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri which declares suicide bombing and terrorism as totally un-Islamic will be launch on Tuesday 2 March 2010 in Westminster. The Fatwa is a comprehensive analysis of the issue of terrorism has been published, and provides robust religious evidence, based on Quaranic verses and Prophetic traditions, to clarify the Islamic viewpoint on the atrocities committed by terrorists.

While the Muslims as a collective entity condemn, resist and fight terrorism, and are not ready to accept its remotest possible link with Islam; there are some extremists who are also seen supporting it. Instead of opposing and condemning it openly and downrightly, they confuse it.

This religious ruling is particularly important for the UK where the majority of Muslims are of South Asia origin - we have seen examples of extremist groups targeting vulnerable young people from these communities to carry out their acts of violence, from training them as suicide bombers in London or elsewhere to brainwash students across British universities.

The spokesman of Minhaj-ul-Quran International UK, Shahid Mursaleen said that this religious edict will provide the theological reassurance and give confidence to vulnerable young British Muslims, enabling them to take a stand against those perpetrating extremist views. Britain has large Muslim communities of South Asian heritage, and their confusion about religious teaching, coupled with close family members suffering as a result of fighting in Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been exploited by extremists seeking to recruit suicide bombers in the UK.

In Britain, there is a widely held misunderstanding that a fatwa is a violent call to arms, but their real purpose is to provide a religious decree giving the legal Islamic viewpoint and religious guidance on a contentious issue. The decree is based on rigorous analysis of religious texts, and can only issue by those who have the right to do so, based on a complex chain of authority, determined by experience and knowledge of Islamic literature.

It explains through religious reference - that killing Muslims and non-Muslims through terrorist activities, and using violent aggression to impose their mistaken and misplaced ideology, is a fundamental rejection of faith and is out of the fold of Islam and what it stands for. When the forbidden element of suicide is added, the severity and gravity is even greater, and is forbidden in Islamic law.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, whose official scholar title is Shayk-ul-Islam, is a professor and contemporary thinker and the figurehead of the international organisation, Minhaj-ul-Quran. He said in his Fatwa book:

A negligible minority amongst .[Muslims] seems to give terrorism tacit approval. Instead of openlyopposing and condemning terrorism, these people confuse the entire subject by resorting to misleadingand perplexing discussions. [p.24]

The killing of Muslims and the perpetration of terrorism are not only unlawful and forbidden in Islam but also represent the rejection of faith. [p.28]

By undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the signs, beliefs and ideologies of the Khawarij thrmugh the Quralic verses, Prophetic traditions and jurisprudential opinions of jurists, we have established that the terrorists are the Khawarij of contemporary times. [p.30]

It can in no way be permissible to keep foreign delegates under unlawful custody and murder them and other peaceful non-Muslim citizens in retaliation for the interference, unjust activities and aggressive advances of their countries. The one who does has no relation to Islam. [p.37]

Terrorism, carnage and mass destruction can never be justified in the name of any intention of enforcing Islamic commands and its judicial system. Nor can these reprehensible activities be any exception to the rule, or be overlooked, or forgiven. [p.49]
http://www.minhaj.org/english/tid/995...