Muslim-American scholars issue fatwa condemning terrorism
Regional-USA, Politics, 7/29/2005

A group of top Muslim-American scholars issued a fatwa, or religious ruling, July 28 condemning all acts of terrorism and religious extremism as being fundamentally un-Islamic.

Reading the text of the fatwa at a press conference, Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America Muzammil Siddiqi said, "Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram -- or forbidden -- and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not 'martyrs.'"

The Fiqh Council is a body of 18 Muslim scholars who have been trained in Islamic jurisprudence and are deemed qualified to interpret Islamic law as it is revealed in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

The scholars based their ruling on several Quranic passages, including the verse, "Whoever kills a person [unjustly]... it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind." (Quran 5:32)

The fatwa also cited the words of the Prophet Muhammad, who said, "All creation is the family of God, and the person most beloved by God [is the one] who is kind and caring toward His family."

The fatwa made three basic declarations: first, that all acts of terrorism targeting civilians are forbidden in Islam; second, that it is forbidden for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in acts of terrorism or violence; and third, that it is the civic and religious duty of all Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities in efforts to protect the lives of civilians.

As many as 130 Muslim organizations in the United States already have endorsed the fatwa, and representatives from several of the groups participated in the press conference to show their support.

"We're here to underscore that this is the mainstream, moderate voice of Muslim Americans and Muslims worldwide, as opposed to the extremist forgery of Islam by radicals," said Salam al-Marayati, executive director of the California-based Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). "The radicals do not have any Islamic legitimacy. They have no Islamic foundation. It is artificial, what they say, and it is outside the norms of Islam."

MPAC recently launched a public awareness campaign within the Muslim-American community aimed at reaffirming Islam's rejection of terrorism and training members of the community to be aware of those who would attempt to use the open environment of the mosque to pursue criminal ends.

Al-Marayati said that MPAC's anti-terrorism campaign and its support of the fatwa are not a matter of political expediency, but rather an expression of religious duty, particularly toward the younger generation.

"We hope that this would influence other parts of the world, but more importantly, I think we're doing this for our children and our future. Our children need to be very clear on these matters. There should be no confusion, no ambiguity," he said.

Representing the younger generation, Rubina Khan, treasurer of the Muslim Students Association of the U.S. and Canada (MSA), added her organization's endorsement of the fatwa.

"MSA national denounces in the strongest possible terms any terrorist attack. Attacks and bombings of this nature are not only attacks against the innocent people of the world, but attacks against God's divine revelation, which condemns indiscriminate violence and the targeting of innocents," she said.

Khan said the MSA regards terrorist attacks as "repulsive and cowardly acts, irrespective of the motivation or perpetrator."

The Muslim scholars closed the fatwa with a prayer for the triumph of peace and harmony over extremism and violence.

They said, "We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism. We pray for the safety and security of our country, the United States, and its people. We pray for the safety and security of all inhabitants of our planet. We pray that interfaith harmony and cooperation prevail both in the Untied States and all around the globe."

Here is the text of the Fatwa:
U.S. MUSLIM RELIGIOUS COUNCIL ISSUES FATWA AGAINST TERRORISM

The Fiqh Council of North America wishes to reaffirm Islam's absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism.

Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram or forbidden - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not “martyrs.”

The Qur'an, Islam's revealed text, states: "Whoever kills a person [unjustly] it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind." (Qur'an, 5:32)

Prophet Muhammad said there is no excuse for committing unjust acts: "Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong you will do wrong to them. Instead, accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong (even) if they do evil." (Al-Tirmidhi)

God mandates moderation in faith and in all aspects of life when He states in the Quran: "We made you to be a community of the middle way, so that (with the example of your lives) you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind.Ó (Qur'an, 2:143)

In another verse, God explains our duties as human beings when he says: ÒLet there arise from among you a band of people who invite to righteousness, and enjoin good and forbid evil.Ó (Qur'an, 3:104)

Islam teaches us to act in a caring manner to all of God's creation. The Prophet Muhammad, who is described in the Qur'an as Òa mercy to the worldsÓ said: ÒAll creation is the family of God, and the person most beloved by God (is the one) who is kind and caring toward His family."

In the light of the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah we clearly and strongly state:

1. All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam.
2. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
3. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.

We issue this fatwa following the guidance of our scripture, the Qur'an, and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. We urge all people to resolve all conflicts in just and peaceful manners.

We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism. We pray for the safety and security of our country, the United States, and its people. We pray for the safety and security of all inhabitants of our planet. We pray that interfaith harmony and cooperation prevail both in the United States and all around the globe.

FIQH COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA

Members

1. Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi
2. Dr. Abdul Hakim Jackson
3. Dr. Ahmad Shleibak
4. Dr. Akbar Muhammad
5. Dr. Deina Abdulkadir
6. Shaikh Hassan Qazwini
7. Dr. Ihsan Bagby
8. Dr. Jamal Badawi
9. Dr. Muhammad Adam Sheikh
10. Shaikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti
11. Shaikh Muhammad Nur Abdallah
12. Dr. Salah Soltan
13. Dr. Taha Jabir Alalwani
14. Shaikh Yahya Hindi
15. Shaikhah Zainab Alwani
16. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah
17. Dr. Mukhtar Maghraoui
18. Dr. Nazih Hammad

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