The View From 1776

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Pajama Hadin reports that US Muslim scholars have publicly condemned terrorism.  If true, it’s a step in the right direction.  But is it true?

In the fatwa reproduced below is the following sentence:

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

Historically, for more than a thousand years, “forbid evil” has meant for Muslims to slaughter and enslave all non-Muslims.

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Steve Emerson at The Counterterrorism Blog argues that the Fatwa is Bogus and in fact is “designed merely to deceive the American public into believing that these groups are moderate.”

The key element here is how the Fiqh Council understands the word “terrorism”. You can see an extensive definition written by them at Islam’s Viewpoint on Terrorism.

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Leading US Muslim scholars issue fatwa against terrorism

WASHINGTON: The leading US council of Muslim scholars on Thursday issued a fatwa against terrorism, in the latest bid to distance the American Islamic community from extremism following the London attacks.

“All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam,” said the fatwa edict made by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), a group of scholars which interprets Islamic law. The order was endorsed by most US Muslim groups.

“It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence,” it said. “It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.” Their move follows signs of frustrations from US Muslim leaders that repeated condemnations of terrorism in the wake of the London attacks.

The fatwa was issued by the Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) Council of North America, an association of Sunni and Shia Muslim jurists led by Muzammil Siddiqi, who read the text.

Some 130 North American Muslim organizations and leaders have signed and endorsed the fatwa; the only one of its kind in North America.

The Muslim scholars have called for the fatwa to be read during Friday prayers at mosques across the United States.

The Council on American-Islamic relations has launched public service announcements on radio and television saying that Islam forbids terrorism.

The announcements are in English, Arabic and Urdu, and say those who use violence in the name of Islam are betraying their faith.

FIQH COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA ISSUES FATWA AGAINST TERRORISM
By Fiqh Council of North America
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 Qur’an: ‘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.’ (Qur’an, 2:143)

In another verse, God explains our duties as human beings when he says: ‘Let there arise from among you a band of people who invite to righteousness, and enjoin good and forbid evil.’ (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 ‘a mercy to the worlds’ 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.”

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

(A resource for other Muslim Voices Against Terrorism)

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