Fatwa on Terrorism: factsheet

Islam is a religion founded upon the principle of peace, love and harmony and the overwhelming majority of Muslims oppose and condemn
terrorism. Moreover, the global atrocities committed by terrorists and suicide bombers are rightly rejected by the Muslim community as going
against the teachings of our religion. In March 2010, a significant fatwa was launched which certifies this view by official religious ruling. The fatwa
announces categorically that terrorist attacks are not only outlawed by Islam - they also render those behind these violent crimes completely out of
the fold of the faith. When the forbidden element of suicide is added, the severity is even greater.
The edict is seen by a number of religious authorities as a crucial step in tackling terrorism and countering the damaging and unfair impact it has
had in bringing Muslim communities into disrepute. This factsheet includes key facts about the fatwa, what it says and what that means for Muslim
communities.

What is a fatwa? How is the fatwa relevant to me?

A fatwa is an Islamic religious ruling. In Britain, there is a widely held
misunderstanding that a fatwa is a violent call to arms but its real
purpose is to provide a religious decree, giving a certified Islamic
viewpoint on controversial issues and offering guidance for believers.
Why is this significant?
The publication of this 600 page fatwa is the first time such a detailed
and comprehensive analysis of the issue of terrorism has been
published. It is based on thorough research and references from the
Qur’an, Hadith and Prophetic traditions. The fatwa comes with the
prestige of being delivered by Dr Muhammed Tahir-ul-Qadri, one of the
world’s most senior and highly regarded Islamic scholars.
The vast majority of Muslim communities believe that terrorism and
suicide bombings go against the grain of Islam: the fatwa provides
official backing for this, demolishing the theological arguments often
used by terrorists.
Terrorist groups use their networks to prey on vulnerable young
Muslims - in Britain and other countries worldwide. They take
advantage of confusion about religious teachings and capitalise on the
fighting in Afghanistan and Pakistan, using it for their own despicable
ends. They hijack the strong feelings it has created amongst Britain’s
large Muslim population in order to recruit suicide bombers in the UK,
using the guise that their murderous acts are carried out in the name of
Islam and are in some way justifiable.
The hefty collection of evidence within the fatwa exposes the serious
flaws in these arguments used by violent extremists. By taking such a
clear stance it better equips young people, families and communities to
take an even stronger stand against terrorism and the impact it has had
on global perceptions of Islam.
Key Facts: what does the fatwa say?
This section outlines some of the key extracts from the fatwa.
1. Terrorism can never be justified by so-called ‘good intention’
Terrorism, carnage and mass destruction can never be justified in the
name of any intention of upholding Islam - an evil act remains evil in all
its forms and content. Even if we might feel there is an injustice, this
principle remains the same and there can never be any exception to
this rule, nor can it be overlooked or forgiven.
“And among people there is also someone whose conversation seems
to you pleasing in the life of the world and who calls Allāh to witness
that which is in his heart, but in truth he is most quarrelsome. And when
he turns away (from you), he runs about in the land to do (everything
possible) to rouse mischief and destroy crops and life. And Allāh does
not like mischief and violence. And when it is said to him (on account
of this tyranny and violence): ‘Fear Allāh,’ his arrogance stimulates him
for more sins. Hell is, therefore, sufficient for him. And that is indeed an
evil abode.” (Al-Qur’an, al-Baqara, 2: 204-206)
2. Suicide is completely forbidden by Islamic law
Terrorism, in its very essence, is an act that symbolises rejection of
what Islam stands for. Moreover, when the forbidden element of suicide
is added, its severity and gravity becomes even greater.
“The one who commits suicide will go to Hell, will keep falling into it and
will abide there forever.” (Al-Bukhārī in al-Sahīh: 5/2179 # 5442)
3. Terrorism amounts to the rejection of the Islamic faith
The fatwa proves, through interpretations of dozens of Qur’anic verses
and Prophetic traditions, that the killing of Muslims and acts of terrorism
are not only unlawful and forbidden in Islam but also represent the
rejection of faith. It has been established that all the learned authorities
have held the same opinion about terrorism in the 1400 year history of
Islam.
“Whoever killed a person (unjustly), except as a punishment for murder
or for (spreading) disorder in the land, it would be as if he killed all the
people (of society)” (Al-Qur’an, al-Ma’ida, 5:32)
4. Islam protects all people, including non-Muslims
Islam does not allow and advocate the use of violence against or killing
of peaceful and non-combatant citizens under any circumstances.
Those indulging in attacks on peaceful Muslim and non-Muslim
citizens, kidnapping them for ransom, torturing them mentally or
physically, or keeping them under unlawful custody, are in fact
committing serious violations of Islamic teachings.
“Anyone who kills a non-Muslim citizen will not experience the
fragrance of the Garden, even though its fragrance can be experienced
at a distance of forty years.” (Al-Bukhārī in al-Sahīh:, 3/1155 #2995.)
“Any Muslim who kills a non-Muslim citizen without legal right, Allāh will
forbid Paradise for him.” (Al-Nasā’ī in al-Sunan: 8/24 #4747.)
Find out more
Visit www.FatwaonTerrorism.com to find out how to get a copy of
the full version, show your support and join the campaign.