Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi - Answer

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

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First, it should be stressed that Islam not only prohibits attacking non-Muslims who do not launch attacks against Muslims, but it also urges Muslims to treat those non-Muslims with due respect and kindness, especially non-Muslims who live along with Muslims within the Islamic territories. This ruling is agreed upon among Muslim jurists.

In his response to the question, the prominent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states the following:

"It goes without saying that the tragedy that occurred in Bali, in which a bomb blast claimed the lives of more than hundred tourists, is actually a heinous crime. It is even an act of spreading mischief in the land or Hirabah in juristic term; a crime in Islam for which a severe punishment is specified, without discrimination as to race, color, nationality or religion of the culprit. For this crime, the punishment is clarified in the verse that reads: “The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom.” (Al-Ma’idah: 33)

In fact, there are two things that made this tragic incident a terrible shock to me: first, it targeted innocent civilians and, secondly, it occurred in a country that has the largest Muslim population. Such countries should offer the best example of peaceful co-existence, maintaining security with due regard to the preservation of lives, honor and property. Islam is based on maintaining the sanctity of five things that are regarded as prime objectives of Shari`ah: religion, life, property, lineage and intellect. It places a deterring punishment for any person who dares to violate the sanctity of such faculties.

All Muslims are thus required to stand hand in hand to wage war on oppression and transgression low and high, regardless of who happens to be the target of such oppression; regardless of nationality of victims, be they innocent Australian tourists or wronged Palestinian citizens or any other person in the world. Islam makes it clear that peace and justice should be the etiquette governing relations between people. Needless to say that facing oppression and combating transgression serve as the key to maintaining peace."

Making it clear that assessing people’s conduct should not be at the expense of their religion, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi adds:

“Even if it is proved that the Bali attacks were masterminded by Muslims, still logically Islam is not to blame for these attacks. A clear separating line is to be drawn here between the teachings of Islam, which prohibit such attacks, and the acts of some Muslims who possess a narrow-minded view of Islam.

I would like here to recall that along the history of Islam some of its adherents (i.e. Muslims) used to act in a way that violate the Islamic teachings and put them at stake. Indeed, those people hurt Islam and Muslims with the wrong behavior they do; as the threat they pose to Islam is much more than that of the enemies of Islam who fight it tooth and nail, both in darkness and broad daylight. That is why they say that ‘a wise enemy is better than a fool friend.’ Also, the Arab poet reiterated this saying:

For every disease there is a cure, But foolishness has no cure.

It is also known that the rights stated for those non-Muslims living under the protection of the Islamic State are not just a mere ink on paper. Rather they are considered ‘inalienable rights’ laid down by the Islamic Shari`ah, and these rights should be given due regard. Every committed Muslim, who worships Allah faithfully, acts in accordance with Allah’s Ordinances, should never violate those rights. The whole Muslim society should respect these rights.

Islam does not permit aggression against innocent people, whether the aggression is against life, property, or honor, and this ruling applies to everyone, regardless of his post, status and prestige. In Islam, as the state’s subject is addressed with Islamic teachings, so is the ruler or Caliph; he is not allowed to violate people's rights, lives, honor, property, etc.

In the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, declared the principle that people's lives, property, and honor are inviolable until the Day of Judgment. This ruling is not restricted to Muslims; rather, it includes non-Muslims as well, as long as they don’t wage aggression against Muslims. Even in case of war, Islam does not permit killing those who are not involved in fighting, such as women, children, the aged, and the monks who confine themselves to worship only.

This shouldn’t raise any wonder, for Islam is a religion that prohibits aggression even against animals. Ibn `Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, quote the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as saying: “A woman is qualified to enter (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

If such is an Islamic ruling concerning aggressive acts against animals, in fortiori, the punishment is bond to be severe when human being happens to be the victim of aggression, torture and unjust killing.

This has driven objective historians in the West to state that along the history, Muslim conquests were very just and merciful. In Islam, the notion “End justifies the means” has no place at all. For us Muslims, it is not allowed to attain good aims through evil means. By the same token, alms collected from unlawful avenues are not Halal (lawful). In this context, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, “Surely, Allah is Good and never accepts but what is good.”

This may explain why the righteous predecessors stipulate a condition that for any act to be religiously accepted, it should be done solely for Allah’s Sake, and it should be according to the Prophetic Sunnah. Thus, it can never be deemed permissible for a Muslim to use religiously prohibited means to attain a certain goal he himself deems noble while in fact it may be void of nobility.

Again, in realizing his self- assumed noble goals a Muslim is not permitted to use prohibited means that is based on humiliating people, terrorizing them and shedding their blood unlawfully.

What adds fuel to the flames is the claim of responsibility assumed by people who mastermind such attacks, saying that they do it in the name of Islam. With this, whatever crimes they do is automatically blamed on Islam, which is wrong and unacceptable.

Islam considers attacks against non-Muslims, who do not launch war against Muslims, as a form of injustice that is both prohibited and abhorred by the Qur’an, the Prophetic Sunnah and the noble teachings of the Prophet’s Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.

Not only that, but the pure understanding of Muslim jurist, the true spirit of the Muslim civilization, and the main moderate stream of this Muslim Ummah all categorically deny such heinous crimes against humanity, which is no more than a total barbarism that is void of morality and human feeling as well. Such barbaric actions require Muslim scholars who possess a clear and well versed view of Islam to exert double and concerted efforts to help the baffled masses understand the truth.

True are the words of Allah and He Almighty guides to the Straight Path."

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write back!

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Source: http://www.islamonline.net/fatwaapplication/english/display.asp?hFatwaID=83718