Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

Jazakallahu Khayran, for your answer to my question,

Re: subject 852, penalty for murder or accident. I would like to go one step farther with it if you don't mind.  The situation I am concerned with is this.  What would be the ruling against a muslim if in an act of terror against his kafir enemies, he also killed inocent  muslims?  I am refering to the attack on the WTC, where several hundred muslims are said to have lost their lives as well as non-Muslim citizens of some 80 other countries. In this context, my question is not concerned with wheather or not the attack it's self was justified, or a criminal act. I am also confused and disapointed by the lack of reaction by my brother Muslims around the world in condemning not just the acts of terrorism, but the terrorists them selves, and oppression against Muslims by their own leaders. It is my understanding that it is our duty as Muslims to set our brothers straight when we see them sin. Just as it our duty to fight in jihad against leaders who oppress the people. According to the Qur'an and Sunnah, what should the appropriate reaction of Muslim's be

in these conditions?

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Muslim reactions to WTC

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol,  no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

In our humble opinion, whatever happened on the ill-fated day of September-11, and the loss of innocent lives is wrong, and absolutely unacceptable in Islam,  in light of the Quran and Sunnah.   Every muslim scholar, who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day, has condemned these attacks in the strongest way available to them; no matter who was responsible for these attacks.

 

Anyone who understands Islam and follows the clear guidance of the Holy Quran, will agree that what happened in New York on September 11 was wrong.   Islam does not allow the killing of civilians, even when in a proper state of war.   The Prophet of Allah (saws) prohibited the killing of women, the elderly, the children, and the civilians who did not take part in the war.  Islam only allows the believers to fight those who fight against them in an actual state of war.  Under no circumstances does Islam allow the believers to kill anyone who is not directly involved in the war, like civilians, women, the elderly, children, etc.   

 

Your Question: According to the Qur'an and Sunnah, what should the appropriate reaction of Muslim's be in these conditions?

Allah Alone knows Best who exactly was responsible for these heinous attacks, which resulted in the loss of civilians lives in the World Trade Centre.   Regardless of who was responsible, whether they are muslims or non-muslims; Islam and its teachings absolutely abhor the killing of innocent civilian who are not active in the actual state of war.

 

It may be that the World Powers and the USA are right in their deduction that the Talebaan and Osama bin Ladin were responsible for these attacks… and it may even be that they were not involved!   Either way, the muslim Ummah and Islam has been held collectively responsible for these attacks by the enemies of Islam, however much they may try to disguise and justify that it is not Islam whom they blame.

 

The appropriate reaction of the muslims in these trying conditions must be that they stay united and fear their One Lord Alone at all times; and do only what Allah and His Messenger (saws) have commanded them to do.  There are some muslims, who think that by blowing up a few buildings, and killing some dis-beleiving civilians, they will help the cause of Islam!  They are dis-illusioned and are trying to take a short-cut which will never work.

 

The need of the hour is that the muslims turn to the teachings and guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws); and strive to align their lives in accordance with it.    And the absolute need of the hour is to spread the Message of Islam in the best and most polite manner to all the peoples of the world!   

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Chapter 16, Surah An-Nahl Ayat 125:Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and excellent admonition and argue with people in the best manner. Your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Way and who is Rightly guided.

 

To some dis-illusioned muslims this seems like a long, tiring, and tedious project ….but that is exactly what Allah and His Messenger (saws) have guided the believers to do.  Every believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, must strive to do his duty and help spread the Message of Islam with wisdom and in the best manner.   

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

 

Your Brother in Islam,

 

 

Burhan