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Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi chaired the council's session
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By
Kamal al-Zini, IOL Staff
STOCKHOLM,
July 9 (IslamOnline.net) – The European Council for Fatwa and
Research (ECFR) ruled that Jihad (striving in the cause of Allah) in
Islam is limited by some criteria that have nothing to do with
terrorism, asserting the legitimacy of resisting occupation of
motherlands and warding off ethnic cleansing.
Wrapping
up its 11th session held in the Swedish capital Stockholm
from 1-6 July, which was chaired by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the council
said that Jihad in Islam falls under several types. Among these types
are struggling against one's cravings, teaching people the message of
Islam and clearing all stereotypes,
using money, science, technology and even using the Glorious
Qur'an, namely, spotlighting its noble verses which make clear the
true meaning of Jihad.
As
for the Jihad in the battlefield, it is fairly legitimate in
self-defense and averting aggression
on home countries, the council said, asserting also that all Muslim
scholars and jurists are on board that Jiahd is legitimate in warding
off any kinds of slavery, ethnic cleansing, military occupation and
religious persecution.
The
council also said that one should not resort to Jihad unless they
exhausted all other peaceful means, noting that civilians and their
possessions should come to no harm or sabotage in accordance with the
teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the righteous Caliphs.
"Jihad
in Islam has nothing to do with the reckless practices of a handful of
people, which led to more suffering and bloodshed," the council
said, pointing out that "Jihad can by no means be bracketed with
terrorism as circulated by some media."
It
further gave the contemporary definition of terrorism as "the
illegitimate and organized use of violence and threats with the aim of
killing innocent people, assassinating figures, taking hostages,
destroying properties and even polluting the environment whether by an
individual, organization or a country."
"But
occupation is the worst form of terrorism," it added. "And
that is why resisting occupation is not terrorism as stipulated by
international law and conventions."
The
council exhorted Muslim immigrants, particularly in the West, "to
live up to their duties of citizenship, including respecting laws,
maintaining peace and public security and play a pivotal role in
developing and reforming their societies."
It
also urged Muslim youths to avoid rabble-rousing and abstain from
"inciting the bloodshed of innocent people or the sabotage of
their properties."
Euthanasia
Meanwhile,
the council also said that 'active' and 'passive' euthanasia – or
mercy killing – and suicide are all forbidden in Islam.
"It
is prohibited for a patient to kill him/herself or for others to kill
him/her even if the patient himself allowed them to do so. The first case is nothing
but suicide, while the second one is taking one's life," the
council said.
'Active'
euthanasia refers to giving a patient a fatal injection, as 'passive'
euthanasia has to do with a negative attitude taken with the aim of
hastening the death for a patient; this can be by withholding or
withdrawing water, food, drugs, medical or surgical procedures, etc.
The
council further ruled it is prohibited to kill a patient to prevent
the spread of infections, even if it was an incurable disease such as
AIDS and SARS, given that those patients, for instance, can be
quarantined.
"After
all, those patients are human beings and should be provided with food
and medicine until he breathes his last," it said.
But
the council, however, said it is permissible to take off life-support
machines if the patient is clinically dead.
"These
machines help patients breathe and activate their blood cycle, but if
they are already clinically dead and have lost all their senses due to
brain damage, it makes no sense to keep these machines running,
because they cost the hospital a lot of money and might be direly
needed by other patients," the council said.
The
council also reiterated that human cloning is forbidden and
impermissible.
