|
Following
is the statement issued Friday, July 15, by senior British Muslims
scholars in relation to the grisly London bombings on Thursday, July
7.
In
the name of Allah, the all-Merciful, the most Compassionate
A
special meeting of imams (leaders) and ulama (scholars) held at the
Islamic Cultural Centre, Regents Park, London on 15th July 2005
endorsed the following declaration:
Along
with all Londoners and the people of Britain, we are deeply shocked
and saddened by the bombing attacks of 7 July 2005 that caused the
loss of at least 52 innocent lives, wounded hundreds and disrupted the
peace and order of the civic and community life of the metropolis. We
regard these acts as utterly criminal, totally reprehensible, and
absolutely un-Islamic.
On
behalf of our communities and congregations, we express heartfelt
sorrow and extend condolences to the families and friends of the
victims. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. We extend our
sympathy to the entire British public, a nation to which we all belong
by the Grace of God.
There
can never be any excuse for taking an innocent life. The Qur’an
clearly declares that killing an innocent person was tantamount to
killing all mankind and likewise saving a single life was as if one
had saved the life of all mankind. (The Qur’an, Al-Maidah 5:32) This
is both a principle and a command.
We
are firmly of the view that these killings had absolutely no sanction
in Islam, nor is there any justification whatsoever in our noble
religion for such evil actions. It is our understanding that those who
carried out the bombings in London should in no sense be regarded as
martyrs.
It
is incumbent upon all of us, Muslims and non-Muslims – to help the
authorities with any information that may lead to the planners of last
week’s atrocity being brought to justice. The pursuit of justice for
the victims of last week’s attacks is an obligation under the faith
of Islam.
Islam
is the middle path and the Qur’an designates Muslims as the ummatan
wasata – the middle community. Any form of extremism is to be
utterly and completely rejected. What we need, therefore, in our
troubled world, more than ever before is to stick to the middle and
balanced way of Islam.
We
need also to remind ourselves, young as well as old, that the solution
to our problems and concerns lies in following and adhering to the
noble discipline of Islam and to the way of the Prophet, peace be upon
him, and not falling prey to a culture of conflict and discord. The
social culture of Islam is based on the principle of inviting people
towards good, courteously and wisely – with Hikmah and Maw'izah
Hasana. (The Qur’an, Al-Nahal 16:125) The Prophet Muhammad, peace be
on him, was sent as a mercy to mankind and that is the ideal and norm
that we ought to be following all the time.
The
tragedy of 7th July 2005
demands that all of us, both in public life and in civil and religious
society, confront together the problems of Islamophobia, racism,
unemployment, economic deprivation and social exclusion - factors that
may be alienating some of our children and driving them towards the
path of anger and desperation. Islam prohibits both anger and
desperation. Anger and desperation are haram (forbidden) and
may lead to some people being targeted by people with a sinister and
violent agenda. There is, therefore, a great deal of positive work to
be done together with everyone in our own and wider community in order
to channel the energy and talent of our youth particularly into
constructive avenues, serving God and society for the common good. The
youth need understanding, not bashing.
We
do naturally feel deeply for the sufferings, injustices and oppression
the world over. Yet we also remind ourselves of the verse of the
Qur’an, “O you who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in
equity and let not abhorrence of any people make you swerve from
justice. Deal justly, that is nearer to God-fearing. Fear Allah. Allah
is aware of what you do.” (Al Maidah, 5:8)
We
also call on the international community to work towards just and
lasting peace settlements in the world’s areas of conflict and help
eliminate the grievances that seem to nurture a spiral of violence. We
also urge the media to refrain from character assassinations of our
reputable scholars and denigration of the community.
We
reiterate our resolve and commitment to work towards nurturing an
identity that is true to its faith and its rights and responsibilities
of British citizenship. Finally, we pray to God Almighty to bless all
the people of the world with His Peace and Mercy. Wa
akhiru da'wana ani-lhamdulillahi rabbil-alameen.
|
