Visa Is a Pledge of Security

It has been authentically reported that many non-Muslims, who had been at war with Muslims in the early days of Islam, used to enter the Madinah after being given the pledge of security for entrance (which is equal to the visa in modern times), and no one ever attacked them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, "It is not permissible for a Muslim to terrorize another Muslim" (Al-Bukhari). In their commentary on this hadith, Muslim scholars state that the Prophet did not intend terrorizing Muslims in particular, but the word Muslim was mentioned in the hadith because the context of the situation was that a Muslim terrorized another Muslim and not a non-Muslim.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is also reported to have said, "The believer is the one to whom people feel secured regarding their blood and property." (Al-Bukhari) Allah Almighty says, [Whosoever killetha human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if be had killed all mankind, and whoso saveththe life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind] (Al-Ma'idah 5:32). Muslim scholars state that the ruling in the above verse is applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

In addition to the prohibition of such attacks, I also consider them to be a form of maltreating the guests which Islam prohibits. Khalid ibn `Amr relates that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest as he deserves" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Thus, it is our duty as Muslims to honor our guests and to avoid any form of humiliation to them. Such attacks and bombings are surely a humiliation to guests which Islam prohibits.

Moreover, I would like to stress that those who attack non-Muslim civilians in Muslim countries such as those who masterminded the recent attacks in the Egyptian city of Dahab, are either paid agents or else people who are ignorant of the religion of Islam. I am more inclined to consider them as paid agents because if we ponder over the similar attacks and bombings that took place in Egypt in the last two years we will notice that they correspond to certain national events. This gives us the clue that fingers of accusation are pointing at the hidden hands of the enemies of Egypt as well as other Muslim countries who are mainly targeting the security and stability of those countries.

As for the other point concerning the guidelines to be followed by tourists upon entering Muslim countries, I can say that as Muslims are ordered by Islam to secure all means of safety and security for their foreign guests and tourists, it is also required that guests and tourists respect the religious values, local cultures, customs, and traditions of Muslim countries they legally enter. It is worthy stressing here that as Muslims, we are ordered to respect customs and traditions that do run counter to the basic teachings of Islam as Allah Almighty says, [Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin kindness, and turn away from the ignorant] (Al-A`raf 7:199).

Here, I would like also to add that the violations of religious values, customs, and traditions from the tourists' side can't be taken as justifications to permit killing, attacks, or a violation of the rights of tourists and visiting guests. Above all, it is not permissible to attack them or their properties in any form.

It is the responsibility of the government that grants tourists entrance visas to take all the necessary legal measures that secure the upright behavior of such tourists on its soil. In case the government has taken measures and enacted laws and then laws were violated by visiting guests or tourists, then only a Muslim ruler is permitted to prevent them from staying in the Muslim country. Only a Muslim ruler is permitted - in case of any violation on the part of the tourist - to order their deportation. But killing them or attacking them in any way is categorically prohibited.