Violent Acts: Types and Consequences *

1. If those violent acts are directed towards non-Muslim citizens inside a majority Muslim country, then such acts constitute a violation to the Security Pledge those citizens are granted. In case there is a violation to the security pledge by any non-Muslim citizen, then heis solely responsible for his personal violation, and no one except the Muslim ruler is allowed to question him for such violation. The issue can't be left for personal intervention as this will surely lead to chaos, sedition, and bloodshed. It is worthy mentioning here that leaving the punishment for violation to persons is prohibited not only in Islam but also in all other religions.

2. If those violent acts are directed towards non-Muslim foreigners, then they are also considered to be an aggression against people who are given the security pledge. This is also forbidden in Islam even if those foreigners are citizens of countries that are at war with Muslims. All pretexts cited by those who justify attacking foreigners in Muslim territories are rejected from an Islamic perspective.

3. If those violent acts are directed towards Muslims, then they are also forbidden. Aggression in this case is targeting innocent civilians which is also forbidden.

4. If violent acts are directed towards liquor stores and other places where vices are openly committed inside Muslim countries, then such attacks are also forbidden. This is because it has been undoubtedly stated that the harms resulted from such violent attacks far exceed their benefits.

5. If violent acts are directed towards destructing public utilities, then they are considered an aggression against public property that is owned by the Muslim state, this is also forbidden. Such destructive acts add to the weakening of the Muslim Ummah, and hence the enemies of Islam seize the opportunity to humiliate Muslims. This becomes evident even if those who carry out such prohibited attacks do not envision the destruction of their violent acts.

* Part of Dr. As-Sawi's paper presented to an Islamic conference organized by the Arabic-language satellite channel Iqra, which was held in the Egyptian town of Sharm El-Sheikh in August 2005 after the bloody attacks that hit the city the previous July.

Secretary general of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists in America (AMJA).