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BBC - July 19, 2005
UK Muslims issue bombings fatwa
More than 500 British Muslim religious leaders and scholars
issue a fatwa in response to the London bombs
The religious decree expresses condolences to the families of the victims of the atrocity and wishes the injured a speedy recovery. It states Islam condemns the use of violence and the destruction of innocent lives and says suicide bombings are "vehemently prohibited".
The fatwa was issued by the British Muslim Forum (BMF) outside Parliament. More than 50 Muslim religious leaders from around the UK stood together outside the Houses of Parliament to hear the fatwa read out.
Gul Mohammad, secretary general of the BMF, quoted the Koran saying: "Whoever kills a human being ... then it is as though he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a human life it is as though he had saved all mankind."
He went on: "Islam's position is clear and unequivocal: murder of one soul is the murder of the whole of humanity; he who shows no respect for human life is an enemy of humanity. We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism in the world. We pray for the peace, security and harmony to triumph in multicultural Great Britain."
The BMF is an umbrella group launched in March 2005 with nearly 300 mosques affiliated to it.
The fatwa will be read out in mosques across the country on 22 July.
On Friday, a separate public statement was made by more than 40 Islamic leaders and scholars at a meeting at London's Islamic Cultural Centre, organized by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).
That declaration also denounces the suicide bombings.
Full text of the British Muslim Forum
The following is the full text of a fatwa issued by the British Muslim Forum, with the approval of more than 500 UK Muslim clerics, scholars and imams, on July 18, 2005:
We wish to express our sincere condolences to the families of all the victims of the London attacks. We pray for the swift recovery of all those who are recovering from injuries.
There are many questions emerging from the London bombings. One of the most important questions is what does Islam say about it?
To answer this question Muslim scholars, clerics and Imams from all over the UK have been consulted to issue this formal legal opinion (fatwa) so that Muslims and non-Muslims can be clear about Islam's stance on such acts.
On behalf of over 500 clerics, scholars and Imams the British Muslim Forum issues the following religious decree:
Islam strictly, strongly and severely condemns the use of violence and the destruction of innocent lives.
There is neither place nor justification in Islam for extremism, fanaticism or terrorism. Suicide bombings, which killed and injured innocent people in London, are haram - vehemently prohibited in Islam, and those who committed these barbaric acts in London are criminals not martyrs.
Such acts, as perpetrated in London, are crimes against all of humanity and contrary to the teachings of Islam.
The Holy Koran declares:
"Whoever kills a human being, then it is as though he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a human life, it is as though he had saved all mankind." (Koran, Surah al-Maidah (5), verse 32).
Islam teaches us to be caring towards all of Allah's (God's) creation, not just mankind. The Prophet of Islam who was described as "a mercy to the worlds" said: "All creation is the family of Allah and that person is most beloved to Allah who is kind and caring towards His family."
Islam's position is clear and unequivocal: murder of one soul is the murder of the whole of humanity; he who shows no respect for human life is an enemy of humanity.
We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism in the world.
We pray for peace, security and harmony to triumph in multicultural Great Britain.”
UK Muslim leaders' declaration on bombs
A special meeting of Muslim leaders and scholars held at the Islamic Cultural Centre, Regents Park, London, on Friday July 15, 2005, and organized by the Muslim Council of Britain, 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 more than 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.
'Principle and command'
There can never be any excuse for taking an innocent life.
The Koran 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 Koran, 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.
'Reject extremism'
Islam is the middle path and the Koran 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.
'Children alienated'
The social culture of Islam is based on the principle of inviting people towards good, courteously and wisely - with Hikmah and mawizah Hasana. (The Koran, 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 7 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.
'Spiral of violence'
We do naturally feel deeply for the sufferings, injustices and oppression the world over. Yet we also remind ourselves of the verse of the Koran, "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. And finally, Praise be to God, lord of all the worlds.
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