Today, at least 39 people were killed and 95 were wounded in twin suicide blasts in Lahore, the second attack in the city this week. A senior official told Dawn News, “The bombers walked up to Pakistani army vehicles in the densely populated R A Bazaar area of Lahore, blowing themselves up as people sat down to eat before the Friday prayers were to begin.” My piece today in Dawn (republished below), primarily discusses Dr. Tahir ul-Qadri‘s 600-page fatwa against suicide bombing, but given recent events, it provides fodder for further debate on how to counter such attacks. Qadri’s edict, being 600 pages, has been viewed as a good but inadequate attempt to target the right audience – i.e., the young jihadists and potential suicide bombers. My point in the piece is to really find a way to implement it in a wider counter suicide bombing communications campaign so that it is effective. Because at the end of the day, we can’t just sit back and allow these attacks to keep happening:

Image from CNN: Dr. Tahir ul-Qadri
There has never been a shortage of fatwas. These legal rulings or opinions made by religious authorities address a wide array of issues concerning politics and social norms, and have both justified and widely condemned the use of violence. In 1998, Al Qaeda ideologues Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri issued a fatwa “to kill the Americans and their allies.” However, a number of imams and scholars since have issued fatwas against Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. In November 2008, for example, more than 6,000 Muslim clerics in India signed a fatwa against terrorism, following a similar edict issued earlier in the year by India’s top Islamic institution Darul Uloom Deoband.
Most recently, Dr. Tahir ul-Qadri, a Pakistani Barelvi Muslim scholar, issued a 600-page global ruling against terrorism and suicide bombing, which provides a point-by-point theological rebuttal “of every argument used by Al-Qaeda inspired recruiters.” Although many scholars have released similar fatwas in the past, Dr. Qadri, the founder of Minhaj al-Quran International, “argued that his massive document goes much further by omitting “ifs and buts” added by other thinkers,” noted the BBC.
According to the 80-page summary of the edict,
Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri goes that crucial step forward and announces categorically that suicide bombings and attacks against civilian targets are not only condemned by Islam, but render the perpetrators totally out of the fold of Islam, in other words, to be unbelievers.
The fatwa has garnered much press attention among Western news outlets, such as Fox News, CNN and the Washington Post. But while many have celebrated the release of a religious decree grounded in Islamic jurisprudence and history, others remain doubtful of its actual impact on potential young suicide bombers. While Minhaj al-Quran International is active in 70 countries and has 5,000 members in the UK, Qadri is considered to be relatively liberal and tolerant. Therefore, the people that would follow and accept his fatwa are unlikely to be the same as those susceptible to being recruited by Islamist militant groups.
Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington DC, further emphasized, “The Sunni religious authority, as distinct from the Shi’a religious authority, is fragmented. So there’s not one figure who can issue a fatwa that every Sunni will listen to.” While Ahmed noted that any fatwa of this kind is important, the problem we are facing with suicide bombers “is that they are not from the same class [as moderate scholars like Qadri]. These young recruits respond much more to their own imams and preachers.”
No one questions the airtight credibility of Qadri’s text. But the issue we should raise is not whether the fatwa will have an impact, but how to ensure that it does. Fatwas or edicts of this kind can be influential if they are implemented in a culturally nuanced way, using language that can be understood by the intended target audience. In other words, if militant recruiters are using drone strikes to vilify the United States or the Pakistani government, countering this ideology requires messaging that takes similar realities into consideration. Although Qadri’s fatwa is based in exhaustive academic research, most young jihadists won’t take the time to sift through 600 pages in their decision-making.
Qadri may not be a universally accepted figure, but his text can be used as the focal point for a strategic communications campaign geared towards countering militancy and terrorism. This fatwa will only have the intended effect if local imams and religious leaders from various sects endorse and adapt it for their nuanced communities – applying Qadri’s language and framing it within the ground realities. Madrassa leaders more open to reform can incorporate the fatwa’s text into their curriculum. Imams of local mosques can use the fatwa’s framing of terrorists as today’s Khawārij in their sermons, subsequently making it digestible for the public. Rather than simply shutting down jihadist chat rooms, intelligence agencies can create pop-up ads using language from the fatwa to vilify and undermine militant ideology. Pamphlets, billboard ads, and radio spots can be other potential mediums.
We are well-aware that Islam is a religion of peace, that it has been hijacked by militant and terrorist organizations to justify violence and intolerance against Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The question, therefore, is how do we use that knowledge to make a tangible difference? As an end, Qadri’s 600-page fatwa has its limitations, and could very likely end up on the metaphorical shelf, gathering dust. However, this airtight research could instead be used to enforce a more localized and nuanced campaign that could have a more strategic impact.
Personally, I am quite skeptical of Fatwas. However, since the media always complains about the apathy of Muslim scholars in condemning terrorists and terrorism, Mr. Qadri’s initiative should be appreciated.
I totally agree with ambassador Akbar Ahmed on:”… any fatwa of this kind is important, the problem we are facing with suicide bombers “is that they are not from the same class [as moderate scholars like Qadri]. These young recruits respond much more to their own imams and preachers.”
I had made more or less the same statement in my blog a few months back. Unless our voices reach those misguided, exploited youth who willingly lay their lives for the so called noble cause nothing will change.
The problem with our authorities and agencies is that they failed to think a step ahead of terrorists. Terrorists, frequently publish hate-mongering, provocative pamphlets and literature, they use personal FM radio stations for their propaganda. They preach and brainwash verbally too. The agencies need to counter that!
Yeah, unfortunately our current counterinsurgency campaign really, really sucks. Counterinsurgency doesn’t just mean holding areas and keeping the ppl happy – it means fighting militant propaganda as well.
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I agree with Ayesha, these Fatwas are nothing but just gimmicks. The real issue is to accept that we have a problem and fix it. You cannot run a country on split policies, encouraging a few bad guys and suppressing the rest of them. We as a nation as well as state need to come out with a clear vision to tackle this issue. On one hand, establishment is supporting people like Zaid Hamid, who clearly expresses his desire to take on the next crusade, and then they have the so-called war on terror. Pakistan needs to stop this seemingly double game and the nation as a whole has to come up with a strong and united will to wipe out these ignorant and aimless fanatics.
Asif,
I agree and I actually think we’ve been so oversaturated with fatwas that they’ve lost their intended impact. Don’t you agree? It’s almost like a Battle of the Fatwas.
However, when I wrote this piece, I actually tried to separate Qadri’s 600 page text from the term “fatwa” because if we use his reasoning and logic, which is grounded in history and Islamic jurisprudence, we have the basis for a well-reasoned and strategic campaign to fight Taliban propaganda and terrorist ideology. The problem in the past is that as much as we had open-ended condemnations denouncing violence and claiming Islam was a religion of peace, it was not enough. Because anyone can take any religion and interpret it in a way that suits their particular leanings.
For that reason alone, Qadri’s text is a valiant effort because its grounded in a lot more. However, on its own it is gimmicky, it isn’t sufficient, and it probably won’t have an impact on the proper audience. But it’s what we do with it that I think can make an impact.
Interesting piece as usual and you have highlighted an amazing topic!
My take:
“One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”
Tahir Ul Qadri, or Pakistan Government in that case, cannot solve this matter with fatwas for sure. First, because of the above mentioned quote. And second, who listens to fatwas here in this country?
Some do. Only some and that some dont go and blow themselves…
Oh yes, plus there is a third reason too… Some who do follow… follow Barelwism, Salafism…some follow the salafi jihadism, some are Deoband…some follow the twelvers…and some follow the teachings of the fivers…..and some follow their saints….and some follow Muslim Brotherhood…”and some also allow Palestinians to do suicide bombings against Israel because of their illegal occupation”…..so there are different views…all come out with their 600 page fatwas…!
In reality, Fatwas are not taken seriously by the masses… even in trivial matters such as dowry, marriage, etc. Leave dowry and marriage, those things are big in our society and our culture, scholars from different sects have different views(fatwas) even on rubbing water over the toes till the shin when one is wearing socks during ablution! Some say you gotta be wearing leather socks if you want to do it!
“You must be kidding, Moulvi Saab, I cant be wearing leather socks in Pakistan!”
Furthermore, the people are divided in sects and divided ethnically too….
Plus, who likes to follow the Quran and Sunnah in this country?
Or in that case even in Saudi Arabia?!
Do you know Prince Waleed has got a lot of female secretaries and he does not want them to do Abayat…wow! This is so hard to believe from a Saudi ruler…but its a reality.
Terrorism can only be solved once the rulers allow the ruled their God-given rights….once that is in place, I am sure unity would follow too…which will INSHALLAH solve most of our problems.
Till then, everyone will follow their own Scholars, Imams, Sufis, Peers and pray in their own “daid inch ki masjidein”
(Daid is used for 1 and a half in urdu :P)
My personal favorite was the Malaysian fatwa against yoga. No zen for you!
hahaha…. Fatwa against yoga ? 😀
this is hilarious!
Very interesting post, Kalsoom. What frustrates me is the lack of alternatives that seem to be offered to these young men (and women) that get involved in an ideology that makes them think it is okay to blow themselves up along with other people. While Qadri’s fatwa is a welcome beacon of light, it alone will not change a likely suicide bomber’s mind– even if it is disseminated through their local community. These are individuals that feel they have been wronged, whether on a personal localized level or on behalf of a far off persecuted community. Implementing an initiative to spread Qadri’s fatwa, and others like it, to vulnerable communities would be important, but only one tiny element of a much larger and multi-faceted strategy. Coordination needs to take place between religious communities, local civil society, government actors as well as international players. Without a comprehensive approach, I fear this will be another wasted opportunity. Who wants to volunteer to be the point person to make this work?
@ Asif
I agree too, nothing can be expected from these fatwas…i.e these moulvis.
Plus, do not even expect anything from this establishment and government…they do not have “the-you-know-what-I-mean” to do it….
If Z.A Bhutto or N.Sharif was in power, “MAYBE” (thats one big MAYBE), they “MIGHT” (that’s an equally big MIGHT) have done something about it in a proper fashion.
But, this government is hopeless…because the system is such!
1935 British Act modified by Ayub Khan and re-designed by ZAB and molested by Zia, Bhutto, Sharif, Bhutto, Sharif, Musharraf and Bhutto Zardari, can never rescue us. Never…
Actually read your piece in dawn:)
Brilliant
pic too has come out well:D
Thanks very much!
Salam n Hello
first of All congrs on excellent blog.
what i have read and knw about fatwa:
According to the usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence), the fatwa must meet the following conditions in order to be valid:
– The fatwa is in line with relevant legal proofs, deduced from Qur’anic verses and ahadith; provided the hadith was not later abrogated by Muhammad.
– It is issued by a person (or a board) having due knowledge and sincerity of heart;
– It is free from individual opportunism, and not depending on political servitude;
– It is adequate with the needs of the contemporary world.
I m not journalist like you and any other, I am not knowledgeable like scholars. I did not find any reality in fatwa, further, other people comment on Fatwas and non-muslim country scholar and people laugh and enjoy on these gossip. I have face so many time embarrassment when Muslim scholar just released fatwas and other comments.
Ms. Kalsoom i will be highly obliged if u could get a fatwa on Mr. Qadri’s video link which i am forwarding it to you & hope you will publish this as well as the other news
I’d like for you to post the link in your column
EXPOSED Tahir ul Qadri…Allah Pak kehte hy k Sajda Srf Mere liye
plz enter the following in the search column of youtube
Kissing feet is allowed by HADITH of Sihah Sittah… Kissing feet for respect is not sajdah DUHHH!
and if he( mr. qadri ) insists it is right then tell him to give exact reference of the hadith
Man of God don’t do these things in my opinion which may or may not carry any weight
thanking u in advance
junaid haroon
3 bomb blasts in one day
Kalsoom i am assuming you will probably blog about this but what can you or anyone else possibly add to this sad saad episode.
I hate to admit but i am literally in the process of losing my objectivity:(
Yeah, will be writing a piece on this crazy tragic day. For now, people can follow my Twitter until I get the time to write a proper piece: http://www.twitter.com/kalsoom82
Dear Kalsoom
I happen to visit your site first time after reading your piece on web (Dawn News). Well I really appreciate your stuff but generally i feel our Qazi’s Fatwas, Intellectual thoughts and discussions are not helping the masses, someone should standup or try to perceive these positive thoughts or Fatwas to the people who are committing the suicide attacks. I think people who commit suicide attacks, there is nothing left for them in this world to love, they have no aims, no life only HATE. Despite counter bombing them our politicians should try to create opportunities in our FATA areas or may be better education for their children or may be something so they can live out of it.
PEACE
Thanks for your comment Akhtar.
I think you make a fair point but I’ll just emphasize what I meant by the right target audience. Generally from a strategic communication perspective, young men who have already decided to become suicide bombers generally can’t be influenced otherwise. However, there is a large number of young men who are on the verge of making that decision – many of whom are disenfranchised, and feel that militant or terrorist ideology fills some kind of void or vacuum. Those are the young boys that a communication campaign of this kind can target – sympathizers or potential sympathizers that have not been completely inducted.
Many of these young men are surfing jihadist chat rooms, are in more radical madrassas, or are living a life in their local community. Before they go “over to their dark side” a campaign of this kind would present options and show consequences of the actions of suicide bombers. It could potentially counter the recruitment method of these organizations.
Also a communication campaign could be geared towards other target sets – if the young boys are influenced by the matriarch of the family, or their sisters, etc. – messaging grounded from the fatwa’s reasoning could also appeal to them to convince their brothers, sons, friends, husbands to not join such groups.
Just some ideas, but I think it’s important not to consider the men on the “edge” as a lost cause completely.
Absolutely lovely blog, I have subscribed to you. Nice to see seom emerging blogger in Pak Best of luck
By the way, I love Tahir-Ul-Qadri!
Interesting article. While his work may not be powerful enough to prevent people’s action it is a positive sign that there are clerics that are vocalizing their opposition to terrorism.
Great job keeping us posted with the latest events on twitter.
CONGRATS Kals!! What is special about your blog is that it is always well researched, informative and extremely well written. Today’s story on Fatwas was no exception. Because you choose diverse topics to write on, it keeps my interest in visiting your blog each day, alive. Thank you for providing an excellent platform for the young (and not so young) Pakistanis to vent their feelings and express their honest opinions. Keep up the good work!!
@ Abdul Basit Khawaja & Aktar Ali:
yeps, economic and intellectual (110% free media) is the way ahead. Massive educational and infrastructure development all over the country.
Everyhting going on is tragic, but a necessity for the Pak people to retrieve empowerment.
Until the macro things are in balance we can all individually contribute by spending our money inside the country. Every rupee spent will create jobs and money for education.
Don’t you think that the violence that we see today is because we, the educated Pakistanis have become so good at and so addicted to spreading hate. We hate the Americans. We hate the Israelis. We hate the Indians. We hate the Afghanis. We hate Musharraf. We hate Zardari. We hate everything and anything which we can think of and we do it so passionately that we even convince ourselves that we are right let alone the innocent minds which become so polluted that they see no option but to react violently against all those who they consider the peronification of what should be hated.
It is unfortunate that many in our midst are actually carrying out an agenda of fascism. For a long time now, these fascist forces have been supported by our so called intelligensia, whether in the garb of civil society or free media or independent judiciary, or the so called democratic forces because doing so suits their personal or political agendas. History tells us that societies which support fascism must pay a heavy price for doing so, and so will we.
@ Anjum
True. I agree with you, 100 %.
A communist once said on the situation of Pakistan that if Pakistan solves its economic conditions, all other problems would get solved automatically.
I believe that is very true, but the problem with the immediate previous generation was that they used to sit in the drawing rooms and think the same way we are doing on an internet forum right now. Only some, actually went out and did work, rest are still enjoying their drawing room discussions. The others “just” did work for themselves, for their self centered interests, and for their people.
Actions speak louder than words, and only actions can save Pakistan. And actions do not mean that we hold candle vigils or carry some placards outside the parliament. The action is to fix ourselves. Charity begins from home, fix yourself, fix your house, and help your neighbor. Slowly, you might change the neighborhood….and you would not know you might have brought a huge change in the society.
Coming back to some moulvi bashing, did you witness something Brother Junaid said about Mr. Qadri above. I do not want to go into the semantics of right and wrong, right now. I want to highlight that even moderate peaceful brothers like Brother Junaid do not agree with Mr. Qadri on various topics, so how can you expect his fatwa to do wonders for the ones who have decided to give up their lives…. interestingly, Arabs and Afghanis are not very fond of Barelwism. So, that is another setback.
The positions of many Aalims these days is ambiguous too. Some are caught eating halwa, some are caught dancing, then there are people like Maulana Fazlu, then some moderate people like us have problems with kissing off the feet and rubbing your socks with water, then we have a problem with people like Zaid Hamid and so on. So it is very difficult to believe Moulvis.
The point is once again to stop pointing fingers at others and start doing something!
And as for the confusions related to religion – Islam is so simple! Its not confusing! Read the english translation, its just 600 pages, it might change your life. Once you are done with that read the Tafsir. I am sure Lord guide us even more after that. And those who are doing that please ignore the above message.
We have to realize that the time to act has come…
Hazrat Umar (RA) used to worry so much for his state that he used to say that even if a dog dies in his state during his rule, he would have to answer.
We need such leaders….
And Kalsoom, you rock!
I read your article in Dawn and commended it there too.
I really wish the families of the victims find the courage and the hope in their hour of tribulation and grieving.
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for the attack and yet, Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervaiz was categorical in saying that India was behind the terror. (mentioned in 2 Pakistani newspapers). This will only misdirect the anger of the victims and their families towards India.
I really hope terrorism ends, and I equally hope that leaders and politicians around the world learn to empathize with us human beings rather than sitting on their pedestals and making senseless claims.
For World Peace,
Sujay
Assalm o alaikum and regards to all the participants!
After careful reading all above posts, may i ask some simple questions?
1. The topic here is to discuss that “suicide bombing” in the name of Islam and in this way massive killing of the innocent common people, woman & children without any discrimination: Is it legal and permitted in Islam?
2. If you brothers & sisters have carefully read and understood the contents of “Dr. Qadri’s Fatwa” before posting the comments on this document?
3. As a Pakistani living in abroad, we all are in a state of deep sorrow over the continued violence and massive killing of inncent people and this grief is increased when someone tries to justify such activities.
4. Can anybody tell who are the “Khwarej” of the present era?
5. As a muslim we all must be sincerely thinking over the great advise of the beloved PROPHET (SWS) about the Fitnah e Khawarej”
6. Can any body point out which reference from the Quran & Hadith, quoted by Dr. Qadri is wrong or invalid?
7. As a neutral muslim, if Dr. Qadri is wrong in declaring the “Suicide Bombers” out of Islam, what are the arguments or references?
8. No man on earth is perfect except the Prophets. So if any thing is wrong with Dr. Qadri’s personality, this absolutely not a justification that his Fatwa is also wrong.
Please we should not try to distort the topic and must be posting “strictly to-the point arguments” instead of discussing Dr. Qadri.
At the last we all should think sincerely and then act accordingly instead of just waisting the time. Postive ideas are always welcomed !!!
@ Engr Akram
1. I think in the war of 1965… Pakistani army men wore bombs on themselves and blasted the tanks of India. My dad told me the other day…Please confirm.
Plus, some religious scholars allow Palestinians to do the same against Israel because of their illegal occupation.
I am no Aalim, Allah knows the best.
2. Imam Bukhari refused to take record of Hadith from a very prominent scholar of that time because he saw him fooling an animal. For religious matters, scholars have to be trustworthy. Although majority in Pakistan follow him, but majority in the world does not follow him.
3. Who did ?
4. Kharijites is a general term embracing various Muslims who, while initially supporting the caliphate of the fourth and final “Rightly Guided” caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib, later rejected him. They first emerged in the late 7th century AD, concentrated in today’s southern Iraq, and are distinct from the Sunnis and Shiites.
If there is a scholar somewhere here in this post, please answer Brother Akram.
Brother Akram, you should be asking this question from a well learned Islamic scholar and not from us. Plus, I believe, different scholars would have identify Kharijites of today differently.
5. Sure, we have to follow all his Sunnah. No questions about it.
6. I believe you follow or respect Mr. Qadri a lot. I and some people above in the post do not agree with him. Maybe, we do not belong to his school-of-thought.. is that a problem? Arent people from different school of thoughts muslim? Does Imam-e-Makkah follow Mr. Qadri? I personally do not follow him because of personal reasons. Though, I believe he is a great humanitarian.
7. Please refer to the answer I gave in Question 1 and do your research.
8. There are other scholars who allow the suicide bombing for specific reasons. What about them? Are they wrong?
Plus everyone, I am not a person who favors suicide bombing, and surely not in Pakistan. Pakistan does not fall in the category of Palestinians who are being starved to death these days…. Their situation is different and I cannot say anything if what they are doing is the right approach…..Allah knows the best. In Pakistan, it should not be encouraged as killing innocent muslims is not going to make them successful here, though it has made them successful in Afghanistan, the Americans might runaway the same way they did from Vietnam. In the end, Qadri played his part in reducing the number of attacks.
Brother Akram, in the above posts we were discussing the possible reasons which need to be catered in order to stop suicide bombing. We also discussed that fatwas are usually not effective in today’s muslim world because Sunnis are divided into numerous sects, so it is not easy to follow one particular Scholar. Plus, yours was the only post (I would not count mine, because I am answering the questions raised by you) which discussed Dr. Qadri’s personality the most. 4 out of 8 questions were about Dr. Qadri, and you trying to justify him.
Before your post, we were bringing up positive ideas to curb this situation (such as education, etc.).
Please do research on the answer I gave to your first question before replying, especially about Pakistan Army…:)
Dear brother Basit Khawaja: Assalam-o-alaikum wa rahmatullah e wa barakatuhu !
1. You haven’t given the right answer of so simple question. I repeat: “Is it legal or permitted in Islam to perform the massive killing of innocent people without any discrimination, through the “suicide bombing” at public places like mosques, shopping malls, markets and residential areas etc.”
Instead you are trying to justify such cruel and harsh activities by quoting the 1965 Indo-Pak war, in which no innocent people were killed.
Am I right to understand that you are trying to support such cruel actions in which our thousands of innocent Pakistani common Muslims including woman & children, are being killed everyday?
If yes, I will simply say that you will realize the severity of the situation, only when someone from your loved ones will suffer from such such killings (May ALLAH SWT forbid !!!) I am realy in deep sorrow that ISLAM’s basic concept of “peace for eveyone” is not clearly understood, and for promoting such wrong & cruel concepts in the name of ISLAM, the “KHAWAREJ” of present era, in the shape of so-called “JEHADISTS” are responsible. We all Muslims of the world pray from ALLAH (SWT) for their return to true Islam. Aameen!!!
2. Again you haven’t given the right answer to the so simple question, I repeat: “have you read and understood the complete text of the document under discussion?”–If No, please first read it before commenting, but your answer reflects that you are discussing it without going through the references contained there, from QURAN & SUNNAH.
Dear brother, question here is to follow the clear-cut instructions of ALLAH & RASOOL (SWS) instead of someone else!
— Is Islam a religion of peace- yes or no?
— Do you believe that clear cut instructions from QURAN & SUNNAH are binding for all Muslims of the world, to follow- yes or no?, or you are following the personal opinions of scholars without any references? For you only one reference here:
“Abdullah ibn e Masood (R.A.) narrated that PROPHET (SWS) said: abusing a Muslim is FISQ and killing him is KUFR”- Mutafaq Alaih (Bukhari Kitab-ul-Eman 1:27 Hadith# 48, Muslim Kitab-ul-Eman 1:81 Hadith#64)
3. Who did?— yes some misguided people try to justify the massive killing of innocent Pakistani Muslims, as you also tried justify such cruelty, as is apparent from text of your answer at Sr#1 above.
4. As per Ahadith e Sahiha, the first man who was the founder of KAWAREJ was Dhul-Khwaisrah Tamimi who raised an objection on RASOOL (SWS), although he was a firm believer of Tauheed and Aakhirat and also his prayers and quranic recitations were apparently beutiful and better than SAHABA (R.A.), but was declared out of Islam. He and his followers will continue to exit untill their last group will come out along with Dajjal before the day of Qiyamat. He and his followers will blame the vast majority of Muslims as Mushrik but they themselves will be the real unbelievers!!! Can any scholar deny these ahadith which have been found not in a few but more than one hundred Ahadith?
These people will claim to be perfect Muslims in their own false belief, and will declare the killing of other Muslims as HALAL but they will be punished by ALLAH (SWT) to the HELL fire. They are declared as the dogs of JAHANNAM and the worst creature of ALLAH (SWT) on earth. The Muslim governments are ordered to crush these groups with force, but it is also told that they will continue till the last day even in minority.
5. If you agree that all Muslims have to follow the advise of our beloved PROPHET, then please again and again read the repeatedly quoted AHADITH about KHAWAREJ and think sincerely and deeply. Then I am sure you and vast majority of Muslim youth will realize, the severity of big damage to Islam’s image, which is being caused by wrong interpretations and wrong actions by the said group of KHAWAREJ in the present era.
6. Again instead of giving any logic against the contents of the Fatwa and all references, you are simply trying to deviate from the subject.
7. again instead of giving any argument or reference, you are simply instructing to do the research. It seems there are really no arguments!
8. Yes, now you came to the topic that some scholars may allow suicide bombing in some specific reasons or specific circumstances!
Ya I agree that the must be clear differentiation between the terrorism and freedom struggles around the globe. So our topic will be bifurcated into two parts:
a. Suicide bombing in Pakistan or any other Muslim country- certainly there are absolutely no arguments in support of such bombings, where killed people are Muslims.
b. Suicide bombing against the Invading forces like USA/ etc: In my opinion this also has two dimensions. If you read the Islamic literature and deeply think in Quran & Sunnah of the beloved holy PROPHET (SWS), you will reach the following conclusion: 1. Suicide is not the right way to fight for freedom movement 2. There must be one leader (Imam-ul-Muslimeen) who should lead such movement. 3. There must be some piece of land for the Mujahideen as a base comp from where they should coordinate all the activities. 4. Even during the war, killing of common people even non-muslims who are not participating directly in the war, killing of woman, children, old people, elimination or causing damage to trees, cultivation and other natural resources which are all a gift from ALLAH (SWT) for all the humans, is strictly prohibited.
So the real question is what is the strategy which can be adopted in order to get rid of the occupying forces and prevent the killing of Muslims as a result of their attacks? All Muslim Ummah is responsible to sincerely think over it and try to find the right way. This to be debated among the scholars of Islam around the globe. But for this purpose everyone must come out of his sectarian identification like DEOBANDI, BARELVI, SHIA, SALAFI etc. as a first step.
To achieve this goal, all the common people must create a pressure on scholars of all sects to give preference to ISLAMIC IDENTITY instead of their sectarian identity. It should be very clear that ALLAH may not forgive us all if we still insist on sectarian identities!
Then as a next step they should try to establish a separate MUSLIM COMMON WEALTH in order to make a realistic strategy. OIC can be activated for this purpose, which should be managed by Muslim Governments and guided by Islamic scholars around the globe.
But the world is a global village now a days. Muslims cannot live in absolute isolation from Non-Muslims. So every one must follow the golden rules which Islam gives us in dealing with them.
For eduction of masses over this issue everyone should participate as much as he can.
Excuse me Engr!
You need to go and take some training on comprehension.
I said categorically “In Pakistan, it should not be encouraged as killing innocent muslims is not going to make them successful here, though it has made them successful in Afghanistan, the Americans might runaway the same way they did from Vietnam. In the end, Qadri played his part in reducing the number of attacks.”
You need to brush up your reading skills.
Plus, you need to learn how to frame questions, you asked “Is suicide bombing illegal?”. One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. You did not mention Pakistan in the first question, therefore I answered accordingly….For Pakistan I separately wrote in the footnote so people do not get confused, but you got so confused that you tried to defeat Mr. Qadri’s 600 page fatwa on changing up pakistan!
I told you I dont believe Mr. Qadri for personal reasons. I do not follow Barelwism. I do not want to explain the specific issues I have because they are personal and I believe despite our differences Pakistanis should be united on a common platform. Therefore, I do not want to explain things related to me. Thus, I told you to do research on Mr. Qadri and come back. I also mentioned he is a great humanitarian, so I feel he is got his positive side too.
I gave my opinion and I still stand firm on it and all my answers were logical because I will follow the one who is trustworthy. More, we Muslims should be following the Quran and the Sunnah. Therefore, I do not like to follow blindly(taqlid) behind any one sect. Allah gives his human being the knowledge to distinguish between right and wrong.
And yea, no offence, brother you better start taking reading lessons…and follow the idea instead of a person!
You can read and download the complete text of Fatwa by Dr. Qadri (in English and Urdu languages) on the following link:
http://www.minhaj.org/english/control/Online-News/Fatwa-Against-Terrorism-Suicide-Attacks-Historical-Launching-in-London-by-Dr-Tahir-ul-Qadri.html
International media coverage of this Fatwa is also available on the above link.
Excellent post. I was particularly intrigued by the notion that the message needed to spread to a wider audience (presumably through more recognizable media outlets). While I don’t disagree, this would require distilling the ideas into a smaller, more digestible format. I’d be curious if this is possible.
Although there is no shortage of fatwa’s in our country but still a fatwa declaring terrorism as irrelevant to religion from a internationally acclaimed scholar is step in right direction. I hope somehow this message gets in the head of the demented people who kill innocent people claiming to be holy warriors.
I want to say that Tahir Ul Qadiri is well known figure in Pakistan as an Islamic Intellectual with very balance approach. Lot of people know him and also believed on his statements / fatwa. While on the other hand especially in Middle East Dr. Fadal (Ammam Us Sharif) has also done a great job by showing the people that these Al-Qaida have wrong concept of Jihad. Such Muslim intellect can change / clear the mindset of fundamentalist.
While in my opinion, it is clearly mentioned in Quran that injustice murder of any person is equal to kill the whole humanity.
Moreover, when Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) went for “Fathe e Makka”, He (PBUH) clearly told his companion (razi allah taala ) that do not harm the children , women, old man, and those who close the door of their home and those who enter in the Mosque. He (PBUH) also informed them that do not damage the fields, woods and animals.
In such beautiful and peaceful religion, how suicide bombing against innocent Muslims can be justified????
Dear brother Basit Khawaja:
Assalam-o-alaikum wa rahmatullah e wa barakatuhu!
I think you are becoming personal now, but I don’t mind. Here no personality is under discussion, this must be clear.
As believers of one ALLAH (JJ), one PROPHET (SWS) and one religion, we Muslims around the globe are all brothers, and if we think on the broader perspective, all humans are also brothers and should respect one another. This is the great true message of Islam. The word “Islam” means peace.
We are here for a positive & healthy discussion in order to find the right answers to the critical questions (in the light of QURAN & SUNNAH), which are continuously damaging Islam and Muslims, and the ways which should be adopted for solution of the problems.
What I understand from your answers is summarized as under:
1. You are not in favor of “suicide bombing” in Pakistan and so killing the innocent people.
—OK but you have no where mentioned if these suicide bombers (killing innocent people in Pakistan) are out of Islam? yes or no? please answer categorically !!!
2. You agree: “Qadri has played his part for reducing the number of attacks” and “he is a great humanitarian, so I feel he is got his positive side too”
—Good! Are you ready to play your role also, for reducing such attacks in Pakistan? You can play your role for this great cause, as much as you can, according to your capabilities! ALLAH alone is sufficient to give the reward! What should be done in this regard? and how you can play your role?
3. You agree: “I believe despite our differences Pakistanis should be united on a common platform” , “I do not follow Barelwism” and also “we Muslims should be following the Quran and the Sunnah. Therefore, I do not like to follow blindly (taqlid) behind any one sect. Allah gives his human being the knowledge to distinguish between right and wrong”
—Great! We all Muslims must be thinking on the same lines! But this great objective needs from us the following at least:
a) We all should think first as a “Muslim” instead of our sectarian identities like “Brelvi, Deobandi, Shia, Salafi etc. etc.” Wallah sectarianism has damaged Islam a lot! It has created hatreds in our society up to the extent that no one is ready to just listen the others having differnces.
So, are you ready to play your role for spreading this message of Islam, which is really the need of day!
b) We should be supporting each other in spreading the message of love, instead of hatreds!
c) We should clearly understand, the concept of TAQLID- To me it is natural process in Muslim Ummah regarding development of specialized knowledge about Islamic Teachings towards everyday life of Muslims, based on QURAN & SUNNAH, as explained by different scholars of Islam, and nothing else.
Think, as you don’t want to follow BLINDLY behind any sect, and you want to strictly follow the QURAN & SUNNAH– OK this should be the thinking of every Muslim! But you can realize that in order to achieve this goal, you need to study from QURAN, HADITH, TAFSEER, ARABIC LANGUAGE, ARABIC LUGHAT, and ultimately, in order to verify that your are thinking in a right direction and you are extracting the right conclusions, YOU THEN NEED TO STUDY THE BOOKS OF OTHER SCHOLARS OF ISLAM THROUGHOUT THE FOURTEEN CENTURIES, on the same subject, and then finally you can reach to the FINAL DESTINATION OF TRUE UNDERSTANDING of Islamic teachings.
It is obvious that basic concepts are very easy to understand for every common man, but there are surely certain matters which must need the vast study as I mentioned above, and every one cannot go into so much vast study, though we all should try to study as much as we can!
That’s the reason we need to follow the scholars of Islam. That’s why despite the fact that you don’t believe TAQLID, but even then you are writing that “… I will follow the one who is trustworthy” —- so this act of following someone to whom you feel honest, trustworthy, and knowledgeable, is termed as TAQLID.
Hence, it is very much clear now that every one is believing TAQLID consciously or unconsciously, even you too !!!
But it should also be clear that this TAQLID must not be BLIND and must be within the circle of Quran, Sunnah, Asar e Sahaba wa Tab’een, and where all these sources are silent, only for those particular matters, we have to follow IJMA E UMMAT & IJTIHAD.
That’s why if we want to follow a scholar, we demand him the references from the above mentioned sources, in support of his CONCLUSION over the subject.
SO, WHAT YOU THINK IS IT OK?
Certainly your answer will be YES! If so, then it is essentially needed for every Muslim who is sincerely beliving ISLAM, that he may follow any scholar of Islam, to whom he feels trustworthy, but HE MUST NOT THINK ONLY HIMSELF THE MUSLIM & OTHERS AS KAFIR!!! We all should be fearing ALLAH (SWT) all the times and praying to him continuously for guidence!!!
So, when we become ready to think, we all Muslims can love each other despite our differences. This should be the thinking of a true believer (Mo’men)
So, I firmly believe that If we can be ready in accepting this concept and spreading it as much as we can, only then we can be able to unite the whole MUSLIM WORLD under one platform.
Unfortunately, this is also a reality that there is a group of people, who believes only himself as MUSLIM and rest of the Muslims as KAFIR & MUSHRIK.
As per repeatedly appearing AHADITH E SAHIHA, the group of people, which believes the above mentioned extremist thought, and which claims to be better MUSLIMS, is really called as KHAWAREJ.
As I mentioned in the earlier post, as per AHADITH E SAHIHA, the first man who was the founder of KAWAREJ was Dhul-Khwaisrah Tamimi who raised an objection on RASOOL (SWS), although he was a firm believer of Tauheed and Aakhirat and also his prayers and quranic recitations were apparently beutiful and better than SAHABA (R.A.), but he was declared out of Islam.
He and his followers will continue to exit untill their last group will come out along with Dajjal before the day of Qiyamat. He and his followers will blame the vast majority of Muslims as Mushrik but they themselves will be the real unbelievers!!!
These people will claim to be perfect Muslims in their own false belief, and will declare the killing of other Muslims as HALAL but they will be punished by ALLAH (SWT) to the HELL fire. They are declared as the dogs of JAHANNAM and the worst creature of ALLAH (SWT) on earth. The Muslim governments are ordered to crush these groups with force, but it is also told that they will continue till the last day even in minority.
I again make a humble request to you, all the participants of this forum and all Muslims around the globe, to please study the AHADITH about KHAWAREJ, their indications, their way of extremist thinking and their belief on massive killing of Muslims.
This group of KHAWAREJ is the real enemy of ISLAM, which is being used by the external forces to create the justification of their war against Muslims, and by this way, damaging the Muslim UMMAH.
So, are you ready to deeply think over the advice of our beloved PROPHET (SWS), and spread the Islam’s message of peace?
O ALLAH please guide us all the Muslims around the globe to the right path, and help us to accept the true Islamic concepts, help us in understanding how Muslim UMMAH is being damaged by external forces as well as the internal foolish people wrongly claiming to be the holy warriors, and help us in uniting under one platform, which should be truly representing the MUSLIM UMMAH ……… Aameen Ya Rabal Aalameen !!!
I did not get personal, just told you to read properly.
And your last message was so long that I could not go through it, so sorry brother.
I have cleared my thoughts and opinions and believe that is sufficient.
Plus, for your information, I am playing my part in the society in order to perform my duty to make Pakistan a peaceful and a self-sufficient state. And I am not proud of it.
I hope you are doing the same.
Jazzak Allah O Khair!
This fatwa is not the first of its kind and while many other Clerics have issued Fatwa’s, this one might be more outspoken but issuing fatwa’s and condemning such heinous acts would not be enough. Our clergy needs to adopt this into to practice, and they should support the government in the war against terror.
What the religious scholars fail to comprehend is that they fear opposing Taliban would imply that they are pro-west. This is why we see such a half-hearted support from our clergy, the masses do not really read these fatwa’s so such messages needs to transpired in Friday sermons and on other religious gatherings.
I think Tahir-ul-Qadri is not a serious person. He should not be relied for such fatwas; he is known for his U-turns