Fatwa by the President of ISNA on the killing of an American ambassador in Libya

"The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) unequivocally condemns the killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, and his staff, and condemns the attack on the US Embassy in Cairo. Reports indicate that those who killed them did so as a reaction to a video depicting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a profane manner. Although we believe that this video is hateful and bigoted, this could never be an excuse to commit any acts of violence whatsoever. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is loved and respected by hundreds of millions of people across the world, and no one can take this from our hearts. No one should fall into the trap of those who wish to incite anger. The Prophet (peace be upon him) should be our example in everything we do, and even though he was attacked and insulted many times throughout his life, he always reacted with compassion and forgiveness, never with revenge or violence."

http://www.isna.net/articles/News/ISNA-President-Condemns-Killing-of-US-Ambassador-.aspx

Al Azher statement on the violence over the anti-muslim video

In response to the defamatory film insulting Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Al-Azhar Senior Scholars Council (ASSC) condemned these attacks, urging in the meantime, the Muslim masses to keep away from exceeding the limits of Islam punishing the innocent for the sins of the guilty. Below is the ASSC statement on the incident:

Al-Azhar Senior Scholars Council (ASSC) has observed and is still observing the series of repeated abuses against Islam, its figures and sanctuaries, from desecration and burning of the Mus-haf, attacks against and demolition of mosques, and even abuses against the noble Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), who was sent to the entire humanity, confirming preceding Heavenly Scriptures and believing in all antecedent Prophets and Messengers. The ASSC has also reviewed - and is still reviewing - both wise and angry reactions against such abuses in the Arab lands and the Islamic world. On this occasion, the ASSC would like to address peoples of the Muslim Ummah and all wise persons in the world as follows:

 

First: The source of all these abuses is not common people, either in the East or the West, but colonial, hegemonic institutions, which Islam encounters with the purpose of overcoming its hegemonic, colonialist and exploitative attitude in many countries in the Islamic world. These institutions are aided by Zionist political bodies and media that live on the manufacturing of lies and false images about Islamic figures and sanctuaries.

 

Second: Islamic reactions should be marked by judiciousness and should enhance illustration of Islamic facts, sanctuaries and figures, and should avoid punishing the innocent for the sins of the guilty.

 

Third: The Muslim mentality should maintain awareness and objective vision regarding the essence of this ongoing problem. For, the "falsification of the image of Islam, its figures and sanctuaries" is an old one that dates back to the emergence of Islam". Rather, it is one of the cosmic laws of Tadafu` (gentle conflict-interplay) between truth and falsehood, which is addressed in the Glorious Qur'an:

 

{And thus have We made for every prophet an enemy from among the criminals.} {Al-Furqan 25: 31}

 

History has proven that escalation of this enmity to Islam and distortion of the image of its symbols and sanctuaries was – and still is – connected to the rise and increasing spread of Islam, as is the case now, beyond the Islamic world.

 

Therefore, the ASSC calls upon Islamic academic institutions to convene for the purpose of addressing the phenomenon of enmity towards and abuse against Islam, its symbols and sanctuaries, and to pinpoint its sources, the factors stimulating and kindling it, the intellectual means through which good deeds are employed to repel evil deeds. Here, the Glorious Qur'an reads,

 

{Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.}{Fussilat 41: 34}.

 

The ASSC also recommends increasing the efforts of introducing the true image of Islam and communicating with the Islamic centers and communities in the West to convey this fact to the countries where such abuses are produced, knowing that ASSC itself will take the initiative in this regard.

 

It also urges the masses in the Islamic Ummah to make sure that their legitimate anger for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) does not involve exceeding the limits of Islamic properties and merits. Otherwise, we would be punishing the innocent for the sins of the guilty and damaging the national unity of the peoples in our Ummah, and in turn we would be – unconsciously – achieving the goals behind such malevolent abuses. Indeed, Almighty Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know, and indeed:

 

{those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned.} {Ash-Shu`ara' 26: 272}.

Fatwa against the violence in Egypt, Libya and Yemen and killing of an American ambassador

Question:

As-salamu `alaykum. According to news reports, thousands of angry Egyptian protestors scaled the walls of the US embassy in Cairo yesterday in protest at a film being produced in the US that insults the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Protestors also tore down the American flag and burnt it outside the fortress-like embassy building in central Cairo. In Libya, deadly violent protests took place near the US Consulate in Benghazi. There are other reports about attacking the US embassy in Beirut. Are such attacks legal? How does Islam view attacking diplomatic missions and embassies?

Answer:

Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Sister, thank you for your question and apparent interest in having a better understanding of Islam and its rulings.

In fact, the anti-Prophet film recently produced in the USA is a single incident in a series of measures within a systematic media campaign that aims at tarnishing the image of Islam and its Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). This media campaign is led by the people whose keen interest is to deteriorate the relations between Muslims and people of other religions.

Though the offensive film is not justified, Muslims’ reactions should be legal and peaceful. Muslims should use all legal channels to stop this campaign of hatred against Islam and Muslims. For Muslims, every prophet is worthy of utmost respect, and the Prophet Muhammad, being the final one, is dearer to Muslims than their own parents, children, and all people. However, attacking diplomatic missions or embassies is not allowed under any pretext.
Responding to your question, Dr. Wael Shihab, PhD in Islamic Studies, Al-Azhar University, and the Head of the Shari`ah Dept. of Onislam.net website, stated,

Thank you for your question.

 

It is unfortunate that some biased anti-Islam individuals and movements are stirring up hatred against Islam and Muslims in every possible way. The recent anti-Prophet film is a single manifestation of a series of unfair and illegal attacks against Islam and Muslims. It aims at tarnishing the image of Islam and spoiling the relations between Muslims and peoples of the world.

 

In reaction to such biased and illegal attacks, Muslims must think deeply before acting emotionally and erratically. For overreacting to such campaigns will only make things worse. Overreacting includes using other than the lawful, peaceful means. Resorting to violence should never be an option.

 

Meanwhile, in keeping with the spirit of the Qur'anic teaching to {repel evil with what is better} (Fussilat 41:34), it is the duty of Muslims to prove to the world that Islam means peace. They could hold peaceful protests to show their valid objection to the biased film against Islam and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Muslim and Arab states should make use of all possible diplomatic means to stop offences against Islam and Muslims.

 

It goes without saying that Muslims are definitely NOT allowed to attack embassies or to react with violence. Attacking diplomatic missions or embassies is illegal in Shari`ah (Islamic Law) and all world conventions. Moreover, it is not Islamically justified to attack public or private properties for some individuals’ wrongdoings.

 

Given the above, I believe that the best course of action for Muslims in the current situation is-

1. to show their valid and legal objection to offending Islam, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and Muslims through peaceful means,

2. to introduce the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as a role model in the modern world,

 

3. to avoid hurling insults against the people of other religions as a result of producing such a provocative film against the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), as Allah Almighty says: {Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. Thus unto every nation have We made their deed seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He will tell them what they used to do} (Al-An`am 6:108),

 

4. to make use of all legal and diplomatic channels to stop this campaign of hatred against Islam and Muslims, and

 

5. finally, not to react emotionally, but to follow the decisions of the responsible leading scholars in their communities. We must always be disciplined, peaceful, and organized in our approaches to such crucial issues.

 

May Allah accept your and our good deeds!

 

Allah Almighty knows best.

http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/international-relations-and-jihad/relations-during-peace/459005-attacking-us-embassies-for-prophet-film-illegal.html