LONDON BOMBERS ARE NOT MARTYRS SAY ISLAMIC SCHOLARS
(15 July 2005)

At a meeting at the Islamic Cultural Centre, London,over forty leading mosque imams, muftis and ulama (Islamic scholars) representing all sections of Muslims in Britain made a public statement on the events of 7th July and responded to questions from the media. The statement, read out by Maulana Shahid Raza of the World Islamic Mission, noted that "there can never be any excuse for taking an innocent life. The Qur’an 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....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". The statement also called on the media to refrain from the character assassination of reputable scholars. Iqbal Sacranie, chairing the event, referred to the deplorable way US authorities had refused entry the previous day to Shaykh Zaki Badawi, a leading British Muslim scholar.

Scholars endorsed the following declaration:

"Along with all Londoners and the people of Britain,we are deeply shocked an saddened by the bombing attacks of 7 July 2005 that caused the loss of at least 52 innocent lives,wounded hundreds and disrupted the peace an order of the civic an 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 an 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.

There can never be any excuse for taking an innocent life.The Qur ’an 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 Qur ’an,Al-Maidah 5:32)This is both a principle an 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.

Islam is the middle path and the Qur ’an designates Muslims as the ummatan wasata - – the middle community. Any form of extremism is to be utterly an completely rejected. What we need, therefore, in our trouble worls ,more than ever before is to stick to the middle and balance 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.The social culture of Islam is based on the principle of inviting people towards good,courteously and wisely – with Hikmah and mawizah Hasana .

(The Qur ’an,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 7th July 2005 demand 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 an desperation. Anger and desperation are haram (forbidden) an may lead to some people being targeted by people with a sinister an violent agend.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 understandng, not bashing.

We do naturally feel deeply for the sufferings, injustices and oppression the world over. Yet we also remind ourselves of the verse of the Qur ’an,“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 an 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. Wa akhiru da ’wana ani-lhamdulillahi rabbil-alameen.

The meeting was convened by The Muslim Council of Britain with the British Muslim Forum and other lead ing national and regional organisations from across the country.

Signatories to the Declaration included:

Shaykh Ali Ahdash - Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre,London
Dr Manazir Ahsan - The Islamic Foundation, Leicester
Maulana Jomshe Ali - The Council of Mosques, Tower Hamlets
Hussain Ali - The Council of Mosques, Tower Hamlets
Mufti Muhammad Aslam Jamiat Ulama-e-Britain
Khateeb Muhammad Iqbal Awan - UK Islamic Mission,Luton
Muhammad Azim - Kashmir Forum UK
Mufti Ab ulKader Barkatulla Senior Imam, Finchley Mosque
Imam Driss Boumzough Imam, Moroccan Muslim Community of
London
Abdal Choudhury- British Muslim Action Front
Maulana Abdal Choudhury - The Council of Mosques,Tower Hamlets
Shaykh Ahmed Dahdorh - Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre,London
Dr Ahmed Dubyan - Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque
Abdel Shaheed El-Ashal, Muslim Association of Britain
Shaykh Muslehuddin Fara hi Islamic Forum Europe
Shaykh Rached Ghannoushi
Maulana Moudood Hasan Uleman Council of Da'watul Islam
Shaykh Suhaib Hasan - Islamic Shariah Council
Dr Usama Hasan Imam, Masji Al-Tawhid, Leyton
Maulana Mahmoudul Hassan Da'watul Islam
Hafiz Shamsul Hoque Imam ,Eshatul Islam Mosque, Ilford
Hafiz Maulana Shamsul Hoque - The Council of Mosques, Tower Hamlets
Aboochitar Khale, International Muslim Committee
Dr Abdul Karim Khalil - Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre,London
Maulana Masood Alam Khan Jamia Islamia, Birmingham
Shaykh Hokei Majouli, Muslim Welfare House Trust
Professor Sayyi Fadhil Milani, International College for Islamic Studies
Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed, Muslim Association of Britain
Hasan Mueenuddin Da'watul Islam UK & Eire
Maulana Gul Muhammad, British Muslim Forum
Maulana Farooq Mulla, Lincoln Mosque
Professor Dawud Noibi Nigerian Muslim Community&Imam, Old Kent Road Mosque
Maulana Muhammad
Imda Hussain
Pirzada Jamia-al-Karam, Nottingham
Maulana Bostan Qadri Confederation of Sunni Mosques, Midlands
Shaykh Abdul Qayoom Imam,East London Mosque
Maulana Muhammad
Shahi
Raza The Worl Islamic Mission &Imam, Leicester Central Mosque
Maulana Sayyi Mohammad Sabzwary Al Asr Community &Education Centre
Maulana Ismail Ali Shah Jamiat Ulama-e-Britain
Maulana Muhammad Akram Khan UK Islamic Mission, Luton