Pakistan News And Discussion-10

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>No, yes, perhaps… it depends… </b>
Given the rising tide of suicide bombings and other terror attacks in Pakistan, TFT decided to ascertain the views of scholars and religious leaders from various denominations. TFT asked them about suicidal bombing, its justification and possible remedies. They were also asked if they considered the trend Islamic or otherwise. And if they think it is permissible, how, why and when. Also, who determines the circumstances in which such an action might be permissible or justified? Is it acceptable to justify killing Muslims from other sects?

While some condemned the attacks without any qualifications, most hedged their words. In the second category, while some denounced such attacks inside Pakistan, they found justification for them in times of war against the infidels or in circumstances (like Palestine) where Muslims are being suppressed and do not have any other means to retaliate. Still others, while condemning attacks inside Pakistan chose to point out that the trend must be seen in light of the government’s policy to ally the country with the United States and, as part of that policy, to resort to military operations in the tribal areas. There are also significant differences as is indicated by the views of Prof Ghafoor of Jama’at-e Islami and Syed Munawwar Hasan of the same party.

Similarly, while some Barelvi clerics have been more vocal in support of the trend, some Deobandi ulema, as also Ahle- Hadith, have generally condemned the trend. Interestingly, while all the scholars condemned the killing of other Muslims, no one really commented or wanted to on the issue of who is doing this and why. Even the defunct SSP leader said that such killings were un-Islamic!

TFT is reproducing below these views as expressed by the scholars and leaders. Imtiaz Gul, Ali Waqar and Hasan Sheharyar have reported them from Peshawar/Lahore and Karachi
   
<b>Is suicide bombing permissible in Islam?</b>

TFT contacted various clerics and leaders of religio-political parties to get their take on the phenomenon of suicide bombing. Several attempts to contact Maulana Fazlur Rehman failed because the JUI-F chief remained elusive; Qazi Hussein Ahmed, the mercurial JI chief, too was reluctant because of the “technicality of the issue”. Below are the views of those TFT could contact and prevail upon to speak on the issue:

<b>Maulana Samilul Haq, the chief of Darul Uloom Haqqani, Akora Khattak, known as a Taliban mentor :</b>
“They will kill me if I dare issue a decree against suicide bombings,” he said, referring to some unknown threat and then went on to repeat the usual mantra: “This [suicide bombing] is a reaction to what is going on worldwide. An international coalition is conspiring to suppress those who are fighting for their identity and freedom. Suicide bombers are a party to the war and in war no one distributes sweets.”

Sajid Ali Naqvi, the mysterious head of the defunct Tehreeke Jafria Pakistan, suspected of promoting and protecting the Iranian brand of militant Islam:

“Generally, killing oneself is prohibited in Islam but in particular circumstances, you can’t reject it. Attacks being carried out on a sectarian basis or against innocent people are completely un-Islamic, though and Islam doesn’t permit them. But if these are carried out to achieve major goals, for instance, to defeat evil powers or their puppets then one can’t oppose such acts straight away.”

<b>Hafiz Hussain Ahmed,</b> who has fallen out with Fazlur Rehman for the latter’s “pragmatic and business-like politics”
“No doubt, such strikes are not allowed in any religion. But instead of debating their legitimacy, we ought to look into the causes which force somebody, particularly a young man, to give up his life.The world scenario, the situation in Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan and Iraq do not allow us to issue a decree against such actions. We have been saying that Pakistan’s coalition with US-led war on terror brought this menace in the country and that’s why the government must review its policies.”

<b>Hanif Jalandhri, chief of the Multan-based Wifaqul-Madaris (Deobandi school of though),</b> who lords over about 7,500 madaris across the country
“Islam doesn’t permit any Muslim to attack another Muslim or non-Muslims living in a Muslim country. Recent suicide bombings in Pakistan are unlawful. The killing of a Muslim is a sin. It is an un-Islamic act and according to Islamic scholars, such a man is not a Muslim.”

<b>Allama Javid Ahmed Ghamidi,</b> noted Muslim scholar and member of Council of Islamic Ideology (III), Pakistan, who claims himself neither Shia nor Sunni, told TFT that suicide bombing was totally un-Islamic. “The Quran and Hadith have denounced the killing of humanity in clear words. It is allowed in no condition, under no circumstances either by the state or the religious leadership. Even those who claim that it is permitted in a war-like situation are wrong. There is need to tighten security, have stricter vigilance, and identify the reasons behind these attacks. The religious leadership has the most important role in resolving this issue by creating awareness and denouncing those who are indulging in this activity in the name of Islam.

<b>Munawar Hassan, JI general secretary</b>“The surging trend of suicide bombings boils down to the US and government policies. Pakistan supported infidels who carried out bombings in Bajaur and elsewhere. General Musharraf and the infidels are allies and that’s why they are facing a similar reaction. Why is the government supporting the infidels? Why are they providing logistic support to them against the Taliban?

<b>Professor Ghafoor Ahmed, Naib Amir, Jama’at-e Islami</b>
Suicide bombing is completely against the teachings of Islam. No matter how bad the policies of a government, there is no justification for anyone to resort to such a brutal action. Those who are masterminding this trend and those who are being used to carry out such attacks cannot be regarded as Muslims. These terrorists are defaming Pakistan around the world. They are not Muslims and their only goal is to spread terror and anxiety. We cannot call this protest; we believe in protesting against the government’s policies inside and outside the parliament in a peaceful manner.

<b>Qari Shafiqur Rehman, Spokesman, Ahle Sunnat-wal-Jama’at, reincarnated version of banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP)</b>
We are completely against suicide bombings in Pakistan and our party (SSP) doesn’t believe in such terror acts. We neither prepare suicide bombers nor support any such action. We believe in peaceful protests, which is evident from the fact that we have not gone violent despite the government’s disinterest in arresting the killers of Maulana Azam Tariq and other martyrs of our party. But this phenomenon is certainly a product of the government’s wrong polices such as military action in Wana etc. The government should take action against those involved in such acts and also tackle conflicts peacefully so that terrorists can’t use the government’s follies to their own interests.

Mufti Munibur Rehman, chief of Barelvi Darul Uloom Naeemia and head of moon-sighting committee

I have already issued a fatwa in which the killing of innocent Muslims in public gatherings and mosques through suicide bombings, bomb blasts and indiscriminate firing has been declared haram (forbidden). If a person engages in such activities and considers them lawful and righteous, then he is a kafir (pagan). Also, if he kills a Muslim or a non-Muslim as a result of some personal enmity, or in a state of sudden provocation, that act is a major sin. Pakistan is constitutionally a Muslim country. So when suicide attacks on worship places and public gatherings happen, the impression is that they are religiously motivated. It is said that the religious leaders and organisations persuade their followers and workers to kill people as an act of virtue which may open for them the gates of Paradise. This is wrong and defames Islam.

Those who say these are reaction to Waziristan, can they tell us what was sin of those clerics and people who were killed in a congregation in Nishtar Park? Did they order the military operation in tribal areas?

Having said this, we believe that the countries which are under the occupation of foreign, oppressive forces and where people are unable to combat the usurpers due to lack of material resources and arms, or the lands where Muslims have been deprived of their recognised human rights, and are forced to live as a slave nation – such countries and people may have a different attitude. The reason is that international law recognises the right of such nations to struggle for their national freedom and fight against occupation forces. The freedom movements in Africa and the sub-continent are a proof of this fact. It would not be right to confuse the situation in Pakistan to that in Palestine, Kashmir and other occupied territories, since the ruling for each is different from the other.

<b>Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro, Senator and Secretary-General of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Sindh</b>
We strongly condemn such suicide bombings and believe that anti-state and anti-Islam elements are behind these attacks. Suicide attacks in NWFP and Balochistan are aimed at weakening the MMA governments in the two provinces and disturbing peace. Anti-Islamic forces are not happy with the MMA government, particularly in the NWFP and are hatching conspiracies to destabilise it. But we believe that people will foil all such conspiracies.

<b>Mufti Mohammad Naeem, Chief of Deobandi Jamia Binoria SITE Town</b>, a major seminary of Pakistan
Suicide and suicide attacks, in all their forms and manifestations are forbidden (haram) in Islam; these acts are not permitted by Shariah, law or ethics. Suicide bombers and their masterminds are killing innocent people and destroying families and individuals. To counter this phenomenon, ulema have to create awareness through their sermons. The government should go for a mass awareness campaign with the help of religious scholars and representatives. We must nullify the dangerous and growing impression that such attacks are in accordance with Islam. We have to tell people that this act is haram in Islam. In addition to this, the government should also refrain from creating circumstances which act as a catalyst for people to commit acts of terror. The government, instead of opting for violent action against people in the tribal areas and other parts of the country, should go for a reconciliatory strategy.

<b>Mirza Yousuf Hussain, Chief Organiser, All Pakistan Shia Action Committee</b>
Suicide attacks are haram whether they kill Muslims or people belonging to other faiths. This phenomenon has become so violent and ruthless that neither its victims nor the bombers know why they are killed or why they are killing. Islam has a clear take on this: the murder of an innocent man or woman is the murder of entire humanity. These people have their own interpretation of Islam and declare those with different interpretations as infidels or liable to be killed. They are defaming Pakistan around the world and get off easily because they know that the weak judicial system in the country will not punish them. What is needed is ruthless action against those involved in such acts and the strengthening of the judicial system.

<b>Maulana Muhammad Hussain Akbar (Shia), </b>principal Idara-e-Minhajul Hussain, Lahore, says the attacks are un-Islamic. “No one is allowed to mount such attacks. It is not permissible whether the targets are Muslims or infidels. However, in an emergency situation like war they could be resorted to but the decision has to be taken by the state. The Holy Quran forbids the killing of humans. The wave of sectarian suicide attacks is well planned and is being provoked by certain intelligence agencies. This situation here and in the Middle East is being created to provoke Iran and this is being done by the United States of America.”

<b>Maulana Yousuf Kasuri, President, Jamiat Ahle Hadith Pakistan,</b> Sindh chapter Islam allows one to kill oneself in the state of war when no other means are available to defeat the enemy, but suicide attacks are against Islamic teachings. Those involved in suicide bombings are enemies of Islam and humanity and though they pretend to do what they do as opposition to US policies and Pakistan’s support to the US, they are only serving the interests of the forces of evil. The government and religious scholars will have to work in tandem to disentangle the nation from the ruthlessness of this menace.

<b>Mufti Ubaidullah Afif (Ahle Hadith) </b>terms suicide attacks un-Islamic. “No one is allowed to create unrest in the world. According to our school of thought, suicide attacks are not permitted for any reason. Scholars have already issued fatwas terming such attacks un-Islamic. No one can condone these acts in Pakistan’s context. The government must ensure law and order.

<b>Mufti Ghulam Sarwar Qadri (Barelvi),</b> former Punjab religious affairs minister told TFT that there was no permission for suicidal attacks in Islam, except if the commander-in-chief of an Islamic state-army had ordered a resort to it in certain critical conditions while fighting the infidels. “Only a commander of an Islamic state-army can impose this suicidal bombing condition,” he said, adding, “But this is justified only when war is declared by infidels against an Islamic state, the Muslim army is facing a critical situation and the army chief has to defend the state.” Qadri added that in such circumstances there was no need for ijtihad and the commander could take the decision on his own.

Apart from such an emergency, all suicide attacks against anyone, including such attacks on sectarian basis were un-Islamic. He called for awareness through media and other communication tools and stressed that the government should get ulema of al denominations to sit together and devise a proper strategy to stop this trend.

<b>Mufti Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi (Barelvi)</b> has a slightly different opinion. While he also favours suicide attacks in certain conditions while fighting against infidels – or when infidels impose war on the Muslims – he is of the view that only a council of senior and reputed clerics has the right to decide about and give permission for such attacks. “The Muslims have begun resorting to this trend but it is totally un-Islamic in all other conditions [except war] and reasons must be identified before approving these attacks.” He also told TFT that Islam bars Muslims from killing other Muslims and there was no justification for sectarian suicide attacks.

About how to stop this trend, he said only justice could stop this trend. “When the infidels or the governments become unjust, people have to take these steps,” he said, adding, “Condemnation cannot stop this trend unless effective measures are taken and the governments realise that they need to make a proper policy on the issue.”

<b>Maulana Abdur Rehman Ashrafi (Jamia Ashrafia, Sunni (Deoband)</b> totally dismissed the concept of suicide attacks. “The Holy Quran has clearly forbidden from killing people like this.” He said if there was any emergency situation, only the state could decide whether there was need to resort to suicide attacks. “No one else has the right or authority to do so,” he said. He also said that suicide attacks were un-Islamic even against the infidels.

<b>Maulana Fazle Raheem (Sunni-Deobandi/Jamia Ashrafia)</b> told TFT that Islam did not approve of suicide-attacks strategy. ‘This is completely unlawful and against our religion under any circumstances, at any time, against anybody and everywhere in the world.” He said the government would have to get up and evolve a positive strategy to counter this kind of brutal trend.

<b>Maulana Ghulam Abbas Sherazi (Shia/ Pakistan-Jamatul Muntazar)</b> told TFT that such attacks were un-Islamic. No regime has or can approve these attacks and this is completely forbidden (Haram). “The Holy Quran and Sunnah do not permit killing humanity this way under any circumstance,” he said, adding, “This was the trend originally introduced by the Japanese. Now the Muslims have resorted to it, but it is unlawful.” He said that Islamic scholars should come up with an effective strategy to stop this trend whether such attacks are directed towards the infidels or against other Muslims.

<b>Mufti Salahuddin Yousaf (Ahle Hadith)</b> also rejected any justification for suicide attacks. “Some scholars justify such attacks in certain circumstances and refer to situations like the one prevailing in Palestine where Muslims are being crushed by Israeli forces. But we believe that all kinds of suicide attacks, under any circumstances, are un-Islamic.” He quoted the Holy Quran as stipulating: “Do not kill you yourself.” “Particularly in Pakistan, such attacks are totally un-Islamic and unacceptable.”

It merits mention that the late Mufti Nizamdin Shamzai, the spiritual mentor of the Binori Mosque in Karachi, in 1998 decreed that killing Americans was justified. At a private TV discussion on February 24th, ex-LT chief Hafiz Saeed said killing innocent people was not permissible in Islam, which appeared to be a departure from what he had announced at the height of the LT campaign in Kashmir. It is a welcome change indeed.
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