What Do Common Muslim Readers Think Of The Anti-Suicide Bombing Fatwa Issued By The Pakistani Ulama?

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam

21 February 2023

Opinions of Common Muslim Readers on the Fatwa against Suicide Attack

Main Points

1.    In 2005, 58 Ulama from various schools of thought unanimously agreed that suicide bombings were prohibited by Islam in Pakistan.

2.    It was also declared in this fatwa that “suicide attacks in public areas within an Islamic country are illegal and that anyone who does such an act in exchange for a reward is outside of Islam.”

3.    BBC Urdu polled its audience on the significance of this fatwa and if it may reduce incidents of terrorism and unlawful killings in Pakistan.

4.    In response to these questions, BBC Urdu published Urdu readers’ comments, which we have translated into English in this post.

5.    Why did this fatwa state that suicide attacks are to be declared Haraam only in Islamic countries? Why is this not prohibited in non-Muslim countries?

6.    According to some scholars, using suicide bombing as a tactic of war is acceptable in some situations. This viewpoint is wholly incompatible with Islam.

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In 2005, 58 experts from various schools of thought joined the unanimous conclusion of the Ulama in Pakistan that suicide bombings were prohibited. It was officially stated that people were being prepared for terrorism and suicide attacks in the name of religion, so the scholars explained that the main goal of issuing fatwas was to fulfil religious obligations. As a result, they issued this fatwa declaring that it is forbidden to kill innocent people through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, and remote control bombs. It is illegal [haraam], and anyone who commits it declaring it lawful is outside of Islam.

During the announcement of this fatwa, Mufti Muneebur Rehman stated that it was delivered in the context of Pakistan, where there had been killings and suicide bombings during the past fifteen years. Numerous suicide assaults in public areas, mosques, and synagogues have resulted in hundreds of fatalities. This fatwa declared that as Islam forbids the destruction of someone's property or life, even murdering a non-Muslim person while they are a resident of a Muslim nation is prohibited.

BBC Urdu asked readers for their thoughts on the importance of this fatwa and whether it may reduce incidents of terrorism and unlawful executions in Pakistan. How will it affect Pakistan's reputation around the world?

Opinions of Common Muslim Readers on the Fatwa against Suicide Attack

In response to these questions, BBC Urdu gave its audience's feedback, which we have translated into English below:

Shah Khalid, Charsadda, Pakistan:

It is prohibited in Islam as it is in all other religions as well. A new fatwa was not necessary.

Abdul Ghafoor, Toronto:

Finally, these religious leaders have spoken about abstaining from violence and practising nonviolence. In my perspective, this is an excellent beginning step. This fatwa will emphasise the pacifism of Islam.

Ali Raza Khan Buzdar, Hyderabad:

Islam is a religion of peace, harmony, and love for one another, and this fatwa is entirely accurate. These things were explained to us more than 1,400 years ago, but the western media consistently portrays Muslims as bloodthirsty fanatics. I'm hoping that the western media will now work to improve how Islam is seen by its citizens.

Rumi Akhtar, Torrance, USA:

Islam forbids killing an innocent person in any situation; hence the fatwa is unquestionably accurate. On the one hand, it is not even permitted to commit suicide. But because these same people sparked the fire, who will listen to them is the issue. Another question is why this news wasn't broadcast on the BBC's English website.

Omar Hayat Khan, Amsterdam, Holland:

Whether or not one issues a fatwa, Islam is a peaceful religion. It is regrettable that the ignorant Palestinian Afghans living among us believe the Mullahs' propaganda. They visit BBC to read the news that is disparate from the irrelevant fatwas of the Mullahs.

Ayaz Mazari, Rahim Yar Khan:

What about the soldier who goes to kill a Muslim in Baluchistan and Waziristan if suicide is prohibited in Islam? Is this not a suicide attack if he is aware that it could cost him his life? Is it not suicide when a soldier goes to battle knowing that he may lose his life?

Abrar, Washington DC, USA:

This fatwa is absurd and a reflection of the official “gloss.” How is it possible that something is prohibited in Pakistan while being permitted in other countries? This play was produced by shady government muftis. Anyone who comprehends the essence of Islam is aware that taking the life of an innocent person is a serious offence, and the penalty is an eternity in hell. The Quran lays out a precise sequence for doing this. The fatwa issued by the official mufti was not necessary for this situation. The only controversy here is over Musharraf's hat.

Mirza Ashfaq, United Arab Emirates:

General Zia started this entire fire, which is known as the fire of sectarianism. The sectarian campaign was initiated by these clerics, and now they are issuing fatwas. Their house has subjugated the religion.

Ahsan Daanish:

Suicide is not acceptable, regardless of the reason.

Saud Farooq, New York, USA:

I do not agree with this fatwa.

Fahar Ali, Sargodha:

How does the hue of the sky change?

Dr. Naseer Ahmad Tahir, Bedouin Milli, Pakistan:

The truth is that Islam has always been a religion of security and safety, but sadly, those who cause explosions do so by stealing money from adversarial nations.

Abdul Halim Sabir, Mansehra, Pakistan:

They deserve praise for issuing this fatwa. The fatwa will be of great use.

Altaf Hidayat, Mardan:

The sole purpose of this fatwa is to appease America. These so-called muftis made no mention of Afghanistan or Iraq. This is quite odd. All is fair in love and war, as the English proverb goes, but it's crucial to distinguish between those who start wars and those who are innocent.

Tanveer Razzak, Pakistan:

The muftis have issued this fatwa, despite the fact that our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) already stated that a Muslim cannot kill his peaceful non-Muslim neighbour. This was fourteen thousand years ago.

Tanveer Khokhar, United Arab Emirates:

Because it is a reward for those who lose their lives in terrorist attacks, this fatwa has no status.

Saad Tariq, Rahim Yar Khan:

After the pot is completely empty, the sound will begin to play. The modern Muslim carries out this deed because they have endured enough suffering at the hands of non-Muslims. Otherwise, who would want to take such a risk with their life?

Zaid Ahmed, Karachi:

The terrorists will not be affected by this edict. The fundamental concern is how these suicide strikes may be practically avoided.

Arsalan Ahmad Rasheed, Gujranwala, Pakistan:

All suicide attacks in that country are the work of a secret agency of a country that wants to defame Pakistan since people like Maulvi have never committed suicide.

Muhammad Zafar, Toronto, Canada:

Since not all experts concur with this fatwa, it will give America carte blanche now that suicide bombings have been made illegal. According to the Islamic hierarchy of jihad, suicide bombs are one type of jihad. Governmental Ulama cannot change this.

Abdullah Ahmed, Dubai:

Since it has been declared what is halal and what is haraam in Islam, no one can determine whether a suicide attack is prohibited. The next thing to consider is what the assailant or suicide bomber is thinking.

Syed Raza, Toronto, Canada:

Fatwas are no longer relevant especially now. Now is the time to get to work and produce results. The majority of these atrocities target defenceless religious people, thus if the Ulama are concerned about Islam and Pakistan, they ought to make an effort to stop them. Actually, these individuals are killing themselves.

Rahim Duda, Incheon City, South Korea:

Thanks be to Allah, finally the scholars did this too.

Sana Khan, Karachi:

It is best to arrive late than never. Scholars have done it expertly. This shows that not all Maulanas are alike and that some Maulanas still place a high priority on peace. This change is quite advantageous.

Farrukh Siddiqui, Karachi:

Given the facts, such a fatwa is unnecessary because it seems to have been derived by plain clerics. There should be an instant end to Muslim persecution everywhere. America, Great Britain, and its allies are cruel to Muslims in every way. Only suicide bombings will put an end to them. There are currently no Islamic countries.

Imran, USA:

The issue is that this fatwa will eventually expire if the clerics show up to build remote-control bombs. The importance of highlighting the worth of human life is necessary.

Abdullah, United Arab Emirates:

Why are only Islamic nations subject to this prohibition? Why isn't it illegal everywhere? Which prophet or branch of Islam has deemed suicide bombings against civilian targets to be permissible?

Jibran Hasnain, Karachi:

Is it permissible to kidnap defenceless Pakistanis and turn them over to the United States when suicide attacks are prohibited? Why don't the scholars declare a fatwa on it as they are treated worse than animals there?

Hafeezullah Khan, Bannu, Pakistan:

The Ulama, who are the heirs of the Prophets, have issued a fatwa that reflects their optimistic attitude. Of course, the government of the destination country is responsible for protecting the lives and property of all non-Muslim visitors to that country. It is also a terrible crime to remain silent and allow the tyrant to continue his brutal actions. What will happen if there are suicide bombers in Iraq or Afghanistan? In my opinion, this fatwa won't prevent suicide attacks. When the oppressor is powerful and the oppressed are helpless, what else can the downtrodden do to defend themselves?

Sagheer Rajah, Saudi Arabia:

One could wonder why a person would be willing to sacrifice his life. An act of sacrifice is not life. When a person's only avenues for obtaining rights are closed, a cycle of suicide attacks begins because he has no other option.

Mohammed Salim, United Arab Emirates:

You don't have the right to take someone's life if you can't give them life. If everyone believed this, the necessity for clerics to issue fatwas would no longer exist.

Jahangir Ahmed, Dubai:

We can all agree that no religion condones suicide, but I wonder why someone would feel compelled to end their life. We should look into these motives because it is difficult to end one's life without a reason.

Abdul Samad, Oslo, Norway:

By granting privileges, you can take whatever fatwa you want from these experts. Suicide bombers will carry out the orders given to them by their leaders. This fatwa is worth as much as a blank sheet of paper with ink on it.

Shamim, United Kingdom:

This government is nothing more than a recipe for pleasing the times and that is the only significance of this edict. There has been no change in Islamic teachings, either. There have been such fatwas in the past, and Muslims do not view such matters as valid or engage in such attacks. This fatwa is meaningless because such attacks are accepted in Palestine and Kashmir, both of which are excluded from its application. However, this endeavour of Ulama is admirable.

Shahrukh Khan, Singapore:

In addition to this fatwa, scholars should express sympathy to the surviving family members and pray for the release of the deceased. These assaults have also damaged Islam's image and caused many to lose their jobs unjustifiably. Is it appropriate to exhort Muslims to engage in acts of jihad when they are acting very dishonourably and are oblivious to their basic responsibilities? Muslim Ulama should describe how contemporary Muslims are educated and trained using current sciences and halal methods of subsistence.

Sohail Iqbal, Germany:

This is a wise choice; we must declare that suicide bombings are unacceptable.

Akhtar Zaman Abbasi, Dubai:

Given that America is the enemy of Muslims, I believe a suicide bombing against it would be justified.

Zahid Malik, Dubai:

This fatwa is wrong because suicide attacks against non-Muslims are permissible.

Shahid Ali, Houston, USA:

Better to arrive late than never!

Fahad Shabbir, Lahore:

It is obvious from the fatwa that this has been sought by the government. A suicide attack is the last resort of a helpless person. How many suicide attacks have there been in Pakistan? An explosion caused by a bomb is different from a suicide attack. Since there are no suicide bombings in Pakistan, this edict will have no impact there.

Muhammad Ijaz Kaleem Gujjar, Faisalabad:

When a suicide assault is committed against another Muslim or against Islam, it is forbidden; but, doing it in order to defend Islam should not be prohibited.

Mushtaq Malik, United Arab Emirates:

I concur with this fatwa because Islam forbids attacks of this nature, including kidnapping.

Zeeshan Abbasi, Montreal, Canada:

The administration has done all of this as propaganda in an effort to appease America. If a fatwa is to be issued, it ought to be issued for those whose single bomb kills thousands of people. They are puppets, these mullahs.

Shahida Akram, Abu Dhabi:

If this fatwa is only offered in relation to Pakistan, it is because our nation is not engaged in an independence war. In Pakistan, victims either prayed or were on their way to pray. Do not believe that this will lessen terrorism or extrajudicial killings; rather, strong laws and fatwas are required.

Ali Tahir Syed, Karachi:

I wish all Muslims understood that no one can enter heaven by murdering even an innocent non-Muslim; as it stands, Muslims are far away from understanding that killing someone by trickery is forbidden.

Nadeem Farooq, Mississauga, Canada:

Currently, it is believed that doing so is prohibited. This is too late now!

Shehla Sohail, Toronto:

The population remained silent until they declared that they remembered the fatwas now that their passage into Europe is perceived to be closed.

Dr. Ishaq Sisoli, Quetta:

This fatwa strikes me as being excellent. The Quran states that there is no place for sectarianism in Islam and that to kill a human is to kill all of humanity.

Unfortunately, a specific political faction in our nation has promoted communalism for their own ends, and whenever they need support during elections, they all yell “Bhai Bhai.”

Javed Raza, Lahore

This fatwa will be crucial in the current scenario in putting an end to terrorism. I totally support the intellectuals' endeavour, but I also strongly disagree with the clergy who are rejecting this fatwa.

Ali Imran Shaheen, Lahore:

The actual winners from this fatwa will be the nations that murder Muslims, like America, India, and Israel. Given the state of the Mujahideen and the current circumstances, a fatwa is required to defend Islam. But it is unfortunate to report that the same experts who are constantly made fun of by the government also wish to appease them by issuing fatwas.

Javed Iqbal, Japan:

Yes, this fatwa was issued at the appropriate moment since suicide bombings were slandering Islam.

Zafar Khan, Toronto:

Although the Fatwa is entirely accurate, it should be significantly adjusted to include Iraq and Afghanistan, where foreigners have invaded and the government has fallen under their control. This type of discussion ought to take place not just in fatwas but also in every Pakistani street.

Ashfaq Khan, Kassel, Germany:

This is the proper course of action, and we must demonstrate that Islam is a peaceful religion.

Imran Nazir, Orlando, Florida:

This change is for the better. I simply hope that this fatwa is taken seriously. I believe that since Taqiuddin Usmani and Dr. Israr Ahmad have already discussed these concepts in private lectures, their public speeches will be more impactful. You should know that I did not find this story on the BBC English website.

Talat Khan, Florida, USA:

I believe it ought to have been done earlier. I appreciate the fatwa. Islam genuinely forbids the murder of innocents and attacks on mosques.

Qasim Sarvia, Sargodha, Pakistan:

Yes, it is good that some religious leaders have emphasised a favourable understanding of Islam. Islam bans putting one's life or the lives of others in peril without cause. The opportunity for other nations to adopt Islam's virtues will arise, and Pakistan's standing will also improve.

Afaf Azhar, Toronto, Canada:

What fatwa of the Ulama is this? People today are still fighting with one another. A fatwa has been declared against them since it appears that Musharraf has not given them anything this year.

Gibran Khalil, Lahore:

Ask for a fatwa on what the fatwa givers think about themselves. They set themselves on fire and then walk away as angels of peace. The fire of sectarianism in Pakistan is also lit by them. Now when this crop is bearing fruit, they are issuing new fatwas.

Azhar Sohail, Toronto, Canada:

They issued a fatwa and the BBC obeyed. Wow, you forgot the history of these people so quickly. If people are becoming more conscientious today, then they have turned to fatwas as a last resort.

Kiran Ahmed, Waterloo, Canada:

I believe that unless this mullaiyyat is ended, Pakistan cannot have true peace. What significance do their fatwas have? Additionally, they issued a fatwa to Quaid-e-Azam and hung Mansoor for referring to Ana-al-Haq. Iqbal was also imprisoned for writing Shikwah. How reliable are their fatwas?

AR Qureshi, Toronto, Canada:

I believe that is entirely correct. Islam is a peaceful faith. Islam does not encourage suicide bombings.

Ehtisham Faisal Chaudhary, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates:

To begin with, it is important to realise that suicide bombers never launch their attacks without first consulting the Ruyat Hilal Committee. This will not stop them from doing so. The fact that suicide attacks are prohibited in Russia and Pakistan but permitted elsewhere makes this fatwa questionable in my opinion. It is obvious that this fatwa was issued by government clerics specifically for Pakistan to help them with their problems at the request of Musharraf. Even so, it is hardly significant.

Source: BBC Urdu, Link:

https://www.bbc.com/urdu/interactivity/debate/story/2005/05/printable/050517_suicide-attack-haram-yourviews

Intellectuals can learn a lot from reader comments on this fatwa, which was issued by the Ulama in 2005 and condemned suicide bombings. Especially how many questions the average population still has. What sort of mindset do they possess? Some people may continue to have the same convictions even though the majority of people's opinions have probably altered significantly over time. The most crucial point is why this fatwa made it plain that suicide attacks are exclusively prohibited in Islamic nations. Why weren't suicide bombers outlawed in nations where Islam is not practised? Why weren't suicide bombings prohibited in Palestine and Kashmir as well?

It is evident from the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah that suicide attacks are prohibited in all circumstances, whether they occur during a war or not, whether they occur in Pakistan, Kashmir, America, or Palestine.

Some Ulama opine that suicide bombing can occasionally be used as a military tactic. This perspective of view is completely at odds with Islam. A general application of Qur'anic verse (2:195) and the hadith given by Hazrat Sahl completely refute this idea. Suicide is forbidden in all circumstances, according to the Qur'an (2:195), and similarly, according to the Hadith narrated by Hazrat Sahl, it is forbidden even during Jihad. How then can suicide be permitted in a Fitna condition?

Suicide bombings are prohibited in all situations according to the Qur'an and the Hadith. It is unquestionably important to issue a fatwa against suicide, but it is also important to stress that suicide is forbidden everywhere and at all times.

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A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a Classical Islamic scholar with a Sufi background and English-Arabic-Urdu Translator.

URL:   https://newageislam.com/the-war-within-islam/muslim-suicide-bombing-fatwa-pakistani-ulama/d/129158

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