In the name of God, the almighty and merciful.
Fatwa against Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda and many that pretend to justify
terrorism based on the sacred Koran or the beliefs of the Prophet Muhammad, may
God save them.
On the 1st anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the 11-M in Madrid, the
Islamic Commission of Spain has approved a fatwa in which it declares its
strong condemnation of terrorism and emphasises the impossibility, from an
Islamic point of view, that any type or demonstration of terrorism can be
justified. God willing, the fatwa will serve as a foundation for the next
anti-terrorist conference held, God willing, next autumn in Madrid.
In the Koran, the Book revealed as a guide to humanity, God
orders Muslims to acquire excellence in ethical and moral behaviour. Islamic
morals are based on values such as peace, tolerance, mercy and compassion.
The Koran reminds Muslims that they are accountable to God for
all their behaviour and the way they treat other people, either Muslims or
non-Muslims.
In this sense, the Muslim is obligated to seek good for himself,
his family, the people around him, and society in general… The Muslim,
therefore, not only cannot commit crimes against innocent people but is also
responsible before God to stop those people that have the intention to do it…
In light of the (teachings of the Koran) and other Islamic
texts, the terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden and his organisation, al-Qaeda,
that look to fill the hearts of defenceless people with fear, that entail the
destruction of buildings or properties, that entail the death of civilians, like
women and children, or other similar things, they are prohibited and they are
the subject of a full sentence within Islam.
There is no doubt that the Muslims have a legitimate right to
react to an aggression or a situation of oppression. Nevertheless, such reaction
does not have to give rise to a blind or irrational hatred.
By it all, it is necessary to show that terrorism and extremism
contradict proper human nature and the lessons of Islam.
For this, it’s necessary to declare:
1. That Islam rejects terrorism in all its forms, whether it’s
the death of innocents or damage to their property.
2. That Islam is the main victim of terrorist acts performed by
some groups that falsely call themselves "Islamic", as such attempts not only
cost the lives of many Muslims, but also damage the image of Islam, cause growth
in anti-Islamic sentiment, and serve the interests of their enemies.
3. That these groups try to cover their acts by false
interpretations of the holy writings, in the effort to gain support of Muslims
or gain new converts.
This fraud needs to be strongly denounced by the educated and Islamic leaders
worldwide.
4. That those that commit terrorist acts violate the basic
teachings of the Koran, and become apostate, abandoning Islam.
5. That it is the duty of every Muslim to fight against
terrorism, in unison, with the mandate by the Koran that establishes that
corruption should not spread in the world…
In that Osama bin Laden and his organisation defend the legality
of terrorism, saying that it is based on the teachings of the Koran, they are
committing a crime and have become apostate, which should not be considered
Muslims, or treated as such.
We also declare that Osama bin Laden and his organisation, al-Qaeda,
who are responsible for horrific crimes against the innocent people that were
murdered during the terrorist acts of Mar. 11 in Madrid, are outside the
parameters of Islam, as are all who proclaim the Koran and the teachings of the
Prophet as basis for such terrorist acts.
In line with this fatwa, we requested to the national
government and the Spanish media, to stop using the word Islam or Islamic to
identify these wrongdoers, as they are not Muslim nor have any relation to our
umma or Islamic community, they must be called al-Qaeda terrorists or
something similar, but without using adjective Islamic, which, as has been
stated above, is not appropriate…
Mansur Escudero Bedate
Secretary General of the Islamic Commission of Spain
Cordova, 11 March 2005
