Religious Authority in Saudia Arabia Condemns

Phenomena of Atonement, Bloodshed and Destruction

In the Muslim and Non – Muslim States

A panel of religion scholars in Saudia Arabia released a statement about what is going on in Muslim and non – Muslim countries, related to phenomena of atonement, bloodshed, destruction of property, killing of innocent people, spread of terror amid the people and disturbed stability of the country. Such acts have nothing to do with Islam. The believers in Allah and the other day denounce such crimes….. Whoever commits such crimes on pretext of atonement demonstrates a deviated intellect and a misleading belief, hence such an individual is himself guilty rather than Islam or Muslims, who adhere to the holy Book (the Quran), to the prophetic tradition and hold fast the Divine cord.

Such an individual spreads mischief that is rejected by religious legislation and human instinct. Therefore religious contexts forbid such acts and discard relationship with such individuals.

The holy Quran says, «There is a certain man whose talk about worldy life intrigues you. He calls God to witness whatever is in his heart. He is extremely violent in guarding. Whenever he holds the upper hand, he rushes around the earth to ruin it. He destroys (people’s) crops and breeding stock while God does not like ruination. When someone tells him: ‘Heed God, a (false) sense of importance leads him off to sin. He can count on hell; what an awful couch.» (The Cow: 204 – 206).

Atonement is a religious rule within the authority of Allah the Almighty and His messenger. It is similar to the rule of the lawful and the unlawful. There should be a clear evidence for atonement rather than a mere doubt. Hence the prophet (pbuh) warned us of accusing of infidelity. He (pbuh) said: «Do not call a brother of yours as being infidel; if he is not as you call him, you will have it back.»

In the holy Quran and prophetic tradition there are words that can be perceived as infidelity, yet a person to whom they are related is not called an infidel for some reason.

This ruling is similar to many other rulings which are not performed for lacking some condition. For example in case of inheritance, relatives can inherit but there will be no inheritance if religions are different.

Similarly some times an individual is forced to utter words of infidelity; a Muslim may utter such words in anger or in extreme joy, yet he does not mean it. Hence a hasty accusation of atonement entails dangerous outcome such as bloodshed, loss of property and prevention of inheritance. How can a believer do that out of the minimum suspect?

When the matter is linked with statesmen, it is more serious because it leads to armed clashes shedding blood, spreading chaos and destroying property.

Therefore the prophet (pbuh) warned against such deeds.

He (pbuh) said, «… unless there is a clear evidence of infidelity with a proof form God.» Mere doubt is not enough o consider one as being an infidel.

Mischief even as serious as injustice, drinking wine, gambling or unlawful gain, does not entail atonement.

Even a prominent religion scholar can not give a verdict without clear evidence indicated in the holy Quran or the prophetic narrations. Such restrictions mean the matter is quite serious and should not be tackled without a clear evidence.

The Almighty says, «Say: ‘My Lord has only forbidden shocking deeds whether they are flagrant or kept hidden, and vice and sedition without any right to do so, and that you should associate anything with God for which He has not sent down authority, and that you should say something you do not know concerning God.»  (Al – Aaraf: 33).

The outcome of such wrong belief is embodied in bloodshed violation of individual’s privacy, confiscation of property and destruction of buildings. These are all forbidden deeds by religious legislation and by Muslims' unanimity. Islam confirms the Muslims’ rights regarding safety of body, of property and of honour. Such rights should never be violated. The prophet (pbuh) re-assured such rights in his farewell pilgrimage when he said, «Your blood, your property and your honour are all sacred affairs as sacred as your day this one, in your this month… Oh my Lord, I have informed them (of their duty) Oh my Lord be my witness.»

He (pbuh) also said, «Be ware of injustice. Injustice is a part of darkness on the Day of Judgement.»

The Almighty warned the people of killing an innocent person. The Quranic verse says:

«Anyone who kills a believer deliberately will receive as his reward (a sentence) to live in Hell for ever. God will be angry with him and curse him and prepare dreadful Torment for him.» (Women: 92).

«… if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty, then it means blood – money to be delivered to his family and freeing a believing captive.» (Women: 92).

The Quranic verse (Women: 92) refers to an infidel being killed by mistake, there should be blood money given to his family as well as freeing a believing captive.

Surely a deliberate killing entails greater sin.  A Prophetic narration says: «Whoever kills one enjoying a peace treaty will never smell paradise smelling.» 

All Muslims should encourage truth and perform honourable deeds. They should enjoin the good and forbid the evil, through the best manner of argument. The holy Quran says:

«And the believing men and the believing women should (act as) friends to one another; they should commend decency and forbid wickedness, keep up prayer, and pay the welfare tax as well as obey God and His messenger. Those whom God will grant mercy to. God is Powerful Wise.» (Al – Tawba: 71).

«… cooperate with one another for virtue and heedfulness and do not cooperate with one another for the purpose of vice and aggression. Heed God (Alone) God is strict with punishment.» (Al – Miada: 2).

«By eventide, every man (is indeed) at a loss, except for those who believe, perform honorable deeds, encourage truth and recommend patience.» (The Eventide: 1 – 3).

The prophet (pbuh) said, «Religion is advice.» The companions asked him (pbuh), «Whom should we advise»?

He (pbuh) said, «Advise for the sake of Allah, His book and His messenger, the Muslim leaders and the common people.»

He also said, «The believers in their loving relationship, their compassion and cooperation, resemble one body. When an organ suffers pain, all the other organs are called to share pain and fever.»

Finally the scholars’ statement prayed to Allah the Almighty to keep safe the Muslim rulers and guide them to the right path to benefit all the people and halt mischief, to help them achieve victory and keep high His word everywhere through their victory, He is the Powerful, the Wise. Peace be on the prophet and his household and his companions.

In the Name of Allah The Compassionate the Merciful