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Several senior Islamic scholars and Imams have written an open letter to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of extremist group Islamic State (IS), spelling out how the actions of the Islamic State (IS) are forbidden under Islamic scripture and Islamic law.
In the letter several scholars explain the teachings of the Quran and the Hadiths of the Prophet Mohammed must be interpreted as one whole, and that Muslims should not “pick and choose” verses which suits their own outlook, especially while issuing fatwas. It also explains that Islam prohibits the torture and murder of innocent people or other “people of the scripture” like Yezedis and Christians.
The scholars also take issue with how the IS has declared itself as a “caliphate” with the backing of a few thousand extremists as “it is forbidden in Islam to declare a caliphate without consensus from all Muslims”.
The letter starts off with an executive summary consisting of twenty-four points calling attention to actions forbidden and permissible in Islam, thereby pointing out the IS’ hypocrisy.
The letter begins after the summary, and explains in detail all the twenty-four points mentioned in the summary, followed by verses from the Quran which call for peace, mercy and tolerance of all people, signed off with “And God knows best” on 19th September, 2014.
It ends with a quote from 4th Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib, and breaks it down, explaining how he foresaw the IS’ uprising and its actions.
“When you see the black flags, remain where you are and do not move your hands or your feet. Thereafter there shall appear a feeble insignificant folk. Their hearts will be like fragments of iron. They will have the state. They will fulfill neither covenant nor agreement. They will call to the truth, but they will not be people of the truth.
Their names will be parental attributions, and their aliases will be derived from towns. Their hair will be free-flowing like that of women. This situation will remain until they differ among themselves. Thereafter, God will bring forth the Truth through whomever He wills”
The letter has been signed by over hundreds of Islamic scholars and Imams from all over the world, including from the UK, , the US, Dubai, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Palestine, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, India and many others.
Click here for the full letter.
