Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: More than 1,800 clerics have issued a fatwa forbidding suicide bombings, as part of a national counter-terrorism narrative ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ launched here at the President’s House on Tuesday.

The 22-point decree signed by eminent religious scholars from different schools of thought and heads of major religious schools across Pakistan declared that suicide attacks were forbidden in the light of teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah and were already adversely affecting the country and the society by causing disorder and mayhem to the advantage of the enemies of Islam as well as Pakistan.

“We unanimously reject extremist ideology and extremism in all its forms and manifestations. Wherever exists, this is an evil ideology, therefore, shall be dealt with as a religious obligation through all means available, i.e. ideological, kinetic and non-kinetic,” the decree said.

The fatwa strongly supported anti-terrorist military operations launched to strengthen the security and stability of the country.

The scholars agreed that spreading of sectarian hatred, armed sectarian conflict and imposition of one’s religious ideologies by force were contrary to the teachings of Islam and were tantamount to creating chaos and mischief in the country.

“As per constitution of Pakistan and law of the land, these acts are heinous crimes against humanity. We demand that government institutions should take all possible measures to eliminate such activities,” the decree read.

“Use of force to impose Islam in Pakistan, armed struggle against the State and all other forms of terrorist activities to which our country is confronted with are forbidden under the Islamic laws,” the fatwa declared. “All such actions are considered as rebellion against the State, benefiting the enemies of Islam and Pakistan,” the document said.

“In our opinion, those who are conducting, inciting, facilitating, financing and promoting such heinous acts are rebels and the State of Pakistan has legitimate authority to take all possible measures against them,” the decree said.

“Jihad involving physical combat and waging war is the prerogative of the State and no individual or group has the authority to declare and wage Jihad. Such initiatives of an individual or group shall be considered as acts of rebellion against the State and according to Islamic teaching is a heinous crime punishable under Tazir,” according to the decree.

“All Pakistani citizens are constitutionally bound to protect the national interests. Renunciation/breach of national interests is to be taken as high treason and therefore shall be dealt as per the Islamic injunctions.”

The fatwa says that constitutionally, the State of Pakistan is an Islamic Republic and the preamble of its constitution is based upon ‘Objectives Resolution’, declaring that sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by Allah is a sacred trust.

“Furthermore, the constitution also states that no law shall be enacted which is against or contrary to the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah and all existing laws shall be brought into conformity with the Islamic injunction,” it said.

While addressing the ceremony, President Mamnoon Hussain said the national counter-terrorism narrative would help eradicate terrorism and prove instrumental in reforming the people who lost their path due to negative propaganda of aberrant elements.

He said the decree prepared by religious scholars and Wafaqul Madaris after thorough consultations was a step in the right direction which reiterates that Pakistan was an Islamic state that believes in peace, tolerance, justice and love.

“I believe that this decree, prepared in the light of true teachings of Islam, will transform their hearts and pave the way for their salvation in the hereinafter,” the president said, adding that according to the Islamic teachings, extremism, bloodshed and suicide bombing were categorized as spreading evil on earth (Fasaad-fil-Ard), which was categorically prohibited and unjustified.

The president pointed out that the State and its institutions to a certain extent fell short of discharging their responsibilities from 1970s to 1990s which resulted in several complexities.

He urged all segments of the society to make a resolve to not repeat such mistakes.

The document has been prepared with the assistance and support of the academia from Pakistani universities, in cooperation with the Wafaq-ul-Madaris al-Arabiyyah, Tanzim-ul-Madaris Ahl-e-Sunnat, Wafaq-ul-Madaris al-Salfiyyah, Wafaq-ul-Madaris al-Shi’ah and Rabitat-ul-Madaris Pakistan besides eminent scholars from Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi, Dar-ul-Uloom Muhammadiah Ghausia Bhera Sharif, Jamia Binoria Karachi, Jamiat al-Muntazar Lahore, Jamia Ashrafia Lahore, Jamia Haqqania Akora Khattak, Jamia Muhammadiah Islamabad and Jamia Faridiah Islamabad.

Published in Daily Times, January 17^th 2018.