| NEWS\
Sunday
1 February 2004 |
"Crush
Terror Mercilessly" - Grand Mufti
JEDDAH, 1 February 2004 — Saudi Arabia’s grand
mufti yesterday reiterated Islam’s total opposition
to terror and called upon the world’s decision-makers
and politicians to do justice to the Islamic nation.
Delivering his annual sermon to nearly two million pilgrims
who had assembled on the plain of Arafat, Sheikh
Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh emphasized that terror and violence
must be “mercilessly” crushed.
“Is it justice to blame a nation on the basis of the
opinion of its rivals and enemies, ignoring the greatness
of that nation, its roots, rulers, scholars and books?”
the mufti asked. “Islam has forbidden violence in all
its forms. It has forbidden hijacking airplanes, ships and
other means of transport and has forbidden all acts that would
undermine security,” he told the faithful.
“God says the penalty for those who fight God and His
Prophet and spread violence and terror is to be killed, crucified
or have their hands and legs chopped off,” he said.
The mufti added, “Islam has also called for the killing
of anyone who attempts to undermine legitimate rulers or divide
Muslims.”
He then questioned why Islam was branded by some as a religion
of terror given its strong opposition to terror. “You
must know Islam’s firm stance against all these terrible
crimes which have been attributed to it. The world must know
that Islam is the religion of peace and mercy and goodness;
it is the religion of justice and guidance. It is a religion
that prohibits all forms of injustice and the shedding of
blood without genuine reason,” he explained.
“Islam has made the fulfillment of treaties and pledges
compulsory and has given importance to protecting the blood
of allies,” he said.
Sheikh
Abdul Aziz, the Kingdom’s highest religious authority,
said a true Muslim who intended to serve Islam would never
try to undermine the Ummah.
“Jihaad
does not mean shedding the blood of Muslims or killing peaceful
people or destroying their properties,” he said and
urged Muslims to act prudently and wisely and not be driven
by emotions or passions.
“Jihaad
was made lawful not to shed blood or to take revenge but as
a kind of worship of God and one of the religious duties for
defending the Islamic nation,” he pointed out.
The mufti urged those who raise the slogan of jihaad
to consider carefully for a time if what they were doing was
really in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an
and Sunnah.
Jihaad
has a wide meaning in Islam, he said.
Calling people to God’s message, promoting good relations
between Muslims and carrying out one’s duties are part
of jihaad.
He condemned the attitude of some extremists who brand others
infidels or enemies of God.
The mufti repeated his strong opposition to women mixing freely
with men. “Women should be grateful for the respectful
role accorded to them by Islam as mothers,” he said.
“Their dialogue must remain from behind the veil,”
he said.
Sheikh
Abdul Aziz highlighted the significance of 'Arafah
prayers. “'Arafah
Day is the most blessed day of the year as God forgives the
sins of a large number of people on that day.”
He urged Muslims to strengthen their faith in God and live
in accordance with His teachings for success in this world
and the hereafter. Islam is a complete way of life and is
suitable to all times and places. “If anyone accepts
something other than Islam as his religion, it will not be
acceptable,” the mufti said quoting from the Qur’an.
Saudi authorities took unprecedented security measures to
protect the pilgrims who flocked to 'Arafah
for the climax of the Hajj.
..........
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