By Zahir Shah
 Religious scholars in Pakistan and Afghanistan categorically condemn violence by militants in the name of Islam. [Zahir Shah] |
Contributors to various schools of thought told Central Asia Online in a survey that terrorism and the killing of innocents have no religious justification and those involved in such acts are simply “killers.”
They view Islam as a religion of tolerance and peace, advocating a terror-free society and guaranteeing life and the honour of all living beings, regardless of religious identity.
“All acts of violence and bomb attacks aimed at targeting (houses of) worship and public places and the killing of innocent people are totally un-Islamic and haram,” Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman, president of Tanzim-ul-Madaris Al Arabia Pakistan and head of the Darul Uloom Naeemia in Karachi, told Central Asia Online. “The people involved in these acts of violence and bomb blasts are doing no service to Islam and religion; rather they are damaging and tarnishing the true essence of the religion.”
 Religious scholar Dr. Ziaul Islam, a professor at the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Studies at the University of Peshawar, rejects violence and terrorism. [Zahir Shah] |
“Targeting schools, mosques and noncombatants cannot be justified according to Islam,” Qazi added. “My belief is a true Muslim and mujahid would not dare carry out terrorist activities at worship places and public gatherings – these are elements who want to terrorise people and defame Islam.”
Islam is all about peace, said Dr. Dost Muhammad, director of the Sheikh Zahid Islamic Centre at the University of Peshawar, said. “Every Muslim know that the word Islam has been taken from Salam (meaning peace and safety),” he said. “The religion that preaches safety and peace for all human beings cannot justify killing of the innocent.”
“The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) had clear instructions even during jihad that worship places like churches, monasteries, and public places must not be destroyed,” he said, referring to a Hadith. “The prayer leaders, priests, monks and the worshippers staying there must be treated mercifully and must be spared.”
“The ulema of Pakistan ranging from Mufti Azam Pakistan, Maulana Rafi Usmani to local clerics are agreed on the fatwa that attacks on mosques, madaris, schools and worship places where innocent people are killed are haram and cannot be permitted at any cost,” Muhammad Tayyab Qurayshi, imam of the Mohabat Khan mosque in Peshawar, told Central Asia Online.
Adherence to real Islam is necessary, said Dr. Ziaul Islam, a religious scholar and professor at the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Studies at the University of Peshawar.
“Until we begin to follow true Islam, this problem will prevail,” he predicted. “Islam has not asked anyone to wage a war on others, but it calls for mutual respect for all religions and in return seeks security for its followers.”
 Muhammad Tayyab Qurayshi, imam of the Mohabat Khan mosque in Peshawar, told Central Asia Online July 16 that local clerics agree with the fatwa that attacks on worship places and schools, where innocent people are killed, are haram. [Zahir Shah] |
“The Afghan Taliban may not be wrong in their ideology, but I believe they have not taken things (realistically),” he said. “Their … religious priorities proved to be of no service to Islam and rather have harmed the religion. ... Steps like a ban on women's education and implementation of other harsh practices and their linkage to Islam ... (created) undue fears among the West.”
The religious political party Jamaiat-i-Uleman Islam takes a principled stand against all acts of violence that cause civilian deaths, the party’s secretary-general, Haji Jalil Jan, told Central Asia Online.
“Acts of violence which cause the death of non-combatants are condemnable by all means,” Jan added. “I would also say another cause of terrorism is ignorance,” Qari Yaqub, an Islamabad cleric, told Central Asia Online. “No one is guiding them. ... They need guidance and the ulema have a major role to play in stopping this bloodshed.”
War will not resolve the region’s conflicts, and the solution lies in peace, said Qari Fayaz Rehman Ulvi, leader of the Darul Uloom Madni Masjid Namak Mandi Peshawar and a former National Assembly member.
“The ulema and religious scholars from Pakistan and Afghanistan should join hands and suggest a peaceful solution to the violence in the region," he said. “Ulema are the people who can help defuse the tension and control the wave of terrorism by educating people.”
“An end to this violence and the militancy and the restoration of peace are the only way to get rid of this bloodshed,” Qari Fayaz said. “But for that the government and the international community must fulfil their responsibilities, too.”
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