Statement of the Senior ‘Ulema (Scholars) in Saudi Arabia on the Bombing Incidents, AH 1424

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and peace and blessings be upon the best Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad peace be upon him, his family and Companions…

The Council of the Senior ‘Ulema (Scholars), in its fifty-ninth session held in the city of Al Ta'ef on 11/6/1424 AH discussed the recent events in Saudi Arabia, including the acts of sabotage and killing the safeguarded which caused panic and disturbance. It also discussed the weapons discovered and the dangerous bombs depots prepared for the acts of sabotage and destruction in Saudi Arabia, which is the fortress of Islam that includes the House of Allah (the Muslims' Qiblah) and the mosque of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Such dangerous preparations were made for committing crimes of destruction and sabotage which undermine security, cause killing and destruction of the public and private property in addition to exposing the Ummah to a great danger. It therefore became necessary for the scholars of the Ummah to clarify these dangers and that all Muslims should cooperate to get rid of them, remove their evil, warn against them and forbid negative attitudes toward what is done against our security. Thus, there was a need to clarify these things for people, to absolve ourselves from negligence, to give advice to people out of pity for Muslim children who might be used as a means of corruption and sabotage or followers of the callers of misguidance and Fitnah (ordeal). Allah ordered the scholars to clarify things for people, He the Exalted said:

"(And remember) when Allâh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it ".

For all these reasons and out of concern to keep our country safe from dangers, the Council decides the following:

First: performing acts of destruction and sabotage such as: bombings, killing and destruction of property are atrocious criminal acts and an aggression against secured people, and corruption of wealth which require the Islamic deterring punishment according to the Islamic scripts and the requirements of keeping its sovereignty and forbidding rebelling against the Muslim rulers.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "One who defected from obedience (to the Amir) and separated from the main body of the Muslims - if he dies in that state - would die the death of one belonging to the days of Jahiliyya (i. e. would not die as a Muslim). One who fights under the banner of a people who are blind (to the cause for which they are fighting. i.e. do not know whether their cause is just or otherwise), who gets flared up with family pride, calls, (people) to fight for their family honour, and supports his kith and kin (i.e. fights not for the cause of Allah but for the sake of this family or tribe) - if he is killed (in this fight), he dies as one belonging to the days of Jahiliyya. Whoso attacks my Ummah (indiscriminately) killing the righteous and the wicked of them, sparing not (even) those staunch in faith and fulfilling not his promise made with those who have been given a pledge of security - he has nothing to do with me and I have nothing to do with him." (Related by Muslim).

Whoever claims that such acts of sabotage and bombings are Jihad (strife for the cause of Allah) acts is ignorant and misguided.

From the above we conclude that the acts of these people is nothing but corruption and sabotage and they should fear Allah, the Exalted and Sublime, repent and think wisely. They also should not follow the corrupt words and slogans which are raised to separate the Ummah and lead to corruption, besides, they are not from religion but they are the words of the ignorant and the biased people. The Islamic scriptures include a punishment for those who perform such actions and an emphasis on deterring them.

Second: If these atrocious actions of corruption and sabotage were true then the Council supports the actions of the State, may Allah dignify it with Islam, including investigating these evil people, and discovering their plots to save the country and the people from their evil and to protect the Muslims from such a Fitnah (ordeal). All people should cooperate to face this danger. Allah, the Exalted ordered:

"Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwâ (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment."

The Council warns from sheltering these people as this is considered a great sin, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah cursed him who accommodates an innovator (in religion)" (Authenticated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Scholars interpreted the word 'innovator' as the one who corrupts on earth.

This severe threat is for those who accommodate corruptors, so, how about those who help and support them?

Third: The Council urges scholars to exert more efforts in guiding people concerning this danger to understanding what is right.

Fourth: The Council condemns the fatwas issued and the opinions that encourage criminal actions because this is very dangerous. It is very dangerous to give a fatwa without enough knowledge and it is clear that this is from Satan:

"O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and follow not the footsteps of Shaitân (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy. He [Shaitân (Satan)] commands you only what is evil and Fahshâ’ (sinful), and that you should say against Allâh what you know not."

And He said: "And say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely: “This is lawful and this is forbidden,” so as to invent lies against Allâh. Verily, those who invent lies against Allâh will never prosper. A passing brief enjoyment (will be theirs), but they will have a painful torment."

Allah, the Exalted, also said: "And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those one will be questioned (by Allâh)."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: " And he who calls (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect." (Authenticated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Those who issue these misguided fatwas or opinions that lead to violence should be referred to judgment according to the Islamic Shari‘ah, in order to protect our religion. People whom Allah granted knowledge should warn from these false words and clarify their corruption. One of the most important duties of a Muslim is sincerity for Allah, His Book, His Messenger and for the leaders and the Muslim public. The danger of these fatwas increases when they disturb order and security, ignite Fitnah (ordeal) and trouble and promote speaking ignorantly and emotionally about religion. These fatwas target the vulnerable youth who do not have enough knowledge nor realize that they are based on weak evidence to trick them into false aims. All such actions are atrocious in Islam; no one who knows the limits of the Islamic Shari'ah and its goals would accept them. The words of those who speak without enough knowledge are among the reasons that spilt the Ummah and spread enmities.

Fifth: The rulers should stop those who speak wrongly about Islam and about its scholars. They promote lax attitudes in religious matter and audacious attitudes towards Islam and its people and suggest a link between these criminal events and our religious institutions. The Council also condemns the words of some writers who suggest a link between the acts of sabotage and our educational curricula. It also condemns using these events to attack this blessed country which is based on the creed of the righteous ancestors and to attack the reformation call of Sheikh Al-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdel Wahab, May Allah bless his soul.                 
 
Sixth: Islam urges Muslims to gather together, which is prescribed in Allah's Book, and forbids separation and division. Allah said:

"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."

And He said: "Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) have no concern in them in the least."

Allah prevented his Prophet from being one of those who divide up religion; which means that Islam forbids division and disunity because this is a grave sin.

It is known that it is necessary in Islam to belong to the group of Muslims and to obey the Muslim rulers. Allah the exalted said:

"O you who believe! Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority."
 
It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "It is obligatory for you to listen to the ruler and obey him in adversity and prosperity, in pleasure and displeasure, and even when another person is given (rather undue) preference over you." (Related by Muslim)

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoso obeys me obeys God, and whoso disobeys me disobeys God. Whoso obeys the commander (appointed by me) obeys me, and whoso disobeys the commander disobeys me. The same tradition transmitted by different persons omits the portion: And whoso disobeys the commander disobeys me." (Authenticated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The righteous ancestors of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those who came after them followed the same orders.

Because of the above, the Council warns Muslims from those who call for misguidance, Fitnah (ordeal) and separation, those who appeared these days to misguide Muslims and urge them to disobey their leaders, which is considered a grave sin in Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Different evils will make their appearance in the near future. Anyone who tries to disrupt the affairs of this Ummah while they are united you should strike him with the sword whoever he be. " (Related by Muslim)

This Hadith is a warning to those who call for misguidance and to those who follow them to avoid punishment in this life and in the Hereafter. It is required to stick to Islam and follow the right path which is based on the Qur'an and Sunnah, and according to the understanding of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those who rightfully followed them. We should also bring up our children the same right way to save them, by the help of Allah, from the corrupted thoughts and from the effect of those who call for misguidance, Fitnah and separation. In order to make them useful for Islam and to be scholars who are the heirs of the Prophets and to be good, righteous and guided people. The Council also reaffirms the importance to stick to the leaders and scholars of this Ummah especially in the times of Fitnah. It warns the governors and the governed from the sins and neglecting the Commands of Allah. Because the matter of sins is a great one, we should beware of our sins and keep straight on the way of Allah performing the rituals of Islam; enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.

May Allah protect our country and all Muslim countries from every evil, and may Allah gather Muslims on truth and guidance. May Allah eliminate the enemies of Allah who attack Islam and make their evil planning against them. Allah is the All-Hearer, Ever Near. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions and those who followed him until the day of Resurrection!

Senior ‘Ulema Commission
Chief of the Council
Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Allah bin Muhammad Al Sheikh
Salih bin Muhammad Al-Luhaidan
Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al Manee'
Abdullah Abd Al Rahman Al Ghudian
Dr. Salih bin Fawzan Al Fawzan
Hassan bin Ja‘far Al ‘Atmy
Muhammad bin Abdul Allah Al Sabeel
Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Al Sheikh
Muhammad bin Sulaiman Al Badr
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Muhsin Al Turky  
Muhammad bin Zaid Al Sulaiman
Dr. Bakr Abdul Allah Abu Zaid (absent for sickness)
Dr. Abdul Wahab bin Ibrahim Abu Sulaiman
Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Hamid
Dr. Ahmad bin Ali Sair Al Mubaraky
Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Rakban
Dr. Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Mutlaq

Eqaz Newspaper, issue # 3504,
Sunday 19 Jumada Al Akhirah, 1424 AH, page 6.

See also Al Fatawa Al Shar‘iyyah fi Al Qadaya Al ‘Asriyyah, 2nd ed. p.34-40.