The letter of his Eminence Sheikh 'Abdul-'Aziz ibn 'Abdullah Al Sheikh, the General Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - May Allah save him – on the occasion of two airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center in the USA.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all mankind. The good end is for the pious. Peace be upon (Muhammad) the greatest of all prophets and messengers, on his family and his Companions.

Regarding the many questions and inquiries which were brought to us about what took place in the USA a few days ago and the Shari'ah stance regarding it; whether Islam approves such actions or not?

I start out seeking help from Allah the One, the Almighty: Allah – Glory be to Him – has guided us by embracing Islam and made it a complete Shari'ah that fits all times and places in order to reform individuals and groups. It calls to righteousness and integrity, justice and charity, discarding polytheism and evil, oppression, tyranny and betrayal. The greatest blessing of Allah upon us Muslims is that He guided us to this religion and made us of its followers and supporters, so the Muslim who applies Allah's Shari'ah, follows the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the one who holds firm to this religion is the only given salvation in the world and in the Hereafter.

The dangerous actions which took place in the USA which led to the killing of thousands of people are not approved by Islamic Shari'ah; they are not part of religion and are not in harmony with the foundations of Shari'ah because of the following:

1. Allah – Glory be to Him – commanded (Muslims) to be just and on justice the heavens and the earth were constructed, with it the messengers were sent and the Divine Books were revealed. Allah – Glory be to Him - says:

"Verily, Allâh enjoins Al-‘Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allâh Alone - Islâmic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsân [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allâh, totally for Allâh’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allâh has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help), and forbids Al-Fahshâ’ (i.e. all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right), and Al-Munkar (i.e. all that is prohibited by Islâmic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression). He admonishes you, that you may take heed." (Surat An-Nahl, 16:90).

He Also says: "Indeed, We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice. And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power (in matters of war), as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allâh may test who it is that will help Him (His religion) and His Messengers in the unseen. Verily, Allâh is All-Strong, All-Mighty." (Surat Al-Hadid, 57:25).

Allah decreed that no soul bears the sins of another because of His justice – Glory be to Him –

"…That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another." (Surat An-Najm, 53:38).

2. Allah made oppression prohibited to Himself and made it as such among His servants as He says in the Divine Hadith: "My servants, I have made oppression prohibited for Me and prohibited for you, so do not commit oppression against one another." This statement is general for all the servants of Allah whether they are Muslims or not that no one is to oppress another or harm him even if there is enmity or hatred between them. Allah – Glory be to Him - says: "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allâh as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety; and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do." (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:8) Enmity and hatred are not legal causes for aggression and oppression.
Consequently, all people; countries and people, Muslims and non-Muslims should know several things:

A. Those actions which took place in the USA and their likes such as hijacking, terrifying the innocents or killing people without right claims are different manifestation of oppression, aggression and tyranny which the Islamic Shari'ah doesn't approve; rather it considers them prohibited and among the major sins.  

B. The Muslim who understands the instructions of his religion and who acts according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) keeps aloof from such actions which may lead to the wrath of Allah, harm and corruption.

C. The duty of Muslim scholars is to give the right (fatwa) in such situations, clarifying to the whole world the Shari'ah of Allah and explaining that Islam doesn't approve of such evil actions.

D. The media and its men, who accuse Muslims of such actions and defame this upright religion of Islam; those who brand it with false accusation in order to spread trials; who defame Islam and Muslims, who incite hatred against them, must stop this nonsense. Every fair-minded person who knows well the teachings of Islam can neither describe it with such things nor claim these false accusations. Throughout history the followers of this religion and those who adhere to it didn't show but fulfillment of rights and rejection of transgression and injustice.

This is my statement on what has happened in order to reveal the truth and remove any ambiguity. I invoke Allah to guide us to the right way, the ways of peace; to make His religion superior and to elevate high His word, for He is the Most Generous.

May peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions!

The General Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Head of the Board of the Senior ‘Ulema Commission and the Administration of the Scientific Researches and Fatwas
'Abdul-Aziz ibn 'Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al Sheikh

Adopted from the book "Fatawa Al-A'mmah fi An-Nawazil Al-Mudlahimmah (The Scholars' Fatwas Concerning the Great Calamities) [page 27-30]."