Q&A: The London Bombings – Part 1

A Tele-Link With Shaykh ‘Abdullāh al-Ghudayyān

Question:

What is the of Islamic position towards the bombings that took place in London?

Answer:

In the name of Allaah. All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the creation and may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and all of his companions.

It is well known that the religion of Islam is a universal religion for the whole of mankind and the jinn. Allaah the Most High and the One free from all imperfections has legislated laws for the whole of mankind and the jinn. From these laws are the commands and prohibitions. Amongst these prohibitions is that Allaah has forbidden oppression.

Allaah the Mighty and Majestic said: “And certainly Allaah is never unjust to His slaves.” [Surah Fussilat: 46]

And He said: “Surely, Allaah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a small ant)” [Surah an-Nisaa: 40]

And He said in a Hadeeth Qudsi, “My slaves, I have forbidden oppression for myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another.” [Muslim no. 2577] (This is an authentic hadeeth qudsi reported upon Allaah the Mighty and Majestic.)

Oppression is forbidden amongst mankind. It is not allowable for anyone to oppress another, and there is no difference in this between a man and a woman, a slave and the free one, and this (applies) to the whole of mankind – oppression is forbidden!

Based upon that, there is no doubt that this bombing is a form of (oppression), because Allaah said in another place (in the Qur’aan): “No soul shall bear the sin of another.” [Surah an-Najm: 38]

This means that no person should be punished due to the sin of another. Therefore, the people who perpetrated these acts have nothing to support (their behaviour) from the texts of (the Quraan and the Sunnah).

This is the answer to this question and it has been responded to in a summarised manner.


Question:

What is the ruling of suicide bombings in Islam?

Answer:

Allaah the Most High and the One free from all imperfections, has prohibited the people from killing themselves. He said, “Do not kill yourselves”. [Surah an-Nisaa: 29]

It is impermissible for a person to aim to kill himself, especially using these methods which entail killing himself and other innocent people, who have not committed any crime that warranted such a punishment. That is why (the suicide bomber) is oppressing his own soul from one perspective, and oppressing others from another.


Question:

This is an obligation. It is mandatory that he informs them (the police) because this is transgression without any right; this is oppression on his part. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “Aid your brother whether he is the oppressed or the oppressor.”

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was asked, “How do you aid an oppressor?” He said, “Prevent him from his oppression.” [Bukhari no. 2286]

(Informing the authorities) will prevent a Muslim from being unjust, and this will prevent people from being oppressed due to the result of (his plans). From another angle, this will be beneficial to the society as there are many Muslims amongst them. So this can be considered from (the following) three aspects:

  1. Helping the one who intends to commit suicide, (by preventing him from his oppression).
  2. Helping those who will feel the consequences of this attack, due to the killing and injuries that would occur.
  3. Helping the other Muslims, those who might be harmed by this.

These three aspects are including in the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: “Aid your brother whether he is the oppressed or the oppressor.”

And all success lies with Allaah.